Air conditioner

Abstract

An air conditioner is disclosed. The air conditioner disclosed herein may comprise: a housing comprising an air inlet hole and an air discharge hole; a heat exchanger arranged in the housing; a blower fan which discharges air having exchanged heat with the heat exchanger through the air discharge hole; a blade device which is arranged in the housing and adjusts the transport direction of the air transferred to the air discharge hole by the blower fan; and a driving motor providing the blade device with a driving power. The blade device comprises: a link connected to the driving motor; a plurality of blades arranged at certain intervals along the lengthwise direction of the link; and a plurality of connection portions which connect the plurality of blades and the link and are formed to be bent at least once.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The disclosure relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an air conditioner that includes an integrated vertical blade structure that adjusts a direction of an air current discharged from the air conditioner.[Background Art]

[0002] An air conditioner is a device that adjusts a temperature, humidity, an air current, distribution, etc. which are fit for people to do activities using a refrigeration cycle. As main components of a refrigeration cycle, a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, a blower fan, etc. are provided.

[0003] An air conditioner may be divided into a separation type air conditioner wherein an indoor unit and an outdoor unit are installed separately, and an integration type air conditioner wherein an indoor unit and an outdoor unit are installed together in one cabinet. Between the two, an indoor unit of a separation type air conditioner includes a heat exchanger that exchanges heat of air absorbed inside a panel, and a blower fan that absorbs indoor air inside the panel and blows the absorbed air to the indoors. An indoor unit of an air conditioner includes a vertical blade that adjusts a direction of an air current discharged inside in left and right directions, and a horizontal blade that adjusts a direction of an air current in up and down directions.[Disclosure of Invention][Solution to Problem]

[0004] An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a housing including an air inlet hole and an air discharge hole, a heat exchanger arranged in the housing, a blower fan configured to discharge air of which heat was exchanged with the heat exchanger through the air discharge hole, a blade device which is arranged in the housing and is configured to adjust a transfer direction of air transferred to the air discharge hole by the blower fan, and a driving motor configured to provide a driving force to the blade device. The blade device may include a link connected to the driving motor, a plurality of blades arranged at intervals along a longitudinal direction of the link, and a plurality of connection parts which are configured to connect the plurality of blades and the link, and are formed to be bent at least once.

[0005] Each of the plurality of connection parts may include a first portion connected with the plurality of blades, a second portion connected with the link, and a third portion configured to connect the first portion and the second portion with each other. A minimum width of the first portion and a minimum width of the second portion may be less than a maximum width of the third portion.

[0006] The minimum width of the first portion and the minimum width of the second portion may be 0.4 times to 0.7 times the maximum width of the third portion.

[0007] A point where the first portion and the third portion meet and a point where the second portion and the third portion meet may respectively comprise a tangent.

[0008] An angle between the first portion and the second portion may be 60 degrees to 120 degrees.

[0009] The length of the first portion and the length of the second portion may be different.

[0010] The first portion or the second portion may include a bent part. The bent part may be rounded.

[0011] The thickness of the plurality of connection parts may be less than the thickness of the plurality of blades. The thickness of each of the plurality of connection parts may be 0.4mm to 0.6mm.

[0012] Each of the plurality of connection parts may include a first portion connected with the plurality of blades, a second portion connected with the link, a fourth portion arranged between the first portion and the second portion, a fifth portion configured to connect the first portion and the fourth portion with each other, and a third portion configured to connect the second portion and the fourth portion with each other. A minimum width of the first portion and a minimum width of the fourth portion may be less than a maximum width of the fifth portion. A minimum width of the second portion and a minimum width of the fourth portion may be less than a maximum width of the third portion.

[0013] The minimum width of the first portion and the minimum width of the fourth portion may be 0.4 times to 0.7 times the maximum width of the fifth portion. The minimum width of the second portion and the minimum width of the fourth portion may be 0.4 times to 0.7 times the maximum width of the third portion.

[0014] A point where the first portion and the fifth portion meet, a point where the fourth portion and the fifth portion meet, a point where the second portion and the third portion meet, and a point where the fourth portion and the third portion meet may respectively comprise a tangent.

[0015] The connection parts may have an S shape.

[0016] The link, the plurality of blades, and the plurality of connection parts may be formed integrally.

[0017] The plurality of connection parts may be arranged in parallel to the plurality of blades.[Brief Description of Drawings]

[0018] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the disclosure; FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a blade device of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the disclosure; FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view illustrating a blade device of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the disclosure; FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view illustrating an example wherein a blade device of an air conditioner is connected to a lower housing according to an embodiment of the disclosure; FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a blade device of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the disclosure; FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a blade device of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the disclosure; FIG. 7 is a diagram that enlarged the A portion illustrated in FIG. 6; FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example wherein a blade rotates when a blade device of an air conditioner operates according to an embodiment of the disclosure; FIG. 9 is a diagram that enlarged a connection part of a blade device of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the disclosure; FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating a blade device of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 are diagrams illustrating connection parts in various shapes of a blade according to comparative examples. [Mode for Invention]

[0019] The features illustrated in the various example embodiments and the drawings described in the disclosure are merely one or more example embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, and on the time point of filing of the disclosure, there may be various modified embodiments that can replace the example embodiments and the drawings of this disclosure.

[0020] The same reference numerals or symbols suggested in each drawing of this disclosure refer to components or elements performing substantially the same functions.

[0021] In addition, the terms used in this disclosure are used to describe various embodiments, and are not intended to restrict and / or limit the disclosure. Further, singular expressions include plural expressions, unless defined clearly differently in the context. In the disclosure, terms such as "include" and "have" should be understood as designating that there are such characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or a combination thereof described in the disclosure, but not as excluding in advance the existence or possibility of adding one or more of other characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or a combination thereof.

[0022] Also, terms including ordinal numbers such as "the first," "the second," and the like used in the disclosure may be used to describe various elements, but the elements are not limited by the terms, and the terms are used simply to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first element may be called a second element, and a second element may be called a first element in a similar manner, without departing from the scope of protection of the disclosure. In addition, the term "and / or" includes a combination of a plurality of related items described, or any one item among a plurality of related items described. Further, singular expressions include plural expressions, unless there are clear exceptions.

[0023] In addition, the terms "a front end," "a rear end," "an upper part," "a lower part," "a front surface," "a rear surface," "an upper end," "a lower end," "an X axis direction," "a Y axis direction," "a Z axis direction," etc. used in the following description were defined based on the drawings, and the shapes and the locations of each element are not limited by these terms.

[0024] An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include an in-ceiling type structure that is used by being embedded in a ceiling. However, a blade device provided to an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the disclosure may not only be applied to an in-ceiling type air conditioner, but also to each of a wall-mounted type air conditioner and a stand type air conditioner.

[0025] Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to various embodiments of the disclosure will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0027] An air conditioner 1 may include a housing 10, a blower fan 40 that circulates air to the inside or the outside of the housing 10, a heat exchanger 50 that exchanges heat with air introduced inside the housing 10, and a blade device 100 that adjusts a direction of air discharged outside the housing 10.

[0028] The housing 10 may form the overall outer appearance of the air conditioner 1. Inside the housing 10, the blower fan 40, the heat exchanger 50, and the blade device 100 may be arranged. The housing 10 may include a lower housing 20 that is exposed to the outer side of a ceiling 3 (a lower side direction of a ceiling 3), and an upper housing 30 that is coupled to the upper part of the lower housing 20 and is arranged on the inner side of the ceiling 3 (the upper side of the ceiling 3).

[0029] On the lower housing 20, an air inlet hole 21 through which air is introduced inside the housing 10, and an air discharge hole 23 through which air of which heat was exchanged inside the housing 10 is discharged outside the housing 10 may be formed. The air inlet hole 21 and the air discharge hole 23 may be formed along a longitudinal direction of the lower housing 20. In this case, the air inlet hole 21 and the air discharge hole 23 may be arranged to be approximately parallel at an interval.

[0030] A first filter assembly 25 for performing the first filtering of air introduced inside the housing 10 may be coupled to the air inlet hole 21 of the lower housing 20. On the inner side of the lower housing 20, a second filter assembly 27 that is arranged to be adjacent to the first filter assembly 25 may be provided.

[0031] A horizontal blade 29 that can open or close the air discharge hole 25 may be provided on the air discharge hole 25 of the lower housing 20. The rear end part of the horizontal blade 29 may be hinge-connected to the lower housing 20. The horizontal blade 29 may be provided with power from a driving motor provided inside the housing 10, and rotate centered around a hinge point. In this case, the front end part of the horizontal blade 29 may move in up and down directions. The horizontal blade 29 may adjust a discharge direction of air that is discharged from the inside of the housing 10 to the outside of the housing 10 in up and down directions.

[0032] The upper housing 30 may be coupled to the upper part of the lower housing 20. The upper housing 30 may form an accommodation space 11 wherein the blower fan 40, the heat exchanger 50, and the blade device 100 can be provided together with the lower housing 20.

[0033] The blower fan 40 may be arranged inside the housing 10. The blower fan 40 may be a cross flow fan that has the same longitudinal direction as the longitudinal direction of the housing 10. The blower fan 40 may absorb air existing outside the lower housing 20 from the air inlet hole 21 to the accommodation space 11 of the housing 10, and discharge the air through the air discharge hole 23.

[0034] The heat exchanger 50 may be arranged between the air inlet hole 21 and the blower fan 40. External air may be absorbed into the air inlet hole 21 by the blower fan 40, and exchange heat with the heat exchanger 50, and may then be discharged outside the housing 10 through the air discharge hole 23. In the lower part of the heat exchanger 50, a drain panel may be provided such that moisture condensed in the heat exchanger 50 can be accumulated. The drain panel may be connected with a drain hose connected to the outside of the housing 10, and discharge moisture condensed in the heat exchanger 50 to the outside of the housing 10.

[0035] The blade device 100 may be arranged inside the housing 10, and adjust the direction of air transferred to the air discharge hole 23 by the blower fan 40 in left and right directions. The blade device 100 may be located between the blower fan 40 and the horizontal blade 29.

[0036] Hereinafter, the blade device 100 will be explained in greater detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a blade device of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an example wherein a blade device of an air conditioner is connected with a driving motor through a hinge according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view illustrating an example wherein a blade device of an air conditioner is connected to a lower housing according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 2, the blade device 100 may include a plurality of vertical blades 110, a link 130, and a plurality of connection parts 150 connecting the plurality of blades 110 and the link 130. For example, in the blade device 100, the plurality of blades 110, the link 130, and the plurality of connection parts 150 may be formed integrally by injection molding.

[0038] The plurality of blades 110 may be arranged at certain intervals along the longitudinal direction of the link 130. In this case, the plurality of blades 110 may be arranged at a certain interval, but are not limited thereto. For example, the intervals among the plurality of blades 110 may be set to get gradually broader as it is more to a direction that approximately gets farther from the center. The intervals of the plurality of blades 110 can be set diversely according to the length of the air conditioner 1, the size of a space wherein the air conditioner 1 is installed, etc.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 3, the plurality of blades 110 may be arranged approximately vertically with respect to the longitudinal direction of the horizontal blade 29 (the Y axis direction). The plurality of blades 110 may be connected to a plurality of axis protrusions 28 provided in the lower housing 20. The plurality of blades 110 may include a coupling part 120 that is separably coupled to the axis protrusions 28 of the lower housing 20.

[0040] The plurality of blades 110 may rotate in a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction along the longitudinal direction of the plurality of axis protrusions 28 (the X axis direction). In this case, the plurality of blades 110 may rotate in the same direction simultaneously, and guide air transferred to the air discharge hole 23 by the blower fan 40 to the left side or the right side. Accordingly, the air discharged outside the housing 10 through the air discharge hole 23 may be blown to the left side or the right side direction of the air conditioner 1.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 4, the link 130 may be connected with the plurality of blades 110 integrally by the plurality of connection parts 150. The link 130 may receive a rotational force generated in the driving motor 200 by the hinge 300, and move to the left side or the right side along the longitudinal direction of the link 130.

[0042] To one end part of the link 130, a slot 133 to which a connection axis 310 protruding from one surface of the hinge 300 is rotatably coupled may be provided. On the other surface of the hinge 300, a coupling groove 330 to which a driving axis 210 of the driving motor 200 is coupled may be provided. The driving motor 200 may include a reducer for reducing the rotation speed of the driving axis 210. The driving motor 200 may be driven to perform a forward rotation or a reverse rotation.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 5, the link 130 may receive a driving force of the driving motor 200 through the hinge 300, and move by a certain distance to the left side or the right side along the Y axis direction. In this case, the plurality of blades 110 may rotate by a certain angle to the left side or the right side based on the plurality of axis protrusions 28 by the plurality of connection parts 150.

[0044] All of the plurality of blades 110 may have the same shape. Hereinafter, one blade 110 will be explained with reference to the drawings.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a side view of a blade device of an air conditioner according to various embodiments.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 6, on the upper front end 111 of the blade 110, the coupling part 120 may be provided integrally. The coupling part 120 may include a circular groove 121 (refer to FIG. 5) such that the axis protrusion 28 of the lower housing 20 can be rotatably coupled.

[0047] The lower front end 113 of the blade 110 is in a location that is caved in to the left side based on the upper front end 111 of the blade 110 as in FIG. 5, such that a space occupied by the connection part 150 connecting the blade 110 and the link 130 can be secured.

[0048] The lower part of the blade 110 may be pulled to the moving direction of the link 130 through the connection part 150. Accordingly, the blade 110 may rotate centered around the axis protrusion 28 of the lower housing 20. The blade may rotate in a direction corresponding to the moving direction of the link 130, and guide the direction of air transferred by the blower fan 40 to the left side or the right side of the air conditioner 1.

[0049] The plurality of connection parts 150 may have the same shape. Hereinafter, one connection part 150 will be explained with reference to the drawings.

[0050] FIG. 7 is a diagram that enlarged the A portion illustrated in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example wherein a blade rotates when a blade device of an air conditioner operates according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 7, one end 150-1 of the connection part 150 may be connected to the link 130, and the other end 150-2 may be connected to the lower front end 113 of the plurality of blades 110. The connection part 150 may be arranged to be approximately parallel to the blades 110.

[0052] The connection part 150 may include a thin film such that its shape can be modified by a movement of the link 130. For example, the thickness of the connection part 150 (0.4mm to 0.6mm) may be modified. In case the thickness of the connection part 150 is smaller than 0.4mm, durability may be reduced, and thus the connection part 150 may be torn easily, and in case the thickness of the connection part 150 exceeds 0.6mm, flexibility may be reduced, and thus a torque load applied to the driving motor 200 for rotating the blade 110 increases.

[0053] The blade 110 may have greater thickness than the thickness of the connection part 150 (e.g., 1mm to 1.2mm) such that its shape is not changed by a movement of the link 130.

[0054] One end of the connection part 150 may move along a direction wherein the link 130 moves when the link 130 moves to the left side or the right side. In this case, the displacement of the one end 150-1 of the connection part 150 is bigger than the displacement of the other end 150-2 of the plurality of connection parts 150.

[0055] The connection part 150 may include a first portion 151 connected with the link 130, a second portion 152 connected with the blade 110, and a third portion 153 connecting the first portion 151 and the second portion 152 with each other.

[0056] One end of the first portion 151 of the connection part 150 may be the other end 150-1 of the connection part 150. One end of the first portion 151 of the connection part 150 may be connected to the link 130 integrally. The other end of the first portion 151 of the connection part 150 may be connected to the third portion 153 of the connection part 150 integrally. The connection part 150 may have a shape that is bent at least once.

[0057] In the first portion 151 of the connection part 150, a first neck 151-1 adjacent to the third portion 153 of the connection part 150 may be provided. The first neck 151-1 may have the minimum width W1 in the entire areas of the first portion 151 of the connection part 150. In the second portion 152 of the connection part 150, a second neck 152-1 adjacent to the third portion 153 of the connection part 150 may be provided. The second neck 152-1 may have the minimum width W2 in the entire areas of the second portion 152 of the connection part 150.

[0058] The minimum width W1 of the first neck 151-1 and the minimum width W2 of the second neck 152-1 may be less than the maximum width W3 of the third portion 153 of the connection part 150. For example, the minimum width W1 of the first neck 151-1 may be 0.4 times to 0.7 times of the maximum width W3 of the third portion 153 of the connection part 150.

[0059] In case the minimum width W1 of the first neck 151-1 is less than 0.4 times of the maximum width W3 of the third portion 153 of the connection part 150, as durability is reduced, the first neck 151-1 may be torn or cut off. In case the minimum width W1 of the first neck 151-1 exceeds 0.7 times of the maximum width W3 of the third portion 153 of the connection part 150, as flexibility is reduced, the first neck 151-1 is not modified to a desired degree in association with a movement of the link 130, and thus a torque load on the driving motor 200 increases.

[0060] The minimum width W2 of the second neck 152-1 may be 0.4 times to 0.7 times of the maximum width W3 of the third portion 153 of the connection part 150, like the minimum width W1 of the first neck 151-1.

[0061] The first portion 151 of the connection part 150 and the third portion 153 of the connection part 150 may include a tangent. Accordingly, a discontinuous point is not generated on a point wherein the first portion 151 of the connection part 150 and the third portion 153 of the connection part 150 meet, and thus stress concentration can be minimized or improved, and durability of the point wherein the first portion 151 of the connection part 150 and the third portion 153 of the connection part 150 meet can thereby be improved.

[0062] The second portion 152 of the connection part 150 and the third portion 153 of the connection part 150 may comprise a tangent. Accordingly, a discontinuous point is not generated on a point wherein the second portion 152 of the connection part 150 and the third portion 153 of the connection part 150 meet, and thus stress concentration can be minimized or improved, and durability of the point wherein the second portion 152 of the connection part 150 and the third portion 153 of the connection part 150 meet can thereby be improved.

[0063] Meanwhile, the entire outer rim of the control part 150 may include curved lines and straight lines, and a point wherein a curved line and a curved line meet and a point wherein a straight line and a curved line meet may comprise a tangent.

[0064] The length of the first portion 151 of the connection part 150 may be bigger than the length of the second portion 152 of the connection part 150. In the first portion 151 of the connection part 150, a shape that continues from a side connected to the link 130 to a side connected to the third portion 153 of the connection part 150 may have a certain curvature. For example, the first portion 151 of the connection part 150 may approximately have an L shape (e.g., a shape of an alphabet L), and a bent part may be formed to be rounded.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 8, by a difference between the length of the first portion 151 and the length of the second portion 152 of the connection part 150, the degree of modification (e.g., the bending degree) of the first portion 151 of the connection part 150 may be bigger than the degree of modification of the second portion 152 of the connection part 150.

[0066] The hinge 300 may rotate by a certain angle in a clockwise direction by a rotational force of the driving motor 200. The link 130 may move by a certain distance to the left side along the Y axis direction in association with a rotation of the hinge 300 in a clockwise direction. The lower part of the blade 110 may be pulled to the left side through the connection part 150, and the blade 110 may rotate in a clockwise direction centered around the axis protrusion 28 of the lower housing 20 connected to the coupling part 120. Accordingly, the moving direction of air transferred through the air discharge hole 23 by the blower fan 40 may be guided by the blade 110 and adjusted to be biased to the left side direction of the air conditioner 1.

[0067] In this case, in the connection part 150, the first portion 151 of the connection part 150 is pulled to the side to which the link 130 moves, and the connection part 150 of a thin film can be modified flexibly, and thus the torque load of the driving motor 200 can be reduced.

[0068] The first portion 151 of the connection part 150 and the second portion 152 of the connection part 150 may be arranged at a certain angle θ as in FIG. 7. For example, the range of the angle θ between the first portion 151 of the connection part 150 and the second portion 152 of the connection part 150 may be 60 degrees to 120 degrees. In case the angle θ between the first portion 151 of the connection part 150 and the second portion 152 of the connection part 150 is less than 60 degrees, the first portion 151 and the second portion 152 of the connection part 150 may respectively get longer toward the upper direction along the Z axis, or the size of the third portion 153 of the connection part 150 gets to increase. The blade device 100 cannot be miniaturized due to increase of the size of the connection part 150. In case the angle θ between the first portion 151 of the connection part 150 and the second portion 152 of the connection part 150 exceeds 120 degrees, the length of each of the first portion 151 of the connection part 150 and the second portion 152 of the connection part 150 decreases. Accordingly, the first portion 151 of the connection part 150 and the second portion 152 of the connection part 150 become a shape approximately closer to a straight line on the whole, and thus it is difficult to secure flexibility to a desired degree, and due to this, there is a problem that the torque load of the driving motor 200 increases.

[0069] In FIG. 7, the angle θ between the first portion 151 of the connection part 150 and the second portion 152 of the connection part 150 may be an angle between the first axis B1 and the second axis B2. The first axis B1 may be a virtual straight line that passes through the center of the first neck 151-1 and the center point P of the third portion 153 of the connection part 150, and the second axis B2 may be a virtual straight line that passes through the center of the second neck 152-1 and the center point P of the third portion 153 of the connection part 150.

[0070] FIG. 9 is a diagram that enlarged a connection part of a blade device of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Most of the components of the connection part 150a illustrated in FIG. 9 are identical to the components of the connection part 150 illustrated in FIG. 6. Hereinafter, the connection part 150a will be explained, and the components that are different from the aforementioned connection part 150 will be described in greater detail.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 9, the connection part 150a may include a first portion 151a, a second portion 152a, and a third portion 153a connecting the first portion 151a and the second portion 152a with each other.

[0072] The length of the first portion 151a of the connection part 150a may be formed to be shorter than the length of the second portion 152a of the connection part 150a. Due to the difference in the lengths of the first portion 151a and the second portion 152a of the connection part 150a, the link 130a may be arranged in a higher location than the location of the link 130 of the aforementioned blade device 100.

[0073] The minimum width of each of the first neck of the first portion 151a of the connection part 150a and the second neck of the second portion 152a of the connection part 150a may be formed to be smaller than the maximum width of the third portion 153a of the connection part 150a. For example, the connection part 150a may be similar to a shape of having rotated the connection part 150 illustrated in FIG. 6 by 180 degrees centered around the Z axis.

[0074] The minimum width of each of the first neck of the first portion 151a of the connection part 150a and the second neck of the second portion 152a of the connection part 150a may be 0.4 times to 0.7 times of the maximum width of the third portion 153a. Also, an angle between the first portion 151a and the second portion 152a of the connection part 150a may be 60 degrees to 120 degrees. Accordingly, the connection part 150a may have flexibility and durability.

[0075] FIG. 10 is a diagram that enlarged a connection part of a blade device of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 10, the connection part 160 may be formed to have longer length than the connection part 150 illustrated in FIG. 6. The connection part 160 may include a first portion 161, a second portion 162, a third portion 163, a fourth portion 164, and a fifth portion 165. In this case, the connection part 160 may approximately have an S shape (e.g., a shape of an alphabet S).

[0077] The first portion 161 of the connection part 160 may be connected to the link 130b, and the second portion 162 of the connection part 160 may be connected to the blade 110, and the fourth portion 164 of the connection part 160 may be arranged between the first portion 161 and the second portion 162 of the connection part 160. In this case, the first portion 161 of the connection part 160 may be connected to one end of the fourth portion 164 of the connection part 160 by the fifth portion 165 of the connection part 160. The second portion 162 of the connection part 160 may be connected to the other end of the fourth portion 164 of the connection part 160 by the third portion 163 of the connection part 160.

[0078] In this case, the minimum width W11 of the first portion 161 of the connection part 160 and the minimum width W14 of the fourth portion 164 of the connection part 160 may be less than the maximum width W15 of the fifth portion 165. The minimum width W12 of the second portion 162 of the connection part 160 and the minimum width W14 of the fourth portion 164 of the connection part 160 may be less than the maximum width W13 of the third portion 163. Like this, the connection part 160 may have flexibility and durability in case it includes at least five portions (the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth portions).

[0079] FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 are diagrams illustrating connection parts in various shapes of a blade according to comparative examples.

[0080] The following Table 1 is a computer-aided engineering (CAE) interpretation result that indicates a mechanism load torque, the maximum stress, and the maximum displacement that appears in the connection part 150 of the blade 110 when the blade 110 is rotated in left and right directions by moving the link 130 of the blade device in one direction (a +Y axis direction) and a reverse direction (a -Y axis direction) along the Y axis direction. The table 1 includes a CAE interpretation result that appears in the connection parts of the blades illustrated in FIG. 11 to FIG. 16. [Table 1]Mechanism load torque (gf·cm)Maximum stress (Mpa)Maximum displacement (mm)Embodiment of the disclosure124240.737.87Comparative example 1209143.717.66Comparative example 2195950.147.53Comparative example 3219053.429.76Comparative example 4109041.695.73Comparative example 5157643.187.1Comparative example 6239446.218.6

[0081] The connection part 150 of the blade 110 according to an embodiment of the disclosure in the table 1 approximately has a shape of an alphabet S as in FIG. 6, and the thickness is approximately 0.5mm. In the disclosure, it appeared that the mechanism load torque applied to the connection part 150 is 1242, the maximum stress is 40.73, and the maximum displacement is 7.87.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 11, the connection part 250-1 of the blade 210-1 according to the comparative example 1 approximately has a shape of a straight line along the Z axis direction. One end of the connection part 250-1 of the blade 210-1 is connected to the lower end 211-1 of the blade 210-1 adjacent to the coupling part 220-1, and the other end is connected to the link 230-1. The length L1 of the portion 251-1 wherein the thickness of the connection part 250-1 of the blade 210-1 is 0.45mm in the comparative example 1 is 9.6mm, and the width W1 is 4.5mm. Referring to the table 1, in the comparative example 1, it appeared that the mechanism load torque applied to the connection part 250-1 of the blade 210-1 is 2091, the maximum stress is 43.71, and the maximum displacement is 7.66. The mechanism load torque applied to the connection part 150 of the blade 110 in the disclosure decreased by approximately 41% compared to the mechanism load torque applied to the connection part 250-1 of the blade 210-1 in the comparative example 1, and the maximum stress applied to the connection part 150 of the blade 110 in the disclosure decreased by approximately 7% compared to the maximum stress applied to the connection part 250-1 of the blade 210-1 in the comparative example 1. Accordingly, it can be determined that the durability of the connection part 150 of the blade 110 in the disclosure was improved compared to the connection part 250-1 of the blade 210-1 in the comparative example 1. Also, the maximum stress applied to the connection part 150 of the blade 110 in the disclosure increased by approximately 7% compared to the maximum stress applied to the connection part 250-1 of the blade 210-1 in the comparative example 1. Accordingly, it can be determined that the flexibility of the connection part 150 of the blade 110 in the disclosure was improved compared to the connection part 250-1 of the blade 210-1 in the comparative example 1. In the CAE interpretation result in a case wherein the width W1 of the connection part 250-1 in the comparative example 1 was manufactured as 4.0mm, it appeared that the mechanism load torque is 1876, the maximum stress is 47.63, and the maximum displacement is 7.44. In this case, the mechanism load torque somewhat decreased compared to a case wherein the width W1 of the connection part 250-1 is 4.5mm, but it can be determined that the mechanism load torque is still larger than the mechanism load torque applied to the connection part 150 of the blade 110 in the disclosure (e.g., 1242). Also, it can be determined that the maximum stress rather increased more than a case wherein the width W1 of the connection part 250-1 of the blade 210-1 is 4.5mm. It can be determined that the maximum displacement rather decreased more than a case wherein the width W1 of the connection part 250-1 of the blade 210-1 is 4.5mm.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 12, the connection part 250-2 of the blade 210-2 according to the comparative example 2 is similar to the connection part 250-1 of the blade 210-1 according to the comparative example 1, but is different in that a cut-off part 252-2 in a shape of an alphabet C exists on one side of the portion 251-2 wherein the thickness of the connection part 250-2 of the blade 210-2 is 0.45mm. Referring to the table 1, in the comparative example 2, it appeared that the mechanism load torque applied to the connection part 250-2 of the blade 210-2 is 1959, the maximum stress is 50.14, and the maximum displacement is 7.53. Comparing the mechanism load torques, the maximum stress, and the maximum displacement applied to each of the connection part 150 of the blade 110 in the disclosure and the connection part 250-2 of the blade 210-2 in the comparative example 2, it can be determined that the durability and the flexibility of the connection part 150 of the blade 110 in the disclosure were improved compared to the connection part 250-2 of the blade 210-2 in the comparative example 2.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 13, the connection part 250-3 of the blade 210-3 according to the comparative example 3 approximately has a shape of a straight line along the X axis direction. One end of the connection part 250-3 of the blade 210-3 is connected to the lower front end 213-3 of the blade 210-3, and the other end is connected to the link 230-3. The length L2 of the portion 251-3 wherein the thickness of the connection part 250-3 of the blade 210-3 is 0.45mm in the comparative example 3 is 8mm, and the width W2 is 3mm. Referring to the Table 1, in the comparative example 3, it appeared that the mechanism load torque applied to the connection part 250-3 of the blade 210-3 is 2190, the maximum stress is 53.42, and the maximum displacement is 9.76. The mechanism load torque and the maximum stress of the connection part 250-3 of the blade 210-3 in the comparative example 3 appeared to be higher than the connection part 150 of the blade 110 in the disclosure, and the maximum displacement of the connection part 250-3 of the blade 210-3 in the comparative example 3 appeared to be higher than the connection part 150 of the blade 110 in the disclosure. Accordingly, it can be determined that the connection part 250-3 of the blade 210-3 in the comparative example 3 has higher flexibility than the connection part 150 of the blade 110 in the disclosure, but has noticeably lower durability.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 14, the connection part 250-4 of the blade 210-4 according to the comparative example 4 approximately has a shape of an arc along the Z axis direction. One end of the connection part 250-4 of the blade 210-4 is connected to the lower end 211-4 of the blade 210-4 adjacent to the coupling part 220-4, and the other end is connected to the link 230-4. The maximum width W3 of the connection part 250-4 of the blade 210-4 in the comparative example 4 is 2.4mm. Referring to the Table 1, in the comparative example 4, it appeared that the mechanism load torque applied to the connection part 250-4 is 1090, the maximum stress is 41.69, and the maximum displacement is 5.73. The mechanism load torque of the connection part 250-4 of the blade 210-4 in the comparative example 4 appeared to be lower than the connection part 150 of the blade 110 in the disclosure, but the maximum stress of the connection part 250-4 of the blade 210-4 in the comparative example 4 appeared to be higher than the connection part 150 of the blade 110 in the disclosure. The maximum displacement of the connection part 250-4 of the blade 210-4 in the comparative example 4 appeared to be lower than the maximum displacement applied to the connection part 150 of the blade 110 in the disclosure. Accordingly, it can be determined that the durability of the connection part 250-4 of the blade 210-4 in the comparative example 4 may be similar to the connection part 150 of the blade 110 in the disclosure, but the flexibility is lower.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 15, the connection part 250-5 of the blade 210-5 according to the comparative example 5 is substantially identical to the connection part 250-4 of the blade 210-4 according to the comparative example 4 illustrated in FIG. 14. However, there is a difference from the connection part 250-4 of the blade 210-4 in that a bid 253-5 protrudes from the upper side of the connection part 250-5 of the blade 210-5. Accordingly, the thickness of the upper part of the connection part 250-5 of the blade 210-5 according to the comparative example 5 is formed to be thicker than the thickness of the upper part of the connection part 250-4 of the blade 210-4 according to the comparative example 4. Referring to the table 1, in the comparative example 5, it apparated that the mechanism load torque applied to the connection part 250-5 of the blade 210-5 is 1576, the maximum stress is 43.18, and the maximum displacement is 7.1. Comparing the mechanism load torques, the maximum stress, and the maximum displacement applied to each of the connection part 150 of the blade 110 in the disclosure and the connection part 250-5 of the blade 210-5 in the comparative example 5, it can be determined that the durability and the flexibility of the connection part 150 of the blade 110 in the disclosure were improved compared to the connection part 250-5 of the blade 210-5 in the comparative example 5.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 16, the connection part 250-6 of the blade 210-6 according to the comparative example 6 is substantially identical to the connection part 250-4 of the blade 210-4 according to the comparative example 4 illustrated in FIG. 14. However, there is a difference from the connection part 250-4 of the blade 210-4 in the comparative example 4 in that the length of the connection part 250-6 of the blade 210-6 according to the comparative example 6 is shorter than the length of the connection part 250-4 of the blade 210-4 in the comparative example 4, and an extension part 254-6 having the same thickness as the thickness of the blade 210-6 is further included. Referring to the Table 1, it apparated that the mechanism load torque applied to the connection part 250-6 of the blade 210-6 in the comparative example 6 is 2394, the maximum stress is 46.21, and the maximum displacement is 8.6. The mechanism load torque and the maximum stress of the connection part 250-6 of the blade 210-6 in the comparative example 6 appeared to be higher than the connection part 150 of the blade 110 in the disclosure, and the maximum displacement of the connection part 250-6 of the blade 210-6 in the comparative example 6 appeared to be higher than the connection part 150 of the blade 110 in the disclosure. Accordingly, it can be determined that the connection part 250-6 of the blade 210-6 in the comparative example 6 has higher flexibility than the connection part 150 of the blade 110 in the embodiment of the disclosure, but the durability is noticeably lower.

[0088] While preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described, the disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned specific embodiments, and it is apparent that various modifications may be made by a person having ordinary knowledge in the art to which the disclosure belongs, without departing from the gist of the disclosure as claimed by the appended claims. Further, it is intended that such modifications are not to be interpreted independently from the technical idea or prospect of the disclosure.

Claims

1. An air conditioner comprising: a housing including an air inlet hole and an air discharge hole; a heat exchanger arranged in the housing; a blower fan configured to discharge air of which heat was exchanged with the heat exchanger through the air discharge hole; a blade device which is arranged in the housing and is configured to adjust a transfer direction of air transferred to the air discharge hole by the blower fan; and a driving motor configured to provide a driving force to the blade device, wherein the blade device comprises: a link connected to the driving motor; a plurality of blades arranged at intervals along a longitudinal direction of the link; and a plurality of connection parts which are configured to connect the plurality of blades and the link, and are formed to be bent at least once.

2. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of connection parts comprises: a first portion connected with the plurality of blades; a second portion connected with the link; and a third portion configured to connect the first portion and the second portion with each other, and wherein a minimum width of the first portion and a minimum width of the second portion are less than a maximum width of the third portion.

3. The air conditioner of claim 2, wherein the minimum width of the first portion and the minimum width of the second portion are 0.4 times to 0.7 times the maximum width of the third portion.

4. The air conditioner of claim 2, wherein a point where the first portion and the third portion meet and a point where the second portion and the third portion meet respectively comprise a tangent.

5. The air conditioner of claim 2, wherein an angle between the first portion and the second portion is 60 degrees to 120 degrees.

6. The air conditioner of claim 2, wherein the length of the first portion and the length of the second portion are different.

7. The air conditioner of claim 6, wherein the first portion or the second portion includes a bent part, and the bent part is formed to be rounded.

8. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the plurality of connection parts are less than a thickness of the plurality of blades.

9. The air conditioner of claim 8, wherein the thickness of each of the plurality of connection parts is 0.4mm to 0.6mm.

10. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of connection parts comprises: a first portion connected with the plurality of blades; a second portion connected with the link; a fourth portion arranged between the first portion and the second portion; a fifth portion configured to connect the first portion and the fourth portion with each other; and a third portion configured to connect the second portion and the fourth portion with each other, and wherein a minimum width of the first portion and a minimum width of the fourth portion are less than a maximum width of the fifth portion, and a minimum width of the second portion and a minimum width of the fourth portion are less than a maximum width of the third portion.

11. The air conditioner of claim 10, wherein the minimum width of the first portion and the minimum width of the fourth portion are 0.4 times to 0.7 times the maximum width of the fifth portion, and the minimum width of the second portion and the minimum width of the fourth portion are 0.4 times to 0.7 times the maximum width of the third portion.

12. The air conditioner of claim 10, wherein a point where the first portion and the fifth portion meet, a point where the fourth portion and the fifth portion meet, a point where the second portion and the third portion meet, and a point where the fourth portion and the third portion meet respectively comprise a tangent.

13. The air conditioner of claim 10, wherein the connection parts have an S shape.

14. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the link, the plurality of blades, and the plurality of connection parts are formed integrally.

15. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the plurality of connection parts are arranged in parallel to the plurality of blades.

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