WO2022065660A1 - Indoor unit of air conditioner and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An indoor unit of an air conditioner and a control method thereof are disclosed. The indoor unit of an air conditioner, according to the present disclosure, comprises: a housing; a first inlet port provided to suction air from a first indoor area into the housing therethrough; a first damper provided to open/close the first inlet port; a first heat exchanger provided to cool air in the housing; a first outlet port provided to discharge air cooled by the first heat exchanger to the first area therethrough; a second inlet port provided to suction air from a second indoor area into the housing therethrough; a second damper provided to open/close the second inlet port; a second heat exchanger provided to cool air in the housing; and a second outlet port provided to discharge air cooled by the second heat exchanger to the second area therethrough, wherein the indoor unit performs an intensive cooling mode in which air is suctioned from the first area through the first inlet port, cooled while passing through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, and then discharged to the second area through the second outlet port.

Description

Indoor unit of air conditioner and control method thereof

The present disclosure relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner having an improved structure such that a flow path is variable for intensive cooling of a partial area of the room, and a method for controlling the same.

In general, an air conditioner is a device used for the purpose of cooling or heating a room. It circulates a refrigerant between an indoor unit and an outdoor unit to absorb ambient heat when liquid refrigerant is vaporized and ambient heat when liquefied. It performs cooling or heating action by the characteristic of emitting

Such an indoor unit includes an intake port and a discharge port for sucking air. Air sucked in through the inlet is heat-exchanged through an internal heat exchanger and discharged to the outlet. The outlets may be provided singly or in plurality to perform cooling of an area adjacent to each outlet.

However, when a plurality of outlets are provided to cool a plurality of areas in the room, it is necessary to concentrate the cooling on only some areas according to the use environment or necessity.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner in which a flow path can be varied to concentrate a cooling capability only on an area requiring intensive cooling of the room, and a method for controlling the same.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner having an improved structure to form a flow path for rapid cooling by utilizing all heat exchange capabilities of a plurality of heat exchangers during intensive cooling, and a method for controlling the same.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present disclosure includes a housing, a first suction port provided to suck air in a first area of the room into the housing, a first damper provided to open and close the first suction port; A first heat exchanger provided to cool the air inside the housing, a first outlet provided to discharge the air cooled by the first heat exchanger to the first area, and air from the second area of the room to the inside of the housing a second suction port provided to be sucked into the and a second outlet provided to be discharged to a second region, and air is sucked in from the first region through the first suction port, cooled through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, and then the second outlet is closed An intensive cooling mode in which air is discharged to the second area through the

In addition, the first suction port and the second suction port are formed on a side wall of the housing.

In addition, the indoor unit of the air conditioner is connected to the first suction port and is connected to a first duct provided so that the air sucked from the first area flows and the air sucked from the second area is connected to the second suction port. It further includes a second duct provided to flow.

Also, in the intensive cooling mode, the first damper is opened, the first discharge port is closed, the second damper is closed, and the second discharge port is opened to form a flow path.

In addition, the indoor unit of the air conditioner further includes a first blade for opening and closing the first outlet and a second blade for opening and closing the second outlet, wherein the first blade is closed and the second blade is closed in the concentrated cooling mode is open

In addition, the first suction port and the second suction port are formed on the bottom surface of the housing.

In addition, in the concentrated cooling mode, the air in the first area is sucked through the first outlet and discharged through the second suction port.

In addition, the indoor unit of the air conditioner further includes a first blade provided to open and close the first discharge port and a second blade provided to open and close the second discharge port, and in the concentrated cooling mode, the first blade and the first blade An indoor unit of an air conditioner in which two blades and both the first damper and the second damper are open.

In addition, the indoor unit of the air conditioner further includes a suction damper provided to open and close a suction port formed on a bottom surface of the housing between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, and in the concentrated cooling mode, the suction damper is Close the intake port.

In addition, in the general cooling mode, the suction damper opens the suction port, and the air sucked through the suction port is branched into the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to be cooled, respectively.

In addition, the indoor unit of the air conditioner further includes a first fan disposed adjacent to the first outlet and a second fan disposed adjacent to the second outlet, wherein the first fan is not driven in the concentrated cooling mode and the second fan is driven to form an air flow.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner further includes an input unit receiving a user command and a control unit receiving a signal from the input unit, and when the user command is received and the intensive cooling mode is performed, the control unit is configured to control the first fan and the Controlled so that only one of the second fans is driven.

In addition, it further includes a first blade provided to open and close the first outlet and a second blade provided to open and close the second outlet, wherein the control unit opens the first damper and the second blade in the intensive cooling mode do.

In addition, the indoor unit of the air conditioner performs the intensive cooling mode based on at least one temperature sensor sensing the temperatures of the first area and the second area and temperature information detected by the at least one temperature sensor It further includes a control unit for determining whether or not.

In addition, the indoor unit of the air conditioner further includes a hood operation detection unit for sensing the operation of the kitchen hood, and a control unit for determining whether to perform the intensive cooling mode based on the operation state of the hood.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing, a heat exchanger extending to surround a center of the housing and including first to fourth heat exchange parts, and a bottom surface of the housing adjacent to the first heat exchange part A first outlet provided in the second outlet adjacent to the second heat exchange unit and provided on a bottom surface of the housing. and a third discharge port adjacent to the third heat exchange unit and provided on a bottom surface of the housing, and a fourth discharge port adjacent to the fourth heat exchange unit and provided on a bottom surface of the housing, wherein the second discharge port, the third discharge port, Intensive cooling mode in which air is sucked into each of the fourth outlets, is first cooled in each of the second heat exchange unit to the fourth heat exchange unit, is secondary cooled in the first heat exchange unit, and discharged to the first outlet is performed. .

The indoor unit of the air conditioner further includes first to fourth fans disposed adjacent to the first to fourth outlets, respectively, and the first fan is configured to form an air flow in the concentrated cooling mode. is driven, and the second to fourth fans are not driven.

A first outlet provided to discharge air to a first area of the room, a first fan disposed adjacent to the first outlet, a second outlet provided to discharge air to a second area of the room, and the second outlet In the control method of an air conditioner according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the method comprising: a second fan disposed adjacent to the air conditioner; and a plurality of heat exchangers disposed between the first and second outlets. A control method of driving a compressor so that refrigerant is supplied to each of the plurality of heat exchangers, receiving a signal for performing an intensive cooling mode, determining a region requiring intensive cooling among the first region and the second region, One of the first fan and the second fan is driven to suck air from an area where intensive cooling is not required, and the first outlet is configured to discharge air cooled through the plurality of heat exchangers to an area requiring intensive cooling. or opening the second discharge port.

In addition, determining the region requiring intensive cooling includes receiving information on a set temperature from a user, receiving information on temperatures of the first region and the second region, and receiving information about the temperature of the first region and the second region. and determining an area in which the set temperature is not reached among the areas as the area requiring intensive cooling.

In addition, determining the area requiring the intensive cooling may include receiving a signal regarding whether the kitchen hood is driven or not, and when the kitchen hood is driven, an area in which the kitchen hood is installed among the first area and the second area is intensively cooled This involves determining which area is needed.

By variably forming the flow path through which the air inside the indoor unit flows, it is possible to evenly distribute the cold air into the room or to concentrate the cold air in a necessary area.

By forming a flow path to use all of the plurality of heat exchangers during intensive cooling, and concentrating the cooling capacity in an area requiring cooling of the room, the target temperature can be reached more quickly.

By sensing the indoor temperature of the plurality of outlets, it is possible to appropriately respond to different cooling loads in each area of the room.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an air flow in the general cooling mode in the indoor unit of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an air flow in the first area intensive cooling mode in the indoor unit of FIG. 1 .

4 is a diagram illustrating an air flow in the second area intensive cooling mode in the indoor unit of FIG. 1 .

5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a diagram illustrating an air flow in the general cooling mode in the indoor unit of FIG. 5 .

7 is a diagram illustrating an air flow in the first area intensive cooling mode in the indoor unit of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an air flow in the second area intensive cooling mode in the indoor unit of FIG. 5 .

9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an air flow in the general cooling mode in the indoor unit of FIG. 9 .

11 is a diagram illustrating an air flow in the first area intensive cooling mode in the indoor unit of FIG. 9 .

12 is a diagram illustrating an air flow in the second area intensive cooling mode in the indoor unit of FIG. 9 .

13 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken in a horizontal direction of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a bottom view of the indoor unit of Fig. 13;

15 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a vertical direction of the indoor unit of FIG. 13 .

16 is a diagram illustrating an air flow in the first area intensive cooling mode in the indoor unit of FIG. 13 .

17 is a control block diagram of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

18 to 21 are flowcharts of a method for controlling an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The configuration shown in the embodiments and drawings described in this specification is only a preferred example of the disclosed invention, and there may be various modifications that can replace the embodiments and drawings of the present specification at the time of filing of the present application.

In addition, the same reference numerals or reference numerals in each drawing of the present specification indicate parts or components that perform substantially the same functions.

In addition, the terminology used herein is used to describe the embodiments, and is not intended to limit and/or limit the disclosed invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as "comprise" or "have" are intended to designate that the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification exist, and one or more other features It does not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

In addition, terms including ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" used in this specification may be used to describe various elements, but the elements are not limited by the terms, and the terms are one It is used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may also be referred to as a first component. The term “and/or” includes a combination of a plurality of related listed items or any of a plurality of related listed items.

Meanwhile, the terms "up and down direction", "lower side", and "front and back direction" used in the following description are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and position of each component is not limited by these terms.

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the indoor unit 1 may include a housing 10 that forms an exterior. The housing 10 of the indoor unit 1 may be installed to be embedded in the ceiling.

Unlike the indoor unit of the wall-mounted or packaged air conditioner, the indoor unit 1 of the ceiling-type air conditioner is installed in a state embedded in the ceiling, so that it is possible to increase the utilization of the indoor space. In this detailed description, the ceiling type air conditioner is described as an example, but the spirit of the present invention may not be limited thereto.

The indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner may include an inlet 15 and a plurality of outlets formed in the housing 10 . The suction port 15 may be provided in the center of the housing 10 . In more detail, the suction port 15 may be provided on the bottom surface of the housing 10 . The suction port 15 may be formed between the first heat exchanger 21 and the second heat exchanger 31 to be described later. Indoor air may be sucked into the indoor unit 1 through the inlet 15 formed on the bottom of the housing 10 .

A plurality of discharge ports 13 and 14 may be provided on both sides of the suction port 15 . The plurality of outlets may include a first outlet 13 and a second outlet 14 .

The first discharge port 13 may be provided to discharge the air inside the indoor unit 1 to the first area A1 . The second discharge port 14 may be provided to discharge the air inside the indoor unit 1 to the second area A2 . That is, the first outlet 13 may be provided adjacent to the first area A1 , and the second outlet 14 may be provided adjacent to the second area A2 .

The indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner may include a plurality of suction ports 11 and 12 . The plurality of suction ports may include a first suction port 11 and a second suction port 12 .

The first suction port 11 and the second suction port 12 may be formed on a sidewall of the housing 10 . The first suction port 11 and the second suction port 12 may be formed separately from the suction port 15 to suck indoor air.

The first suction port 11 may be provided to suck air in the first area A1 . Also, the second suction port 12 may be provided to suck air in the second area A2 .

However, the first suction port 11 may be provided to suck the air of the second area A2 , and the second suction port 12 may be provided to suck the air of the first area A1 . That is, the area where the air is sucked is not limited, and the area of the air sucked into the first suction port 11 and the second suction port 12 may be changed according to the position of the indoor suction unit to be described later.

In addition, the functions of the first suction port 11 and the second suction port 12 are not limited thereto, and may be provided to suck outside air by connecting the ERV.

However, in the description according to the embodiment of the present invention, the first suction port 11 and the second suction port 12 are provided to respectively suck the air in the first area A1 and the second area A2 in the room. Explain.

The indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner may include a plurality of heat exchangers 21 and 31 to cool the air inside the housing 10 . The plurality of heat exchangers 21 and 31 may be provided as a first heat exchanger 21 and a second heat exchanger 31 . The first heat exchanger 21 and the second heat exchanger 31 may be provided so that the air sucked into the housing 10 exchanges heat with cold air by latent heat of evaporation of the refrigerant.

Although not shown in FIG. 1 , the refrigerant compressed from the compressor may be supplied to the first heat exchanger 21 and the second heat exchanger 31 to perform a cooling function.

The indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner may include a plurality of fans 22 and 32 . The plurality of fans 22 and 32 may include a first fan 22 and a second fan 32 . The first fan 22 may be disposed adjacent to the first outlet 13 and the second fan 32 may be disposed adjacent to the second outlet 14 to form an air flow. The first fan 22 and the second fan 32 may be provided as cross-flow fans that draw air to a location where each fan is positioned to form an air flow.

The indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner may include a first blade 24 and a second blade 34 . The first blade 24 may be provided to open and close the first discharge port 13 . The second blade 34 may be provided to open and close the second discharge port 14 . In addition, the first blade 24 and the second blade 34 may control the direction of the air discharged from the first discharge port 13 and the second discharge port 14 .

The indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner may include a first duct 41 and a second duct 42 .

One end of the first duct 41 may be connected to the first suction port 11 , and the other end of the first duct 41 may be connected to the first suction unit 43 . The first suction part 43 may be provided on a ceiling in which the indoor unit 1 is embedded. The first suction part 43 may be provided to suck air in the first area A1 .

However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first suction unit 43 may be provided to suck air in the second area A2 or may be provided to suck outside air. In the description according to the embodiment of the present invention, it will be described with an example that the first suction part 43 is provided to suck the air of the first area A1.

Accordingly, the first duct 41 may be connected to the first suction port 11 so that the air sucked from the first area A1 flows.

One end of the second duct 42 may be connected to the second suction port 12 , and the other end of the second duct 42 may be connected to the second suction unit 44 . The second suction part 44 may be provided on a ceiling in which the indoor unit 1 is embedded. The second suction part 44 may be provided to suck air in the second area A2 .

However, as described above, the second suction unit 44 may be provided to suck air in the first area A1 or may be provided to suck outside air.

The indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner may include a first damper 23 , a second damper 33 , and a suction damper 35 .

The first damper 23 may be provided to open and close the first suction port 11 . More specifically, the first damper 23 may prevent air from flowing or flowing through the first duct 41 through the first suction part 43 . That is, the first damper 23 may be provided so that a flow path of the air flowing through the first duct 41 is formed or not.

The second damper 33 may be provided to open and close the second suction port 12 . More specifically, the second damper 33 may prevent air from flowing or flowing through the second duct 42 through the second suction part 44 . That is, the second damper 33 may be provided so that a flow path of the air flowing through the second duct 42 may or may not be formed.

The suction damper 35 may be provided to open and close the suction port 15 . The suction damper 35 may be provided between the first heat exchanger 21 and the second heat exchanger 31 . Since the suction port 15 is formed on the central bottom surface of the housing 10 , the suction damper 35 for opening and closing the suction port 15 may also be disposed on the central bottom surface of the housing 10 .

In the case of the description of the present invention with reference to FIG. 1 , the housing 10 of the indoor unit 1 is integrally formed, but the present invention is not limited thereto. It may be provided in a form in which a ceiling panel is separately installed at the lower end so as to cover the opening of the housing 10 .

Accordingly, in the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first suction port 11 , the first discharge port 13 , the first blade 24 , and the first A heat exchanger 21 , a first fan 22 , a first damper 23 , a first duct 41 , and a first suction part 43 may be provided. In addition, in the second area A2 side, the second suction port 12 , the second discharge port 14 , the second blade 34 , the second heat exchanger 31 , the second fan 32 , and the second damper 33 ), a second duct 42 and a second suction part 44 may be provided.

Hereinafter, in the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner of FIG. 1 , the flow of air as the flow path is changed for each mode will be described.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an air flow in the general cooling mode in the indoor unit of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an air flow in the first area intensive cooling mode in the indoor unit of FIG. 1 . 4 is a diagram illustrating an air flow in the second area intensive cooling mode in the indoor unit of FIG. 1 .

As shown in FIG. 2 , in the general cooling mode, air in the first area A1 and the second area A2 of the room may be sucked into the indoor unit 1 through the suction port 15 .

In the general cooling mode, the suction damper 35 opens the suction port 15 . In the general cooling mode, the first damper 23 and the second damper 33 close the first suction port 11 and the second suction port 12 . In addition, the first blade 24 and the second blade 34 open the first discharge port 13 and the second discharge port 14 .

Air sucked into the indoor unit 1 through the suction port 15 may be branched toward the first heat exchanger 21 and the second heat exchanger 31 , respectively. This air flow may be formed by driving both the first fan 22 and the second fan 32 . That is, by driving the first fan 22, a part of the air sucked through the suction port 15 is drawn toward the first heat exchanger 21, and the second fan 32 is driven to the suction port 15. The remaining part of the air may be drawn toward the second heat exchanger 31 to form an air flow.

The air branched to the first heat exchanger 21 may be cooled in the first heat exchanger 21 , and the air branched to the second heat exchanger 31 may be cooled in the second heat exchanger 31 .

As the air cooled through the first heat exchanger 21 is closed by the first suction port 11 by the first damper 23 and the first outlet 13 is opened by the first blade 24 It may be discharged through the first discharge port 13 . The air discharged through the first discharge port 13 may cool the first area A1 .

As the air cooled through the second heat exchanger 31 is closed by the second suction port 12 by the second damper 33 and the second outlet 14 is opened by the second blade 34 , It may be discharged through the second discharge port 14 . The air discharged through the second discharge port 14 may cool the second area A2 .

That is, when performing the general cooling mode, the flow path is the air in the room passing through the intake port 15 - the first heat exchanger 21 - the first discharge port 13, and at the same time, the intake port 15 - the second heat exchanger 31 - the second heat exchanger (31). 2 It may be formed to pass the discharge port 14 .

In the description of the present invention, the general cooling mode is a concept that is disposed with the concentrated cooling mode of the present invention, which will be described later. The air in the room is sucked through the suction port 15 formed in the center, and the first heat exchanger 21 and the second It relates to a flow path that is respectively branched to the heat exchanger 31 and discharged to the first outlet 13 and the second outlet 14 , respectively.

Therefore, in this case, the control on the flow of the refrigerant passing through the heat exchanger or the control on the driving degree of the fan may all be included in this general cooling mode. For example, various functions performed by the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner, such as a dehumidification mode or a power cooling mode, are performed so that the air flow is evenly distributed into the first area A1 and the second area A2 as described above. As long as they are formed, they can all be included in the general cooling mode.

As shown in FIG. 3 , in the intensive cooling mode of the first area A1 , air in the second area A2 of the room may be sucked into the indoor unit 1 and supplied to the first area A1 .

In the first area A1 intensive cooling mode, the suction damper 35 closes the suction port 15 . In the first area A1 intensive cooling mode, the first damper 23 closes the first suction port 11 and the second damper 33 opens the second suction port 12 . Also, the first blade 24 opens the first outlet 13 and the second blade 34 closes the second outlet 14 .

At this time, since the first fan 22 is driven and the second fan 32 is not driven, a flow for drawing air toward the first fan 22 is formed.

In the first area A1 intensive cooling mode, air in the second area A2 of the room may be sucked through the second suction unit 44 . As the second damper 33 opens the second suction port 12 , the air sucked into the second suction unit 44 flows through the second duct 42 to the indoor unit ( 1) can be inhaled.

As the second blade 34 closes the second discharge port 14 , the air sucked into the second suction port 12 may pass through the second heat exchanger 31 to be cooled. In addition, as the suction damper 35 closes the suction port 15 , the air passing through the second heat exchanger 31 may pass through the first heat exchanger 21 to be cooled once more. That is, the air may be primarily cooled in the second heat exchanger 31 and secondarily cooled in the first heat exchanger 21 . As the first damper 23 closes the first suction port 11 and the first blade 24 opens the first discharge port 13, the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger 21 is 13) can be discharged. Thereafter, the air discharged through the first discharge port 13 may cool the first area A1.

That is, when the intensive cooling mode of the first area A1 is performed, unlike in the general cooling mode, the air sucked into the indoor unit 1 passes through the second heat exchanger 31 and the first heat exchanger 21 sequentially to be heat-exchanged. can In other words, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner draws air from an area that does not require intensive cooling in the room in the intensive cooling mode and utilizes all of the heat exchange capabilities of the plurality of heat exchangers 21 and 31 that require intensive cooling. area can be supplied.

As shown in FIG. 4 , in the intensive cooling mode of the second area A2 , air in the first area A1 of the room may be sucked into the indoor unit 1 and supplied to the second area A2 .

In the second area A2 intensive cooling mode, the suction damper 35 closes the suction port 15 . In the second area A2 intensive cooling mode, the second damper 33 closes the second suction port 12 and the first damper 23 opens the first suction port 11 . Also, the second blade 34 opens the second outlet 14 , and the first blade 24 closes the first outlet 13 .

At this time, the first fan 22 is not driven and the second fan 32 is driven to form a flow that draws air toward the second fan 32 .

In the second area A2 intensive cooling mode, air in the first area A1 of the room may be sucked through the first suction unit 43 . As the first damper 23 opens the first suction port 11 , the air sucked into the first suction unit 43 flows through the first duct 41 and passes through the first suction port 11 to the indoor unit ( 1) can be inhaled.

As the first blade 24 closes the first outlet 13 , the air sucked into the first suction port 11 may pass through the first heat exchanger 21 to be cooled. Also, as the suction damper 35 closes the suction port 15 , the air passing through the first heat exchanger 21 may pass through the second heat exchanger 31 to be cooled once more. That is, the air may be primarily cooled in the first heat exchanger 21 and secondarily cooled in the second heat exchanger 31 . As the second damper 33 closes the second suction port 12 and the second blade 34 opens the second discharge port 14, the air that has passed through the second heat exchanger 31 is 14) can be discharged. Thereafter, the air discharged through the second discharge port 14 may cool the second area A2 .

That is, when the intensive cooling mode of the second area A2 is performed, unlike in the general cooling mode, the air sucked into the indoor unit 1 passes through the first heat exchanger 21 and the second heat exchanger 31 sequentially to be heat-exchanged. can In other words, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner draws air from an area that does not require intensive cooling in the room in the intensive cooling mode and utilizes all of the heat exchange capabilities of the plurality of heat exchangers 21 and 31 that require intensive cooling. area can be supplied.

In the first area (A1) intensive cooling mode and the second area (A2) concentrated cooling mode, as in the general cooling mode, all of the refrigerant is supplied to the first heat exchanger 21 and the second heat exchanger 31 to exchange heat. Since cooling is performed with two air conditioners, cooling can be performed more quickly for an area requiring intensive cooling.

In addition, even if the air flow in the indoor unit 1 is concentrated in one direction, concentrated cooling using the maximum heat exchange efficiency can be performed by using all of the provided heat exchangers.

The control for determining whether intensive cooling of the above-described first area A1 or second area A2 is required will be described later.

5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an indoor unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the indoor unit 1a may include a housing 10a that forms an exterior. The housing 10a of the indoor unit 1a may be installed to be embedded in the ceiling.

Unlike the indoor unit 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the indoor unit 1a according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a first suction port 11a and a second suction port 12a on the bottom surface of the housing 10a. can be formed. Details on this will be described later.

The indoor unit 1a of the air conditioner may include an intake port 15a and a plurality of discharge ports 13a and 14a formed in the housing 10a. The suction port 15a may be provided in the center of the housing 10a. In more detail, the suction port 15a may be provided on the bottom surface of the housing 10a. The suction port 15a may be formed between the first heat exchanger 21a and the second heat exchanger 31a, which will be described later. Indoor air may be sucked into the indoor unit 1a through the suction port 15a formed on the bottom surface of the housing 10a.

A plurality of outlets 13a and 14a may be provided on both sides of the inlet 15a. The plurality of outlets 13a and 14a may include a first outlet 13a and a second outlet 14a.

The first discharge port 13a may be provided to discharge the air inside the indoor unit 1a to the first area A1 . The second discharge port 14a may be provided to discharge the air inside the indoor unit 1a to the second area A2 . That is, the first outlet 13a may be provided adjacent to the first area A1 , and the second outlet 14a may be provided adjacent to the second area A2 .

The indoor unit 1a of the air conditioner may include a plurality of suction ports 11a and 12a. The plurality of suction ports may include a first suction port 11a and a second suction port 12a.

Unlike the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first suction port 11a and the second suction port 12a of the indoor unit 1a of the air conditioner according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. ) may be provided on the bottom surface of the housing 10a.

Therefore, unlike the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention, the structure can be designed in a simpler manner without a separate duct connected to each suction port or a separate suction unit.

The first suction port 11a and the second suction port 12a may be formed in the housing 10a separately from the suction port 15a to suck indoor air.

The first suction port 11a may be provided to suck air in the first area A1. The first suction port 11a may be formed outside the first discharge port 13a, but the location is not limited thereto.

In addition, the second suction port 12a may be provided to suck air in the second area A2 and may be formed outside the second discharge port 14a. However, the location is not limited thereto.

The indoor unit 1a of the air conditioner may include a plurality of heat exchangers 21a and 31a to cool the air inside the housing 10a. The plurality of heat exchangers 21a and 31a may be provided as a first heat exchanger 21a and a second heat exchanger 31a. The first heat exchanger 21a and the second heat exchanger 31a may be provided so that the air sucked into the housing 10a is exchanged with cold air by latent heat of evaporation of the refrigerant.

The indoor unit 1a of the air conditioner may include a plurality of fans 22a and 32a. The plurality of fans may include a first fan 22a and a second fan 32a. The first fan 22a is disposed adjacent to the first outlet 13a and the first suction port 11a, and the second fan 32a is adjacent to the second outlet 14a and the second suction port 12a. arranged to form an air flow. The first fan 22a and the second fan 32a may be provided as cross-flow fans that draw air to a location where each fan is positioned to form an air flow.

The indoor unit 1a of the air conditioner may include a first blade 24a and a second blade 34a. The first blade 24a may be provided to open and close the first discharge port 13a. The second blade 34a may be provided to open and close the second discharge port 14a. In addition, the first blade 24a and the second blade 34a may control the direction of the air discharged from the first discharge port 13a and the second discharge port 14a.

The indoor unit 1a of the air conditioner may include a first damper 23a , a second damper 33a , and a suction damper 35 .

The first damper 23a may be provided to open and close the first suction port 11a. More specifically, the first damper 23a may prevent air from flowing or flowing through the first suction port 11a.

The second damper 33a may be provided to open and close the second suction port 12a. More specifically, the second damper 33a may prevent air from flowing or flowing through the second suction port 12a.

The suction damper 35 may be provided to open and close the suction port 15a. The suction damper 35 may be provided between the first heat exchanger 21a and the second heat exchanger 31a. Since the suction port 15a is formed on the central bottom surface of the housing 10a, the suction damper 35 for opening and closing the suction port 15a may also be disposed on the central bottom surface of the housing 10a.

Unlike the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention, the indoor unit 1a of the air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention has a first suction port 11a and a first discharge port 13a. It is provided adjacently, and as the second suction port 12a and the second discharge port 14a are provided adjacently, the first discharge port 13a and the second discharge port 14a may be provided to discharge air or suck air It may be arranged to do so. Details related to this will be described later in the following description related to the flow of air.

6 is a diagram illustrating an air flow in the general cooling mode in the indoor unit of FIG. 5 . 7 is a diagram illustrating an air flow in the first area intensive cooling mode in the indoor unit of FIG. 5 . FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an air flow in the second area intensive cooling mode in the indoor unit of FIG. 5 .

As shown in FIG. 6 , in the general cooling mode, air in the first area A1 and the second area A2 of the room may be sucked into the indoor unit 1a through the suction port 15a.

In the general cooling mode, the suction damper 35 opens the suction port 15a. In the general cooling mode, the first damper 23a and the second damper 33a close the first suction port 11a and the second suction port 12a. In addition, the first blade 24a and the second blade 34a open the first discharge port 13a and the second discharge port 14a.

The air sucked into the indoor unit 1a through the suction port 15a may be branched toward the first heat exchanger 21a and the second heat exchanger 31a, respectively. This air flow may be formed by driving both the first fan 22a and the second fan 32a.

That is, by driving the first fan 22a, a part of the air sucked through the suction port 15a is drawn toward the first heat exchanger 21a, and by driving the second fan 32a, the air sucked through the suction port 15a is driven. A portion of the air may be drawn toward the second heat exchanger 31a to form an air flow.

The air branched to the first heat exchanger 21a may be cooled in the first heat exchanger 21a, and the air branched to the second heat exchanger 31a may be cooled in the second heat exchanger 31a.

As the air cooled by passing through the first heat exchanger 21a is closed by the first suction port 11a and the first damper 23a and the first outlet 13a is opened by the first blade 24a, It may be discharged through the first discharge port 13a. The air discharged through the first discharge port 13a may cool the first area A1.

As the air cooled through the second heat exchanger 31a is closed by the second suction port 12a and the second damper 33a and the second discharge port 14a is opened by the second blade 34a, It may be discharged through the second discharge port 14a. The air discharged through the second discharge port 14a may cool the second area A2 .

That is, when performing the general cooling mode, the flow path is the inlet (15a) - the second heat exchanger (31a) - at the same time the air in the room passes through the intake port (15a) - the first heat exchanger (21a) - the first discharge port (13a). 2 It may be formed to pass through the discharge port 14a.

As described above for the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention, the general cooling mode is a concept that is different from the concentrated cooling mode of the present invention. ), respectively, branched into the first heat exchanger (21a) and the second heat exchanger (31a) and discharged to the first discharge port (13a) and the second discharge port (14a), respectively.

Therefore, in this case, the control on the flow of the refrigerant passing through the heat exchanger or the control on the driving degree of the fan may all be included in this general cooling mode. For example, various functions performed by the indoor unit 1a of the air conditioner, such as a dehumidification mode or a power cooling mode, are performed so that the air flow is evenly distributed into the first area A1 and the second area A2 as described above. As long as they are formed, they can all be included in the general cooling mode.

7 , in the intensive cooling mode of the first area A1 , air in the second area A2 of the room may be sucked into the indoor unit 1a and supplied to the first area A1 .

In the first area A1 intensive cooling mode, the suction damper 35a closes the suction port 15a. In the first area A1 intensive cooling mode, the first damper 23a closes the first suction port 11a and the second damper 33a opens the second suction port 12a. Also, the first blade 24a opens the first discharge port 13a and the second blade 34a opens the second discharge port 14a.

At this time, since the first fan 22a is driven and the second fan 32a is not driven, a flow for drawing air toward the first fan 22a is formed.

Unlike the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention, the second area is passed through the second suction damper 35 without using a separate suction unit or duct in the first area A1 intensive cooling mode. Air of (A2) may be sucked into the indoor unit (1a).

In addition, unlike the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention, the air in the second area A2 is supplied to the indoor unit 1a through the second discharge port 14a adjacent to the second suction damper 35. ) can be inhaled.

The air sucked through the second suction port 12a and the second discharge port 14a may pass through the second heat exchanger 31a to be cooled. Also, as the suction damper 35 closes the suction port 15a, the air that has passed through the second heat exchanger 31a may pass through the first heat exchanger 21a and be cooled once more. That is, the air may be primarily cooled in the second heat exchanger (31a) and secondarily cooled in the first heat exchanger (21a).

As the first damper 23a closes the first suction port 11a and the first blade 24a opens the first discharge port 13a, the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger 21a is 13a) can be discharged. Thereafter, the air discharged through the first discharge port 13a may cool the first area A1.

That is, when the intensive cooling mode in the first area A1 is performed, unlike in the general cooling mode, the air sucked into the indoor unit 1a passes through the second heat exchanger 31a and the first heat exchanger 21a sequentially to be heat-exchanged. can In other words, the indoor unit 1a of the air conditioner draws air from an area that does not require intensive cooling in the room in the intensive cooling mode and utilizes all of the heat exchange capabilities of the plurality of heat exchangers 21a and 31a to obtain intensive cooling. area can be supplied.

Also, although it has been described that the first damper 23a closes the first suction port 11a in the intensive cooling mode in the first area A1 described above, the first damper 23a opens the first suction port 11a. You may. In this case, in addition to the path through which the cold air is supplied to the first area A1 through the first outlet 13a, air may be discharged through the first suction port 11a to supply the cold air to the first area A1.

However, when only the first discharge port 13a is opened, it may be easier to control the discharge direction of the air through the first blade 24a. However, it goes without saying that the cooling of the first area A1 may be performed by opening the first suction port 11a in order to secure a wider cooling air discharge area.

As shown in FIG. 8 , in the intensive cooling mode of the second area A2 , air in the first area A1 of the room may be sucked into the indoor unit 1a and supplied to the second area A2 .

In the second area A2 intensive cooling mode, the suction damper 35a closes the suction port 15a. In the second area A2 intensive cooling mode, the second damper 33a closes the second suction port 12a and the first damper 23a opens the first suction port 11a. Also, the second blade 34a opens the second discharge port 14a, and the first blade 24a opens the first discharge port 13a.

At this time, since the second fan 32a is driven and the first fan 22a is not driven, a flow for drawing air toward the second fan 32a is formed.

Unlike the indoor unit 1a of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the second area A2 intensive cooling mode, the first area is passed through the first suction damper 35 without using a separate suction unit or duct. Air of (A1) may be sucked into the indoor unit (1a).

In addition, unlike the indoor unit 1a of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention, the air in the first area A1 flows through the first discharge port 13a adjacent to the first suction damper 35 as well as the indoor unit 1a. ) can be inhaled.

The air sucked into the first suction port 11a and the first discharge port 13a may be cooled by passing through the first heat exchanger 21a. In addition, as the suction damper 35 closes the suction port 15a, the air passing through the first heat exchanger 21a may pass through the second heat exchanger 31a to be cooled once more.

That is, the air may be primarily cooled in the first heat exchanger (21a) and secondarily cooled in the second heat exchanger (31a).

As the second damper 33a closes the second suction port 12a and the second blade 34a opens the second discharge port 14a, the air that has passed through the second heat exchanger 31a is 14a) can be discharged. Thereafter, the air discharged through the second discharge port 14a may cool the second area A2 .

That is, when the intensive cooling mode in the second area A2 is performed, unlike in the general cooling mode, the air sucked into the indoor unit 1a is heat-exchanged through the first heat exchanger 21a and the second heat exchanger 31a sequentially. can In other words, the indoor unit 1a of the air conditioner draws air from an area that does not require intensive cooling in the room in the intensive cooling mode and utilizes all of the heat exchange capabilities of the plurality of heat exchangers 21a and 31a to obtain intensive cooling. area can be supplied.

In addition, although it has been described that the second damper 33a closes the second suction port 12a in the intensive cooling mode in the second area A2 described above, the second damper 33a opens the second suction port 12a. You may.

In this case, in addition to the path through which the cold air is supplied to the second area A2 through the second discharge port 14a, air may be discharged through the second suction port 12a to supply the cold air to the second area A2.

However, when only the second discharge port 14a is opened, it may be easier to control the discharge direction of the air through the second blade 34a. However, it goes without saying that cooling of the second area A2 may be performed by opening the second suction port 12a in order to secure a wider cooling air discharge area.

In the first area A1 concentrated cooling mode and the second area A2 concentrated cooling mode of the indoor unit 1a of the air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention, the first heat exchanger 21a and the second Since all of the refrigerant is supplied to the heat exchanger 31a to perform cooling with two heat exchangers, cooling can be performed more quickly in an area requiring intensive cooling.

Also, air may be discharged or air may be sucked in through the first discharge port 13a and the second discharge port 14a of the indoor unit 1a of the air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, when performing the intensive cooling mode, it is possible to secure a wider flow path for the air sucked into the indoor unit 1a, so that noise or flow resistance that may be generated during suction can be reduced. In addition, it is also possible to secure a wider flow path for the air discharged out of the indoor unit 1a, so that noise or flow resistance that may be generated during discharge may be reduced.

9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an indoor unit according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the indoor unit 1b may include a housing 10b that forms an exterior. The housing 10b of the indoor unit 1b may be installed to be embedded in the ceiling.

Unlike the indoor units 1 and 1a according to an embodiment or another embodiment of the present invention, the indoor unit 1b according to another embodiment of the present invention may be provided without a separate suction port or a damper for opening and closing the suction port. That is, the indoor air may be discharged and sucked through the first discharge port 13b and the second discharge port 14b of the housing 10b. Details related to this will be described later.

The indoor unit 1b of the air conditioner may include an intake port 15b and a plurality of discharge ports formed in the housing 10b. The suction port 15b may be provided in the center of the housing 10b. In more detail, the suction port 15b may be provided on the bottom surface of the housing 10b. The suction port 15b may be formed between the first heat exchanger 21b and the second heat exchanger 31b, which will be described later. Indoor air may be sucked into the indoor unit 1b through the suction port 15b formed on the bottom surface of the housing 10b.

A plurality of discharge ports may be provided on both sides of the suction port 15b. The plurality of outlets may include a first outlet 13b and a second outlet 14b.

The first discharge port 13b may be provided to discharge the air inside the indoor unit 1b to the first area A1 . The second discharge port 14b may be provided to discharge the air inside the indoor unit 1b to the second area A2 . That is, the first outlet 13b may be provided adjacent to the first area A1 , and the second outlet 14b may be provided adjacent to the second area A2 .

The indoor unit 1b of the air conditioner may include a plurality of heat exchangers to cool the air inside the housing 10b. The plurality of heat exchangers may be provided as a first heat exchanger 21b and a second heat exchanger 31b. The first heat exchanger 21b and the second heat exchanger 31b may be provided so that the air sucked into the housing 10b exchanges heat with cold air by latent heat of evaporation of the refrigerant.

The indoor unit 1b of the air conditioner may include a plurality of fans. The plurality of fans may include a first fan 22b and a second fan 32b. The first fan 22b may be disposed adjacent to the first outlet 13b and the second fan 32b may be disposed adjacent to the second outlet 14b to form an air flow. The first fan 22b and the second fan 32b may be provided as cross-flow fans that draw air to a location where each fan is positioned to form an air flow.

The indoor unit 1b of the air conditioner may include a first blade 24b and a second blade 34b. The first blade 24b may be provided to open and close the first discharge port 13b. The second blade 34b may be provided to open and close the second discharge port 14b. In addition, the first blade 24b and the second blade 34b may control the direction of the air discharged from the first discharge port 13b and the second discharge port 14b.

The indoor unit 1b of the air conditioner may include a suction damper 35b.

The suction damper 35b may be provided to open and close the suction port 15b. The suction damper 35b may be provided between the first heat exchanger 21b and the second heat exchanger 31b. Since the suction port 15b is formed on the central bottom surface of the housing 10b, the suction damper 35b for opening and closing the suction port 15b may also be disposed on the central bottom surface of the housing 10b.

Unlike the indoor units 1 and 1a of the air conditioner according to one embodiment or another embodiment of the present invention, the indoor unit 1b of the air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention does not have a separate suction port. The discharge port 13b and the second discharge port 14b may be provided to discharge air or may be provided to suck air. Details related to this will be described later in the following description related to the flow of air.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an air flow in the general cooling mode in the indoor unit of FIG. 9 . 11 is a diagram illustrating an air flow in the first area intensive cooling mode in the indoor unit of FIG. 9 . 12 is a diagram illustrating an air flow in the second area intensive cooling mode in the indoor unit of FIG. 9 .

10 , in the general cooling mode, air in the first area A1 and the second area A2 of the room may be sucked into the indoor unit 1b through the suction port 15b.

In the general cooling mode, the suction damper 35b opens the suction port 15b. In the general cooling mode, the first blade 24b and the second blade 34b open both the first discharge port 13b and the second discharge port 14b.

The air sucked into the indoor unit 1b through the suction port 15b may be branched toward the first heat exchanger 21b and the second heat exchanger 31b, respectively. This air flow may be formed by driving both the first fan 22b and the second fan 32b.

That is, by driving the first fan 22b, a part of the air sucked through the inlet 15b is drawn toward the first heat exchanger 21b, and by driving the second fan 32b, the air sucked through the inlet 15b is driven. A portion of the air may be drawn toward the second heat exchanger 31b to form an air flow.

The air branched to the first heat exchanger 21b may be cooled in the first heat exchanger 21b, and the air branched to the second heat exchanger 31b may be cooled in the second heat exchanger 31b.

Air cooled by passing through the first heat exchanger 21b may be discharged to the first outlet 13b as the first outlet 13b is opened by the first blade 24b. The air discharged through the first discharge port 13b may cool the first area A1.

Air cooled by passing through the second heat exchanger 31b may be discharged to the second outlet 14b as the second outlet 14b is opened by the second blade 34b. The air discharged through the second discharge port 14b may cool the second area A2.

That is, when performing the general cooling mode, the flow path is the inlet (15b) - the second heat exchanger (31b) - the air in the room passing through the intake port (15b) - the first heat exchanger (21b) - the first discharge port (13b) at the same time. 2 It may be formed to pass through the discharge port 14b.

As described above for the indoor unit 1b of the air conditioner according to one embodiment and another embodiment of the present invention, the general cooling mode is a concept that is different from the concentrated cooling mode of the present invention. It relates to a flow path that is sucked through the formed suction port 15b, branched into the first heat exchanger 21b and the second heat exchanger 31b, respectively, and discharged to the first discharge port 13b and the second discharge port 14b, respectively.

Therefore, in this case, the control on the flow of the refrigerant passing through the heat exchanger or the control on the driving degree of the fan may all be included in this general cooling mode. For example, various functions performed by the indoor unit 1b of the air conditioner, such as a dehumidification mode or a power cooling mode, are performed so that the air flow is evenly distributed into the first area A1 and the second area A2 as described above. As long as they are formed, they can all be included in the general cooling mode.

11 , in the intensive cooling mode of the first area A1 , air in the second area A2 of the room may be sucked into the indoor unit 1b and supplied to the first area A1 .

In the first area A1 intensive cooling mode, the suction damper closes the suction port 15b. In the intensive cooling mode in the first area A1 , the first blade 24b opens the first outlet 13b and the second blade 34b opens the second outlet 14b.

At this time, since the first fan 22b is driven and the second fan 32b is not driven, a flow for drawing air toward the first fan 22b is formed.

Unlike the indoor unit 1b of the air conditioner according to an embodiment or another embodiment of the present invention, the indoor unit 1b of the air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention has a intensive cooling mode in the first area A1. can not use a separate suction port or a separate suction port without using a separate suction part or duct. The indoor unit 1b of the air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention may suck air in the second area A2 through the second outlet 14b to the indoor unit 1b.

The air sucked in through the second discharge port 14b may pass through the second heat exchanger 31b to be cooled. Also, as the suction damper 35b closes the suction port 15b, the air that has passed through the second heat exchanger 31b may pass through the first heat exchanger 21b and be cooled once more. That is, the air may be primarily cooled in the second heat exchanger (31b) and secondarily cooled in the first heat exchanger (21b).

As the first blade 24b opens the first outlet 13b, the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger 21b may be discharged to the first outlet 13b. Thereafter, the air discharged through the first discharge port 13b may cool the first area A1.

That is, when performing the intensive cooling mode in the first area A1, unlike in the general cooling mode, the air sucked into the indoor unit 1b passes through the second heat exchanger 31b and the first heat exchanger 21b sequentially to be heat-exchanged. can In other words, the indoor unit 1b of the air conditioner draws air from an area that does not require intensive cooling in the room in the intensive cooling mode and utilizes all of the heat exchange capabilities of a plurality of heat exchangers to supply it to an area requiring intensive cooling. .

12 , in the intensive cooling mode of the second area A2 , air in the first area A1 of the room may be sucked into the indoor unit 1b and supplied to the second area A2 .

In the second area A2 intensive cooling mode, the suction damper closes the suction port 15b. In addition, the second blade 34b opens the second discharge port 14b, and the first blade 24b opens the first discharge port 13b.

At this time, since the second fan 32b is driven and the first fan 22b is not driven, a flow for drawing air toward the second fan 32b is formed.

Unlike the indoor unit 1b of the air conditioner according to an embodiment or another embodiment of the present invention, the indoor unit 1b of the air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention has a intensive cooling mode in the second area A2. can not use a separate suction port or a separate suction port without using a separate suction part or duct. In the indoor unit 1b of the air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention, air in the first area A1 may be sucked into the indoor unit 1b through the first outlet 13b.

The air sucked in through the first discharge port 13b may pass through the first heat exchanger 21b to be cooled. In addition, as the suction damper 35b closes the suction port 15b, the air passing through the first heat exchanger 21b may pass through the second heat exchanger 31b to be cooled once more.

That is, the air may be primarily cooled in the first heat exchanger (21b) and secondarily cooled in the second heat exchanger (31b).

As the second blade 34b opens the second outlet 14b, the air that has passed through the second heat exchanger 31b may be discharged to the second outlet 14b. Thereafter, the air discharged through the second discharge port 14b may cool the second area A2 .

That is, when performing the intensive cooling mode in the second area A2, the air sucked into the indoor unit 1b sequentially passes through the first heat exchanger 21b and the second heat exchanger 31b, unlike in the general cooling mode, to be heat-exchanged. can In other words, the indoor unit 1b of the air conditioner draws air from an area that does not require intensive cooling in the room in the intensive cooling mode and utilizes all of the heat exchange capabilities of a plurality of heat exchangers to supply it to an area requiring intensive cooling. .

In the intensive cooling mode in the first area A1 and the concentrated cooling mode in the second area A2 of the indoor unit 1b of the air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention, the first heat exchanger 21b and the first heat exchanger 21b Since all of the refrigerant is supplied to the two heat exchangers 31b and cooling is performed using the two heat exchangers, cooling can be performed more quickly in an area requiring intensive cooling.

In addition, the indoor unit 1b of the air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention does not need to form a separate suction port and a damper for opening and closing the suction port, so that it can be designed with a simpler structure.

13 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken in a horizontal direction of an indoor unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 14 is a bottom view of the indoor unit of Fig. 13; 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a vertical direction of the indoor unit of FIG. 13 .

13 to 15 , the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a housing 50 . The housing 50 may be provided to be embedded in the ceiling.

The indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 may be provided in a 4-way structure having four outlets provided in all directions.

The indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner may include a heat exchanger 60 extending to surround the center of the housing 50 . The heat exchanger 60 may include a first heat exchange unit 61 to a fourth heat exchange unit 64 . However, the number of heat exchangers 60 may not be limited thereto. 13 shows that the heat exchanger 60 is provided as one, the heat exchanger 60 may be provided in plural by being disposed in all directions.

The indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner may include a plurality of fans disposed outside the heat exchanger 60 . The plurality of fans may include a first fan 71 , a second fan 72 , a third fan 63 , and a fourth fan 64 . The first fan 71 may be disposed adjacent to the first outlet 51 . The second fan 72 may be disposed adjacent to the second outlet 52 . The third fan 63 may be disposed adjacent to the third outlet 53 . The fourth fan 64 may be disposed adjacent to the fourth outlet 54 .

Also, the first fan 71 may be disposed outside the first heat exchange unit 61 . The second fan 72 may be disposed outside the second heat exchange unit 62 . The third fan 63 may be disposed outside the third heat exchange unit 63 . The fourth fan 64 may be disposed outside the fourth heat exchange unit 64 .

A plurality of fans may be provided to form an air flow. The plurality of fans may be provided as a cross-flow fan that draws air to a location where each fan is positioned to form an air flow.

The indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner may include an inlet 55 and a plurality of outlets formed in the housing 50 . The suction port 55 may be provided on a central bottom surface of the housing 50 . The suction port 55 may be provided inside the heat exchanger 60 to be described later. Indoor air may be sucked into the indoor unit 2 through the suction port 55 formed on the bottom surface of the housing 50 .

The first discharge port 51 may be adjacent to the first heat exchange unit 61 and may be provided on a bottom surface of the housing 50 . The first discharge port 51 may be provided to discharge the air inside the indoor unit 2 to the first area A1 . The second discharge port 52 may be adjacent to the second heat exchange unit 62 and may be provided on a bottom surface of the housing 50 . The second discharge port 52 may be provided to discharge the air inside the indoor unit 2 to the second area A2 . The third discharge port 53 may be adjacent to the third heat exchange unit 63 and may be provided on a bottom surface of the housing 50 . The third discharge port 53 may be provided to discharge the air inside the indoor unit 2 to the third area A3 . The fourth discharge port 54 may be adjacent to the fourth heat exchange unit 64 and be provided on the bottom surface of the housing 50 . The fourth discharge port 54 may be provided to discharge the air inside the indoor unit 2 to the fourth area A4 .

The indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner may include a first blade 81 , a second blade 82 , a third blade 83 , and a fourth blade 84 . The first blade 81 may be provided to open and close the first discharge port 51 . The second blade 82 may be provided to open and close the second discharge port 52 . The third blade 83 may be provided to open and close the third discharge port 53 . The fourth blade 84 may be provided to open and close the fourth outlet 54 . The first blade 81 to the fourth blade 84 may control the direction of the air discharged from the first discharge port 51 to the fourth discharge port 54 , respectively.

The indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner may include a suction damper 65 . The suction damper 65 may be provided to open and close the suction port 55 . The suction damper 65 may be provided inside the heat exchanger 60 . Since the suction port 55 is formed on the central bottom surface of the housing 50 , the suction damper 65 for opening and closing the suction port 55 may also be disposed on the central bottom surface of the housing 50 .

16 is a diagram illustrating an air flow in the first area intensive cooling mode in the indoor unit of FIG. 13 .

As shown in FIG. 16 , the suction damper 65 closes the suction port 55 in the intensive cooling mode in the first area A1 . In the first area A1 intensive cooling mode, the first blade 81 to the fourth blade 84 open the first outlet 51 to the fourth outlet 54 .

At this time, since the first fan 71 is driven and the second fan 72 to the fourth fan 64 are not driven, a flow for drawing air toward the first fan 71 is formed.

Air sucked in through the second discharge port 52 to the fourth discharge port 54 may be cooled by passing through the second heat exchange unit 62 to the fourth heat exchange unit 64 , respectively. In addition, as the suction damper 65 closes the suction port 55 , the air that has passed through the second heat exchange unit 62 to the fourth heat exchange unit 64 passes through the first heat exchange unit 61 to be cooled once more. can

That is, the air sucked into the indoor unit 2 may be primarily cooled by the second heat exchange unit 62 to the fourth heat exchange unit 64 and may be secondarily cooled by the first heat exchange unit 61 .

As the first blade 81 opens the first outlet 51 , the air that has passed through the first heat exchange unit 61 may be discharged to the first outlet 51 . Thereafter, the air discharged through the first discharge port 51 may cool the first area A1.

That is, when the intensive cooling mode in the first area A1 is performed, the air sucked into the indoor unit 2 passes through the second heat exchange unit 62 to the fourth heat exchange unit 64 , and passes through the first heat exchange unit 61 . It can be sequentially heat-exchanged by passing through. In other words, the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner draws air from an area that does not require intensive cooling in the room in the intensive cooling mode, and utilizes all of the heat exchange capabilities of the plurality of heat exchangers 60 to move to an area requiring intensive cooling. can supply

Therefore, in the 4-way structure, as in the 2-way structure, only the fan on the side of the area requiring intensive cooling is driven to form an air flow to perform intensive cooling. In addition, the general cooling mode of the 4-way structure is also not shown separately, but similarly to the 2-way, the suction damper 65 opens the intake port 55 so that indoor air is sucked into the center of the housing 50, and the first heat exchanger (61) to the fourth heat exchange unit (64), respectively, the cooled air is discharged to the first outlet (51) to the fourth outlet (54). At this time, the first fan 71 to the fourth fan 64 are all driven to form respective air flows.

In addition, in the present detailed description, the first area A1 intensive cooling mode has been described as an example, but the second area A2 to fourth area A4 intensive cooling mode may also be operated in the same principle.

The indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner shown in FIGS. 13 to 16 has a simplified structure without a separate suction port or a damper to open and close it, and the internal flow path of the indoor unit 2 can be varied according to the area to be intensively cooled. prepared to be

However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a separate suction port and a damper for opening and closing the suction port may be formed as in various embodiments of the two-way structure described above. In addition, a separate duct and a suction unit may be provided.

17 is a control block diagram of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

17 , the indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a controller 200 .

The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a temperature sensor 100 , an input unit 110 , and a hood motion detection unit 120 .

The temperature sensor 100 may be provided to sense the temperature of the first area A1 and the second area A2 in the room. In this case, the number of the temperature sensors 100 may be at least one or more. That is, a single temperature sensor 100 may be provided to sense the temperature of the first area and the second area together, or a plurality of temperature sensors 100 may be provided to sense the temperature of each area. Information about the temperature of the first area A1 and the temperature of the second area A2 sensed by the temperature sensor 100 may be transmitted to the controller 200 .

The input unit 110 may receive a user command from the user. The input unit 110 may receive a user command and transmit an electrical signal corresponding thereto to the control unit 200 , and may be implemented by various input means such as a push switch, a touch switch, a dial, a slide switch, and a toggle switch.

The hood motion detection unit 120 may detect whether the kitchen hood is operating. In other words, the hood motion detection unit 120 may sense the operation of the kitchen hood and transmit an electrical signal corresponding thereto to the control unit 200 . The hood motion detection unit 120 may be connected to the power of the kitchen hood by wire through an electric circuit, or may be wirelessly connected to the power of the kitchen hood by using wireless communication.

The controller 200 may be provided with at least one processor.

The control unit 200 may generate a control signal for controlling the driving unit based on the temperature information detected by the temperature sensor 100 .

The control unit 200 receives a user command from the input unit 110, and according to the user command A control signal for controlling the driving unit may be generated.

In addition, the control unit 200 may receive the operation state of the hood from the hood motion detection unit 120 , and generate a control signal for controlling the driving unit based on the received operation state.

The control unit 200 may determine whether to perform the intensive cooling mode through the temperature sensor 100 or the input unit 110 or the hood motion detection unit 120 .

The controller 200 may be provided to generate a control signal for controlling the plurality of drivers to respectively control the plurality of drivers.

The control unit 200 may be provided to control the first fan driving unit 130 . The control unit 200 may operate the first fan driving unit 130 to control the driving of the first fan 22 . The first fan driving unit 130 may be provided as a motor.

The control unit 200 may be provided to control the second fan driving unit 140 . The control unit 200 may operate the second fan driving unit 140 to control the driving of the second fan 32 . The second fan driving unit 140 may be provided as a motor.

The control unit 200 may be provided to control the first blade driving unit 150 . The control unit 200 may control the driving of the first blade 24 by controlling the first blade driving unit 150 . That is, the controller 200 may control that the first blade 24 opens and closes the first outlet. Also, the controller 200 may control the discharge angle of the first blade 24 .

The control unit 200 may be provided to control the second blade driving unit 160 . The control unit 200 may control the driving of the second blade 34 by controlling the second blade driving unit 160 . That is, the controller 200 may control the second blade 34 to open and close the second outlet. Also, the controller 200 may control the discharge angle of the second blade 34 .

The control unit 200 may be provided to control the first damper driving unit 170 . The controller 200 may control the driving of the first damper 23 by controlling the first damper driving unit 170 . Accordingly, the control unit 200 may control the opening and closing of the first damper 23 by the first suction port 13 .

The control unit 200 may be provided to control the second damper driving unit 180 . The control unit 200 may control the driving of the second damper 33 by controlling the second damper driving unit 180 . Accordingly, the control unit 200 may control the opening and closing of the second damper 33 by the second suction port 14 .

In the concentrated cooling mode, the controller 200 may control only one of the first fan 22 or the second fan 32 to be driven. In more detail, the controller 200 may control only the second fan 32 to be driven in the intensive cooling mode in the first area A1 . The controller 200 may control only the first fan 22 to be driven in the intensive cooling mode of the second area A2 . Through this, the control unit 200 may draw air into one area to form a unidirectional air flow.

In the general cooling mode, the controller 200 may control both the first fan 22 and the second fan 32 to be driven. Through this, the control unit 200 may draw air toward the first fan 22 and the second fan 32 to form a bidirectional air flow.

According to the structure of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the above-described various embodiments of the present invention, the controller 200 controls the first damper 23 and the second damper 33 or the first blade 24 and the second By controlling the blade 34 to change the flow path, it may be provided to perform the intensive cooling mode.

In addition, although FIG. 17 exemplifies that the indoor unit of the air conditioner is provided in a 2-way structure, the same may be applied to the indoor unit (refer to FIGS. 13 to 16 ) of the air conditioner having a 4-way structure.

For example, the control unit 200 controls the first blade driving unit to the fourth blade driving unit so that the first blade 81 to the fourth blade 84 opens and closes the first discharge port 51 to the fourth discharge port 54 . It can be arranged to control what is done. In addition, the control unit 200 may control the first fan driving unit to the fourth fan driving unit so that the first fan 71 to the fourth fan 74 are driven or not driven.

18 to 21 are flowcharts of a method for controlling an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 18 , when the indoor unit of the air conditioner is operated, the controller 200 may drive the compressor to supply refrigerant to the plurality of heat exchangers 21 and 31 ( 1001 ).

An intensive cooling mode execution signal may be received to the controller 200 through the temperature sensor 100 or the input unit 110 or the hood motion detection unit 120 ( 1002 ). Details of determining to perform the intensive cooling mode will be described later.

Thereafter, the control unit 200 may determine whether the first area A1 is an intensive cooling area ( 1003 ).

If the first area A1 is an area requiring intensive cooling, the controller 200 may drive the first fan 22 to suck air from the second area A2 ( 1004 ).

More specifically, the controller 200 of the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention controls the second damper 33 to suck air from the second area to the indoor unit to thereby control the second suction port. (12) can be opened. Accordingly, air in the second area A2 may be sucked into the indoor unit through the second suction port 12 .

Alternatively, the controller 200 of the indoor unit 1a of the air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention controls both the second damper 33a and the second blade 34a to control the second suction port 12a and the second suction port 12a and the second blade 34a. Both the discharge ports 14a may be opened. Accordingly, air in the second area may be sucked into the indoor unit through the second suction port 12a and the second discharge port 14a.

Alternatively, the controller 200 of the indoor unit 1b of the air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention may control the second blade 34b to open the second discharge port 14b. Accordingly, air in the second area A2 may be sucked into the indoor unit through the second discharge port 14b.

Thereafter, the control unit 200 may open the first discharge port 13 to discharge the sucked air into the first area A1 ( 1005 ). More specifically, the controller 200 may control the first blade 24 to open the first outlet 13 .

When the controller 200 drives the first fan 22 , an air flow from the second area A2 to the first area A1 is formed, and the air sucked into the indoor unit is combined with the second heat exchanger 31 and the second heat exchanger 31 . It is cooled while passing through the first heat exchanger 21 sequentially. Through this, intensive cooling of the first area A1 may be performed.

If the second area A2 is an area requiring intensive cooling, the controller 200 may drive the second fan 32 to suck air from the first area A1 ( 1006 ).

In more detail, the controller 200 of the indoor unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention controls the first damper 23 to suck air from the first area A1 to the indoor unit to thereby control the first suction port ( 11) can be opened. Accordingly, air in the first area A1 may be sucked into the indoor unit through the first suction port 11 .

Alternatively, the controller 200 of the indoor unit 1a of the air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention controls both the first damper 23a and the first blade 24a to control the first suction port 11a and the second All of the first discharge ports 13a may be opened. Accordingly, the air in the first area A1 may be sucked into the indoor unit through the first suction port 11a and the first discharge port 13a.

Alternatively, the controller 200 of the indoor unit 1b of the air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention may control the first blade 24b to open the first discharge port 13b. Accordingly, air in the first area A1 may be sucked into the indoor unit through the first discharge port 13b.

Thereafter, the control unit 200 may open the second discharge port 14 to discharge the sucked air into the second area A2 ( 1007 ). More specifically, the control unit 200 may control the second blade 34 to open the second discharge port 14 .

When the control unit 200 drives the second fan 32 , an air flow is formed from the first area A1 to the second area A2 , and the air sucked into the indoor unit is connected to the first heat exchanger 21 and It is cooled while passing through the second heat exchanger (31) sequentially. Through this, intensive cooling of the second area A2 may be performed.

Various embodiments of the indoor unit of the air conditioner having a 2-way structure may also be controlled in the same manner as described above.

Also, although FIG. 18 shows a method of performing the concentrated cooling mode based on the indoor unit of the air conditioner having the 2-way structure, the indoor unit of the air conditioner having the 4-way structure may also be controlled in the same manner.

For example, when intensive cooling in the first area is required, the control unit 200 of the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner having a 4-way structure drives the first fan 71 to form an air flow, and the first blade ( 81 ) to the fourth blade 84 may be controlled to open the first outlet 51 to the fourth outlet 54 . Accordingly, indoor air may be sucked into the second outlet 52 to the fourth outlet 54 , cooled in the heat exchanger 60 , and then discharged through the first outlet 51 .

Referring to FIG. 19 , in relation to receiving 1002 a signal for performing the intensive cooling mode to the controller 200 of FIG. 18 , the controller 200 through the temperature sensor 100 determines the execution of the intensive cooling mode describe

When the indoor unit is running, the user can set the temperature required for cooling. The controller 200 may receive information about the indoor set temperature input from the user ( 1100 ).

The temperature sensor 100 may detect the temperature of the first area A1 and the second area A2 . Through the temperature sensor 100 , the controller 200 may receive temperature information of the first area A1 and the second area A2 ( 1101 ).

Thereafter, the controller 200 may determine whether there is an area having a temperature less than or equal to a set temperature among the first area A1 and the second area A2 ( 1102 ).

If there is no region having a temperature equal to or less than the set temperature among the first region A1 and the second region A2, the control unit 200 controls the preset temperature and the first region A1 and the second region A2 again. You can compare by receiving the temperature information of That is, this is a case in which neither the first area A1 nor the second area A2 reaches the set temperature, so intensive cooling in one area is not required.

If there is an area having a temperature less than or equal to the set temperature among the first area A1 and the second area A2, the controller 200 controls the first area A1 and the second area A2 from the set temperature. It may be determined whether there is a region having a high temperature ( 1103 ).

If there is an area having a higher temperature than the set temperature among the first area A1 and the second area A2, the controller 200 may determine to perform the intensive cooling mode ( 1104 ). In this case, the area to be intensively cooled may be an area having a temperature higher than the set temperature. In other words, the controller 200 may determine an area in which the set temperature is not reached (area having a temperature higher than the set temperature) among the first area A1 and the second area A2 as an area requiring intensive cooling.

If there is no area having a temperature higher than the set temperature among the first area A1 and the second area A2, the control unit 200 again includes the set temperature and the temperature of the first area A1 and the second area A2. Information can be received and compared. That is, in this case, since both the first area A1 and the second area A2 reach the set temperature, intensive cooling in one area is not required.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 19 shows that the intensive cooling mode is performed when one of the first and second areas A1 and A2 reaches or lowers the set temperature and the other area does not reach the set temperature. It is about controlling the decision. Through this, intensive cooling may be performed according to a difference in cooling load between the first area A1 and the second area A2 .

However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, even when both the first area A1 and the second area A2 are higher than the set temperature or both are lower than the set temperature, the first area A1 and the second area A2 are received by the control unit 200 . ), when the temperature difference exceeds a certain level, the controller 200 may perform an intensive cooling mode in which air from a relatively low temperature area is sucked and discharged to a high temperature area.

Therefore, the method of performing the intensive cooling mode by sensing the temperature of the first region and the second region by the temperature sensor 100 is a case in which the cooling load of the first region A1 and the second region A2 is different. In addition to the above-described method, various extensions may be made.

Accordingly, the controller 200 may determine whether to perform the intensive cooling mode based on the temperature information detected by the temperature sensor 100 .

Referring to FIG. 20 , in relation to the reception 1002 of the signal for performing the intensive cooling mode to the controller 200 of FIG. 18 , the controller 200 through the input unit 110 determines the execution of the intensive cooling mode. do.

The controller 200 may receive an intensive cooling mode input signal from the user ( 1200 ). More specifically, a user command may be input through the input unit 110 , and the input unit 110 may transmit a signal to the control unit 200 . The user may input by determining whether to perform the intensive cooling mode in the first area A1 or the intensive cooling mode in the second area A2 when inputting.

Thereafter, the control unit 200 may determine to perform the intensive cooling mode.

Referring to FIG. 21 , in relation to the reception 1002 of the signal for performing the intensive cooling mode to the control unit 200 of FIG. 18 , the control unit 200 determines the execution of the intensive cooling mode through the hood motion detection unit 120 . write about

The control unit 200 may receive a kitchen hood operation signal ( 1300 ). In more detail, a signal related to driving of the kitchen hood may be transmitted to the controller 200 through the hood motion detection unit 120 .

Thereafter, the control unit 200 may determine to perform the intensive cooling mode (1301). Accordingly, when the kitchen hood is operated, the intensive cooling mode may be performed for the area in which the kitchen hood is installed. In other words, the controller 200 may determine an area in which the kitchen hood is installed as an area requiring intensive cooling. That is, the controller 200 may determine whether to perform the intensive cooling mode based on the operating state of the hood.

In the above, although the technical idea of the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Various embodiments that can be modified or modified by those of ordinary skill in the art within the scope that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention specified in the claims will also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (15)

housing; a first suction port provided to suck air in the first area of the room into the housing; a first damper provided to open and close the first suction port; a first heat exchanger provided to cool the air inside the housing; a first outlet provided to discharge the air cooled by the first heat exchanger to the first region; a second suction port provided so that air in a second area of the room is sucked into the interior of the housing; a second damper provided to open and close the second suction port; a second heat exchanger provided to cool the air inside the housing; and and a second outlet provided to discharge the air cooled by the second heat exchanger to the second region. In an intensive cooling mode in which air is sucked from the first area through the first suction port, cooled through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, and then air is discharged to the second area through the second outlet. The indoor unit of the air conditioner to perform. According to claim 1, The first suction port and the second suction port are formed on a side wall of the housing. 3. The method of claim 2, a first duct connected to the first suction port and provided so that the air sucked from the first area flows; and and a second duct connected to the second suction port and provided to flow the air sucked in from the second region. 3. The method of claim 2, In the concentrated cooling mode, the first damper is opened, the first discharge port is closed, the second damper is closed, and the second discharge port is opened to form a flow path. 3. The method of claim 2, a first blade opening and closing the first outlet; and a second blade opening and closing the second outlet; include more The indoor unit of the air conditioner in which the first blade is closed and the second blade is opened in the intensive cooling mode. According to claim 1, The first suction port and the second suction port are formed on a bottom surface of the housing. 7. The method of claim 6, In the concentrated cooling mode, the air of the first area is sucked through the first outlet and discharged through the second suction port. 8. The method of claim 7, A first blade provided to open and close the first discharge port; And and a second blade provided to open and close the second discharge port. The indoor unit of the air conditioner in which the first and second blades and both the first damper and the second damper are opened in the intensive cooling mode. The method of claim 1, and a suction damper provided to open and close a suction port formed on a bottom surface of the housing between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. The indoor unit of the air conditioner in which the suction damper closes the suction port in the intensive cooling mode. 10. The method of claim 9, In the general cooling mode, the suction damper opens the suction port, and the air sucked through the suction port is branched into the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to be cooled, respectively. The method of claim 1, a first fan disposed adjacent to the first outlet; and a second fan disposed adjacent to the second outlet; include more In the intensive cooling mode, the first fan is not driven and the second fan is driven to form an air flow. 12. The method of claim 11, an input unit for receiving a user command; and a control unit receiving a signal from the input unit; include more When the user command is received and the intensive cooling mode is performed, the controller controls only one of the first fan and the second fan to be driven. 13. The method of claim 12, a first blade provided to open and close the first discharge port; and a second blade provided to open and close the second outlet; include more The control unit is an indoor unit of the air conditioner that opens the first damper and the second blade in the intensive cooling mode. According to claim 1, at least one temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the first region and the second region; and The indoor unit of the air conditioner further comprising a; a control unit that determines whether to perform the intensive cooling mode based on the temperature information detected by the at least one temperature sensor. According to claim 1, a hood motion detection unit that detects the operation of the kitchen hood; and The indoor unit of the air conditioner further comprising a; a control unit that determines whether to perform the intensive cooling mode based on the operating state of the hood.

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