Louver assembly and air management device using same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a louver assembly and an air management device using same. In the present invention, among the components constituting the louver assembly (20), only the louvers (21) are in an air flow area in which air flows. The other components of the louver assembly (20) are not located in the air flow area. In the louver assembly (20), a driving lever (24) that causes the movement of the louvers (21) is located outside of the air flow area. Therefore, the driving lever (24) does not interfere with the air flow. In addition, a connecting member (22) connecting the louvers (21) to each other in the louver assembly (20) is also located outside the air flow area, and thus does not interfere with the air flow.

Description

Louver assembly and air management device using the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a louver assembly for controlling the direction of air flow and an air management device using the same.

[0002] Air conditioning systems are designed to maintain optimal indoor air quality, depending on their intended purpose. For example, in summer, they discharge indoor heat to the outside, lowering the indoor air temperature. In winter, they also increase the temperature of the exhaust air, ensuring that indoor temperatures remain relatively warmer than outdoors. Alternatively, they may draw in indoor air, purify it, and then discharge it back into the room.

[0003] Air management devices are installed within indoor spaces where air management is desired, but they occupy a relatively small space compared to the indoor space itself. Therefore, the air discharged from the air management device cannot be directly distributed throughout the entire indoor space. Under these circumstances, it is necessary to ensure that the air discharged from the air management device can be distributed over a relatively wide area. To achieve this, a louver assembly is used. Typically, multiple louvers are positioned within the air management device's discharge port, and the direction of the louvers is controlled to control the air flow direction, thereby allowing the air to be distributed over a wide area.

[0004] A louver assembly like this has multiple louvers placed over the entire flow cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge port. However, since it is too expensive to assemble the louvers individually and drive them with each driving source, multiple louvers are generally connected as one and driven simultaneously with one driving source.

[0005] To achieve this, a connecting member connecting the louvers to each other and a driving lever for simultaneously operating the louvers are used. The connecting member and the driving lever are installed across the flow area of ​​the discharge port to connect the louvers as one, allowing the louvers to be operated simultaneously.

[0006] If a connecting member and / or a driving lever is placed across the flow area of ​​the outlet in this way, there is a problem that the flow of air passing through the outlet is obstructed and noise is generated.

[0007] In addition, in conventional louver assemblies, the driving source for adjusting the angle of the louver is located at one end of the longitudinal direction of the louver assembly and operates the driving lever. However, since the driving lever is formed to extend long and long in the left and right directions, there is also a problem in that the driving force of the driving source transmitted from one end of the driving member is not transmitted equally to each louver. Therefore, there is a problem in that the operating angle of each louver is slightly different.

[0008] In addition, in air management devices equipped with conventional louver assemblies, when the louvers of the louver assembly are installed in the flow area of ​​the discharge port, they are separated from the bottom surface of one side of the discharge port. Therefore, there are areas in the flow area of ​​the entire discharge port where the louvers are not positioned. In particular, there are areas adjacent to the bottom surface of the discharge port where the louvers do not exist, and as air flows through these areas, a problem occurs in which the direction of some of the discharged air is not controlled.

[0009] As prior art technologies with these problems, there are Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2006-0022424 and Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2002-0026723.

[0010] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the conventional problems as described above, and to allow components of a louver assembly, excluding the louver, to be installed at a position outside the air flow area.

[0011] The purpose of the present invention is to ensure that among the components of a louver assembly, a component for connecting the louvers and a component for operating the louvers are installed at a position outside the air flow area.

[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide a driving source that provides driving force for driving a louver assembly so that the driving source is located at the center of the louver assembly.

[0013] The purpose of the present invention is to enable the louvers constituting the louver assembly to be installed and connected to the floor of the air flow area.

[0014] According to a feature of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose, in the present invention, among the components constituting the louver assembly, only the louver is located in the air flow area.

[0015] In the present invention, one edge of a louver constituting a louver assembly can be installed adjacent to the bottom surface of an air flow area.

[0016] In the present invention, the operating unit for driving the louver of the louver assembly can be installed by being connected to the middle part of the driving lever for connecting and operating the louver.

[0017] In the present invention, the driving lever for operating the louver is located outside the air flow area.

[0018] In the present invention, the connecting member connecting the louvers is located outside the air flow area.

[0019] The present invention may include a plurality of louvers installed in a row across an air flow area, a driving lever connected to each louver so that the louvers operate simultaneously and provided at a position outside the air flow area, and an operating unit that provides a force for operating the driving lever to the driving lever.

[0020] The above operating unit may be provided at a middle position of the driving lever.

[0021] The above operating unit may be a linkage lever or gear operated by a worker.

[0022] The above operating unit may include a driving source and a linkage lever or gear train that transmits the driving force of the driving source to the driving lever.

[0023] The above louver may be installed adjacent to the floor of the air flow area.

[0024] The above louver may have an elastically deformable connecting portion on one side and a linkage pin on the other side.

[0025] The above connecting portion can be connected to the bottom of the air flow area.

[0026] The above connecting members are each connected to one connecting member, and the connecting members can be provided at a position outside the air flow area.

[0027] On the outer surface of the above driving lever, a plurality of contact ribs may be formed to extend in the movement direction of the above driving lever.

[0028] The above driving lever may have a plurality of louver pin slots formed in parallel to guide the louver's linkage pins by inserting them.

[0029] The air management device of the present invention may include a housing that forms an exterior and has an intake port and an exhaust port, a chassis that is positioned in the housing and forms a skeleton and has a rear guide that guides air flow, a driving fan that is installed so that one side faces the rear guide and generates air flow, a heat exchanger that is installed around a portion of the driving fan and exchanges heat with a working fluid as air sucked through the intake port passes therethrough, and a louver assembly that is installed in an air flow area formed between the rear guide and an outer surface of the driving fan and controls the direction in which air flows, and only the louvers that constitute the louver assembly may be positioned in the air flow area.

[0030] The above louver can be installed with one edge adjacent to the surface of the rear guide, which becomes the surface of the air flow area.

[0031] The above louver assembly may include a plurality of louvers installed in a row across the air flow area, a driving lever connected to each louver so that the louvers operate simultaneously and provided at a position outside the air flow area, and an operating unit that provides force for operating the driving lever to the driving lever.

[0032] A concave mounting groove is formed on the inner surface of the above rear guide, and the driving lever can be installed in the mounting groove.

[0033] A through-hole is formed in the above-mentioned mounting groove at a position corresponding to the middle of the longitudinal direction of the driving lever, so that the operating part can be positioned.

[0034] The above operating unit may include a driving source and a linkage lever or gear train that transmits the driving force of the driving source to the driving lever.

[0035] The above louver may have an elastically deformable connecting portion on one side and a linkage pin on the other side.

[0036] The above connecting portion may be connected to the surface of the rear guide or to a connecting member exposed on the surface of the rear guide.

[0037] On the outer surface of the above driving lever, a plurality of contact ribs may be formed to extend in the movement direction of the above driving lever.

[0038] The above driving lever may have a plurality of louver pin slots formed in parallel to guide the louver's linkage pins by inserting them.

[0039] The louver assembly according to the present invention and the air management device using the same may have at least one of the following effects.

[0040] In the present invention, among the components constituting the louver assembly, only the louvers are located within the airflow region, while the remaining components are located outside the airflow region. Therefore, only the louvers control the airflow direction within the airflow region, and no components impede the airflow. Consequently, the desired airflow direction can be controlled while maintaining smooth airflow and noise reduction.

[0041] In particular, in the present invention, a connecting member for connecting a plurality of louvers and a driving lever for simultaneously operating a plurality of louvers are positioned within a mounting groove formed on the surface of a rear guide forming an air flow area, such that the connecting member and the driving lever are positioned away from the air flow area. Accordingly, the connecting member and the driving lever facilitate assembly and operation of the louvers without interfering with air flow in the air flow area.

[0042] In the present invention, a through hole is formed through the center of a mounting groove in which a connecting member constituting a louver assembly and a driving lever are positioned, and power is transmitted to the middle portion of the driving lever through a driving source mounted on the rear surface of the rear guide through this through hole. Accordingly, the distance between the louvers and the portion where force for driving the driving lever is applied is relatively reduced, thereby enabling the louvers to operate uniformly.

[0043] In the present invention, the louvers constituting the louver assembly are installed adjacent to the surface of the rear guide forming the airflow area. This configuration is possible because the mounting groove is located lower than the surface of the rear guide, and the connecting member connecting the louvers and the driving lever operating the louvers are located in a space outside the airflow area. Since the louvers are installed adjacent to the surface of the rear guide in this way, the flow direction of air passing through the surface of the rear guide and its vicinity can be controlled by the louvers. Therefore, the flow direction of air passing through the louver assembly can be reliably controlled.

[0044] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an air management device in which a louver assembly of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is employed.

[0045] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of a louver assembly of the present invention installed on a chassis of an air management device.

[0046] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a louver assembly of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing the configuration of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2.

[0048] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2.

[0049] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the rear guide portion of the chassis used in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing louvers constituting an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of a louver constituting an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a drive lever constituting an embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the drive lever illustrated in Fig. 9 from another direction.

[0054] Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing a driving source constituting an embodiment of the present invention mounted and connected to a louver assembly.

[0055] Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the drive source and linkage lever illustrated in Fig. 11.

[0056] Fig. 13 is an operational state diagram showing that the louvers guide air without rotating in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Fig. 14 is an operational state diagram showing the same state as Fig. 13 in a plan view.

[0058] Fig. 15 is an operational state diagram showing that the louvers guide air while being rotated to the left with respect to the drawing in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Fig. 16 is an operational state diagram showing that the louvers guide air while being rotated to the right with respect to the drawing in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. When designating components in each drawing, it should be noted that, where possible, identical components will be given the same reference numerals, even if they appear in different drawings. Furthermore, when describing embodiments of the present invention, if a detailed description of a related known structure or function is deemed to hinder understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, such detailed description will be omitted.

[0061] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an air management device employing a preferred embodiment of the louver assembly of the present invention. The louver assembly (20) of the present invention can be used in various types of air management devices. In the drawing, the louver assembly (20) of the present invention is employed in a wall-mounted and detachable air management device. However, the louver assembly (20) of the present invention can be used not only in an integrated air management device but also in various devices where air flow occurs, such as an air purifier.

[0062] The exterior of the air management device illustrated may be formed by a housing (10). The housing (10) may form most of the front, top, rear, both sides, and bottom of the air management device. Of course, some parts of the exterior of the air management device may be made of other components, but the housing (10) may constitute most of the exterior of the air management device.

[0063] A chassis (12) may be installed inside the housing (10). The chassis (12) is a portion to which various components may be mounted and may form the skeleton of the air management device. The shape of the chassis (12) is not limited to that shown in the drawing and may have various shapes.

[0064] In this embodiment, a rear guide (13) is formed on the chassis (12). The rear guide (13) is a part that guides heat-exchanged air to be discharged to the outside of the housing (10). In the illustrated example, the surface of the rear guide (13) is a curved surface having a predetermined radius of curvature. A fan installation space (14) may be provided in the space formed by the rear guide (13). A driving fan (15) is installed in the fan installation space (14) to provide a driving force for air to flow into and out of the housing (10). The driving fan (15) is driven and rotates by a fan drive source (not illustrated). An area in which air flows is formed between the outer surface of the driving fan (15) and the rear guide (13).

[0065] A heat exchanger (16) may be installed adjacent to the driving fan (15) to surround a portion of the driving fan (15). The heat exchanger (16) is a portion where the air sucked into the housing (10) by the driving fan (15) and the working fluid exchange heat. A working fluid circulating a heat exchange cycle flows within the heat exchanger (16), and the working fluid and the sucked air exchange heat with each other.

[0066] The housing (10) has an intake port (17). The intake port (17) may be located on the upper surface of the housing (10). The intake port (17) serves as an inlet through which external air flows into the interior of the housing (10). The intake port (17) may be formed to extend left and right on the upper surface of the housing (10) when the air management device is viewed from the front.

[0067] The front lower portion of the housing (10) may have a front discharge port (18). The front discharge port (18) is a portion through which air heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger (16) is discharged to a space for air management. The front discharge port (18) may also be formed to extend longwise from side to side on the front of the housing (10) when the air management device is viewed from the front.

[0068] The bottom surface of the housing (10) may have a bottom discharge port (19). The bottom discharge port (19) may be located adjacent to the front discharge port (18). That is, the bottom discharge port (19) may be located at the front of the bottom surface. Air may be discharged toward the front and bottom of the housing (10) through the front discharge port (18) and the bottom discharge port (19).

[0069] The louver assembly (20) of the embodiment of the present invention can be used to control the direction of air flowing through the front outlet (18) and / or the bottom outlet (19). The louver assembly (20) can control the direction of air flow in the left and right directions when the front outlet (18) or the bottom outlet (19) is viewed from the front. Of course, the direction of air flow can be controlled differently depending on the direction in which the louver assembly (20) is installed in the air management device.

[0070] Air flows along the surface of the rear guide (13) of the chassis (12), and the surface of the rear guide (13) may be a curved surface or an inclined surface having a predetermined radius of curvature. The rear guide (13) may have a mounting groove (121). The mounting groove (121) may be formed long across the air flow area formed in the rear guide (13). A driving lever (24), which will be described below, may be movably positioned in the mounting groove (121). A connecting member (22), which will be described below, may also be positioned in the mounting groove (121).

[0071] A through hole (123) is formed in the above-described mounting groove (121). The through hole (123) may be formed by penetrating the rear guide (13). Through the through hole (123), the driving force of the driving source (26) to be described below may be transmitted to drive the louver (20). The through hole (123) may be located at the center of the left and right directions of the above-described mounting groove (121).

[0072] There may be a plurality of hook grooves (125) connected to the above-described settling groove (121). The hook grooves (125) may extend in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the settling groove (121). The extension direction of the hook grooves (125) is the direction in which air flows. A plurality of hook grooves (125) may be formed in parallel at a constant interval. An extension portion (221) of a connecting member (22) to be described below may be positioned in the hook groove (125). The shape of the hook groove (125) is made such that the extension portion (221) can be inserted and filled.

[0073] The above louver assembly (20) has a louver (21). There are a plurality of louvers (21). The louvers (21) are arranged in a parallel manner with a predetermined interval. The louver (21) has an approximately plate shape. The louver body (211) may form the framework of the louver (21). As can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the louver body (211) has a plate shape in which edges are formed by connecting straight lines and curved lines. An interlocking pin (213) may be provided at one end of the louver body (211). The interlocking pin (213) may be located at a downstream portion in the air flow direction of the louver body (211). The interlocking pin (213) is for interlocking with the drive lever (24) to be described below. The above-mentioned linkage pin (213) is inserted into the louver pin slot (243) of the driving lever (24), so that the rotational movement of the louver (21) occurs at a predetermined angle by the linear movement of the driving lever (24).

[0074] A connecting portion (215) may be provided at the upstream portion in the air flow direction of the above louver (21). The connecting portion (215) is a portion connected to an extension portion (221) of a connecting member (22) to be described below. The connecting portion (215) also serves as a center of rotation around which the louver (21) rotates. The portion connected to the connecting portion (215) at the tip of the louver body (211) is formed into a curve having a predetermined radius of curvature.

[0075] As another embodiment, the connecting portion (215) may be connected to the rear guide (13) so as to become the center of rotation without being connected to the connecting member (22). This can be seen as a case where the connecting member (22) described below is integrated with the rear guide (13). In this case, the connecting portion (215) of the louver (21) may be integrated with the rear guide (13). Alternatively, the louvers (21) may be formed separately from the rear guides (13), so that the connecting portion (215) may be inserted into a circular groove formed in the rear guides (13) to become the center of rotation.

[0076] In this embodiment, in order to ensure smooth operation of the louver (21) while the connecting portion (215) is integrally connected to the connecting member (22) described below, an elastic slot (217) is formed along the connecting portion (215). The presence of the elastic slot (217) facilitates elastic deformation of the connecting portion (215), thereby enabling smooth elastic deformation of the louver (21) relative to the connecting member (22), thereby ensuring smooth operation of the louver (21).

[0077] A plurality of louvers (21) can be connected by a connecting member (22). The connecting member (22) is extended in a direction perpendicular to the direction of air flow. In each of the connecting members (22), an extension portion (221) is formed to extend in the direction of air flow. The connecting member (215) is connected to the end of the extension portion (221). The connecting member (22) is seated in the mounting groove (121) of the rear guide (13). At this time, the connecting member (22) is positioned in an area approximately half of the mounting groove (121). The extension portion (221) of the connecting member (22) is seated in the hanging groove (125). By positioning the extension portion (221) in the hanging groove (125), the movement of the connecting member (22) in the longitudinal direction of the mounting groove (121) can be restricted. Among the surfaces of the connecting member (22), a portion exposed to the outside of the hanging groove (125) may have a curvature radius corresponding to the curvature radius of the rear guide (13). This is to enable one surface of the connecting member (22) to form a continuous surface with the surface of the rear guide (13) and guide the flow of air.

[0078] A step portion (223) is formed to protrude along one side of the connecting member (22). The step portion (223) may be formed to extend in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member (22). The step portion (223) may be aligned with the step portion (249) of the driving lever (24) to be described below. The step portion (223) of the connecting member (22) is a protruding step, and the step portion (249) of the driving lever (24) is a concave step. Therefore, the step portion (223) of the connecting member (22) can guide the driving lever (24) to move within the mounting groove (121).

[0079] A driving lever (24) is installed in the above-mentioned mounting groove (121) so as to be able to move a predetermined distance. The exterior and frame of the driving lever (24) are formed by a lever body (241). The lever body (241) is roughly shaped like a belt, and is formed so that its length is longer than its width and thickness.

[0080] Here, the surface of the drive lever (24), that is, the portion of the surface of the lever body (241) that is exposed to the outside of the hook groove (125), may have a curvature radius corresponding to the curvature radius of the rear guide (13). This is to enable the exposed surface of the drive lever (24) to form a surface that is continuous with the surface of the rear guide (13) and to guide the flow of air.

[0081] The above driving levers (24) are each connected to the interlocking pins (213) of the louvers (21). For this purpose, a plurality of louver pin slots (243) are formed in the lever body (241). The interlocking pins (213) of the louvers (21) are inserted and guided into the louver pin slots (243). The louver pin slots (243) are formed to extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the driving lever (24), i.e., in the air flow direction. Since the interlocking pins (213) are inserted into the louver pin slots (243), when the driving lever (244) moves in the thermal direction of the louvers (21), the louvers (21) can be elastically deformed and rotated at a predetermined angle around the connecting portion (215). The surface of the lever body (241) on which the louver pin slots (243) are formed is formed so as to have no protruding portions.

[0082] The above driving lever (24) has a linkage (245). The linkage (245) is a part for linkage with the driving source (26) to be described below. The linkage (245) is formed to protrude from the surface of the lever body (241). The linkage (245) is formed on the surface opposite to the surface where the louver pin slot (243) is formed.

[0083] A linkage slot (247) is formed in the above linkage part (245). The extension direction of the linkage slot (247) is the same direction as the louver pin slot (243). The linkage part (245) protrudes from the lever body (241), and is positioned in the through hole (123) formed in the mounting groove (121) so as not to interfere with the bottom of the mounting groove (121).

[0084] The outer surface of the driving lever (24) has a plurality of contact ribs (248). The contact ribs (248) are located at a portion of the outer surface of the driving lever (24) that comes into contact with the inner surface of the seating groove (121) or the outer surface of the connecting member (22). The contact ribs (248) extend in the longitudinal direction of the driving lever (24). The contact ribs (248) serve to minimize frictional force when the driving lever (24) moves within the seating groove (121). That is, the contact ribs (248) come into linear contact with the inner surface of the seating groove (121) or the outer surface of the connecting member (22). The contact ribs (248) are formed on a surface of the driving lever (24) that is not exposed to the airflow area.

[0085] In the illustrated embodiment, the contact rib (248) is formed with a length corresponding to the length of the driving lever (24). However, the contact rib (248) may be relatively short, with a length that does not correspond to the length of the driving lever (24). For example, although the contact rib (248) is formed in an area corresponding to the entire length of the driving lever (24), it may be intermittently cut off. That is, in the illustrated embodiment, one contact rib (248) may be formed by cutting it into multiple pieces. In this way, the frictional force caused by the contact rib (248) can be relatively further reduced.

[0086] The above driving lever (24) has a step portion (249). The step portion (249) is formed to extend in the longitudinal direction of the driving lever (24) on both sides in the width direction of the driving lever (24). Among the step portions (249), the one adjacent to the connecting member (22) can be matched with the step portion (223) of the connecting member (22). This can be clearly seen in Fig. 5.

[0087] In the present invention, the connecting member (22) and the driving lever (24) are located outside the air flow area formed between the driving fan (15) and the rear guide (13) in the fan installation space (14). That is, since the connecting member (22) and the driving lever (24) are located in the mounting groove (121), the air flow in the air flow area is not obstructed. Rather, the surface of the connecting member (22) and the driving lever (24) exposed to the air flow area has a radius of curvature corresponding to the surface of the rear guide (13), so that it can serve to guide the air flow.

[0088] The driving source (26) can be installed in a portion corresponding to the back surface of the rear guide (13). As can be seen in Fig. 11, it can be fixed to a mounting boss (127) formed to protrude on the back surface of the rear guide (13) of the chassis (12). The driving source (26) can be a motor driven by electricity. A driving shaft (263) is provided to protrude out of a driving source body (261) that forms the exterior and frame of the driving source. The driving shaft (263) provides the driving force of the driving source (26) in the form of rotational force. The driving source body (261) has a mounting bracket (265) extending to both sides. The mounting bracket (265) is for mounting the driving source (26) at a specific position. The mounting bracket (265) is fastened to the mounting boss (127).

[0089] A linkage lever (28) can be connected to the drive shaft (263) of the above driving source (26). The linkage lever (28) has a linkage lever body (281) that forms a skeleton. The linkage lever body (281) extends in a straight line. At one end of the linkage lever body (281), there is a drive shaft hole (283). The drive shaft (263) of the drive source (26) can be fitted into the drive shaft hole (283) and rotated integrally. That is, the linkage lever (28) can be rotated together by the rotation of the drive shaft (263).

[0090] The other end of the above-described linkage lever body (281) may have a linkage projection (285). The linkage projection (285) may be inserted into the linkage slot (247) of the driving lever (24). When the linkage lever (28) rotates while the linkage projection (265) is guided along the linkage slot (247), the driving lever (24) moves linearly within the seating groove (121). For reference, the positions where the linkage slot (247) and the linkage projection (265) are formed may be opposite to those in the illustrated embodiment. That is, the linkage slot (247) may be in the linkage lever (28), and the linkage projection (265) may be in the driving lever (24).

[0091] Meanwhile, the power transmission between the driving source (26) and the driving lever (24) may be achieved by a configuration other than the linkage lever (28). For example, power may be transmitted from the driving source (26) to the driving lever (24) using a gear.

[0092] For reference, the louver assembly (20) of the present invention does not necessarily have to be driven by the driving source (26). For example, the louver (21) and the driving lever (24) can be operated by the user by hand. For this purpose, there may be an operating unit connected to the driving lever (24), such as the interlocking lever (28). In the illustrated embodiment, the driving source (26) and the interlocking lever (28) serve as the operating unit. The operating unit may be installed such that a configuration such as the interlocking lever (28) is exposed to the outside of the housing (10). That is, by rotating the operating unit by a predetermined angle, the driving lever (24) moves linearly. The operating unit may be, for example, a gear that can be rotated by the operator by hand. The gear meshes with a gear or gear portion in the driving lever (24), and by rotating, the driving lever (24) can move linearly.

[0093] Hereinafter, the operation of the louver assembly according to the present invention having the configuration described above and the air management device using the same will be described.

[0094] The air management device of the embodiment of the present invention is a separate type, and the drawing discloses an indoor unit. The indoor unit is also of a type that can be hung on a wall. In this type of air management device, the working fluid from the outdoor unit passes through the heat exchanger (16), and the air for air management, which is drawn in through the intake port (17) by the driving fan (15), passes through the heat exchanger (16) to exchange heat.

[0095] Air that has undergone heat exchange in the heat exchanger (16) and has a relatively low temperature enters the driving fan (15) and is discharged in a centrifugal direction through the portion of the driving fan (15) that faces the rear guide (13). The air discharged from the driving fan (15) moves along the rear guide (13) and flows toward the front discharge port (18) and the bottom discharge port (19).

[0096] In this process, the flowing air passes through the louver assembly (20) installed in the rear guide (13). The installation angles of the louvers (21) of the louver assembly (20) can be adjusted by the driving of the driving source (26). FIGS. 13 and 14 show a state in which the louvers (21) are not rotated. That is, the linkage lever (28) connected to the driving shaft (263) of the driving source (26) is extended orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the connecting member (22) or the driving lever (24). Therefore, at this time, the flow direction of the air before the louver (21) and the flow direction of the air after the louver (21) do not change. That is, the air passing through the louver assembly (20) flows as is without any change in the flow direction.

[0097] And, in Fig. 15, the louvers (21) are shown rotated to the left by the movement of the drive lever (24) based on the drawing. Since the drive lever (24) is moved to the left based on the drawing, the interlocking pin (213) of the louver (21) inserted into the louver pin slot (243) of the drive lever (24) is moved to the left by the operation of the drive lever (24).

[0098] By this action, the louver (21) rotates with the louver body (211) elastically deforming based on the connecting portion (215) and is rotated to the left at a predetermined angle. Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 15, the air flows while being guided to bend to the left at a predetermined angle while passing through the louver (21).

[0099] Meanwhile, Fig. 16 illustrates a state in which the louvers (21) are rotated to the right by the movement of the drive lever (24) based on the drawing. The drive lever (24) receives the driving force of the drive source (26) through the linkage lever (28) and moves to the right based on the drawing, so that the linkage pin (213) of the louver (21) inserted into the louver pin slot (243) of the drive lever (24) moves to the right by the operation of the drive lever (24).

[0100] By this action, the louver (21) rotates with the louver body (211) elastically deforming based on the connecting portion (215) and is rotated to the right by a predetermined angle. Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 16, the air flows while being guided to bend to the right by a predetermined angle while passing through the louver (21).

[0101] And, in the present invention, as can be seen in FIG. 2, FIG. 5, etc., the connecting member (22) or the driving lever (24) is configured so as not to protrude from the surface of the rear guide (13). Therefore, the connecting member (22) or the driving lever (24) does not obstruct the flow of air moving along the rear guide (13). Accordingly, the air passing through the louver assembly (20) can flow more stably and noiselessly.

[0102] And, when the driving lever (24) moves within the mounting groove (121), only the contact rib (248) comes into contact with the inner surface of the mounting groove (121) or the outer surface of the connecting member (22). This means that the frictional force acting on the driving lever (24) is minimized. Accordingly, the driving force required for the movement of the driving lever (24) can be reduced to a minimum.

[0103] Although all components constituting embodiments of the present invention have been described as being combined or operating in combination, the present invention is not necessarily limited to such embodiments. That is, within the scope of the present invention, all components may be selectively combined and operated in one or more combinations.

Claims

1. Louvers installed in a row across the airflow area, A driving lever connected to each louver so that the louvers operate simultaneously and provided at a position outside the air flow area; A louver assembly including an operating unit that provides force for the operation of the driving lever to the driving lever.

2. In the first paragraph, the operating part is a louver assembly provided at the middle position of the driving lever.

3. In the first paragraph, the operating unit is a louver assembly that is a linkage lever or gear operated by a worker.

4. In the first paragraph, the operating unit is a louver assembly including a driving source and a linkage lever or gear train that transmits the driving force of the driving source to the driving lever.

5. In the first paragraph, the louver assembly is installed adjacent to the bottom of the air flow area.

6. In the first paragraph, a louver assembly having an elastically deformable connecting portion on one side and a linkage pin on the other side.

7. In the 6th paragraph, the connecting part is a louver assembly connected to the bottom of the air flow area.

8. A louver assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein the connecting portions are each connected to one connecting member, and the connecting members are provided at a position outside the air flow area.

9. In the first paragraph, a louver assembly having a plurality of contact ribs formed on the outer surface of the driving lever extending in the direction of movement of the driving lever; 10. In the first paragraph, a louver assembly in which a plurality of louver pin slots are formed in a row in the driving lever, into which the louver's linkage pins are inserted and guided.

11. A housing having an exterior and an intake and an exhaust port, A chassis formed with a rear guide that is positioned in the housing and forms a skeleton and guides airflow, A driving fan that is installed facing the rear guide on one side and generates air flow, A heat exchanger that surrounds a portion of the above driving fan and exchanges heat with the working fluid as air sucked in through the above suction port passes through it; It includes a louver assembly installed in an air flow area formed between the rear guide and the outer surface of the driving fan to control the direction in which air flows. An air management device in which only the louvers constituting the above louver assembly are positioned in the air flow area.

12. An air management device in accordance with claim 11, wherein the louver is installed with one edge adjacent to the surface of the rear guide, which becomes the surface of the air flow area.

13. In the 11th paragraph, the louver assembly, A plurality of louvers installed in a row across the above airflow area, A driving lever connected to each louver so that the louvers operate simultaneously and provided at a position outside the air flow area; An air management device including an operating unit that provides power for the operation of the driving lever to the driving lever.

14. An air management device in which, in the 13th paragraph, a mounting groove is formed concavely on the inner surface of the rear guide, and the driving lever is installed in the mounting groove.

15. An air management device in which, in the 14th paragraph, a through-hole is formed in the mounting groove at a position corresponding to the middle of the longitudinal direction of the driving lever, and the operating unit is positioned therein.

16. An air management device in accordance with claim 13, wherein the operating unit includes a driving source and a linkage lever or gear train that transmits the driving force of the driving source to the driving lever.

17. An air management device in accordance with claim 11, wherein the louver has an elastically deformable connecting portion on one side and a linkage pin on the other side.

18. An air management device in accordance with paragraph 17, wherein the connecting portion is connected to the surface of the rear guide or to a connecting member exposed on the surface of the rear guide.

19. An air management device in which a plurality of contact ribs are formed on the outer surface of the driving lever in a direction of movement of the driving lever in the 11th paragraph.

20. In the 17th paragraph, an air management device in which a plurality of louver pin slots are formed in a row in the driving lever, into which the louver's linkage pins are inserted and guided.

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