AIR CONDITIONER

Abstract

An air conditioner includes a housing having a first inlet and a second inlet; a front panel disposed on a front side of the housing; a first outlet provided in the front panel; a second outlet provided adjacent to the front panel; a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with air suctioned through the first inlet; a first blower configured to discharge the air having exchanged the heat toward the first outlet; a second blower configured to discharge air suctioned through the second inlet; a duct configured to guide the air discharged from the second blower to be discharged through the second outlet, the duct including a first duct outlet port communicably connected with the second outlet and a second duct outlet port communicably connected with the second outlet; and a valve provided in the duct and configured to control a flow of air flowing toward the first duct outlet port and a flow of air flowing toward the second duct outlet port.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a bypass continuation application of International Application No. PCT/KR2022/000034, filed on Jan. 4, 2022, which is based on and claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0011383, filed on Jan. 27, 2021, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The disclosure relates to an air conditioner, and more specifically, to an air conditioner having different air discharge methods.

2. Description of Related Art

Air conditioners are apparatuses which keep indoor air comfortable using a refrigeration cycle so that the indoor air is suitable for human activity. The air conditioners may cool interiors by repeatedly suctioning hot air in from its surroundings, exchanging heat with low-temperature refrigerants, and then discharging the air into the surroundings, or heat its surroundings by performing an opposite process.

Recently, in addition to simple adjustment of the temperature in an interior, various airflow control structures and airflow control methods have been developed to meet the needs of consumers for various airflow discharge methods, such as blowing cold air far using a turbofan or preventing a user from coming into direct contact with cold air using micro discharge holes.

SUMMARY

Provided is an air conditioner which can maintain a comfortable temperature or humidity in an interior while preventing a user from feeling a cooling wind from the air conditioner.

In addition, provided is an air conditioner which can provide a discharge airflow having various wind directions, wind speeds, and flow types.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, an air conditioner includes: a housing having a first inlet and a second inlet; a front panel disposed on a front side of the housing; a first outlet provided in the front panel; a second outlet provided adjacent to the front panel; a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with air suctioned through the first inlet; a first blower configured to discharge the air having exchanged the heat toward the first outlet; a second blower configured to discharge air suctioned through the second inlet; a duct configured to guide the air discharged from the second blower to be discharged through the second outlet, the duct including a first duct outlet port communicably connected with the second outlet and a second duct outlet port communicably connected with the second outlet; and a valve provided in the duct and configured to control a flow of air flowing toward the first duct outlet port and a flow of air flowing toward the second duct outlet port.

The valve may include a damper plate; and a driver configured to tilt or translate the damper plate.

The driver may include a first linear actuator and a second linear actuator, and each of the first linear actuator and the second linear actuator may include a connecting shaft coupled to the damper plate.

The first linear actuator and the second linear actuator may be fixed to a surface of the duct.

The duct may include a main flow section communicably connected with the first duct outlet port and the second duct outlet port, and configured to receive air from the second blower, the second duct outlet port may be provided under the first duct outlet port, and the damper plate may be provided at a position corresponding to the second duct outlet port.

As the damper plate is tilted so that an upper end of the damper plate moves toward the second duct outlet port and a lower end of the damper plate moves away from the second duct outlet port, a flow rate of air flowing toward the first duct outlet port may decrease and a flow rate of air flowing toward to the second duct outlet port may increase.

As the damper plate is translated so that the damper plate is moved toward the second duct outlet port, a flow rate of air flowing toward the first duct outlet port may increase and a flow rate of air flowing toward the second duct outlet port may decrease.

As the damper plate is tilted so that an upper end of the damper plate moves away from the second duct outlet port and a lower end of the damper plate moves toward the second duct outlet port, a flow rate of air flowing toward to the first duct outlet port and a flow rate of air flowing toward the second duct outlet port may decrease.

The valve may include: a first damper plate configured to open and close the first duct outlet port; and a second damper plate configured to open and close the second duct outlet port.

Each of the first damper plate and the second damper plate may be hinge coupled to one surface of the duct.

A flow rate of a first discharge flow path may be controlled based on an opening extent of the first damper plate, and a flow rate of a second discharge flow path may be controlled based on an opening extent of the second damper plate.

The duct may include a pair of ducts, and the valve may include a pair of valves disposed on each of the pair of ducts.

The pair of valves may have different orientations.

The heat exchanger may not exchange heat with the air suctioned through the second inlet.

The air discharged from the second outlet may move air discharged from the first outlet away from the front panel.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, an air conditioner includes: a housing in which a first wind path and a second wind path are provided, the first wind path and the second wind path being separated from each other; a heat exchanger provided on the first wind path; a first blower configured to form an air flow in the first wind path; a second blower configured to supply air in the second wind path; a duct configured to form the second wind path and comprising a first duct outlet port and a second duct outlet port; and a valve disposed in the duct and configured to selectively divide the second wind path into a first flow path connected to the first duct outlet port and a second flow path connected to the second duct outlet port.

The valve may include a damper plate and a driver configured to tilt or translate the damper plate.

The driver may include a first linear actuator and a second linear actuator, and each of the first linear actuator and the second linear actuator may include a connecting shaft coupled to the damper plate.

The driver may be further configured to divide the second wind path so that air discharged from the second blower is supplied to the first flow path and is not supplied to the second flow path.

The driver may be further configured to divide the second wind path so that air discharged from the second blower is supplied to the second flow path and is not supplied to the first flow path.

The present disclosure can provide an air conditioner which can maintain a comfortable temperature or humidity in an interior while preventing a user from feeling a cooling wind speed of the air conditioner using a plurality of discharge holes.

The present disclosure can provide a discharge airflow having various wind directions, wind speeds, and flow types by adjusting a valve provided in a duct.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating the air conditioner illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view illustrating the air conditioner illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating some components of the air conditioner illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views illustrating one side surface of a duct to show operation of a valve of the air conditioner illustrated in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 9, 10, 11, and 12 are cross-sectional views illustrating one side surface of a duct to show operation of a valve of an air conditioner illustrated in FIG. 1 according to another embodiment; and

FIGS. 13, 14, and 15 are views illustrating examples of operation of an air conditioner illustrated in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments described in the present specification and configurations illustrated in the accompanying drawings are only exemplary examples of the disclosure. The disclosure may have variously modified embodiments which may substitute for the embodiments and drawings of the present specification at the time of filing of this application.

In addition, the same reference numerals or symbols refer to parts or components which substantially perform the same function.

In addition, terms used in the present specification are merely used to describe exemplary embodiments, and are not intended to limit and/or restrict the embodiments. An expression used in the singular encompasses the expression of the plural unless it has a clearly different meaning in context. In the present specification, terms such as “including,” “having,” and “comprising” are intended to indicate the presence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and are not intended to preclude the possibility which one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof may be present or added.

In addition, it should be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” and the like may be used in the present specification to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component. For example, a first component could be called a second component, and, similarly, a second component could be called a first component without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any one or combinations of the associated listed items.

Terms used in the specification such as “front side,” “rear side,” “upper portion,” “lower portion,” “left side” and “right side” are defined based on the drawings, and shapes and positions of components are not limited by the terms. When referring to coordinates illustrated in the drawings, an X axis direction may correspond to a front-rear direction, a Y axis direction may correspond to a left-right direction, and a Z axis direction may correspond to a vertical direction.

The refrigeration cycle operating in an air conditioner includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. The refrigeration cycle circulates through a process having the sequence of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation, and air conditioned by exchanging heat with a refrigerant may be supplied.

The compressor compresses a refrigerant gas to be in a high temperature and high pressure state and discharges the refrigerant gas, and the discharged refrigerant gas is introduced into the condenser. The condenser condenses the compressed refrigerant to be in a liquid state, and dissipates heat to its surroundings through condensation.

The expansion valve expands the liquid refrigerant in a high temperature and high pressure state which is condensed by the condenser into a liquid refrigerant in a low pressure state. The evaporator evaporates the refrigerant expanded by the expansion valve and returns the refrigerant gas in the low temperature and low pressure state to the compressor. The evaporator may achieve a refrigeration effect by exchanging heat with a target cooling object using latent heat from the evaporation of the refrigerant. The air conditioner may adjust a temperature in an interior through the cycle.

An outdoor unit of the air conditioner includes the compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger in the cooling cycle. An indoor unit of the air conditioner includes an indoor heat exchanger, and the expansion valve may be positioned at any one of the indoor unit or the outdoor unit. The outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger may function as the condenser or evaporator. When the indoor heat exchanger is used as the condenser, the air conditioner becomes a heater, and when used as the evaporator, the air conditioner becomes a cooler. Hereinafter, an air conditioner may refer to an indoor unit of an air conditioner, and a heat exchanger may refer to an indoor heat exchanger.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating the air conditioner illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view illustrating the air conditioner illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an air conditioner 1 may include a housing 10 forming an exterior, a blower 20 configured to circulate air to the inside or outside of the housing 10, and a heat exchanger 30 configured to exchange heat with air introduced into the housing 10.

The housing 10 may include a body case 11 forming an accommodation space 11b, in which the blower 20 and the heat exchanger 30 are disposed, and a front frame 16 which covers a front surface of the body case 11. The housing 10 may include a first inlet 12 and a second inlet 15 which are formed in the body case 11 and through which air of the outside of the air conditioner 1 is suctioned into the housing 10.

The air conditioner 1 may include a first grill 51 coupled to the body case 11 which may cover at least a part of the first inlet 12 to prevent foreign matter from being introduced through the first inlet 12. The air conditioner 1 may include a second grill 52 coupled to the body case 11 which may cover at least a part of the second inlet 15 to prevent foreign matter from being introduced through the second inlet 15.

The body case 11 may form a rear surface, both side surfaces, an upper surface, and a lower surface of the air conditioner 1. The front surface of the body case 11 is open, the open front surface may form a body case opening 11a, and the body case opening 11a may be covered by the front frame 16 and a front panel (or discharge panel) 40.

The front frame 16 may be coupled to the body case opening 11a. In FIG. 2, it is illustrated that the front frame 16 and the body case 11 are configured to be separable, but the front frame 16 and the body case 11 may also be formed integrally.

A front frame opening 17 may be formed in the front frame 16. The front frame opening 17 may be disposed in a front surface of the housing 10. The front frame opening 17 may be a cutout in the front frame 16. The front frame opening 17 may be formed at a position corresponding to a first blower 21. The front frame opening 17 may be disposed at a position substantially facing the first inlet 12. Air which exchanges heat with the heat exchanger 30 in the housing 10 may be discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the front frame opening 17. The front frame opening 17 may discharge the air introduced through the first inlet 12. The air discharged by the front frame opening 17 may be cooled by the heat exchanger 30.

The first inlet 12 may be formed in the body case 11. The first inlet 12 may pass through the rear surface of the body case 11. For example, the first inlet 12 may be a cutout in the body case 11. The first inlet 12 may be formed in an upper region of the rear surface of the body case 11. The first inlet 12 may include a plurality of first inlets 12.

The second inlet 15 may be formed in the body case 11. The second inlet 15 may pass through the rear surface of the body case 11. The second inlet 15 may be formed in a lower region of the rear surface of the body case 11. For example, the second inlet 15 may be a cutout in the body case 11. The second inlet 15 may be formed under the first inlet 12. The second inlet 15 may include a plurality of second inlets 15.

A number and/or a shape of the first and second inlets 12 and 15 is not limited and may include a variable number of inlets and shape of inlets.

The blower 20 may include the first blower 21 and a second blower 26. The second blower 26 may be disposed under the first blower 21. The second blower 26 may be provided to be driven independently of the first blower 21. A rotation speed of the second blower 26 may be provided to be different from a rotation speed of the first blower 21.

The first blower 21 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the first inlet 12. The first blower 21 may suction air of the outside of the air conditioner 1 into the housing 10 through the first inlet 12 and discharge the air forward. The first blower 21 may discharge the air through the front frame 17. The first blower 21 may include a first blower fan 22 and a first fan driver 23 configured to drive the first blower fan 22. The first blower fan 22 and the first fan driver 23 may be provided as a plurality of first blowers 22 and a plurality of first fan driver 23, respectively. The first fan driver 23 may include a motor.

The second blower 26 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the second inlet 15. The second blower 26 may suction air of the outside of the air conditioner 1 into the housing 10 through the second inlet 15 and discharge the air. The second blower 26 may include a second blower fan 27, a second fan driver 28 configured to drive the second blower fan 27, and a fan body case 29.

An axial flow fan or mixed flow fan may be applied to the first blower fan 22, and a centrifugal fan may be applied to the second blower fan 27. However, the types of first and second blower fans 22 and 27 are not limited thereto, and the first and second blower fans 22 and 27 are enough as long as enabling air introduced from the outside of the housing 10 to flow to be discharged to the outside of the housing 10. As an example, each of the first and second blower fans 22 and 27 may be a cross fan, turbo fan, or Sirocco fan.

The fan body case 29 may cover the second blower fan 27. The fan body case 29 may include a fan inlet port (not shown) through which air suctioned through the second inlet 15 is introduced and a fan outlet port 29a through which air is discharged. The fan inlet port may communicate with the second inlet 15. The fan outlet port 29a may be open upward. Positions at which the fan inlet port and fan outlet port 29a are formed may be determined to correspond to the type of second blower fan 27.

The heat exchanger 30 may be disposed between the first blower 21 and the first inlet 12. The heat exchanger 30 may absorb heat from air introduced through the first inlet 12 or transfer heat to air introduced through the first inlet 12. The heat exchanger 30 may include a tube and a header coupled to the tube. However, the type of heat exchanger 30 is not limited thereto.

The air conditioner 1 may include the front panel 40 coupled to the front frame 16 to form a front surface of the air conditioner 1.

The air conditioner 1 may include a panel support member 18 provided to support the front panel 40. The panel support member 18 may extend along a circumference of the front frame 16. The panel support member 18 may support a rear surface of the front panel 40. The panel support member 18 may couple the front panel 40 to the front frame 16. The front frame 16 and the panel support member 18 may be formed integrally, and the panel support member 18 may correspond to one component of the front frame 16.

The air conditioner 1 may include a plurality of first outlets (or discharge holes) 41 formed in the front panel 40 to discharge air introduced through the first inlet 12 to the outside of the air conditioner 1. The first outlets 41 may pass through a front surface and a rear surface of the front panel 40. A cross-sectional area of each of the plurality of first outlets 41 may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of each of a plurality of second outlets 13 and 14, which will be described below, and a cross-sectional area of each of a plurality of duct outlet ports 101b, 101c, 102b, and 102c which will be described below. The plurality of first outlets 41 may be uniformly distributed over an entire region of the front panel 40. Air, which is introduced into the housing 10 through the first inlet 12, is discharged forward by the first blower 21 after exchanging heat with the heat exchanger 30, and passes through the front frame opening 17, may be uniformly discharged from the first outlets 41 at a low speed.

As the plurality of first outlets 41 disperse the air discharged by the first blower 21, a speed of a discharge airflow discharged through the first outlets 41 may be smaller than a speed of a discharge airflow discharged through the second outlets 13 and 4, and a user can adjust a temperature in an interior without directly feeling a cooling wind speed.

The front panel 40 may include a flat plate 40a which is formed at a lower end of the front panel 40 and in which a first outlet is not formed.

The front panel 40 may form the second outlets 13 and 14 with the housing 10. Specifically, the front panel 40 may form the second outlets 13 and 14 with the front frame 16. The second outlets 13 and 14 may be provided at both sides of the front panel 40. The second outlets 13 and 14 may be formed between both side ends of the front panel 40 and the front frame 16. The second outlets 13 and 14 may extend vertically. The second outlets 13 and 14 may include a pair of second outlets 13 and 14. Air, which is introduced into the housing 10 through the second inlet 15 and does not exchange heat with the heater 30, may be discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the second outlets 13 and 14.

The air discharged from the second outlets 13 and 14 may be mixed with air discharged from the first outlet 41. The air discharged from the second outlets 13 and 14 may blow the air discharged from the first outlet 41 away from the front panel 40.

The air conditioner 1 may include a third grille 53 which is coupled to the front frame 16 or the front panel 40 and prevents the first outlet 41 from being blocked by foreign matter discharged through the front frame opening 17.

The air conditioner 1 may include ducts 101 and 102 which guide air discharged from the second blower 26 to the second outlets 13 and 14. The ducts 101 and 102 may be disposed beside the first blower 21. The ducts 101 and 102 may include a plurality of ducts 101 and 102. A pair of ducts 101 and 102 may include a first duct 101 corresponding to a left second outlet 13 disposed at a left side of the front panel 40 among the pair of second outlets 13 and 14 and a second duct 102 corresponding to a right second outlet 14 disposed at a right side of the front panel 40 among the pair of second outlets 13 and 14.

The ducts 101 and 102 may form a second wind path S2 divide and separated from a first wind path S1. In this case, the first wind path S1 may be a flow path through which air flows from the first inlet 12 to the first outlet 41, and the second wind path S2 may be a flow path formed in the ducts 101 and 102 so that air suctioned through the second inlet 15 flows. Since the heat exchanger 30 and the first blower 21 are disposed on the first wind path S1, air which exchanges heat with the heat exchanger 30 may flow along the first wind path S1, and air which does not exchange heat with the heat exchanger 30 may flow along the second wind path S2.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating some components of the air conditioner illustrated in FIG. 1. FIGS. 5 to 8 are cross-sectional views illustrating one side surface of the duct to show operation of a valve of the air conditioner illustrated in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 8, the ducts 101 and 102 may include main flow sections 101a and 102a which extend vertically and first and second duct outlet ports 101b, 101c, 102b, and 102c of which one ends are connected to the main flow sections 101a and 102a. The main flow sections 101a and 102a and the first and second duct outlet ports 101b, 101c, 102b, and 102c may form the second wind path S2.

The first and second duct outlet ports 101b, 101c, 102b, and 102c may be formed in front surfaces 101ab of the main flow sections 101a and 102a, and a rear surface 101aa of each of the main flow sections 101a and 102a may correspond to a rear surface 101aa of each of the ducts 101 and 102. The first and second duct outlet ports 101b, 101c, 102b, and 102c may be formed to protrude forward from the front surfaces 101ab of the main flow sections 101a and 102a. The second duct outlet ports 101c and 102c may be disposed under the first duct outlet ports 101b and 101c. The first and second duct outlet ports 101b, 101c, 102b, and 102c may be open toward the front panel 40.

The lower ends of the main flow sections 101a and 102a may communicate with the second blower 26 through the fan outlet port 29a and guide air discharged from the second blower 26 upward.

The first and second duct outlet ports 101b, 101c, 102b, and 102c may communicate with the second outlets 13 and 14 and may discharge air toward the second outlets 13 and 14. The first and second duct outlet ports 101b, 101c, 102b, and 102c may be disposed behind the second outlets 13 and 14, or at least parts of the first and second duct outlet ports 101b, 101c, 102b, and 102c may be disposed to be positioned inside the second outlets 13 and 14.

The air conditioner 1 may include valves 200 disposed in the ducts 101 and 102. Each of the valves 200 may be provided in one of the first and second ducts 101 and 102. The valve 200 provided in the first duct 101 and the valve 200 provided in the second duct 102 may operate independently. Accordingly, a slope of a damper plate 201 of the valve 200 provided in the first duct 101 and a slope of a damper plate of the valve 200 provided in the second duct 102 may be different.

Hereinafter, an example of the valve 200 provided in the first duct 101 will be described, but the valve 200 provided in the second duct 102 may also be applied in the same manner.

The valve 200 may control air which is discharged from the second blower 26 and flows toward the first duct outlet port 101b and air which is discharged from the second blower 26 and flows toward the second duct outlet port 101c. The valve 200 may selectively divide the second wind path S2 into first flow paths S3-1 and S3-2 connected to the first duct outlet port 101b and second flow paths S4-1 and S4-2 connected to the second duct outlet port 101c.

The valve 200 may include the damper plate 201 and drivers 202 and 203 which may tilt or translate the damper plate 201. The valve 200 may be disposed to correspond to the second duct outlet port 101c. The valve 200 may be disposed behind the second duct outlet port 101c.

The damper plate 201 may have a flat shape extending vertically. The damper plate 201 may have a shape corresponding to a cross section of the second duct outlet port 101c. The damper plate 201 may be translated in a front-rear direction to open or close the second duct outlet port 101c.

The drivers 202 and 203 may include a plurality of drivers 202 and 203. The drivers 202 and 203 may be fixed to the rear surface 101aa of the duct 101. The drivers 202 and 203 may include a first driver 202 and a second driver 203. However, embodiments of the disclosure is not limited to only a first driver and a second driver. The second driver 203 may be disposed under the first driver 202. One end of the first driver 202 and one end of the second driver 203 may be coupled to a rear surface of the damper plate 201.

The drivers 202 and 203 may include linear actuators. The linear actuators may include connecting shafts 202a and 203a which are coupled to the damper plate 201 and of which lengths are adjusted in the front-rear direction. However, embodiments of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The drivers 202 and 203 may include hydraulic cylinders. The hydraulic cylinders may include plungers or pistons which are coupled to the damper plate 201 and of which lengths are adjusted in the front-rear direction. The plungers or pistons may be referred to as connecting shafts.

As the first and second drivers 202 and 203 operate, the damper plate 201 may be tilted or translated.

When a length of the connecting shaft 202a of the first driver 202 protruding from the rear surface 101aa of the duct 101 is approximately the same as a length of the connecting shaft 203a of the second driver 203 protruding from the rear surface 101aa of the duct 101, the damper plate 201 may be disposed in parallel to the rear surface 101aa of the duct 101. That is, the damper plate 201 may be positioned in parallel to a vertical direction.

In a state in which the damper plate 201 is positioned in parallel to the vertical direction, as the length of the connecting shaft 202a of the first driver 202 protruding from the rear surface 101aa of the duct 101 increases, and/or as the length of the connecting shaft 203a of the second driver 203 protruding from the rear surface 101aa of the duct 101 decreases, the damper plate 201 may be tilted so that an upper end of the damper plate 201 faces forward and a rear end of the damper plate 201 faces rearward.

In the state in which the damper plate 201 is positioned in parallel to the vertical direction, as the length of the connecting shaft 203a of the second driver 203 protruding from the rear surface 101aa of the duct 101 increases, and/or as the length of the connecting shaft 202a of the first driver 202 protruding from the rear surface 101aa of the duct 101 decreases, the damper plate 201 may be tilted so that the rear end of the damper plate 201 faces forward and the upper end of the damper plate 201 faces rearward.

When an increase in the length of the connecting shaft 202a of the first driver 202 protruding from the rear surface 101aa of the duct 101 is the same as an increase in the length of the connecting shaft 203a of the second driver protruding from the rear surface 101aa of the duct 101, the damper plate 201 may be translated forward. When a decrease in the length of the connecting shaft 202a of the driver 202 protrudes from the rear surface 101aa of the duct 101 is the same as a decrease in the length of the connecting shaft 203a of the second driver 203 protruding from the rear surface 101aa of the duct 101, the damper plate 201 may be translated rearward.

As in FIG. 5, when the damper plate 201 is parallel to the vertical direction and disposed at a substantial center of the main flow section 101a (hereafter “communication state”), air supplied from the second blower 26 to the main flow section 101a may flow to the first duct outlet port 101b and the second duct outlet port 101c and be discharged from the first duct outlet port 101b and the second duct outlet port 101c. In this case, a flow rate of the air discharged from the first duct outlet port 101b and a flow rate of the air discharged from the second duct outlet port 101c may be approximately the same. The damper plate 201 in a neutral state allows air to flow through the main flow section 101a in an unimpeded manner.

As the damper plate 201 is translated forward in the communication state, the flow rate of the air flowing toward the first duct outlet port 101b may increase, and the flow rate of the air flowing toward the second duct outlet port 101c may decrease. When the damper plate 201 is translated forward in the communication state and covers and closes the second duct outlet port 101c as in FIG. 6, air is not discharged from the second duct outlet port 101c, and air may be discharged from only the first duct outlet port 101b. When air is not discharged from the second duct outlet port 101c, and air is discharged from only the first duct outlet port 101b, a wind speed and/or air volume may increase when compared to a case in which air is discharged from both the first and second duct outlet ports 101b and 101c.

When the damper plate 201 is translated forward to cover and close the second duct outlet port 101c in the communication state, the second wind path S2 may be divided into the first flow path S3-1 and the second flow path S4-1, air may not be supplied to the second flow path S4-1, and air may be supplied to only the first flow path S3-1. When air is not discharged from the flow path S4-1, and air is discharged from the first flow path S3-1, a speed and/or volume of air may increase when compared to a case in which air is discharged from both the first flow path S4-1 and the second flow path S3-1.

As the damper plate 201 is tilted so that the upper end faces forward and the rear end faces rearward in the communication state, a flow rate of air flowing toward the first duct outlet port 101b may decrease, and a flow rate of air flowing toward the second duct outlet port 101c may increase. As the damper plate 201 is tilted, when the upper end of the damper plate 201 is in contact with an upper end of the second duct outlet port 101c or the front surface 101ab of the main flow section 101a between the second duct outlet port 101c and the first duct outlet port 101b, and the rear end of the damper plate 201 is in contact with the rear surface 101aa of the main flow section 101a, as in FIG. 7, air is not discharged from the first duct outlet port 101b, and air may be discharged from only the second duct outlet port 101c. When air is not discharged from the first duct outlet port 101b, and air is discharged from only the second duct outlet port 101c, a wind speed and/or an air volume may increase when compared to a case in which air is discharged from both the first and two duct outlet ports 101b and 101c.

As the damper plate 201 is tilted, when the upper end of the damper plate 201 is in contact with the upper end of the second duct outlet port 101c or the front surface 101ab of the main flow section 101a between the second duct outlet port 101c and the first duct outlet port 101b, and the rear end of the damper plate 201 is in contact with the rear surface 101aa of the main flow section 101a, the second wind path S2 may be divided into the first flow path S3-2 and the second flow path S4-2, air is not supplied to the first flow path S3-2, and air may be supplied to only the second flow path S4-2.

As the damper plate 201 is tilted so that the upper end faces rearward and the lower end faces forward in the communication state, a flow rate of air flowing toward the first duct outlet port 101b and the second duct outlet port 101c may decrease. As the damper plate 201 is tilted, when the upper end of the damper plate 201 is in contact with the rear surface 101aa of the main flow section 101a, and the lower end of the damper plate 201 is in contact with the lower end of the second duct outlet port 101c or the front surface 101ab of the main flow section 101a under the second duct outlet port 101c, air may not be discharged from both the first and second duct outlet ports 101b and 101c as in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 9 to 12 are cross-sectional views illustrating one side surface of a duct to show operation of a valve of an air conditioner illustrated in FIG. 1 according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 12, a valve 400 may include a plurality of damper plates 401 and 402. A plurality of damper plates 401 and 402 may include a first damper plate 401 provided to open and close a first duct outlet port 300b and a second damper plate 402 provided to open and close a second duct outlet port 300c. The first and second damper plates 401 and 402 may be coupled to one side surface 300ac of a duct 300 using hinges 401a and 402a. The first and second damper plates 401 and 402 may be automatically opened and closed by motors (not shown). The first and second damper plates 401 and 402 may operate independently of each other.

As in FIG. 9, when the first damper plate 401 and the second damper plate 402 completely open the first duct outlet port 300b and the second duct outlet port 300c, respectively, air supplied from a second blower 26 to a main flow section 300a may flow to the first duct outlet port 300b and the second duct outlet port 300c and may be discharged from the first duct outlet port 300b and the second duct outlet port 300c. In this case, a flow rate of the air discharged from the first duct outlet port 300b may be approximately the same as a flow rate of the air discharged from the second duct outlet port 300c.

As the second damper plate 402 in a state of opening the second duct outlet port 300c rotates in a direction of closing the second duct outlet port 300c, a flow rate of air flowing through the second duct outlet port 300c may decrease. As in FIG. 10, when the second damper plate 402 completely rotates to completely close the second duct outlet port 300c, air is not discharged from the second duct outlet port 300c, and air may be discharged from only the first duct outlet port 300b. In this case, the second damper plate 402 may be disposed in parallel to a front surface 300ab of the main flow section 300a. When air is not discharged from the second duct outlet port 300c, and air is discharged from only the first duct outlet port 300b, a wind speed and/or an air volume may increase when compared to a case in which air is discharged from both the first and second duct outlet ports 300b and 300c.

When the second damper plate 402 covers and closes the second duct outlet port 300c, a second wind path S2 may be divided into a first flow path S3-1 and a second flow path S4-1, air is not supplied to the second flow path S4-1, and air may be supplied to only the first flow path S3-1. When air is not discharged from the second flow path S4-1, and air is discharged from only the first flow path S3-1, a speed and/or volume of air may increase when compared to a case in which air is discharged from both the first and second flow paths S3-1 and S4-1.

As the first damper plate 401 in a state of opening the first duct outlet port 300b rotates in a direction of closing the first duct outlet port 300b, a flow rate of air flowing through the first duct outlet port 300b may decrease. As in FIG. 11, when the first damper plate 401 completely rotates to completely close the first duct outlet port 300b, air is not discharged from the first duct outlet port 300b, and air may be discharged from only the second duct outlet port 300c. In this case, the first damper plate 401 may be disposed in parallel to the front surface 300ab of the main flow section 300a. When air is not discharged from the first duct outlet port 300b, and air is discharged from only the second duct outlet port 300c, a wind speed and/or an air volume may increase when compared to a case in which air is discharged from both the first and second duct outlet ports 300b and 300c.

When the first damper plate 401 covers and closes the first duct outlet port 300b, the second wind path S2 may be divided into a first flow path S3-2 and a second flow path S4-2, air is not supplied to the first flow path S3-2, and air may be supplied to only the second flow path S4-2. When air is not discharged from the first flow path S3-2, and air is discharged from only the second flow path S4-2, a speed and/or volume of air may increase when compared to a case in which air is discharged from both the first and second flow paths S3-2 and S4-2.

As in FIG. 12, when the first damper plate 401 and the second damper plate 402 close the first duct outlet port 300b and the second duct outlet port 300c, respectively, air may not be discharged from both the first and second duct outlet ports 300b and 300c.

FIGS. 13 to 15 are views illustrating examples of operation of an air conditioner illustrated in FIG. 4. In FIGS. 13 to 15, only a partial region of a front panel 40 is illustrated, and air may also be discharged from a first outlet 41 of the remaining region which is not illustrated.

A valve 200 illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8 or a valve 400 illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 12 may be disposed in first and second ducts 101 and 102 illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 15.

The first outlet 41 and second outlets 13 and 14 may independently discharge air. Accordingly, air may be discharged from only the first outlet 41, and air may be discharged from only the second outlets 13 and 14.

The first outlet 41 and the second outlets 13 and 14 may simultaneously discharge air.

An air conditioner 1 may operate to discharge air through the second outlets 13 and 14 while discharging air through the first outlet 41. In this case, as in FIG. 13, strong wind air discharged from second duct outlet ports 101c and 102c of the first and second the ducts 101 and 102 may be discharged through a left second outlet 13 and a right second outlet 14. Cold air discharged from the first outlet 41 may be blown in a direction away from the front panel 40 by the air discharged from the second outlets 13 and 14. The air discharged from the second outlets 13 and 14 and the air discharged from the first outlet 41 may be mixed.

However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. Unlike FIG. 13, strong wind air discharged from first duct outlet ports 101b and 102b of the first and second the ducts 101 and 102 may be discharged through the left second outlet 13 and the right second outlet 14, and cold air discharged from the first outlet 41 may be blown in the direction away from the front panel 40 by the air discharged from the second outlets 13 and 14, thereby reducing the speed and direction of a blow of cold air from the first outlet 41.

The air conditioner 1 may operate to discharge air through the second outlets 13 and 14 while discharging air through the first outlet 41. In this case, strong wind air discharged through one of the first duct outlet ports 101b and 102b and the second duct outlet ports 101c and 102c of the ducts 101 and 102 may be discharged through corresponding one of the left second outlet 13 and the right second outlet 14, and air discharged through all the first and second duct outlet ports 101b, 102b, 101c, and 102c of the ducts 101 and 102 may be discharged from the corresponding remaining second outlets 13 and 14. In FIG. 14, an example of a case in which air discharged from the first duct outlet port 101b of the first duct 101 is discharged through the left second outlet 13 and air discharged from the first and second duct outlet ports 102b and 102c of the second duct 102 is discharged through the right second outlet 14 is illustrated.

Since air volumes and wind speeds of the air discharged from the left and right second outlets 13 and 14 are different, the air discharged through the second outlets 13 and 14 may be mixed with air discharged through the first outlet 41 and mainly discharged toward a left side or right side.

Specifically, when air discharged through the left second outlet 13 is strong wind discharged from one of the first duct outlet 101b and the second duct outlet 101c, and air discharged through the right second outlet 14 is air discharged from both the first and second duct outlet ports 102b and 102c, the air discharged from the left and right second outlets 13 and 14 may be discharged toward the right side. When air discharged through the right second outlet 14 is strong wind discharged from one of the first duct outlet 102b and the second duct outlet 102c, and air discharged through the left second outlet 13 is air discharged from both the first and second duct outlet ports 101b and 101c, the air discharged from the left and right second outlets 13 and 14 may be discharged toward the left side.

The air conditioner 1 may operate to discharged air through the second outlets 13 and 14 while discharging air through the first outlet 41. In this case, strong wind air discharged from the first duct outlet ports 101b and 102b and the second duct outlet ports 101c and 102c of the ducts 101 and 102 may be discharged from only corresponding one of the left second outlet 13 and the right second outlet 14. In FIG. 15, an example of a case in which air discharged from the first duct outlet port 102b of the second duct 102 is discharged through the right second outlet 14, the first and second duct outlet ports 101b and 101c of the first duct 101 does not discharge air, and thus air is not discharged through the left second outlet 13 is illustrated.

When strong wind air is discharged from only the left second outlet 13, cold air discharged from the first outlet 41 formed in a region corresponding to a left half of the front panel 40 may be mixed with air of the left second outlet 13 and blown away forward, and cold air discharged from the first outlet 41 formed in a region corresponding to a right half of the front panel 40 may maintain a low speed.

However, embodiments of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. When strong wind air is discharged from only the right second outlet 14, cold air discharged from the first outlet 41 formed in the region corresponding to the right half of the front panel 40 may be mixed with air of the right second outlet 14 and blown away forward, and cold air discharged from the first outlet 41 formed in the region corresponding to the left half of the front panel 40 may maintain a low speed.

While certain embodiments of the preset disclosure have been illustrated and described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and may be variously modified by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the technological sprit of the present disclosure defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An air conditioner comprising:

a housing having a first inlet and a second inlet;

a front panel disposed on a front side of the housing;

a first outlet provided in the front panel;

a second outlet provided adjacent to the front panel;

a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with air suctioned through the first inlet;

a first blower configured to discharge the air having exchanged the heat toward the first outlet;

a second blower configured to discharge air suctioned through the second inlet;

a duct configured to guide the air discharged from the second blower to be discharged through the second outlet, the duct comprising a first duct outlet port communicably connected with the second outlet and a second duct outlet port communicably connected with the second outlet; and

a valve provided in the duct and configured to control a flow of air flowing toward the first duct outlet port and a flow of air flowing toward the second duct outlet port.

2. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises:

a damper plate; and

a driver configured to tilt or translate the damper plate.

3. The air conditioner of claim 2, wherein the driver comprises a first linear actuator and a second linear actuator, and each of the first linear actuator and the second linear actuator comprises a connecting shaft coupled to the damper plate.

4. The air conditioner of claim 3, wherein each of the first linear actuator and the second linear actuator is fixed to a surface of the duct.

5. The air conditioner of claim 2, wherein the duct comprises a main flow section communicably connected with the first duct outlet port and the second duct outlet port, and configured to receive air from the second blower,

wherein the second duct outlet port is provided under the first duct outlet port, and

wherein the damper plate is provided at a position corresponding to the second duct outlet port.

6. The air conditioner of claim 5, wherein, as the damper plate is tilted so that an upper end of the damper plate moves toward the second duct outlet port and a lower end of the damper plate moves away from the second duct outlet port, a flow rate of air flowing toward the first duct outlet port decreases and a flow rate of air flowing toward to the second duct outlet port increases.

7. The air conditioner of claim 5, wherein, as the damper plate is translated so that the damper plate is moved toward the second duct outlet port, a flow rate of air flowing toward the first duct outlet port increases and a flow rate of air flowing toward the second duct outlet port decreases.

8. The air conditioner of claim 5, wherein, as the damper plate is tilted so that an upper end of the damper plate moves away from the second duct outlet port and a lower end of the damper plate moves toward the second duct outlet port, a flow rate of air flowing toward to the first duct outlet port and a flow rate of air flowing toward the second duct outlet port decrease.

9. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises:

a first damper plate configured to open and close the first duct outlet port; and

a second damper plate configured to open and close the second duct outlet port.

10. The air conditioner of claim 9, wherein each of the first damper plate and the second damper plate is hinge coupled to one surface of the duct.

11. The air conditioner of claim 10, wherein a flow rate of a first discharge flow path is controlled based on an opening extent of the first damper plate, and

wherein a flow rate of a second discharge flow path is controlled based on an opening extent of the second damper plate.

12. The air conditioner of claim 2, wherein the duct comprises a pair of ducts, and

wherein the valve comprises a pair of valves disposed on each of the pair of ducts.

13. The air conditioner of claim 12, wherein the pair of valves have different orientations.

14. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger does exchange heat with the air suctioned through the second inlet.

15. The air conditioner of claim 14, wherein the air discharged from the second outlet moves air discharged from the first outlet away from the front panel.

16. An air conditioner comprising:

a housing in which a first wind path and a second wind path are provided, the first wind path and the second wind path being separated from each other;

a heat exchanger provided on the first wind path;

a first blower configured to form an air flow in the first wind path;

a second blower configured to supply air in the second wind path;

a duct configured to form the second wind path and comprising a first duct outlet port and a second duct outlet port; and

a valve disposed in the duct and configured to selectively divide the second wind path into a first flow path connected to the first duct outlet port and a second flow path connected to the second duct outlet port.

17. The air conditioner of claim 16, wherein the valve comprises a damper plate and a driver configured to tilt or translate the damper plate.

18. The air conditioner of claim 17, wherein the driver comprises a first linear actuator and a second linear actuator, and each of the first linear actuator and the second linear actuator comprises a connecting shaft coupled to the damper plate.

19. The air conditioner of claim 17, wherein the driver is further configured to divide the second wind path so that air discharged from the second blower is supplied to the first flow path and is not supplied to the second flow path.

20. The air conditioner of claim 17, wherein the driver is further configured to divide the second wind path so that air discharged from the second blower is supplied to the second flow path and is not supplied to the first flow path.