Air conditioner

Abstract

An air conditioner is disclosed herein, the air conditioner comprising: a housing having an outlet; and a blade configured to open and close the outlet and having a plurality of holes. The blade comprises a first side extending in a first direction, a second side extending in a second direction, and a blocking area in which the plurality of holes are not formed, at least some of the plurality of holes are arranged in a first row and a second row, respectively, the first row extending in the first direction, the second row being spaced apart from the first row in the second direction, wherein the second row extends in the first direction, and the blocking area comprises an area formed in the first direction between the first row and the second row.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of a patent application with an application date of April 19, 2018, application number 201880028114.3, and invention name “Air Conditioner”. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an air conditioner having an improved structure. Background Art

[0003] Generally, an air conditioner is an electronic device that uses a cooling cycle of a refrigerant to keep indoor air at a pleasant temperature. The air conditioner includes an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, etc., which is installed indoors, and a refrigerant pipe, wherein the indoor unit includes a heat exchanger, a blower, etc., and is installed outdoors, and the outdoor unit includes a heat exchanger, a blower, a compressor, a condenser, etc., and is installed outdoors, and the refrigerant pipe connects the indoor unit to the outdoor unit and circulates the refrigerant.

[0004] According to the location where the indoor unit is installed, the air conditioner can be divided into a floor-standing air conditioner in which the indoor unit is installed on the floor, a wall-mounted air conditioner in which the indoor unit is placed on the wall, and a ceiling-mounted air conditioner in which the indoor unit is installed on the ceiling. In the ceiling-mounted air conditioner, the indoor unit is embedded in or suspended from the ceiling.

[0005] Since the indoor unit of the ceiling type air conditioner is installed on the ceiling, an inlet for sucking indoor air and an outlet for discharging air after heat exchange through the heat exchanger to the indoor space are provided at the lower part of the body. According to the number of outlets, the indoor unit of the ceiling type air conditioner can be divided into a 1-way type having a single outlet and a 4-way type having four outlets forming a quadrilateral.

[0006] Generally, the indoor unit of the air conditioner includes a blade in the outlet for adjusting the direction in which the air after heat exchange is discharged. The blade is rotatably connected to a part of the outlet. Moreover, the blade is connected to the motor at one end and receives the rotational force generated by the motor to rotate. Summary of the invention

[0007] Technical issues

[0008] An aspect of the present disclosure provides an air conditioner capable of performing various air conditioning methods, in which air is discharged through a plurality of holes formed in a blade when a blade closes an outlet.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an air conditioner capable of exhausting air through a plurality of holes with high exhaust efficiency.

[0010] Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

[0011] Technical Solution

[0012] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an air conditioner includes: a shell including an outlet; and a blade configured to open and close the outlet and having a plurality of holes, the blade including a first side extending in a first direction, a second side extending in a second direction, and a blocking area in which the plurality of holes are not formed, wherein the first side is longer than the second side, and at least some of the plurality of holes are arranged along a first row and a second row, respectively, the first row extending in the first direction, the second row being spaced apart from the first row in the second direction, the second row extending in the first direction, and the blocking area including an area formed in the first direction between the first row and the second row.

[0013] The region included in the barrier region is a first barrier region formed over the entire region formed between the first row and the second row.

[0014] The plurality of holes are not formed in a first barrier region formed between the first row and the second row.

[0015] The first row and the second row are formed as a straight line.

[0016] The first row and the second row are formed parallel to the first side.

[0017] The at least some of the plurality of holes are respectively formed in a first column and a second column, the first column extending in the second direction, the second column being spaced apart from the first column in the first direction and extending in the second direction, the first column and the second column extending in a zigzag shape.

[0018] The barrier region includes a second barrier region formed between the first column and the second column in the second direction, the second barrier region including a plurality of bent portions bent in the first direction or in a direction opposite to the first direction.

[0019] The plurality of bent portions include a plurality of first bent portions bent in a first direction and a plurality of second bent portions bent in a direction opposite to the first direction, and the plurality of first bent portions and the plurality of second bent portions are alternately arranged in the second direction.

[0020] The first blocking area extends parallel to the first direction.

[0021] The air conditioner further includes a rib protruding in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, the rib being coupled to the case, the rib protruding from an inside of the second blocking region.

[0022] The rib includes a contact portion contacting the blade, a rib body protruding from the contact portion in a third direction, and a coupling portion extending from one side of the rib body and coupled to the housing, the rib body being disposed inside the second blocking region in the third direction.

[0023] The contact portion is formed along the second barrier region.

[0024] The contact portion is formed outside a direction in which air is discharged through the plurality of holes.

[0025] The rib body extends in a third direction corresponding to the plurality of bent portions with respect to the first direction and the second direction.

[0026] When the vane is in the open position, the vane directs air to be discharged through the outlet, and when the vane is in the closed position, the vane causes air to be discharged through the plurality of apertures.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an air conditioner includes: a shell including an outlet; and a blade configured to open and close the outlet, the blade including a plurality of holes, a first edge extending in a first direction, and a second edge extending in a second direction, a first hole among the plurality of holes being separated from a second hole closest to the first hole relative to the second direction.

[0028] A third hole among the plurality of holes overlaps with a fourth hole among the plurality of holes that is closest to the third hole with respect to the first direction.

[0029] The first hole overlaps the second hole with respect to the first direction.

[0030] The air conditioner further includes a rib protruding in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, the rib being coupled to the case, the rib protruding in the third direction without overlapping the plurality of holes.

[0031] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an air conditioner includes: a housing including an outlet; and a blade configured to open and close the outlet and including a plurality of holes, a first side extending in a first direction, a second side extending in a second direction, and a blocking area in which the plurality of holes are not arranged. At least a portion of the plurality of holes are arranged along a first row and a second row, respectively, the first row extending in the first direction, the second row being spaced apart from the first row in the second direction, and the second row extending in the first direction. At least some of the plurality of holes are arranged along a first column and a second column, respectively, the first column being formed toward the second direction, the second column being spaced apart from the first column in the first direction, the second column being formed toward the second direction, and the first row and the second row being formed as a straight line, and the first column and the second column being formed as a zigzag shape.

[0032] Beneficial Effects of the Invention

[0033] According to the technical concept of the present disclosure, when the vane is in a closed position closing an outlet, the air conditioner may discharge air through a plurality of holes formed in the vane, wherein the plurality of holes may be formed in a predetermined pattern to effectively discharge air therethrough.

[0034] According to another technical concept of the present disclosure, the blade may include a rib for coupling the blade with the housing, and the rib may be formed in a predetermined shape so as not to restrict the flow of air discharged through the plurality of holes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 2 It is schematically shown Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the air conditioner shown.

[0037] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An exploded view of the air conditioner housing and blades is shown.

[0038] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A side cross-sectional view of the outlet of an air conditioner is shown.

[0039] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 An enlarged view of a portion of a blade is shown.

[0040] Figure 6a and 6b It is schematically shown Figure 5 A view of a portion of a blade is shown.

[0041] Figure 7 It is schematically shown that the Figure 5 A view of a portion of a mold of a blade is shown.

[0042] Figure 8a and 8b It is schematically shown Figure 5 A view of a portion of a blade is shown.

[0043] Fig. 9 Yes Display Figure 5 A cross-section of a rib of a blade is shown.

[0044] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 A cross-sectional view of the contact portion of the rib of the blade is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and therefore it will be understood that various modified examples that may replace the embodiments described in this specification and the drawings are possible at the time of filing the present application.

[0046] In addition, the same reference numerals or symbols shown in the drawings of this specification represent members or components that perform substantially the same functions.

[0047] The terms used in this specification are used to describe the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is provided for illustrative purposes only, rather than for the purpose of limiting the present disclosure, which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. It will be understood that the singular forms of "one", "an" and "the" include plural objects unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be understood that when the terms "comprise", "include", "includes ... " and / or "includes ... " are used in this specification, the presence of the features, numbers, steps, components or combinations thereof is specified, but the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, components, members or combinations thereof is not excluded.

[0048] Moreover, it will be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein 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, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may be referred to as a first component. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0049] Meanwhile, in the following description, the terms 'front', 'up', 'down', 'left', and 'right' are defined based on the drawings, and the shapes and positions of components are not limited by the terms.

[0050] The cooling cycle constituting the air conditioner may be composed of a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. The cooling cycle may perform a series of compression-condensation-expansion-evaporation processes to heat-exchange air with a refrigerant and then supply air-conditioned air.

[0051] The compressor can compress the refrigerant gas to a high temperature and high pressure state and discharge the compressed refrigerant gas to the condenser. The condenser can condense the compressed refrigerant gas into liquid and dissipate heat to the surrounding during the condensation process.

[0052] The expansion valve can expand the liquid refrigerant in a high temperature and high pressure state condensed by the condenser into a liquid refrigerant in a low pressure state. The evaporator can evaporate the refrigerant expanded by the expansion valve and return the refrigerant gas in a low temperature and low pressure state to the compressor. The evaporator can achieve a cooling effect by utilizing the latent heat of evaporation of the refrigerant to exchange heat with the object to be cooled. Through this cycle, the air conditioner can adjust the temperature of the indoor space.

[0053] The outdoor unit of the air conditioner can be part of a cooling cycle, which is equipped with a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger. The indoor unit of the air conditioner can include an indoor heat exchanger, and the expansion valve can be installed in any one of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. The indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger can be used as a condenser or an evaporator. When the indoor heat exchanger is used as a condenser, the air conditioner can be used as a heater, and when the indoor heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, the air conditioner can be used as a cooler.

[0054] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0055] In addition, hereinafter, for the convenience of description, the indoor unit of the ceiling type air conditioner will be described as an example. However, the blade according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be applied to the indoor unit of another type of air conditioner, such as the indoor unit of a vertical air conditioner and the indoor unit of a wall-mounted air conditioner.

[0056] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an air conditioner and a blade applied to the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the air conditioner shown.

[0057] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The air conditioner 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a main body 10 suspended from or embedded in the ceiling C; and a case 100 coupled to a lower portion of the main body 10 .

[0058] The main body 10 may be box-shaped, and may include a heat exchanger 12 for heat-exchanging sucked indoor air with a refrigerant, a blower 11 for forcibly flowing air, and a control unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of the air conditioner 1 .

[0059] The body 10 may include an upper plate and side plates forming front, rear, left and right appearances of the air conditioner 1. The body 10 may include a scroll portion 15 for guiding air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger 12 toward the outlet 13.

[0060] At the lower part of the main body 10, an inlet 14 for sucking indoor air into the inside of the main body 10 and an outlet 13 for discharging heat-exchanged air to the indoor space may be provided. In the outlet 13, a wind direction control member (not shown) may be provided to adjust the left and right direction of the discharged air.

[0061] The heat exchanger 12 may include: a tube through which the refrigerant flows; and a plurality of heat-exchanger pins contacting the tube to expand a heat transfer area. The heat exchanger 12 may be inclined to be almost at a right angle to the air flow direction.

[0062] Between the heat exchanger 12 and the inlet 14, a guide rib 16 may be provided to guide the indoor air sucked into the inside of the main body 10 through the inlet 14 toward the heat exchanger 12. The guide rib 16 may be inclined to be almost at a right angle to the heat exchanger 12.

[0063] Below the heat exchanger 12, a drain cover 18 may be provided to collect condensed water generated from the heat exchanger 12. The condensed water collected in the drain cover 18 may be discharged to the outside through a drain hose (not shown).

[0064] The blower 11 may be rotated by a driving force of a driving motor (not shown) to forcibly flow air. A rotating shaft 11a of the blower 11 may be almost parallel to the ground. The blower 11 may be a cross-flow fan.

[0065] The housing 100 may include a grille 101 disposed to correspond to the inlet 14 to prevent foreign matter from entering the interior of the body 10, and a panel outlet 102 disposed to correspond to the outlet 13. In the panel outlet 102, a blade 200 may be rotatably disposed to open or close the panel outlet 102 or adjust the up and down direction of the exhausted air. The panel outlet 102 formed at the housing 100 may be connected to the outlet 13. Therefore, in the following description, the outlet 13 and the panel outlet 102 will be collectively referred to as the outlet 102.

[0066] The housing 100 may include a filter member 103 for filtering foreign matter from air entering the interior of the main body 10 through the inlet 14 .

[0067] If the filter member 103 is used for a long time to collect many foreign objects therein, the filter member 103 may need to be cleaned or replaced with a new filter member. In this case, in order to easily disassemble the filter member 103, the grille 101 may be configured to be opened relative to the housing 100. The grille 101 can be rotated in a state where it is fixed at the housing 100 at the rear edge and supported on the housing 100, thereby being opened or closed.

[0068] The grill 101 may be disposed in front of the filter member 103 of the housing 100 , and at least a portion of the grill 101 may be cut to form a grill inlet 101 a .

[0069] Hereinafter, the housing 100 and the blade 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

[0070] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a housing, blades and air guide of an air conditioner shown in FIG. Figure 4 It is set in Figure 1 A side cross-sectional view of an outlet of a support member of an air conditioner is shown.

[0071] The housing 100 may include a plurality of support members 111 for rotatably supporting the blades 200. If the housing 100 includes a plurality of support members 111, the plurality of support members 111 may have the same configuration. However, in order to ensure additional rigidity of the housing 100, the plurality of support members 111 may have different shapes according to their positions. However, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, for ease of description, it is assumed that the plurality of support members 111 have the same shape. Therefore, one of the support members 111 will be described below.

[0072] The support member 111 may extend to connect a front portion 106 of the housing 100 forming a front end of the outlet 102 to a rear portion 107 of the housing 100 forming a rear end of the outlet 102 .

[0073] The support member 111 may include a blade fixing portion 113. The blade fixing portion 113 may be in the shape of a hole. A coupling portion 223 of a rib 220 of a blade 200 to be described later may be rotatably inserted into the blade fixing portion 113.

[0074] The support member 111 can connect the width direction ( Figure 1 Because the support member 111 connects the front portion 106 of the housing 100 to the rear portion 107 of the housing 100, the front portion 106 of the housing 100 having a relatively short length in the front-to-back direction can be prevented from being bent, twisted, or sagging. That is, the support member 111 can enhance the strength of the front portion 106 of the housing 100.

[0075] The blade 200 may be rotatable in the outlet 102. The blade 200 may be rotated on the outlet 102 to open or close the outlet 102. The blade 200 may be in a position for closing the outlet 102. Also, the blade 200 may open the outlet 102, and rotate to control the direction in which the air blown by the blower 11 is discharged from the outlet 102. The blade 200 may be rotated within a predetermined angle range to control the direction of the air discharged from the outlet 102.

[0076] The blade 200 may include a coupling portion 223 rotatably inserted into the blade fixing portion 113 .

[0077] More specifically, the blade 200 may include a rib 220 protruding toward the housing 100, and the rib 220 may include a coupling portion 223 corresponding to the blade fixing portion 113. A plurality of ribs 220 may be provided to correspond to the number of the support members 111. Therefore, a plurality of coupling portions 223 may be formed to correspond to the number of the support members 111.

[0078] The coupling portion 223 may be in a protrusion shape to be rotatably inserted into the blade fixing portion 113. The coupling portion 223 may have substantially the same diameter as that of the blade fixing portion 113. When the blade 200 rotates, a rotation axis of the coupling portion 223 may be fixed.

[0079] The blade 200 may include a plurality of holes 210 penetrating the blade 200. Air passing through the plurality of holes 210 to the outlet 102 may be discharged to the outside of the housing 100. The plurality of holes 210 may be distributed at regular intervals, which will be described in detail later.

[0080] The air conditioner 1 can discharge air through the plurality of holes 210, thereby discharging air at a low speed to the outside of the housing 100. Thus, the purpose of air conditioning can be achieved without the user being directly exposed to the wind. Therefore, the air conditioner 1 can improve user satisfaction.

[0081] At both ends of the blade 200, the drive unit coupling portion 205 may be provided to be coupled with the blade drive unit 140. If the blade drive unit 140 is provided only at one end of the blade 200, the drive unit coupling portion 205 may also be provided only at one end of the blade 200.

[0082] The drive unit coupling portion 205 may include a drive unit insertion groove 126a into which a portion of the blade drive unit 140 is inserted. In order for the blade 200 to receive a rotational force from the blade drive unit 140, the portion of the blade drive unit 140 inserted into the drive unit insertion groove 126a may be in a polygonal column shape, and the drive unit insertion groove 126a may have a shape corresponding to the polygonal column of the portion of the blade drive unit 140.

[0083] The air conditioner 1 may include an air guide 130 disposed on the outlet 102 and configured to guide air discharged from the outlet 102. The air guide 130 may include a guide surface 131 having a curved shape to guide air. The air guide 130 may be removably coupled with the housing 100 through the outlet 102. The air guide 130 may be assembled with the housing 100 from bottom to top through the panel outlet 102.

[0084] The air guide 130 may include a support member insertion groove 133 into which a portion of the support member 111 is inserted. The support member insertion groove 133 may receive a portion of the support member 111 extending in the front-rear direction of the outlet 102.

[0085] The front portion of the support member insertion groove 133 may be covered by the cover member 134. Since the portion of the support member 111 extending forward is inserted into the support member insertion groove 133, and the portion of the support member 111 extending backward from the portion inserted into the support member insertion groove 133 is covered by the cover member 134, the appearance of the housing 100 when the outlet 102 is opened may be improved.

[0086] The air guide 130 may include a fixing portion 135 fixed at the housing 100. The air guide 130 may be fixed at the housing 100 by coupling the coupling member 151 with the fixing portion 135 after placing the air guide 130 on the housing 100.

[0087] The air conditioner 1 may include a blade driving unit 140 which is provided at both ends of the blade 200 and configured to rotate the blade 200. Figure 3 In the embodiment, a pair of blade drive units 140 are provided at both ends of the blade 200, however, the blade drive unit 140 may be provided at one end of the blade 200. Each blade drive unit 140 may include a drive source and a power transmission member. An elastic member may be provided between the blade drive unit 140 and the blade 200 to reduce noise and vibration when the blade 200 rotates.

[0088] Hereinafter, the arrangement of the plurality of holes 210 formed in the blade 200 will be described in detail.

[0089] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 An enlarged view of a portion of a blade is shown. Figure 6a and 6b Schematically shows Figure 5 A portion of a blade is shown. Figure 7 Schematic diagram showing the process for injection molding Figure 5 A portion of a mold for a blade is shown. Figure 8a and 8b Schematically shows Figure 5 A portion of a blade is shown.

[0090] The blade 200 may include a long side 201 and a short side 202 (see Figure 3). More specifically, the blade 200 may be in a rectangular shape having a pair of long sides 201 and a pair of short sides 202. Hereinafter, for ease of description, the pair of long sides 201 and the pair of short sides 202 are referred to as long sides 201 and short sides 202 because the pair of long sides 201 and the pair of short sides 202 are symmetrically arranged. The long side 201 may preferably be 5 times longer than the short side 202.

[0091] The blade 200 may include a body 203 formed by a long side 201 and a short side 202. Figure 5 As shown, a plurality of holes 210 may be formed in the blade 200 to penetrate the body 203 of the blade 200. Also, the blade 200 may include a rib 220 for ensuring the rigidity of the body 203 and coupling the blade 200 with the housing 100.

[0092] As described above, while the vanes 200 are in the closed position, air may exit the housing 100 through the plurality of apertures 210 .

[0093] In order to cool or heat the indoor space at a minimum wind speed that makes the user feel comfortable, the outlet from which the air is discharged needs to have a small size. If the size of the outlet is large, the air discharged through the outlet may be blown directly toward the user, so that the user may feel uncomfortable due to the discharged air. However, if the size of the outlet is small, the amount of discharged air may be reduced, which may result in low indoor air conditioning efficiency.

[0094] To overcome this problem, a plurality of small-sized outlets may be provided to reduce the wind speed of the exhausted air while maintaining an appropriate amount of exhausted air.

[0095] In the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment, the plurality of holes 210 formed in the blade 200 can be used as the plurality of outlets to maintain a state in which the user can feel comfortable while air conditioning an appropriate amount of indoor air. Therefore, the plurality of holes 210 having a small diameter can be formed in the maximum number that can be formed in the blade 200.

[0096] The plurality of holes 210 may have a diameter of about 2 mm or less. The air discharged through the plurality of holes 210 having a diameter of about 2 mm or less is not blown directly toward the user because the air is discharged at a low wind speed.

[0097] The plurality of holes 210 may be formed as many as possible. The plurality of holes 210 may be arranged in the body 203 of the blade 200 in a predetermined pattern so that the holes 210 are formed in the maximum number that can be formed in the blade 200.

[0098] More specifically, if Figure 6a As shown, the first hole 211 , the second hole 212 , and the third hole 213 , which are any one of the plurality of holes 210 , may form an equilateral triangle.

[0099] The plurality of holes 210 may be continuously arranged in the blade 200 in the same pattern as the first hole 211, the second hole 212, and the third hole 213. That is, the fourth hole 214 may be arranged similarly to the third hole 213, which forms an equilateral triangle together with the first hole 211 disposed in a direction from the third hole 213 and the second hole 212 spaced apart from the first hole 211. Therefore, the second hole 212, the third hole 213, and the fourth hole 214 arranged in the blade 200 may form an equilateral triangle that is the same as the equilateral triangle formed by the first hole 211, the second hole 212, and the third hole 213.

[0100] In addition, the fifth hole 215 can be arranged in a diagonal direction with respect to the fourth hole 214, and thus, the second hole 212, the fourth hole 214 and the fifth hole 215 arranged in the blade 200 can form an equilateral triangle identical to the equilateral triangle formed by the first hole 211, the second hole 212 and the third hole 213.

[0101] Since the plurality of holes 210 are arranged in the above-described pattern, the plurality of holes 210 may be formed in the maximum number that can be formed in the body 203 of the blade 200 .

[0102] The distance D between the plurality of holes 210 may be about twice as long as the diameter d of each hole 210. The distance D may be the distance between the centers O of the plurality of holes 210. The ratio of the diameter d to the distance D may be determined to increase the injection moldability of the blade 200 while forming a maximum number of holes 210 in the blade 200. This will be described in detail later.

[0103] As described above, the plurality of holes 210 may be formed in the blade 200 to form an equilateral triangle pattern T. The pattern T of the plurality of holes 210 may include a first row L1 extending in the first direction X and a second row L2 spaced apart from the first row L1 in the second direction Y and extending in the first direction X. The first row L1 and the second row L2 may both extend in the first direction X such that the first row L1, the second row L2, and the long side 201 are parallel to each other.

[0104] In addition, the pattern T of the plurality of holes 210 may include third and fourth rows like the first and second rows L1 and L2, which are spaced apart in the second direction Y and extend in the first direction X. However, hereinafter, only the first and second rows L1 and L2 will be described to avoid duplication of description.

[0105] At least a portion of the plurality of holes 210 having the equilateral triangle pattern T may be arranged along first and second rows L1 and L2 in the first direction X. That is, the plurality of holes 210 positioned adjacent to each other in the first direction X may be arranged parallel to each other in the first direction X.

[0106] The blade 200 may include a blocking region B corresponding to a region of the body 203 in which the hole 210 is not formed. That is, the blocking region B may be defined as a region of the body 203 in which the hole 210 is not formed to prevent air from passing therethrough.

[0107] If a barrier region B located between at least some of the holes 210 formed along the first line L1 and at least some of the holes 210 formed along the second line L2 is defined as a first barrier region B1, the first barrier region B1 may extend in the first direction X.

[0108] The first blocking area B1 may be in a rectangular shape between the first and second rows L1 and L2. The first blocking area B1 may extend from one short side 202 of the blade 200 to the other short side 202 in the first direction X. Therefore, the hole 210 may not be formed inside the first blocking area B1.

[0109] The first barrier region B1 may also be formed between the third and fourth rows and between the first and second rows L1 and L2. That is, the first barrier region B1 may be located between all rows L along which the holes 210 are formed.

[0110] The reason why the first blocking region B1 extends in the direction in which the long side 201 extends may be to improve the injection moldability of the blade 200. This will be described in detail later.

[0111] like Figure 6b As shown, the pattern T of the plurality of holes 210 may include a first column C1 extending in the second direction Y and a second column C2 spaced apart from the first column C1 in the first direction X and extending in the second direction Y. Both the first column C1 and the second column C2 may be formed inside a symmetrically formed equilateral triangle, and thus, the first column C1 may be parallel to the second column C2.

[0112] Likewise, the pattern T of the plurality of holes 210 may include third and fourth columns like the first and second columns C1 and C2, which are spaced apart in the first direction X and extend in the second direction Y. However, hereinafter, only the first and second columns C1 and C2 will be described to avoid duplication of description.

[0113] At least a portion of the plurality of holes 210 having the equilateral triangle pattern T may be arranged along the first and second columns C1 and C2 in the second direction Y. That is, the plurality of holes 210 positioned adjacent to each other in the second direction Y may be arranged in a zigzag shape in the second direction Y.

[0114] If the barrier region B between at least some of the holes 210 formed along the first column C1 and at least some of the holes 210 formed along the second column C2 is defined as a second barrier region B2 , the second barrier region B2 may extend in the second direction Y.

[0115] More specifically, unlike the first blocking area B1, the second blocking area B2 may include a plurality of bent portions b bent toward one or the other short side of the blade 200 in the first direction X to correspond to the first column C1 and the second column C2 extending in a zigzag shape, rather than extending in a straight line along the second direction Y.

[0116] That is, the second blocking area B2 may include a plurality of first bent portions b1 extending along the first column C1 and the second column C2 in the second direction Y and bent toward one short side of the blade 200 in the first direction X, and a plurality of second bent portions b2 extending along the first column C1 and the second column C2 in the second direction Y and bent toward the other short side of the blade 200 in the first direction X. As described above, since the first column C1 and the second column C2 extend in a zigzag shape, the first bent portions b1 and the second bent portions b2 may be alternately positioned.

[0117] In short, the second barrier region B2 may extend in a zigzag manner along the second direction Y, and the first barrier region B1 may extend in a straight line along the first direction X.

[0118] The reason why the first blocking region B1 corresponding to the long side 201 extends in a straight line and the second blocking region B2 corresponding to the short side 202 extends in a zigzag manner may be to improve the injection moldability of the blade 200 .

[0119] More specifically, if Figure 7 As shown, when the blade 200 is injection molded, the cavity of the mold M for injection molding the blade 200 may have the shape of the blocking area B. As described above, since the plurality of holes 210 are formed in the blade 200 in the maximum number, a space for resin to flow in the cavity may be narrowed.

[0120] That is, as the number of the plurality of holes 210 increases, the holes 210 may be disposed at a shorter distance. Therefore, a space in which the resin can flow in the cavity during injection molding may become narrower, resulting in poor fluidity of the resin and reduced injection moldability of the blade 200.

[0121] In particular, when the resin flows in the first direction X corresponding to the long side 201 of the blade 200 , the distance over which the resin flows may increase, but not increase in the second direction Y, resulting in further deterioration of the fluidity of the resin.

[0122] In order to prevent this problem, the cavity may be formed such that the first barrier region B1 is formed as a straight line so as not to prevent the resin from flowing in the first direction X.

[0123] When the resin is discharged from the gate G, a flow path P1 of the first resin flowing in the first direction X may be formed along a space corresponding to the first barrier area B1.

[0124] As described above, since the first barrier area B1 extends in a straight line in the first direction X, the first resin may flow toward both short sides of the blade 200 in the first direction X along the flow path P1 without any interference, resulting in improved fluidity.

[0125] Different from this, when the resin is discharged from the gate G, a flow path P2 of the second resin flowing in the second direction Y may be formed along the space corresponding to the second barrier area B2.

[0126] Therefore, the second resin may flow in a zigzag manner along the flow path P2 in the second direction Y toward the two long sides of the blade 200, rather than flowing in a straight line. However, since the flow path P2 of the second resin flowing in the second direction Y is shorter than the flow path P1 of the first resin flowing in the first direction X, although the flow of the second resin is more or less disturbed, the fluidity of the second resin is not greatly reduced, so that the overall injection moldability of the blade 200 is not reduced.

[0127] That is, by minimizing the flow restriction to allow the first resin to smoothly flow to a relatively long flow distance in the direction of the long side 201 , the overall injection moldability of the blade 200 may be improved.

[0128] Therefore, the first blocking region B1 corresponding to the flow path P1 of the first resin may extend in a straight line along the first direction X, and the second blocking region B2 corresponding to the flow path P2 of the second resin having a relatively short distance may include the plurality of bent portions b.

[0129] Therefore, as described above, the distance D between the plurality of holes 210 may be about twice as long as the diameter d of each hole 210. That is, the distance D is determined to ensure a predetermined space in which the resin can flow in the cavity, thereby improving the injection moldability of the blade 200.

[0130] In other words, Figure 8a As shown, the first hole 211 ′ (which is any one of the plurality of holes 210 ) and the second hole 212 ′ located closest to the first hole 211 ′ in the second direction Y may be spaced apart in the second direction Y by a distance S1 .

[0131] Therefore, all the plurality of holes 210 forming the equilateral triangle pattern T may be arranged at a distance S1 in the second direction Y. Therefore, the first area A1, which is any area formed between the plurality of holes 210 in the second direction Y, may extend in a straight line along the first direction X, wherein no hole 210 is formed inside the first area A1.

[0132] For the sake of Figure 8a The injection molded blade 200 shown may provide Figure 7 The mold M shown. Since no hole 210 is formed inside the first area A1, the resin flowing in the first direction X can flow smoothly without interference.

[0133] In contrast, Figure 8b As shown, the third hole 213 ′, which is any one of the plurality of holes 210 , may overlap with the fourth hole 214 ′ located closest to the third hole 213 ′ in the first direction X with respect to the first direction X. As shown in FIG.

[0134] That is, at least one region of the third hole 213' may overlap with at least one region of the fourth hole 214' without any interval with respect to the second direction Y. Therefore, the plurality of holes 210 adjacent to each other in the second direction Y in the equilateral triangle pattern T of the plurality of holes 210 may overlap with each other without any interval.

[0135] Therefore, the second area A2, which is any area formed between the plurality of holes 210 in the first direction X, may extend in a straight line along the second direction Y, and the plurality of holes 210 may be located inside the second area A2, unlike the first area A1.

[0136] For the sake of Figure 8b The injection molded blade 200 shown may provide Figure 7 The mold M shown. The plurality of holes 210 may be located inside the second area A2 so that the flow of the resin in the second direction Y is restricted to a lower fluidity. However, as described above, since the flow path of the resin flowing in the second direction Y is shorter than the flow path of the resin flowing in the first direction X, the overall injection moldability of the blade 200 is hardly affected.

[0137] Hereinafter, the rib 220 of the blade 200 will be described.

[0138] Fig. 9 yes Figure 5 A perspective view of the ribs of the blade is shown, Fig.10 Shows Fig.10 A cross section of the contact portion of the rib of the blade is shown.

[0139] like Fig. 9As shown, the rib 220 may extend from the blade 200 in the third direction Z perpendicular to the first direction X and the second direction Y of the blade 200. The rib 220 may improve the rigidity of the blade 200 as described above, and include a coupling portion 223 to rotatably couple the blade 200 with the housing 100.

[0140] The rib 220 may include a contact portion 221 contacting the body 203, a rib body 222 protruding from the contact portion 221 in the third direction Z, and a coupling portion 223 extending from one side of the rib body 222 and coupled to the blade fixing portion 113. The rib 220 may be integrated into the body 203 or separated from the body 203.

[0141] A general rib body extends from the blade body in a straight line shape along the third direction Z. However, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the plurality of holes 210 are formed in the blade 200, if the rib 220 extends from the body 203 in a straight line shape along the third direction Z, the rib 220 blocks some of the plurality of holes 210, which deteriorates the opening ratio of the plurality of holes 210 and restricts the flow of air to be discharged through the plurality of holes 210.

[0142] To prevent this problem, the rib body 222 may not be disposed on the region in which the plurality of holes 210 are formed. More specifically, the rib 220 may have a long side extending in the second direction Y and protrude in the third direction Z, wherein the contact portion 221 may be disposed between the plurality of holes 210, as shown in FIG. Fig.10 shown.

[0143] Since the rib body 222 extends from the contact portion 221 in the third direction Z, the rib body 222 may be provided without blocking the plurality of holes 210 .

[0144] In other words, the rib 220 may be disposed on the second barrier region B2. The second barrier region B2 may extend in the second direction Y, and the hole 210 may not be disposed in the second barrier region B2. Therefore, if the contact portion 221 is disposed inside the second barrier region B2, the rib body 222 may be formed without blocking the plurality of holes 210.

[0145] Since the contact portion 221 is disposed inside the second barrier region B2, the contact portion 221 may include a plurality of bent portions corresponding to the plurality of bent portions b1 and b2 of the second barrier region B2. That is, the contact portion 221 may have a meandering portion similar to the second barrier region B2.

[0146] The rib body 222 may protrude from the contact portion 221 in the third direction Z and have a cross section corresponding to that of the contact portion 221. Therefore, the rib body 222 may include a plurality of bent portions, like the contact portion 221, and thus, the rib body 222 may protrude in the third direction Z while extending meanderingly in the second direction Y. In addition, the rib body 222 may extend in the second direction Y so as to protrude obliquely in the third direction Z.

[0147] The plurality of bent portions of the rib body 222 neither restricts the flow of air entering the plurality of holes 210 nor blocks the plurality of holes 210 , thereby allowing air flow to flow smoothly, which helps to improve the exhaust efficiency of the air conditioner 1 .

[0148] Although some embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, comprising: The main body, suspended from or embedded in the ceiling; a housing coupled to a lower portion of the main body and provided to be exposed from the ceiling, the housing comprising a plurality of support members; an inlet provided in a lower portion of the housing to draw air into the body from outside the body; an outlet provided in the lower portion of the housing to discharge the air after heat exchange to the outside of the body; a heat exchanger provided in the body; a blower provided in the main body to forcibly flow air; and a vane configured to open and close the outlet, the vane comprising: main body; a plurality of holes formed in the body of the blade, the plurality of holes comprising a first hole, a second hole, and a third hole, the first hole, the second hole, and the third hole being any three holes of the plurality of holes adjacent to each other to form an equilateral triangle; and a plurality of ribs formed in the body of the blade, each of the ribs being configured to be rotatably supported by each of the support members, wherein the housing includes a panel inlet and a panel outlet, the panel inlet being arranged to correspond to the inlet to prevent foreign matter from entering the interior of the body, and the panel outlet being arranged to correspond to the outlet and provided to be covered with the blade, wherein the plurality of support members are provided in the panel outlet, the plurality of support members are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the panel outlet having a relatively long length, each of the support members extending in a width direction of the panel outlet having a relatively short length and including a hole-shaped blade fixing portion, Each of the ribs comprises: a rib body protruding from the body of the blade toward the housing; and A coupling portion protrudes from the rib main body in a direction crossing a protruding direction of the rib main body and is rotatably inserted into the blade fixing portion.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, in, The plurality of holes are continuously arranged in the blade in the same pattern as the first holes, the second holes, and the third holes.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, in, The pattern of the plurality of holes includes a first row extending in a first direction and a second row spaced apart from the first row in a second direction and extending in the first direction, and The first row and the second row are formed as a straight line.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein: The pattern of the plurality of holes includes a first column extending in the second direction and a second column spaced apart from the first column in the first direction and extending in the second direction, and The first column and the second column extend in a Z shape.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, in, The blade includes a blocking region in which the plurality of holes are not formed, and The blocking region includes a first blocking region formed between the first row and the second row in the first direction and a second blocking region formed between the first column and the second column in the second direction.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising: a blade drive unit configured to generate a rotational force, and Wherein, the blade is configured to receive the rotational force from the blade driving unit.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 1, in, The number of the ribs is the same as the number of the supporting members.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising: The filter member filters foreign matter from the air entering the interior of the main body through the inlet.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 8, The panel access is configured to be opened relative to the housing to remove the filter member from the air conditioner.

10. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising: A drain cover is configured to collect condensed water generated from the heat exchanger.

11. The air conditioner according to claim 1, in, A distance between mutually adjacent centers of the plurality of holes is twice a diameter of each of the plurality of holes.

12. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising: The air guide is disposed on the outlet and configured to guide the air discharged from the outlet.

13. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein: When the vane is in the open position, the vane directs air to be discharged through the outlet, and The vane causes air to be exhausted through the plurality of apertures when the vane is in the closed position.

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