Air conditioner

A ceiling embedded type air conditioner that reduces short circuits without increasing drafts due to air currents blown out from outlets includes a casing and a fan. The casing includes a casing lower part formed by an alternating sequence of four panel side parts and four panel corner parts. The casing further includes four main outlet passageways along the panel side parts, auxiliary outlet passageways in the three panel corner parts and an inlet that is surrounded by all of the panel side parts. The auxiliary outlet passageways are formed so that the spacing between each auxiliary outlet passageways and a corresponding adjacent main outlet passageways satisfies a prescribed dimensional relationship.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. national stage application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-396521, filed in Japan on Nov. 27, 2003 the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly relates to an air conditioner installed so that it is embedded in the ceiling of an air conditioned room.

RELATED ART

A so-called conventional ceiling embedded type air conditioner installed so that it is embedded in the ceiling of an air conditioned room principally comprises: a casing having a casing lower part formed by an alternating sequence of a plurality of side parts and a plurality of corner parts; outlets disposed so that each runs along a side part and an inlet disposed so that it is surrounded by the side parts; and a fan and a heat exchanger disposed inside the casing.

Furthermore, when this type of an air conditioner operates, the air inside the air conditioned room flows from the space below the inlet toward the inlet and is sucked inside the casing through the inlet. Then, the heat of the air sucked into the casing is exchanged by the heat exchanger, and is subsequently blown out through the outlets from the vicinity of the ceiling of the air conditioned room downward and diagonally into the air conditioned room. Here, the majority of the air currents blown out from inside the casing through the outlets reaches a far-off distance from the air conditioner, but a portion of the air currents blown out from inside the casing through the outlets is sucked into the inlet immediately after being blown out. Such a phenomenon is referred to as a short circuit, and the performance of the air conditioner drops if this short circuit increases (namely, if there is an increase in the flow volume of the air sucked into the inlet immediately after being blown out from inside the casing through the outlets).

In contrast, it is known to reduce short circuits by providing a plurality of outlets inside the casing except at the portions where both end parts of the heat exchanger are disposed, and by ensuring passageways wherein air flows from the outer circumferential side of the inlet toward the inlet—not only in the space below the inlet, but also in the portions where the outlets are not provided (for example, see Japanese Published Patent Application No. 2001-116281).

However, although it is possible with such an air conditioner to ensure passageways at the portions where outlets are not provided and wherein air flows from the outer circumferential side of the inlet toward the inlet, short circuits occur outside of these portions at the portions between the outlets, and it is therefore preferable to further reduce short circuits at such portions. In contrast, it is conceivable to reduce the number of outlets by increasing the space between the outlets, reducing the opening area of the outlets, and the like; however, doing so will increase the flow speed of the air currents blown out from the outlets, thereby increasing drafts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to reduce short circuits in a ceiling embedded type air conditioner, without increasing drafts due to air currents blown out from outlets.

An air conditioner according to a first aspect of the present invention is an air conditioner installed embedded in the ceiling of an air conditioned room, comprising a casing and a fan. The casing comprises: a casing lower part formed by an alternating sequence of a plurality of side parts and a plurality of corner parts; side part outlets disposed along each of the side parts; corner part outlets disposed at at least one of the plurality of corner parts; and an inlet disposed so that it is surrounded by all of the side parts. The fan, disposed inside the casing, sucks in air from the inlet into the casing, and blows out the sucked in air from the side part outlets and the corner part outlets into the air conditioned room. The dimensional relationship between each corner part outlet and the side part outlets adjacent to that corner part outlet is:
D/(L1W1+S2)0.5>0.15
where D is the distance between a first proximate part, which is the most proximate part of each corner part outlet to each side part outlet, and a second proximate part, which is the most proximate part of each side part outlet to each corner part outlet, L1is the length of each side part outlet in the direction along an outer circumferential edge of the side part, W1is the width of each side part outlet in the direction orthogonal to the outer circumferential edge of the side part, and S2is the opening area of each corner part outlet.

To prevent an increase in drafts due to the formation of a corner part outlet at each corner part between side part outlets in a ceiling embedded type air conditioner disposed so that the side part outlets surround the inlet, the present inventor(s) conducted research on the spacing between each corner part outlet and the side part outlets adjacent to that corner part outlet with the capability so that the air currents blown out toward the inside of the air conditioned room from the corner part outlets and the side part outlets from the portions between each corner part outlet and the side part outlets adjacent to that corner part outlet do not short circuit to the inlet, i.e., a spacing at the portions between each corner part outlet and the side part outlets adjacent to that corner part outlet capable of ensuring passageways for the air sucked into the inlet from the outer circumferential side of the inlet.

As a result, a dimensional relationship formula for the abovementioned spacing between each corner part outlet and the side part outlets adjacent to that corner part outlet was identified. This relationship formula can determine the minimum spacing, in accordance with the opening size of the side part outlets and the corner part outlets, that can reduce short circuits.

Thereby, with this air conditioner, the corner part outlets can be disposed with an appropriate spacing in accordance with the opening size of the side part outlets adjacent to those corner part outlets; consequently, it is possible to ensure passageways for the air sucked into the inlet from the outer circumferential side of the inlet, even at the portions between each corner part outlet and the side part outlets adjacent to that corner part outlet. Thereby, short circuits can be reduced without increasing drafts.

An air conditioner according to a second aspect of the present invention is an air conditioner as recited in the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the opening area of each corner part outlet is less than the opening area of each side part outlet.

With this air conditioner, the flow speed of the air blown out from each side part outlet does not decrease significantly, and the air current blown out from each side part outlet can consequently reach as far as possible. Moreover, because the flow speed of the air blown out from each corner part outlet is low, and a difference is created in the reach between the air current blown out from each corner part outlet and the air current blown out from each side part outlet, it is possible to ensure passageways, below the air current blown out from each corner part outlet, for the air sucked into the inlet.

An air conditioner according to a third aspect of the present invention is an air conditioner as recited in the first aspect of the present invention or the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the two side part outlets adjacent to both sides of each of the corner part outlets are disposed so that they are substantially mutually orthogonal.

With this air conditioner, it is possible to dispose the side part outlets and the corner part outlets with an appropriate spacing in accordance with their opening sizes for the case wherein the casing lower part, in a plan view, is substantially rectangular or square shaped; consequently, it is also possible to ensure passageways, between mutually adjacent side part outlets and corner part outlets, for the air sucked into the inlet. Thereby, short circuits can be reduced without increasing drafts.

An air conditioner according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is an air conditioner as recited in any one of the first through third aspects of the present invention, wherein circumferential edge parts of each corner part outlet are formed so that an air current blown out from each corner part outlet is blown out in a direction away from an air current blown out from each of the adjacent two side part outlets. corner part outlet is blown out in a direction away from an air current blown out from each of the adjacent two side part outlets.

With this air conditioner, it is even easier to ensure passageways, between each corner part outlet and the side part outlets adjacent to that corner part outlet, for the air sucked into the inlet.

An air conditioner according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is an air conditioner as recited in any one of the first through third aspects of the present invention, wherein each corner part outlet is provided with a guide flap that guides the air current blown out from each corner part outlet so that it blows out away from the air current blown out from each of the adjacent two side part outlets.

With this air conditioner, it is even easier to ensure passageways, between each corner part outlet and the side part outlets adjacent to that corner part outlet, for the air sucked into the inlet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following explains the embodiments of an air conditioner according to the present invention, referencing the drawings.

(1) Basic Constitution of the Air Conditioner

FIG. 1is an external perspective view of an air conditioner1according to one embodiment of the present invention (ceiling is not shown). The air conditioner1is a ceiling embedded type air conditioner, and comprises a casing2that internally houses various constituent equipment. The casing2comprises a casing main body2a, and a face panel3disposed on the lower side of the casing main body2a. As shown inFIG. 2, the casing main body2ais disposed inserted into an opening formed in a ceiling U of the air conditioned room. Furthermore, the face panel3is disposed so that it is fitted into the opening of the ceiling U. Here,FIG. 2is a schematic side cross sectional view of the air conditioner1, and is a cross sectional view taken along the A-O-A line inFIG. 3.

As shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the casing main body2ais, in a plan view thereof, a box shaped body whose substantially octagonal lower surface is open and formed by alternating long sides and short sides, and comprising: a substantially octagonal top plate21formed by an alternating sequence of long sides and short sides; and a side plate22extending downward from a circumferential edge part of the top plate21. Here,FIG. 3is a schematic plan cross sectional view of the air conditioner1, and is a cross sectional view taken along the B-B line inFIG. 2.

The side plate22comprises side plates22a,22b,22c,22dcorresponding to the long sides of the top plate21, and side plates22e,22f,22g,22hcorresponding to the short sides of the top plate21. Here, for example, the side plate22dand the side plate22aare disposed so that they are mutually substantially orthogonal with the side plate22einterposed therebetween. The other side plates22a,22b, side plates22b,22c, and side plates22c,22dare likewise disposed so that they are mutually substantially orthogonal, the same as the side plates22d,22a. In addition, the side plate22eis disposed so that an angle a formed between the adjoining side plate22dand side plate22ais approximately 135°. The side plates22f,22gare also disposed so that the angle formed between the adjoining side plates is approximately 135°, the same as the side plate22e. Furthermore, the side plate22his shaped differently than the other side plates22e,22f,22g, and comprises a portion wherethrough passes a refrigerant piping for exchanging refrigerants between a heat exchanger6(discussed later) and an outdoor unit (not shown). In addition, each of the side plates22e,22f,22g,22his provided with a fixing bracket23used when installing the casing main body2ain the space above the ceiling. Further, the lengths of the long sides and the short sides of the top plate21are set so that, in a plan view, the shape of the casing main body2aincluding the fixing brackets23becomes substantially quadrilateral.

The face panel3is a substantially quadrilateral plate shaped body, in a plan view, as shown inFIG. 2,FIG. 3, andFIG. 4, and principally comprises a panel main body3afixed to a lower end part of the casing main body2a. Here,FIG. 4is a plan view of the face panel3of the air conditioner1, viewed from inside the air conditioned room.

The panel main body3ais formed by an alternating sequence of a plurality (four in the present embodiment) of panel side parts30a,30b,30c,30d(side parts) and a plurality (four in the present embodiment) of panel corner parts30e,30f,30g,30h(corner parts). The panel side parts30a,30b,30c,30dare disposed so that they correspond respectively to the side plates22a,22b,22c,22dof the casing main body2a. The panel corner parts30e,30f,30g,30hare disposed so that they correspond respectively to the side plates22e,22f,22g,22hof the casing main body2a.

The panel main body3acomprises: an inlet31that, substantially at the center thereof, sucks in the air inside the air conditioned room, and a plurality (four in the present embodiment) of main outlets32a,32b,32c,32dformed corresponding respectively to the panel side parts30a,30b,30c,30dand that blow the air from inside the casing main body2aout into the air conditioned room. The inlet31is a substantially square shaped opening in the present embodiment. The four main outlets32a,32b,32c,32dare substantially rectangular shaped openings that elongatingly extend so that they respectively run along the panel side parts30a,30b,30c,30d.

In addition, at the lower surface of the panel main body3ais provided a square annular panel lower surface part3bdisposed so that it is surrounded by the inlet31and surrounds the four main outlets32a,32b,32c,32d. The panel lower surface part3bcomprises edge parts on the inlet31side of the main outlets32a,32b,32c,32d. Specifically, outer circumferential edge parts39a,39b,39c,39dcorresponding to the four sides of the panel lower surface part3bare disposed so that, in a plan view of the face panel3, they overlap with portions of the main outlets32a,32b,32c,32don the inlet31side.

Furthermore, an inlet grill33, and a filter34for eliminating dust in the air sucked in from the inlet31are provided at the inlet31.

In addition, horizontal flaps35a,35b,35c,35d(horizontal flaps) capable of oscillating about an axis in the longitudinal direction are respectively provided at the main outlets32a,32b,32c,32d. The horizontal flaps35a,35b,35c,35dare substantially rectangular shaped flap members elongatedly extending in the longitudinal direction of the respectively corresponding main outlets32a,32b,32c,32d, and linking pins36are respectively provided in the vicinity of both end parts in the longitudinal direction thereof. Furthermore, the horizontal flaps35a,35b,35c,35dare each rotatably supported to the face panel3by the linking pins36, making them oscillatable about the axes of the main outlets32a,32b,32c,32din the longitudinal direction. In the three panel corner parts30e,30g,30h, excepting the panel corner part30f, a linking shaft37serves as a link mechanism by mutually linking the adjoining linking pins36. Taking the panel corner part30eas an example, a linking shaft37links the linking pin36on the panel corner part30eside of the horizontal flap35dand the linking pin36on the panel corner part30eside of the horizontal flap35aso that they rotate by the rotation of the linking shaft37. In addition, a drive shaft of a motor38is linked to the linking shaft37disposed in the panel corner part30h. Thereby, driving the motor38synchronously oscillates the four horizontal flaps35a,35b,35c,35dvertically via the linking shafts37, and via the linking pins36provided to the horizontal flaps35a,35b,35c,35d. Furthermore, oscillating these horizontal flaps35a,35b,35c,35denables the wind direction of an air current X blown out from each of the main outlets32a,32b,32c,32dinto the air conditioned room to be varied.

For example, as shown inFIG. 5, the wind direction of the air current X blown out from the main outlet32binto the air conditioned room is varied in the vertical direction from an angle β1to an angle β2with respect to the lower surface of the ceiling U by the horizontal flap35b. The wind direction of the air current blown out from each of the other main outlets32a,32c,32dinto the air conditioned room are likewise varied in the vertical direction from the angle β1to the angle β2with respect to the lower surface of the ceiling U, the same as the wind direction of the air current X blown out from the main outlet32binto the air conditioned room. Here,FIG. 5is an enlarged view ofFIG. 2, and depicts the vicinity of a main outlet passageway12b(discussed later) corresponding to the main outlet32b.

Principally disposed inside the casing main body2aare: a fan4that sucks the air inside the air conditioned room through the inlet31of the face panel3into the casing main body2a, and blows the same out in the outer circumferential direction; and a heat exchanger6disposed so that it surrounds the outer circumference of the fan4.

The fan4in the present embodiment is a turbofan, and comprises: a fan motor41provided in the center of the top plate21of the casing main body2a; and an impeller42linked to and rotatably driven by the fan motor41. The impeller42comprises: a disc shaped end plate43linked to the fan motor41; a plurality of blades44provided at the outer circumferential part of the lower surface of the end plate43; and a disc shaped end ring45provided on the lower side of the blade44and having an opening at the center. The fan4can suck in air through the opening of the end ring45to the interior of the impeller42by the rotation of the blades44, and can blow out the air sucked into the impeller42to the outer circumferential side of the impeller42.

In the present embodiment, the heat exchanger6is a cross finned tube type heat exchanger panel formed bent so that it surrounds the outer circumference of the fan4, and is connected via the refrigerant piping to the outdoor unit (not shown) installed outdoors, and the like. The heat exchanger6can function as an evaporator of the refrigerant flowing internally during cooling operation, and as a condenser of the refrigerant flowing internally during heating operation. Thereby, the heat exchanger6exchanges heat with the air sucked in by the fan4through the inlet31into the casing main body2a, and can cool the air during cooling operation and heat the air during heating operation.

A drain pan7is disposed on the lower side of the heat exchanger6for receiving drain water generated by the condensation of water in the air in the heat exchanger6. The drain pan7is attached to the lower part of the casing main body2a. The drain pan7comprises: an inlet hole71formed so that it communicates with the inlet31of the face panel3; four main outlet holes72a,72b,72c,72dformed so that they communicate with the main outlets32a,32b,32c,32dof the face panel3; and a drain water receiving groove73formed on the lower side of the heat exchanger6and that receives the drain water. Here, the main outlet holes72a,72b,72c,72dare shorter than the lengths of the respective corresponding main outlets32a,32b,32c,32din the longitudinal direction. In particular, the main outlet hole72cis shorter than the lengths of the other main outlet holes72a,72b,72din the longitudinal direction because it is interposed between: a drain pump8for discharging the drain water collected in the drain water receiving groove73disposed on the side plate22gside; and the portion through which the refrigerant piping passes on the side plate22hside.

Furthermore, with the inlet31of the face panel3, the inlet hole71forms an inlet passageway that serves as the substantial inlet that sucks in the air inside the air conditioned room into the casing main body2a. In addition, the main outlet holes72a,72b,72c,72d, in conjunction with the main outlets32a,32b,32c,32dof the face panel3, which communicate respectively therewith, form main outlet passageways12a,12b,12c,12dthat serve as the substantial main outlets that blow out the air whose heat was exchanged in the heat exchanger6into the air conditioned room. In other words, with the air conditioner1of the present embodiment, the lower part of the casing2comprises the face panel3and the drain pan7, and at the lower part of this casing2are formed the inlet passageway and main outlet passageways12a,12b,12c,12d(side part outlets) that serve as the substantial inlet and main outlets.

In addition, a bell mouth5for guiding the air sucked in from the inlet31to the impeller42of the fan4is disposed in the inlet hole71of the drain pan7.

(2) Auxilliary Outlet Structure, and Peripheral Configuration Thereof

The air conditioner1having the basic constitution as described above further comprises a plurality (four in the present embodiment) of auxiliary outlets32e,32f,32g,32hformed so that they correspond respectively to the panel corner parts30e,30f,30g,30hof the face panel3, and that blow the air from inside the casing main body2aout into the air conditioned room, as shown inFIG. 1throughFIG. 7. Here,FIG. 6is an enlarged view ofFIG. 2, and depicts the vicinity of the auxiliary outlet passageway12e(discussed later) corresponding to the auxiliary outlet32e.FIG. 7is an enlarged view ofFIG. 3, and depicts the vicinity of the auxiliary outlet passageway12ecorresponding to the auxiliary outlet32e.

The four auxiliary outlets32e,32f,32g,32hare, in a plan view of the face panel3, substantially rectangular shaped openings formed so that they respectively run along the side plates22e,22f,22g,22hof the casing main body2a.

In addition, the portions of the auxiliary outlets32e,32f,32g,32hon the inlet31side are disposed, in a plan view of the face panel3, so that they overlap the outer circumferential corner parts39e,39f,39g,39hbetween the outer circumferential edge parts39a,39b,39c,39dof the panel lower surface part3b. Consequently, the panel lower surface part3bcomprises not only the edge parts of the main outlets32a,32b,32c,32don the inlet31side, but also the edge parts of the auxiliary outlets32e,32f,32g,32hon the inlet31side. Further, the surfaces on the auxiliary outlets32e,32f,32g,32hside of these outer circumferential corner parts39e,39f,39g,39hare formed so that the air blown out from each of the auxiliary outlets32e,32f,32g,32hinto the air conditioned room is blown out in an inclined, downward, fixed direction.

Moreover, a horizontal flap for varying the wind direction of the blown-out air current is not provided at each of the auxiliary outlets32e,32f,32g,32h, unlike the main outlets32a,32b,32c,32d. Further, for example, as shown inFIG. 6, the wind direction of the air current blown out from the auxiliary outlet32einto the air conditioned room is a direction formed by the angle γ(≈β1/2+β2/2), which is the direction of substantially the middle of the range by which the horizontal flaps35d,35aprovided at the adjoining main outlets32d,32aregulate in the vertical direction the wind direction of the air current blown out from each of the main outlets32d,32a(specifically, the range from the angle β1to the angle β2with respect to the lower surface of the ceiling U). The wind direction of the air current blown out from each of the other auxiliary outlets32f,32g,32hinto the air conditioned room are also the direction formed by the angle γ with respect to the lower surface of the ceiling U, the same as the wind direction of the air current Y blown out from the auxiliary outlet32einto the air conditioned room.

In addition, the drain pan7further comprises three auxiliary outlet holes72e,72f,72gformed so that they communicate with the auxiliary outlets32e,32f,32gof the face panel3. Here, in the present embodiment, an auxiliary outlet hole is not formed at the position corresponding to the auxiliary outlet32hof the face panel3of the drain pan7. Consequently, in the present embodiment, the auxiliary outlet32hof the face panel3does not have the function of blowing the air sucked into the casing main body2aout toward the inside of the air conditioned room. Here, the auxiliary outlet hole72eis substantially the same length as the corresponding auxiliary outlet32ein the longitudinal direction, but the auxiliary outlet hole72fis shorter than the length of the corresponding auxiliary outlet32fin the longitudinal direction because one part of the drain water receiving groove73protrudes on the side plate22aside. In addition, the auxiliary outlet hole72gis shorter than the length of the corresponding auxiliary outlet32gin the longitudinal direction because the drain pump8is disposed on the side plate22cside.

Furthermore, the three auxiliary outlet holes72e,72f,72g, in conjunction with the auxiliary outlets32e,32f,32gof the face panel3, which communicates therewith, form three auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12gthat blow the air whose heat was exchanged in the heat exchanger6out into the air conditioned room. In other words, with the air conditioner1of the present embodiment, the following are formed at the lower part of the casing2comprising the face panel3and the drain pan7: the inlet passageway and the main outlet passageways12a,12b,12c,12dthat serve as the substantial inlet and main outlets; and the auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12g(corner part outlets) that serve as the substantial auxiliary outlets.

If the auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12gare provided between the main outlet passageways12a,12b,12c,12din this manner, then the inlet31becomes surrounded by these outlet passageways, making it difficult to ensure a passageway for the air sucked in from inside the air conditioned room into the casing2; as a result, the air current X and the air current Y respectively blown out from each of the main outlet passageways12a,12b,12c,12dand each of the auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12gtoward the inside of the air conditioned room are short circuited, and sucked into the inlet31.

However, in the air conditioner1of the present embodiment, by making the spacing between each of the auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12gand the main outlet passageways12a,12b,12c,12dadjacent to that auxiliary outlet passageway12e,12f,12gsatisfy the prescribed relational expression explained below, it is possible to ensure passageways, between each of the auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12gand the main outlet passageways12a,12b,12c,12dadjacent to that auxiliary outlet passageway12e,12f,12g, for the air sucked into the inlet31from the outer circumferential side of the inlet31.

The following explains the dimensional relationship between each of the auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12gand the main outlet passageways12a,12b,12c,12dadjacent to that auxiliary outlet passageway12e,12f,12g, taking as an example the dimensional relationship between the auxiliary outlet passageway12eand the main outlet passageway12aadjacent to that auxiliary outlet passageway12e. Here, because the dimensional relationship between the auxiliary outlet passageway12eand the main outlet passageway12dadjacent to that auxiliary outlet passageway12eis the same for the dimensional relationships between the other auxiliary outlet passageways12f,12gand the main outlet passageways12a,12b,12c,12d, the explanation thereof is omitted.

If we let D be the distance between point P (first proximate part), which is the most proximate part of the auxiliary outlet passageway12eto the main outlet passageway12a, and side Q (second proximate part), which is the most proximate part of the main outlet passageway12ato the auxiliary outlet passageway12e, L1be the length of the main outlet passageway12ain the direction along the outer circumferential edge of the side part30a(i.e., the side plate22a), W1be the width of the main outlet passageway12ain the direction orthogonal to the side plate22a, and S2be the opening area of the auxiliary outlet passageway12e, then the dimensional relationship between the auxiliary outlet passageway12eand the main outlet passageway12aadjacent to that auxiliary outlet passageway12eis:
D/(L1W1+S2)0.5>0.15.

Here, the opening area S2of the auxiliary outlet passageway12eis, in a plan view of the casing2, the opening area of the portion where the opening area from the auxiliary outlet hole72eto the auxiliary outlet32eis smallest, and is equivalent to the opening area of the auxiliary outlet hole72ein the present embodiment. Furthermore, if the shape of the auxiliary outlet hole72eis substantially square shaped as in the present embodiment, then the opening area S2is equivalent to the value of the sum of L2, which is the length between the point P of the auxiliary outlet passageway12eand the point P′, which is the most proximate part of the auxiliary outlet passageway12eto the main outlet passageway12d, and width W2in the direction orthogonal to the line mutually linking the point P and the point P′ of the auxiliary outlet passageway12e(≈L2W2).

Moreover, because the value of the sum of L1, which is the length of the main outlet passageway12ain the direction along the side plate22a, and W1, which is the width of the main outlet passageway12ain the direction orthogonal to the side plate22a(=L1W1), is equivalent to the opening area S1of the main outlet passageway12a, the abovementioned dimensional relationship prescribes the minimum spacing capable of ensuring passageways, between each of the auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12gand the main outlet passageways12a,12b,12c,12dadjacent to that auxiliary outlet passageway12e,12f,12gin accordance with the opening size of the main outlet passageways12a,12b,12c,12dand the auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12g, for the air sucked into the inlet31from the outer circumferential side of the inlet31.

In addition, the opening area S2of each of the auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12gis less than the opening area S1of each of the main outlet passageways12a,12b,12c,12d.

Furthermore, the circumferential edge parts of the auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12gare formed so that the air current Y blown out from each of the auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12gis blown out in a direction away from the air current X blown out from each of the adjacent two main outlet passageways12a,12b,12c,12d. Taking the auxiliary outlet passageway12eas an example, in the present embodiment, the auxiliary outlet passageway12eis formed so that angles θ, θ′ formed between end surfaces74,75on the main outlet passageways12a,12dside thereof and the sides Q, Q′ of the adjacent main outlet passageways12a,12dis a positive value (e.g., 45°, and the like).

(3) Operation of the Air Conditioner

The following explains the operation of the air conditioner1, referencingFIG. 2,FIG. 4,FIG. 5,FIG. 6, andFIG. 8. Here,FIG. 8is an enlarged view ofFIG. 4, and depicts the vicinity of the auxiliary outlet32e(a partial broken view of the panel lower surface part3b).

When operation starts, the fan motor41is driven, which rotates the impeller42of the fan4. In addition, along with the driving of the fan motor41, refrigerant is supplied from the outdoor unit (not shown) to the inside of the heat exchanger6. Here, the heat exchanger6functions as an evaporator during cooling operation, and as a condenser during heating operation. Further, attendant with the rotation of the impeller42, the air inside the air conditioned room is sucked from the inlet31of the face panel3through the filter34and the bell mouth5into the casing main body2afrom the lower side of the fan4. This sucked in air is blown out to the outer circumferential side by the impeller42, reaches the heat exchanger6, is cooled or heated in the heat exchanger6, and then blown through the main outlet holes72a,72b,72c,72dand the main outlets32a,32b,32c,32d(i.e., the main outlet passageways12a,12b,12c,12d), and the auxiliary outlet holes72e,72f,72gand the auxiliary outlets32e,32f,32g(i.e., the auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12g) out into the air conditioned room. In so doing, the inside of the air conditioned room is cooled or heated.

Here, the auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12gare respectively disposed in the panel corner parts30e,30f,30gwith a spacing that satisfies the dimensional relationship formula explained above, in accordance with the opening sizes of the respective main outlet passageways12a,12b,12c,12dand auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12g. Thereby, it is possible to ensure passageways, between each of the auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12gand the main outlet passageways12a,12b,12c,12dadjacent to that auxiliary outlet passageway12e,12f,12g, for the air sucked into the inlet31.

Taking the auxiliary outlet passageway12eas an example, by setting the spacing between the auxiliary outlet passageway12eand the adjacent main outlet passageway12ato be the distance D, a passageway for the air sucked into the inlet31can be ensured and, consequently, an air current Z from the outer circumferential direction of the face panel3can be introduced into the inlet31, thereby enabling a reduction in the short circuit. Furthermore, because the spacing between the auxiliary outlet passageway12eand the main outlet passageway12dadjacent to the auxiliary outlet passageway12ecan ensure a passageway for the air sucked into the inlet31, the same as with the spacings between the other auxiliary outlet passageways12f,12gand the main outlet passageways12a,12b,12c,12dadjacent to those other auxiliary outlet passageways12f,12g, air from the outer circumferential direction of the face panel3can be introduced into the inlet31, thereby reducing short circuits.

In addition, the wind direction of the air current X blown from each of the main outlets32a,32b,32c,32dout into the air conditioned room is regulated by the horizontal flaps35a,35b,35c,35dto within the wind direction regulation range (specifically, the range from the angle β1to the angle β2with respect to the lower surface of the ceiling U). However, the air current Y blown from each of the auxiliary outlets32e,32f,32gout into the air conditioned room is blown out in the direction of the angle γ, which is the direction of substantially the middle of the wind direction regulation range of the horizontal flaps35a,35b,35c,35dwith respect to the lower surface of the ceiling U.

However, taking the auxiliary outlet32eas an example, the auxiliary outlet32eis disposed at the panel corner part30eadjoining the main outlet32dand the main outlet32a, and is consequently easily affected by the air current X blown out from the main outlet32dand the main outlet32ainto the air conditioned room. Specifically, the air current Y blown out from the auxiliary outlet32eis dragged by the air current X blown out from the adjoining main outlet32dand main outlet32a, and its direction tends to vary. Consequently, the oscillation by the horizontal flaps35d,35aprovided at the main outlets32d,32achanges the direction of the air current Y blown out from the auxiliary outlet32eso that it proceeds in a direction the same as the wind direction of this air current X.

Thereby, if the wind direction of the air current X blown out from each of the main outlets32d,32ais regulated to an angle less than the wind direction of the air current Y (i.e., the direction of the angle γ with respect to the lower surface of the ceiling U) blown out from the auxiliary outlet32e, then the wind direction of the air current Y blown out from the auxiliary outlet32eis dragged thereby, and becomes less than the angle γ. Conversely, if the wind direction of the air current X blown out from each of the main outlets32d,32ais regulated to an angle greater than the wind direction of the air current Y (i.e., the direction of the angle γ with respect to the lower surface of the ceiling U) blown out from the auxiliary outlet32e, then the wind direction of the air current Y blown out from the auxiliary outlet32eis dragged thereto, and becomes greater than the angle γ.

Thus, the wind direction of the air current Y blown out from the auxiliary outlet32ecan be varied even if blown out in a fixed direction, without providing a mechanism, such as the horizontal flaps, for varying in the vertical direction the wind direction of the air blown out from the auxiliary outlet32e. Furthermore, the blow-out direction of the air current Y for each of the other auxiliary outlets32f,32gcan also be varied in accordance with changes in the wind direction of the air current X blown out from each of the contiguous main outlets, without providing a mechanism, such as the horizontal flaps, the same as the auxiliary outlet32e.

Incidentally, if the phenomenon occurs where the air current Y blown out from each of the auxiliary outlets32e,32f,32ginto the air conditioned room, as described above, is dragged by the air current X blown out from each of the main outlets32a,32b,32c,32dinto the air conditioned room, then it would result in a situation where the inlet31is surrounded by the air currents X and the air currents Y, which tends to produce short circuits; however, even in such a situation, by disposing the auxiliary outlets32e,32f,32gand the main outlets32a,32b,32c,32dwith a spacing that satisfies the dimensional relationship formula explained above, passageways between each of the auxiliary outlets32e,32f,32gand the main outlets32a,32b,32c,32dcan be ensured for the air sucked into the inlet31, thereby reducing short circuits.

In addition, because the opening area S2of each of the auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12gis less than the opening area S1of each of the main outlet passageways12a,12b,12c,12dand the flow speed of the air blown out from each of the main outlet passageways12a,12b,12c,12ddoes not drop significantly, the air current X blown out from each of the main outlet passageways12a,12b,12c,12dcan be made to reach as far as possible. Moreover, because the flow speed of the air blown out from each of the auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12gis small and a difference is created in the reach between the air current Y blown out from each of the auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12gand the air current X blown out from each of the main outlet passageways12a,12b,12c,12d, it is possible to ensure a passageway, below the air current Y blown out from each of the auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12g, for the air sucked into the inlet31.

Furthermore, because the circumferential edge parts (specifically, the end surfaces74,75) of the auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12gare formed so that the air current Y blown out from each of the auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12gis blown out in a direction away from the air current X blown out from each of the two adjacent main outlet passageways12a,12b,12c,12d, it is even easier to ensure a passageway for the air sucked into the inlet31.

(4) Other Embodiments

The above explained an embodiment of the present invention based on the drawings, but the specific constitution is not limited to these embodiments, and it is understood that variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In the abovementioned embodiment, although the auxiliary outlets32e,32f,32g,32hare formed so that they correspond to all of the panel corner parts30e,30f,30g,30h, an auxiliary outlet hole corresponding to the auxiliary outlet32his not provided in the drain pan7; consequently, of the four auxiliary outlets32e,32f,32g,32h, only the three auxiliary outlets32e,32f,32gfunction as substantial auxiliary outlets and the air inside the casing main body2amay be blown out from the auxiliary outlet32hinto the air conditioned room by forming the auxiliary outlet hole72halso at a position corresponding to the auxiliary outlet32hof the drain pan7, and by providing the auxiliary outlet passageway12h, as shown inFIG. 9(a schematic plan cross sectional view of the air conditioner according to another embodiment, and a view equivalent toFIG. 3). Thereby, the air can be blown from all four panel side parts30a,30b,30c,30dand all four panel corner parts30e,30f,30g,30hof the face panel3out into the air conditioned room, and the distribution of the air blown out into the air conditioned room can be made further satisfactory.

In the abovementioned embodiment, forming the circumferential edge parts (specifically, the end surfaces74,75) of each of the auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12gso that the air current Y blown out from each of the auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12gis blown out in a direction away from the air current X blown out from each of the two adjacent main outlet passageways12a,12b,12c,12dmakes it easier to ensure passageways for the air sucked into the inlet31; however, as shown inFIG. 10(a drawing that depicts the vicinity of the auxiliary outlet passageway12ecorresponding to the auxiliary outlet32eaccording to another embodiment, and equivalent toFIG. 7) and taking the auxiliary outlet passageway12eas an example, it is also acceptable to provide a plurality (four in the present embodiment) of guide flaps76inside the auxiliary outlet passageway12ethat guides the air current Y blown out from the auxiliary outlet passageway12eso that it is blown out in a direction away from the air current X blown out from each of the adjacent two main outlet passageways12a,12d.

In the abovementioned embodiment, the auxiliary outlet passageways12e,12f,12g,12hare formed so that they correspond to three or four of the four panel corner parts30e,30f,30g,30h; however, it is also acceptable to provide auxiliary outlet passageways in just one or two of the four panel corner parts30e,30f,30g,30h. Even in this case, by disposing the auxiliary outlet passageways in the panel corner parts with a spacing that satisfies the dimensional relationship formula explained above, it is possible to ensure passageways between adjacent main outlet passageways for the air sucked into the inlet31, thereby reducing short circuits.

In the abovementioned embodiments, the present embodiment was applied to a ceiling embedded type air conditioner1having a substantially square shaped face panel3, but is also applicable to a ceiling embedded type air conditioner1having a polygonal face panel having five or more sides.

INDUSTRIAL FIELD OF APPLICATION

Using the present invention enables, in a ceiling embedded type air conditioner wherein the outlets are disposed so that they surround the inlet, a reduction in short circuits without increasing drafts due to air currents blown out from the outlets.