Title of Invention

AN AIR CONDITIONER WITH IMPROVED DIRECTION CONTROL EFFICIENCY

Abstract

The air conditioner (10) with improved direction control efficiency comprises a main body (15), air conditioning members (16) provided in the main body (15) for achieving a function of conditioning the air, an outer grille (2) located in a front side of the main body (15) for directing air from inside the main body (15) outside the main body (15) and a lateral flap (1) placed in an opening of the outlet grille (2) for changing the direction of air in the lateral direction. A part of the lateral flap (1) is held by a mounting shaft (3) The lateral flap(l) is pivotally moved in the lateral direction about the mounting shaft (3). A convex portion (5) is provided in a downward end of the lateral flap (1)When the end portion of the lateral flap (1)is moved either in the right or left direction, condensed water adhered to the lateral flap (1) is gathered at the convex portion (5)which is transferred to a wall of the outlet grille (2) and flows out of a room through the main body (15) of the air conditioner (10).

Full Text

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an air conditioner, with an improved direction control efficiency particularly with an improved direction control efficiency for changing the direction of air from an indoor unit. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In a direction changing device of a conventional air conditioner, an end surface of a lateral flap provided in an outlet grille is cut off for handling condensed water during a cooling mode operation. A conventional direction changing device has been described hereinafter. 1A. It is an object of the invention to solve the problem, and provide a lateral direction changing device for safely handling condensed water without reducing a direction changing capacity in a cooling - mode operation-It is another object of the invention to provide a lateral direction changing device assuring no reduction in direction changing capacity in any operating mode of an air conditioner. 2. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An air conditioner according to the invention comprises: a main body; air conditioning members provided in the main body for achieving a function of supplying cool air; an outlet grille located in a front side of the main body for supplying the cool air from inside to outside; and a lateral flap placed in an opening of the outlet grille for changing the direction of air in the lateral direction, A part of the lateral flap is held by a mounting shaft, and the lateral flap can be pivotally moved in the lateral direction about the mounting shaft, a convex portion is provided in a downwind end of the lateral flap, and condensed water adhered to the lateral flap is gathered at the convex portion, and flows along a wall of the outlet grille. It is particularly desirable that the convex portion in the lateral flap is an extension formed by extending the end portion of lateral flap in the downwind direction. It is particularly desirable that a distance between the convex portion of lateral flap and the wall of outlet grille and a shape of the outlet grille are predetermined for allowing the convex portion of lateral flap to approach the wall of outlet grille without, touching it when the convex, portion of lateral flap is moved in the lateral direction. - 3 - It is particularly desirable that the lateral flap is provided with plural flap elements, and each one of the plural lateral flap elements is formed with the convex portion. It is particularly desirable that a groove is provided below the wall of outlet grille, and the condensed water flowing along a side of the wall of outlet grille is discharged out of the main body through the groove. It is particularly desirable that a vertical flap is provided in the downwind side of the lateral flap for changing the direction of air in the vertical direction. It is particularly desirable that a quantity of air received by the lateral flap is increased by the convex portion, when the convex portion of lateral flap is moved in the lateral direction, and a direction controlling efficiency is thereby increased. According to the construction described above, condensed water adhered to the lateral flap can be safely discharged outdoor through the main body without falling inside a room. Further, within a moving range of the lateral flap in any of heating, drying and ventilation modes of operation, reduction in direction changing capacity caused by cutting-off of the end surface of lateral flap can be avoided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioner having a - 4 - direction changing device according to the invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of an air conditioner having a direction changing device according to the invention. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of an opening of an outlet grille, showing a first embodiment of a direction changing device for an air conditioner according to the invention. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a main part of an opening of an outlet grille in the direction changing device shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of an opening of an outlet grille, showing a second embodiment of a direction changing device for an air conditioner according to the invention. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a main part of an opening of an outlet grille in the direction changing device shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a top plan view showing a movable range of a lateral flap provided in a direction changing device. Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a conventional air conditioner. Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a main part of an opening of an outlet grille in a conventional air conditioner. DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1 Lateral flap 2 Outlet grille 2a Lower portion having an inclined surface 3 Mounting shaft 4 End portion - 5 - 5 Convex portion 6 Condensed water 7 Frame 8 Groove 9 Linking bridge 10 Air conditioner 11 Vertical flap 12 Main body of air conditioner 13 Air conditioning members 40 Extension DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in Fig.8, a vertical flap 111 is located in an opening of an outlet grille 102 in an air conditioner 110, and a plurality of lateral flaps 101 linked with each other in an upwind side by a linking bridge are provided. As shown in Fig.7. an end portion 104 located in the downwind side of a mounting shaft 103 of the lateral flap 101 is cut off for handling condensed water 106 during a cooling-mode operation. However, in the conventional lateral flap 101 of such shape, when the lateral flap 101 is moved in the lateral direction during a cooling-mode operation, condensed water 106 is condensed in a surface of the lateral flap 101, as shown in Fig"7" If the condensed water 106 drops outside from the opening of outlet grille, the condensed water 106 falls inside a room where the air 6. conditioner 110 is placed. In order to solve the problem, the end portion 1(34 of lateral flap 101 in a downwind side of the mounting shaft 103 provided in a lower part of the outlet grille 102 is cut off. In such manner, the condensed water 106 adhered to the lateral flap 101 is guided toward the mounting shaft 103, moves along a lower portion of the outlet grille 102, and flows into a water collecting groove 108 in a front frame 107. However, it has been a problem that the lateral flap 101 is reduced in capacity of direction change, which is a primary function it should achieve, if a cut-off amount of the end portion 104 is high, while the condensed water 106 falls inside a room, if a cut-off amount of the end portion 104 is low. Embodiments of air conditioner employing a direction changing device according to the invention are described below by referring to the drawings. Embodiment 1 Figs 1 and 2 are perspective and sectional views of an air conditioner employing a direction changing device according to the invention. Figs. 3 and 4 azre magnified sectional views of the vicinity of an outlet grille in the air conditioner shown in Fig,2. Fig 7 is atop plan view showing a movable range of a lateral flap used in a direction changing device according to the invention. In Figs 1 and 2, such air conditioning members 16 as a heat exchanger and a fan are placed inside a main body 15 of an 6A- air conditioner 10, and an outlet grille 2 is provided in a lower part of a front side of the air conditioner 10. In an opening of the outlet grille 2, a vertical flap 11 for changing the direction of air in the vertical direction is employed. In an upwind side of the vertical flap 11, a lateral flap I for changing the direction of air in the lateral direction is located, and the lateral flap 1 is provided with plural flap elements which are linked with each other by a linking bridge 9, respectively. In Figs. 2, 3 and 4, a part of the lateral flap 1 is attached to the main body 15 of air conditioner 10 by a mounting shaft 3, A convex portion 5 is formed in an end portion 4 In a lower part of the lateral flap 1. The convex portion 5 is adapted to be in the lowest level when the air conditioner 10 is installed in a room. The convex portion 5 is located in the downwind side in relation to the mounting shaft.3. The main body 15 of air conditioner 10 has a frame 7 in a lower part thereof, and a groove 8 for handling water is provided in the frame 7. The groove 8 is connected to a drain (not shown) for discharging water that is accumulated inside to outside. A wall of the outlet grille 2 located below the convex portion 5 of lateral flap 1 is provided with a lower portion 2a of an angled shape. The lateral flap 1 is pivotally movable over a predetermined angle in the lateral direction about the mounting shaft 3, and a distance between the lateral flap 1 and outlet; - 7 - grille 2 and an angle of inclination of the lower portion 2a of outlet grille 2 are predetermined for allowing the convex portion 5 of lateral flap 1 to approach the lower portion 2a of outlet grille 2 without touching it when the lateral flap 1 is moved. The groove 8 described above is positioned below the lower portion 2a of outlet grille 2. The convex portion 5 formed in the end portion 4 of lateral flap 1 is shaped such that condensed water 6 adhered to the lateral Flap 1 is gathered at the convex portion 5. As the convex portion 5, for example, an extension formed by extending the end portion 4 of lateral flap 1 may be provided. Alternatively, as the convex portion 5, for example, a convex member placed in the end portion 4 of lateral flap 1 may be employed. In such construction, in a cooling-mode operation, the lateral flap 1 is rotated from a position shown by a solid line to a position shown by a broken line in Fig.7, so that the direction of cool air produced by the apparatus neuters 16 incorporated in the main body 15 is changed in the lateral direction. When 3 turbulence is caused in the air, condensed water 6 is adhered to a surface of the lateral flap 1. In such case, the condensed water 6 flows toward the end portion-4 of lateral flap 1 located in the downwind direction. Then, the condensed water 6 is accumulated, and gathered at the convex portion 5. At that time, the convex portion 5 has already been moved from the position shown by a solid line to the position - 8 - shown by a broken line in Fig. 7, and is positioned closely to the lower portion 2a of outlet grille 2, as shown by a broken line 5a in Fig. 4, because an inclined surface is provided in the lower portion 2a of outlet grille 2, A distance between the convex portion 5 and lower portion 2a of the outlet grille 2 is predetermined such that the condensed water 8 is swiftly moved to the lower portion 2a of outlet grille 2 when the condensed water 6 reaches the convex portion 5. The condensed water 6 gathered at the convex portion 5 is transferred to the lower portion 2a of outlet grille 2, when the convex portion 5 approaches the lower portion 2a of outlet grille 2, and flows down to the groove 8 formed in the front frame 7. In this regard, the condensed water 6 gathered at the convex portion 5 is transferred to the lower portion 2a of outlet grille 2 by a wind force of the cool air. Alternatively, the condensed water 6 gathered at the convex portion 5 nay be brought into contact with the lower portion 2a when the convex portion 5 approaches the lower portion 2a of outlet grille 2. Consequently, the condensed water 6 is prevented from dropping outside from the opening of outlet grille in the front side, and outflow of the condensed water 6 inside a room can be avoided as a result. Embodiment 2 Embodiment 2 of the invention is now described. Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views of a main part of an - 9 - outlet grille in an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the invention. In Figs, 5 and 6, instead of being in a cut-out shape, an end portion 4 of a lateral flap 1 is Provided with an extension 40 extending upwind from the end portion 4, Other parts are identical with those of Embodiment 1. In Figs. 5 and 6, when the end portion 4 of the lateral flap 1, which is in the upwind side of a mounting shaft in a lower portion 2a of an outlet grille 2, approaches an inclined surface of the lower portion 2a of outlet grille 2, and the lateral flap 1 is moved to a position shown by a broken line in Fig, 7, the end portion 4 is located in a position shown by a broken line in Fig, 6, In the embodiment, positioning of the lateral flap 1 is predetermined such that the extension 40 of end portion 4 is never touches the lower portion 2a of outlet grille 2 because of a reason similar to that in Embodiment 1, It is particularly desirable that condensed water 8 gathered at the extension 40 is brought into contact with the lower portion 2a when the extension 40 approaches the lower portion 2a of outlet grille 2, In such construction, when the extension 40 of lateral flap 1 is moved closely to the lower portion 2a of outlet grille 2, the condensed water 6 accumulated to the extension 40 is transferred to the outlet grille 2, and flows down to a groove 8. As a result, outflow of the condensed water 6 front an opening of the outlet grille 2 in the front side to inside a room is avoided. Further, because the end portion 4 Is not cut - 10 - out, reduction in quantity of air received by the lateral flap can be prevented, and reduction in direction changing capacity is accordingly avoided in all operating modes including heating, drying and ventilation modes. As clearly shown in above Embodiments 1 and 2, according to the invention, by providing a convex portion or extension in a lateral flap, condensed water can be safely handled without being allowed to drop inside a room. Further, by providing an end surface of lateral flap near an inclined surface of a lower portion of outlet grille, condensed water can be safely handled in a cooling-mode operation of an air conditioner, and reduction in direction changing capacity otherwise caused by cutting-off of the end surface of lateral flap can be avoided in a movable range of lateral flap in all operating modes including heating, drying and ventilation modes. - 11 - We claim: 1. An air conditioner with improved direction control efficiency comprising; - a main body(15); - air conditioning members (16) disposed in the unfa body(15) for achieving a function of supplying cool air, - an outlet grille (2) located in a front side of the main body(15) for supplying the cool air from inside to outside; and - a lateral flap(l) placed in an opening of the outlet grille (2) for changing the direction of air in the lateral direction, - characterized in that apart of said lateral Iap(l) is held by a mounting shaft (3), ike lateral flap(l) being pivotally movable in a lateral direction about said mounting shaft(3) and in flirt a convex portion(5) fa provided in a downwind end of the lateral flap(l) such that condensed water adhered to the lateral flap(l) fa gathered at the convex portion(5), and flows along a wall of the outlet grille(2). 2. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein a shape of said outlet grille and a dispositional distance of an wall of said outlet grille in relation to said convex portion of lateral flap are predetermined for allowing the convex portion of lateral flap to approach the wall of outlet grille without abating when the convex portion of lateral flap is moved in the lateral direction. 3. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wall of outlet grille is formed with an inclined surface. 4. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the condensed water gathered at the convex portion is transferred to the wall of said outlet grille by a wind force of the cool air. 5. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the convex portion provided in the lateral flap is an extension formed by extending the end portion of said lateral flap in a downwind direction. 6. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lateral flap is provided with a plurality of flap elements, and each one of said flap elements is formed with the convex portion. 7. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein a groove is provided below the wall of outlet grille for discharging out the condensed of the main body through the groove. 8. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, comprising a vertical flap provided in the downwind side of the lateral flap for changing the vertical direction of air. 5. Dated this 29th day of October, 1997. The air conditioner (10) with improved direction control efficiency comprises a main body (15), air conditioning members (16) provided in the main body (15) for achieving a function of conditioning the air, an outer grille (2) located in a front side of the main body (15) for directing air from inside the main body (15) outside the main body (15) and a lateral flap (1) placed in an opening of the outlet grille (2) for changing the direction of air in the lateral direction. A part of the lateral flap (1) is held by a mounting shaft (3) The lateral flap(l) is pivotally moved in the lateral direction about the mounting shaft (3). A convex portion (5) is provided in a downward end of the lateral flap (1)When the end portion of the lateral flap (1)is moved either in the right or left direction, condensed water adhered to the lateral flap (1) is gathered at the convex portion (5)which is transferred to a wall of the outlet grille (2) and flows out of a room through the main body (15) of the air conditioner (10).

Documents:

02052-cal-1997-abstract.pdf

02052-cal-1997-claims.pdf

02052-cal-1997-correspondence.pdf

02052-cal-1997-description(complete).pdf

02052-cal-1997-drawings.pdf

02052-cal-1997-form-1.pdf

02052-cal-1997-form-2.pdf

02052-cal-1997-form-3.pdf

02052-cal-1997-form-5.pdf

02052-cal-1997-p.a.pdf

02052-cal-1997-priority document others.pdf

02052-cal-1997-priority document.pdf

2052-cal-1997-granted-abstract.pdf

2052-cal-1997-granted-claims.pdf

2052-cal-1997-granted-correspondence.pdf

2052-cal-1997-granted-description (complete).pdf

2052-cal-1997-granted-drawings.pdf

2052-cal-1997-granted-examination report.pdf

2052-cal-1997-granted-form 1.pdf

2052-cal-1997-granted-form 2.pdf

2052-cal-1997-granted-form 3.pdf

2052-cal-1997-granted-form 5.pdf

2052-cal-1997-granted-letter patent.pdf

2052-cal-1997-granted-priority document.pdf

2052-cal-1997-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

2052-cal-1997-granted-specification.pdf

2052-cal-1997-granted-translated copy of priority document.pdf