Double shutter arrangement

Abstract

A louver arrangement (20) is provided that is configured to be attached to an air conditioner. The louver arrangement includes a first main louver (22) and a second crank louver (24). The main louver and the crank louver are rotatably connected to each other. Thereby, the main louver and the crank louver work in cooperation. The main louver is configured to direct a main airflow from an outlet of the air conditioner when installed on the air conditioner, and the crank louver is configured to be positioned closer to a lower wall of the outlet of the air conditioner when installed on the air conditioner and is configured to be able to deflect a small portion of the airflow onto the main louver in at least some positions when in use on the air conditioner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an air conditioner. It also relates to a louver arrangement configured to be attached to the air conditioner. This louver arrangement can be used to regulate the output airflow from the air conditioner. Background Technology

[0002] Air conditioning is a common expression for adjusting air to a desired state. It can heat air in cold weather, cool air in warmer weather, or purify air if it contains unwanted particles. However, the term "air conditioning" is most often used when cooling is emphasized. As a product, air conditioners can appear in various forms and be used in various ways, but they all share the same basic technology. Air conditioners include a compressor, condenser, evaporator, and typically also an expansion unit.

[0003] There are different types of air conditioners. One type of air conditioner can be called a split air conditioner. In a split air conditioner, the condenser and evaporator are located in two separate units, which are interconnected via pipes to allow refrigerant to circulate from one unit to the other.

[0004] Another type of air conditioner can be called a packaged air conditioner. A packaged air conditioner (AC) can be described as a self-contained system in which all cooling cycle components, such as the compressor, condenser, expansion unit, evaporator, and control system, are enclosed in a single package.

[0005] In any case, what air conditioners ultimately output is conditioned air that is blown into a room or some other space. Typically, it is expected that the air is delivered in sufficient quantity with low noise, and that the air delivery process is also expected to be highly energy efficient.

[0006] To direct air into a room, so-called louvers can be used at the air outlet of an air conditioner. Therefore, a louver can be described as a movable element configured to deflect air blown by the air conditioner's fan. One or more such movable elements or louvers can be installed at the air outlet. Multiple louvers can deflect airflow and direct it in a specific direction.

[0007] Venetian blinds are particularly important in air conditioning / heat pump units because their ability to deliver conditioned air in different directions can significantly improve the performance of the air conditioner and user comfort.

[0008] According to some implementations, a horizontal louver that can be adjusted (automatically or manually) to guide air vertically can be combined with a plurality of vertical louvers that can be adjusted (automatically or manually) to guide air laterally. This will allow for 3D air guidance.

[0009] There has always been a desire to improve air conditioners. Therefore, an improved air conditioner is needed, as well as a type of louver for the air conditioner. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The object of this invention is to provide an improved air conditioner. In particular, the object of this invention is to improve the use and maintenance of air conditioners equipped with louvers. A further object of this invention is to provide an improved louver arrangement for air conditioners.

[0011] These and other objectives are achieved by means of the air conditioner and louver arrangement set forth in the appended claims.

[0012] According to the present invention, a louver arrangement is provided, configured to be attached to an air conditioner. The louver arrangement includes a first main louver and a second crank louver. The main louver and the crank louver are rotatably connected to each other. Thus, the main louver and the crank louver work cooperatively. The main louver is configured to guide the main airflow from the air conditioner outlet when installed on the air conditioner, and the crank louver is configured to be positioned closer to the lower wall of the air conditioner outlet when installed on the air conditioner and is configured to deflect a small portion of the airflow onto the main louver at least in some positions when used on the air conditioner.

[0013] This is advantageous, for example, when the air conditioner is in cooling mode. The main louvers can then be positioned in the area of ​​fastest air movement within the air conditioner's outlet and are responsible for guiding the airflow. Conversely, crank louvers positioned closer to the lower wall of the outlet can guide slower-moving air in that area of ​​the outlet in a manner that helps prevent condensation on the main louvers under certain temperature and humidity conditions, and also contributes to increasing the overall airflow at the air conditioner's outlet.

[0014] According to one embodiment, a louver link connecting the main louver to the crank louver and a slot connecting the main louver are provided. This provides an easily implementable mechanism for moving the main louver and the crank louver.

[0015] According to one embodiment, a sliding crank is provided, having a member at one end adapted to slide in a slot. This can facilitate movement of the main louver. A first rotating member can be provided at the second end of the sliding crank.

[0016] According to one embodiment, a second rotating member is provided attached to the louver link. This allows the entire louver arrangement to be easily removed.

[0017] According to some embodiments, the first rotating member and / or the second rotating member are connected to a stepper motor. Thus, the louver arrangement can be motor-driven, and the louver arrangement can be positioned in different operating modes without manual operation.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the crank louver has a bent cross-section. This allows air to flow on both sides of the crank louver. This is particularly advantageous when the louver arrangement is in a position for air cooling, as condensation on the crank louver can then be reduced or eliminated. For example, the crank louver can have an S-shaped cross-section.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the crank louver and the louver linkage are formed as a single unit. This facilitates manufacturing and assembly.

[0020] According to one embodiment, at least two louver links are provided along the length of the main louver. Stability can be improved by repeating the louver links multiple times (e.g., twice, three times, or four times) along the length of the main louver.

[0021] The present invention also relates to an air conditioner including the louver arrangement described above. The air conditioner may have a louver arrangement at its air outlet.

[0022] According to one embodiment, when the louver arrangement includes a first rotating member and a second rotating member, and when stepper motors are connected to each of the first and second rotating members, both stepper motors are located at the end sections of the louver arrangement. This is highly advantageous for assembly, as the louver arrangement can be snapped onto the motors. Furthermore, the motors can be positioned close to the controller used to control them, and wiring for the motors is also convenient. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 This is a view of an air conditioner with louvered blinds.

[0025] Figure 2 It is a 3D diagram of the venetian blind arrangement.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional side view of the louver arrangement.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional side view of the louver arrangement installed in an air conditioner.

[0028] Figures 5 to 7 This is a cross-sectional side view of the louvers installed in the air conditioner, arranged in different operating modes, and

[0029] Figure 8 It is a three-dimensional view of the louver arrangement and the motor used to drive the louver arrangement. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The invention will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated. However, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be comprehensive and complete, and will fully demonstrate the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. For example, the same or similar components in different embodiments may be interchanged between different embodiments. For example, the louver arrangement described herein is shown as mounted on the indoor unit of a split-type air conditioner, but louvers can be similarly mounted on any type of air conditioner. Some components may be omitted in different embodiments. Similarly, some components typically used in air conditioners have been omitted to more clearly illustrate the invention. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements.

[0031] exist Figure 1 The image depicts a front view of the air conditioner 10. Figure 1 The air conditioner 10 is the indoor unit of a split-type air conditioner, but it can be any type of air conditioner. The air conditioner 10 includes a frame 12 that houses the components of the air conditioner. The air conditioner typically includes a fan configured to blow air out of the air conditioner 10 via an air outlet 16. The air outlet 16 is provided with a louver arrangement 20. The louver arrangement 20 can be moved using a shifting mechanism configured to move the louvers to different positions.

[0032] In use, a shifting mechanism can be used to move the louver arrangement 20 between different positions. This allows the air-guiding louvers 20 to have a wide range of movement and thus the possibility of air guidance. Figure 1 The louver arrangement 20 includes two louvers 22 and 24, which form a double louver arrangement, as will be described in more detail below. The first louver 22 will be referred to herein as the main louver 22, and the second louver 24 will be referred to herein as the crank louver 24.

[0033] exist Figure 2In the exemplary embodiment of the louver arrangement 20, it is shown disconnected from the air conditioner. The main louvers 22 and the crank louvers 24 of the louver arrangement 20 are interconnected and driven by a shifting mechanism (also referred to as a drive mechanism 26). Therefore, when the drive mechanism 26 is actuated, the main louvers 22 and the crank louvers 24 move in a coordinated manner. Figure 2 As illustrated, the drive mechanism 26 can be positioned at several locations along the length of the main louver 22. This improves the stability of the louver mechanism. In some embodiments, components of the drive mechanism are repeated at least two or at least four times along the length of the main louver 22.

[0034] exist Figure 3 The image shows a louver arrangement 20 in... Figure 2 A side view of the section marked A. Figure 3 The exemplary embodiment illustrates how the main components of the drive mechanism 26 can be implemented to enable the main louver 22 and the crank louver 24 to work together collaboratively. In the exemplary embodiment, the main louver 22 and the crank louver 24 are interconnected by a crank 32. The crank can be rigidly connected to the crank louver 24. The crank 32 can appear multiple times along the length of the main louver, such as... Figure 2 As shown. According to one embodiment, (multiple) cranks 32 are integrated with the crank louver 24 and may be integrally formed, for example. Advantageously, the connection between the cranks 32 and the main louver is a rotatable connection formed by a rotatable member 34. The rotatable member 34 may be formed, for example, by a pin or screw. To allow the louver arrangement to move between different positions, two rotatable members 36 and 38 may be provided. The first rotatable member 36 may be configured to move the main louver 22 between different positions, while the second rotatable member 38 may be configured to move the crank louver 24 between different positions. According to some embodiments, these rotatable members are motor-driven. When the rotatable members 36 and 38 are motor-driven, these rotatable members may be connected to the drive shaft of the motor, or may even be formed by the drive shaft of the motor.

[0035] exist Figure 4 The image shows a louver arrangement 20 when installed at the air outlet of the air conditioner 10, in a cross-sectional side view. The crank louver 24 is positioned closer to the lower wall 17 of the air outlet than the main louver 22. This allows the crank louver 24 to deflect a small portion of the airflow onto the main louver 22 when used on the air conditioner 10. This will be described in more detail below. Figure 4 This further demonstrates how the drive mechanism can be implemented. Figure 4In the illustrated embodiment, slot 39 can be configured to connect to main veil 22. A component 35 (e.g., pin 35) can move within slot 39. Component 35 (in this case, pin 35) is connected to sliding crank 37. Sliding crank 37 is then driven by rotating component 36. Thus, rotation of rotating component 36 can be converted into movement of the main veil, as will be illustrated below.

[0036] exist Figure 5 In the diagram, the louver arrangement 20 is shown moved to the open position, thereby allowing air to exit from the vent 16. The mobility provided by the mechanism described herein allows the main louver 22 and the crank louver 24 to be positioned in a manner that minimizes the resistance to the outlet airflow caused by the main louver and the crank louver, thereby allowing the air conditioner to provide the maximum amount of airflow, thus maximizing the flow rate.

[0037] exist Figure 6 In this diagram, the louver arrangement 20 is shown moved to a position for use in the heating mode of the air conditioner 10. The mobility provided by the mechanism described herein allows the main louvers 22 and the crank louvers 24 to be positioned such that they can guide air at a very steep (near vertical) downward angle. This is advantageous because hot air is guided to the floor and then naturally rises to the ceiling, resulting in a more even temperature distribution within the room. This position can also be used in cooling mode as a way to avoid air being blown directly onto the user.

[0038] exist Figure 7 In the diagram, the louver arrangement 20 is shown moved to a position for use in the cooling mode of the air conditioner 10. In cooling mode, cool air is discharged from the air outlet 16. The cool air lowers the surface temperature of the main louver 22. When the air conditioner is used in a humid environment, condensation will occur on the cold surface of the main louver 22. There is a risk that water will begin to drip from the main louver 22, which is generally undesirable. To prevent (or at least reduce) this condensation on the main louver 22, the crank louver 24 is positioned, at least in some positions (e.g., the cooling mode position), to deflect some of the air discharged from the air outlet, causing the airflow to avoid the surface of the main louver 22. By allowing air to flow around the surface of the main louver 22, humid air can be removed, and condensation occurs less or no more. This can be achieved by positioning the crank louver 24 closer to the lower wall 17 of the air conditioner outlet than the main louver 22. Thus, when used on the air conditioner 10, the crank louver 24 can deflect a small portion of the airflow discharged through the air outlet 16 onto the main louver.

[0039] Furthermore, the crank louver 24 can be formed into a curved or bent shape (as in...). Figure 7(As seen in the side view section) to reduce or eliminate condensation on the crank louver 24. Therefore, when the crank louver is in certain positions, especially when the crank louver is in the air conditioner's cooling mode (e.g., ... Figure 7 When the crank louver 24 is in the middle, it allows air to flow on both sides of the crank louver 24. The shape of the crank louver 24 can be, for example, an S-shape (as seen from a side view) or some other shape that allows air to flow on both sides of the crank louver 24.

[0040] exist Figure 8 In the diagram, the louver arrangement 20 is shown to be driven by motors 41 and 42. As explained above, the rotating members 36 and 38 can be motor-driven. Here, motor 41 drives the rotating member 36, which moves the main louver 24, and motor 42 drives the rotating member 38, which moves the crank louver 24. Motors 41 and 42 can be stepper motors to allow for precise positioning of the louver arrangement 20 in response to the air conditioner's setting mode.

Claims

1. A louver arrangement (20) configured to be attached to an air conditioner (10), the louver arrangement comprising: -Main blinds (22). - Crank louvers (24), among which The main louver and the crank louver are rotatably connected to each other, and wherein, The main louver is configured to guide the main airflow from the air conditioner outlet (16) when installed on the air conditioner, and wherein, The crank louver is configured to be positioned closer to the lower wall (17) of the air conditioner outlet when installed on the air conditioner, and is configured to deflect a small portion of the airflow onto the main louver when used on the air conditioner. The louver arrangement (20) further includes: The louver link (32) connects the main louver to the crank louver. The slot (39) is connected to the main louver. A sliding crank (37) has a component (35) at one end suitable for sliding in the slot. The sliding crank is provided with a first rotating component (36) at its second end. The connection between the louver link (32) and the main louver (22) is a rotatable connection formed by a rotatable component (34).

2. The louver arrangement (20) according to claim 1 further includes a second rotating member (38) attached to the louver link (32).

3. The louver arrangement (20) according to claim 2, wherein, The first rotating component and / or the second rotating component are connected to the stepper motor (41, 42).

4. The louver arrangement (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The crank louver (24) has a bent cross section.

5. The louver arrangement (20) according to claim 4, wherein, The crank louver (24) has an S-shaped cross section.

6. The louver arrangement (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The crank louver (24) and the louver connecting rod (32) are formed as a single unit.

7. The louver arrangement (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, At least two louver links (32) are installed along the length of the main louver.

8. An air conditioner (10) comprising a louver arrangement (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The air conditioner (10) according to claim 8, wherein the louver arrangement (20) includes a first rotating member and a second rotating member (36, 38) and wherein a stepper motor (41, 42) is connected to each of the first rotating member and the second rotating member, wherein, Both stepper motors (41, 42) are located at the end sections of the louver arrangement.

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