WO2015111281A1

WO2015111281A1 - Air conditioner

Info

Publication number: WO2015111281A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/079627
Authority: WO
Inventors: 我科　賢二; 竜也出川; 伸哲吉武; 剛志久保田
Original assignee: 東芝キヤリア株式会社
Priority date: 2014-01-24
Filing date: 2014-11-07
Publication date: 2015-07-30
Also published as: CN105829808B; AU2014379851A1; JPWO2015111281A1; CN105829808A; AU2014379851B2; JP6195391B2

Abstract

An air conditioner (1) is provided with: a main body (1a); a decorative panel (2) that is mounted to a lower end of the main body (1a), exposed to the interior of a room from the ceiling, and provided with an elongated air outlet (7); and a flat-shaped flap (8) that is provided at the air outlet (7) and has an elongated shape matching the air outlet (7). The flap (8) includes a decorative surface (8a) that is exposed to the interior of the room, a back surface (8b) that is located on the back of the decorative surface (8a), and a reinforcing portion (11) that is provided at a longitudinally intermediate portion of the back surface (8b). The reinforcing portion (11) has a reinforcing plate (11a) that faces the back surface (8b), and is provided with an air path (12) that allows the passage of air blown between the reinforcing plate (11a) and the back surface (8b) from the air outlet (7) and throttles the air.

Description

Air conditioner

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a ceiling-embedded air conditioner, and more particularly, to a flap structure that guides a blowing direction of cold air or hot air blown from a blowout port of a decorative panel.

The ceiling-embedded air conditioner has a main body installed behind the ceiling. The main body has a suction port opened on its lower surface. The suction port is covered with a decorative panel. The decorative panel is exposed to the room from the ceiling.

* The decorative panel of a normal air conditioner has a suction grille. The suction grill is formed in a square shape having four sides and faces the suction opening of the main body. Further, the decorative panel includes four air outlets around the suction grille. Each of the air outlets has an elongated shape extending along the side of the suction grille, and cold air or hot air is blown out in four directions from the air outlet.

¡Flaps are provided at each of the four outlets of the decorative panel. The flap guides the cool air blown from the outlet during the cooling operation in the horizontal direction, and guides the warm air blown from the outlet during the heating operation downward.

Conventional air conditioners have a cross-sectional shape that is curved in an arc shape so that the flaps protrude downward in order to increase the directivity of the cold air that is guided in the horizontal direction from the outlet during cooling operation. Furthermore, the flap has a first end and a second end that are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the outlet. At the first end and the second end, the flap is cut with a constant width, and the width of the first and second ends is narrower than the center of the flap.

Therefore, even during the cooling operation, the cool air blows obliquely downward from the first end and the second end of the flap, and the occurrence of smudging in which dust in the air contaminates the ceiling is suppressed.

According to the conventional air conditioner, the width of the flap is narrower than that of the central portion at the first end and the second end of the flap. Therefore, even when the air conditioner stops the air-conditioning operation and the flap closes the outlet, the design problem that the inside of the outlet can be seen through the first end and the second end of the flap. There is.

In order to solve this problem, in the air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 1, the heat-exchanged air blown from the central portion of the blower outlet is directed in the horizontal direction, and the air blown from both end portions of the blower outlet is directed obliquely downward. Thus, the shape of the side wall of the outlet is defined.

Furthermore, the flap provided at the outlet is divided into three parts, one central part and a pair of both side parts. The central portion of the flap is an element for guiding the cold air blown from the outlet in the horizontal direction, and is curved so that the downstream end of the central portion is oriented in the horizontal direction. Both sides of the flap are elements for guiding the cool air blown from the blowout port obliquely downward, and are curved so that the downstream ends of both sides are directed downward from the downstream end of the central portion.

Furthermore, the central portion and both side portions of the flap are divided by a pair of slits extending in the width direction of the flap. More specifically, the flap is composed of a single elongated plate. The plate material is divided into three regions by a pair of slits extending in the width direction from one edge along the longitudinal direction, and the central region is curved with a large curvature and is positioned on both sides of the central region. The two regions are curved with a smaller curvature than the central region.

Therefore, the central region of the plate material constitutes the central portion of the flap, and the two regions positioned on both sides of the plate material constitute the both side portions of the flap.

JP 2010-281539 A

According to the conventional air conditioner, the slit of the flap is cut from the downstream edge of the flap toward the upstream edge, and the end of the slit is located immediately before the upstream edge of the flap. . For this reason, the central part and both side parts of the flap are connected only at a few points continuous to the upstream edge of the flap, and most of the central part and both side parts of the flap are separated by slits. Yes.

Therefore, it becomes difficult to maintain the shape of the center and both sides of the flap, and there is still concern about the strength of the flap.

An object of the present invention is to obtain an air conditioner that can sufficiently secure the strength of the flap while simplifying the structure of the air outlet and the flap.

According to the embodiment, the air conditioner has a main body installed on the back of the ceiling, a makeup attached to the lower end of the main body, exposed to the room from the ceiling, and provided with an elongated air outlet for blowing air into the room. A flat plate-like flap that is provided at the air outlet and has an elongated shape that matches the air outlet, and that changes the blowing direction of air blown from the air outlet by rotating inside the air outlet. Are provided.

The flap includes a decorative surface exposed indoors, a back surface positioned on the back side of the decorative surface, and a reinforcing portion provided in the middle along the longitudinal direction of the back surface and reinforcing the flap.

The reinforcing portion has a reinforcing plate facing the back surface of the flap, and an air passage is provided between the reinforcing plate and the back surface so that air blown from the air outlet passes through the air and throttles the air.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a ceiling-embedded air conditioner according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the ceiling-embedded air conditioner according to the first embodiment as viewed from the direction of the decorative panel. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a flap installed at the air outlet. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the flap shown at F4 in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioner showing the blowing direction of the cold air guided by the flap in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the flap according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a first modification example of the flap according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing Modification Example 2 of the flap according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing Modification 3 of the flap according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioner showing the blowing direction of the cold air blown from the blower outlet in the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioner showing the blowing direction of the cold air blown from the blower outlet in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 12 is a plan view of a ceiling-embedded air conditioner viewed from the direction of the decorative panel in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the decorative panel, the air outlet, and the flap in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a blowout path of cool air blown from the blowout port in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an air conditioner according to a reference example related to the present invention. FIG. 16 is a plan view of a flap used in the reference example. FIG. 17 is a side view of the flap used in the reference example.

[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ceiling-embedded air conditioner, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the ceiling-embedded air conditioner viewed from the direction of the decorative panel.

The air conditioner 1 includes a main body 1a installed on the back of the ceiling and a decorative panel 2 attached to the lower end of the main body 1a as main elements. As shown in FIG. 5, the main body 1 a is inserted into the opening A <b> 1 provided in the ceiling panel A from the indoor side, and is suspended from the beam behind the ceiling via a plurality of suspension bolts.

As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 1a includes a casing 3 made of sheet metal. The casing 3 is a box-shaped element opened downward, and includes a top plate portion 3a and a side surface portion 3b obtained by processing a metal plate. The inner peripheral surface of the casing 3 is entirely covered with a heat insulating material such as a polystyrene foam material. Therefore, the main body 1a has a heat insulating structure.

A blower is arranged at a substantially central portion inside the main body 1a. As the blower, a so-called turbo fan that sucks air from the axial direction and discharges it in the circumferential direction is used. Further, a suction port 6 having a shape like a bell mouth is provided at the lower end of the main body 1a. The suction port 6 is located at the suction end of the blower.

熱 A heat exchanger is placed around the blower on the discharge side of the blower. The heat exchanger has a substantially square frame shape and surrounds the periphery of the blower. A drain pan is provided along the lower part of the heat exchanger. The drain pan receives drain water generated by the heat exchange action of the heat exchanger when the air conditioner 1 is operated in the cooling mode. The drain water collected in the drain pan is drained out of the air conditioner 1 by the drain pump.

The decorative panel 2 covers the lower end of the casing 3 from the room. The decorative panel 2 is beautifully formed using, for example, a synthetic tree material. The decorative panel 2 is exposed indoors from the lower surface of the ceiling panel A, and shields the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the main body 1a and the opening A1 of the ceiling panel A.

1 and 2, the decorative panel 2 includes a suction grill 4 and a panel body 5. The suction grill 4 is provided at a substantially central portion of the decorative panel 2. The suction grill 4 is formed in a square shape, for example, and is removably supported on the casing 3 via an elevating mechanism or a rotating mechanism. The panel body 5 has a rectangular frame shape having four sides and is connected to the casing 3. The panel main body 5 continuously surrounds the suction grill 4 in the circumferential direction.

As best shown in FIG. 1, the suction grill 4 slightly protrudes downward with respect to the panel body 5. Thereby, when the suction grill 4 and the panel main body 5 are positioned on the same plane, it is possible to make inconspicuous steps that are likely to occur at the boundary between the suction grill 4 and the panel main body 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the suction grill 4 includes a peripheral portion formed in a square frame shape and a grill portion 4a surrounded by the peripheral portion. The four pieces defining the peripheral edge are formed of an elongated flat plate having a predetermined width. The grill portion 4 a is located at the center of the suction grill 4. A filter (not shown) is removably supported on the back surface of the grill portion 4a. The grill portion 4 a faces the suction port 6 of the main body 1.

When maintaining the filter, the suction grill 4 is lowered or turned downward. Thereby, the suction port 6 of the main body 1 is opened, and the filter can be removed from the suction grill 4 and cleaned on the floor surface.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the panel body 5 of the decorative panel 2 has four outlets 7. The air outlet 7 is an element that blows out the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger in four directions of the decorative panel 2, and is provided in each of four pieces of the panel body 5.

Specifically, the panel body 5 includes four corner covers 4c positioned at four corners of the panel body 5 and four panel pieces 4b straddling between adjacent corner covers 4c. Yes. The panel piece 4b extends in parallel with the peripheral edge outside the peripheral edge of the suction grill 4. Therefore, the area surrounded by the peripheral edge of the suction grill 4, the panel piece 4 b and the adjacent corner cover 4 c constitutes the air outlet 7. The air outlets 7 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the suction grill 4 are kept in a positional relationship such that they are orthogonal to each other with the corner cover 4c interposed therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 2, each air outlet 7 has an elongated opening shape extending along the peripheral edge of the suction grill 4. More specifically, the air outlet 7 has a first dimension L1 along the longitudinal direction and a second dimension L2 along the width direction, and the second dimension L2 is markedly greater than the first dimension L1. It is short. Furthermore, the blower outlet 7 has a pair of end surfaces d spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. The end surface d is defined by the corner cover 4 c of the panel body 5. The end surface d extends in the width direction of the air outlet 7 and stands upright.

As shown in FIG. 5, the air outlet 7 has an inner wall 7a and an outer wall 7b. The inner wall 7 a forms an inner surface of the air outlet 7 that is continuous in the longitudinal direction of the air outlet 7. Similarly, the outer wall 7 b forms an outer surface of the air outlet 7 that is continuous in the longitudinal direction of the air outlet 7. The inner wall 7a and the outer wall 7b face each other in the width direction of the air outlet 7 and are inclined so as to approach the outer peripheral portion of the panel body 5 as it goes downward.

The flap 8 is provided in each of the four outlets 7 of the panel body 5. The flap 8 is an element that changes the blowing direction of the air blown out from the air outlet 7 into the room, and the structure of the flap 8 will be described below.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the flap 8, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion F4 in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the posture of the flap 8 when the air conditioner 1 is operated in the cooling mode.

The flap 8 is formed of the same material as the suction grill 4 and the panel body 5. The flap 8 is preferably the same color as the suction grill 4 and the panel body 5.

As shown in FIG. 3, the flap 8 is an elongated flat plate that matches the opening shape of the air outlet 7, and has a size that fits tightly inside the air outlet 7. However, the flap 8 is formed slightly smaller than the air outlet 7 so as not to hinder the opening and closing of the air outlet 7. Furthermore, it is desirable to set the dimensions of the flap 8 so that a conspicuous gap does not occur between the opening peripheral edge of the air outlet 7 and the outer peripheral edge of the flap 8 when the air outlet 7 is closed by the flap 8. .

The flap 8 has a decorative surface 8a exposed in the room, a back surface 8b positioned on the back side of the decorative surface 8a, a first side edge a and a second side edge b extending in the longitudinal direction of the flap 8, have. The decorative surface 8a and the back surface 8b are flat surfaces, respectively. The first side edge a is located on the upstream side along the flow direction of the air blown out from the outlet 7 rather than the central portion along the width direction of the flap 8. The second side edge b is located on the downstream side along the flow direction of the air blown out from the outlet 7 rather than the central portion along the width direction of the flap 8.

Furthermore, the flap 8 has a first end portion 8c, a second end portion 8d, and an intermediate portion 8e. The first end portion 8 c is located at one end along the longitudinal direction of the flap 8. The second end portion 8 d is located at the other end along the longitudinal direction of the flap 8. The intermediate part 8e is located between the first end part 8c and the second end part 8d.

A support wall 9 a is formed at the first end 8 c of the flap 8. Similarly, a support wall 9 b is formed at the second end 8 d of the flap 8. The

support walls

9 a and 9 b are separated from each other in the longitudinal direction of the flap 8 and are erected from the back surface 8 b of the flap 8.

Support shafts

10a and 10b are provided on the outer surfaces of the

support walls

9a and 9b, respectively. The

support shafts

10 a and 10 b are arranged coaxially with respect to a horizontal line along the longitudinal direction of the flap 8.

The

support shafts

10a and 10b are supported by a rotation mechanism (not shown) provided inside the air outlet 7. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the flap 8 is rotatable between the first position and the second position about the

support shafts

10a and 10b. In the first position, the flap 8 lies horizontally inside the air outlet 7 so as to close the air outlet 7. In the second position, the flap 8 stands up inside the air outlet 7 so as to open the air outlet 7.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the reinforcing portion 11 is formed integrally with the intermediate portion 8 e of the flap 8. The reinforcing part 11 has a flat reinforcing plate 11a. The reinforcing plate 11 a extends along the first side edge a of the flap 8.

Standing

portions

11b and 11c bent at a right angle are formed at both end portions along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing plate 11a. The rising

portions

11 b and 11 c extend in the width direction of the flap 8, and their tips are fixed to the back surface 8 b of the flap 8. For this reason, the reinforcing plate 11 a is disposed in parallel with the back surface 8 b of the flap 8.

Between the reinforcing plate 11a and the back surface 8b of the flap 8, a gap c corresponding to the height of the rising

portions

11b and 11c is formed. The gap c defines a narrow air passage 12 on the flap 8.

According to the present embodiment, the one rising portion 11b is separated from the one support wall 9a on the back surface 8b of the flap 8. The other rising portion 11 c is separated from the other support wall 9 b on the back surface 8 b of the flap 8. Further, the reinforcing plate 11 a is separated from the second side edge b of the flap 8. Therefore, the back surface 8b of the flap 8 has a region protruding toward the downstream side along the flow direction of the air blown out from the blower outlet 7 rather than the reinforcing plate 11a.

As shown in FIG. 3, the connecting rib 13 is integrally formed in the intermediate part along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing plate 11a. The connecting rib 13 extends in the width direction of the flap 8 and connects the reinforcing plate 11 a and the back surface 8 b of the flap 8 in the air passage 12. In other words, the connecting rib 13 supports the intermediate portion of the reinforcing plate 11a, thereby preventing the intermediate portion of the reinforcing plate 11a from being deformed so as to be bent.

There are no particular restrictions on the number and position of the connecting ribs 13. If the number of the connecting ribs 13 is increased, the ventilation resistance in the air passage 12 is increased instead of increasing the strength of the reinforcing plate 11a.

In the present embodiment, the thickness of the flap 8 is constant except for the portion facing the reinforcing plate 11a. Specifically, the thickness of the portion of the flap 8 that faces the reinforcing plate 11a is continuously reduced as it proceeds from the second side edge b to the first side edge a.

Accordingly, the portion of the flap 8 that faces the reinforcing plate 11a is formed to become thinner gradually toward the upstream side along the flow direction of the air blown out from the blowout port 7 so as to suppress the draft resistance of the air blown out from the blowout port 7 as much as possible. It is configured.

The thickness of the flap 8 does not need to be changed slightly at the position corresponding to the reinforcing plate 11a as described above. For example, the entire thickness of the flap 8 may be uniform.

According to the air conditioner 1 of the first embodiment, the flap 8 provided at the air outlet 7 is formed of an elongated flat plate that matches the opening shape of the air outlet 7, and the decorative surface 8 a that is exposed indoors is provided. It is a flat surface.

Therefore, when the flap 8 is rotated to the first position as the air conditioner 1 is stopped, the flap 8 becomes horizontal and completely closes the air outlet 7. In a state where the flap 8 closes the air outlet 7, the flap 8 is located on the same plane as the panel piece 4 b and the corner cover 4 c of the panel main body 5, and the panel main body 5 looks as if it is an integral structure.

Therefore, when the operation of the air conditioner 1 is stopped, the inside of the main body 1a is not seen through the outlet 7, and the appearance of the air conditioner 1 can be maintained well.

Furthermore, the flap 8 of the present embodiment is formed of the same material as the suction grill 4 and the panel body 5, and the colors of the decorative surface 8a and the back surface 8b are the same. Therefore, the sense of unity of the flap 8, the suction grille 4 and the panel body 5 is improved, and there is no sense of incongruity when looking up the decorative panel 2 from the room. Therefore, the beauty of the decorative panel 2 is improved, and a simple and smart appearance that can be fitted to any ceiling can be obtained.

When the air conditioner 1 starts operation in the cooling mode, the flap 8 rotates to a desired angle set by a remote controller as shown in FIG. 5, and the first side edge a is directed downward. . At the same time, the blower is driven, and indoor air is sucked into the main body 1 a from the suction grill 4 through the suction port 6.

The indoor air sucked into the main body 1a is heat-exchanged with the refrigerant in the process of passing through the heat exchanger. The air whose temperature has decreased due to heat exchange becomes cold air and blows out into the room from the air outlet 7 to cool the room.

The flap 8 provided in the blower outlet 7 changes the blowing direction of the cold air blown from the blower outlet 7. Specifically, since the flap 8 has the reinforcing portion 11 on the back surface 8b of the intermediate portion 8e, the cool air blown from the blowout port 7 is the decorative surface of the flap 8 as shown by arrows in FIGS. The component X1 flowing along 8a, the component X2 passing through the narrow air passage 12 of the reinforcing part 11, the component X3 flowing along the upper surface of the reinforcing plate 11a of the reinforcing part 11, and the position away from the reinforcing part 11 It is divided into a component X4 that flows along the back surface 8b of the flap 8.

Since the air passage 12 of the reinforcing portion 11 is defined by a gap c corresponding to the height of the rising

portions

11b and 11c of the reinforcing plate 11a, the air passage area is narrowed inside the air outlet 7. Therefore, the component X2 of the cold air is reduced when passing through the air passage 12, and the flow velocity of the cold air passing through the air passage 12 is larger than the flow velocity of the cold air flowing along the back surface 8b of the flap 8 at a position where the reinforcing portion 11 is removed. Will also increase.

In other words, the flow velocity of the cold air guided by the flap 8 is increased in the intermediate portion 8e of the flap 8, and conversely, the first end portion 8c and the second end portion 8d of the flap 8 are guided by the flap 8. The flow velocity of the cold air is slower than that of the intermediate portion 8e.

As a result, among the cool air blown out from the air outlet 7, the cool air guided by the intermediate portion 8e of the flap 8 has a high flow velocity. Therefore, as shown by the arrow X2 in FIG. Become. On the other hand, among the cool air blown out from the air outlet 7, the cool air guided by the first end 8c and the second end 8d of the flap 8 has a low flow velocity, and therefore, as shown by the arrow X4 in FIG. Directivity is weak compared to the cold air guided by the intermediate portion 8e.

For this reason, the cold air guided by the first end portion 8c and the second end portion 8d becomes a wind that goes obliquely downward without reaching far. The downwardly directed wind refers to a wind that is below the inclination angle of the flap 8 or below the direction aimed by the flap 8.

Therefore, it is possible to guide the cold air blown from the outlet 7 in the horizontal direction and in the obliquely downward two directions by the single flat flap 8.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the first end portion 8c of the flap 8 and the back surface 8b of the second end portion 8d that are separated from the reinforcing portion 11 are adjacent to the corner cover 4c. Since the cold wind guided by the back surface 8b of the first end portion 8c and the second end portion 8d has a low directivity as described above, it diffuses around the outlet 7.

For this reason, according to the flap 8 of the present embodiment, the diagonal e of the decorative panel 2 passing over the corner cover 4c in comparison with a conventional flap in which both end portions along the longitudinal direction of the flap are cut at a constant width. Even on the extended line, it is possible to secure the flow of the cold air that goes obliquely below the air outlet 7.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent smudging caused by indoor dust adhering to the lower surface of the ceiling panel A.

By the way, when the flap 8 that changes the blowing direction of the cold air blown from the blowout port 7 is formed in an elongated flat plate shape, the flap 8 must be thickened to some extent or the flap 8 must be curved along the width direction. This can be a factor that causes the deformation of the flap 8.

However, in the first embodiment, since the reinforcing portion 11 is provided on the back surface 8b of the flat-plate-shaped flap 8, even if the thickness of the flap 8 is reduced to some extent, the flap 8 is not bent in the width direction. 8 strength can be secured.

Therefore, the flap 8 can be prevented from being bent along the longitudinal direction, and the decorative surface 8a of the flap 8 can be formed into a flat surface. Therefore, the flap 8 has a simple shape and contributes to the improvement of the appearance of the decorative panel 2.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 6 discloses a second embodiment.

The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the air conditioner flap 8A. Since the flap 8A basically has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, the wind direction guide 15 is integrally formed on the second side edge b of the flap 8A. The airflow direction guide 15 is a rib-like element that changes the flow direction of air along the back surface 8b of the flap 8A, and is located on the downstream side along the flow direction of air blown from the outlet 7 to the flap 8A.

Further, the wind direction guide 15 extends over the entire length along the longitudinal direction of the flap 8A, and is raised from the back surface 8b at the second side edge b of the flap 8A.

According to the present embodiment, the wind direction guide 15 includes the central portion 15a corresponding to the position of the reinforcing portion 11, the first side portion 15b corresponding to the position of the first end portion 8c of the flap 8A, and the first portion of the flap 8A. And a second side portion 15c corresponding to the position of the second end portion 8d.

The height H1 of the first side portion 15b and the second side portion 15c of the wind direction guide 15 is set to be lower than the height H2 of the central portion 15a. Therefore, steps S along the height direction of the wind direction guide 15 are formed at the boundary between the central portion 15a and the first side portion 15b and at the boundary between the central portion 15a and the second side portion 15c.

According to the second embodiment, the cold wind X2 guided by the intermediate portion 8e of the flap 8A and the cold wind X4 guided by the first end portion 8c and the second end portion 8d of the flap 8A are downstream ends of the flap 8A. When the second side edge b is reached, it hits the wind direction guide 15 rising from the second side edge b.

As a result, the cold wind guided obliquely downward from the outlet 7 along the inclination direction of the flap 8A hits the wind direction guide 15 to change the blowing angle in the horizontal direction. Therefore, it is possible to guide the cold air in a substantially horizontal direction along the lower surface of the ceiling panel A while widening the opening of the flap 8A and ensuring a sufficient amount of cold air blown into the room from the air outlet 7. Can be relaxed.

Furthermore, in the wind direction guide 15 of the flap 8A, the height H1 of the first side portion 15b and the second side portion 15c is lower than the height H2 of the central portion 15a. For this reason, the cold air X4 guided by the first end 8c and the second end 8d of the flap 8A enters the room at an angle slightly closer to the horizontal than the obliquely downward blowing direction along the inclination direction of the flap 8A. Will blow out. Therefore, there is an advantage that it contributes to the elimination of the draft feeling while preventing the occurrence of smudging.

[Modification 1 of Second Embodiment]
FIG. 7 discloses a second modified example having relevance to the second embodiment. The flap 8B disclosed in FIG. 7 basically has the same configuration as the flap 8A of the second embodiment. Therefore, in the first modification, the same components as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

In the flap 8B disclosed in the first modification, the height H of the wind direction guide 15 of the flap 8B is constant over the entire length along the longitudinal direction of the flap 8B. The other configuration is the same as that of the flap 8A of the second embodiment.

According to the first modification, the cold air X2 guided by the intermediate portion 8e of the flap 8B and the cold air X4 guided by the first end portion 8c and the second end portion 8d of the flap 8B are both downstream ends of the flap 8B. When reaching the second side edge b, the wind direction guide 15 is hit.

As a result, the cold wind guided obliquely downward from the outlet 7 along the inclination direction of the flap 8B hits the wind direction guide 15 and the blowing angle is changed in the horizontal direction. Accordingly, it is possible to guide the cold air in a substantially horizontal direction along the lower surface of the ceiling panel A while widening the opening of the flap 8B and ensuring a sufficient amount of the cold air blown into the room from the air outlet 7. Can be relaxed.

[Modification 2 of the second embodiment]
FIG. 8 discloses a second modified example having relevance to the second embodiment.

In the flap 8C disclosed in the modified example 2, the wind direction guide 15 is provided only in a region facing the downstream side of the reinforcing portion 11 in the second side edge b of the flap 8C. Therefore, in the back surface 8b of the flap 8C, the regions corresponding to the first end 8c and the second end 8d of the flap 8C are simply flat surfaces.

According to the second modification, the cold air blown from the blowout port 7 is mainly the cold air blown from the central portion along the longitudinal direction, and the cold wind blown from both end portions along the longitudinal direction of the blowout port 7 is a side current. Since the main flow of the cold air has a higher flow velocity than the side flow, the blowout angle is changed in the horizontal direction by hitting the upper surface of the reinforcing plate 11a of the flap 8C inclined inside the blowout port 7. At the same time, the main flow of the cold air is throttled when passing through the air passage 12 of the reinforcing portion 11, so that the flow velocity is further increased.

The main flow of cold air hitting the upper surface of the reinforcing plate 11a and the main flow of cold air passing through the air passage 12 hit the wind direction guide 15 when reaching the downstream end of the flap 8C. As a result, the main flow of the cold air that is guided obliquely downward from the air outlet 7 along the inclination direction of the flap 8 </ b> C is changed to the horizontal direction by hitting the air direction guide 15.

Therefore, it is possible to guide the main stream of the cool air along the lower surface of the ceiling panel A while widening the opening of the flap 8C and ensuring a sufficient amount of the cool air blown into the room from the air outlet 7, thereby reducing the draft feeling. can do.

On the other hand, the side flow of the cold air whose flow velocity is slower than that of the main flow flows along the first end portion 8c of the flap 8C and the back surface 8b of the second end portion 8. Since the wind direction guide 15 does not exist at the downstream end of the back surface 8b of the first end portion 8c and the second end portion 8, the side flow of the cold air is below the inclination angle of the flap 8C or from the direction aimed at the flap 8C. Also flows downward.

Therefore, the cold air blown out from the outlet 7 can be guided horizontally and obliquely downward by one flat flap 8C, and the cold air can be guided widely from the ceiling to the room.

Furthermore, according to the modified example 2, the cold air guided by the back surface 8b of the first end portion 8c and the second end portion 8d diffuses obliquely downward of the air outlet 7 as described above. For this reason, even on the extension line of the diagonal line e of the decorative panel 2, it is possible to ensure the flow of the cold air obliquely downward of the air outlet 7.

[Modification 3 of the second embodiment]
FIG. 9 discloses a third modified example having relevance to the second embodiment. The flap 8D disclosed in FIG. 9 basically has the same configuration as the flap 8A of the second embodiment. Therefore, in Modification 3, the same components as those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 9, the heat insulating material 20 is affixed to the area | region corresponding to the 1st edge part 8c and the 2nd edge part 8d of flap 8D among the back surfaces 8b of flap 8D, respectively. As the heat insulating material 20, for example, a plate-like foamed urethane material can be used.

According to the third modification, as described in the second modification, the cold current having a low flow velocity flows along the first end 8c of the flap 8D and the back surface 8b of the second end 8d. At this time, if the air volume of the cool air blown out from the air outlet 7 is very small, the cool air with a small air volume is guided to the decorative surface 8a of the flap 8D. Here, when the set temperature of the cold air is low, dew condensation may occur in the region corresponding to the first end portion 8c and the second end portion 8d of the flap 8D in the decorative surface 8a of the flap 8D.

In the flap 8D of the third modification, the heat insulating material 20 is attached to the back surface 8b of the first end 8c and the second end 8d, respectively. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of condensation based on the temperature difference on the decorative surface 8a, and the condensation does not drop into the room.

The heat insulating material 20 disclosed in the modification 3 is similarly applied to the flap 8 of the first embodiment, the flap 8A of the second embodiment, the flap 8B of the modification 1, and the flap 8C of the modification 2. Is possible.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 10 discloses a third embodiment. 3rd Embodiment differs in the structure of the blower outlet 7 of the decorative panel 2 from 1st Embodiment. Other configurations are basically the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 10, the vertical portion 30 is formed on the outer wall 7 b that forms the outer surface of the outlet 7. The vertical part 30 has the vertical surface 30a located in the intermediate part along the height direction of the outer side wall 7b. The vertical surface 30a is exposed to the air outlet 7 and is provided at a position just opposite to the reinforcing plate 11a of the flap 8 when the flap 8 is rotated obliquely downward.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, in a state where the flap 8 is rotated obliquely downward, a downstream portion of the back surface 8b of the flap 8 that is continuous with the second side edge b is positioned directly below the vertical surface 30a. Yes.

According to the third embodiment, out of the cold air blown from the air outlet 7, the main flow of the cold air blown from the central portion along the longitudinal direction of the air outlet 7 is the vertical surface 30 a of the outer wall 7 b as shown by an arrow in FIG. 10. The flow direction changes so as to be vertical downward. A downstream portion that is continuous with the second side edge b of the back surface 8b of the flap 8 is located immediately below the vertical surface 30a. For this reason, the main stream of the cold air guided so as to face directly below the blower outlet 7 on the vertical surface 30 a hits the downstream portion of the back surface 8 b of the flap 8, thereby being guided obliquely downward along the inclined flap 8. .

Therefore, the main stream of the cool air blown into the room from the air outlet 7 can be actively guided to the back surface 8b of the flap 8, and the blow direction of the cool air can be reliably controlled by the flap 8.

[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 11 discloses a fourth embodiment. The fourth embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that the flap 8B disclosed in FIG. 7 is applied instead of the flap 8 of the third embodiment. The structure of the blower outlet 7 provided with the flap 8B is the same as that of the third embodiment.

According to the fourth embodiment, the flap 8B includes the wind direction guide 15 rising from the second side edge b. The cold air flowing along the inclined back surface 8b of the flap 8B hits the wind direction guide 15 when it reaches the second side edge b that is the downstream end of the flap 8B.

As a result, the cold wind guided obliquely downward from the outlet 7 along the inclination direction of the flap 8B hits the wind direction guide 15 and the blowing angle is changed in the horizontal direction. Therefore, even in a state in which the opening degree of the flap 8 is widened and the amount of cool air blown into the room from the air outlet 7 is sufficiently secured, the cool air can be guided in a substantially horizontal direction along the lower surface of the ceiling panel A. .

Therefore, similarly to the third embodiment, it is possible to surely control the blowing direction of the cold air, which is advantageous in reducing the draft feeling.

[Fifth Embodiment]
12 to 14 disclose a fifth embodiment. The fifth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the internal structure of the air outlet 7, and other configurations are basically the same as those in the first embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, the flap 8A disclosed in FIG. 6 is used, but the flap 8 disclosed in FIG. 3, the flap 8B disclosed in FIG. 7, the flap 8C disclosed in FIG. The flap 8D disclosed in the above may be used, and the shape of the flap is not particularly limited.

In the fifth embodiment, FIG. 12 is a plan view of the decorative panel, and the flaps are not shown. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the decorative panel and the blower outlet, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a blowing path of the cold air blown from the vicinity of the end face of the blower outlet.

As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, block portions 40 are provided at both ends of the air outlet 7 that are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. The block portion 40 is provided across the width direction of the air outlet 7 at a position adjacent to the end surface d of the air outlet 7. A concave portion 41 that avoids the flap 8 </ b> A is provided at the center of the block portion 40. For this reason, the block part 40 does not interfere with the flap 8A, and the rotation of the flap 8A is not hindered.

Furthermore, the block part 40 is retracted into the back of the air outlet 7 without protruding from the lower surface of the panel body 5. The lower surface 40a of the block portion 40 is a horizontal surface that is orthogonal to the end surface d.

According to the fifth embodiment, the inner wall 7a and the outer wall 7b of the air outlet 7 are inclined so as to approach the outer peripheral portion of the decorative panel 2 as it goes downward of the air outlet 7. It becomes diagonally downward. On the other hand, since the end surface d of the blower outlet 7 stands vertically, a part of the cool air blown out from the blower outlet 7 goes directly below the blower outlet 7 along the end surface d.

Since the end surface d of the blower outlet 7 is defined by the corner cover 4c of the panel body 5, the cold air directed directly under the blower outlet 7 along the end surface d is difficult to diffuse in the direction of the lower surface of the corner cover 4c. In other words, the lower surface of the corner cover 4c is less likely to be exposed to cold air, and depending on the operating conditions of the air conditioner 1, condensation may occur on the lower surface of the corner cover 4c.

In this embodiment, the block part 40 is provided in the position adjacent to the end surface d of the blower outlet 7. FIG. For this reason, as indicated by arrows in FIGS. 13 and 14, a part of the cool air blown from the vicinity of the end face d of the outlet 7 hits the block portion 40 and flows substantially horizontally along the lower surface 40 a of the block portion 40. The blowing direction is changed as follows.

As a result, the presence of the block portion 40 causes cool air to flow toward the corner cover 4c, thereby preventing condensation from occurring in the corner cover 4c.

[Reference example]
15 to 17 disclose reference examples related to the present invention.

15 is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioner in which the location of the air outlet is enlarged, FIG. 16 is a plan view of the flap, and FIG. 17 is a side view of the flap.

As shown by white arrows in FIG. 15, the air exchanged by the heat exchanger N of the main body 1 a is led to the air outlet 7 as cold air by the action of the blower. As described above, the air outlet 7 is inclined so that the inner wall 7a and the outer wall 7b move closer to the outer peripheral portion of the decorative panel 2 as the air outlet 7 moves below the air outlet 7. It blows off diagonally downward from the blower outlet 7 along 7b.

The flap 8E provided at the air outlet 7 is configured to guide the cold air blown from the air outlet 7 in two directions. More specifically, the flap 8E has a dimension in the width direction that is extremely short relative to the dimension in the longitudinal direction, and the decorative surface 8a exposed to the room has a shape with no irregularities as a whole. This is the same as the flap 8 of the first embodiment.

In the flap 8E of the reference example, a pair of

support shafts

10a and 10b are coaxially provided on the extension line of the first side edge a of the flap 8E. At the same time, the decorative surface 8a of the flap 8E is slightly curved so as to protrude downward at the center along the width direction.

Furthermore, a first wind direction guide portion 51, a second wind direction guide portion 52, and a third wind direction guide portion 53 are formed on the back surface 8b of the flap 8E. The 1st wind direction guide part 51 is located in the intermediate part 8e along the longitudinal direction of flap 8E. The first wind direction guide portion 51 has a flat first guide surface 51 a that receives the cold air blown from the air outlet 7.

The second wind direction guide portion 52 is located at the first end portion 8c of the flap 8E. The second wind direction guide portion 52 has a second guide surface 52 a that receives the cold air blown from the air outlet 7. The 3rd wind direction guide part 53 is located in the 2nd end part 8c of flap 8E. The third wind direction guide portion 53 has a third guide surface 53 a that receives the cold air blown from the air outlet 7. The second guide surface 52a and the third guide surface 53a are curved in an arc shape along the decorative surface 8a.

Furthermore, in the first wind direction guide portion 51, the thickness thereof is formed to be thicker than the thicknesses of the second wind direction guide portion 52 and the third wind direction guide portion 53. Therefore, the boundary between the first wind direction guide unit 51 and the second wind direction guide unit 52 and the boundary between the first wind direction guide unit 51 and the third wind direction guide unit 53 are respectively in the thickness direction of the flap 8E.

Steps

54a and 54b are formed along.

As shown in FIG. 15, in a state where the flap 8 </ b> E is inclined so as to guide the cold air obliquely below the blowout port 7, the first guide surface 51 a of the first airflow direction guide portion 51 has the second airflow direction guide portion 52. The second guide surface 52a and the third guide surface 53a of the third wind direction guide portion 53 are positioned above the second guide surface 52a.

Therefore, the cold wind guided along the first guide surface 51 a of the first wind direction guide portion 51 becomes mainstream, and the second guide surface 52 a of the second wind direction guide portion 52 and the third wind direction guide portion 53 The cold wind guided along the third guide surface 53a becomes a side current that flows downward from the main flow of the cold air.

That is, by guiding the main flow of the cold air blown from the central portion along the longitudinal direction of the air outlet 7 by the first guide surface 51a of the flap 8E, the amount of the main flow of the cold air guided in the substantially horizontal direction from the air outlet 7 is secured. In addition, the draft feeling can be eliminated.

Furthermore, the side flow of the cold air blown out from both ends along the longitudinal direction of the outlet 7 is guided by the second guide surface 52a and the third guide surface 53a, so that the side air of the cold air can be diffused into the room. Thereby, the smudge which tends to generate | occur | produce on the extension line of the diagonal line e of the decorative panel 2 can be suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 16, when the length along the longitudinal direction of the second wind direction guide portion 52 and the third wind direction guide portion 53 is defined as f, the center passes through the center in the longitudinal direction of the first wind direction guide portion 51. The length L from the line g to the edge of the second wind direction guide 52 and the length L from the edge of the third wind direction guide 53 are preferably L ≧ 1.5 × f.

As a result of obtaining from various experimental data, the length f and the length L are defined as described above, so that a sufficient amount of cold air is guided in the substantially horizontal direction by the first wind direction guide portion 51 of the flap 8E. it can. At the same time, it is possible to minimize the amount of cold air that is guided obliquely downward by the second wind direction guide portion 52 and the third wind direction guide portion 53 of the flap 8E.

As shown in FIG. 17, when the second guide surface 52a of the second wind direction guide portion 52 is used as a reference, the first guide surface 51a of the first wind direction guide portion 51 is raised by 5 °. desirable.

As a result obtained from various experimental data, the first guide surface 51a is raised by 5 ° with respect to the second guide surface 52a, so that the first guide surface 51a of the first wind direction guide portion 51 guides it in a substantially horizontal direction. A sufficient amount of cold air can be secured. At the same time, it is possible to minimize the deviation of the wind direction between the cool air guided by the first guide surface 51a and the cool air guided by the second guide surface 52a and the third guide surface 53a.

On the other hand, according to the first embodiment, when the air outlet 7 is completely closed by the flap 8, the decorative surface 8 a of the flap 8 is positioned on the same surface as the lower surface of the panel body 5. On the other hand, according to the flap 8E of the reference example, the

support shafts

10a and 10b, which are the centers when the flap 8E rotates, are coaxially provided on the extension line of the first side edge a of the flap 8E. For this reason, in a state in which the air outlet 7 is completely closed by the flap 8E, the decorative surface 8a of the flap 8E has an approximately half area extending from the first side edge a along the width direction of the flap 8E. It is located on the same surface as the lower surface, and the remaining part of the decorative surface 8 a enters the inside of the air outlet 7 from the lower surface of the panel body 5.

In this case, similarly to the flap 8 of the first embodiment, the

support walls

9a and 9b are formed at the first end 8c and the second end 8d of the flap 8E, and the outer surfaces of the

support walls

9a and 9b are formed. By providing the

support shafts

10a and 10b respectively, the flap 8E can be formed into an elongated flat plate shape without being bent.

Thereby, when the air outlet 7 is completely closed by the flap 8E, the decorative surface 8a of the flap 8E can be positioned on the same surface as the lower surface of the panel body 5.

As mentioned above, although several embodiment was described, the above-mentioned embodiment is shown as an example and is not intending limiting the range of embodiment. The novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Air conditioner, 1a ... Main body, 2 ... Makeup panel, 7 ... Air outlet, 8, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E ... Flap, 8a ... Makeup surface, 8b ... Back surface, 11 ... Reinforcement part, 11a ... Reinforcing plate, 12 ... airway, 15 ... wind direction guide.

Claims

A main body installed behind the ceiling,
A decorative panel attached to the lower end of the main body, exposed to the room from the ceiling, and provided with an elongated air outlet for blowing air into the room;
A flat flap that is provided at the air outlet and has an elongated shape that matches the air outlet, and that changes the blowing direction of the air blown from the air outlet by rotating inside the air outlet. And
The flap includes a decorative surface exposed indoors, a back surface positioned on the back side of the decorative surface, and a reinforcing portion that is provided in the middle along the longitudinal direction of the back surface and reinforces the flap,
The reinforcing portion has a reinforcing plate facing the back surface of the flap, and an air conditioner in which air blown from the air outlet passes between the reinforcing plate and the back surface and an air passage for restricting the air is provided. Machine.
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a flow velocity of air passing through the air passage of the reinforcing portion is larger than a flow velocity of air flowing along both end portions along the longitudinal direction of the back surface of the flap.
The flap has a first side edge and a second side edge along the longitudinal direction of the flap, and the first side edge blows out from the blowout port rather than a central portion along the width direction of the flap. The second side edge is located on the upstream side along the air flow direction, and the second side edge is located on the downstream side along the flow direction of the air blown out from the air outlet rather than the central portion along the width direction of the flap, and the reinforcement The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a portion extends along the first side edge.
The reinforcing portion is separated from the second side edge of the flap, and the back surface of the flap protrudes downstream from the reinforcing portion along the flow direction of the air blown from the outlet. The air conditioner according to claim 3.
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a rib that supports the reinforcing plate is provided in the air passage, and the rib extends in the width direction of the flap in the air passage. .
The air outlet has an inner wall and an outer wall facing the width direction of the air outlet, and the inner wall and the outer wall are inclined so as to approach the outer peripheral portion of the decorative panel as it goes below the air outlet. The vertical part which guides the flow direction of the air which blows off from the said blower outlet downward is provided in the intermediate part along the height direction of the said outer side wall as described in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 5 provided. The air conditioner described.
The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the region on the back surface of the flap is positioned directly below the vertical portion of the outer wall portion.
The blower outlet of the decorative panel has a pair of end surfaces spaced in the longitudinal direction of the blower outlet, the end surfaces are erected vertically, and inside the blower outlet adjacent to the end surface, The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a block portion that guides air blown from the blowout port toward a corner portion of the decorative panel that defines the end face.
A main body installed behind the ceiling,
A decorative panel attached to the lower end of the main body, exposed to the room from the ceiling, and provided with an elongated air outlet for blowing air into the room;
A flat flap that is provided at the air outlet and has an elongated shape that matches the air outlet, and that changes the blowing direction of the air blown from the air outlet by rotating inside the air outlet. And
The flap includes a decorative surface exposed indoors, a back surface positioned on the back side of the decorative surface, and a reinforcing portion that is provided in the middle along the longitudinal direction of the back surface and reinforces the flap,
The reinforcing portion has a reinforcing plate facing the back surface of the flap, and an air passage for restricting the air is provided between the reinforcing plate and the back surface, and air that blows out from the air outlet passes through the reinforcing portion.
An air conditioner in which a wind direction guide rising from the back surface of the flap is provided on a side edge of the flap located on the downstream side along the flow direction of the air blown out from the air outlet.
The flap has a first end located at one end along the longitudinal direction, a second end located at the other end along the longitudinal direction, the first end and the second end. And an intermediate portion provided with the reinforcing portion.
The wind direction guide includes a central portion corresponding to the position of the reinforcing portion, a first side portion corresponding to the position of the first end portion, and a second side corresponding to the position of the second end portion. The air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein a height of the first side portion and the second side portion of the wind direction guide is set to be lower than a height of the central portion.
The air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein the height of the wind direction guide is constant over the entire length along the longitudinal direction of the flap.
The air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein the wind direction guide is provided only in a region corresponding to the reinforcing portion in the side edge of the flap.
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein a heat insulating material is provided in a region corresponding to the first end and the second end of the back surface of the flap. .