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

air conditioner

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an air conditioner including an integral vertical blade structure for controlling the direction of airflow discharged from the air conditioner.

[0002] An air conditioner is a device that uses a refrigeration cycle to regulate temperature, humidity, airflow, and air distribution to meet human needs. The main components of the refrigeration cycle include a compressor, condenser, evaporator, and blower fan.

[0003] Air conditioners can be divided into separate type air conditioners, in which the indoor and outdoor units are installed separately, and integrated type air conditioners, in which the indoor and outdoor units are installed together in a single cabinet. Among these, the indoor unit of a separate type air conditioner is equipped with a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with the air sucked into the panel, and a blower fan that sucks indoor air into the panel and blows the sucked air back into the room. The indoor unit of the air conditioner is equipped with vertical blades that adjust the direction of the airflow discharged inside to the left and right, and horizontal blades that adjust the direction of the airflow up and down.

[0004] An air conditioner according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a housing including an air inlet hole and an air outlet hole; a heat exchanger disposed inside the housing; a blower fan for discharging air heat-exchanged with the heat exchanger to the air outlet hole; a blade device disposed inside the housing for controlling a direction of air transported to the air outlet hole by the blower fan; and a driving motor for providing driving force to the blade device. The blade device may include a link connected to the driving motor; a plurality of blades disposed at intervals along a longitudinal direction of the link; and a plurality of connecting portions connecting the plurality of blades and the link and formed by bending at least once.

[0005] Each of the plurality of connecting portions may include a first portion connected to the plurality of blades; a second portion connected to the link; and a third portion interconnecting the first portion and the second portion. The minimum width of the first portion and the minimum width of the second portion may be smaller than the 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 to 0.7 times the maximum width of the third portion.

[0007] The point where the first part and the third part meet and the point where the second part and the third part meet can each be connected by a tangent.

[0008] The angle range formed by the first part and the second part may be from 60 degrees to 120 degrees.

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

[0010] The first portion or the second portion may include a folded portion. The folded portion may be formed by rounding.

[0011] The thickness of the plurality of connecting portions may be smaller than the thickness of the plurality of blades. The thickness of each of the plurality of connecting portions may be 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm.

[0012] Each of the plurality of connecting portions may include a first portion connected to the plurality of blades; a second portion connected to the link; a fourth portion arranged between the first portion and the second portion; a fifth portion interconnecting the first portion and the fourth portion; and a third portion interconnecting the second portion and the fourth portion. The minimum width of the first portion and the minimum width of the fourth portion may be smaller than the maximum width of the fifth portion. The minimum width of the second portion and the minimum width of the fourth portion may be smaller than the 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 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 to 0.7 times the maximum width of the third portion.

[0014] The point where the first part and the fifth part meet, the point where the fourth part and the fifth part meet, the point where the second part and the third part meet, and the point where the fourth part and the third part meet can each be connected by a tangent line.

[0015] The above connecting portion may be formed in an S shape.

[0016] The above link, the plurality of blades and the plurality of connecting parts can be formed integrally.

[0017] The above plurality of connecting portions may be arranged parallel to the above plurality of blades.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an air conditioner according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a blade device of an air conditioner according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view showing a blade device of an air conditioner according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing an example of a blade device of an air conditioner according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure being connected to a lower housing.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating the operation of a blade device of an air conditioner according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a blade device of an air conditioner according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of part A shown in Figure 6.

[0025] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an example of a blade rotating during operation of a blade device of an air conditioner according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a connection portion of a blade device of an air conditioner according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating a blade device of an air conditioner according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are drawings showing various shapes of connecting parts of blades according to comparative examples.

[0029] The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely one or more preferred embodiments of the disclosed invention, and there may be various modified examples that can replace the embodiments and drawings of this specification at the time of filing of this application.

[0030] The same reference numbers or symbols presented in each drawing of this specification represent parts or components that perform substantially the same function.

[0031] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments and is not intended to limit and / or restrict the disclosed invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, the terms “comprise” or “have” and the like are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0032] Terms including ordinal numbers such as “first,” “second,” etc., used herein may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms, and the terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as the first component. The term “and / or” includes any combination of a plurality of related listed items or any one of a plurality of related listed items. The singular form includes the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0033] The terms “leading end”, “rear end”, “upper end”, “lower end”, “front end”, “rear end”, “top” and “bottom end”, “X-axis direction”, “Y-axis direction”, “Z-axis direction”, etc. used in the description below are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

[0034] An air conditioner according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may have a ceiling-mounted structure that is installed in a ceiling and used. However, the blade device provided in the air conditioner according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to not only ceiling-mounted air conditioners, but also wall-mounted air conditioners and stand-alone air conditioners.

[0035] Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an air conditioner according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0037] An air conditioner (1) may include a housing (10), a blower fan (40) that circulates air into or out of the housing (10), a heat exchanger (50) that exchanges heat with air introduced into the interior of the housing (10) by the blower fan (40), and a blade device (100) that controls the direction of air discharged to the outside of the housing (10).

[0038] The housing (10) may be configured to form the overall appearance of the air conditioner (1). A blower fan (40), a heat exchanger (50), and a blade device (100) may be arranged inside the housing (10). The housing (10) may include a lower housing (20) exposed to the outside of the ceiling (3) (in the lower direction of the ceiling (3)) and an upper housing (30) coupled to the upper portion of the lower housing (20) and arranged to the inside of the ceiling (3) (in the upper direction of the ceiling (3)).

[0039] The lower housing (20) may be formed with an air inlet hole (21) through which air is introduced into the interior of the housing (10) and an air discharge hole (23) through which air heat-exchanged inside the housing (10) is discharged to the exterior of the housing (10). The air inlet hole (21) and the air discharge hole (23) may be formed along the longitudinal direction of the lower housing (20). In this case, the air inlet hole (21) and the air discharge hole (23) may be arranged approximately parallel with a gap therebetween.

[0040] A first filter assembly (25) for primary filtering air flowing into the housing (10) may be coupled to the air inlet hole (21) of the lower housing (20). A second filter assembly (27) may be provided on the inside of the lower housing (20) adjacent to the first filter assembly (25).

[0041] A horizontal blade (29) capable of opening and closing the air discharge hole (25) of the lower housing (20) may be provided. The rear end of the horizontal blade (29) may be hinge-connected to the lower housing (20). The horizontal blade (29) may receive power from a driving motor provided inside the housing (10) and rotate around the hinge point. In this case, the front end of the horizontal blade (29) may move up and down. The horizontal blade (29) may adjust the discharge direction of air discharged from the inside of the housing (10) to the outside of the housing (10) up and down.

[0042] The upper housing (30) may be configured to be coupled to the upper portion of the lower housing (20). The upper housing (30) may, together with the lower housing (20), form a receiving space (11) in which a blower fan (40), a heat exchanger (50), and a blade device (100) may be provided.

[0043] A blower fan (40) may be placed inside the housing (10). The blower fan (40) may be a cross-flow fan having a longitudinal direction identical to the longitudinal direction of the housing (10). The blower fan (40) may draw air existing outside the lower housing (20) from the air inlet hole (21) into the receiving space (11) of the housing (10) and discharge the air through the air discharge hole (23).

[0044] The heat exchanger (50) may be placed between the air inlet hole (21) and the blower fan (40). Outside air may be sucked into the air inlet hole (21) by the blower fan (40), exchange heat with the heat exchanger (50), and then discharged to the outside of the housing (10) through the air discharge hole (23). A drain panel may be provided at the bottom of the heat exchanger (50) so that moisture condensed in the heat exchanger (50) can accumulate. The drain panel is connected to a drain hose connected to the outside of the housing (10), so that moisture condensed in the heat exchanger (50) can be discharged to the outside of the housing (10).

[0045] The blade device (100) is arranged inside the housing (10) and can adjust the direction of air transferred to the air discharge hole (23) by the blower fan (40) to the left and right. The blade device (100) can be positioned between the blower fan (40) and the horizontal blade (29).

[0046] Hereinafter, the blade device (100) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a blade device of an air conditioner according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an example in which a blade device of an air conditioner according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is connected to a driving motor via a hinge. Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view illustrating an example in which a blade device of an air conditioner according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is connected to a lower housing.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 2, the blade device (100) may include a plurality of vertical blades (110), links (130), and a plurality of connecting portions (150) connecting the plurality of blades (110) and links (130). For example, the blade device (100) may be formed integrally by injection molding of a plurality of blades (110), links (130), and a plurality of connecting portions (150).

[0048] A plurality of blades (110) may be arranged at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the link (130). In this case, the plurality of blades (110) may be arranged at regular intervals, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the intervals between the plurality of blades (110) may be set to become increasingly wider as the distance between the blades increases in a direction away from the center. The intervals between the plurality of blades (110) may be set in various ways depending on the length of the air conditioner (1), the size of the location where the air conditioner (1) is installed, etc.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 3, a plurality of blades (110) may be arranged approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the horizontal blade (29). The plurality of blades (110) may be connected to a plurality of axial protrusions (28) provided in the lower housing (20). The plurality of blades (110) may include a coupling portion (120) that is detachably coupled to the axial protrusions (28) of the lower housing (20).

[0050] The plurality of blades (110) can rotate clockwise and counterclockwise around the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the plurality of axial projections (28). In this case, the plurality of blades (110) can simultaneously rotate in the same direction to guide the air transferred to the air discharge hole (23) by the blower fan (40) to the left or right. Accordingly, the air discharged to the outside of the housing (10) through the air discharge hole (23) can be blown to the left or right side of the air conditioner (1).

[0051] Referring to FIG. 4, a link (130) can be integrally connected to a plurality of blades (110) by a plurality of connecting portions (150). The link (130) can receive rotational force generated from a driving motor (200) by a hinge (300) and move to the left or right along the length of the link (130).

[0052] A slot (133) may be provided at one end of the link (130) to which a connecting shaft (310) protruding from one surface of the hinge (300) is rotatably coupled. The hinge (300) may have a coupling groove (330) provided on the other surface to which a driving shaft (210) of a driving motor (200) is coupled. The driving motor (200) may include a reducer for reducing the rotational speed of the driving shaft (210). The driving motor (200) may be driven in both forward and reverse rotation.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 5, the link (130) can receive driving force from the driving motor (200) through the hinge (300) and move a predetermined distance to the left or right along the Y-axis. In this case, a plurality of blades (110) can rotate at a predetermined angle to the left or right with respect to a plurality of axle protrusions (28) by a plurality of connecting parts (150).

[0054] A plurality of blades (110) may all have the same shape. Hereinafter, one blade (110) will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0055] FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a blade device of an air conditioner according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0056] Referring to Fig. 6, the blade (110) may be provided with a joint (120) integrally formed at the upper tip (111). The joint (120) may include a circular groove (121, see Fig. 5) so that the axle protrusion (28) of the lower housing (20) can be rotatably coupled thereto.

[0057] The lower tip (113) of the blade (110) is positioned to be sunken to the left, as shown in FIG. 5, with respect to the upper tip (111) of the blade, so as to secure the space occupied by the connecting portion (150) connecting the blade (110) and the link (130).

[0058] The lower part of the blade (110) can be pulled in the direction of movement of the link (130) through the connecting portion (150). Accordingly, the blade (110) can rotate around the axial protrusion (28) of the lower housing (20). The blade (110) can rotate in a direction corresponding to the direction of movement of the link (130) to guide the direction of air transported by the blower fan (40) to the left or right of the air conditioner (1).

[0059] A plurality of connecting portions (150) may all have the same shape. Hereinafter, one connecting portion (150) will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0060] Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of part A shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a view showing an example of a blade rotating during operation of a blade device of an air conditioner according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0061] Referring to Fig. 7, the connecting portion (150) may be connected at one end (150-1) to a link (130) and at the other end (150-2) to the lower tip (113) of a plurality of blades (110). The connecting portion (150) may be arranged approximately parallel to the blades (110).

[0062] The connecting portion (150) may be formed of a thin film so that its shape can be changed by the movement of the link (130). For example, the thickness of the connecting portion (150) is 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm so that its shape can be changed. If the thickness of the connecting portion (150) is less than 0.4 mm, its durability is reduced and it can be easily torn, and if the thickness of the connecting portion (150) exceeds 0.6 mm, its flexibility is reduced and the torque load applied to the driving motor (200) for rotating the blade (110) increases.

[0063] The blade (110) may have a thickness greater than the thickness of the connecting portion (150) (e.g., 1 mm to 1.2 mm) so that its shape does not change due to movement of the link (130).

[0064] One end of the connecting portion (150) can move along the direction in which the link (130) moves when the link (130) moves to the left or right. In this case, the displacement of one end (150-1) of the connecting portion (150) is greater than the displacement of the other end (150-2) of the plurality of connecting portions (150).

[0065] The connecting portion (150) may include a first portion (151) connected to the link (130), a second portion (152) connected to the blade (110), and a third portion (153) interconnecting the first portion (151) and the second portion (152).

[0066] One end of the first part (151) of the connecting portion (150) may be the other end (150-1) of the connecting portion (150). One end of the first part (151) of the connecting portion (150) may be integrally connected to the link (130). The other end of the first part (151) of the connecting portion (150) may be integrally connected to the third part (153) of the connecting portion (150). The connecting portion (150) may have a shape that is bent at least once.

[0067] A first part (151) of the connecting portion (150) may be provided with a first neck (151-1) adjacent to a third part (153) of the connecting portion (150). The first neck (151-1) may have a minimum width (W1) among the entire area of ​​the first part (151) of the connecting portion (150). A second part (152) of the connecting portion (150) may be provided with a second neck (152-1) adjacent to a third part (153) of the connecting portion (150). The second neck (152-1) may have a minimum width (W2) among the entire area of ​​the second part (152) of the connecting portion (150).

[0068] The minimum width (W1) of the first neck (151-1) and the minimum width (W2) of the second neck (152-1) may be smaller than the maximum width (W3) of the third portion of the connecting portion (150). For example, the minimum width (W1) of the first neck (151-1) may be 0.4 to 0.7 times the maximum width (W3) of the third portion (153) of the connecting portion (150).

[0069] If the minimum width (W1) of the first neck (151-1) is less than 0.4 times the maximum width (W3) of the third portion (153) of the connecting portion (150), the durability deteriorates, causing the first neck (151-1) to tear or break. If the minimum width (W1) of the first neck (151-1) exceeds 0.7 times the maximum width (W3) of the third portion (153) of the connecting portion (150), the flexibility deteriorates, causing the link (130) to not deform to a desired degree in conjunction with movement, thereby increasing the torque load of the driving motor (200).

[0070] The minimum width (W2) of the second neck (152-1) may be 0.4 to 0.7 times the maximum width (W3) of the third portion of the connecting portion (150), similar to the minimum width (W1) of the first neck (151-1).

[0071] The first part (151) of the connecting portion (150) and the third part (153) of the connecting portion (150) can be connected by a tangent. Accordingly, since no discontinuity occurs at the point where the first part (151) of the connecting portion (150) and the third part (153) of the connecting portion (150) meet, stress concentration can be minimized or improved, thereby improving the durability of the point where the first part (151) of the connecting portion (150) and the third part (153) of the connecting portion (150) meet.

[0072] The second part (152) of the connecting portion (150) and the third part (153) of the connecting portion (150) can be connected by a tangent line. Accordingly, since no discontinuity occurs at the point where the second part (152) of the connecting portion (150) and the third part (153) of the connecting portion (150) meet, stress concentration can be minimized or improved, thereby improving the durability of the point where the second part (152) of the connecting portion (150) and the third part (153) of the connecting portion (150) meet.

[0073] Meanwhile, the connecting portion (150) may include curves and straight lines throughout its entire periphery, and the points where curves meet and the points where straight lines meet may be connected by tangent lines.

[0074] The length of the first part (151) of the connecting portion (150) may be greater than the length of the second part (152) of the connecting portion (150). The first part (151) of the connecting portion (150) may have a predetermined curvature in a shape extending from the side connected to the link (130) to the side connected to the third part (153) of the connecting portion (150). For example, the first part of the connecting portion (150) may be formed in an approximately L-shape, but the bent portion may be formed in a rounded shape.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 8, due to the difference in length between the first part (151) and the second part (152) of the connecting part (150), the degree of deformation (e.g., degree of bending) of the first part (151) of the connecting part (150) may be greater than the degree of deformation of the second part (152) of the connecting part (150).

[0076] The hinge (300) can rotate clockwise by a predetermined angle by the rotational force of the driving motor (200). The link (130) can move a predetermined distance to the left along the Y-axis in conjunction with the clockwise rotation of the hinge (300). The blade (110) can rotate clockwise around the axial protrusion (28) of the lower housing (20) connected to the coupling portion (120) while the lower portion of the blade (110) is pulled to the left through the connecting portion (150). Accordingly, the direction of movement of the air transported toward the air discharge hole (23) by the blower fan (40) can be adjusted to be biased toward the left side of the air conditioner (1) by being guided by the blade (110).

[0077] In this case, the connecting portion (150) can be flexibly deformed as the first part (151) of the connecting portion (150) is pulled toward the side where the link (130) moves, thereby reducing the torque load of the driving motor (200).

[0078] The first part (151) of the connecting portion (150) and the second part (152) of the connecting portion (150) can be arranged at a predetermined angle (θ) as shown in FIG. 7. For example, the range of the angle (θ) formed by the first part (151) of the connecting portion (150) and the second part (152) of the connecting portion (150) can be from 60 degrees to 120 degrees. When the angle (θ) formed by the first part (151) of the connecting portion (150) and the second part (152) of the connecting portion (150) is less than 60 degrees, the first part (151) and the second part (152) of the connecting portion (150) become longer in the upward direction along the Z-axis, respectively, or the size of the third part (153) of the connecting portion (150) increases. The blade device (100) is difficult to miniaturize due to the increase in the size of the connecting portion (150). When the angle (θ) formed by the first part (151) of the connecting portion (150) and the second part (152) of the connecting portion (150) exceeds 120 degrees, the respective lengths of the first part (151) of the connecting portion (150) and the second part (152) of the connecting portion (150) decrease. Accordingly, the first part (151) of the connecting portion (150) and the second part (152) of the connecting portion (150) become almost straight overall, making it difficult to secure a desired degree of flexibility, and this causes a problem in that the torque load of the driving motor (200) increases.

[0079] In Fig. 7, the angle (θ) formed by the first part (151) of the connecting portion (150) and the second part (152) of the connecting portion (150) may be an angle between the first axis (B1) and the second axis (B2). The first axis (B1) may be an imaginary straight line passing through the center of the first neck (151-1) and the center point (P) of the third part (153) of the connecting portion (150), and the second axis (B2) may be an imaginary straight line passing through the center of the second neck (152-1) and the center point (P) of the third part (153) of the connecting portion (150).

[0080] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a connection portion of a blade device of an air conditioner according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The connection portion (150a) illustrated in FIG. 9 has substantially the same configuration as the connection portion (150) illustrated in FIG. 6 . Below, the connection portion (150a) will be described, focusing primarily on the configurations that differ from the aforementioned connection portion (150).

[0081] Referring to FIG. 9, the connecting portion (150a) may include a first portion (151a), a second portion (152a), and a third portion (153a) that interconnects the first portion (151a) and the second portion (152a).

[0082] The length of the first part (151a) of the connecting portion (150a) may be formed shorter than the length of the second part (152a) of the connecting portion (150a). Due to the difference in length between the first part (151a) and the second part (152a) of the connecting portion (150a), the link (130a) may be positioned higher than the position of the link (130) of the blade device (100) described above.

[0083] The minimum width of each of the first neck of the first part (151a) of the connecting portion (150a) and the second neck of the second part (152a) of the connecting portion (150a) may be formed to be smaller than the maximum width of the third part (153a) of the connecting portion (150a). For example, the connecting portion (150a) may be similar to a shape obtained by rotating the connecting portion (150) illustrated in FIG. 6 180 degrees around the Z-axis.

[0084] The minimum width of each of the first neck of the first part (151a) of the connecting portion (150a) and the second neck of the second part (152a) of the connecting portion (150a) may be 0.4 to 0.7 times the maximum width of the third part (153a). In addition, the angle formed by the first part (151a) and the second part (152a) of the connecting portion (150a) may be 60 to 120 degrees. Accordingly, the connecting portion (150a) may have flexibility and durability.

[0085] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a connection portion of a blade device of an air conditioner according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0086] Referring to Fig. 10, the connecting portion (160) may be formed to have a longer length than the connecting portion (150) illustrated in Fig. 6. The connecting portion (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 connecting portion (160) may be formed in an approximately S-shape.

[0087] A first part (161) of the connecting part (160) is connected to a link (130b), a second part (162) of the connecting part (160) is connected to a blade (110), and a fourth part (164) of the connecting part (160) can be arranged between the first part (161) and the second part (162) of the connecting part (160). In this case, the first part (161) of the connecting part (160) can be connected to one end of the fourth part (164) of the connecting part (160) by the fifth part (165) of the connecting part (160). The second part (162) of the connecting part (160) can be connected to the other end of the fourth part (164) of the connecting part (160) by the second part (162) of the connecting part (160).

[0088] In this case, the minimum width (W11) of the first part (161) of the connecting portion (160) and the minimum width (W14) of the fourth part (164) of the connecting portion (160) may be smaller than the maximum width (W15) of the fifth part (165). The minimum width (W12) of the second part (162) of the connecting portion (160) and the minimum width (W14) of the fourth part (164) of the connecting portion (160) may be smaller than the maximum width (W13) of the third part (163). In this way, the connecting portion (160) may have flexibility and durability even when it is composed of at least five parts (first, second, third, fourth, and fifth parts).

[0089] Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are drawings showing various shapes of connecting parts of blades according to comparative examples.

[0090] Table 1 below is a CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering) analysis result showing the mechanical load torque, maximum stress, and maximum displacement that appear at the connection portion (150) of the blade (110) when the link (130) of the blade device is moved in one direction (+Y-axis direction) and in the opposite direction (-Y-axis direction) along the Y-axis direction to rotate the blade (110) left and right. Table 1 also includes the CAE analysis results that appear at the connection portions of the blades illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 16.

[0091] Mechanical load torque (gf·cm) Maximum stress (Mpa) Maximum displacement (mm) Example 1 24 240.73 7.87 Comparison example 1 20 9 143.717.66 Comparison example 2 19 5 950.147.53 Comparison example 3 21 9 053.429.76 Comparison example 4 10 9 041.69 5.73 Comparison example 5 15 7 643.187.1 Comparison example 6 23 9 446.218.6

[0092] The connecting portion (150) of the blade (110) according to the present embodiment of Table 1 has an approximately S-shape as shown in FIG. 6 and a thickness of approximately 0.5 mm. In the present embodiment, the mechanical load torque applied to the connecting portion (150) was 1242, the maximum stress was 40.73, and the maximum displacement was 7.87.

[0093] Referring to Fig. 11, the connection portion (250-1) of the blade (210-1) according to Comparative Example 1 is formed in a straight shape approximately along the Z-axis direction. One end of the connection portion (250-1) of the blade (210-1) is connected to the lower end (211-1) of the blade (210-1) adjacent to the joint portion (220-1), and the other end is connected to the link (230-1). The length (L1) of the portion (251-1) having a thickness of 0.45 mm of the connection portion (250-1) of the blade (210-1) of Comparative Example 1 is 9.6 mm, and the width (W1) is 4.5 mm. Referring to Table 1, Comparative Example 1 showed that the mechanical load torque acting on the connection portion (250-1) of the blade (210-1) was 2091, the maximum stress was 43.71, and the maximum displacement was 7.66. The mechanical load torque applied to the connecting portion (150) of the blade (110) of the present embodiment was reduced by about 41% compared to the mechanical load torque applied to the connecting portion (250-1) of the blade (210-1) of Comparative Example 1, and the maximum stress applied to the connecting portion (150) of the blade (110) of the present embodiment was reduced by about 7% compared to the maximum stress applied to the connecting portion (250-1) of the blade (210-1) of Comparative Example 1. Therefore, it can be seen that the connecting portion (150) of the blade (110) of the present embodiment has improved durability compared to the connecting portion (250-1) of the blade (210-1) of Comparative Example 1. In addition, the maximum displacement applied to the connection part (150) of the blade (110) of the present embodiment increased by about 7% compared to the mechanical load torque applied to the connection part (250-1) of the blade (210-1) of Comparative Example 1. Therefore, it can be seen that the connection part (150) of the blade (110) of the present embodiment has improved flexibility compared to the connection part (250-1) of the blade (210-1) of Comparative Example 1. Meanwhile, the CAE analysis results when the width (W1) of the connection part (250-1) of Comparative Example 1 was manufactured to be 4.0 mm showed that the mechanical load torque was 1876, the maximum stress was 47.63, and the maximum displacement was 7.44. In this case, the mechanical load torque was 1876 when the width (W1) of the connection part (250-1) was 4.Although it is somewhat reduced compared to the case where it is 5 mm, it can be seen that it is still greater than the base load torque (i.e., 1242) applied to the connection portion (150) of the blade (110) of the present embodiment. It can be seen that the maximum stress rather increases more than when the width (W1) of the connection portion (250-1) of the blade (210-1) is 4.5 mm. It can be seen that the maximum displacement rather decreases more than when the width (W1) of the connection portion (250-1) of the blade (210-1) is 4.5 mm.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 12, the connection part (250-2) of the blade (210-2) according to Comparative Example 2 is configured mostly identically to the connection part (250-1) of the blade (210-1) according to Comparative Example 1 illustrated in FIG. 11, except that it has a C-shaped cut part (252-2) on one side of the portion (251-2) of the connection part (250-2) of the blade (210-2) having a thickness of 0.45 mm. Referring to Table 1, Comparative Example 2 showed that the mechanical load torque acting on the connection part (250-2) of the blade (210-2) was 1959, the maximum stress was 50.14, and the maximum displacement was 7.53. When comparing the mechanical load torque, maximum stress, and maximum displacement applied to the connection portion (150) of the blade (110) of the present embodiment and the connection portion (250-2) of the blade (210-2) of Comparative Example 2, it can be seen that the durability and flexibility of the connection portion (150) of the blade (110) of the present embodiment are further improved compared to the connection portion (250-2) of the blade (210-2) of Comparative Example 2.

[0095] Referring to Fig. 13, the connection portion (250-3) of the blade (210-3) according to Comparative Example 3 is formed in a straight line approximately along the X-axis direction. One end of the connection portion (250-3) of the blade (210-3) is connected to the lower tip (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) having a thickness of 0.45 mm of the connection portion (250-3) of the blade (210-3) of Comparative Example 3 is 8 mm, and the width (W2) is 3 mm. Referring to Table 1, Comparative Example 3 showed that the mechanical load torque acting on the connection portion (250-3) of the blade (210-3) was 2091, the maximum stress was 43.71, and the maximum displacement was 7.66. The mechanical load torque and maximum stress of the connection part (250-3) of the blade (210-3) of Comparative Example 3 were higher than those of the connection part (150) of the blade (110) of the present embodiment, and the maximum displacement of the connection part (250-3) of the blade (210-3) of Comparative Example 3 was higher than those of the connection part (150) of the blade (110) of the present embodiment. Therefore, it can be seen that the connection part (250-3) of the blade (210-3) of Comparative Example 3 has higher flexibility than the connection part (150) of the blade (110) of the present embodiment, but has significantly lower durability.

[0096] Referring to Fig. 14, the connection portion (250-4) of the blade (210-4) according to Comparative Example 4 is formed in an arc shape approximately along the Z-axis direction. One end of the connection portion (250-4) of the blade (210-4) is connected to the lower end (211-4) of the blade (210-4) adjacent to the joint portion (220-4), and the other end is connected to the link (230-4). The maximum width (W3) of the connection portion (250-4) of the blade (210-4) of Comparative Example 4 is 2.4 mm. Referring to Table 1, Comparative Example 4 showed that the mechanical load torque applied to the connection portion (250-4) was 1090, the maximum stress was 41.69, and the maximum displacement was 5.73. The mechanical load torque of the connection part (250-4) of the blade (210-4) of Comparative Example 4 was lower than that of the connection part (150) of the blade (110) of the present embodiment, but the maximum stress of the connection part (250-4) of the blade (210-4) of Comparative Example 4 was higher than that of the connection part (150) of the blade (110) of the present embodiment. The maximum displacement of the connection part (250-4) of the blade (210-4) of Comparative Example 4 was lower than that of the maximum displacement applied to the connection part (150) of the blade (110) of the present embodiment. Therefore, it can be seen that the connection part (250-3) of the blade (210-4) of Comparative Example 4 may be similar to that of the connection part (150) of the blade (110) of the present embodiment in durability, but has lower flexibility.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 15, the connection part (250-5) of the blade (210-5) according to Comparative Example 5 is configured mostly in the same manner as the connection part (250-4) of the blade (210-4) according to Comparative Example 4 illustrated in FIG. 14. However, the connection part (250-5) of the blade (210-5) differs from the connection part (250-4) of the blade (210-4) in that a bead (253-5) protrudes on the upper side. Accordingly, the thickness of the upper portion of the connection part (250-5) of the blade (210-5) according to Comparative Example 5 is formed to be thicker than the thickness of the upper portion of the connection part (250-4) of the blade (210-4) according to Comparative Example 4. Referring to Table 1, Comparative Example 5 showed that the mechanical load torque acting on the connection portion (250-5) of the blade (210-5) was 1576, the maximum stress was 43.18, and the maximum displacement was 7.1. When comparing the mechanical load torque, maximum stress, and maximum displacement acting on the connection portion (150) of the blade (110) of the present embodiment and the connection portion (250-5) of the blade (210-5) of Comparative Example 5, it can be seen that the durability and flexibility of the connection portion (150) of the blade (110) of the present embodiment are further improved compared to the connection portion (250-5) of the blade (210-5) of Comparative Example 5.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 16, the connection portion (250-6) of the blade (210-6) according to Comparative Example 6 is configured mostly in the same manner as the connection portion (250-4) of the blade (210-4) according to Comparative Example 4 illustrated in FIG. 14. However, the length of the connection portion (250-6) of the blade (210-6) of Comparative Example 6 is shorter than the length of the connection portion (250-4) of the blade (210-4) of Comparative Example 4, and it is different from the connection portion (250-4) of the blade (210-4) of Comparative Example 4 in that it further includes an extension portion (254-6) having the same thickness as the thickness of the blade (210-6). Referring to Table 1, the mechanical load torque acting on the connection part (250-6) of the blade (210-6) of Comparative Example 6 was 2394, the maximum stress was 46.21, and the maximum displacement was 8.6. The mechanical load torque and the maximum stress of the connection part (250-6) of the blade (210-6) of Comparative Example 6 were higher than those of the connection part (150) of the blade (110) of the present embodiment, and the maximum displacement of the connection part (250-6) of the blade (210-6) of Comparative Example 6 was higher than those of the connection part (150) of the blade (110) of the present embodiment. Therefore, it can be seen that the connection part (250-6) of the blade (210-6) of Comparative Example 6 has higher flexibility than the connection part (150) of the blade (110) of the present embodiment, but has significantly lower durability.

[0099] Although the preferred embodiments have been illustrated and described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications may be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the gist of the present disclosure as claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or prospect of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A housing including an air inlet hole and an air outlet hole; A heat exchanger disposed inside the above housing; A blower fan that discharges the air exchanged with the above heat exchanger through the air discharge hole; A blade device arranged inside the housing to control the direction of air transported to the air exhaust hole by the blower fan; and A drive motor providing driving force to the above blade device; The above blade device, A link connected to the above driving motor; a plurality of blades arranged at intervals along the length of the link; and An air conditioner comprising a plurality of connecting portions that connect the plurality of blades and the link and are formed with at least one fold.

2. In paragraph 1, Each of the above multiple connecting portions, A first part connected to the above plurality of blades; a second part connected to the above link; and a third part interconnecting the first part and the second part; An air conditioner, wherein the minimum width of the first portion and the minimum width of the second portion are smaller than the maximum width of the third portion.

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

4. In paragraph 2, The point where the first part and the third part meet and the point where the second part and the third part meet are each connected by a tangent, air conditioner 5. In paragraph 2, An air conditioner, wherein the angle formed by the first part and the second part is 60 to 120 degrees.

6. In paragraph 2, An air conditioner, wherein the length of the first part and the length of the second part are different.

7. In paragraph 6, An air conditioner, wherein the first part or the second part includes a folded part, and the folded part is formed in a round shape.

8. In paragraph 1, An air conditioner, wherein the thickness of the plurality of connecting parts is smaller than the thickness of the plurality of blades.

9. In paragraph 8, An air conditioner, wherein each of the above-mentioned plurality of connecting parts has a thickness of 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm.

10. In paragraph 1, Each of the above multiple connecting portions, A first part connected to the above plurality of blades; A second part connected to the above link; A fourth part disposed between the first part and the second part; a fifth part interconnecting the first part and the fourth part; and a third part interconnecting the second part and the fourth part; The minimum width of the first portion and the minimum width of the fourth portion are smaller than the maximum width of the fifth portion, The minimum width of the second portion and the minimum width of the fourth portion are smaller than the maximum width of the third portion, and the air conditioner.

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

12. In paragraph 10, The point where the first part and the fifth part meet, the point where the fourth part and the fifth part meet, the point where the second part and the third part meet, and the point where the fourth part and the third part meet are each connected by a tangent line, air conditioner 13. In paragraph 10, An air conditioner in which the above connecting part is formed in an S shape.

14. In paragraph 1, An air conditioner, wherein the above link, the plurality of blades and the plurality of connecting parts are formed integrally.

15. In paragraph 1, An air conditioner, wherein the plurality of connecting parts are arranged parallel to the plurality of blades.

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