An indoor unit for an air conditioner

Abstract

The present invention relates to an indoor unit (100) of an air conditioner, comprising an air guiding assembly (130) provided at an air outlet (110). The air guiding assembly (130) comprising a flap (131) disposed at a lower end of the air outlet (110), and an air guiding portion (132) disposed above the flap (131). The air guiding portion (132) is rotatably coupled to the flap (131) so that the air guiding assembly (130) is movable at least between a first position where a first longitudinal end (132a) of the air guiding portion (132) stays apart from the flap (131) that is at a horizontal position, and a second position where the first longitudinal end (132a) of the air guiding portion (132) comes closer to the flap (131) that is at a tilted position.

Description

[0001] AN INDOOR UNIT FOR AN AIR CONDITIONER FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an air outlet of the indoor unit provided with an air guiding assembly for discharging air at a wider range of angles.

[0003] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] An indoor unit for an air conditioner is normally equipped with an air guiding assembly at an air outlet of the indoor unit. The air guiding assembly is necessary for deflecting and directing conditioned air towards a predetermined direction in a confined space. In general, the air guiding assembly consists of a flap which is rotatably installed at an air outlet with a motor attached to the flap. The flap is driven by the motor to rotate to different predetermined angles based on a user’s request so that the air is blown out towards the predetermined direction.

[0005] There have been a number of air guiding assembly available over the prior art aiming to improve the way of discharging conditioned air towards a desired direction. One of them is disclosed in KR102454072B1 that relates to an air conditioner which is provided with a vane with adjustable length for guiding discharged air to a long distance or to the ground. The angle and the length of the vane change according to movement of a link which has one end fixedly connected to the motor and another end rotatably connected to the vane. The length of the vane is adjustable by having a first vane inserted into or extended from a second vane, and when the first vane rotates, the depth at which the first vane is inserted into the second vane is changed by movement of the second vane connected to the link. Nevertheless, the air flow will be divided when passing through the adjustable vane that is disposed at the middle of the air outlet, and some of them may be “leaking” through bottom of the adjustable vane. Thismay happen especially when the vane is moved to the second position and the third position.

[0006] Prior art document W02020207866A1 discloses another air guiding assembly for an air conditioner, in which the air conditioner is having a louver located at an air outlet of the air conditioner for directing outlet air. The louver is adapted to be positioned by a displacement mechanism in an angled position so that it is displaced out from the air outlet at an angle where outlet air is deflected both in an upward direction and in a downward direction. According to the prior art, splitting the discharge air into one upwards stream and one downwards stream creates a surround cooling effect, so that the user receives the cool air in an indirect way and at lower velocity. However, such configuration may affect the overall aesthetic value of the air conditioner as the louver is moved to a position extended out and distanced from the air outlet of the air conditioner via the displacement mechanism. Furthermore, provision of the displacement mechanism requires additional components to be incorporated into the air conditioner and this may incur a higher production cost. Moreover, the louver is provided with a plurality of holes throughout the whole louver for generating indirect airflow with the air being dispersed via the plurality of holes. Nevertheless, the plurality of holes may get clogged by dusts easily over a long period of usage. This might affect the flow of discharged air and unable to achieve sufficient indirect airflow effect.

[0007] Further, there is another prior art document US10254005B2 relating to an indoor unit of an air conditioner provided with a panel disposed on bottom of the casing of the indoor unit. The panel is movable between a close position and an open position for guiding the airflow, in which the panel closes both air inlet and air outlet at its close position and opens both the air inlet and the air outlet at its open position. Further, the panel is movable in a wide range of angles, ranging from 15° to 150° according to the prior art document. Nevertheless, it can be seen from the figures that the panel needs to be bigger in size than the usual air outlet blade in order to partially separate the air entering via the air inlet from the airexiting via the air outlet. The panel may require more structural support to facilitate its movement at different angles, and this may lead to a higher material cost. Also, installation of such indoor unit may limit to an indoor space with a higher ceiling height, as the panel is longer and it may take up some space when it moves to a wider angle.

[0008] Accordingly, it can be seen in the prior art documents that there exists a need to have an improved air guiding assembly for an indoor unit of an air conditioner so that the indoor unit is capable of providing different cooling effects including fast cooling effect and gentle cooling effect without causing unpleasant cold draft.

[0009] SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide an air guiding assembly for an indoor unit of an air conditioner which is adapted for discharging air in a sideway manner at a closed position, and for discharging air in a downward manner at an opened position.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an indoor unit of an air conditioner with an air guiding assembly that is capable of achieving desired cooling comfort for fast cooling mode and gentle cooling mode based on user’s need.

[0012] Also, an object of the present invention is to provide an indoor unit of an air conditioner with an air guiding assembly that is operable for both cooling mode and heating mode.

[0013] A further object of the present invention is to provide an air guiding assembly for an indoor unit of an air conditioner for separating distribution of air between an air inlet and an air outlet towards different directions, so that a short-circuit of air flow can be minimized or eliminated during operation of the air conditioner.

[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide an air guiding assembly for an indoor unit of an air conditioner which integrates movement of a movable flap and an air guiding portion to work in tandem in order to direct air flow towards a predetermined direction.

[0015] It is also an object of the present invention to provide an air guiding assembly for an indoor unit of an air conditioner that actuates movement of a flap using a power source system and concurrently directs movement of an air guiding portion using movement of the flap, thereby achieving tandem movement of the flap and the air guiding portion which is connected to each other.

[0016] Accordingly, these objects are achievable by following the disclosure and teachings of the present invention. The present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner, in which the indoor unit comprising a first panel and a second panel spaced apart from the first panel providing an air outlet, and an air guiding assembly provided at the air outlet. The air guiding assembly comprising a flap disposed at a lower end of the air outlet, and an air guiding portion disposed between the first panel and the flap. The air guiding portion is rotatable about a first rotational axis at a first longitudinal end of the air guiding portion in proximity to the first panel. The air guiding portion is further rotatably coupled to the flap about a second rotational axis at a second longitudinal end of the air guiding portion so that the air guiding assembly is movable at least between a first position where the first longitudinal end of the air guiding portion stays apart from the flap and the flap is at a horizontal position, and a second position where the first longitudinal end of the air guiding portion comes closer to the flap and the flap is at a tilted position.

[0017] The air outlet is preferably configured for discharging air in a sideway manner when the flap is at the horizontal position, and for discharging air in adownward manner when the flap is at the tilted position. Further, the flap is made to be aligned with the second panel when the flap is at the horizontal position, and the flap is made to be at least partially retracted into the interior of the indoor unit when the flap is at the tilted position. The flap is preferably disposed to extend until one edge of the second panel in a manner such that the flap has one edge located on the same line with the edge of the second panel. On the other hand, the air guiding portion is preferably rotatable between 5° to 85° relative to the second panel.

[0018] The indoor unit further comprising a chassis interposed between the first panel and the second panel. The first longitudinal end of the air guiding portion is rotatably coupled to the chassis of the indoor unit so the air guiding portion is rotatable about the first rotational axis. Preferably, the first longitudinal end of the air guiding portion comprising a shaft, defining the first rotational axis. On the other hand, the second longitudinal end of the air guiding portion preferably comprising a shaft-receiving means coupled to a shaft of the flap, defining the second rotational axis.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second panel comprising a notch at the lower end of the air outlet for receiving the flap. The second panel is further provided with a plurality of openings throughout the entire second panel including areas surrounding the notch, for allowing air passing therethrough.

[0020] The indoor unit of the present invention further comprising a driving assembly for driving movement of the air guiding portion and the flap. The driving assembly includes a motor and a transmission assembly. The motor is in connection with the transmission assembly for driving movement of the air guiding portion, in which the transmission assembly includes a rack gear and a pinion gear operatively engaged with the rack gear. The rack gear has a sliding shaft that extends perpendicularly from one end of the rack gear to slide within a corresponding sliding slot formed along a side edge of the air guiding portion.On the other hand, the driving assembly further comprising a guiding means for guiding movement of one free end of the flap that is adjacent or in proximity to the second panel, in which the guiding means comprising a curved guiding groove for receiving a corresponding pin disposed perpendicularly at the free end of the flap and guiding thereof to move back and forth within the curved guiding groove. Preferably, the curved guiding groove is a substantially S-shaped path.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioner is a ceiling-type air conditioner.

[0022] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0023] The features of the invention will be more readily understood and appreciated from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 illustrates a bottom-front perspective view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 illustrates a bottom-front perspective view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner with an air guiding assembly configured for discharging air in a downward manner according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 illustrates a top view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner with an air guiding assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.Figure 4(a) illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an air guiding assembly at a closed state in an indoor unit of an air conditioner as taken along line A-A in Figure 3.

[0027] Figure 4(b) illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an air guiding assembly at a partially opened state in an indoor unit of an air conditioner as taken along line A-A in Figure 3.

[0028] Figure 4(c) illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an air guiding assembly at an opened state in an indoor unit of an air conditioner as taken along line A-A in Figure 3.

[0029] Figure 5 illustrates an exploded perspective partial view of an air guiding assembly for an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 6(a) illustrates a top-front perspective partial view of a portion of an air guiding assembly for an indoor unit of an air conditioner at a closed state according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 6(b) illustrates a top-front perspective partial view of a portion of an air guiding assembly for an indoor unit of an air conditioner at a partially opened state according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 6(c) illustrates a top-front perspective partial view of a portion of an air guiding assembly for an indoor unit of an air conditioner at an opened state according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 7(a) illustrates a top-front perspective partial view of a portion of an air guiding assembly for an indoor unit of an air conditioner at a closed state according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.Figure 7(b) illustrates a top-front perspective partial view of a portion of an air guiding assembly for an indoor unit of an air conditioner at an opened state according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 8(a) illustrates a top-front perspective partial view of a portion of an air guiding assembly for an indoor unit of an air conditioner at a closed state according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 8(b) illustrates a top-front perspective partial view of a portion of an air guiding assembly for an indoor unit of an air conditioner at an opened state according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 9(a) is a diagram showing a simulated airflow pattern in a confined space by an indoor unit of an air conditioner with an air guiding assembly at a closed state according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 9(b) is a diagram showing a simulated airflow pattern in a confined space by an indoor unit of an air conditioner with an air guiding assembly at an opened state according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] The abovementioned and other features and objects of this invention will become more apparent and better understood by reference to the following detailed description. It should be understood that the detailed description made known below is not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise form disclosed as the invention may assume various alternative forms. All the relevant modifications and alterations made to the present invention as covered in the detailed description should be construed to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the configuration of the invention is not limited to the configuration mentioned in the following description.The present invention relates to an indoor unit (100) of an air conditioner, in which the air conditioner is preferably a ceiling-type air conditioner. More preferably, the indoor unit (100) is designed to have a protruded panel assembly by having a first panel (120) and a second panel (140) spaced apart from the first panel (120). There is an air outlet (110) provided to be interposed between the first panel (120) and the second panel (140). With such configuration, the air outlet (110) is capable of delivering air to a further distance for achieving a draftless gentle cooling effect. At the same time, the air outlet (110) is provided with an air guiding assembly (130) for changing direction of discharged air by delivering the air at a near distance for an instant cooling relief.

[0040] Figures 1 and 2 show a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which the indoor unit (100) is having the first panel (120) mounted to a ceiling and the second panel (140) protruded from the first panel (120). The indoor unit (100) further comprising a chassis (160) interposed between the first panel (120) and the second panel (140). With such configuration, the air outlet (110) of the indoor unit (100) is made to be open towards a horizontal plane. Moreover, the second panel (140) preferably comprising a notch at which the air outlet (110) is further extending towards a front edge of the second panel (140). In a further embodiment of the present invention, the air outlet (110) is extending substantially perpendicularly towards the front edge of the second panel (140) so that the air outlet (110) can have a L-shaped cross-section profile when viewed from one side (left side or right side).

[0041] With reference to Figure 3, the air guiding assembly (130) is disposed at the air outlet (110) by having a flap (131) to be received within the notch of the second panel (140) at where a lower end of the air outlet (110) is located. More preferably, the flap (131 ) is disposed to extend until the front edge of the second panel (140) in a manner such that one longitudinal end of the flap (131) is in the same line with the front edge of the second panel (140) and the flap (131 ) is flush with the second panel (140) when the flap is in a closed position. Further, the air guiding assembly (130) comprising an air guiding portion (132) disposed within aspace between the first panel (120) and the flap (131). The air guiding assembly (130) is movable relative to the second panel (140) by integrating movement of the flap (131) and the air guiding portion (132) to work in tandem.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air guiding portion (132) is made to be rotatable about a first rotational axis at a first longitudinal end (132a) of the air guiding portion (132) in proximity to the first panel (120). More preferably, the first longitudinal end (132a) of the air guiding portion (132) is rotatably coupled to the chassis (160) of the indoor unit (100) so the air guiding portion (132) is rotatable about the first rotational axis. Preferably, the first longitudinal end (132a) of the air guiding portion (132) is rotatably coupled to an upper portion of the chassis (160) which is in proximity to the first panel (120). Further, the first longitudinal end (132a) of the air guiding portion (132) comprising a shaft (133), defining the first rotational axis, while the chassis (160) of the indoor unit (100) is provided with a corresponding shaft-receiving portion for engaging with the shaft (133). In other words, the first longitudinal end (132a) of the air guiding portion (132) is fixedly mounted to the chassis (160) of the indoor unit (100) at one fixed point and is rotatable about the first rotational axis as shown in Figures 4(a), 4(b) and 4(c).

[0043] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air guiding portion (132) is further rotatably coupled to the flap (131) about a second rotational axis at a second longitudinal end (132b) of the air guiding portion (132), in which the second longitudinal end (132b) of the air guiding portion (132) comprising a shaft -receiving means coupled to a shaft (135) of the flap (131), defining the second rotational axis. With that, the air guiding assembly (130) is made to be movable in a wide angle between a first position as shown in Figure 4(a) and a second position as shown in Figure 4(c). In particular, the air guiding assembly (130) is preferably movable between the first position at which the first longitudinal end (132a) of the air guiding portion (132) stays apart from the flap (131) while the flap (131) is at a horizontal position, and the second position at which the firstlongitudinal end (132a) of the air guiding portion (132) comes closer to the flap (131 ) while the flap (131 ) is at a tilted position.

[0044] When the air guiding assembly (130) moves to the first position as shown in Figure 4(a), the flap (131) is at the horizontal position and preferably made to be aligned with the second panel (140) for covering the lower end of the air outlet (110), while the first longitudinal end (132a) of the air guiding portion (132) is at its furthest position apart relative to the flap (131). At this position, the air outlet (110) will be discharging air in a sideway manner. When the air guiding assembly (130) moves from the first position towards the second position as shown in Figure 4(b), the first longitudinal end (132a) of the air guiding portion (132) and the flap (131) gradually come closer towards each other. When the air guiding assembly (130) moves to the maximum angle at the second position as shown in Figure 4(c), the flap (131 ) is at the tilted position and preferably at least partially retracted into the interior of the indoor unit (100), while the first longitudinal end (132a) of the air guiding portion (132) is at its closest position to the flap (131). At this position, the air outlet (110) will be discharging air in a substantially downward manner. The positions at which the air guiding assembly (130) is movable is not limited to these positions, and there are other possible positions to be set between the first position and the second position. Moreover, there may be a minimal clearance provided between the flap (131) and the second panel (140), and the same clearance can be maintained throughout the process of the air guiding assembly (130) moving from the first position to the second position, or vice versa.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air guiding portion (132) is rotatable between 5° to 85° relative to the second panel (140). The air guiding portion (132) is more preferably rotatable between 25° to 60° relative to the second panel (140). In one embodiment of the present invention, the air guiding portion (132) is preferably disposed to be tilted downwardly at a predetermined angle in a range of 5° to 35° relative to the second panel (140) when the air guiding assembly (130) is at the first position and the flap (131 ) is atthe horizontal position. In another embodiment of the present invention, the air guiding portion (132) is preferably disposed to be tilted downwardly to a maximum angle of 85° relative to the second panel (140) when the air guiding assembly (130) is at the second position and the flap (131 ) is at the tilted position. In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air guiding portion (132) may be configured to rotate to an angle based on user’s need and fix at the position during operation of the air conditioner so that the air can be constantly discharged towards that angle. In a different embodiment of the present invention, the air guiding portion (132) may be configured to continuously rotate and move in a swinging manner for distributing the conditioned air evenly in all directions.

[0046] With reference to Figure 5, the indoor unit (100) of the present invention further comprising a driving assembly (150) for driving movement of the air guiding portion (132) and the flap (131), in which the driving assembly (150) can be disposed on at least one or both side ends of the air guiding assembly (130). The driving assembly (150) comprising a motor (151) and a transmission assembly in connection with the motor (151), and the transmission assembly further including a rack gear (153) and a pinion gear (154) operatively engaged with the rack gear (153). In addition, Figures 6(a) to 6(c) show coupling mechanism of the pinion gear (154) and the rack gear (153) during operation of the air guiding assembly (130). The pinion gear (154) is connected to the motor (151) such that the pinion gear (154) is driven by the motor (151) and rotates about its axis. At the same time, the pinion gear (154) is arranged in meshing engagement with the rack gear (153) such that rotational motion of the pinion gear (154) drives linear motion of the rack gear (153) to move in fore and aft direction. Such operation drives the air guiding assembly (130) to move at least between the first position and the second position.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rack gear (153) has a sliding shaft (155) disposed perpendicularly to one end of the rack gear (153) to slide within a corresponding sliding slot (134) formed along a side edge of the air guiding portion (132). With reference to Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the slidingshaft (155) of the rack gear (153) is driven by the coupling mechanism of the rack gear (153) and the pinion gear (154) to slide in a fore and aft direction within the corresponding sliding slot (134) of the air guiding portion (132) when the air guiding assembly (130) moves at least between the first position and the second position. During operation, when the air guiding assembly (130) moves towards the first position as shown in Figure 7(a), the sliding shaft (155) of the rack gear (153) is driven to move forward until it reaches an outer end of the corresponding sliding slot (134) relative to the air guiding portion (132). On the other hand, when the air guiding assembly (130) moves towards the second position as shown in Figure 7(b), the sliding shaft (155) of the rack gear (153) is driven to move backward until it reaches an inner end of the corresponding sliding slot (134).

[0048] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the driving assembly (150) further comprising a guiding means for guiding movement of one free end (131a) of the flap (131 ) that is adjacent to the second panel (140). With reference to Figures 8(a) and 8(b), the guiding means comprising a curved guiding groove (156) for receiving a corresponding pin (136) disposed perpendicularly at the free end (131a) of the flap (131 ) and guiding thereof to move back and forth within the curved guiding groove (156). More preferably, the curved guiding groove (156) is having a substantially S-shaped path. During operation, when the air guiding assembly (130) moves towards the first position as shown in Figure 8(a), the pin (136) at the free end (131a) of the flap (131) will be guided towards an outer lower end of the curved guiding groove (156) and the flap (131 ) will be at the horizontal position. On the other hand, when the air guiding assembly (130) moves towards the second position as shown in Figure 8(b), the pin (136) at the free end (131a) of the flap (131 ) will be guided towards an inner upper end of the curved guiding groove (156) and the flap (131) will be at the tilted position.

[0049] A simulation study on air flow pattern was conducted to determine simulated air flow pattern generated by an indoor unit (100) of an air conditioner with an air guiding assembly (130) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9(a) shows a simulated air flow pattern by the indoorunit (100) when the air guiding assembly (130) is at a closed state, in which the flap (131) is at the horizontal position and aligned with the second panel (140), covering the lower end of the air outlet (110). It can be seen that the air flow is able to travel to a further distance from the indoor unit (100) when the air guiding assembly (130) is at the closed state so that air will be discharged in a sideway manner via the air outlet (110). On the other hand, Figure 9(b) shows another simulated airflow pattern by the indoor unit (100) when the air guiding assembly (130) is at an opened state, in which the flap (131) is at the tilted position and at least partially retracted towards and into the interior of the indoor unit (100), uncovering the lower end of the air outlet (110). It can be seen that the air flow is able to travel in a shorter distance from the indoor unit (100) when the air guiding assembly (130) is at the opened state so that air will be discharged in a substantially downward manner via the air outlet (110). Thus, the indoor unit (100) is capable of providing gentle cooling effect when the air guiding assembly (130) is at the closed state, and further providing instant cooling effect when the air guiding assembly (130) is at the opened state.

[0050] The exemplary implementation described above is illustrated with specific shapes, dimensions, and other characteristics, but the scope of the invention also includes various other shapes, dimensions, arrangements and characteristics. For example, the dimension and the shape of the flap (131 ) could be modified to adapt to any appropriate particular combination of various parts in an indoor unit (100) of an air conditioner.

[0051] Various modifications to these embodiments are apparent to those skilled in the art from the description and the accompanying drawings. The principles associated with the various embodiments described herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the description is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown along with the accompanying drawings but is to be providing broadest scope of consistent with the principles and the novel features disclosed or suggested herein. Accordingly, the invention is anticipated to holdon to all other such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the present invention and appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An indoor unit (100) of an air conditioner, comprising:a first panel (120),a second panel (140) spaced apart from the first panel (120), providing an air outlet (110), andan air guiding assembly (130) provided at the air outlet (110), wherein the air guiding assembly (130) comprising a flap (131) disposed at a lower end of the air outlet (110), and an air guiding portion (132) disposed between the first panel (120) and the flap (131 ),wherein the air guiding portion (132) is rotatable about a first rotational axis at a first longitudinal end (132a) of the air guiding portion (132) in proximity to the first panel (120);wherein the air guiding portion (132) is further rotatably coupled to the flap (131) about a second rotational axis at a second longitudinal end (132b) of the air guiding portion (132) so that the air guiding assembly (130) is movable at least between a first position where the first longitudinal end (132a) of the air guiding portion (132) stays apart from the flap (131 ) and the flap (131) is at a horizontal position, and a second position where the first longitudinal end (132a) of the air guiding portion (132) comes closer to the flap (131) and the flap (131) is at a tilted position.

2. The indoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air outlet (110) discharging air in a sideway manner when the flap (131) is at the horizontal position, and discharging air in a downward manner when the flap (131 ) is at the tilted position.

3. The indoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the flap (131 ) is aligned with the second panel (140) when the flap (131) is at the horizontal position, and the flap (131) is at least partially retracted into the interior of the indoor unit (100) when the flap (131 ) is at the tilted position.

4. The indoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the flap (131 ) is disposed to extend until one edge of the second panel (140) in a manner such that the flap (131) has one edge in the same line with the edge of the second panel (140).

5. The indoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 , where the indoor unit (100) further comprising a chassis (160) interposed between the first panel (120) and the second panel (140).

6. The indoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first longitudinal end (132a) of the air guiding portion (132) is rotatably coupled to the chassis (160) of the indoor unit (100) so the air guiding portion (132) is rotatable about the first rotational axis.

7. The indoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first longitudinal end (132a) of the air guiding portion (132) comprising a shaft (133), defining the first rotational axis.

8. The indoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second longitudinal end (132b) of the air guiding portion (132) comprising a shaft-receiving means coupled to a shaft (135) of the flap (131), defining the second rotational axis.

9. The indoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second panel (140) comprising a notch at the lower end of the air outlet (110) for receiving the flap (131).

10. The indoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second panel (140) is further provided with a plurality of openings throughout the entire second panel (140) including areas surrounding the notch, for allowing air passing therethrough.

11. The indoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air guiding portion (132) is rotatable between 5° to 85° relative to the second panel (140).

12. The indoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indoor unit (100) further comprising a driving assembly (150) for driving movement of the air guiding portion (132) and the flap (131).

13. The indoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the driving assembly (150) comprising a motor (151) and a transmission assembly in connection with the motor (151).

14. The indoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the transmission assembly including a rack gear (153) and a pinion gear (154) operatively engaged with the rack gear (153).

15. The indoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the rack gear (153) has a sliding shaft (155) disposed perpendicularly to one end of the rack gear (153) to slide within a corresponding sliding slot (134) formed along a side edge of the air guiding portion (132).

16. The indoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the driving assembly (150) further comprising a guiding means for guiding movement of one free end (131a) of the flap (131) that is adjacent to the second panel (140).

17. The indoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 16, wherein the guiding means comprising a curved guiding groove (156) for receiving a corresponding pin (136) disposed perpendicularly at the free end (131a) of the flap (131) and guiding thereof to move back and forth within the curved guiding groove (156).

18. The indoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the curved guiding groove (156) is a substantially S-shaped path.

19. The indoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air conditioner is a ceiling-type air conditioner.

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