Integral type air conditioner and front panel thereof

Abstract

A front panel for an integral type air conditioner is provided. The front panel includes a side intake hole formed at a side portion thereof such that air from a space to be air conditioned is taken in there through. The front panel also has a discharge hole through which the intake air is discharged.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2003-63980, filed on Sep. 16, 2003 and Korean Patent Application No. 2003-68590, filed on Oct. 2, 2003 which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a front panel of an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an inlet / outlet portion of a front panel of an integral type air conditioner, where the inlet / outlet portion of the front panel intakes and discharges air. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] In a general integral type air conditioner, an indoor unit part and an outdoor unit part are constructed as a single body. This obviates the need to employ a long hose. It also facilitates, among other things, installation and transportation. Further, the indoor unit part is disposed indoors to cool air, and the outdoor unit part is disposed outdoors to cool ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0028] It is another object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner in which the discharge hole of the indoor unit part is selectively shielded to enhance the appearance of the air conditioner when the air conditioner is not operated.

[0034] The present invention enhances efficiency of an air conditioner.

[0035] Also, the grill is not formed at the front side of the front panel unlike the related-art. Thus, inner parts of an integral type air conditioner are not exposed to an exterior. In addition, since the discharge door shields the indoor discharge hole when the air conditioner is not in use, the present invention enhances an appearance of the front side of an air conditioner.

[0036] Further, since the front side of the front panel protrudes from a structure where a center portion is rounded, an appearance of the integral type air conditioner is enhanced. Accordingly, it is anticipated that a user's interest is elevated.

[0037] Furthermore, since a conventional grill is not formed, a front panel is prevented from being contaminated due to foreign particles such as dust that accumulates on the intake hole or the discharge hole of the grill. Also, the lack of a conventional grill increases the ease with which the integrated air conditioner may be cleaned. For example, when the air conditioner is not used or air cleaning occurs, since the discharge door shields the indoor discharge hole, foreign particles cannot penetrate the discharge hole. Thus, contamination of the front panel is generally prevented.

Problems solved by technology

However, the above-described related-art integral type air conditioner has drawbacks.

However, if the front panel is continuously externally exposed, foreign particles such as dust, etc. may accumulate on the front panel.

In detail, the related-art integral type air conditioner has a drawback in that foreign particles such as dust, etc. accumulate on a plurality of intake holes provided on the intake grill and a plurality of discharge holes provided on the discharge grill.

The accumulation of foreign particles degrades the appearance and contribute to an unhealthy environment.

Further, the related-art integral type air conditioner has a drawback in that the intake hole and the discharge hole are compact.

Therefore, the holes are difficult to clean.

Furthermore, the intake hole and the discharge of the related-art integral type air conditioner expose internal parts thereby detracting from the external appearance of the related-art air conditioner.

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