Abstract:
Disclosed is an air conditioner with an enhance efficiency. The air conditioner An air conditioner includes: an indoor part for inhaling indoor air to exchange heat with an indoor heat exchanger, and again discharging the heat-exchanged air into an indoor space; an outdoor part for inhaling an outdoor air to exchange heat with an outdoor heat exchanger, and again discharging the heat-exchanged air into an outdoor space; a base partitioned into the outdoor part and the indoor part and loaded on the partitioned outdoor part and indoor part; and a cabinet provided to cover both sides and a rear surface of the outdoor part, and having an insertion guide formed at a lower portion thereof.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of the Korean Patent Application Nos. 2003-0005363 filed on Jan. 27, 2003 and 2003-0006624 filed on Feb. 3, 2003 which are hereby incorporated by reference.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an air conditioner provided with a curtain assembly for shielding a chink between the air conditioner and the window when the air conditioner is installed.  
           [0004]    2. Discussion of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Generally, air conditioner is installed at a window or the like of a building to air-condition an inner space of the building.  
           [0006]    [0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating appearance of a conventional air conditioner, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an inner construction of a conventional air conditioner.  
           [0007]    As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the conventional air conditioner includes a bottom base  1  of metal. Both sides and upper surface of the air conditioner are covered with a cabinet  3 . The cabinet  3  has both lower ends coupled with both ends of the base  1 , and an inner space for installing a variety of devices therein. An outdoor vent louver  4  formed at predetermined portions of the cabinet  3  functions as a passage through which outdoor air is inhaled into the inside of the outdoor part of the air conditioner.  
           [0008]    The air conditioner includes a front panel  5  at a front surface thereof, and the front panel  5  includes a vent grill  7 . The vent grill  7  functions as a passage through which indoor air is inhaled into the inside of the indoor part of the air conditioner. The front panel  5  has a discharge grill  9  at one side thereof. The heat-exchanged air in the air conditioner is discharged to an indoor space through the discharge grill  9 . A filter is provided at a rear side of the vent grill  7  so as to purify the inhaled air.  
           [0009]    An indoor hat exchanger  13  for exchanging heat with the air that has passed through the filter is installed at a rear side of the filter  11 . The indoor heat exchanger  13  is installed at an air guide  15  mounted on the base  1 . The air guide  15  guides indoor side airflow within the air conditioner. Further, the air guide  15  partitions the inside of the air conditioner into the indoor part and the outdoor part in case a separate barrier is not used. An orifice  16  guides the air that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger  13  to an indoor fan  19 .  
           [0010]    At a rear side of the air guide  15 , i.e., at the outdoor part of the air conditioner, a motor  17  is provided. The motor  17  has a rotary shaft extended in bi-directions. One end of the rotary shaft penetrates the air guide  15  to extend to the indoor part, and the other end extends in an opposite direction. The indoor fan  19  is installed at the one end extending to the indoor part, and an outdoor fan  21  is installed at the other end of the rotary shaft. The indoor and outdoor fans  19  and  21  allow the airflow of the indoor part and the air of the outdoor part respectively.  
           [0011]    To guide the airflow of the outdoor part, a shroud  23  is installed at the base  1 . The shroud  23  has a space for installing the outdoor fan  21  therein to allow air to flow from one side to the other side of the space partitioned by the shroud  23 . An outdoor heat exchanger  24  is installed at a rear space partitioned by the shroud  23 . Accordingly, if a compressor  25  is driven, the outdoor heat exchanger  24  is heat-exchanged with the outdoor air introduced into the outdoor part through the vent louver  4 . A separate discharge grill (not shown) is installed at a backside of the air conditioner to constitute the backside appearance of the air conditioner, and serves as a passage through which air that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger  24  is discharged to the outdoor space.  
           [0012]    In the meanwhile, a guide rail  27  is disposed on the cabinet  3 . In installing the air conditioner at a window, a curtain assembly  30  for shielding a chink between the air conditioner and the window is coupled with the guide rail  27 .  
           [0013]    The curtain assembly  30  includes a curtain frame  32  having a section shaped in a ‘         ’ and a curtain  34  provided within the curtain frame  32  to shield the chink. An installation plate  33  is provided on the curtain frame  32  to fix the curtain assembly  30  to the window and at the same time to shield a chink between the curtain frame  32  and the window. One end of the curtain  34  in a horizontal direction is fixed to an inner portion of the curtain frame  32  and the other end is coupled to a side surface of the cabinet  3  by a screw. Accordingly, the curtain  34  has a screw coupling hole  35  at the other end thereof.  
           [0014]    The guide rail  27  is disposed on the cabinet  3  and beneath the base  1  to guide movement of the curtain frame  32 .  
           [0015]    According to the conventional art, one end of the upper portion and one end of the lower portion in the curtain frame  32  are inserted into the guide rail  27  to be movable in a horizontal direction. Accordingly, the insertion length of the curtain frame  32  into the guide rail  27  is varied depending on the interval size between the window and the air conditioner.  
           [0016]    However, the conventional air conditioner having the aforementioned construction has the following drawbacks.  
           [0017]    The outer case is generally made of metallic material and is installed such that its lower portions of both sides are coupled with the base  1  on which parts of the air conditioner are equipped. Accordingly, to maintain and repair parts of the inside of the air conditioner, there is a drawback in that all the outer case  3  should be separated from the air conditioner. Also, in case the conventional air conditioner is large-sized, there is a drawback in that handling work such as carrying work is difficult.  
           [0018]    Also, since the outdoor vent louver  4  is formed only at a part of the outer case  3 , the amount of inhaled outdoor air is relatively small. To this end, there is caused a problem in that heat exchange in the indoor heat exchanger is not smooth.  
           [0019]    In the meanwhile, the guide rail  27  is provided on the cabinet  3  and beneath the base. In other words, the guide rail  27  is exposed to the indoor space to injure the appearance of the air conditioner. Also, there is a problem in that air is leaked through a gap generated between the guide rail  27  and the window in the vertical direction.  
           [0020]    In addition, since the guide rail  27  is fabricated after the cabinet  3  and the base  1  are fabricated, there is a problem in that the number of work processes is increased.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0021]    Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an air conditioner that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.  
           [0022]    An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner with an outer case that is easy to assemble and handle.  
           [0023]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner structured to increase the amount of exterior air inhaled into an outdoor part.  
           [0024]    A further object of the present invention is to enhance the appearance of an air conditioner and to prevent air leakage from being generated.  
           [0025]    Still another object of the present invention is to minimize the number of assembly processes in an air conditioner with a curtain assembly.  
           [0026]    Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.  
           [0027]    To achieve the object and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided an air conditioner comprising: an indoor part for inhaling indoor air to exchange heat with an indoor heat exchanger, and again discharging the heat-exchanged air into an indoor space; an outdoor part for inhaling an outdoor air to exchange heat with an outdoor heat exchanger, and again discharging the heat-exchanged air into an outdoor space; a base partitioned into the outdoor part and the indoor part and loaded on the portioned outdoor part and indoor part; and a cabinet provided to cover both sides and a rear surface of the outdoor part, and having an insertion guide formed at a lower portion thereof.  
           [0028]    Here, the air conditioner further includes an outdoor cover provided at an upper portion of the cabinet so as to cover an upper portion of the outdoor part. Also, the cabinet includes a vent grill integrally formed at both sides thereof. Alternatively, the cabinet includes a discharge grill integrally formed at a rear surface thereof.  
           [0029]    The insertion guide is formed along both sides and inner portion of a rear surface of the cabinet. Alternatively, he cabinet further includes a grip formed at both sides thereof.  
           [0030]    To accomplish the above objects, in an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner comprising: an indoor part for inhaling indoor air to exchange heat with an indoor heat exchanger, and again discharging the heat-exchanged air into an indoor space; an outdoor part for inhaling an outdoor air to exchange heat with an outdoor heat exchanger, and again discharging the heat-exchanged air into an outdoor space; a base partitioned into the outdoor part and the indoor part and loaded on the partitioned outdoor part and indoor part; a cabinet provided to cover both sides and a rear surface of the outdoor part, and having an insertion guide formed at a lower portion thereof; and an outdoor cover provided on an upper portion of the cabinet so as to cover the upper portion of the outdoor part.  
           [0031]    Here, the outdoor cover is provided attachable on and detachable from the cabinet. The outdoor cover comprises a cover grill formed at a predetermined portion of the upper face thereof and through which outdoor air is inhaled. The outdoor cover further comprises an extension downwardly recessed with a predetermined width at a front side thereof. Alternatively, the air conditioner further includes a second plate forwardly extended with a predetermined width in front of the extension, the second plate being fixed to an upper end of a front frame.  
           [0032]    Also, the base comprises a penetrated guide hole formed at a lower portion of the base to correspond to a position where the extension is formed.  
           [0033]    To accomplish the above objects, in an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner comprising: an indoor part for inhaling indoor air to exchange heat with an indoor heat exchanger, and again discharging the heat-exchanged air into an indoor space; an outdoor part for inhaling an outdoor air to exchange heat with an outdoor heat exchanger, and again discharging the heat-exchanged air into an outdoor space; a cabinet provided to cover both sides and a rear surface of the outdoor part, and having an extension downwardly recessed with a predetermined width at a front side thereof; a base having a guide hole formed at a lower portion thereof to correspond to a position where the extension is formed, the base being partitioned into the outdoor part and the indoor part and loaded on the partitioned outdoor part and indoor part; and a curtain assembly respectively provided at both sides of the extension and the guide hole to be slidable along the extension and the guide hole.  
           [0034]    Here, the curtain assembly includes: a curtain provided for shielding a chink between a side surface of the air conditioner and a window; and a curtain frame supporting the curtain and inserted into the extension and the guide hole. The curtain frame includes: an upper horizontal bar inserted into the extension; a lower horizontal bar inserted into the guide hole; and a vertical bar connecting the upper horizontal bar and the lower horizontal bar with each other.  
           [0035]    Here, a hanger plate is provided protruded inside the vertical bar and a first hanger strap formed at one side of the curtain is inserted into the hanger plate and is fixed.  
           [0036]    To accomplish the above objects, in an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner comprising: an indoor part for inhaling indoor air to exchange heat with an indoor heat exchanger, and again discharging the heat-exchanged air into an indoor space; an outdoor part for inhaling an outdoor air to exchange heat with an outdoor heat exchanger, and again discharging the heat-exchanged air into an outdoor space; a cabinet provided to cover both sides and a rear surface of the outdoor part, and having an insertion guide formed at a lower portion thereof; and a front panel covering the indoor part.  
           [0037]    To accomplish the above objects, in an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner comprising: an indoor part for inhaling indoor air to exchange heat with an indoor heat exchanger, and again discharging the heat-exchanged air into an indoor space; an outdoor part for inhaling an outdoor air to exchange heat with an outdoor heat exchanger, and again discharging the heat-exchanged air into an outdoor space; a base on which the outdoor part and the indoor part are installed; a cabinet provided to cover both sides and a rear surface of the outdoor part, and having an insertion guide formed at a lower portion thereof; and a barrier formed integrally with the base so as to partition an upper space of the base into the outdoor part and the indoor part.  
           [0038]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0039]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating appearance of a conventional air conditioner;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an inner construction of a conventional air conditioner;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an installation structure of a curtain assembly in an air conditioner according to the present invention;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an integral type air conditioner according to the present invention;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a base of an air conditioner according to the present invention, centered on the indoor part;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a base of an air conditioner according to the present invention, centered on the outdoor part;  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the lower portion of an air conditioner according to the present invention;  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor fan and an indoor motor installation part of an air conditioner according to the present invention;  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of an indoor fan and an indoor motor according to the present invention;  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a control box according to the present invention;  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a cabinet covering the outdoor part of an air conditioner according to the present invention, and an outdoor part cover;  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 12 is a partial detailed view of an outdoor part cover according to the present invention;  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the construction of a grip part in an air conditioner according to the present invention;  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a curtain assembly according to the present invention;  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 15 is a top view of a curtain assembly according to the present invention; and  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating to install a curtain assembly of the present invention on a window. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0056]    Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.  
         [0057]    Hereinafter, air conditioners according to various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying FIGS.  3  to  12 .  
         [0058]    As shown in FIG. 3, the air conditioner on appearance includes a base plate  100  constituting the bottom face, a front panel  200  provided at a front side of the base plate  100 , a cabinet  601  provided at a rear side of the base plate  100 , and an outdoor cover  650  provided on an upper portion of the cabinet  601 . Further, a curtain assembly  700  is installed at both sides of left and right between the front panel  200  and the cabinet  601 .  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an integral type air conditioner according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a base of an air conditioner according to the present invention, centered on the indoor part, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a base of an air conditioner according to the present invention, centered on the outdoor part.  
         [0060]    As shown in FIG. 4, at the lower side of the air conditioner, the base plate  100 , which is injection-molded from a material such as resin or the like, is provided. Here, the base plate  100  represents a support body comprised of a base  110 , a barrier  120  and a lower shroud  130  integrally formed. The base  110  constitutes a bottom of the air conditioner and the barrier  120  is formed at an upper portion of the base  110  to partition the inner space into an indoor part and an outdoor part. At both sides of the base  110 , a coupling hole  102  for coupling the cabinet  601  is formed.  
         [0061]    The base  110  is divided into an indoor base  110 ′ and an outdoor base  110 ″, the indoor base  110 ′ being located at the front side from the barrier  120  and the outdoor base  110 ″ being located at the rear side from the barrier  120 . The indoor base  110 ′ forms a bottom of the indoor part positioned at the indoor side when the air conditioner is installed at the window of a building. On the contrary, the outdoor base  110 ″ forms a bottom of the outdoor side positioned at the outdoor side.  
         [0062]    An indoor heat exchanger  310  is provided in the indoor part to exchange heat with indoor air blown by an indoor fan. Condensed water generated in the indoor heat exchanger  310  is guided to the outdoor part through a condensed water hole  124 .  
         [0063]    The lower shroud  130  is formed protruded upward on the outdoor base  110 ″, and a semicircle part  132  is formed thereon. The lower shroud  130  is coupled with the upper shroud  850  to form a circular hole  860  communicating with the outdoor heat exchanger  830 . A blower fan  820  is installed at the hole  860 .  
         [0064]    As shown in FIG. 5, at both sides of the lower shroud  130 , there is provided a reinforcing rib  134  for reinforcing the strength of the lower shroud  130  in a shape that is extended upward and downward. At an upper portion of the reinforcing rib  134 , a loading part  136  shaped in an inverse triangle to guide the upper shroud  850  to be installed safely. At top portions of both sides of the semicircle part  132  of the lower shroud  130 , a hole is formed respectively. An insertion protrusion of the upper shroud  850  is inserted into and fixed to the hole  138 .  
         [0065]    As shown in FIG. 6, a motor installation part  140  is formed between the lower shroud  130  and the barrier  120  to be protruded upward from the outdoor base  110 ″. An outdoor motor is installed at a groove  142  formed at an upper portion of the motor installation part  140  in a semicircle shape. The motor installation part  140  is preferably installed in a structure integrated with the outdoor base  110 ″.  
         [0066]    At one side of the motor installation part  140 , a lower grill  150  penetrating the outdoor base  110 ″ is formed. At a circumference of the lower grill  150 , an extension  152  is formed to guide air inhaled from a lower portion of the outdoor base  110 ″.  
         [0067]    Also, a compressor ( 840  of FIG. 5) is stably fixed to a compressor installation part  140 , which is provided at the other side of the motor installation part  140 . Three fixing protrusions  162  shaped in a triangle are provided at the compressor installation part  160 . Between the fixing ribs  164 , a support rib  164  is formed. The support rib  164  has a loading groove and is coupled to a lower surface of an installation plate. The fixing protrusions are inserted into and coupled to holes formed at the installation plate (not shown) provided below the compressor  840 .  
         [0068]    As shown in FIG. 7, inside the motor installation part  140 , a predetermined space  141  is formed. The space  141  communicates with an exterior through a lower portion of the outdoor base  110 ″. At a face directed toward the lower shroud  130  of the motor installation part  140 , a plurality of slits are formed and communicate with an exterior through the space  141 . Accordingly, outdoor air is inhaled to the inside of the outdoor part from the lower portion of the outdoor base  110 ″ through the slits  144 .  
         [0069]    In the meanwhile, a guide hole  170  is formed at both ends of the base  110  corresponding to a position where the barrier  120  is formed. The guide hole  170  is formed integrated with the base  110 , and the curtain assembly  700  is inserted in the guide hole  170 . The guide hole  170  is provided below the barrier  120  to correspond to the barrier  120  being formed across the base  110 , and penetrates both ends of the base  110 . In other words, the guide holes at both ends of the base  170  are connected with each other.  
         [0070]    The indoor part of the base  110  is covered by the front panel  200 . At a front side of the front panel  200 , there is provided a vent grill  210  through which indoor air is introduced. At a rear side of the vent grill  210 , an air filter  220  is provided. A discharge frame  240  is provided at an upper portion of the front frame  230 .  
         [0071]    As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of integral type grill parts  242  are formed at both ends of the discharge frame  240 , and a discharge grill  244  is detachably provided between the grill parts  242 . A plurality of horizontal ribs  248  for guiding flow of discharge air and preventing finger or the like from being inserted are formed in the discharge grill  244  in a horizontal direction. Below the horizontal ribs  248 , a vertical rib  246  for controlling flow direction of discharge air is provided. Also, a discharge guide  250  for guiding flow of air discharged from the indoor part of the air conditioner is coupled to a lower surface of the discharge frame  240 .  
         [0072]    The indoor heat exchanger  310  provided inside the front panel  200  exchanges heat with air inhaled through the vent grill  210 .  
         [0073]    As shown in FIG. 8, the indoor heat exchanger  310  is installed in front of a lower air guide  320 . The lower air guide  320  includes a bottom plate  322  constituting the bottom face, a rear wall part  324  provided at a rear end of the bottom plate  322  in a round shape, and a sidewall part  326  provided forwardly extending from both sides of the rear wall part  324 .  
         [0074]    At the sidewall part  326 , there is formed a hanging protrusion  328  to which a hanging ring  342  of an upper air guide  340  is being coupled. A semicircle protrusion  332  is formed at a lower fan support part  330  formed at the right sidewall part  326  in a semicircle shape, along the center of the semicircle.  
         [0075]    A bearing assembly  440 , which is installed at one sided shaft of the indoor fan shown in FIG. 9, is inserted in the semicircle protrusion  332 . A fixing rib  334  for preventing the bearing assembly  440  from being released is formed forwardly protruded.  
         [0076]    The rear wall part  324  is provided in a backward recessed round shape so as to guide airflow in the indoor part. Preferably, the barrier  120  provided at a rear side of the rear wall part  324  is also provided in a round shape corresponding to the shape of the rear wall part  324 .  
         [0077]    A condensed water channel  336  is provided to exhaust condensed water generated in the indoor heat exchanger  310  provided thereon.  
         [0078]    The upper air guide  340  is coupled on and with the lower air guide  320 . The discharge guide  250  is installed in a penetration structure at an upper portion of the upper air guide  340 . The hanging protrusion  328  formed at the sidewall part  326  of the lower air guide  320  is coupled with the hanging ring  342  formed at a side surface of the upper air guide  340  and thereby the upper air guide  340  is coupled with the lower air guide  340 .  
         [0079]    A stepped face  344  formed at a lower side of the upper air guide  340  is easily coupled with a front upper face  329  of the sidewall part  326  of the lower air guide  320  to effectively shield air leakage. An upper fan support part  346  is formed at a side surface and is coupled with the lower fan support part  330  integrally formed with the lower air guide  320 .  
         [0080]    As shown in FIG. 9, as the indoor fan  410 , a cross flow fan for blowing air inhaled thereinto in a centrifugal direction is used. The blown air is guided along the upper air guide  320 , the lower air guide  320  and the discharge guide  250  and is then discharged through the discharge grill  244 .  
         [0081]    At the left side of the indoor fan  410 , there is provided an indoor motor  420  for rotating the indoor fan  410 . The indoor motor  420  is installed at an indoor motor installation part  430  coupled to an upper surface of the base  100 . In other words, the indoor motor  420  is installed at a downwardly recessed semicircle groove of an upper center portion of the indoor motor installation part  430 .  
         [0082]    The bearing assembly  440  is installed at the right central shaft of the indoor fan  410 . The bearing assembly  440  is comprised of a bearing inserted therein, and a bearing cover  442  of rubber. The bearing cover  442  is shaped in a pulley and has an insertion groove  442 ′ formed at its center along the cylindrical surface. The insertion groove  442 ′ is coupled with the semicircle protrusion  332  of the lower fan support part  330  and thereby the bearing assembly  440  is fixed.  
         [0083]    At the left side of the indoor motor installation part  430 , there is installed a control box  500  in which electric devices are equipped.  
         [0084]    As shown in FIG. 10, the control box  500  is configured to include a body part  510  and a cover part  520 . The body part  510  is shaped in a box of which left side is opened, and a motor cover part  512  covering the top portion of the indoor motor  420  is formed integrally with the body part  510  at the right side of the motor part  510 . A coupling hook  514  is formed at a front left side of the body part  510  with a predetermined gap in a vertical direction.  
         [0085]    The opened portion of the body part  510  is covered by the cover part  520 . At a front portion of the cover part  520 , the coupling hooks  514  are hooked on coupling grooves  522  formed spaced apart by a predetermined distance from each other in a vertical direction. Accordingly, the cover part  520  can be opened or closed by rotatably moving with the coupling hooks  514  as the rotational shaft.  
         [0086]    On an outer surface of the cover part  520 , a capacitor loading part for installing a capacitor  530  is further provided. The capacitor loading part is formed at an outer lower portion of the cover part  520 . A capacitor cover  542  is provided to shield connection wires provided on the capacitor  530  loaded on the capacitor loading part. An upper portion of the capacitor cover  542  is hooked on and coupled with an upper portion of the cover part  520 , and a lower portion of the capacitor cover  542  is inserted into and fixed to a portion of the capacitor loading part.  
         [0087]    In the meanwhile, an outer case  600  forming the outer appearance of the outdoor part of the air conditioner is configured to include a cabinet  601  and an outdoor cover  650 . The cabinet  601  is shaped in ‘         ’ when viewed from top, and constitutes the rear portion and the side portions.  
         [0088]    At both sides of the cabinet  601 , there is formed a vent louver  602  that is a passage through which air is inhaled. The vent louver  602  is formed throughout most of the side area of the cabinet  601 . A discharge grill part  603  is formed at a rear side of the cabinet  601 . The air that has passed the outdoor heat exchanger  830  through the discharge grill part  603  is discharged to an exterior.  
         [0089]    At an upper portion of the outdoor cover  650 , a predetermined sized cover grill part  652  is formed. The cover grill part of the outdoor cover  650  also serves as a passage through which outdoor air is inhaled inside the air conditioner.  
         [0090]    As shown in FIG. 11, an insertion guide  604  is formed along an inner lower portion of the cabinet  601 . The insertion guide  604  guides the base  110  to be inserted into the cabinet  601 . Also, the base  110  is loaded on the upper surface of the insertion guide  604 .  
         [0091]    A first plate  605  is respectively provided at front sides of the cabinet  601 . The first plate  605  is shaped in a plate formed long in a vertical direction with a predetermined width, and is coupled with the front panel  200 . The first plate has a coupling protrusion  606  with a hole  606 ′. The hole  606 ′ corresponds to a hole  230 ′ formed in the front panel  200 .  
         [0092]    A hole  607  is respectively formed at corresponding locations to the coupling hole  102  formed in the base at both lower sides of the cabinet  601 . Screws are coupled to the holes  607 ,  102  and thereby the cabinet  601  is fixed to the base  110 .  
         [0093]    Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, a first step part  612  is formed along an upper end of the cabinet  601 . The first step part  612  is coupled to contact a second step part  662  formed at an inner lower edge of the outdoor cover  650 . In other words, they are coupled such that the stepped surfaces between the step parts  612  and  662  are in contact with each other, thereby more effectively preventing leakage between the cabinet  601  and the outdoor cover  650 .  
         [0094]    At a rear upper end of the cabinet  601 , a first coupling piece  616  for coupling with the outdoor cover  650  is formed. The first coupling piece  616  also has a hole inwardly extended so as to couple and accommodate a long screw.  
         [0095]    Again referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, between the first coupling pieces  616  positioned at the rear upper end of the cabinet  601 , an insertion slot  618  is formed long. An installation protrusion  664  formed in the outdoor cover  650  is inserted in the insertion slot  618 . A recess  667  is formed at a rear inner portion of the outdoor cover  650  corresponding to the first coupling piece  616  of the cabinet  601 . The first coupling piece  616  is loaded on the recess  667 . The recess  667  has a hole  668 , and a screw penetrating the hole formed in the first coupling piece  616  is screwed in the hole  668  of the recess  667 .  
         [0096]    Holes  615  for coupling with the outdoor cover  650  are formed at loading recesses  614 , which are formed at front upper portions of both sides of the cabinet  601 . The holes  615  are formed inwardly extended so as to couple and accommodate a relatively long screw.  
         [0097]    A cover grill part  652  that is an inhale passage of outdoor air is formed at the outdoor cover  650  installed on the upper portion of the cabinet  601 . Second coupling pieces  653  are formed at front upper ends of both sides of the outdoor cover  650  and are loaded on the loading recess  614 . At this time, a hole  653 ′ formed in the second coupling piece  653  communicates with the hole  615  formed in the loading recess  614  for the screw coupling.  
         [0098]    Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, an inwardly recessed grip  610  is formed at upper portions of both sides of the cabinet  601  so that a user&#39;s hand can be inserted therein. A reinforcing rib  670  is provided at both sides of the outdoor cover  650  positioned in the vicinity of the grip  610  to provide a more strong structure. Here, the reinforcing rib  670  is formed extended downwardly by a predetermined length at both sides of the lower surface of the outdoor cover  650 . The reinforcing rib  670  is provided above the position where the grip  610  is formed to reinforce the strength of the outdoor cover  650 .  
         [0099]    As shown in FIG. 13, an extension  660  downwardly recessed is formed at a front portion of the outdoor cover  650 . An insertion channel  682  in which a curtain frame  710  of the curtain assembly  700  is inserted is formed in the extension  660 .  
         [0100]    In front of the extension  660 , a second plate  654  is provided. The second plate  654  is formed extended long in a horizontal direction with a predetermined width at a front portion of the outdoor cover. The second plate  654  is formed in a length corresponding to a width between both front ends of the cabinet  601 . The rear end of the front panel is coupled with the second plate  654 . For the aforementioned coupling, the second plate  654  has a plurality of insertion holes  655  spaced apart by a predetermined interval from each other.  
         [0101]    Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the curtain assembly  700  is provided at both ends of the cabinet  601 . A hanger piece  630  and an installation guide piece  632  are formed respectively protruded at both sides of the cabinet  601 . The hanger piece  630  is formed in a predetermined length at an upper portion and a lower portion of the side of the cabinet, and has a cross section shaped in letter ‘L’. The installation guide piece  632  is provided long in a vertical direction with a predetermined width and is shaped in a channel at a side portion of the cabinet  601 .  
         [0102]    The curtain assembly  700  is configured to include a curtain frame  710  and a curtain  720  so as to shield a chink between the air conditioner and the window. The curtain frame  710  is provided slidable along an interval between the outdoor cover  650  and the base  110 .  
         [0103]    Referring to FIG. 14, the outdoor cover  650  is installed on the cabinet  601 . The curtain assembly  700  is installed at the extension formed in front of the outdoor cover  650 .  
         [0104]    The insertion channel  682  is formed long in the horizontal direction along the extension  660 , and a horizontal bar  712  of the curtain assembly  700  is inserted in both ends of the insertion channel  662 .  
         [0105]    Referring to FIG. 7, the guide hole  170  is provided at both lower portions of the base  110 . The guide hole  170  is provided to penetrate a lower portion of the barrier  120  along the barrier  120 , which partitions the base into the indoor part and the outdoor part. Also, the guide hole  170  is formed integrally with the base and serves as a passage through which the horizontal bar  712  of the curtain assembly  700  is inserted in the guide hole  170 .  
         [0106]    Accordingly, the horizontal bar  712  of the curtain frame  710  is inserted slidable in the left or right direction along the guide hole  170  and shields the chink between the air conditioner and the window to shield airflow between the exterior and the interior.  
         [0107]    As shown in FIG. 14, the curtain frame  710  includes a vertical bar  711  with a predetermined length and the horizontal bar  712  extending perpendicularly with the vertical bar from both ends of the vertical bar  711  and is shaped in a square of which one side is opened. Each of the vertical bar  711  and the horizontal bar  712  has a section shaped in a channel.  
         [0108]    Inside the vertical bar  711 , there is provided a hanger plate  711 ′ which is extended long. The hanger plate  711 ′ has a width corresponding to half of the width of the vertical bar  711 . The hanger plate  711 ′ may be multiple, but the present embodiment exemplarily shows two hanger plates. A guide channel  713  is formed inside the horizontal bar  712 . The guide channel  713  guides movement of the curtain  720 . A curtain insertion hole  714  is formed in the upper horizontal bar  712 . Accordingly, the curtain  720  is inserted into the curtain frame  710  through the curtain insertion hole  714 . One end of the curtain  720  is fixed to the hanger plate  711 ′ provided at a lower portion of the curtain insertion hole  714  in the vertical direction.  
         [0109]    An installation fence  716  is provided in the horizontal bar  712  formed at the upper end of the vertical bar  711 . The installation fence  716  is installed at the upper end of the horizontal bar  712  to be closely in contact with one side of the insertion channel  682 . The installation fence  716  is formed in a length that is the almost same as that of the horizontal bar  712 .  
         [0110]    In the meanwhile, insertion guide pieces  684  formed at an inlet of the insertion channel  682  are formed facing each other. The insertion guide piece  684  has a predetermined gap between the bottom of the insertion channel and the insertion guide piece  684 . Also, guide ribs  717 ,  717 ′ are provided in the horizontal bar  712  and are inserted into the insertion guide pieces  684 . The guide ribs  717 ,  717 ′ are formed long in the length direction of the horizontal bar  712 . The gap between the guide ribs  717  and  717 ′ is formed corresponding to the thickness of the insertion guide piece  684 .  
         [0111]    A release-preventive sill  718  is formed at one end of the horizontal bar  712 . The release-preventive sill  718  is shaped in a right-angled triangle when viewed from the top of the curtain frame  710 , and is inserted in a state that its slope inclined plate is elastically deformed along the insertion guide piece  684 .  
         [0112]    An elastic channel  719  is provided at one end of the horizontal bar  712  adjacent to the release-preventive sill  718 . The elastic channel  719  allows the curtain frame  710  to be inserted by an elastic deformation when the release-preventive sill  718  is in contact with the insertion guide piece  684 .  
         [0113]    The curtain  720  is inserted in the curtain frame  710 , and is configured to include a plane part  721  with a predetermined width and a connection part  722  connecting the plane parts  721 . The plane part  721  is made of relatively rigid material and the connection part  722  is made of flexible material such that the curtain  720  is unfolded or folded freely.  
         [0114]    Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, a first hanger strap  724  hanged on the hanger plate  711 ′ of the vertical bar  711  is provided long at one end of the curtain  720  in the vertical direction. The first hanger strap  724  is hanged on the hanger plate  711 ′ and thereby the curtain  720  is fixed inside the vertical bar  711 . The first hanger strap  724  has a section shaped in letter ‘T’.  
         [0115]    A second hanger strap  726  is provided at the other end of the curtain  720 . The second hanger strap  726  is hanged on the hanger pieces  630  and the installation guide piece  632  formed at both sides of the cabinet  601  and thereby is fixed.  
         [0116]    The second hanger strap  726  includes a hanger part  726   h  and a guide part  726   g.  The second hanger strap  726  is shaped in a square of which one side is opened. The hanger part  726   h  is inserted into a gap between the hanger plate  630  and the side surface of the cabinet  601  and is fixed. Accordingly, the curtain  720  is folded or unfolded within the curtain frame  710  to effectively shield the chink between the air conditioner and the window.  
         [0117]    Hereinafter, operation of an inventive air conditioner having the aforementioned construction will be described.  
         [0118]    The inventive air conditioner can operate in cooling mode or heating mode, but the operation in the cooling mode will be described exemplarily. In the cooling mode, the air conditioner discharges indoor heat to an outdoor space.  
         [0119]    If the air conditioner operates, indoor air is inhaled into an inside of the air conditioner through the vent grill  210  of the front panel  200  by the indoor fan  410 . The air inhaled through the vent grill  210  is purified by the air filter  220  and exchanges heat with the indoor heat exchanger  310 . Air cooled while passing through the indoor heat exchanger  310  passes through the indoor fan  410 , is guided by the air guides  320 ,  340  and is again discharged into the indoor space through the discharge grill  244 . By repeating the aforementioned heat exchange cycle, indoor space is air-conditioned at a desired state.  
         [0120]    Working fluid that has absorbed heat from the indoor heat exchanger  310  is transferred to the outdoor heat exchanger  830  and exchanges heat with air inhaled from the outside to discharge the heat to the outside. In other words, if the outdoor fan  820  rotates, outdoor air is inhaled into the outdoor part through the vent grill part, the cover grill part  660  and the lower grill  150  of the cabinet  601  and flows between the shroud  130 ,  850  and the barrier  120 . The air repeats heat exchange cycle while being discharged to the outdoor heat exchanger  830  by the blower fan  820 .  
         [0121]    Next, there will be described a method to install an inventive air conditioner at a window with reference to FIG. 16.  
         [0122]    The curtain  720  is inserted into the curtain frame  710  through the curtain insertion hole  714 . The curtain  720  is inserted in such a state that the adjacent plane parts  721  are folded to be closely in contact with each other. Here, the first hanger strap  724  formed at one end of the curtain  720  is hanged on the hanger plate  711 ′ formed in the vertical bar  711  and thereby is fixed.  
         [0123]    The lower one of the horizontal bars  712  of the curtain frame  710  in which the curtain  720  is inserted is inserted into the guide hole  170  provided at the lower portion of the base  110 , and the upper one is inserted into the insertion channel  682  formed in the extension  660  of the outdoor cover  650 .  
         [0124]    When the curtain frame  710  is inserted into the insertion channel  682 , the release-preventive sill  718  contacts the insertion guide piece  624 . As the insertion of the curtain frame  710  progresses, the release-preventive sill  718  is pushed and thereby the elastic channel  719  is pressed. Once the release-preventive sill  718  passes the insertion guide piece  684 , it is restored and restrained by the insertion guide piece  684  so that the curtain frame is not released.  
         [0125]    The horizontal bar  712  slides along the guide hole  170  and the insertion channel  682  of the extension  660  and thereby the protruded length of the curtain frame  710  toward an outward direction of the cabinet  601  is adjusted.  
         [0126]    As shown in FIG. 16, when the air conditioner is installed at the window (W), the curtain  720  shields the gap between the window (W) and the side surface of the air conditioner. In other words, the vertical bar  711  is closely in contact with one side of the window (W) by moving the curtain frame  710  installed in the air conditioner along the guide hole  170  and the insertion channel  682 , so that the gap between the window (W) and the air conditioner is shielded. After the air conditioner is installed at the window (W), the air conditioner is fixed by a fixing bracket  800  such that the window is not moved.  
         [0127]    As described previously, since an outer case of an air conditioner according to the present invention is comprised of a cabinet forming both side faces and rear face and an outdoor cover forming upper face separately, it is possible to separate only the front panel and the outdoor cover for repair and maintenance of inner parts, thereby providing users with convenience.  
         [0128]    Also, since the cabinet can be assembled with the base by simply pushing the base in an upper surface of the insertion guide formed along a lower edge of the cabinet, convenience in assembling is provided. In addition, since a loading recess on which the hanger plate for the coupling of the cabinet and the outdoor cover is loaded, and an insertion slot into which the installation protrusion is inserted are respectively provided, the cabinet and the outdoor cover can be assembly more easily.  
         [0129]    Further, since a grip is formed in the cabinet, the air conditioner can be handled more easily. Since a reinforcing rib for reinforcing strength is provided at one side of the outdoor cover adjacent to the grip, reliability and strength of the air conditioner products are enhanced.  
         [0130]    In the present invention, since passages through which outdoor air is inhaled are formed even at both sides of the cabinet, the outdoor cover and the base, the amount of inhalant air is increased to increase heat exchange amount of the air conditioner.  
         [0131]    In the meanwhile, the curtain frame of the curtain assembly in an inventive air conditioner is inserted respectively into the guide hole formed penetrating a lower portion of the base and the insertion channel formed integrally with the cabinet in a recessed structure and slides. Accordingly, since the curtain assembly parts are not shown from the interior, the appearance of the air conditioner is enhanced. Also, since the curtain assembly parts are not protruded outwardly, air leakage can be simply prevented.  
         [0132]    Furthermore, since the guide hole and the insertion channel installed at the curtain assembly are formed integrally with the base and the cabinet, a separate part is not required so that assembling process of the air conditioner is simplified. Moreover, the release-preventive sill formed in an end of the curtain frame can be simply assembled by elastic deformation on the insertion channel such that it is not released.  
         [0133]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.