Louvers, air outlets and rotating units

Abstract

To inhibit dew condensation on a wind direction plate.SOLUTION: An indoor unit according to one embodiment comprises an air outlet, a fan, and a split wind direction plate. The fan generates an air current passing through the air outlet. The split wind direction plate, which includes a main deflection part and an auxiliary deflection part positioned on an upstream side of the air current with respect to the main deflection part and the auxiliary deflection part, is supported to be capable of adjusting inclination with respect to the air current in the air outlet. Additionally, the main deflection part and the auxiliary deflection part are mutually misaligned in a thickness direction of the main deflection part, and a clearance is formed between the main deflection part and the auxiliary deflection part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention comprises: Louvers, air outlets and rotating units Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] An air deflector is sometimes installed at the air outlet of an indoor unit of an air conditioner to change the direction of airflow. When the air deflector is tilted significantly toward the airflow from inside the indoor unit, the area near the back surface of the air deflector, which is the opposite side to the surface receiving the airflow, becomes low pressure. This can cause surrounding air to be drawn in near the back surface.

[0003] If the above-mentioned entrapment occurs during cooling operation and the air deflector is cooled to a temperature below the dew point of the surrounding air, condensation will occur on the rear surface of the air deflector, causing water droplets to splash around the air outlet or drip downward. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-21704 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method for suppressing condensation on a wind deflector. Louvers, air outlets and rotating units The purpose of this project is to provide [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The louver according to one embodiment is provided at an air outlet through which an airflow flows, The air outlet includes a plurality of wind direction plates that are supported in such a way that the inclination with respect to the airflow can be adjusted and that are arranged in an arrangement direction that intersects with the axis of the air outlet, and a first wind direction plate arranged at one end of the plurality of wind direction plates and a second wind direction plate arranged at the other end of the plurality of wind direction plates are The deflector includes a main deflection section and an auxiliary deflection section located upstream of the main deflection section in the airflow. It is a split wind vane. .moreover, In each of the first wind direction vane and the second wind direction vane, The positions of the main deflection section and the auxiliary deflection section in the thickness direction of the main deflection section are In the thickness direction of the main deflection sectionThe main deflection section and the auxiliary deflection section are offset from each other, and a gap is formed between the main deflection section and the auxiliary deflection section, The first wind deflector and the second wind deflector At the center in the direction along the axis of rotation, the edges of the main deflection section and the auxiliary deflection section overlap with each other in the thickness direction. In each of the first and second airflow direction vanes, the main deflection section has a first surface that forms the gap between itself and the auxiliary deflection section, and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The second surface of the main deflection section of the first airflow direction vane and the second surface of the main deflection section of the second airflow direction vane face each other in the arrangement direction. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an indoor unit according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the indoor unit taken along line II-II in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the indoor unit with the air outlet cover removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the rotating unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is another schematic perspective view of the rotating unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is yet another schematic perspective view of the rotating unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the louver shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the louver shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a comparative example to this embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the air outlet where the air direction plate shown in FIG. 9 is arranged. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of an air outlet where an air direction plate according to this embodiment is arranged. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is another schematic cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the air outlet where the air direction plate according to the present embodiment is arranged. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the configuration according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Several embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings. [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an indoor unit 1 according to a first embodiment. This indoor unit 1 is connected to an outdoor unit including a compressor that compresses a refrigerant and an outdoor heat exchanger, etc., via refrigerant piping. The indoor unit 1, the outdoor unit, the refrigerant piping, etc., constitute an air conditioner equipped with a refrigeration cycle. The air conditioner is capable of switching between cooling operation and heating operation, for example. However, the air conditioner may be capable of only performing cooling operation or heating operation.

[0009] In this embodiment, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are defined as shown in Fig. 1. The X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are perpendicular to each other. In the following description, the Z direction may be referred to as the upward direction, and the opposite direction may be referred to as the downward direction.

[0010] The indoor unit 1 includes a housing 2, an air outlet 3, and an air outlet cover 4. The housing 2 includes a front panel 20, a front cover 21 arranged above the front panel 20, a back panel 22 facing the front panel 20 and the front cover 21, a pair of side panels 23 and 24 facing each other, a bottom panel 25, and a top panel 26 facing the bottom panel 25.

[0011] The front plate 20, the front cover 21, and the rear plate 22 are parallel to the XZ plane defined by the X and Z directions. The side plates 23, 24 are parallel to the YZ plane defined by the Y and Z directions. The bottom plate 25 and the top plate 26 are parallel to the XY plane defined by the X and Y directions. In the example of FIG. 1, the housing 2 is a flat rectangular parallelepiped whose width in the Y direction is sufficiently smaller than its widths in the X and Z directions. However, the shape of the housing 2 is not limited to this example.

[0012] The air outlet cover 4 has a cylindrical shape tapered toward the tip, and is attached to the front plate 20. The air outlet 3 is located at the tip of the air outlet cover 4. The front cover 21 is disposed between the front plate 20 and the upper plate 26 in the Z direction.

[0013] The indoor unit 1 further includes a louver 5 provided at the air outlet 3. In this embodiment, the louver 5 is composed of a rotatable first airflow direction vane 40, a second airflow direction vane 50, and a third airflow direction vane 60. In the example of Fig. 1, these airflow direction vanes 40, 50, and 60 are closed. The louver 5 may be composed of two or less or four or more airflow direction vanes.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the indoor unit 1 taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the indoor unit 1 with the air outlet cover 4 removed. As shown in Fig. 2, a heat exchanger 7 is disposed inside the housing 2. The heat exchanger 7 includes a plurality of heat transfer tubes 70 extending in the X direction, and a plurality of fins 71 connected to the heat transfer tubes 70. As shown in Fig. 2, the plurality of fins 71 have a shape elongated in the Z direction, and are arranged at intervals in the X direction.

[0015] The rear panel 22 is provided with connection ports 72, 73 for refrigerant piping for connection to an outdoor unit, and an inlet port 27 facing the heat exchanger 7. For example, the connection port 72 is connected to an inlet of a flow path formed by each of the heat transfer tubes 70, and the connection port 73 is connected to an outlet of the flow path.

[0016] A drain pan 74 for receiving condensation water generated in the heat exchanger 7 is disposed below the heat exchanger 7. The condensation water accumulated in the drain pan 74 is discharged to the outside of the housing 2 through a pipe (not shown).

[0017] 2, a partition plate 28 is disposed above the heat exchanger 7. The partition plate 28, the front cover 21, and the top plate 26 form a space S for accommodating the control unit 8. A thermal insulator 75 is disposed between the partition plate 28 and the heat exchanger 7.

[0018] The control unit 8 includes a control board 80 and various electronic components 81. Each electronic component 81 is mounted on one surface of the control board 80 facing the front cover 21. A remote controller installed outside the indoor unit 1, a communication line for communicating with the outdoor unit and other indoor units, and a power line are connected to the control unit 8. These communication lines and power lines extend to the outside of the indoor unit 1 through an insertion port provided in the back panel 22, for example.

[0019] The front panel 20 has an opening 29 that overlaps with the heat exchanger 7 in the Y direction. A fan 9 is disposed inside the air outlet cover 4, facing the heat exchanger 7 through the opening 29. The fan 9 is, for example, an axial fan, and includes a fan motor 90 and a plurality of blades 91 that rotate about an axis AX by the fan motor 90. In this embodiment, the axis AX is parallel to the Y direction.

[0020] The fan 9 is disposed inside a first cylindrical member 92 coaxial with the axis AX. The first cylindrical member 92 surrounds the opening 29 outside the housing 2 and inside the air outlet cover 4. At least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical member 92 is covered with a heat insulating material 93.

[0021] 2 and 3, the louvers 5 are disposed at the end of a second cylindrical member 31 coaxial with the axis AX. At least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the second cylindrical member 31 is covered with a heat insulating material 32. The air outlet 3 corresponds to an opening on the tip side of the second cylindrical member 31. In the example of FIG. 2, the center of the air outlet 3 coincides with the axis AX.

[0022] 3, a louver drive mechanism 33 and a motor are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the second cylindrical member 31. The louver drive mechanism 33 includes gears and the like for changing the angles of the airflow direction plates 40, 50, 60 by the driving force of the motor .

[0023] The louver 5, the second cylindrical member 31, the heat insulating material 32, the louver drive mechanism 33 and the motor 34 constitute a rotating unit 30. The rotating unit 30 is held by a holding mechanism 10 shown in Figures 2 and 3 so as to be rotatable about an axis AX.

[0024] Specifically, the holding mechanism 10 rotatably connects the first cylindrical member 92 and the second cylindrical member 31. The holding mechanism 10 includes, for example, an annular gear provided at the end of the second cylindrical member 31, and rotates the second cylindrical member 31 by feeding this gear in the circumferential direction about the axis AX by a motor 11 shown in Fig. 3. The rotating unit 30 may be manually rotatable.

[0025] 2, in an air passage defined by the first cylindrical member 92 and the second cylindrical member 31, a straightening vane 94 is disposed between the fan 9 and the louver 5. The straightening vane 94 is supported by the first cylindrical member 92. The straightening vane 94 has, for example, a honeycomb structure in which a large number of hexagonal openings are arranged, but is not limited to this example.

[0026] When the fan 9 rotates, an airflow is generated which passes through the air inlet 27, the heat exchanger 7, the air straightening plate 94, and the air outlet 3 in that order. During cooling operation, the heat exchanger 7 functions as an evaporator, and the air sucked in through the air inlet 27 is cooled. During heating operation, the heat exchanger 7 functions as a condenser, and the air sucked in through the air inlet 27 is warmed.

[0027] The straightening vane 94 straightens out the turbulent airflow immediately after passing through the fan 9 so that it is approximately parallel to the axis AX. This straightened airflow is sent out from the air outlet 3 in a direction according to the angles of the air direction vanes 40, 50, and 60 of the louver 5.

[0028] The above-mentioned control unit 8 controls the rotation speed of the fan 9 based on information input from the outside and the intake temperature and exhaust temperature detected by a temperature sensor equipped in the indoor unit 1. The control unit 8 also controls the holding mechanism 10 and the louver drive mechanism 33 based on wind direction setting information input from the outside. By rotating the rotating unit 30 with the holding mechanism 10 and changing the angle of the air direction vanes 40, 50, 60 with the louver drive mechanism 33, it becomes possible to blow air in various directions.

[0029] Next, the structure of the louver 5 will be described. 4, 5 and 6 are schematic perspective views of the rotating unit 30. In these drawings, of the elements of the rotating unit 30, the louver 5 and the second cylindrical member 31 are shown.

[0030] The wind direction vanes 40, 50, and 60 are arranged in a direction intersecting the axis AX (Z direction in the example of Figs. 4 to 6). In this arrangement, the first wind direction vane 40 is located at the upper end, the second wind direction vane 50 is located at the lower end, and the third wind direction vane 60 is located between the first wind direction vane 40 and the second wind direction vane 50.

[0031] In Fig. 4, the air outlet 3 is closed by the air deflectors 40, 50, and 60. In Fig. 5, the air deflectors 40, 50, and 60 are inclined downward at 45 degrees with respect to the axis AX. In Fig. 6, the air deflectors 40, 50, and 60 are parallel to the axis AX.

[0032] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first airflow direction vane 40 includes a main deflection section 41 and an auxiliary deflection section 42 which are separated from each other. Also, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the second airflow direction vane 50 includes a first main deflection section 51, a second main deflection section 52, and an auxiliary deflection section 53 which are separated from each other. The first main deflection section 51 is located between the second main deflection section 52 and the auxiliary deflection section 53.

[0033] In this embodiment, the term "auxiliary deflection section" refers to the section of a plurality of divided sections included in one airflow direction plate that is located on the most upstream side of the airflow when the louver 5 is open and air is blown out from the air outlet 3 as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The term "main deflection section" refers to the section of the plurality of divided sections that is located on the downstream side of the auxiliary deflection section. The auxiliary deflection section can also be called an auxiliary airflow direction plate. The main deflection section can also be called a main airflow direction plate. In the following description, an airflow direction plate divided into a main deflection section and an auxiliary deflection section may be called a "divided airflow direction plate."

[0034] The third airflow direction plate 60 is not divided into a plurality of portions. However, as shown in FIG. 6, the third airflow direction plate 60 has a flat first portion 61 and a flat second portion 62, and a step portion 63 connecting these portions 61, 62.

[0035] A pair of mounting surfaces 31a, 31b for mounting the airflow direction plates 40, 50, 60 are provided on the inner wall of the second cylindrical member 31. The mounting surfaces 31a, 31b face each other in a direction (the X direction in the example of FIGS. 4 to 6) intersecting the arrangement direction of the airflow direction plates 40, 50, 60. For example, the mounting surfaces 31a, 31b are flat surfaces having three mounting holes aligned in the arrangement direction of the airflow direction plates 40, 50, 60.

[0036] Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the louver 5 shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the louver 5 shown in Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, the first airflow direction plate 40 has protrusions 44a, 44b provided at both ends in the X direction, the second airflow direction plate 50 has protrusions 54a, 54b provided at both ends in the X direction, and the third airflow direction plate 60 has protrusions 64a, 64b provided at both ends in the X direction.

[0037] Shafts 45a and 45b extend parallel to the X direction from protrusions 44a and 44b, shafts 55a and 55b extend parallel to the X direction from protrusions 54a and 54b, and shafts 65a and 65b extend parallel to the X direction from protrusions 64a and 64b, respectively.

[0038] The shaft portions 45a, 55a, and 65a are inserted into mounting holes provided in the mounting surface 31a, respectively. The shaft portions 45b, 55b, and 65b are inserted into mounting holes provided in the mounting surface 31b, respectively.

[0039] The louver drive mechanism 33 shown in Fig. 3 provides a drive force to rotate the shafts 45b, 55b, and 65b. As a result, the first wind direction vane 40 rotates about the shafts 45a and 45b, the second wind direction vane 50 rotates about the shafts 55a and 55b, and the third wind direction vane 60 rotates about the shafts 65a and 65b. For example, the wind direction vanes 40, 50, and 60 are kept parallel to each other regardless of the direction in which they are tilted.

[0040] The main deflection portion 41 of the first airflow direction vane 40 has a first surface 41a shown in Fig. 7 and a second surface 41b shown in Fig. 8. The second surface 41b faces the third airflow direction vane 60. The first surface 41a is the surface opposite to the second surface 41b.

[0041] The positions of the main deflection section 41 and the auxiliary deflection section 42 are shifted from each other in the thickness direction of the main deflection section 41. Specifically, the auxiliary deflection section 42 is located on the first surface 41a side. In this embodiment, the edges of the main deflection section 41 and the auxiliary deflection section 42 overlap each other. A gap G1 is formed between the main deflection section 41 and the auxiliary deflection section 42.

[0042] The main deflection unit 41 and the auxiliary deflection unit 42 are connected by a plurality of connecting portions 46. In the example of Fig. 7, a connecting portion 46 is provided at each end of the main deflection unit 41 and the auxiliary deflection unit 42, and a connecting portion 46 is also provided in the gap G1.

[0043] For example, the lengths of the main deflection unit 41 and the auxiliary deflection unit 42 in the direction from the shaft unit 45b to the shaft unit 45a (X direction in the example of FIG. 8) are the same. The gap G1 is provided over the entirety from one end to the other end of the main deflection unit 41 in that direction. Also, the width of the auxiliary deflection unit 42 in the direction in which the main deflection unit 41 and the auxiliary deflection unit 42 are aligned (Y direction in the example of FIG. 8) is smaller overall than the width of the main deflection unit 41.

[0044] The first main deflector 51 of the second airflow direction vane 50 has a first surface 51a shown in Fig. 8 and a second surface 51b shown in Fig. 7. The second main deflector 52 has a first surface 52a shown in Fig. 8 and a second surface 52b shown in Fig. 7. The second surfaces 51b and 52b both face the third airflow direction vane 60. The first surfaces 51a and 52a are surfaces opposite the second surfaces 51b and 52b, respectively.

[0045] The positions of the first main deflection unit 51 and the auxiliary deflection unit 53 are shifted from each other in the thickness direction of the first main deflection unit 51. Specifically, the auxiliary deflection unit 53 is located on the first surface 51a side. In this embodiment, the edges of the first main deflection unit 51 and the auxiliary deflection unit 53 overlap each other. A gap G2 is formed between the first main deflection unit 51 and the auxiliary deflection unit 53.

[0046] The positions of the second main deflection section 52 and the first main deflection section 51 are shifted from each other in the thickness direction of the second main deflection section 52. Specifically, the first main deflection section 51 is located on the first surface 52a side of the second main deflection section 52. In this embodiment, the edges of the first main deflection section 51 and the second main deflection section 52 overlap each other. A gap G3 is formed between the first main deflection section 51 and the auxiliary deflection section 53.

[0047] The first main deflection unit 51 and the auxiliary deflection unit 53 are connected by a plurality of connecting portions 56. In the example of Fig. 8, a connecting portion 56 is provided at each of both ends of the first main deflection unit 51 and the auxiliary deflection unit 53, and a connecting portion 56 is also provided in the gap G2.

[0048] The first main deflection unit 51 and the second main deflection unit 52 are connected by a plurality of connecting parts 57. In the example of Fig. 8, a connecting part 57 is provided at each of both ends of the first main deflection unit 51 and the second main deflection unit 52, and a plurality of connecting parts 57 is also provided in the gap G3.

[0049] For example, the lengths of the main deflection units 51 and 52 in the direction from the shaft unit 55b toward the shaft unit 55a (X direction in the example of FIG. 8) are the same, and the length of the auxiliary deflection unit 53 in that direction is slightly smaller than the length of the main deflection units 51 and 52. The gap G2 is provided entirely from one end to the other end of the auxiliary deflection unit 53 in that direction, and the gap G3 is provided entirely from one end to the other end of the second main deflection unit 52 in that direction. Furthermore, the width of the auxiliary deflection unit 53 in the direction in which the main deflection units 51 and 52 and the auxiliary deflection unit 53 are aligned (Y direction in the example of FIG. 8) is generally smaller than the width of the first main deflection unit 51, and the width of the second main deflection unit 52 in that direction is also generally smaller than the width of the first main deflection unit 51.

[0050] 8, the second portion 62 of the third wind direction plate 60 is located closer to the second wind direction plate 50 than the first portion 61 in the thickness direction. A step portion 63 is provided between the first portion 61 and the second portion 62. In other words, the third wind direction plate 60 is not a divided wind direction plate like the first wind direction plate 40 and the second wind direction plate 50, and does not have gaps like the gaps G1 to G3.

[0051] In this embodiment, the end sides of the main deflection sections 41, 51, 52, the auxiliary deflection sections 42, 53, the first portion 61, and the second portion 62 are all arc-shaped. When the louver 5 is in a closed state as shown in Fig. 4, the main deflection section 41 overlaps the second portion 62, the first portion 61 overlaps the first main deflection section 51, and the second portion 62 overlaps the auxiliary deflection section 53. At this time, the second surface 41b of the main deflection section 41 and the second portion 62, the second surface 51b of the first main deflection section 51 and the first portion 61, and the auxiliary deflection section 53 and the second portion 62 may be in contact with each other.

[0052] Here, the function of the louver 5 having the configuration according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a comparative example of this embodiment. Fig. 9(a) and (b) show how an airflow direction vane 100 that is not divided into multiple parts deflects the airflow indicated by the dashed arrow. In Fig. 9(a), the airflow direction vane 100 is inclined at a shallow angle θ1 with respect to the airflow before deflection. In Fig. 9(b), the airflow direction vane 100 is inclined at an angle θ2 that is larger than the angle θ1.

[0053] The airflow direction plate 100 has a first surface 100a and a second surface 100b on the opposite side. In both of Figs. 9(a) and (b), the airflow before deflection hits the second surface 100b. The airflow that hits the second surface 100b changes direction along the second surface 100b. The vicinity of the first surface 100a that is not directly hit by the airflow becomes low pressure, and the surrounding air A is drawn in toward the first surface 100a.

[0054] When the air direction plate 100 is inclined at a shallow angle θ1, an air flow is also generated along the first surface 100a. This air flow makes it difficult for the air A to reach the first surface 100a. On the other hand, when the air direction plate 100 is inclined at a large angle θ2, the air flow along the first surface 100a separates. In addition, because the pressure drop in the vicinity of the first surface 100a is also large, the air A is more strongly drawn in. As a result, the air A reaches the first surface 100a.

[0055] 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the air outlet 3 where three air direction vanes 110, 120, 130 having a shape similar to that of the air direction vane 100 shown in FIG. 9 are arranged instead of the above-mentioned air direction vanes 40, 50, 60. These air direction vanes 110, 120, 130 are all inclined at the same angle as in FIG. 9(b) with respect to the airflow that has passed through the air straightening vane 94. The air direction vane 110 is located at one end in the arrangement direction of the air direction vanes 110, 120, 130, the air direction vane 120 is located at the other end in the arrangement direction, and the air direction vane 130 is located between the air direction vanes 110, 120.

[0056] The air A that has been drawn in as described above reaches the first surface 100a of the air direction vane 110. Meanwhile, an airflow deflected by the air direction vane 110 flows above the air direction vane 130, and an airflow deflected by the air direction vane 130 itself flows below the air direction vane 130. Therefore, the air A does not reach the air direction vane 130. Similarly, an airflow deflected by the air direction vane 130 flows above the air direction vane 120, and an airflow deflected by the air direction vane 120 itself flows below the air direction vane 120, so the air A does not reach the air direction vane 120 either.

[0057] When the air sent to the air outlet 3 by the fan 9 is cool air, the air deflectors 110, 120, and 130 are cooled. If the air deflector 110 is cooled to a temperature lower than the dew point of the air A, condensation may occur on the first surface 100a of the air deflector 110. Water droplets caused by this condensation are scattered around by the air current or drip downward.

[0058] 11 and 12 are schematic cross-sectional views showing the vicinity of the air outlet 3 where the air direction plates 40, 50, and 60 according to this embodiment are arranged. 11, the first airflow direction vane 40 is inclined so that the main deflection section 41 is closer to the axis AX than the auxiliary deflection section 42. The second airflow direction vane 50 and the third airflow direction vane 60 are also inclined at the same angle as the first airflow direction vane 40. At this time, the surrounding air A is drawn in as in the comparative example of FIG. 10, and this air A mainly flows toward the first surface 41a of the main deflection section 41.

[0059] 11, however, the auxiliary deflection section 42 is located upstream of the main deflection section 41. The airflow received by the auxiliary deflection section 42 passes through the gap (gap G1 shown in FIG. 7) between the main deflection section 41 and the auxiliary deflection section 42, and flows along the first surface 41a. Therefore, the air A is unlikely to reach the first surface 41a. As a result, the occurrence of condensation on the first surface 41a can be suppressed.

[0060] 12, the first airflow direction vane 40 is inclined so that the auxiliary deflection section 42 is located closer to the axis AX than the main deflection section 41. The second airflow direction vane 50 and the third airflow direction vane 60 are also inclined at the same angle as the first airflow direction vane 40. At this time, surrounding air A is drawn in on the second airflow direction vane 50 side, and this air A mainly flows toward the first surface 51a of the first main deflection section 51 and the first surface 52a of the second main deflection section 52.

[0061] However, in the state of FIG. 12, the auxiliary deflection section 53 is located upstream of the first main deflection section 51. The airflow received by this auxiliary deflection section 53 passes through the gap between the first main deflection section 51 and the auxiliary deflection section 53 (gap G2 shown in FIG. 8), and flows along the first surface 51a. Furthermore, the airflow received by the first main deflection section 51 passes through the gap between the first main deflection section 51 and the second main deflection section 52 (gap G3 shown in FIG. 8), and flows along the first surface 52a. Therefore, the air A is unlikely to reach either of the first surfaces 51a and 52a. As a result, the occurrence of condensation on the first surfaces 51a and 52a can be suppressed.

[0062] As described above, by arranging split airflow direction plates such as the first airflow direction plate 40 and the second airflow direction plate 50 at the air outlet 3, condensation at the air outlet 3 during cooling operation can be effectively suppressed.

[0063] When multiple wind direction vanes are lined up at the air outlet 3, condensation is likely to occur on the wind direction vanes located at the ends. In this regard, condensation can be more effectively suppressed by making the first wind direction vane 40 and the second wind direction vane 50 located at both ends into split wind direction vanes as in this embodiment. Note that even if the wind direction vane located at one end is simply made into a split wind direction vane, the occurrence of condensation on the downstream surface of the wind direction vane can be suppressed.

[0064] The second airflow direction plate 50 includes three portions, namely, main deflection portions 51, 52 and an auxiliary deflection portion 53. Even in this case, by providing gaps G2, G3 between the first main deflection portion 51 and the second main deflection portion 52 and between the first main deflection portion 51 and the auxiliary deflection portion 53, respectively, it is possible to suppress condensation in the main deflection portions 51, 52. Furthermore, when the louver 5 is closed, the first portion 61 of the third airflow direction plate 60 overlaps the first main deflection portion 51, and the second portion 62 overlaps the auxiliary deflection portion 53. This allows the louver 5 to be closed compactly. In addition to the above, various other advantageous effects can be obtained from this embodiment.

[0065] [Second embodiment] The second embodiment will be described. Configurations and effects not specifically mentioned are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0066] Fig. 13 is a diagram for explaining the configuration according to the second embodiment, and shows the vicinity of the air outlet 3 where the inclined air direction plates 40, 50, and 60 are arranged, similarly to Fig. 11. In this embodiment, a pair of guides 35a and 35b are provided on the inner wall of the air outlet.

[0067] The guides 35a and 35b are fixed, for example, to the inner circumferential surface at the end of the second cylindrical member 31. The guides 35a and 35b may be formed by deforming the second cylindrical member 31 in the vicinity of the end.

[0068] The guides 35a, 35b are provided on arc-shaped portions located above and below the mounting surfaces 31a, 31b, respectively, in the second cylindrical member 31 shown in, for example, Figures 4 to 6. The guides 35a, 35b have guide surfaces 36a, 36b, respectively, which are inclined so that the distance from the axis AX becomes smaller from the end on the straightening vane 94 side toward the end on the tip side of the air outlet 3.

[0069] When the airflow flowing along the outer periphery of the air outlet 3 (near the inner periphery of the second cylindrical member 31) hits the guide surfaces 36a, 36b, the airflow is deflected in a direction toward the axis AX. In a state in which the air direction vanes 40, 50, 60 are inclined as shown in Fig. 13, the airflow deflected by the guide surface 36a in particular alleviates the pressure drop downstream of the first air direction vane 40, and the amount of surrounding air A that is drawn in is reduced.

[0070] If the inclination of the first airflow direction plate 40 is large, the air A may reach the auxiliary deflection section 42 and cause condensation on the surface of the auxiliary deflection section 42. In contrast, in the configuration of this embodiment, the airflow deflected by the guide surface 36a passes near the auxiliary deflection section 42, making it difficult for the air A to reach the auxiliary deflection section 42. Therefore, by providing the guide 35a, condensation on the first airflow direction plate 40 can be more effectively suppressed.

[0071] 12, when the louvers 40, 50, and 60 are inclined, the airflow deflected by the guide 35b prevents the air A from reaching the second louver 50. Therefore, condensation on the auxiliary deflection portion 53 of the second louver 50 can also be effectively suppressed.

[0072] The split air direction vanes such as the air direction vanes 40 and 50 disclosed in the above embodiments can be used for the air outlets of various devices, not just the indoor unit 1. For example, the split air direction vane may be used for the air outlet of the indoor unit of a home air conditioner, or for a flap provided at the air outlet of a ceiling-embedded indoor unit. The split air direction vane may also be attached to the air outlet of a ventilation fan, blower, or the like.

[0073] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1...indoor unit, 2...housing, 3...air outlet, 4...air outlet cover, 5...louver, 7...heat exchanger, 8...control unit, 9...fan, 30...rotating unit, 40, 50, 60...first to third air deflectors, 41, 51, 52...main deflection unit, 42, 53...auxiliary deflection unit, G1 to G3...gaps, 35a, 35b...guide, AX...shaft.

Claims

1. A louver provided at an air outlet through which an airflow flows, A plurality of airflow direction plates are supported at the air outlet so that the inclination with respect to the air flow can be adjusted and are arranged in an arrangement direction intersecting with an axis of the air outlet, a first airflow direction vane arranged at one end of the plurality of airflow direction vanes and a second airflow direction vane arranged at the other end of the plurality of airflow direction vanes are divided airflow direction vanes including a main deflection section and an auxiliary deflection section located upstream of the airflow from the main deflection section; In each of the first airflow direction vane and the second airflow direction vane, the positions of the main deflection section and the auxiliary deflection section are shifted from each other in a thickness direction of the main deflection section, and a gap is formed between the main deflection section and the auxiliary deflection section, and edges of the main deflection section and the auxiliary deflection section overlap each other in the thickness direction at the center in a direction along an axis of rotation of the first airflow direction vane and the second airflow direction vane, In each of the first wind direction vane and the second wind direction vane, the main deflection portion has a first surface that forms the gap between the main deflection portion and the auxiliary deflection portion, and a second surface opposite to the first surface, The second surface of the main deflection portion of the first airflow direction vane and the second surface of the main deflection portion of the second airflow direction vane face each other in the arrangement direction. louver.

2. Further comprising a shaft portion connected to the main deflection portion and the auxiliary deflection portion, The main deflection unit and the auxiliary deflection unit rotate around the shaft unit. The louver of claim 1 .

3. When each of the first wind deflector and the second wind deflector is inclined so that the second surface receives the airflow, the airflow deflected by the auxiliary deflection unit flows along the first surface.

3. A louver according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The main deflection portion of the second airflow direction plate includes a first main deflection portion and a second main deflection portion located downstream of the first main deflection portion in the airflow direction, the second main deflection unit and the first main deflection unit are shifted from each other in a thickness direction of the second main deflection unit, and a gap is formed between the second main deflection unit and the first main deflection unit. The louver of claim 1 .

5. The plurality of wind direction vanes further include a third wind direction vane located between the first wind direction vane and the second wind direction vane, When the first wind direction vane, the second wind direction vane, and the third wind direction vane are closed, the main deflection portion of the first wind direction vane overlaps with the third wind direction vane, and the first main deflection portion of the second wind direction vane overlaps with the third wind direction vane. The louver of claim 4.

6. The air outlet comprising the louver according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A guide is provided on an inner wall of the air outlet and deflects the airflow flowing along an outer periphery of the air outlet in a direction toward an axis of the air outlet. Air outlet.

7. The air outlet according to claim 6 ; a louver drive mechanism for driving the louver; A rotating unit comprising:

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