US20240392976A1

US20240392976A1 - Indoor unit for air conditioner

Info

Publication number: US20240392976A1
Application number: US18/657,070
Authority: US
Inventors: Byeongkook YOO; Hyunho Kim; Wooyoung PARK; Byungyul SO; Soonwon AHN; Joonho YOON; Hojin Lee; Mingu JEON; Changwoo Jung
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-05-24
Filing date: 2024-05-07
Publication date: 2024-11-28
Also published as: EP4644786A1

Abstract

An indoor unit for air conditioners includes a main body and a panel frame coupled to the main body. The main body includes a blower fan configured to generate air flow, and a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with the air. The panel frame includes an air inlet forming an air supply passage to the main body and an air outlet forming a discharge passage for air discharged from the main body. A plurality of openings are provided in the panel frame. The plurality of openings are configured to be opened and closed by a plurality of doors. An electrical part comprising circuitry is placed on at least one of the plurality of openings.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/KR2024/005219 designating the United States, filed on Apr. 18, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Receiving Office and claiming priority to Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2023-0066849, filed on May 24, 2023, and 10-2023-0108268, filed on Aug. 18, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Field

The disclosure relates to an indoor unit for an air conditioner.

Description of Related Art

Air conditioners may have an indoor unit and an outdoor unit connected to each other by a refrigerant pipe. Outdoor units exchange heat between a refrigerant and the outdoor air using a phase change of the refrigerant. After the indoor unit performs heat exchange with the air drawn from a room, the indoor unit discharges the air back into the room. A ceiling-mounted indoor unit is equipped with a main body and a panel. Various electrical parts may be placed on the panel. For after-sales servicing of the electrical parts, the panel can be separated from the main body. The main body is installed on the ceiling by anchor bolts, and, after the installation is completed, it is necessary to access the anchor bolts to adjust the levels of the main body and the panel. In this case, the panel needs to be separated from the main body.

SUMMARY

An indoor unit for air conditioners according to an example embodiment of the disclosure includes: a main body and a panel frame coupled to the main body. The main body includes: a blower fan configured to generate air flow, and a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with the air. The panel frame includes an air inlet forming an air supply passage to the main body and an air outlet forming a discharge passage for air discharged from the main body. A plurality of openings are provided in the panel frame. The plurality of openings are configured to be opened and closed by a plurality of doors. An electrical part is placed on at least one of the plurality of openings.
An indoor unit for air conditioners according to an example embodiment of the disclosure includes: a main body and a panel frame coupled to the main body. The main body includes: a blower fan configured to generate air flow, a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with the air, and a plurality of hanger parts comprising hangers to which anchor bolts for ceiling installation are configured to be coupled. The panel frame includes an air inlet forming an air supply passage to the main body and an air outlet forming a discharge passage for air discharged from the main body. A plurality of hanger openings are configured to be opened in the panel frame so that the plurality of hanger parts are accessible. The plurality of hanger openings are configured to be opened and closed by a plurality of hanger doors. The plurality of hanger doors are supported on the panel frame and configured to be slidable to a position that closes the plurality of hanger openings and a position that opens the plurality of hanger openings.
An indoor unit for air conditioners according to an example embodiment of the disclosure includes: a main body and a panel frame coupled to the main body. The main body includes a blower fan configured to generate air flow, a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with the air, and a plurality of hanger parts comprising hangers to which anchor bolts for ceiling installation are configured to be coupled. The panel frame includes an air inlet forming an air supply passage to the main body and an air outlet forming a discharge passage for air discharged from the main body. A plurality of hanger openings are configured to be opened in the panel frame so that the plurality of hanger parts are accessible. The plurality of hanger openings are configured to be opened and closed by a plurality of hanger doors. An electrical part is disposed on an inner side of at least one of the plurality of hanger doors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an indoor unit for air conditioners according to various embodiments;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an indoor unit for air conditioners according to various embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an indoor unit for air conditioners according to various embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example panel of an indoor unit for air conditioners according to various embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example in which air is discharged out of an indoor unit when a blade is at a closed position in the indoor unit for air conditioners, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a panel of an indoor unit for air conditioners according to various embodiments;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a pivot coupling structure between a door and a panel frame according to various embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a plan view showing a state in which a door is coupled to a panel frame in an embodiment of the pivot coupling structure between the door and the panel frame shown in FIG. 7 according to various embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view showing a state in which a hinge cover is coupled to a door in an embodiment of the pivot coupling structure between the door and the panel frame shown in FIG. 7 according to various embodiments;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line X1-X1′ of FIG. 9 according to various embodiments;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a state in which a printed circuit board (PCB) is accommodated in a door according to various embodiments;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a pivot coupling structure between a door and a panel frame according to various embodiments;

FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view showing a state in which a door is coupled to a panel frame of the pivot coupling structure between the door and the panel frame shown in FIG. 12 according to various embodiments;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line X2-X2′ of FIG. 13 according to various embodiments;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a state in which a display device is accommodated in a door according to various embodiments;

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a coupling structure between a door and a panel frame according to various embodiments;

FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view showing a state in which a door is coupled to a panel frame of the coupling structure between the door and the panel frame shown in FIG. 16 according to various embodiments;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example separable coupling structure between a door and a panel frame according to various embodiments;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line X3-X3′ of FIG. 18 according to various embodiments;

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example separable coupling structure between a door and a panel frame according to various embodiments;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line X4-X4′ of FIG. 20 according to various embodiments;

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a plan view of a structure for opening or closing an opening using a door according to various embodiments; and

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line X5-X5′ of FIG. 22 according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood that various example embodiments of the disclosure illustrated and described in the disclosure and terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to particular embodiments of the disclosure and that the disclosure includes various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of the embodiments of the disclosure.
With regard to the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used to represent like or related elements.
A singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or a plurality of the items unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
As used herein, each of the phrases such as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B, “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one of the items listed together in a corresponding one of the phrases, or all possible combinations thereof.
The term “and/or” includes any combination of a plurality of associated elements listed, or any one of the plurality of associated listed elements.
Terms such as “first,” “second,” etc. may be used simply to distinguish an element from other elements and do not limit the elements in any other respect (e.g., importance or order).
It will be understood that when an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term “functionally” or “communicatively”, as being “coupled” or “connected” to another element (e.g., a second element), the element may be coupled to the other element directly (e.g., in a wired manner), wirelessly, or via a third element.
The terms such as “comprise,” “include,” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of stated features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.
It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected,” “coupled,” “supported,” or “in contact” with another element, this includes not only when the elements are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact, but also when they are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact via a third element.
It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, the element may be directly on the other element, or intervening elements may also be present therebetween.
An air conditioner according to various embodiments of the disclosure may refer, for example, to an apparatus that performs functions such as air purification, ventilation, humidity control, cooling, or heating in an air-conditioned space (hereinafter referred to as an “indoor space”) and is equipped with at least one of these functions.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the air conditioner may include a heat pump system to perform a cooling function or a heating function. The heat pump system may include a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant is circulated through a compressor, a first heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a second heat exchanger. All components of a heat pump system may be built into a single housing that forms an external appearance of an air conditioner, and window-type air conditioners or portable air conditioners are examples of such an air conditioner. On the other hand, components of the heat pump system may be split into several parts and built into a plurality of housings that form a single air conditioner, and examples of such an air conditioner include wall-mounted air conditioners, stand-type air conditioners, and system air conditioners.
An air conditioner including a plurality of housings may include at least one outdoor unit installed outdoors and at least one indoor unit installed indoors. For example, an air conditioner may be provided with one outdoor unit and one indoor unit connected via a refrigerant pipe. For example, an air conditioner may include one outdoor unit and two or more indoor units connected to the one outdoor unit via a refrigerant pipe. For example, an air conditioner may include two or more outdoor units and two or more indoor units connected to the two or more outdoor units via a plurality of refrigerant pipes.
An outdoor unit may be electrically connected to an indoor unit. For example, information (or commands) for controlling an air conditioner may be input via an input interface provided on the outdoor or indoor unit, and the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may operate simultaneously or sequentially in response to a user input.
The air conditioner may include an outdoor heat exchanger provided in an outdoor unit, an indoor heat exchanger provided in an indoor unit, and a refrigerant pipe connecting the outdoor heat exchanger to the indoor heat exchanger.
The outdoor heat exchanger may exchange heat between a refrigerant and outdoor air using a phase change (e.g., evaporation or condensation) of the refrigerant. For example, the refrigerant may release heat into the outdoor air during condensation of the refrigerant in the outside heat exchanger, and the refrigerant may absorb heat from the outdoor air during evaporation of the refrigerant flowing in the outside heat exchanger.
The indoor unit is installed indoors. For example, indoor units may be classified into ceiling-mounted indoor units, stand-type indoor units, wall-mounted indoor units, etc., depending on how they are arranged. For example, ceiling-mounted indoor units may be subdivided into 4-way cassette indoor units, 1-way cassette indoor units, duct-type indoor units, etc. depending on a way air is discharged.
Similarly, the indoor heat exchanger may exchange heat between a refrigerant and indoor air using a phase change (e.g., evaporation or condensation) of the refrigerant. For example, while the refrigerant evaporates in the indoor unit, the refrigerant may absorb heat from the indoor air, and the indoor air is cooled as it passes through the cold indoor heat exchanger and then blown out to cool an indoor space. Furthermore, while a refrigerant condenses in the indoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant may release heat into the indoor air, and the indoor air is heated as it passes through the high-temperature indoor heat exchanger and then blown out to heat the indoor space.
The air conditioner performs a cooling or heating function through a phase change process undergone by the refrigerant circulating between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger, and for this circulation of the refrigerant, the air conditioner may include a compressor that compresses the refrigerant. The compressor may suck in refrigerant gas through a suction port and compress the refrigerant gas. The compressor may discharge high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas via a discharge port. The compressor may be placed inside the outdoor unit.
The refrigerant may circulate, via a refrigerant pipe, through the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion device, and the indoor heat exchanger in the stated order, or through the compressor, the indoor heat exchanger, the expansion device, and the outdoor heat exchanger in the stated order.
For example, when the air conditioner has one outdoor unit and one indoor unit directly connected via a refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant may circulate between the one outdoor unit and the one indoor unit through the refrigerant pipe.
For example, when the air conditioner has one outdoor unit connected to two or more indoor units via a refrigerant pipe, refrigerants may flow into the plurality of indoor units via refrigerant pipes branching from the outdoor unit. The refrigerants discharged from the plurality of indoor units may be combined together and circulated to the outdoor unit. For example, the plurality of indoor units may each be directly connected to the one outdoor unit in parallel via separate refrigerant pipes.
Each of the plurality of indoor units may operate independently according to an operating mode set by a user. For example, some of the plurality of indoor units may operate in a cooling mode, and others may operate in a heating mode simultaneously. In this case, the refrigerant may be selectively introduced into each indoor unit at a high or low pressure along a designated circulation path via a flow path diverter valve as described below, and then discharged from the indoor unit and circulated to the outdoor unit.
For example, when the air conditioner has two or more outdoor units and two or more indoor units connected via a plurality of refrigerant pipes, refrigerants discharged from the plurality of outdoor units are combined and flow through a single refrigerant pipe, and then diverge again at a certain point to enter the plurality of indoor units.
The plurality of outdoor units may all be driven, or at least some of the outdoor units may not be driven, depending on an operating load corresponding to the amount of operation of the plurality of indoor units. In this case, the refrigerant may flow into via a flow path diverter valve and circulate through an outdoor unit that is selectively driven. The air conditioner may include an expansion device to lower the pressure of the refrigerant entering a heat exchanger. For example, the expansion device may be placed inside an indoor unit, inside an outdoor unit, or both.
For example, the expansion device may lower the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant using a throttling effect. The expansion device may include an orifice capable of reducing a cross-sectional area of a flow path. The temperature and pressure of the refrigerant that passes through the orifice may be lowered.
For example, the expansion device may be implemented as an electronic expansion valve capable of adjusting an opening ratio (a ratio of a cross-sectional area of a flow path in a valve in a partially open state to a cross-sectional area of a flow path in the valve in a fully open state). The amount of refrigerant passing through the expansion device may be controlled depending on the opening ratio of the electronic expansion valve.
The air conditioner may further include a flow path diverter valve provided on a refrigerant circulation flow path. The flow path diverter valve may include, for example, a 4-way valve. The flow path diverter valve may determine a path of circulation of the refrigerant depending on an operating mode of an indoor unit (e.g., cooling operation or heating operation). The flow path diverter valve may be connected to the discharge port of the compressor.
The air conditioner may include an accumulator. The accumulator may be connected to the suction port of the compressor. A low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant evaporated from the indoor heat exchanger or outdoor heat exchanger may flow into the accumulator.
When a mixture of refrigerant liquid and refrigerant gas flows into the accumulator, the accumulator may separate the refrigerant liquid from the refrigerant gas and provide the refrigerant gas from which the refrigerant liquid has been separated to the compressor.
An outdoor fan may be provided in the vicinity of the outdoor heat exchanger. The outdoor fan may blow outdoor air into the outdoor heat exchanger to facilitate heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air.
An outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include at least one sensor. For example, an outdoor unit sensor may be provided as an ambient sensor. The outdoor unit sensor may be placed at any location on the inside or outside of the outdoor unit. For example, the outdoor unit sensor may include, for example, a temperature sensor for detecting air temperature around the outdoor unit, a humidity sensor for detecting humidity in the air around the outdoor unit, a refrigerant temperature sensor for detecting a refrigerant temperature inside a refrigerant pipe passing through the outdoor unit, or a refrigerant pressure sensor for detecting a refrigerant pressure inside the refrigerant pipe passing through the outdoor unit.
The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include an outdoor unit communication interface. The outdoor unit communication interface may be provided to receive a control signal from an indoor unit controller of the air conditioner, as described below. The outdoor unit may control, based on a control signal received via the outdoor unit communication interface, an operation of a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, a flow path diverter valve, an accumulator, or an outdoor fan. The outdoor unit may transmit, via the outdoor unit communication interface, a sensing value detected by the outdoor unit sensor to the indoor unit controller.
An indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a housing, a blower fan that circulates air inside or outside the housing, and an indoor heat exchanger that exchanges heat with air flowing into the housing.
The housing may include an air inlet. Indoor air may be drawn into the housing via the air inlet.
The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a filter provided to filter out foreign substances from the air drawn into the housing via the air inlet.
The housing may include an air outlet. Air flowing inside the housing may be discharged from the housing via the air outlet.
The housing of the indoor unit may include an airflow guide that guides a direction of air discharged through the air outlet. For example, the airflow guide may include a blade located on the air outlet. For example, the airflow guide may include an auxiliary fan for regulating the discharged airflow. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the airflow guide may be omitted.
Inside the housing of the indoor unit, the indoor heat exchanger and the blower fan may be provided on a flow path connecting the air inlet and the air outlet.
The blower fan may include an indoor fan and a fan motor. For example, indoor fans may include an axial fan, a diagonal fan, a crossflow fan, and a centrifugal fan.
The indoor heat exchanger may be placed between the blower fan and the air outlet, or between the air inlet and the blower fan. The indoor heat exchanger may absorb heat from air drawn in through the air inlet or transfer heat to air drawn in through the air inlet. The indoor heat exchanger may include a heat exchange tube in which a refrigerant flows, and heat exchange fins that are in contact with the heat exchange tube to increase a heat transfer area.
The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a drain tray located below the indoor heat exchanger to collect condensate water generated in the indoor heat exchanger. The condensate water collected in the drain tray may be drained to the outside via a drain hose. The drain tray may be provided to support the indoor heat exchanger.
The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an input interface. The input interface may include any type of user input devices, including buttons, switches, touch screens, and/or touch pads. The user may directly input setting data (e.g., desired indoor temperature, operating mode settings for cooling/heating/dehumidification/air purification, outlet selection settings, and/or air volume settings) via the input interface.
The input interface may be connected to an external input device. For example, the input interface may be electrically connected to a wired remote controller. The wired remote controller may be installed at a specific location in an indoor space (e.g., a portion of a wall). The user may operate the wired remote controller to input setting data regarding an operation of the air conditioner. An electrical signal corresponding to the setting data obtained via the wired remote controller may be transmitted to the input interface. In addition, the input interface may include an infrared sensor. The user may remotely input setting data regarding the operation of the air conditioner using a wireless remote controller. The setting data input via the wireless remote controller may be transmitted to the input interface as an infrared signal.
The input interface may include a microphone. A user's voice command may be obtained via the microphone. The microphone may convert the user's voice command into an electrical signal and transmit the electrical signal to the indoor unit controller. The indoor unit controller may control components of the air conditioner to perform a function corresponding to the user's voice command. Setting data (e.g., desired indoor temperature, operating mode settings for cooling/heating/dehumidification/air purification, outlet selection settings, and/or air volume settings) obtained via the input interface may be transmitted to the indoor unit controller as described below. For example, the setting data obtained via the input interface may be transmitted to the outside, e.g., an outdoor unit or a server, via an indoor unit communication interface as described below.
The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a power module. The power module may be connected to an external power source to supply power to components of the indoor unit.
The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an indoor unit sensor. The indoor unit sensor may be an ambient sensor placed inside or outside the housing. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include one or more temperature sensors and/or one or more humidity sensors arranged in a predetermined space inside or outside the housing of the indoor unit. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include a refrigerant temperature sensor for detecting a refrigerant temperature inside a refrigerant pipe passing through the indoor unit. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include refrigerant temperature sensors that respectively detect temperatures at an inlet, a middle, and/or an outlet of the refrigerant pipe passing through the indoor heat exchanger.
For example, pieces of environment information respectively detected by the indoor unit sensors may be transmitted to the indoor unit controller as described below, or may be transmitted to the outside via the indoor unit communication interface as described below.
The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include the indoor unit communication interface. The indoor unit communication interface may include at least one of a short-range communication module or a long-range communication module. The indoor unit communication interface may include at least one antenna for wirelessly communicating with other devices. The outdoor unit may include the outdoor unit communication interface. The outdoor unit communication interface may also include at least one of a short-range communication module or a long-range communication module.
The short-range communication module may include various communication circuitry, including, for example, and without limitation, a Bluetooth communication module, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication module, a near field communication (NFC) communication module, a wireless local area network (WLAN) (Wi-Fi) communication module, a ZigBee communication module, an Infrared Data Association (IrDA) communication module, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication module, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, etc.
The long-range communication module may include a communication module including various communication circuitry that performs various types of long-range communications, and include a mobile communication interface. The mobile communication interface transmits or receives a wireless signal to or from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, or a server on a mobile communication network.
The indoor unit communication interface may communicate with an external device such as a server, a mobile device, or another home appliance via a nearby access point (AP). The AP may connect a LAN to which the air conditioner or a user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected. The air conditioner or user device may be connected to the server via the WAN. The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include the indoor unit controller that controls the components of the indoor unit, including the blower fan, etc. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include an outdoor unit controller that controls components of the outdoor unit, including the compressor, etc. The indoor unit controller may communicate with the outdoor unit controller via the indoor unit communication interface and the outdoor unit communication interface. The outdoor unit communication interface may transmit a control signal generated by the outdoor unit controller to the indoor unit communication interface, or transmit, to the outdoor unit controller, a control signal transmitted from the indoor unit communication interface. In other words, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may communicate in both directions. The outdoor unit and the indoor unit may transmit and receive various signals generated during an operation of the air conditioner.
The outdoor unit controller may be electrically connected to the components of the outdoor unit and control an operation of each of the components. For example, the outdoor unit controller may adjust a frequency of the compressor and control a flow path diverter valve to change a circulation direction of a refrigerant. The outdoor unit controller may adjust a rotation speed of the outdoor fan. In addition, the outdoor unit controller may generate a control signal for adjusting the degree of opening of an expansion valve. Under the control of the outdoor unit controller, the refrigerant may circulate along a refrigerant circulation circuit including the compressor, the flow path diverter valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the indoor heat exchanger.
Various temperature sensors included in the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may each transmit an electrical signal corresponding to a temperature detected by each of the temperature sensors to the outdoor unit controller and/or the indoor unit controller. For example, each of humidity sensors included in the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may transmit an electrical signal corresponding to its detected humidity to the outdoor unit controller and/or the indoor unit controller.
The indoor unit controller may obtain a user input from a user device including a mobile device or the like via the indoor unit communication interface, and obtain a user input directly via the input interface or through a remote controller. The indoor unit controller may control the components of the indoor unit, including the blower fan, etc., in response to the received user input. The indoor unit controller may transmit information about the received user input to the outdoor unit controller of the outdoor unit.
The outdoor unit controller may control the components of the outdoor unit, including the compressor, etc., based on information about a user input received from the indoor unit. For example, when a control signal corresponding to a user input for selecting an operating mode such as cooling operation, heating operation, blowing operation, defrosting operation, or dehumidifying operation is received from the indoor unit, the outdoor unit controller may control the components of the outdoor unit to perform an operation of the air conditioner, corresponding to the selected operating mode.
The outdoor unit controller and the indoor unit controller may each include a processor and memory. The indoor unit controller may include at least one first processor and at least one first memory, and the outdoor unit controller may include at least one second processor and at least one second memory.
A memory may record/store various pieces of information necessary for operations of the air conditioner. The memory may store instructions, applications, data, and/or programs necessary for operations of the air conditioner. For example, the memory may store various programs for a cooling operation, a heating operation, a dehumidifying operation, and/or a defrosting operation of the air conditioner. The memory may include volatile memories, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic RAM (DRAM), for temporarily storing data. Furthermore, the memory may include non-volatile memories for long-term storage of data, such as read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), and electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM).
A processor may include various processing circuitry and generate control signals for controlling operations of the air conditioner, based on instructions, applications, data, and/or programs stored in the memory. The processor may be a hardware component and may include logic circuits and arithmetic circuits. The processor may process data according to programs and/or instructions provided from the memory and generate control signals based on processing results. The memory and the processor may be implemented as a single control circuit or as a plurality of circuits. For example, the processor according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include various processing circuitry and/or multiple processors. For example, as used herein, including the claims, the term “processor” may include various processing circuitry, including at least one processor, wherein one or more of at least one processor, individually and/or collectively in a distributed manner, may be configured to perform various functions described herein. As used herein, when “a processor”, “at least one processor”, and “one or more processors” are described as being configured to perform numerous functions, these terms cover situations, for example and without limitation, in which one processor performs some of recited functions and another processor(s) performs other of recited functions, and also situations in which a single processor may perform all recited functions. Additionally, the at least one processor may include a combination of processors performing various of the recited/disclosed functions, e.g., in a distributed manner. At least one processor may execute program instructions to achieve or perform various functions.
The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an output interface. The output interface is electrically connected to the indoor unit controller and may output information related to an operation of the air conditioner under the control of the indoor unit controller. For example, the output interface may output information such as operating mode, wind direction, air volume, and temperature selected via a user input. In addition, the output interface may output sensing information and warning/error messages obtained from the indoor unit sensor or the outdoor unit sensor.
The output interface may include various circuitry including, for example, a display and a speaker. The speaker is an audio device that may output a variety of sounds. The display may display information input by the user or information provided to the user using various graphical elements. For example, operation information about the air conditioner may be displayed as at least one of an image or text. The display may also include indicators that provide specific information. The display may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel, a micro LED panel, and/or a plurality of LEDs.
The disclosure provides an indoor unit of an air conditioner with improved hanger access convenience. The disclosure provides an indoor unit of an air conditioner, which facilitates easy maintenance of electrical parts arranged on a panel. The technical problems to be addressed in this disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains from the following description. An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to various embodiments will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an indoor unit 1 for an air conditioner according to various embodiments. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the indoor unit 1 for an air conditioner according to various embodiments. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the indoor unit 1 for an air conditioner according to various embodiments.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 , the indoor unit 1 for an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a main body 20, and a panel 30 assembled (coupled) to the main body 20. The air conditioner 1 for an air conditioner may include an indoor unit of a ceiling-mounted air conditioner. The main body 20 may include a blower fan 23 for generating air flow, and a heat exchanger 22 for performing heat exchange with the air. The panel 30 may include an air inlet 311 and an air outlet 312. The air inlet 311 forms a passage via which air is drawn into the main body 20. The air outlet 312 forms a passage via which air is discharged from the main body 20 after heat exchange with the heat exchanger 22.
The main body 20 may be embedded in the ceiling. The main body 20 may include a main body frame 21. A plurality of hanger parts 26, for example four hanger parts 26, may be provided on the main body frame 21. The main body 20 may be fixed to the ceiling by coupling the main body 20 to an installation member, for example, anchor bolts AB, fixed to the ceiling, through the hanger parts (e.g., hangers) 26. For example, the main body 20 may be fixed to the ceiling by inserting the anchor bolts AB into the hanger parts 26 and fastening the nuts NT to the anchor bolts AB protruding through the hanger parts 26. The heat exchanger 22 and the blowing fan 23 are disposed inside the main body frame 21. The blowing fan 23 may generate air flow inside the main body frame 21. The blowing fan 23 draws air into the main body frame 21 through the air inlet 311. Heat exchange is performed between the air drawn into the main body frame 21 and the heat exchanger 22. Thereafter, the air is discharged to the outside of the main body frame 21 through the outlet 312 by the blowing fan 23. The main body 20 may include a wind direction guide 24. For example, a plurality of wind direction guides 24 may be provided on the main body frame 21. The plurality of wind direction guides 24 may control left and right directions of the air discharged from the main body frame 21 via the air outlet 312 after heat exchange. The plurality of wind direction guides 24 may be positioned between the blower fan 23 and the air outlet 312. The plurality of wind direction guides 24 may be arranged to be spaced apart in left and right directions. The plurality of wind direction guides 24 may be rotatably mounted on the main body frame 21. Depending on a rotation angle of the plurality of wind direction guides 24, the left and right directions of the discharged wind may vary.
The panel 30 may include a panel frame 31 assembled to the main body frame 21. The panel frame 31 may be assembled to the main body frame 21 to be detachable from the outside, namely, from a lower side, of the main body frame 21. Based on the panel frame 31, a side of the main body 20 may be referred to as the inside, and a side opposite to that side of the main body 20 may be referred to as the outside. In the case of the indoor unit 1 of a ceiling-mounted air conditioner, the outside may be referred to as a lower side and the inside may be referred to as an upper side.
The panel frame 31 may include the air inlet 311 forming a passage via which air is drawn into the main body 20, and the air outlet 312 forming a passage via which air is discharged from the main body 20. One or more filters 351 and 352 may be installed at the air inlet 311 of the panel frame 31. The panel 30 may include a grille panel 32 and a blade 33. The grille panel 32 and the blade 33 may be assembled to the panel frame 31 to cover an outer surface of the panel frame 31. The panel 30 may further include an intermediate panel 34. The intermediate panel 34 may be assembled to the panel frame 31 to cover an outer surface of the panel frame 31 excluding an area covered by the grille panel 32 and the blade 33.
The grille panel 32 may cover the air inlet 311. The grille panel 32 may include a plurality of grille holes 321 provided to allow outside air to be drawn into the air inlet 311. The grille panel 32 may allow the outside air to enter the air inlet 311 via the grill holes 321 while minimizing and/or reducing unintentional introduction of foreign substances into the air inlet 311 of the panel frame 31. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the grille panel 32 may be assembled to the panel frame 31 to be detachable therefrom. For example, the grille panel 32 may be assembled to the panel frame 31 using hooks or like. However, a method used to assemble the grille panel 32 is not limited thereto, and various other assembly methods may be used. For example, the grille panel 32 may be assembled to the panel frame 31 by screw coupling. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the grille panel 32 may be assembled to the panel frame 31 to pivot on a hinge 322 to a position (indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1 ) that covers the air inlet 311 and a position (indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 1 ) that exposes the air inlet 311. The grille panel 32 according to the present embodiment is pivotably assembled to the panel frame 31.
The filters 351 and 352 may be detachably assembled to the panel frame 31. For example, the filters 351 and 352 may be assembled into a filter frame 353, and the filter frame 353 may be mounted on the panel frame 31. In other words, a filter module 35 including the filters 351 and 352 and the filter frame 353 may be mounted on the panel frame 31. However, the mounting of the filters 351 and 352 is not limited thereto, and the filters 351 and 352 may be mounted directly on the panel frame 31 without the filter frame 353. The filters 351 and 352 may include an electrostatic dust collection filter 351 that collects foreign substances using electrostatic forces. The filters 351 and 352 may further include a deodorizing filter 352 configured to remove odors. However, the types of filters 351 and 352 are not necessarily limited thereto, and may be modified in various ways as long as they are intended to adsorb or remove foreign substances from the air drawn into the air inlet 311 via the grille holes 321. For example, the filters 351 and 352 may be accessed while the air inlet 311 is being exposed by pivoting the grille panel 32 with respect to the panel frame 31. While the indoor unit 1 for air conditioners of FIGS. 2 and 3 has been described mainly with respect to an example in which the filters 351 and 352 are mounted on the panel frame 31, the filters 351 and 352 may be an optional component. For example, although not shown, the filters 351 and 352 may not be mounted on the panel frame 31 of the indoor unit 1 for air conditioners.
The blade 33 may open and close the air outlet 312 of the panel frame 31. For example, the blade 33 may be pivotably installed on the panel frame 31. The blade 33 may open or close the air outlet 312 by adjusting its pivoting angle. The blade 33 may have an open position 331 that allows the air outlet 312 to open and a closed position 332 that allows the air outlet 312 to be blocked. The blade 33 may control an upward/downward direction of the wind discharged from the air outlet 312. Depending on the pivoting angle of the blade 33, the upward or downward direction of the wind discharged from the air outlet 312 may vary. By adjusting the pivoting angle of the blade 33, the direction and volume of wind discharged from the air outlet 312 may be adjusted.
The intermediate panel 34 may cover an intermediate portion 313 surrounding the outlet 312 in the outer surface of the panel frame 31. The intermediate panel 34 may be positioned between the grille panel 32 and the blade 33. The intermediate panel 34 may be detachably assembled to the panel frame 31. For example, the intermediate panel 34 may be detachably assembled to the panel frame 31 using hooks or like.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the indoor unit 1 for air conditioners may have a structure that allows air to be discharged even when the blade 33 is at the closed position 332.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the panel 30 of the indoor unit 1 for air conditioners according to various embodiments. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example in which air is discharged out of the indoor unit 1 when the blade 33 is at the closed position 332 in the indoor unit 1 for air conditioners, according to various embodiments.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 , according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the blade 33 may include a plurality of first holes h1. Each of the first holes h1 may be of a size that allows air discharge but not allows fingers to enter. For example, the first hole h1 may have a size of 0.1 mm to 10 mm. For example, the first hole h1 may have a size of 5 mm or less. For example, the first hole h1 may have a size of 3 mm or less. According to this structure, when the blade 33 is at the closed position 332, air may be discharged through the plurality of first holes h1.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the intermediate panel 34 may include a plurality of second holes h2 through which air can be discharged. Each of the second holes h2 may be of a size that allows air discharge but not allows fingers to enter. For example, the second hole h2 may have a size of 0.1 mm to 10 mm. For example, the second hole h2 may have a size of 5 mm or less. For example, the second hole h2 may have a size of 3 mm or less. The size of the second hole h2 may correspond to the size of the first hole h1. Air discharged from the outlet 312 may be delivered to the intermediate portion 313 covered by the intermediate panel 34 in the panel frame 31. A plurality of ribs 3131 may be disposed on the intermediate portion 313 of the panel frame 31 to change the direction of the air delivered from the outlet 312. The air whose direction has been changed by the plurality of ribs 3131 may be discharged to the outside through the second holes h2.
In the above-described embodiment of the disclosure, a description has been given by focusing on an example in which the plurality of second holes h2 are formed in the intermediate panel 34, but the disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the second holes h2 may not be formed in the intermediate panel 34. In this case, when the blade 33 is at the closed position 332, air may be discharged through the plurality of first holes h1.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the panel 30 of the indoor unit 1 for air conditioners according to various embodiments.
Referring to FIG. 6 , at least one opening, for example, a plurality of openings 3111, 3112, 3113, 3114, 3115, and 3116, may be provided in the panel frame 31. At least some of the plurality of openings 3111, 3112, 3113, 3114, 3115, and 3116 may be formed to penetrate through the panel frame 31 in a vertical direction. The vertical direction refers to a direction in which the main body 20 and the panel 30 are arranged, and is a direction of connecting the outside of the panel frame 31 to the inside thereof. For example, all of the plurality of openings 3111, 3112, 3113, 3114, 3115, and 3116 may be formed by penetrating through the panel frame 31 in the vertical direction, the openings 3111, 3112, 3113, and 3114 may be formed by penetrating through the panel frame 31, and the openings 3115 and 3116 may be formed concavely upwards from a lower surface of the panel frame 31. The panel 30 is disposed below the main body 20. The electrical parts provided on the main body 20 and/or the panel 30 may be accessed from the outside, that is, the lower side, of the panel 30 through the plurality of openings 3111, 3112, 3113, 3114, 3115, and 3116.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a plurality of doors 3211, 3212, 3213, 3214, 3215, and 3216 may open and close the plurality of openings 3111, 3112, 3113, 3114, 3115, and 3116, respectively. The plurality of doors 3211, 3212, 3213, 3214, 3215, and 3216 may be coupled to the panel frame 31 in various ways capable of opening and closing the plurality of openings 3111, 3112, 3113, 3114, 3115, and 3116, respectively. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, at least one of the plurality of doors 3211, 3212, 3213, 3214, 3215, and 3216 may be pivotably coupled to the panel frame 31. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, at least one of the plurality of doors 3211, 3212, 3213, 3214, 3215, and 3216 may be detachably coupled to the panel frame 31.
FIG. 6 illustrates the six doors 3211, 3212, 3213, 3214, 3215, and 3216 corresponding to the six openings 3111, 3112, 3113, 3114, 3115, and 3116, respectively, but a combination of openings and doors is not limited thereto. For example, although not shown in the drawings, the doors 3211 and 3213 may be integrally formed to open or close the two openings 3111 and 3113, and the doors 3212 and 3214 may be integrally formed to open or close the two openings 3112 and 3114.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an electrical part may be accommodated in at least one of the plurality of doors 3211, 3212, 3213, 3214, 3215, and 3216. Accordingly, maintenance of electrical parts is possible while a door is open without separating the panel frame 31 from the main body 20. For example, an electrical part may be accommodated in the inside of at least one of the plurality of doors 3211, 3212, 3213, 3214, 3215, and 3216. When the door is closed, the electrical parts are not exposed to the outside, and thus the risk of unintentional contact of the electrical parts and subsequent damage to the electrical parts during maintenance may be reduced. Electrical parts may include, for example, and without limitation, a printed circuit board (PCB) for controlling the indoor unit 1 for air conditioners, a display device (e.g., a display or an LED) for displaying an operating status of the indoor unit 1, various sensors (e.g., a dust sensor, a humidity sensor, and a temperature sensor) for measuring an air purity, a humidity, a temperature, etc., a speaker for remote control reception response, and a blade drive motor for driving the blade 33. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the doors 3215 and 3216 accommodate blade drive motors. In this case, the doors 3215 and 3216 may be referred to as motor housings, and the openings 3115 and 3116 corresponding thereto may be referred to as motor openings.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the outer surface of the panel frame 31 is covered by an exterior panel 36. For example, the exterior panel 36 may include the grille panel 32 and the intermediate panel 34. At least one of the plurality of doors 3211, 3212, 3213, 3214, 3215, and 3216 may be covered by the exterior panel 36, for example, the grille panel 32 and the intermediate panel 34. Accordingly, the plurality of doors 3211, 3212, 3213, 3214, 3215, and 3216 are not exposed to the outside before the exterior panel 36 is separated from the panel frame 31. Therefore, the appearance quality of the indoor unit 1 may be improved. For example, the grille panel 32 may be assembled to the panel frame 31 such that the doors 3211 and 3212 are not exposed to the outside. When the grille panel 32 is in the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 , the doors 3211 and 3212 may not exposed to the outside, and, when the grille panel 32 is in the state shown by the dotted line in FIG. 1 , the doors 3211 and 3212 may be exposed via the lower side of the panel frame 31. For example, the intermediate panel 34 may be assembled to the panel frame 31 such that the doors 3213, 3214, 3215, and 3216 are not exposed to the outside. When the intermediate panel 34 is in a state of being assembled to the panel frame 31, the doors 3213, 3214, 3215, and 3216 may not be exposed to the outside, and, when the grille panel 34 is detached from the panel frame 31, the doors 3213, 3214, 3215, and 3216 may be exposed via the lower side of the panel frame 31. In some cases, at least one of the plurality of doors 3211, 3212, 3213, 3214, 3215, and 3216 may be open to open a corresponding opening among the plurality of openings 3111, 3112, 3113, 3114, 3115, and 3116, and the main body 20, electrical parts installed on the panel frame 31, electrical parts installed on the door, for example, may be accessed through the open opening.
In the case of the indoor unit 1 of a conventional ceiling-mounted air conditioner, a method of detaching the entire panel 30 from the main body 20 may be considered for maintenance of the electrical parts installed on the panel 30. In this case, because a plurality of connectors connecting the electrical parts of the panel 30 to the main body 20 need to be also detached, the work is complicated, and skilled workers are required. According to the disclosure, a member that covers a door containing an electrical part subject to maintenance among the grille panel 32 and the middle panel 34 is pivoted or separated to expose the door to the outside. The door may be opened to remove and repair the electrical part accommodated inside the door and then reinstall the repaired electrical part, or to replace a new electrical part. Thereafter, the door may be closed. Because the electrical part is placed inside the door, the electrical part is not exposed to the outside when the door is closed after the grille panel 32 or the intermediate panel 34 is separated, and thus damage due to, for example, unwanted contact of the electrical part may be prevented and/or avoided.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the openings 3111, 3112, 3113, and 3114 may be provided at locations enabling access to the plurality of hanger parts 26. The openings 3111, 3112, 3113, and 3114 may be provided at positions aligned with the plurality of hanger parts 26 in the vertical direction. In this case, the openings 3111, 3112, 3113, and 3114 may be referred to as hanger openings, and the doors 3211, 3212, 3213, and 3214 that open or close the openings 3111, 3112, 3113, and 3114, respectively, may be referred to as hanger doors. According to this configuration, the grille panel 32 and the middle panel 34 may be separated from the panel frame 31, and the doors 3211, 3212, 3213, and 3214 may be pivoted to open the openings 3111, 3112, 3113, and 3114. Then, for example, in order to level the panel 30, the plurality of hanger parts 26 may be accessed through the openings 3111, 3112, 3113, and 3114 to adjust tightening of the nuts NT to the anchor bolts AB.
In the case of the indoor unit 1 for air conditioners installed on the ceiling, it is necessary to adjust the level and height of the indoor unit 1 during initial installation and maintenance. According to a conventional indoor unit, only when the entire panel 30 is separated from the main body 20, the hanger parts 26 may be accessed. When the panel 30 is completely separated from the main body 20, a plurality of connectors for connecting the panel 30 to the main body 20 need to be also separated, the work is complicated, and skilled workers are required. According to the disclosure, the hanger parts 26 may be accessed by separating or pivoting the grille panel 32, separating the intermediate panel 34, and then opening the openings 3111, 3112, 3113, and 3114 by pivoting the doors 3211, 3212, 3213, and 3214. Therefore, the convenience of a leveling operation of the indoor unit 1 may be improved.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of doors 3211, 3212, 3213, and 3214 may be pivotably coupled to the panel frame 31 according to various pivot coupling structures. A door may open and close a corresponding opening while being coupled with the panel frame 31. The doors 3211, 3212, 3213, and 3214 may be pivotably supported by the panel frame 31 to be open to the outside, which is a side opposite to the side of the main body 20. According to this configuration, there is no need to provide a space where the door opens, inside the panel frame 31, that is, between the main body 20 and the panel frame 31. In addition, because the door opens outwards, an electrical part accommodated in the door may be easily accessed. Moreover, a maintenance work on the inside of the main body 20 or the panel frame 31 is not interrupted by the open door. Embodiments of a pivot coupling structure between the doors 3211, 3212, 3213, and 3214 and the panel frame 31 will now be described.
An example of a pivot coupling structure between the doors 3211 and 3212 and the panel frame 31 will be described. Because the pivot coupling structure between the door 3211 and the panel frame 31 is the same as or similar to that between the door 3212 and the panel frame 31, the pivot coupling structure between the door 3211 and the panel frame 31 will now be described.
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the pivot coupling structure between the door 3211 and the panel frame 31 according to various embodiments. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a plan view showing a state in which the door 3211 is coupled to the panel frame 31 of the pivot coupling structure between the door 3211 and the panel frame 31 shown in FIG. 7 according to various embodiments. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a plan view showing a state in which a hinge cover 3311 is coupled to the door 3211 of the pivot coupling structure between the door 3211 and the panel frame 31 shown in FIG. 7 according to various embodiments. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X1-X1′ of FIG. 9 according to various embodiments. The grille panel 32 is omitted in FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 (which may be referred to as FIGS. 7 through 10 ). The grille panel 32 may be separated from the panel frame 31, or may be pivoted relative to the panel frame 31 to expose the air inlet 311.
Referring to FIGS. 7 through 10 , the door 3211 may be installed on the panel frame 31 such that the door 3211 may be pivoted to a position opening or closing the opening 3111 by a hinge portion 3400. A hinge cover 3311 may cover the hinge portion 3400. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the hinge cover 3311 may be coupled to the door 3211 to cover the hinge portion 3400. The hinge portion 3400 may include a first hinge portion 3410 provided on the panel frame 31, and a second hinge portion 3420 provided on the door 3211 and pivotably coupled to the first hinge portion 3410. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first hinge portion 3410 may be implemented by a hinge hole 3411 provided in the panel frame 31, and the second hinge portion 3420 may be implemented by a hinge shaft 3421 provided in the door 3211. A first protrusion 3412 may be provided on the panel frame 31, and the hinge hole 3411 may be provided in the first protrusion 3412. A second protrusion 3422 may be provided on the door 3211, and the hinge shaft 3421 may be provided in the second protrusion 3422. The hinge shaft 3421 may be rotatably inserted into the hinge hole 3411. The hinge cover 3311 may cover the hinge portion 3400. Because the hinge cover 3311 covers the first and second hinge portions 3410 and 3420, the appearance quality of the indoor unit 1 when the door 3211 is closed may be improved.
For example, the door 3211 may be moved in a direction A1 of FIG. 7 to insert the hinge shaft 3421 into the hinge hole 3411 as shown in FIG. 8 . In this state, when the door 3211 moves in a direction A2, the hinge shaft 3421 may be separated from the hinge hole 3411. In the state shown in FIG. 8 , the hinge cover 3311 may be coupled to the door 3211 to prevent/inhibit the hinge shaft 3421 from being separated from the hinge hole 3411. A coupling structure between the hinge cover 3311 and the door 3211 may vary. For example, referring to FIGS. 7 and 10 , a hook 3311 b may be provided on an upper surface 3311 a of the hinge cover 3311, for example, on an inner surface thereof that faces the panel frame 31. A locking portion 3211 b by which the hook 3311 b is caught may be provided on the door 3211. As shown in FIG. 10 , the hinge cover 3311 may be coupled to the door 3211 so that the hook 3311 b of the hinge cover 3311 is caught by the locking portion 3211 b of the door 3211.
As an example, a separation prevention portion 3311 c may be provided on the hinge cover 3311 to prevent/inhibit the hinge shaft 3421 from being separated from the hinge hole 3411. The separation prevention portion 3311 c may prevent/block the door 3211 from moving in the direction A2. For example, the separation prevention portion 3311 c may be implemented by a “U” shaped rib protruding from the upper surface 3311 a of the hinge cover 3311. When the hinge cover 3311 is coupled to the door 3211 in the state shown in FIG. 8 , the separation prevention portion 3311 c is located between the first protrusion 3412 and the second protrusion 3422. The separation prevention portion 3311 c has an axial length 3311 d. The axial length 3311 d of the separation prevention portion 3311 c is less than a gap 3430 between the first protrusion 3412 and the second protrusion 3422. A difference between the axial length 3311 d of the separation prevention portion 3311 c and the gap 3430 between the first protrusion 3412 and the second protrusion 3422 is less than the amount of insertion of the hinge shaft 3421 into the hinge hole 3411. Therefore, even when the door 3211 and the hinge cover 3311 are integrated with each other and moved to a certain extent in the direction A2, the hinge shaft 3421 is not separated from the hinge hole 3411. Accordingly, the door 3211 may be pivoted to a position that closes the opening 3111, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 9 , and a position that opens the opening 3111, as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 9 . The position where the door 3211 opens the opening 3111 is a position where the door 3211 is pivoted to the outside of the panel frame 31.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the door 3211 may be elastically locked at the position that closes the opening 3111. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 10 , the door 3211 may be elastically locked at the position where the opening 3111 is closed by an elastic locking member 3510. For example, the elastic locking member 3510 may be provided on the door 3211. The elastic locking member 3510 may include an elastic arm 3511 provided on a sidewall of the door 3211, for example, a sidewall 3211 e opposite to the hinge shaft 3421, and a protruding piece 3512 provided at an end of the elastic arm 3511 to protrude from the elastic arm 3511. An opposite wall 3520 facing the sidewall 3211 e of the door 3211 is provided on the panel frame 31. A locking portion 3521 by which the protruding piece 3512 is caught is provided on the opposite wall 3520. For example, the locking portion 3521 may be implemented by an end of the opposite wall 3520. The protruding piece 3512 protrudes toward the opposite wall 3520. When the door 3211 is closed, the protruding piece 3512 contacts the opposite wall 3520 and the elastic arm 3511 bends toward the opposite side of the opposite wall 3520. When the contact between the protruding piece 3512 and the opposite wall 3520 is terminated, the elastic arm 3511 returns to its original state, and the protruding piece 3512 is caught by the locking portion 3521. To open the door 3211, the elastic arm 3511 is pressed toward the opposite side of the opposite wall 3520 to release the protruding piece 3512 from the locking portion 3521. Then, the door 3211 may be pivoted about the hinge portion 3400 to be open as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 10 .
According to this configuration, the door 3211 may be pivotably coupled to the panel frame 31 by a simple structure. In addition, the door 3211 may be opened or closed by a simple manipulation. Moreover, structures of the hinge cover 3311, for example, the hook 3311 b and the separation prevention portion 3311 c, are provided on the upper surface 3311 a of the hinge cover 3311. The hinge cover 3311 has a shape that entirely covers the hinge portion 3400. Therefore, the hinge cover 3311 is coupled to the door 3211 to prevent/block the door 3211 from being separated from the panel frame 31, and at the same time covers the hinge portion 3400 such that the hinge portion 3400 is not exposed via the lower side of the panel frame 31 when the grille panel 32 is separated from the panel frame 31 or pivoted to the position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 1 , Because the door 3211 is locked at a position closing the opening 3111 by the elastic locking member 3510, noise caused due to vibration of the door 3211 may be prevented and/or reduced during an operation of the indoor unit 1 for air conditioners.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the door 3211 may accommodate an electrical part, for example, a PCB for controlling the indoor unit 1 for air conditioners.
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a state in which a PCB 4010 is accommodated in the door 3211 according to various embodiments. Referring to FIG. 11 , the PCB 4010 may be accommodated in the door 3211. The PCB 4010 may be accommodated inside the door 3211, for example, in an upper portion of the door 3211. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the door 3211 may include a lower wall 3211 f, and a sidewall 3211 e protruding upward from the edge of the lower wall 3211 f. An electrical part accommodation space 3211 g in which the PCB 4010 is accommodated may be formed in the upper portion of the door 3211 by the lower wall 3211 f and the sidewall 3211 e. The electrical part accommodation space 3211 g may have a form whereby an upper side facing the lower wall 3211 f is open. The PCB 4010 may be coupled to the door 3211 by screws or the like to be accommodated in the electrical part accommodation space 3211 g. According to this configuration, when the grill panel 32 is separated from the panel frame 31 or is located at the position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 1 and the door 3211 is located at a position at which the opening 3111 is closed, the PCB 4010 may not be exposed to the outside, and unintentional damage to the PCB 4010 during maintenance of the indoor unit 1 for air conditioners may be prevented and/or reduced.
For maintenance of the PCB 4010, the grill panel 32 may be separated from the panel frame 31 or pivoted to the position shown in the dotted line in FIG. 1 . The lower wall 3211 f of the door 3211 is exposed. For example, the door 3211 is located at a position at which the opening 3111 is open, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 9 , by releasing the elastic locking member 3510 from the locking portion 3521 of the panel frame 31 and pivoting the door 3211 toward the lower side of the panel frame 31 around the hinge portion 3400. Then, the electrical part accommodation space 3211 g may be exposed to the outside, and the PCB 4010 may be accessed. In this state, maintenance work such as removal/installation of the PCB 4010 from/on the door 3211 and replacement of the PCB 4010 is possible.
Referring back to FIG. 11 , a cover 3611 is shown. The cover 3611 is coupled to the door 3211 to cover an electrical part, for example, the PCB 4010. For example, the cover 3611 is coupled to the inside of the door 3211 and forms an inner cover of the electrical part accommodation space 3211 g. The cover 3611 may be coupled to the door 3211 using various coupling methods, such as a snap-fit coupling method and a screw coupling method. According to this configuration, even when the door 3211 is positioned to open the opening 3111 as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 9 , the electrical part, for example, the PCB 4010, may not be exposed to the outside, and unintentional damage to the PCB 4010 during maintenance of the indoor unit 1 for air conditioners may be prevented and/or reduced. For example, when the door 3211 is located at an opening position and the hanger parts 26 are accessed, because the PCB 4010 has been covered by the cover 3611, damage to the PCB 4010 by a tool or the like for manipulating the horizontal adjustment nuts NT may be prevented and/or reduced.
The pivotal coupling structure of the door 3212 and the panel frame 31 and the locking structure of the door 3212 are the same as or similar to the pivotal coupling structure of the door 3211 and the panel frame 31 and the locking structure of the door 3211, and may be understood by replacing the door 3211 with the door 3212 and the opening 3111 with the opening 3112 in FIGS. 7 through 10 . In addition, although not shown in the drawings, electrical parts such as a speaker, a display, and a sensor may also be accommodated in the door 3212, and the cover 3611 may also be applied to the door 3212. This structure may be understood by replacing the door 3211 with the door 3212 in FIG. 11 .
An example of a pivot coupling structure between the doors 3213 and 3214 and the panel frame 31 will be described. Because the pivot coupling structure between the door 3213 and the panel frame 31 is the same as or similar to that between the door 3214 and the panel frame 31, the pivot coupling structure between the door 3213 and the panel frame 31 will now be described.
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the pivot coupling structure between the door 3213 and the panel frame 31 according to various embodiments. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a plan view showing a state in which the door 3213 is coupled to the panel frame 31 of the pivot coupling structure between the door 3213 and the panel frame 31 shown in FIG. 12 according to various embodiments. The intermediate panel 34 is in a state of being separated from the panel frame 31.
Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13 , the door 3213 may be installed on the panel frame 31 such that the door 3213 may be pivoted to a position opening or closing the opening 3113 by a hinge portion 3430. The hinge portion 3430 may include a first hinge portion 3431 provided on the panel frame 31, and a second hinge portion 3432 provided on the door 3213 and pivotably coupled to the first hinge portion 3431. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first hinge portion 3431 may be implemented by, for example, two hinge holes 3431 a and 3431 b provided in the panel frame 31. For example, a hinge boss 3431 c may protrude downward from the lower surface of the panel frame 31, and the hinge holes 3431 a and 3431 b may be provided in the hinge boss 3431 c. The second hinge portion 3432 may be implemented by, for example, two hinge shafts 3432 a and 3432 b provided in the door 3213. The two hinge shafts 3432 a and 3432 b are rotatably inserted into the hinge holes 3431 a and 3431 b, respectively. A separation prevention elastic piece 3433 that is elastically deformable in a radial direction is provided on an end of the hinge shaft 3432 a. The separation prevention elastic piece 3433 may have a shape of which diameter decreases in a direction away from the end of the hinge shaft 3432 a in an axial direction. For example, a pair of separation prevention elastic pieces 3433 are provided on an end of the hinge shaft 3432 a to be spaced apart from each other in the radial direction. A diameter of the separation prevention elastic piece 3433 may be greater than that of the hinge shaft 3432 a. A gap between the pair of separation prevention elastic pieces 3433 may be set such that, when the pair of separation prevention elastic pieces 3433 are deformed in a direction toward each other, an effective diameter of the pair of separation prevention elastic pieces 3433 becomes less than a diameter of the hinge hole 3431 a.
The hinge shafts 3432 a and 3432 b are aligned with the hinge holes 3431 a and 3431 b, respectively, and the door 3213 is moved in the direction A1 of FIG. 12 to insert the hinge shafts 3432 a and 3432 b into the hinge holes 3431 a and 3431 b, respectively. When the pair of separation prevention elastic pieces 3433 are inserted into the hinge hole 3431 a, the pair of separation prevention elastic pieces 3433 are elastically deformed in a direction closer to each other. When the pair of separation prevention elastic pieces 3433 pass through the hinge hole 3431 a, the pair of separation prevention elastic pieces 3433 are elastically returned to the original state as shown in FIG. 13 . The hinge shaft 3432 b is inserted into the hinge hole 3431 b. Because the diameter of the separation prevention elastic piece 3433 is greater than that of the hinge shaft 3431 a, the door 3213 is unable to be moved in the direction A2. Because the hinge shaft 3432 a is coupled to the hinge hole 3431 a by the separation prevention elastic piece 3433, assembly of a door and a panel frame is easy. Accordingly, the door 3213 may be coupled to the panel frame 31 such as to be pivoted to a position that opens the opening 3113 (position shown by a dotted line in FIG. 13 ) and a position that closes the opening 3113 (position shown by a solid line in FIG. 13 ). The position where the door 3213 opens the opening 3113 is a position where the door 3213 is pivoted to the lower side of the panel frame 31.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the door 3213 may be elastically locked at the position that closes the opening 3113.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X2-X2′ of FIG. 13 according to various embodiments. Referring to FIGS. 12 through 14 , the door 3213 may be elastically locked at the position where the opening 3113 is closed by an elastic locking member 3530. For example, the elastic locking member 3530 may be provided on the door 3213. The elastic locking member 3530 may include an elastic arm 3531 provided on a sidewall of the door 3213, for example, a sidewall 3213 a opposite to the hinge shafts 3432 a and 3432 b, and a protruding piece 3532 provided at an end of the elastic arm 3531 to protrude from the elastic arm 3531. An opposite wall 3540 facing the sidewall 3213 a of the door 3213 is provided on the panel frame 31. A locking portion 3541 by which the protruding piece 3532 is caught is provided on the opposite wall 3540. For example, the locking portion 3541 may be implemented by an upper end of the opposite wall 3540. The protruding piece 3532 protrudes toward the opposite wall 3540. When the door 3213 is closed, the protruding piece 3532 contacts the opposite wall 3540 and the elastic arm 3531 bends toward the opposite side of the opposite wall 3540. When the contact between the protruding piece 3532 and the opposite wall 3540 is terminated, the elastic arm 3531 returns to its original state, and the protruding piece 3532 is caught by the locking portion 3541. To open the door 3213, the elastic arm 3531 is pressed toward the opposite side of the opposite wall 3540 to release the protruding piece 3532 from the locking portion 3541. Then, the door 3213 may be pivoted about the hinge portion 3430 to be rotated as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 13 .
According to this configuration, the door 3213 may be pivotably coupled to the panel frame 31 by a simple structure. The door 3213 may be opened or closed by a simple manipulation. Because the door 3213 is locked at a position closing the opening 3113 by the elastic locking member 3530, noise caused due to vibration of the door 3213 may be prevented and/or reduced during an operation of the indoor unit 1 for air conditioners.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an electrical part, for example, a display device, may be accommodated in the door 3213.
FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a state in which a display device 4020 is accommodated in the door 3213 according to various embodiments. Referring to FIG. 15 , the display device 4020 may be accommodated in the door 3213. The display device 4020 may include, for example, at least one light-emitting diode device. A light window 3213 b through which light emitted by the display device 4020 may pass may be provided in the door 3213. For example, the light window 3213 b may be formed by being opened in the shape of a grill in a lower wall 3213 c of the door 3213. The display device 4020 may be accommodated inside the door 3213, that is, in an upper portion of the door 3213. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the door 3213 may include the lower wall 3213 c, and the sidewall 3213 a protruding upward from the edge of the lower wall 3213 c. An electrical part accommodation space 3213 g in which the display device 4020 is accommodated may be formed in the upper portion of the door 3213 by the lower wall 3213 c and the sidewall 3213 a. The electrical part accommodation space 3213 g may have a form whereby an upper side facing the lower wall 3213 c is open. The display device 4020 may be coupled to the door 3213 by screws or the like to be accommodated in the electrical part accommodation space 3213 g. According to this configuration, when the intermediate panel 34 is separated from the panel frame 31 and the door 3213 is located at a position closing the opening 3113, the display device 4020 may not be exposed to the outside, and unintentional damage to the display device 4020 during maintenance of the indoor unit 1 for air conditioners may be prevented and/or reduced.
For maintenance of the display device 4020, the intermediate panel 34 may be separated from the panel frame 31. The lower wall 3213 c of the door 3213 is exposed. For example, the door 3213 is located at a position at which the opening 3113 is open, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 13 , by releasing the elastic locking member 3530 from the locking portion 3541 of the panel frame 31 and pivoting the door 3213 toward the lower side of the panel frame 31 around the hinge portion 3430. Then, the electrical part accommodation space 3213 g may be exposed to the outside, and the display device 4020 may be accessed. In this state, maintenance work such as removal/installation of the display device 4020 from/on the door 3213 and replacement of the display device 4010 is possible.
Referring back to FIG. 15 , a cover 3613 is shown. The cover 3613 is coupled to the door 3213 to cover an electrical part, for example, the display device 4020. For example, the cover 3613 is coupled to the inside of the door 3213 and forms an inner cover of the electrical part accommodation space 3213 g. The cover 3613 may be coupled to the door 3213 using various coupling methods, such as a snap-fit coupling method and a screw coupling method. According to this configuration, even when the door 3213 is positioned to open the opening 3113 as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 13 , the electrical part, for example, the display device 4020, may not be exposed to the outside, and unintentional damage to the display device 4020 during maintenance of the indoor unit 1 for air conditioners may be prevented and/or reduced. For example, when the door 3213 is located at an opening position and the hanger parts 26 are accessed, because the display device 4020 has been covered by the cover 3613, damage to the display device 4020 by a tool or the like for manipulating the horizontal adjustment nuts NT may be prevented and/or reduced.
The pivotal coupling structure of the door 3214 and the panel frame 31 and the locking structure of the door 3214 are the same as the pivotal coupling structure of the door 3213 and the panel frame 31 and the locking structure of the door 3213, and may be understood by replacing the door 3213 with the door 3214 and the opening 3113 with the opening 3114 in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 . In addition, although not shown in the drawings, electrical parts such as a speaker and a sensor may also be accommodated in the door 3213, and the cover 3613 may also be applied to the door 3214. This structure may be understood by replacing the door 3213 with the door 3214 in FIG. 15 .
Although not shown in the drawings, the pivotal coupling structure applied to the doors 3213 and 3214 may also be applied to the doors 3211 and 3212. The pivotal coupling structure applied to the doors 3211 and 3212 may also be applied to the doors 3213 and 3214.
An example of a coupling structure between the doors 3215 and 3216 and the panel frame 31 will be described. The doors 3215 and 3216 are detachably coupled to the panel frame 31. Because the doors 3215 and 3216 are separated, it is easy to maintain an electrical part, for example, a blade drive motor 4030, accommodated in the doors 3215 and 3216. Because the coupling structure between the door 3215 and the panel frame 31 is the same as or similar to that between the door 3216 and the panel frame 31, the coupling structure between the door 3215 and the panel frame 31 will now be described.
FIG. 16 is a partial exploded perspective view of the coupling structure between the door 3215 and the panel frame 31 according to various embodiments. FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view showing a state in which the door 3215 is coupled to the panel frame 31 of the coupling structure between the door 3215 and the panel frame 31 shown in FIG. 16 according to various embodiments. The intermediate panel 34 is in a state of being separated from the panel frame 31.
Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17 , the door 3215 may be detachably coupled to the panel frame 31. For example, the door 3215 may be coupled to the panel frame 31 with screws 3550 to block the opening 3115. Through holes 3551 through which the screws 3550 pass may be provided in the door 3215. Screw fastening holes 3552 onto which the screws 3550 are fastened may be provided in the panel frame 31. By placing the door 3215 on the lower surface of the panel frame 31 such that the through holes 3551 and the screw fastening holes 3552 are aligned with each other, and fastening the screws 3550 onto the screw fastening holes 3552 through the through holes 3551, the door 3215 may be coupled to the panel frame 31, and may block the opening 3115. When the door 3215 is separated from the panel frame 31 by unscrewing the screws 3550, the opening 3115 may be opened.
The opening 3115 may be located adjacent to a longitudinal end of the blade 33. The opening 3115 may be an opening for maintenance of the blade drive motor 4030 for driving the blade 33. An electrical part, for example, the blade drive motor 4030, may be accommodated in the door 3215. The blade drive motor 4030 may be accommodated inside the door 3215, that is, in an upper portion of the door 3215. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the door 3215 may include a lower wall 3215 f, and a sidewall 3215 e protruding upward from the lower wall 3215 f. An electrical part accommodation space 3215 g in which the blade drive motor 4030 is accommodated may be formed in the upper portion of the door 3215 by the lower wall 3215 f and the sidewall 3215 e. The electrical part accommodation space 3215 g may have a form whereby one lateral portion is open. The blade drive motor 4030 may be accommodated in the electrical part accommodation space 3215 g via the open one lateral portion, and may be coupled to the door 3215 by screws or the like. A coupler 4031 provided on a rotation shaft of the blade drive motor 4030 is exposed through the one open lateral portion. When the door 3215 is coupled to the panel frame 31 to block the opening 3115, the coupler 4031 provided on the rotation shaft of the blade drive motor 4030 is engaged with a coupler 3301 provided on a lateral portion of the blade 33. Accordingly, the blade 33 may be pivoted to open and close the air outlet 312 or to adjust the wind direction of the air discharged through the air outlet 312 in the vertical direction.
For maintenance of the blade drive motor 4030, the intermediate panel 34 may be separated from the panel frame 31. The lower wall 3215 f of the door 3215 and the screws 3550 are exposed. The door 3215 may be separated from the panel frame 31 along with the blade drive motor 4030 by unscrewing the screws 3550. In this state, maintenance work such as removal/installation of the blade drive motor 4030 from/on the door 3215 and replacement of the blade drive motor 4030 is possible. Accordingly, the blade drive motor 4030 can be maintained and replaced without removing the entire panel 30 from the main body 20, thereby improving the convenience of maintenance.
The coupling structure of the door 3216 and the panel frame 31 is the same as or similar to the coupling structure of the door 3215 and the panel frame 31, and may be understood by replacing the door 3215 with the door 3216 and the opening 3115 with the opening 3116 in FIGS. 16 and 17 . Although not shown in the drawings, an electrical part, for example, another blade drive motor 4030, may be accommodated in the door 3216. As described above, the doors 3215 and 3216 may be referred to as motor housings, and the openings 3115 and 3116 corresponding thereto may be referred to as motor openings.
The doors 3211, 3212, 3213, and 3214 may be detachably coupled to the panel frame 31. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a screw coupling structure between the doors 3215 and 3216 and the panel frame 31 may also be applied to the coupling structures between the doors 3211, 3212, 3213 and 3214 and the panel frame 31. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the doors 3211, 3212, 3213, and 3214 may be detachably coupled to the panel frame 31 at positions that close the openings 3111, 3112, 3113, and 3114, by one or more elastic locking members.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example separable coupling structure between the door 3211 and the panel frame 31 according to various embodiments. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X3-X3′ of FIG. 18 according to various embodiments.
Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19 , the door 3211 may be elastically locked to the panel frame 31 by a plurality of elastic locking members 3510, for example, two elastic locking members 3510, at the position where the opening 3111 is closed. The two elastic locking members 3510 may be provided on the door 3211. Each of the elastic locking members 3510 may be the same as or similar to the elastic locking member 3510 described above with reference to FIGS. 7 through 10 . For example, each of the elastic locking members 3510 may include an elastic arm 3511, and a protruding piece 3512 provided at an end of the elastic arm 3511 to protrude from the elastic arm 3511. Two opposite walls 3520 corresponding to the two elastic locking members 3510, respectively, are provided on the panel frame 31. A locking portion 3521 by which the protruding piece 3512 is caught is provided on each of the opposite walls 3520. For example, the locking portion 3521 may be implemented by an upper end of the opposite wall 3520. The protruding piece 3512 protrudes toward the opposite wall 3520.
When the door 3211 is moved in a direction C1 and approaches the opening 3111, the protruding piece 3512 contacts the opposite wall 3520 and the elastic arm 3511 bends toward the opposite side of the opposite wall 3520. When the door 3211 reaches the position at which the opening 3111 is closed, the contact between the protruding piece 3512 and the opposite wall 3520 is terminated, and, as shown in FIG. 19 , the elastic arm 3511 returns to its original state, and the protruding piece 3512 is caught by the locking portion 3521. Accordingly, the door 3211 may be elastically locked to the panel frame 31 at the position of closing the opening 3111. To separate the door 3211 from the panel frame 31, the elastic arm 3511 is pressed toward the opposite side of the opposite wall 3520 to release the protruding piece 3512 from the locking portion 3521. Then, the door 3211 may be moved in a direction C2. Accordingly, the door 3211 may be separated from the panel frame 31, and the opening 3111 may be opened.
Even in the case of the structure shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 , an electrical part may be accommodated in the door 3211, and the cover 3611 covering the electrical part may be coupled to the door 3211. A separable coupling structure of the door 3212 and the panel frame 31 is the same as the separable coupling structure of the door 3211 and the panel frame 31, and may be understood by replacing the door 3211 with the door 3212 and the opening 3111 with the opening 3112 in FIGS. 18 and 19 . In addition, although not shown in the drawings, electrical parts may also be accommodated in the door 3212, and the cover 3611 may also be applied to the door 3212.
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example separable coupling structure between the door 3213 and the panel frame 31 according to various embodiments. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X4-X4′ of FIG. 20 according to various embodiments.
Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21 , the door 3213 may be elastically locked to the panel frame 31 by a plurality of elastic locking members 3530, for example, two elastic locking members 3530, at the position where the opening 3113 is closed. The two elastic locking members 3530 may be provided on the door 3213. Each of the elastic locking members 3530 may be the same as or similar to the elastic locking member 3530 described above with reference to FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 . For example, each of the elastic locking members 3530 may include an elastic arm 3531, and a protruding piece 3532 provided at an end of the elastic arm 3531 to protrude from the elastic arm 3531. Two opposite walls 3540 corresponding to the two elastic locking members 3530, respectively, are provided on the panel frame 31. A locking portion 3541 by which the protruding piece 3532 is caught is provided on each of the opposite walls 3540. For example, the locking portion 3541 may be implemented by an upper end of the opposite wall 3540. The protruding piece 3532 protrudes toward the opposite wall 3540.
When the door 3213 is moved in a direction C1 and approaches the opening 3113, the protruding piece 3532 contacts the opposite wall 3540 and the elastic arm 3531 bends toward the opposite side of the opposite wall 3540. When the door 3213 reaches the position in which the opening 3113 is closed, the contact between the protruding piece 3532 and the opposite wall 3540 is terminated, and, as shown in FIG. 21 , the elastic arm 3531 returns to its original state, and the protruding piece 3532 is caught by the locking portion 3541. Accordingly, the door 3213 may be elastically locked to the panel frame 31 at the position of closing the opening 3113. To separate the door 3213 from the panel frame 31, the elastic arm 3531 is pressed toward the opposite side of the opposite wall 3540 to release the protruding piece 3532 from the locking portion 3541. Then, the door 3213 may be moved in a direction C2. Accordingly, the door 3213 may be separated from the panel frame 31, and the opening 3113 may be opened.
Even in the case of the structure shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 , an electrical part may be accommodated in the door 3213, and the cover 3613 covering the electrical part may be coupled to the door 3213. A separable coupling structure of the door 3214 and the panel frame 31 is the same as or similar to the separable coupling structure of the door 3213 and the panel frame 31, and may be understood by replacing the door 3213 with the door 3214 and the opening 3113 with the opening 3114 in FIGS. 20 and 21 . In addition, although not shown in the drawings, electrical parts may also be accommodated in the door 3214, and the cover 3613 may also be applied to the door 3214.
A coupling structure of a door and a panel frame is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the door may be slidably coupled to a panel frame and slide to a position of opening or closing an opening.
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a plan view of a structure for opening or closing an opening using a door according to various embodiments. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X5-X5′ of FIG. 22 according to various embodiments. Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23 , at least one opening 3100 may be provided in the panel frame 31. The opening 3100 may be formed to penetrate through the panel frame 31 in the vertical direction. Electrical parts provided in the main body 20 and the panel 30 or the hanger parts 26 for leveling may be accessed through the opening 3100. The door 3200 may open or close the opening 3100. The door 3200 may be coupled to the panel frame 31 to be slidable to a position of opening the opening 3100 (position shown by a two-dot dashed line in FIG. 22 ) and a position of closing the opening 3100 (position shown by a solid line in FIG. 22 ). According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a rail 3710 may be provided on the panel frame 31, and a guide rib 3720 supported by the rail 3710 may be provided on a door 3200.
The door 3200 may be positioned to close the opening 3100 as shown by the solid line in FIG. 22 . In this state, the door 3200 may be slid in a direction D1 to slide to a position of at least partially opening the opening 3100, as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 22 . The electrical part mounted on the panel frame 31 and/or the main body 20, for example, the hanger parts 26, may be accessed through an open portion of the opening 3100.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the sliding structure of the door 3200 shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 may be applied to at least one of the doors 3211, 3212, 3213, 3214, 3215, and 3216 of the above-described embodiments. For example, the sliding structure of the door 3200 shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 may be applied to the hanger doors 3211, 3212, 3213, and 3214. The hanger doors 3211, 3212, 3213, and 3214 may be aligned with the plurality of hanger parts 26. In this case, the hanger openings 3111, 3112, 3113, and 3214 do not necessarily have to be completely open, and sliding strokes of the hanger doors 3211, 3212, 3213, and 3214 may be determined to open the hanger openings 3111, 3112, 3113, and 3214 to such an extent that a tool for accessing the hanger parts 26 may pass therethrough.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, an indoor unit for air conditioners includes: a main body including a blower fan configured to generate air flow, and a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with the air; a panel frame assembled to the main body and including an air inlet forming an air supply passage to the main body and an air outlet forming a discharge passage for air discharged from the main body; a plurality of openings formed to be opened in the panel frame; and a plurality of doors configured to open and/or close the plurality of openings, wherein an electrical part comprising circuitry is arranged on at least one of the plurality of doors. Accordingly, maintenance of the electrical part is possible while the at least one door is open without separating the panel frame from the main body.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the electrical part may be disposed on an inner side of the at least one door. When the at least one door is closed, the electrical part is not exposed to the outside, and thus the risk of unintentional contact of the electrical part and subsequent damage to the electrical part during maintenance may be reduced.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the indoor unit for air conditioners may further include: a cover coupled to an inner side of the at least one door and covering the electrical part. Even when the at least one door is opened, the electrical part is not exposed to the outside, and thus the risk of unintentional contact of the electrical part and subsequent damage to the electrical part during maintenance may be reduced. When the at least one door is opened and then the cover is separated from the at least one door, the electrical part is exposed to the outside, and maintenance of the electrical part is possible.
The indoor unit for air conditioners may further include: a plurality of hanger parts including a hanger provided on the main body and configured to be coupled with anchor bolts for installing the main body on the ceiling. The plurality of openings may include a plurality of hanger openings aligned with the plurality of hanger parts. Without removing the panel frame from the main body, doors corresponding to the hanger openings from among the plurality of doors may be open, and the plurality of hanger parts may be accessed. Therefore, the convenience of a leveling operation of the indoor unit may be improved.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, at least one of the plurality of doors may be coupled to the panel frame to be pivotable to a position that opens and closes the corresponding opening among the plurality of openings. The at least one door may be configured to open and/or close the corresponding opening while being coupled with the panel frame.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one door may be pivotably supported on the panel frame such that the door is opened to the outside, which is an opposite side of the main body with respect to the panel frame. There is no need to provide a space where the at least one door opens, inside the panel frame, that is, between the main body and the panel frame. In addition, because the at least one door opens outwards, an electrical part accommodated in the at least one door may be easily accessed. Moreover, a maintenance work on the inside of the main body or the panel frame is not interrupted by the open at least one door.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the indoor unit for air conditioners may further include an elastic locking member comprising an elastic material (e.g., an elastic arm) configured to elastically lock the at least one door to a position where the corresponding opening among the plurality of openings is closed. The at least one door may be opened or closed by a simple manipulation.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the indoor unit for air conditioners may further include: a first hinge portion provided on the panel frame; a second hinge portion provided on the at least one door and pivotably coupled to the first hinge portion; and a hinge cover coupled to the at least one door and covering the first and second hinge portions. Because the hinge cover covers the first and second hinge portions, the appearance quality when the at least one door is closed may be improved.
The indoor unit for air conditioners may further include: a hinge hole provided on the panel frame; and a hinge shaft rotatably inserted into the hinge hole and provided with an elastically deformable separation prevention elastic piece elastically deformable in a radial direction at an end of the hinge shaft protruding from the hinge hole. Because the hinge shaft is coupled to the hinge hole by the separation prevention elastic piece, assembly of the at least one door and the panel frame is easy.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one of the plurality of doors may be coupled to the panel frame to be detachable to the outside, which is the opposite side of the main body with respect to the panel frame.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the indoor unit for air conditioners may further include: an elastic locking member comprising an elastic material (e.g., an elastic arm) configured to elastically lock the at least one door to a position where the corresponding opening among the plurality of openings is closed. Because the door is separated, maintenance of the electrical part accommodated in the at least one door is easy. The at least one door may be opened or closed by a simple manipulation.
The indoor unit for air conditioners may further include: a blade provided on the air outlet and configured to control a vertical direction of the discharged air; and a blade drive motor configured to drive the blade. The plurality of openings may include at least one motor opening. The plurality of doors may include at least one motor housing detachably coupled to the panel frame to open and close the at least one motor opening. The blade drive motor may be coupled to the at least one motor housing. Because the at least one motor housing may be separated from a panel assembly and thus the blade drive motor may be accessed, maintenance of the blade drive motor is easy.
The indoor unit for air conditioners may further include: a grille panel detachably coupled to an outer portion of the panel frame configured to cover the air inlet and provided with a grille hole communicating with the air inlet; a blade provided on the air outlet to control a vertical direction of the discharged air; and an intermediate panel covering the outer portion of the panel frame excluding the grille panel and the blade. Each of the grille panel and the intermediate panel may cover at least one of the plurality of doors. Because the at least one door is not exposed to the outside, the appearance quality of the indoor unit may be improved.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, an indoor unit for air conditioners may include: a main body including a blower fan configured to generate air flow, a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with the air, and a plurality of hanger parts comprising a hanger to which anchor bolts for ceiling installation are configured to be coupled; a panel frame assembled to the main body and including an air inlet forming an air supply passage to the main body and an air outlet forming a discharge passage for air discharged from the main body; a plurality of hanger openings configured to be opened in the panel frame so that the plurality of hanger parts are accessible; and a plurality of hanger doors supported on the panel frame to be slidable to a position that closes the plurality of hanger openings and a position that opens the plurality of hanger openings.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the indoor unit for air conditioners may further include: at least one motor opening provided on the panel frame; at least one motor housing detachably coupled to the panel frame and configured to open and/or close the at least one motor opening; a blade provided on the air outlet to control a vertical direction of discharged air; and a blade drive motor configured to drive the blade. The blade drive motor may be coupled to the at least one motor housing.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, an indoor unit for air conditioners includes: a main body including a blower fan configured to generate air flow, a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with the air, and a plurality of hanger parts comprising a hanger configured to be coupled to anchor bolts for ceiling installation; a panel including a panel frame assembled to the main body and provided an including a plurality of openings configured to be opened such that the plurality of hanger parts are accessible, and an external panel covering an outer surface of the panel frame; and a plurality of hanger doors configured to open and/or close the plurality of hanger openings, wherein an electrical part comprising circuitry is arranged on an inner side of at least one of the plurality of hanger doors.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of hanger doors may be pivotably supported on the panel frame such that the plurality of hanger doors are opened to the outside, which is an opposite side of the main body with respect to the panel frame.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the electrical part may be disposed on an inner side of the at least one hanger door.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the indoor unit for air conditioners may further include a cover coupled to the at least one hanger door configured to cover the electrical part.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the indoor unit for air conditioners may further include an elastic locking member comprising an elastic material configured to elastically lock the hanger door to a position where the corresponding hanger opening is closed.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, at least one of the plurality of hanger doors may be separated from the panel frame to open a corresponding hanger opening, and an elastic fixing member for elastically fixing the at least one hanger door to a position closing the corresponding hanger opening may be provided on the panel frame.
The indoor unit for air conditioners may further include: a grille panel detachably coupled to an outer portion of the panel frame to cover the air inlet and provided with a grille hole communicating with the air inlet; a blade provided on the air outlet to control a vertical direction of the discharged air; and an intermediate panel covering the outer portion of the panel frame excluding the grille panel and the blade. Each of the grille panel and the intermediate panel may cover at least one of the plurality of hanger doors.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the indoor unit for air conditioners may include a blade drive motor configured to drive the blades; and a motor housing in which the blade drive motor is supported. A motor opening may be provided in the panel frame. The blade drive motor may be coupled to the motor housing and the motor housing may be coupled to the panel frame such that the motor housing covers the motor opening.
Although various embodiments of an indoor unit for air conditioners according to the disclosure and various effects accompanying them have been mentioned above, effects that may be obtained from the indoor unit for air conditioners according to the disclosure will not be limited to only the above-described effects. Other effects which are not described herein will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following description.
While the disclosure has been illustrated and described with reference to various example embodiments, it will be understood that the various example embodiments are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. It will be further understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the true spirit and full scope of the disclosure, including the appended claims and their equivalents. It will also be understood that any of the embodiment(s) described herein may be used in conjunction with any other embodiment(s) described herein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An indoor unit for air conditioners, the indoor unit comprising:

a main body including a blower fan configured to generate air flow, and a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with the air;

a panel frame assembled to the main body and including an air inlet forming an air supply passage to the main body and an air outlet forming a discharge passage for air discharged from the main body;

a plurality of openings formed in the panel frame; and

a plurality of doors configured to open and/or close the plurality of openings,

wherein an electrical part comprising circuitry is arranged on at least one of the plurality of doors.

2. The indoor unit of claim 1, wherein the electrical part is disposed on an inner side of the at least one of the plurality of doors.

3. The indoor unit of claim 2, further comprising a cover coupled to the at least one of the plurality of doors and covering the electrical part.

4. The indoor unit of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of hanger parts comprising a hanger provided on the main body and configured to be coupled with anchor bolts to install the main body on a ceiling,

wherein the plurality of openings include a plurality of hanger openings aligned with the plurality of hanger parts.

5. The indoor unit of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of doors is coupled to the panel frame to be pivotable to a position that opens and closes the corresponding opening among the plurality of openings.

6. The indoor unit of claim 5, wherein the door is pivotably supported on the panel frame such that the door is configured to be opened to the outside, which is an opposite side of the main body with respect to the panel frame.

7. The indoor unit of claim 5, further comprising elastic locking members comprising an elastic material provided on the panel frame and configured to elastically lock the door to a position where the corresponding opening among the plurality of openings is closed.

8. The indoor unit of claim 5, further comprising:

a first hinge provided on the panel frame;

a second hinge provided on the door and pivotably coupled to the first hinge; and

a hinge cover coupled to the door and configured to cover the first hinge and second hinge.

9. The indoor unit of claim 5, further comprising:

a hinge hole provided on the panel frame; and

a hinge shaft rotatably inserted into the hinge hole and provided with an elastically deformable separation prevention elastic piece configured to be elastically deformable in a radial direction at an end of the hinge shaft protruding from the hinge hole.

10. The indoor unit of claim 1, wherein at least one of the doors among the plurality of doors is coupled to the panel frame and configured to be detachable to the outside, which is the opposite side of the main body with respect to the panel frame.

11. The indoor unit of claim 10, further comprising elastic locking members comprising an elastic material configured to elastically lock the door to a position where the corresponding opening among the plurality of openings is closed.

12. The indoor unit of claim 1, further comprising:

a blade provided on the air outlet and configured to control a vertical direction of the discharged air; and

a blade drive motor configured to drive the blade,

wherein

the plurality of openings includes at least one motor opening,

the plurality of doors include at least one motor housing detachably coupled to the panel frame and configured to open and close the at least one motor opening, and

the blade drive motor is coupled to the at least one motor housing.

13. The indoor unit of claim 1, further comprising:

a grille panel detachably coupled to an outer portion of the panel frame and configured to cover the air inlet and provided with a grille hole communicating with the air inlet;

an intermediate panel covering the outer portion of the panel frame excluding the grille panel and the blade, and

wherein each of the grille panel and the intermediate panel are configured to cover at least one of the plurality of doors.

14. An indoor unit for air conditioners, the indoor unit comprising:

a main body including a blower fan configured to generate air flow, a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with the air, and a plurality of hanger parts comprising a hanger to which anchor bolts are configured to be coupled;

a plurality of hanger openings configured to to be opened in the panel frame so that the plurality of hanger parts are accessible; and

a plurality of hanger doors supported on the panel frame and configured to be slidable to a position that closes the plurality of hanger openings and a position that opens the plurality of hanger openings.

15. The indoor unit of claim 14, further comprising:

at least one motor opening provided on the panel frame;

at least one motor housing detachably coupled to the panel frame and configured to open and close the at least one motor opening;

a blade provided on the air outlet and configured to control a vertical direction of discharged air; and

a blade drive motor configured to drive the blade,

wherein the blade drive motor is coupled to the at least one motor housing.