Wind direction adjustment device for air conditioning blowout port, and air conditioner

Abstract

Disclosed are a wind direction adjustment device for an air-conditioning blowout port capable of suppressing turbulence of an airflow as much as possible while allowing a member for volatilizing an active ingredient to be attached, and an air conditioner. The present invention provides a wind direction adjustment device for an air-conditioning blowout port, the wind direction adjustment device comprising: a plate-shaped wind direction adjustment plate part having a plate surface capable of adjusting the wind direction of air, and disposed so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the air-conditioning blowout port inside or in front of an elongated air-conditioning blowout port for blowing out air that has been conditioned by an air conditioner; and a rod-shaped part extending in a rod-like shape along an edge on the air-conditioning blowout port side of the wind direction adjustment plate part, having a surface with a cylindrical outer peripheral surface shape, and having therein an accommodation space capable of accommodating a volatile active component.

Description

Air conditioning outlet air direction adjustment device and air conditioner

[0001] The present application discloses an airflow direction adjustment device for an air conditioning outlet and an air conditioner.

[0002] In recent years, air conditioners for indoor air conditioning have been installed in various buildings such as buildings, stores, hospitals, and homes. Air conditioners come in various types, such as those embedded in ceilings or walls, those suspended from the ceiling, and those mounted on walls, but all have in common the fact that they are equipped with an air conditioning outlet that blows conditioned air into the room.

[0003] Since the specific gravity of air is inversely proportional to its temperature, warm air accumulates in the upper part of a room, while cold air accumulates in the lower part of a room. Therefore, when operating in cooling mode, an air conditioner blows cool air toward the lower part of the room from an air conditioning outlet to efficiently suck in the warm air that accumulates in the upper part of the room and condition the room. Therefore, to prevent the cool air blowing out of the air conditioning outlet from hitting people in the room, devices for adjusting the airflow direction of an air conditioning outlet, such as those shown in Patent Document 1, are commercially available.

[0004] Utility Model Registration No. 3114170

[0005] In recent years, with the increase in awareness of hygiene, disinfecting components that exert a disinfecting effect have been volatilized in indoor spaces. Furthermore, in order to create a comfortable space, aromatic components that exert a relaxation effect have been volatilized in indoor spaces. When volatilizing such various active ingredients in indoor spaces, it is preferable to place a component that volatilizes the active ingredients near an air conditioning outlet from the viewpoint of diffusion.

[0006] Air conditioners often have airflow direction adjustment devices installed in their air conditioner outlets to adjust the direction of the airflow. Considering the diffusibility of active ingredients, it is reasonable to attach a component containing the active ingredient to such an airflow direction adjustment device. However, for example, attaching such a component to a panel surface responsible for adjusting the airflow direction may cause airflow disturbances, adversely affecting the airflow direction adjustment function.

[0007] Therefore, the present application discloses an airflow direction adjusting device for an air conditioning outlet and an air conditioner that can be fitted with a member that volatilizes an active ingredient while minimizing turbulence in the airflow as much as possible.

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, a rod-shaped portion is provided along the edge of the plate-shaped air direction adjustment plate portion on the air conditioning outlet side, the surface of which is the outer peripheral surface of a cylinder, and the rod-shaped portion has an internal storage space capable of storing volatile active ingredients.

[0009] In detail, the present invention is an airflow direction adjustment device for an air conditioning outlet, which has a plate surface that can adjust the airflow direction, and is equipped with a plate-shaped airflow direction adjustment plate portion that is arranged inside or in front of the elongated air conditioning outlet from which conditioned air is blown out to the air conditioner, extending along the longitudinal direction of the air conditioning outlet, and a rod-shaped portion that extends in a rod shape along the edge of the airflow direction adjustment plate portion on the air conditioning outlet side, has a surface shaped like the outer peripheral surface of a cylinder, and has an internal storage space that can store volatile active ingredients.

[0010] In the above-described airflow direction adjusting device, the rod-shaped portion that accommodates the active ingredient in the accommodation space has a cylindrical outer periphery, and therefore, due to the Coanda effect, air flows along the outer periphery of the rod-shaped portion toward the airflow direction adjusting plate. Therefore, even when air that has passed through the rod-shaped portion flows toward the airflow direction adjusting plate, turbulence of the airflow on the surface of the airflow direction adjusting plate is minimized. Therefore, the airflow direction adjusting device can be equipped with an active ingredient component that supports the active ingredient without impairing its original airflow direction adjusting function.

[0011] The airflow direction adjusting plate may have an overall rectangular appearance, and the rod-shaped portion may extend in a rod-like shape along a portion of the airflow direction adjusting plate that corresponds to one of the two long sides of the rectangle. When the rod-shaped portion is provided in this form, the Coanda effect causes air passing through the rod-shaped portion to flow along the outer peripheral surface of the rod-shaped portion, thereby minimizing turbulence of the airflow that has passed through the rod-shaped portion on the surface of the airflow direction adjusting plate. Therefore, the airflow direction adjusting device can be equipped with an active ingredient component that carries an active ingredient without impairing the airflow direction adjusting function that it is originally intended to perform.

[0012] The airflow direction adjusting plate may also be formed to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder. Even if the airflow direction adjusting plate is provided in this manner on the rod-shaped portion, the Coanda effect causes the air passing through the rod-shaped portion to flow along the outer peripheral surface of the rod-shaped portion, thereby minimizing airflow turbulence on the surface of the airflow direction adjusting plate. Therefore, with such an airflow direction adjusting device, an active ingredient component carrying an active ingredient can be attached without impairing the airflow direction adjusting function that is originally intended to be performed.

[0013] The rod-shaped portion may have an air vent on its outer surface that connects the inside and outside of the accommodation space. With such a wind direction adjusting device, the active ingredient can be effectively diffused through the air vent.

[0014] The rod-shaped portion may have an opening at at least one end thereof through which the active ingredient can be introduced into and removed from the storage space. With such an air direction adjusting device, the active ingredient can be easily introduced into and removed from the storage space.

[0015] The air direction adjusting device may further include a support portion that supports the main body portion having the rod-shaped portion and the air direction adjusting plate portion in a state where the air direction adjusting plate portion is located in front of the air conditioning outlet. With such an air direction adjusting device, it is possible to position the air direction adjusting plate portion in front of the air conditioning outlet.

[0016] The airflow direction adjusting plate may be disposed inside or in front of the air conditioning outlet by fitting the rod-shaped portion onto a shaft provided inside the air conditioning outlet. Such an airflow direction adjusting device can be integrated into the air conditioner.

[0017] The present invention may also be an air conditioner including any one of the above air direction adjustment devices at an air conditioning outlet.

[0018] The above-described air direction adjusting device for an air conditioning outlet and air conditioner can be equipped with a member that volatilizes an active ingredient, while still minimizing turbulence in the airflow.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows an example of the installation state of an air direction adjustment device that adjusts the direction of air blown out from an air conditioning outlet of an air conditioner. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the air direction adjustment device as seen from the side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the air direction adjustment device as seen from below. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing how an active ingredient member is inserted and removed. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the state of airflow in the air direction adjustment device. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the state of airflow when the air direction adjustment device is installed in a ceiling-mounted air conditioner. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an air direction adjustment device according to a first modified example. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which the air direction adjustment device according to the first modified example is installed in the air conditioning outlet of a ceiling-mounted air conditioner. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an air direction adjustment device according to a second modified example.

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following describes an embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment described below is one mode of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0021] <Embodiment> Fig. 1 shows an example of the installation state of an airflow direction adjustment device 1 that adjusts the direction of air blown out from an air conditioning outlet of an air conditioner. As shown in Fig. 1, the airflow direction adjustment device 1 according to this embodiment includes a main body 2 that is disposed in front of an air conditioning outlet 102 provided in a ceiling-mounted air conditioner 101 and receives conditioned air blown out from the air conditioning outlet 102, a support rod 3 that supports the main body 2 while positioned in front of the air conditioning outlet 102, and a base 4 that secures the support rod 3 to the ceiling-mounted air conditioner 101. The air conditioning outlet 102 is a long, narrow opening. The main body 2 is an airflow direction adjustment member that looks like a plate abutted against a cylinder. The support rod 3 can support the main body 2 while the main body 2 extends in front of the air conditioning outlet 102 along the longitudinal direction of the air conditioning outlet 102.

[0022] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the airflow direction control device 1 as seen from the side, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the airflow direction control device 1 as seen from below.

[0023] The main body 2 is connected to the support rod 3 via a hinge 6. The support rod 3 is connected to the base 4 via a hinge 5. The hinges 5 and 6 are hinges that can rotate with an appropriate fastening force. Therefore, the main body 2 and the support rod 3 do not rotate freely relative to each other around the axis of the hinge 6, and the support rod 3 and the base 4 do not rotate freely relative to each other around the axis of the hinge 5. For this reason, the air direction control device 1, which is fixed near the air conditioning outlet 102 by inserting the base 4 between the ceiling-mounted air conditioner 101 and the ceiling surface, can fix the main body 2 in an appropriate position and orientation relative to the air conditioning outlet 102 by adjusting the position and angle of the main body 2 relative to the base 4 with the hinge 5 and the hinge 6.

[0024] The main body 2 has an airflow direction adjusting plate 21 and a rod-shaped portion 22. The airflow direction adjusting plate 21 has a plate surface capable of adjusting the airflow direction. The airflow direction adjusting plate 21 is a plate-shaped portion disposed in front of the elongated air conditioning outlet 102, from which conditioned air is blown out to the ceiling-mounted air conditioner 101, and extends along the longitudinal direction of the air conditioning outlet 102. The airflow direction adjusting plate 21 is a plate-shaped portion having an overall rectangular shape. The rod-shaped portion 22 extends in a rod-like manner along a portion corresponding to one of the two long sides of this rectangle. The rod-shaped portion 22 extends in a rod-like manner along the edge of the airflow direction adjusting plate 21, and its surface is a portion shaped like the outer peripheral surface of a cylinder. Therefore, the airflow direction adjusting plate 21 is shaped to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder formed by the rod-shaped portion 22, and the main body 2 has a shape in which the plate-shaped airflow direction adjusting plate 21 abuts against the cylindrical rod-shaped portion 22.

[0025] The rod-shaped portion 22 has an internal storage space capable of storing a volatile active ingredient. Therefore, the outer peripheral surface of the rod-shaped portion 22 is provided with ventilation holes 26 that communicate the inside and outside of the storage space. Furthermore, both ends of the rod-shaped portion 22 have access openings for inserting and removing the active ingredient, and these access openings are closed with lids 28. The ventilation holes 26 are elongated holes extending in the direction of the air blown out from the air conditioning outlet 102. Many ventilation holes 26 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped portion 22. The ventilation holes 26 are formed at the boundary between the rod-shaped portion 22 and the airflow direction adjusting plate 21, straddling both the rod-shaped portion 22 and the airflow direction adjusting plate 21. The ventilation holes 26 may be omitted. For example, if the rod-shaped portion 22 is made of a breathable material, the active ingredient can be diffused even if the ventilation holes 26 are omitted.

[0026] Each part of the airflow direction adjustment device 1 can be made of resin, aluminum, or various other materials. In the case of resin, there is a possibility that unavoidable warping may occur after thermoforming, so the main body 2 may be made of metal such as aluminum. If the main body 2 is made of resin, the airflow direction adjustment plate 21 may be provided with warp prevention means such as ribs.

[0027] 4 is a diagram showing how the active ingredient component is inserted or removed. By opening the lids 28 provided on both ends of the rod-shaped portion 22, the active ingredient component 29 contained in the storage space 25 can be inserted or removed. Therefore, for example, it is possible to remove the active ingredient component 29 whose active ingredient has evaporated and been lost, and replace it with a new active ingredient component 29.

[0028] Examples of the active ingredient carried by the active ingredient member 29 include chlorine dioxide, which has sterilizing properties, aromatic ingredients such as those from Abies sachalinensis, which emits a pleasant fragrance, and various other chemicals. By storing such chemicals in the storage space 25, it becomes possible to volatilize these active ingredients into the indoor space.

[0029] 4 shows the active ingredient member 29 in a cylindrical shape, the active ingredient member 29 contained in the containing space 25 is not limited to this shape. The active ingredient member 29 may have a shape other than a cylindrical shape, or may be in a bag shape.

[0030] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing the state of airflow in the airflow direction adjustment device 1. For comparison, Fig. 5A shows the state of airflow in the embodiment, and Fig. 5B shows the state of airflow in the comparative example.

[0031] For example, as shown in Fig. 5(B), in an airflow direction adjustment device 50 having a housing 52 protruding from the plate surface of a plate-shaped airflow direction adjustment plate 51, the airflow is disturbed downstream of the housing 52. This may adversely affect the airflow direction adjustment function that the airflow direction adjustment device 50 is intended to perform.

[0032] 5(A), in the main body 2 of the airflow direction adjustment device 1, the rod-shaped portion 22 that houses the active ingredient member 29 in the housing space 25 forms a cylindrical outer surface, and therefore, due to the Coanda effect, air flows along the outer surface of the rod-shaped portion 22 toward the airflow direction adjustment plate 21. This minimizes airflow turbulence on the surface of the airflow direction adjustment plate 21. Therefore, it can be said that the airflow direction adjustment device 1 can be fitted with the active ingredient volatilizing member 29 without impairing its original airflow direction adjustment function.

[0033] 6 is a diagram showing the state of airflow when the airflow direction control device 1 is attached to a ceiling-mounted air conditioner 101. Since the airflow direction control device 1 can be attached in a variety of ways depending on user preference, the position and orientation of the main body 2 relative to the air conditioning outlet 102 also vary, as shown in each of FIGS.

[0034] 6(A), when the air blowing out from the air conditioning outlet 102 is blown toward the main body 2 by the louvers 103, passes through the rod-shaped portion 22, and then flows toward the airflow direction adjusting plate 21, the Coanda effect on the outer peripheral surface of the rod-shaped portion 22 causes the air to flow along the surface of the airflow direction adjusting plate 21 on both the upper and lower sides of the airflow direction adjusting plate 21. In this case, as shown by the dashed arrows in FIG. 6(A), the active ingredient carried by the active ingredient member 29 flows to both the upper and lower sides of the airflow direction adjusting plate 21, making it possible to diffuse a relatively large amount of the active ingredient into the indoor space per unit time.

[0035] 6(B), when the air blown out from the air conditioning outlet 102 flows toward the upper surface of the airflow direction adjusting plate 21 due to the louvers 103, the air flows along the surface of the airflow direction adjusting plate 21 on the upper surface side of the airflow direction adjusting plate 21. In this case, as shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 6(B), the active ingredient carried by the active ingredient member 29 flows toward the upper surface side of the airflow direction adjusting plate 21, and therefore, it is possible to diffuse a relatively small amount of the active ingredient into the indoor space per unit time compared to the case of FIG. 6(A).

[0036] 6(C), for example, if the rod-shaped portion 22 is close to the air intake port of the ceiling-mounted air conditioner 101, it is also possible to make the active ingredient carried on the member 29 be sucked into the air intake port of the ceiling-mounted air conditioner 101, as shown by the dashed arrow in Fig. 6(C). In this case, the active ingredient sucked into the ceiling-mounted air conditioner 101 is mixed by the fan inside the ceiling-mounted air conditioner 101, so it is possible to blow out the active ingredient from all of the air conditioning outlets 102 that the ceiling-mounted air conditioner 101 has.

[0037] When the louvers 103 are swinging, the way the wind hits the main body 2 changes from moment to moment. Therefore, when the louvers 103 are swinging, the wind hits the main body 2 in the form shown in Fig. 6(A) or the form shown in Fig. 6(B). In the airflow direction adjustment device 1, because the rod-shaped portion 22 forms a cylindrical outer surface, turbulence of the airflow is minimized even if the wind hits in various forms. Therefore, the active ingredients of the member 29 stored in the storage space 25 can be diffused without impairing the original airflow direction adjustment function.

[0038] <First Modification> The airflow direction control device 1 according to the above embodiment is illustrated as being attached to a ceiling-mounted air conditioner 101. However, the airflow direction control device 1 may also be attached to a wall-mounted air conditioner fixed to a wall surface. In this case, the airflow direction control device 1 may be configured such that the main body 2 is disposed in front of the air outlet of the wall-mounted air conditioner using the support rod 3 and base 4. However, the airflow direction control device 1 may be modified, for example, as follows.

[0039] 7 is a diagram showing a wind direction control device 1A according to a first modified example. The wind direction control device 1A according to this modified example has a configuration in which the support rod 3 and base 4 are omitted from the wind direction control device 1, and only the main body 2 is left.

[0040] The airflow direction control device 1A can be attached to the inside of the air conditioning outlet 202 of a wall-mounted air conditioner 201 fixed to a wall surface. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C , the louver 203 that comes standard with the wall-mounted air conditioner 201 is removed from the air conditioning outlet 202, and the airflow direction control device 1A is then attached to the air conditioning outlet 202 in place of the louver 203. The louver 203 is typically rotatably fitted to an engaging shaft provided in the air conditioning outlet 202. These engaging shafts are typically fitted to the louver 203 at three locations, at both ends and in the center, and one of the three shafts serves as a drive mechanism for electrically swinging the louver 203. Therefore, by providing fitting holes corresponding to these three shafts in the rod-shaped portion 22 of the airflow direction control device 1A, the airflow direction control device 1A can be attached to the air conditioning outlet 202 in place of the louver 203 that comes standard with the wall-mounted air conditioner 201. The airflow direction adjustment device 1A in this form can be integrated into the wall-mounted air conditioner 201.

[0041] Even with this type of airflow control device 1A, turbulence of the airflow is minimized, just like with the airflow control device 1. Therefore, the active ingredients of the member 29 stored in the storage space 25 can be diffused without impairing the airflow direction adjustment function that is originally intended to be performed. In this type of airflow control device 1A, an openable / closable access opening for inserting and removing the member 29 in the storage space 25 may be provided, for example, on the outer circumferential surface of the rod-shaped portion 22. If the access opening is located in such a location, it becomes easy to replace the member 29 in the storage space 25 even when the airflow control device 1A is inside the air conditioning outlet 202.

[0042] The airflow direction adjustment device 1A may be provided as standard equipment on the wall-mounted air conditioner 201. The airflow direction adjustment device 1A may be attached to the air conditioning outlet 102 of the ceiling-mounted air conditioner 101, or to the outlets of various other air conditioners. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the airflow direction adjustment device 1A according to the first modified example is provided to the air conditioning outlet 102 of the ceiling-mounted air conditioner 101. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the airflow direction adjustment device 1A can be provided to the air conditioning outlet 102 of the ceiling-mounted air conditioner 101. In this case, the rod-shaped portion 22 of the airflow direction adjustment device 1A is disposed within the air conditioning outlet 102, and the airflow direction adjustment plate portion 21 is provided in a manner that protrudes from the air conditioning outlet 102.

[0043] <Second Modification> In the airflow direction adjustment device 1 according to the above embodiment, the rod-shaped portion 22 is provided over the entire area corresponding to one of the long sides of the rectangular airflow direction adjustment plate portion 21, but the airflow direction adjustment device 1 may be modified, for example, as follows.

[0044] 9 is a diagram showing an airflow direction adjustment device 1B according to a second modified example. In this modified example, the rod-shaped portion 22 is provided only on a portion of the edge of the airflow direction adjustment plate portion 21 on the air conditioning outlet 102 side. In other words, in this modified example, the rod-shaped portion 22 according to the embodiment is partially omitted.

[0045] Even with this airflow direction adjustment device 1B, turbulence of the airflow is suppressed as much as possible, as with the airflow direction adjustment device 1 according to the embodiment. Therefore, the active ingredient of the active ingredient member 29 housed in the housing space 25 can be diffused without impairing the airflow direction adjustment function that should be performed in the first place.

[0046] <Other Modifications> The above embodiment and each modification may be further modified in various ways. For example, the above embodiment and each modification may have one support rod 3 or three or more support rods 3. The above embodiment and each modification may be attached to the air conditioner by means other than the base 4. The above embodiment and each modification may be attached to a type of air conditioner other than the ceiling-mounted air conditioner 101 or the wall-mounted air conditioner 201. While the above embodiment and each modification have a configuration in which the airflow direction adjusting plate 21 abuts against the rod-shaped portion 22, the above embodiment and each modification may have a gap between the rod-shaped portion 22 and the airflow direction adjusting plate 21, so that the rod-shaped portion 22 and the airflow direction adjusting plate 21 are spaced apart from each other. In this case, for example, the wind direction adjustment plate portion 21 may be fixed to the rod-shaped portion 22 via a support member or the like, or the main body 2 may be an integrated unit in which a slit extending along the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped portion 22 is arranged between the wind direction adjustment plate portion 21 and the rod-shaped portion 22.

[0047] 1, 1A, 1B.... Wind direction adjustment device 2.... Main body 3.... Support rod 4.... Base 5, 6.... Hinges 21.... Wind direction adjustment plate portion 22.... Rod-shaped portion

Claims

1. An air direction adjustment device for an air conditioner outlet, comprising: a flat, plate-like air direction adjustment plate section having a plate surface capable of adjusting the air direction, and arranged inside or in front of an elongated air conditioning outlet from which conditioned air is blown out to an air conditioner, so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the air conditioning outlet; and a rod-shaped section extending in a rod shape along the edge of the air direction adjustment plate section on the air conditioning outlet side, having a surface like the outer circumferential surface of a cylinder and having an internal storage space capable of storing volatile active ingredients, wherein the air direction adjustment plate section is positioned so that one side of the air direction adjustment plate section and the other side of the air direction adjustment plate section are symmetrical to the rod-shaped section when viewed along the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped section.

2. The airflow direction adjustment device for an air conditioning outlet as described in claim 1, wherein the airflow direction adjustment plate portion has an overall rectangular appearance, and the rod-shaped portion extends in a rod shape along a portion of the airflow direction adjustment plate portion that corresponds to one of the two long sides of the rectangle.

3. The airflow direction adjustment device for an air conditioning outlet as described in claim 1, wherein the airflow direction adjustment plate portion is formed so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder.

4. The air direction adjustment device for an air conditioning outlet as described in claim 1, wherein the rod-shaped portion has an air vent on its outer surface that connects the inside and outside of the storage space.

5. The airflow direction adjustment device for an air conditioning outlet as described in claim 1, wherein the rod-shaped portion has an inlet / outlet port at at least one of both ends of the rod-shaped portion, through which the active ingredient can be introduced into and removed from the storage space.

6. The airflow direction adjustment device for an air conditioning outlet as described in claim 1, further comprising a support portion that supports a main body portion having the rod-shaped portion and the airflow direction adjustment plate portion in a state where the airflow direction adjustment plate portion is positioned in front of the air conditioning outlet.

7. An air direction adjustment device for an air conditioning outlet as described in claim 1, wherein the air direction adjustment plate portion is positioned inside or in front of the air conditioning outlet by fitting the rod-shaped portion onto an axis provided inside the air conditioning outlet.

8. An air conditioner comprising an air direction adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 at an air conditioner outlet.

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