Air conditioner

Provided is an air conditioner including a housing, a suction port disposed in the housing, a first discharge port disposed in the housing to discharge a part of air sucked through the suction port, and a second discharge port disposed in the housing to discharge other part of air sucked through the suction port, a heat exchanger configured to perform heat-exchange on the part of air sucked through the suction port, a first blowing fan configured to suck the part of air, which is sucked through the suction port, to discharge the sucked air to the first discharge port, and an intermediate member configured to guide the part of air sucked through the suction port to the heat exchanger, and configured to separate other part of air s sucked through the suction port from the part of air sucked through the suction port.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0092636, filed on Jul. 21, 2017, and No. 10-2017-0178383, filed on Dec. 22, 2017 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety

BACKGROUND

Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an air conditioner having a variety of air discharging methods.

Description of Related Art

Generally, an air conditioner is an apparatus that uses a refrigeration cycle to control temperature, humidity, airflow, and distribution to be suitable for human activity, and to remove dust in the air. A compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, an expansion valve, and a blowing fan are provided as main components of the refrigeration cycle.

The air conditioner may be classified into a separate type-air conditioner in which an indoor unit and an outdoor unit are separated, and an integrated type-air conditioner in which an indoor unit and an outdoor unit are installed together in a single cabinet. The indoor unit of the separate type air conditioner includes a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the air sucked into a panel, and a blowing fan for sucking indoor air into the panel and blowing the sucked air back into the indoor.

In a conventional manner, when a user directly comes into contact with the discharged air, the user can feel the cold and the uncomfortable feeling. On the other hand, when the user does not come into contact with the discharged air, the user feels the heat and the uncomfortable feeling.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide an air conditioner capable of having various air discharging methods.

It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide an air conditioner capable of cooling and heating the room at a minimum wind speed at which a user feels comfortable.

It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide an air conditioner capable of providing natural winds which is not heat-exchanged.

It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide an air conditioner capable of providing air in which heat-exchanged air and room air are mixed with each other.

It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide an air conditioner capable of allowing a flow path, in which heat-exchanged air flows, and a flow path, in which natural winds flows, to be effectively arranged.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an air conditioner includes a housing, a suction port disposed in the housing, a first discharge port disposed in the housing to discharge a part of air sucked through the suction port, and a second discharge port disposed in the housing to discharge other part of air sucked through the suction port, a heat exchanger configured to perform heat-exchange on the part of air sucked through the suction port, a first blowing fan configured to suck the part of air, which is sucked through the suction port, to discharge the sucked air to the first discharge port, and an intermediate member configured to guide the part of air sucked through the suction port to the heat exchanger, and configured to separate other part of air s sucked through the suction port from the part of air sucked through the suction port.

the intermediate member includes a guide portion configured to form at least one part of a first flow path connecting the suction port to the first discharge port, and configured to guide air in the first flow path, to the heat exchanger, and a partition configured to divide between a second flow path connecting the suction port to a second discharge port, and the first flow path.

The suction port includes a first suction port through which the part of air is sucked, to allow the part of air to be discharged to the first discharge port; and a second suction port through which the other part of air is sucked, to allow the other part of air to be discharged to the second discharge port.

The intermediate member includes a guide portion configured to form at least one part of a first flow path connecting the first suction port to the first discharge port, and configured to guide air in the first flow path, to the heat exchanger, and a partition configured to divide between a second flow path connecting the second suction port to the second discharge port, and the first flow path

The first discharge port is disposed on a front surface of the housing and the second discharge port is disposed on a side surface of the housing, and the partition is extended from the outside of the guide portion to the side surface of the housing.

A side end portion of the partition is in contact with an inner side surface of the housing to divide between the first flow path and the second flow path.

One surface of the partition guides air, which is sucked through the first suction port, to the first discharge port, and other surface of the partition guides air, which is sucked through the second suction port, to the second discharge port.

The first flow path is formed by the guide portion and the one surface of the partition, and the second flow path is formed by the inner side surface of the housing and the other surface of the partition.

The guide portion comprises a bell mouth portion configured to guide air, which is sucked through the first suction port, to flow to the first blowing fan; and a diffuser portion configured to guide the air, which is blown by the first blowing fan, to flow to the heat exchanger.

The intermediate member further comprises an inlet disposed in a lower portion of the intermediate member and configured to be opened in a vertical direction to allow air, which is blown by the second blowing fan disposed between the second suction port and the intermediate member, to flow thereinto, and the guide portion is configured to be opened in a frontward and backward direction, to allow air to flow into the first blowing fan to guide air to the heat exchanger.

The air conditioner further includes a discharge panel disposed in the front side of the first discharge port and provided with a plurality of discharge holes.

The air conditioner further includes a second blowing fan configured to suck air through the second suction port to discharge the air to the second discharge port; and a guide curved portion configured to guide air, which is discharged through the second discharge port, to the front side so that the air, which is discharged through the second discharge port, is mixed with air, which is discharged through the first discharge port.

The second blowing fan is configured to discharge air, which is discharged through the second discharge port, at a speed faster than a speed of air, which is discharged through the discharge panel.

The air conditioner further includes a third discharge port disposed on at least one side between an upper side or a lower side of the first discharge port, and a third flow path communicating between the second flow path and the third discharge port is disposed between the second flow path and the third discharge port.

The air conditioner further includes a second blowing fan disposed on the second flow path and configured to suck other part of air, which is sucked through the suction port to discharge the air to the second discharge port; and a guide curved portion configured to guide air, which is discharged through the second discharge port, to the front side so that the air, which is discharged through the second discharge port, is mixed with air, which is discharged through the first discharge port.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, an air conditioner includes a housing provided with a first suction port and a second suction port, a first discharge port disposed in the housing to discharge air sucked through the first suction port, a second discharge port disposed in the housing to discharge air sucked through the second suction port, a first flow path configured to connect the first suction port to the first discharge port, a second flow path configured to connect the second suction port to the second discharge port and configured to be separated from the first flow path, a heat exchanger disposed on the first flow path, and an intermediate member provided with a partition configured to divide between the first flow path and the second flow path; and a guide portion configured to guide air in the first flow path, to the first discharge port, and the first flow path is formed by the guide portion and the partition, and the second flow path is formed by the partition and an inner side surface of the housing.

The air conditioner further includes a first blowing fan disposed in a circumferential direction of an inner circumferential surface of the guide portion and configured to move air in the first flow path; and a second blowing fan disposed in a lower side of the intermediate member and configured to move air in the second flow path, and the first blowing fan blows air in first flow path, from the rear side to the front side, and the second blowing fan blows air in second flow path, from the lower side to the upper side.

The partition is extended from the guide portion to the inner side surface of the housing, and a side end portion of the partition is in contact with the inner side surface of the housing to divide between the first flow path and the second flow path.

The first discharge port is disposed to allow air, which is heat-exchanged, to be discharged, and the second discharge port is disposed to allow air, which is not heat-exchanged, to be discharged.

In accordance with the other aspect of the present disclosure, an air conditioner includes a housing provided with a first suction port and a second suction port, a first discharge port disposed on a front surface of the housing to discharge air sucked through the first suction port; and a second discharge port disposed on a side surface of the housing to discharge air sucked through the second suction port, a discharge panel disposed on the front side of the first discharge port and provided with a plurality of discharge holes, a heat exchanger configured to perform heat-exchange on air sucked through the first suction port, a first blowing fan configured to suck air through the first suction port to discharge the air through the first discharge port, a second blowing fan configured to suck air through the second suction port to discharge the air through the second discharge port, and an intermediate member disposed inside of the housing and configured to guide air, which is suck through the first suction port, to the first discharge port, and the intermediate member comprises a guide portion configured to cover an outer circumferential surface of the first blowing fan, and a partition extended to the outside of the guide portion while being extended to a side surface of the housing, to separate air, which is sucked through the second suction port, from air, which is sucked through the first suction port.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments described in the present disclosure and configurations shown in the drawings are merely examples of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and may be modified in various different ways at the time of filing of the present application to replace the embodiments and drawings of the present disclosure.

In addition, the same reference numerals or signs shown in the drawings of the present disclosure indicate elements or components performing substantially the same function.

Also, the terms used herein are used to describe the embodiments and are not intended to limit and/or restrict the present disclosure. The singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this present disclosure, the terms “including”, “having”, and the like are used to specify features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more of the features, elements, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, but elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, a first element may be termed as a second element, and a second element may be termed as a first element. The term of “and/or” includes a plurality of combinations of relevant items or any one item among a plurality of relevant items.

In the following detailed description, the terms of “front”, “upper portion”, “lower portion”, “left side”, “right side” and the like may be defined by the drawings, but the shape and the location of the component is not limited by the term.

A refrigeration cycle of an air conditioner is provided with a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. The refrigeration cycle is a series of processes of compression-condensation-expansion-evaporation, and air, which is heat-exchanged with refrigerant, may be supplied through the refrigeration cycle.

The compressor compresses refrigerant gas into a state of high temperature and high pressure and discharges the refrigerant gas at the high temperature and pressure, and the discharged refrigerant gas flows into the condenser. The condenser condenses the compressed refrigerant into a liquid phase and the heat is discharged to the surroundings through the condensation process.

The expansion valve expands the liquid refrigerant at the high-temperature and high-pressure state, which is condensed in the condenser, into the liquid refrigerant at the low-pressure state. The evaporator evaporates the refrigerant, which is expanded in the expansion valve and return the refrigerant gas at the low-temperature and low-pressure state, to the compressor. The evaporator uses the evaporation latent heat of the refrigerant to achieve a refrigerating effect by the heat exchange with the object to be cooled. Through this cycle, an air temperature of the indoor space may be adjusted.

The outdoor unit of the air conditioner refers to a portion composed of a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger in the refrigeration cycle. The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include the indoor heat exchanger and the expansion valve may be located either in the indoor unit or the outdoor unit. The indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger serve as a condenser serves and an evaporator. When the indoor heat exchanger serves as a condenser, an air conditioner may correspond to a heater and when the indoor heat exchanger serves as an evaporator, an air conditioner may correspond to a cooler.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of an air conditioner1according to an embodiment.FIG. 2is an exploded view of the air conditioner1shown inFIG. 1

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the air conditioner1may include a housing10forming an exterior of the air conditioner1, a blowing unit20circulating air to the inside or the outside of the housing10, and a heat exchanger30performing heat exchanging air flowing into the inside of the housing10.

The housing10may include a main housing11in which the blowing unit20and the heat exchanger30are provided, and a front frame16patched on a front surface of the main housing11. The housing10may include a first suction port12, a second suction port15, a first discharge port17and a second discharge port13. A drain member31configured to collect condensed water generated in the heat exchanger30may be disposed at the lower end of the heat exchanger30.

The main housing11may form a rear, a part of side surfaces, a part of an upper surface and a lower surface of the air conditioner1. A front surface of the main housing11may be opened and the front frame16may be disposed on the front surface of the main housing11.FIG. 2illustrates that the front frame16is detachably disposed on the front frame16but the front frame16and the main housing11may be integrally formed with each other.

The front frame16may be disposed on a front upper side of the main housing11, and a front panel18may be disposed on a front lower side of the main housing11. The front panel18may cover at least a part of the front lower side of the opened-main housing11.

The first discharge port17may be formed in the front frame16. The first discharge port17may be disposed on the front surface of the housing10. The first discharge port17may penetrate through the front frame16. The first discharge port17may be disposed at a position substantially facing the first suction port12. Air, which is heat-exchanged inside of the housing10, may be discharged to the outside of the housing10through the first discharge port17. The first discharge port17may discharge air, which is sucked through the first suction port12.

The first suction port12may be disposed in the main housing11. The first suction port12may penetrate a rear surface of the main housing11. The first suction port12may be disposed on the upper portion of the rear surface of the main housing11. External air may flow into the inside of the housing10through the first suction port12.

AlthoughFIG. 2illustrates that three first suction ports12are provided, the number of the first suction ports12is not limited thereto, and thus various number of first suction port may be provided, as needed. AlthoughFIG. 2illustrates the first suction port12has a circular shape, the shape of the first suction port12is not limited thereto and thus the first suction port12may have a variety of shapes, as needed.

The second suction port15may be disposed in the main housing11. The second suction port15may pass through the rear surface of the main housing11. The second suction port15may be disposed at a lower portion of the rear surface of the main housing11. The second suction port15may be disposed on the lower side of the first suction port12. External air may flow into the inside of the housing10through the second suction port15.

In the same manner as the first suction port12, the number and/or shape of the second suction port15may vary as needed.

The second discharge port13may be disposed in the main housing11. The second discharge port13may be disposed adjacent to the first discharge port17. The second discharge port13may be disposed on at least one side of the main housing11. The second discharge port13may penetrate the side surface of the main housing11. The second discharge port13may be disposed on the upper portion of the side surface of the main housing11. The second discharge port13may be disposed on opposite surfaces corresponding to a part of the housing10in which the first discharge port17is disposed.

The second discharge port13may be extended along a vertical direction of the main housing11. The air, which is not heat-exchanged in the housing10, may be discharged to the outside of the housing10through the second discharge port13. The second discharge port13may be provided to discharge the air flowing through the second suction port15.

The main housing11may be formed as one piece, or may be formed in two pieces in which upper lower portions are separated. According to an embodiment, the main housing11may be configured such that two pieces corresponding to upper lower portions are coupled to each other.

The second discharge port13may be configured to mix air discharged from the second discharge port13with air discharged from the first discharge port17. Particularly, a part of the main housing11, in which the second discharge port13is formed, may include a guide curved portion13a(refer toFIG. 3) configured to guide air discharged from the second discharge port13so as to mix air discharged from the second discharge port13with the air discharged from the first discharge port17.

The guide curved portion13amay guide the air discharged from the second discharge port13by the Coanda effect. In other words, air discharged through the second discharge port13may be discharged along the guide curved portion13ain a direction to allow to be mixed with the air discharged from the first discharge port17. The guide curved portion13amay guide the air discharged from the second discharge port13to the front side when the second discharge port13is disposed on the side surface of the housing10and the first discharge port17is disposed on the front surface of the housing10.

A blade61(refer toFIG. 10) guiding air discharged through the second discharge port13may be disposed in the second discharge port13. The blade61may be arranged continuously along a longitudinal direction of the second discharge port13.

A flow path of air connecting the first suction port12and the first discharge port17is referred to as a first flow path S1and a flow path of air connecting the second suction port15and the second discharge port13is referred to as a second flow path S2. The first flow path S1and the second flow path S2may be divided by an intermediate member100. Accordingly, the air flowing through the first flow path S1and the air flowing through the second flow path S2may not be mixed.

The intermediate member100may include a guide portion110and a partition120, wherein the guide portion110may be configured to cover a first blowing fan22in a circumferential direction of the first blowing fan22while being apart from an outer circumference surface of a first blowing fan22of a first blowing unit21to the outside of the outer circumference surface, and configured to guide air, which flows from the first suction port12, to flow to the first blowing fan22while guiding air, which is blown by the first blowing fan22, to the first discharge port17, and the partition120may be extended from the outside of the guide portion110to an inner side surface11aof the main housing11so as to divide between the first flow path S1and the second flow path S2. The intermediate member100may include a blocking rib140configured to prevent air flowing from the first suction port12and air flowing from the second suction port15from being mixed with each other. A description thereof will be described later in detail.

The air conditioner1may be configured to discharge air, which is heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger30, through the first discharge port17and configured to discharge air, which does not pass through the heat exchanger30, through the second discharge port13. That is, the second discharge port13may be configured to discharge air, which is not heat-exchanged. Since the heat exchanger30is disposed on the first flow path S1, the air discharged through the first discharge port17may be heat-exchanged air. Since the heat exchanger is not disposed on the second flow path S2, the air discharged through the second discharge port13may be air that is not heat exchanged.

Alternatively, according to the conventional manner, heat-exchange air may be discharged through the second discharge port13. That is, the heat exchanger may also be disposed on the second flow path S2. Particularly, the heat exchanger, which is configured to exchange heat with air to be discharged through the second discharge port13, may be disposed in an accommodating space19of the main housing11. By using the above mentioned structure, the air conditioner1may provide heat-exchanged air through both the first discharge port17and the second discharge port13.

The main housing11may be provided with a support stand14. The support stand14may be disposed at the lower end of the main housing11. The support stand14may stably support the housing10against the floor.

An accommodation space19in which electrical components (not shown) are disposed may be disposed in the main housing11. The electrical components needed for driving the air conditioner1may be disposed in the accommodation space19. A second blowing unit26may be disposed in the accommodation space19.

The blowing unit20may include the first blowing unit21and the second blowing unit26. The second blowing unit26may be driven independently of the first blowing unit21. A rotational speed of the second blowing unit26may be different from a rotational speed of the first blowing unit21.

The first blowing unit21may be disposed in the first flow path S1disposed between the first suction port12and the first discharge port17. Air may flow into the housing10through the first suction port12by the first blowing unit21. The air flowing through the first suction port12may flow along the first flow path S1and be discharged to the outside of the housing10through the first discharge port17. The first blowing unit21may include the first blowing fan22and a first fan driver23.

The first blowing fan22may be an axial-flow fan or a mixed-flow fan. However, the type of the first blowing fan22is not limited thereto, and thus as long as capable of blowing air, which flows from the outside of the housing10, to be discharged to the outside of the housing10, again, there may be no limitation in the type of the first blowing fan22. For example, the first blowing fan22may be a cross fan, a turbo fan, or a sirocco fan.

AlthoughFIG. 2illustrates three first blowing fans22, the number of the first blowing fan22is not limited thereto, and thus the number of the first blowing fan22may vary as needed.

The first fan driver23may drive the first blowing fan22. The first fan driver23may be disposed at the center of the first blowing fan22. The first fan driver23may include a motor.

The second blowing unit26may be disposed on the second flow path S2disposed between the second suction port15and the second discharge port13. Air may flow into the inside of the housing10through the second suction port15by the second blowing unit26. The air, which flowing through the second suction port15, may flow along the second flow path S2and discharged to the outside of the housing10through the second discharge port13.

The second blowing unit26may include a second blowing fan27, a second fan driver28, and a fan case29.

The second blowing fan27may be a centrifugal fan. However, the type of the second blowing fan27is not limited thereto, and thus as long as capable of blowing air, which flows from the outside of the housing10, to be discharged to the outside of the housing10, again, there may be no limitation in the type of the first blowing fan22. For example, the second blowing fan27may be a cross fan, a turbo fan, or a sirocco fan.

The fan case29may cover the second blowing fan27. The fan case29may include a fan inlet29athrough which air flows and a fan outlet29bthrough which air is discharged. A position in which the fan inlet29aand the fan outlet29bare disposed may be selected according to the type of the second blowing fan27.

The heat exchanger30may be disposed between the first blowing unit21and the first discharge port17. The heat exchanger30may be disposed on the first flow path S1. The heat exchanger30may absorb heat from air, which flows in through the first suction port12, and transmit heat to the air, which flows in through the first suction port12. The heat exchanger30may include a tube and a header coupled to the tube. However, the type of the heat exchanger30is not limited thereto.

The air conditioner1may include a discharge panel40disposed in a part of the front frame16on which the first discharge port17is disposed. A plurality of discharge holes may be disposed on the discharge panel40so that the air discharged from the first discharge port17is more slowly discharged than the air discharged from the second discharge port13. The discharge panel40may be coupled to and supported by the front frame16.

The plurality of discharge holes may penetrate the inner and outer surfaces of the discharge panel40. The plurality of discharge holes may be formed in a finer size. The plurality of discharge holes may be uniformly distributed over the entire area of the discharge panel40. The heat-exchanged air, which is discharged through the first discharge port17by the plurality of discharge holes, may be uniformly discharged at a low speed.

As for the housing10, a rear housing11bmay be disposed in the rear side of the first suction port12of the main housing11. Unlike an embodiment, the rear housing11bmay be integrally formed with the main housing11. However, according to an embodiment, for the ease of assembly of components placed in the main housing11, the main housing11and the rear housing11bmay be separately formed and then assembled with each other.

The rear housing11bmay include a first suction grill51disposed on the rear surface of the rear housing11b. The first suction grill51may be configured to prevent foreign materials from entering into the first suction port12. To this end, the first suction grill51may include a plurality of slits or holes. The first suction grill51may be provided to cover the first suction port12.

The air conditioner1may include a second suction grill52coupled to a part of the main housing11in which the second suction port15is formed. The second suction grill52may be configured to prevent foreign materials from entering into the second suction port15. To this end, the second suction grill52may include a plurality of slits or holes. The second suction grill52may be provided to cover the second suction port15.

A first filter51amay be disposed between the first suction grill51and the first suction port12, and a second filter52amay be disposed between the second suction grill52and the second suction port15. The first filter51aand the second filter52amay be configured to prevent foreign materials, which are not filtered by the suction grills51and52, from entering thereinto.

The first filter51aand the second filter52amay be removably inserted into the main housing11, respectively.

FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view taken along A-A′ ofFIG. 1in a state in which the air conditioner1ofFIG. 1is operated in a first mode.FIG. 4is a cross-sectional view taken along B-B′ ofFIG. 1in a state in which the air conditioner1ofFIG. 1is operated in the first mode.FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view taken along A-A′ ofFIG. 1in a state in which the air conditioner1ofFIG. 1is operated in a second mode.FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view taken along B-B′ ofFIG. 1in a state in which the air conditioner1ofFIG. 1is operated in the second mode.FIG. 7is a cross-sectional view taken along A-A′ ofFIG. 1in a state in which the air conditioner1ofFIG. 1is operated in a third mode.FIG. 8is a cross-sectional view taken along B-B′ ofFIG. 1in a state in which the air conditioner1ofFIG. 1is operated in the third mode.

Drive of the air conditioner1will be described with reference toFIGS. 3 to 8.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, the air conditioner1may be operated in a first mode in which heat-exchanged air is discharged through only the first discharge port17. Since the discharge panel40is disposed in the first discharge port17, air conditioning may be performed slowly throughout a room. That is, when air is discharged to the outside of the housing10through the first discharge port17, the speed of air may be reduced and discharged at a low speed while the air passes through the plurality of discharge holes of the discharge panel40. With this configuration, the user can cool or heat the room with the speed of air for feeling comfortable.

Particularly, the outside air of the housing10may flow to the inside of the housing10through the first suction port12as the first blowing unit21is operated. The air flowing into the housing10may pass through the first blowing unit21, and the heat-exchange be performed on the air as the air passes through the heat exchanger30. The air, which is heat-exchanged by passing through the heat exchanger30, may be discharged to the outside of the housing10through the first discharge port17in a state in which the speed of the air is reduced. That is, the heat-exchanged air, which is discharged through the first flow path S1, may be discharged at a low speed at which the user can feel comfort.

Since the second blowing unit26is not operated in the first mode, air is not discharged through the second discharge port13.

Referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, the air conditioner1may be operated in the second mode in which air, which is not heat exchanged, is discharged only through the second discharge port13. Since the heat exchanger is not disposed on the second flow path S2, the air conditioner1may circulate indoor air.

Since the second discharge port13is provided with the guide curved portion13a, the air discharged through the second discharge port13may be discharged to the front side of the air conditioner1. Since the blade61is provided on the second discharge port13, the air may be blown further forward.

Particularly, the outside air of the housing10may flow the inside of the housing10through the second suction port15as the second blowing unit26is operated. The air flowing into the housing10may pass through the second blowing unit26, and then flow into the second flow paths S2, which are disposed opposite sides of the first flow path S1, through the inlet130of the intermediate member100, which is opened in the upper side and the lower side. The air may flow to the upper side on the second flow path S2and be discharged to the outside of the housing10through the second discharge port13. At this time, the air may be guided to the front side of the air conditioner1along the guide curved portion13a.

Since the first blowing unit21is not operated in the second mode, air is not discharged through the first discharge port17. That is, since the air conditioner1blows air, which is not heat-exchanged, in the second mode, the air conditioner1may perform a function of simply circulating indoor air or provide strong wind to a user.

Referring toFIGS. 7 and 8, the air conditioner1may be operated in the third mode in which heat-exchanged air is discharged through the first discharge port17and the second discharge port13. The air conditioner1may discharge cold air further in the third mode, in comparison with the first mode.

Particularly, when air conditioner1is operated in the third mode, the cold air discharged through the first discharge port17may be mixed with cold air discharged through the second discharge port13. In addition, since air discharged through the second discharge port13is discharged at a speed higher than a speed of air discharged through the first discharge port17, the air discharged through the second discharge port13may move the cold air, which is discharged through the heat exchanger, further.

According to this configuration, the air conditioner1may provide the user with comfortable cold air in which cold air and room air are mixed.

In addition, the air conditioner1may be configured to change a driving force of the first blowing unit21and/or the second blowing unit26to provide cold air at various distances. That is, the first blowing unit21may be configured to regulate a volume and/or speed of the air discharged from the first discharge port17, and the second blowing unit26may be configured to regulate a volume and/or speed of the air discharged from the second discharge port13.

For example, when increasing the volume and/or speed of the air discharged from the second discharge port13by increasing the driving force of the second blowing unit26, the air conditioner1may provide cold air relatively further. In contrast, when decreasing the volume and/or speed of the air discharged from the second discharge port13by decreasing the driving force of the second blowing unit26, the air conditioner1may provide cold air at a relatively short distance.

Hereinafter, the intermediate member100will be described in detail.

FIG. 9is a perspective view of a part of a structure of the air conditioner according to an embodiment, andFIG. 10is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line C-C′ ofFIG. 9. For convenience of description,FIGS. 9 and 10illustrate an upper portion of the main housing11.

The intermediate member100may be disposed inside of the main housing11. Particularly, the intermediate member100may be disposed between the upper surface of the main housing11and the second blowing unit26in a vertical direction while being disposed between the first blowing unit21and the heat exchanger30in a forward and backward direction.

The intermediate member100may be extended in a direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the main housing11. That is, the intermediate member100may be extended in the vertical direction, wherein the vertical direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction.

The intermediate member100may include a guide portion110configured to cover the first blowing fan22in a circumferential direction of the first blowing fan22while being apart from an outer circumferential surface of the first blowing fan22of the first blowing unit21to the outside of the outer circumference surface, and configured to guide air, which flows from the first suction port12, to flow to the first blowing fan22while guiding air, which is blown by the first blowing fan22, to the first discharge port17.

The guide portion110may include an opening facing the forward and backward direction. The guide portion110may be formed to correspond to the number of the first blowing fans22. Therefore, according to an embodiment, three guide portions110may be provided.

The guide portion110may include a bell mouth portion111guiding the flow of air from the first blowing fan22, and a diffuser portion112guiding air, which is blown by the first blowing fan22, to the front side, and a plurality of discharge blades113.

The bell mouth portion111may be disposed at the rear side of the guide portion110so as to guide the air, which flows from the first suction port12, to the first blowing fan22. The diffuser portion112may be extended forward from the bell mouth portion111. The plurality of discharge blades113may be extended from the inner circumferential surface of the diffuser portion112to a direction of a rotation axis of the first blowing fan22. The diffuser portion112may allow the air, which is blown by the first blowing fan22, to flow forward, and the plurality of discharge blades113may guide a flow of discharged-air, which is blown forward, to flow toward a certain direction.

The intermediate member100may include the partition120configured to divide between the first flow path S1and the second flow path S2. The partition120may be extended from the outside of the guide portion110to the inner side surface11aof the main housing11.

The partition120may be configured such that the air flowing in the first flow path S1is discharged through the first discharge port17and the air flowing in the second flow path S2is discharged through the second discharge port13without mixing the air in the first flow path S1with the air in the second flow path S2. That is, the partition120may be configured to separate the flow path S1from the second flow path S2so that a section, in which each flow path S1and S2are communicated with each other, is not formed.

Therefore, the air in the first flow path S1may be discharged to the outside of the housing10while the air flows from the first suction port12to the first discharge port17without being mixed with the air in the second flow path S2in the housing10. In the same manner, the air in the second flow path S2may be discharged to the outside of the housing10without being mixed with the air in the first flow path S1in the housing10.

Particularly, since the partition120has a plate shape having a curved surface, the partition120may divide between the first flow path S1and the second flow path S2. In other words, one surface121of the partition120may form a part of the first flow path S1while the other surface122of the partition120may form a part of the second flow path S2.

The one surface121of the partition120may have a shape concave toward the inner side surface11aof the main housing11, so as to guide air, which is blown from the first blowing fan22, to the side of the heat exchanger30.

The other surface122of the partition120may have a shape convex toward the inner side surface11aof the main housing11, so as to guide air, which is blown from the second blowing unit26, to the side of the second discharge port13.

The partition120may include a contact portion123provided at an end of the partition120and configured to be in contact with the inner side surface11aof the main housing11.

By contacting with the inner side surface11aof the main housing11without a space, the contact portion123may seal between the first flow path S1and the second flow path S2and sufficiently separate between the first flow path S1and the second flow path S2.

The intermediate member100may include the inlet130opened in the vertical direction and configured to be communicated with the second blowing fan26at a lower end thereof. The inlet130may guide the air, which is sucked through the second suction port15, to the second flow path S2by moving the air, which is blown from the second blowing unit26, to the second flow path S2.

As mentioned above, the intermediate member100may guide the air on the first flow path S1and the second flow path S2and separate between the first flow path S1and the second flow path S2so as to prevent the air on the first flow path S1and the air on the second flow path S2from being mixed with each other.

The intermediate member100may form the first flow path S1and the second flow path S2. Particularly, the first flow path S1may be formed in a space defined by the guide portion110and the one surface121of the partition120, and the second flow path S2may be formed in a space defined by the inner side surface11aof the main housing11and the other surface122of the partition120.

In the conventional manner, as for an air conditioner provided with two or more flow paths in a housing thereof, a separate additional component may be required to dispose each flow path. Accordingly, the inner space of the housing may be increased and it may lead to the increase of the volume of the air conditioner. Therefore, it may cause of increasing of the material cost or reduction in the efficiency of the assembly. In addition, since the flow path is formed by the additional component, an impact is continuously applied to the assembly structure of the additional component due to the flow of air on the flow path, thereby causing vibration or noise.

However, according to an embodiment, the air conditioner is provided with the first flow path S1and the second flow path S2, which are formed by the intermediate member100, and thus the plurality of flow paths S1and S2may be disposed inside of the housing10without a separate configuration.

That is, since the first flow path S1is formed by the guide portion110of the intermediate member100, the one surface121of the partition120, and at least one portion of an inner surface of the main housing11, and the second flow path S2is formed by the other one surface122of the partition120, and the inner side surface11aof the main housing11, it may be possible to form the first flow path S1and the second flow path S2by the intermediate member100and the housing10without a separate configuration.

Particularly, the plurality of flow paths may be formed by a single component such that the first flow path S1and the second flow path S2are separately formed by the partition120extending to the outside of the guide portion110. In the conventional manner, other than a cylindrical molded object including a bell mount portion and a diffuser portion forming a main flow path, an additional component may be provided to form a second flow path corresponding to an auxiliary flow path. However, according to an embodiment, since the partition120forming the second flow path S2is integrally formed with the guide portion110corresponding to the bell mouth portion and the diffuser portion, it may be possible to form two flow paths S1and S2without an additional component.

Accordingly, since the additional component is not provided in the housing10of the air conditioner1according to an embodiment, it may be possible to reduce the volume of the air conditioner, and to reduce the vibration and noise caused by the flow of the air in the flow path, in comparison with the air conditioner provided with the plurality of flow paths according to the conventional manner.

Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Except components such as an intermediate member100′ and, a suction port12′, components of the air conditioner according to another embodiment may be the same as the components according to an embodiment, and thus a description of the components according to another embodiment will be omitted.

FIG. 11is an exploded perspective view of an air conditioner according to another embodiment, andFIG. 12is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioner ofFIG. 11in a state in which the air conditioner1ofFIG. 11is operated in the third mode.

As illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 12, a suction portion12′ may be provided on a rear surface of the main housing11. As illustrated in the drawings, four suction ports12a′, and12b′ may be provided, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, a single suction port12′ may be provided or the number of the suction port may vary as needed.

That is, according to an embodiment, the air conditioner includes the first suction port12and the second suction port15separately, wherein the air conditioner includes the first flow path S1communicating between the first suction port12and the first discharge port17, and the second flow path S2communicating between the second suction port15and the second discharge port13. The intermediate member100is configured to divide between the suction ports12and15, and between the discharge ports13and17so as to completely block between the first flow path S1and the second flow path S2.

However, according to another embodiment, as for the air conditioner, the suction port12′ may be commonly formed so that both of a first flow path S1′ and a second flow path S2′ are communicated with the single suction port12′.

Air, which is sucked through any one suction port12a′ disposed in an upper side, among a plurality of suction ports12a′ and12b′ as illustrated in the drawings, may flow to the second blowing unit26disposed inside of the main housing11and then discharged to the second discharge port13along the second flow path S2.

That is, air may be sucked through any one suction port12a′ in the upper side, as well as a suction port12b′ disposed in a lower side adjacent to the second blowing unit26. The intermediate member100′ according to another embodiment may be disposed to form a space t, wherein the space t may be disposed between the main housing11and the intermediate member100′ and configured to allow air, which is sucked from the suction port12′, to flow in the vertical direction, which is different from the intermediate member100according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the intermediate member100(refer toFIGS. 2 and 4) may include the blocking rib140extended to the rear side of the intermediate member100so as to completely divide between the first flow path S1and the second flow path S2by blocking between the first suction port12and the second suction port15.

The blocking rib140may be extended from the intermediate member100to be in contact with the main housing11so as to block between the first suction port12and the second suction port15. Accordingly, it may be possible to prevent that the air, which is sucked from the first suction port12, flows to the second blowing unit26or it may be possible to prevent that the air, which is sucked from the second suction port15, flows to the first blowing unit21.

However, according to another embodiment, since the intermediate member100′ is not provided with the blocking rib140, the air may flow to the first blowing unit21or the second blowing unit26through the space t, regardless of whether the air is sucked through the suction port12a′ or the suction port12b′.

A rear housing11b′ may include a suction grill51′ disposed on the rear surface of the rear housing11b′. The suction grill51′ may be configured to prevent foreign materials from entering into the suction port12′. To this end, the suction grill51′ may be disposed to correspond to the suction ports12a′ and12b′.

A filter51a′ may be disposed between the suction grill51′ and the suction port12′. The filter51a′ may be configured to prevent foreign materials, which are not filtered by the suction grill51′, from entering thereinto. The filter51a′ may be removably inserted into the main housing11.

Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Except components such as an inlet130′ and, a third suction port13′, components of the air conditioner according to still another embodiment may be the same as the components according to an embodiment, and thus a description of the components according to another embodiment will be omitted.

FIG. 13is a perspective view of an air conditioner according to still another embodiment,FIG. 14is an exploded view of the air conditioner ofFIG. 13, andFIG. 15is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioner ofFIG. 13in a state in which the air conditioner1ofFIG. 13is operated in the second mode.

As illustrated inFIGS. 13 and 14, the air conditioner1may further include a third discharge port13′ configured to discharge air to the front side.

In the same manner as the air discharged from the second discharge port13, air, which is discharged from the third discharge port13′, may correspond to air, which is discharged by the second blowing unit26along the second flow path S2without passing through the heat exchanger30.

That is, the air conditioner1may include a third flow path S3communicated with the second flow path S2and the third discharge port13′. Some amount of air flowing in the second flow path S2may flow in the third flow path S3communicated with the second flow path S2, and the air, which flows in the third flow path S3, may be discharged through the third discharge port13′.

In front of the inlet130′, a connecting slit131may be disposed to form the third flow path S3. Some amount of the air flowing through the second flow path S2may flow into the third flow path S3through the connecting slit131.

As illustrated inFIG. 15, air, which is not heat-exchanged, may be discharged through the second discharge port13, and the third discharge port13′ when the air conditioner1is operated in the second mode.

Since together with the second discharge port13, the third discharge port13′ is configured to discharge air to the front side, the air conditioner1according to another embodiment may discharge greater amount air to the front side and discharge the air further forward, in comparison with the air conditioner1according to an embodiment.

Therefore, since the air discharged from the first discharge port17and the air discharged from the third discharge port13′ are mixed when the air conditioner1is operated in the third mode, the heat-exchanged air discharged from the first discharge port17may be discharged further forward.

The installation of the third discharge port13′ is not limited to another embodiment, but the third discharge port13′ may be disposed in the upper side of the first discharge port17. The third flow path S3may be communicated with the upper side of the second flow path S2and deliver the air to the third discharge port13′ disposed in the upper side. In addition, the single third discharge port13′ may be provided in the upper and lower side of the first discharge port17.

Alternatively, the air conditioner1may only include the third discharge port13′ without the second discharge port13. Therefore, the air conditioner1may discharge comfortable cold air in which heat-exchanged air are indoor air are mixed with each other, in various directions and in a various distance since the air discharged from the third discharge port13′ is mixed with the air discharged from the first discharge port17.

Hereinafter an air conditioner according to still another embodiment will be described. Except components such as a second blowing unit26′, components of the air conditioner according to still another embodiment may be the same as the components according to an embodiment, and thus a description of the components according to another embodiment will be omitted.

FIG. 16is a view of a component of an air conditioner according to still another embodiment, andFIG. 17is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioner ofFIG. 16in a state in which the air conditioner1ofFIG. 16is operated in the second mode.

Referring toFIGS. 16 and 17, the air conditioner1may include a second blowing unit26′ disposed on the upper side of the main housing11. The second blowing unit26′ may be a cross-flow fan.

The second blowing unit may be disposed on the left and right side of the main housing11, respectively. The second blowing unit26′ may include a second blowing fan27′ and a second fan driver28′ connected to one end of the second blowing fan27′

As mentioned above, the second blowing unit26′ may be disposed on the upper left and the upper right side of the inside of the main housing11in which the second discharge port13is disposed. In this case, air may be supplied to the first blowing unit21and the second blowing unit26′ through the suction port12′ in which the first suction port12and the second suction port15are integrated without being separated, which is different from an embodiment.

That is, according to still another embodiment, the suction port12′ of the air conditioner1is may be disposed on the upper side of the main housing11or the suction port12′ may be not disposed on the lower side of the main housing11. However, alternatively, an additional suction port may be disposed in the lower side of the main housing11to increase an amount of sucked air.

An intermediate member100″ may include a suction opening150″ configured to allow air to flow to a second flow path S1″. The suction opening150″ may be disposed in the rear side of the intermediate member100″, and the suction opening150″ may be formed such that at least one part of the rear surface of the intermediate member100″ is slit. Therefore, at least some amount of air, which is sucked from the suction port12′, may flow into the second flow path S″ through the suction opening150″.

Accordingly, some amount of the air, which is sucked from the suction port12′, may flow along a first flow path S1″ by the first blowing unit21, and some amount of the air, which is sucked from the suction port12′, may flow to the second flow path S″ through the suction opening150″.

The second flow path S″ may be provided in an inner space formed among the intermediate member100″, a side surface of the main housing11and the suction opening150″. In the second flow path S″, the second blowing unit26′ configured to move air in the second flow path S″ may be disposed.

The second blowing unit26′ may move air so that air sucked through the suction opening150″ is discharged through a second discharge port13″. The air sucked through the suction opening150″ may be guided by the other surface of a partition120″ without an additional guide by a guide curved portion, and then discharged to the second discharge port13″.

The partition120″ may include a curved surface and be configured to allow air, which is blown from the second blowing unit26′, to be guided to the second discharge port13″ along the curved surface.

As is apparent from the above description, the air conditioner is capable of having a variety of having various air discharging methods since the air conditioner is provided with the first discharge port having the discharge panel having the plurality of discharge holes, and the second discharge port configured to blow natural wind.

The air conditioner is capable of cooling and heating the room with at a minimum wind speed at which a user feels comfortable, since the air conditioner is provided with a first discharge port having the discharge panel having the plurality of discharge holes.

The air conditioner is capable of providing natural winds in which air is not heat exchanged, since the air conditioner discharges air through the second flow path on which the heat exchanger is not disposed.

The air conditioner is capable of providing air in which heat-exchanged air and room air are mixed with each other, since the air conditioner is provided with the guide curved portion configured to guide air, which is discharged through the second discharge port, to allow the air, which is discharged through the second discharge port, to be mixed with air, which is discharged through the first discharge port.

The air conditioner is capable of having a structure in which a flow path, in which heat-exchanged air flows, and a flow path, in which natural winds flows, are effectively arranged and thus it is possible to reduce the size of the body of the air conditioner.