Patent Publication Number: US-11041643-B2

Title: Air conditioner

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a National Phase Application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/KR2016/011128, filed Oct. 5, 2016 which claims foreign priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0143565 filed Oct. 14, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an air conditioner configured to implement a convection and radiant cooling effect using a porous panel and an open panel. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Generally, air conditioners are apparatuses configured to remove dust in air and adjust a temperature, humidity, an air flow, an air distribution, and the like to be suitable for human activity using a refrigeration cycle. The refrigeration cycle includes major components such as a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, a blowing fan, and the like. 
     The air conditioner can be classified into a separate type air conditioner in which an indoor unit and an outdoor unit are separately installed, and an integral type air conditioner in which an indoor unit and an outdoor unit are integrally installed in one cabinet. The indoor unit of the separate type air conditioner includes a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with air introduced into a panel, and a blowing fan configured to suction indoor air into the panel and blow the suctioned air to an indoor space. 
     In the indoor unit of the air conditioner, air suctioned and blown by the blowing fan flows in the indoor unit and is discharged to an indoor space through the heat exchanger and an air discharge port. In this case, since the indoor unit has to be disposed in upward and downward directions or frontward and rearward directions due to the blowing fan and the heat exchanger, space utilization of the indoor unit is inefficient. 
     DISCLOSURE 
     Technical Problem 
     One aspect of the present disclosure provides an air conditioner configured to implement a convection and radiant cooling effect using a porous panel and an open panel. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an air conditioner configured to directly blow discharged air to a user or capable of selectively adjusting to directly blow discharged air to the user. 
     Technical Solution 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an air conditioner includes: a body; and a front panel configured to discharge air frontward from the body, wherein the front panel includes: a first discharge part formed on at least a part of the front panel and including a plurality of discharge holes formed therein to discharge air; a second discharge part formed on at least another part of the front panel and including an opening formed therein to discharge the air; and a rotation unit configured to rotate the front panel so that the air is discharged through at least one of the first discharge part and the second discharge part. 
     The rotation unit may include a first rotation part provided so that the front panel is rotated with respect to the body, and a second rotation part provided so that the first discharge part and the second discharge part are rotated relative to each other. 
     The front panel may include a first panel in which the first discharge part and the second discharge part are provided, and a second panel provided to correspond to the first panel, and the first panel and the second panel may be rotated by the first rotation part. 
     The first panel and the second panel may be rotated with respect to the first rotation part so that the air is discharged through at least one of the first discharge part and the second discharge part. 
     The first discharge part may include at least one of a mesh and a porous material. 
     The rotation unit may include a driving part configured to rotate the front panel. 
     The driving part may be connected to the first rotation part. 
     The driving part may include a first motor connected to the first panel and a second motor connected to the second panel. 
     The driving part may be provided to control a rotation angle of each of the first panel and the second panel. 
     The air conditioner may include a guide part provided to guide movement of the front panel, wherein the guide part may include a first guide provided in the second discharge part and a second guide provided in the body to correspond to the first guide. 
     The second guide may include a stopper configured to restrict movement of the second discharge part. 
     The guide part may further include a gear provided on the second panel and a guide motor engaged with the gear. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     Since an air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure can discharge heat-exchanged air at different velocities of the air using a porous panel and an open panel, a convection and radiant cooling effect can be implemented. 
     Further, since a user can select whether heat-exchanged air is directly blown to the user or not blown to the user, user satisfaction can be improved. 
     Further, since a velocity and direction of discharged air can be increased due to a compact path configuration, cooling performance of an air conditioner can be improved. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a front panel of the air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A′ in  FIG. 1 , showing a state in which air is discharged through a first discharge part of a front panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a view illustrating a state in which air is discharged through a second discharge part in a state where a first discharge panel of a front panel according to an embodiment of the present invention is rotated. 
         FIG. 6  is a view illustrating a state in which air is simultaneously discharged through a first discharge part and a second discharge part in a state where a front panel is rotated at a predetermined angle according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a view illustrating a state in which air is discharged through a second discharge part of a first panel and a first discharge part of a second panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, 
         FIG. 8  is a view showing a state in which air is discharged through a first discharge part of a first panel and a second discharge part of a second panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view illustrating an operation of a guide part configured to guide movement of the front panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view illustrating a guide part configured to guide movement of a front panel according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic view an operation of the guide part configured to guide the movement of the front panel according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     MODES OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Embodiments described in the specification and configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are merely exemplary examples of the present disclosure, and various modifications may replace the embodiments and the drawings of the present disclosure at a time at which the present application is filed. 
     Further, identical symbols or numbers in the drawings of the present disclosure denote components or elements configured to perform substantially identical functions. 
     Further, terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. The singular form is intended to also include the plural form, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should be further understood that the terms “include,” “including,” “have,” and/or “having” specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Further, it should be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, the elements are not limited by the terms, and the terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The term “and/or” includes combinations of one or all of a plurality of associated listed items. 
     Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     A refrigeration cycle forming an air conditioner includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. The refrigeration cycle includes a series of cycles including compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation, and after hot air is heat-exchanged with a cold refrigerant, the refrigeration cycle supplies cold air to an indoor space. 
     The compressor compresses a refrigerant gas in a high temperature and high pressure state and then discharges the refrigerant gas, and the discharged refrigerant gas is introduced into the condenser. The condenser condenses the compressed refrigerant into a liquid state, and releases heat to its surroundings through a condensation process. The expansion valve expands the liquid refrigerant in the high temperature and high pressure state condensed by the condenser to a liquid refrigerant in a low pressure state. The evaporator evaporates the refrigerant expanded by the expansion valve. The evaporator achieves a refrigeration effect due to exchanging heat between an object which is cooled and the refrigerant using evaporative latent heat of the refrigerant, and returns the refrigerant gas to the compressor in a low temperature and low pressure state. An indoor air temperature may be adjusted by the above-described cycle. 
     An outdoor unit of the air conditioner is a part including the compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger among the refrigeration cycle. The expansion valve may be in one of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and an indoor heat exchanger is in the indoor unit of the air conditioner. 
     The embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an air conditioner configured to cool an indoor space, an outdoor heat exchanger serves as a condenser, and an indoor heat exchanger serves as an evaporator. Hereinafter, for convenience, the indoor unit including the indoor heat exchanger will be referred to as an air conditioner, and the indoor heat exchanger will be referred to as a heat exchanger. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure,  FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and  FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a front panel of the air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , an air conditioner  1  includes a body  10  forming an exterior of the air conditioner  1 , and a front panel  100  coupled to a front of the body  10  and forming a front surface of the air conditioner  1 . 
     In the body  10 , a heat exchanger  70  configured to exchange heat with air introduced into the body  10 , blowing fans  60  configured to forcibly circulate air to the inside or the outside of the body  10 , and a path guide  40  configured to guide a flow of air in the body  10  may be provided. 
     The body  10  may include a base  12  including at least one opening portion  20  and forming a bottom, a rear panel  13  disposed on a rear of the base  12 , and an upper panel  11  forming an upper surface of the rear panel  13 . The front panel  100 , which is provided so that heat-exchanged air may be discharged, may be disposed in the opening portion  20  of the body  10 . A containing portion  14  is formed between the base  12 , the upper panel  11 , the rear panel  13 , and the front panel  100  of the body  10 . 
     In the embodiment of the present disclosure, although an example in which the rear panel is integrally formed with both side surfaces is shown, the spirit of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the rear panel may be formed separately from both of the side surfaces to be assembled. The rear panel  13  may be formed in a curved surface shape protruding rearward, and may be formed in an approximately circular shape. 
     A suction port  15  configured to suction air into the body  10  may be provided in the rear panel  13 . The suction port  15  is formed in an approximately rectangular shape, and is located in an upper portion of a rear surface of the body  10  to suction air around the suction port  15  into the body  10 . A filter  80  is installed inside the suction port  15  and filters fine impurities and the like from the air introduced through the suction port  15 . 
     The heat exchanger  70  configured to exchange heat with the air introduced through the suction port  15  may be installed in an inner portion of the body  10  close to the suction port  15 . 
     The heat exchanger  70  is formed in a rectangular shape vertically extending by a predetermined length to correspond to the suction port  15 , and absorbs heat of air suctioned through the suction port  15  to discharge the air outward from the body  10  through the front panel  100 . 
     The heat exchanger  70  may include a tube (not shown) and a header (not shown). A type of the heat exchanger  70  is not limited. The number of heat exchangers  70  disposed inside the body  10  may correspond to the number of openings and be at least one. 
     The blowing fans  60  are vertically elongated in an approximately cylindrical shape to smoothly blow air which passed through the suction port  15  and the heat exchanger  70 , and are rotatably installed at laterally symmetrical locations in the body  10 . 
     A driving motor  61  is coupled to one end of each of the blowing fans  60  and rotates the blowing fan  60 . In the embodiment of the present disclosure, since a rotary shaft of the blowing fan  60  and a plane through which the air suctioned through the suction port  15  flows are perpendicular to each other, the blowing fan  60  may be referred to as a cross-flow fan. 
     The path guide  40  may be provided at both sides of the body  10  so that air which passes through the blowing fans  60  may be smoothly discharged in a forward direction. 
     The path guide  40  includes first path guides  41  formed in a shape surrounding the blowing fans  60 , and a second path guide  42  configured to guide air guided by the first path guides  41  so that the air is discharged toward the front panel  100 . 
     The first path guides  41  may be symmetrically provided at both sides of the body  10 . 
     The second path guide  42  may be provided between the first path guides  41 . 
     The second path guide  42  may include a partition member  42   a  formed to protrude rearward from the second path guide  42 . The partition member  42   a  serves to partition a space formed between the blowing fans  60  so that the air heat-exchanged through the heat exchanger  70  may be blown by only one of the blowing fans  60  disposed at both sides of the inside of the body  10 . 
     The partition member  42   a  of the second path guide  42  is configured to prevent interference generated between the blowing fans  60  symmetrically installed at both sides of the body  10 . For example, when the partition member  42   a  does not exist, since air between the blowing fans  60  located at both sides of the body  10  is influenced by both of the blowing fans  60  and may not be smoothly discharged to the front panel  100 , and air which is closer to one blowing fan  60  than the other is influenced by the other blowing fan  60 , smooth discharge of the air blown by the blowing fans  60  may be interrupted. 
     Accordingly, the partition member  42   a  of the second path guide  42  allows the air which passed the heat exchanger  70  in the body  10  to smoothly flow through a path and improves blowing efficiency of the blowing fan  60 . 
     It should be apparent that the partition member  42   a  may not be installed when a width of the inside of the body  10  is large and an interval between the blowing fans  60  increases such that interference between the blowing fans  60  almost does not exist. 
     Meanwhile, the front panel  100  may be installed in the opening portion  20  of in the front of the body  10 . The front panel  100  may include a first panel  110  and a second panel  120  disposed at a left side and a right side, respectively. 
     The first panel  110  and the second panel  120  may be symmetrically installed at the left side and the right side of the front of the body  10 . The first panel  110  and the second panel  120  is provided so that the air heat-exchanged in the body  10  is discharged outward from the body  10 . Each of the first panel  110  and the second panel  120  may include a first discharge part  210  and a second discharge part  220 . 
     The first discharge part  210  may be provided in each of the first panel  110  and the second panel  120 . The first discharge part  210  may be formed in at least a part of each of the first panel  110  and the second panel  120 . The first discharge parts  210  may be symmetrically formed on the basis of a central portion between the first panel  110  and the second panel  120 . 
     The first discharge part  210  may include a plurality of discharge holes  211 . 
     The first discharge part  210  may include at least one of a mesh and a porous material. The plurality of discharge holes  211  forming the first discharge part  210  may be formed to be uniformly distributed in at least a part of the first panel  110 . 
     Each of the first discharge parts  210  may include a first discharge panel  111  including the discharge holes  211 . The first discharge panel  111  may include a porous panel formed from the plurality of uniformly distributed discharge holes  211 . 
     Further, the plurality of discharge holes  211  may be intensively formed in at least a part of the first discharge panel  111 . In the embodiment, an example in which the plurality of discharge holes in the first discharge part are uniformly distributed is shown. 
     The second discharge part  220  may be rotatably provided on the first discharge part  210 . Each of the second discharge part  220  may include openings  221  so that the air heat-exchanged in the body  10  may be discharged outward from the body  10 . The openings  221  may be formed in at least a part of the first panel  110 . The openings  221  may be formed to pass through an upper portion and a lower portion of the first panel  110  with a predetermined width. In the embodiment, although an example in which the opening of the second discharge part is formed to be partitioned is shown, the spirit of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the opening of the first discharge part may be formed to pass through at least a part of the first panel in a vertical direction. 
     The second discharge part  220  may include a second discharge panel  121  configured to extend from each of the first discharge parts  210 . The second discharge part  220  may include the openings  221  formed to pass through at least a part of the second discharge panel  121 . 
     The first discharge panel  111  and the second discharge panel  121  may be provided to be rotatable by a second rotation part  132 , which will be described below. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, although an example in which the first discharge panel  111  and the second discharge panel  121  are integrally provided to extend with respect to the second rotation part  132  is shown, the spirit of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the first discharge panel including the first discharge part and the second discharge panel including the second discharge part may be separately provided to be coupled by a second hinge. 
     The first discharge part  210  and the second discharge part  220  may be provided to be rotatable due to the second rotation part  132 . The first discharge part  210  and the second discharge part  220  are provided to be rotatable relative to each other around the second rotation part  132 . 
     Meanwhile, the first panel  110  may be installed to be rotatable with respect to the body  10 . The first panel  110  may include a rotation unit  130  configured to rotate the first panel  110  so that air may be discharged through at least one of the first discharge part  210  and the second discharge part  220 . 
     The rotation unit  130  may include a first rotation part  131  on which the first panel  110  is provided to be rotated with respect to the body  10 , and the second rotation part  132  provided between the first discharge part  210  and the second discharge part  220  so that the first discharge part  210  and the second discharge part  220  are rotated relative to each other. 
     The first rotation part  131  is provided between the first panel  110  and the second panel  120  so that the first panel  110  and the second panel  120  are rotatable in a frontward direction with respect to the body  10 . The first rotation part  131  may be disposed at a central portion between the openings  221  of the body  10 . The first panel  110  and the second panel  120  may be rotated around the first rotation part  131  in directions toward the front and rear of the body  10 . 
     The rotation unit  130  may further include a driving part  140  provided to rotate the first panel  110  and the second panel  120 . The driving part  140  may be connected to the first rotation part  131 . The driving part  140  may be connected to the first rotation part  131  to rotate the first panel  110  and the second panel  120  toward the front of the body  10 . 
     The first rotation part  131  may include a first rotary shaft  131   a  formed to be connected to the first panel  110  and a second rotary shaft  131   b  formed to be connected to the second panel  120 . 
     The driving part  140  may include a first motor  141  configured to rotate the first panel  110  and a second motor  142  configured to rotate the second panel  120 . The first motor  141  is connected to the first rotary shaft  131   a  of the first panel  110 . The first motor  141  may be connected to the first rotary shaft  131   a  to rotate the first panel  110 . The second motor  142  is connected to the second rotary shaft  131   b  of the second panel  120 . The second motor  142  may be connected to the second rotary shaft  131   b  to rotate the second panel  120 . 
     Since the first motor  141  controls an angle of the rotation of the first panel  110  and the second motor  142  controls an angle of the rotation of the second panel  120 , angles of air discharged from the first discharge part  210  and the second discharge part  220  due to the rotation of the first discharge panel  111  and the second discharge panel  121  may be controlled. 
     Further, a flow of the discharged air may be controlled by changing a flow of the air discharged through the first discharge part  210  and the second discharge part  220  due to the angles of the rotation of the first discharge panel  111  and the second discharge panel  121 . In addition, the first motor  141  and the second motor  142  may control directions of the air discharged through the first discharge part  210  and the second discharge part  220  by controlling the angles of the rotation of the first panel  110  and the second panel  120 . 
     The first discharge panel  111  and the second discharge panel  121  may be connected to be rotatable relative to each other by the second rotation part  132 . The first discharge part  210  and the second discharge part  220  are provided to be rotatable relative to each other by the second rotation part  132 . The second rotation part  132  rotatably connects the first discharge panel  111  and the second discharge panel  121 . 
     As described above, in the air conditioner  1  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, since the suction port  15 , the heat exchanger  70 , the blowing fans  60 , and the front panel  100  for discharging the air are sequentially disposed in parallel from the rear of the body  10  to the front of the body  10 , a volume of a path through which the air suctioned into the body  10  flows until it is discharged is decreased, and a distance between the suction port  15  and the front panel  100  is decreased. 
     Since the air suctioned into the body  10  is blown through a short path by the blowing fans  60  in a state in which almost no resistance of the path is received and the air is discharged through the first discharge part  210  and the second discharge part  220  of the front panel  100 , a large amount of air may be discharged without increasing the number of rotations of the blowing fans  60  and a volume and velocity of the discharged air may be efficiently controlled. 
     Hereinafter, a process in which air is suctioned and discharged through a configuration like above, and a principle of the first discharge part and the second discharge part of the front panel configured to control an amount and direction of the discharged air will be described in detail. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the first discharge panels  111  of each of the first panel  110  and the second panel  120  disposed at both sides of the front of the body  10  are disposed in parallel to correspond to the openings  221  of the body  10 . 
     In this case, the second discharge panel  121  is disposed in the body  10 . 
     The heat-exchanged air in the body  10  may be discharged toward the front of the body  10  through first discharge parts  210  of each of the first panel  110  and the second panel  120 . The velocity of the heat-exchanged air may be decreased through the plurality of discharge holes  211  formed in the first discharge part  210 , and thus the heat-exchanged air may be discharged outward from the body  10  at low velocity. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the first panel  110  and the second panel  120  disposed at both sides of the front of the body  10  are rotated frontward from the openings of the body  10 . 
     The first panel  110  is rotated by the first motor  141 , and the second panel  120  is rotated by the second motor  142 . The first discharge panels  111  of each of the first panel  110  and the second panel  120  are rotated around the first rotation part  131  and disposed to be perpendicular to the openings  221  of the body  10 . 
     The second discharge panel  121  connected to the first discharge panel  111  by the second rotation part  132  is rotated toward the front of the body  10  to be moved according to the rotation of the first discharge panel  111 . 
     The second discharge panels  121  of the first panel  110  and the second panel  120  are rotated relative to the first discharge panels  111  to be moved to the front of the body  10 . 
     The second discharge part  220  of the second discharge panel  121  is exposed outward from the body  10 . 
     The heat-exchanged air in the body  10  is discharged through the second discharge part  220  of the second discharge panel  121 . A velocity of the heat-exchanged air may be increased via the openings  221  formed in the second discharge part  220  such that the heat-exchanged air may be discharged outward from the body  10  at high velocity. 
       FIGS. 6 to 8  are views illustrating an air discharge operation of the first discharge part and the second discharge part according to rotation of the front panel. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 to 8 , since rotation angles θ of the first discharge panel  111  and the second discharge panel  121  are variously changed to adjust locations of the first discharge part  210  and the second discharge part  220 , a volume, a velocity, and a direction of the discharged air may be variously controlled. 
     For example, the air may be discharged in a lateral direction at high velocity from a left side of the air conditioner  1  through the openings  221  of the second discharge part  220 , and may be discharged in the frontward direction at low velocity from a right side of the air conditioner  1  through the first discharge part  210  by rotating only the first discharge panel  111  and leaving the second discharge panel  121 . 
     Further, on the other hand, the air may be discharged in the frontward direction at low velocity from the left side of the air conditioner  1  through the first discharge part  210 , and may be discharged in the lateral direction at high velocity from the right side of the air conditioner  1  through openings  221  of the second discharge part  220  by rotating only the second discharge panel  121  and leaving the first discharge panel  111 . 
     Since a rotation angle of the front panel  100 , that is, the rotation angles of the first discharge part  210  and the second discharge part  220 , is controlled using the above-described configuration and principle, a user may easily and conveniently adjust indoor air to be in a preferable state. 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic view illustrating an operation of a guide part configured to guide movement of the front panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the front panel  100  may include guide parts  240  configured to guide movement thereof. 
     The guide parts  240  may be formed on the second discharge panels  121  of each of the first panel  110  and the second panel  120 . The guide parts  240  are provided to guide movement of the second discharge panel  121  from the inside of the body  10  to the outside of the body  10 . 
     Each of the guide parts  240  may include a first guide  241  provided in the second discharge panel  121  and a second guide  242  provided in the body  10  to correspond to the first guide  241 . 
     The first guide  241  may be formed to protrude from a lower rear end of the second discharge panel  121 . The second guide  242  may be elongated in frontward and rearward directions with respect to the air conditioner  1  at both sides of the inside of the body  10  to correspond to the first guide  241 . The second guide  242  may include at least one among a groove, a slot, and a rail formed to be recessed toward a lower side of the body  10 . 
     The first guide  241  may be moved along the second guide  242  in directions toward the front and the rear of the body  10 . That is, the second discharge panel  121  in which the first guide  241  is formed may be moved along the second guide  242  in the directions toward the front and the rear of the body  10 . 
     In this case, the second discharge panel  121  performs a relative rotation by the rotational movement of the first discharge panel  111  and is linked with the first discharge panel  111  to be moved. 
     Meanwhile, the guide part  240  may further include a stopper  250  provided to restrict movement of the second discharge panel  121 . The stopper  250  may be provided in the second guide  242 . The stopper  250  may be provided in a front end portion of the second guide  242  to restrict forward movement of the first guide  241 . The stopper  250  may be disposed inside the openings  221  of the body  10 . The stopper  250  restricts the movement of the first guide  241  to prevent the second discharge panel  121  from being separated outward from the body  10 . 
     The guide parts  240  may be provided on at least one of an upper end and a lower end of the second discharge panel  121 . In the embodiment, although an example in which the guide parts are provided on a lower end of the second panel and in a lower portion of the containing portion of the body is shown, the spirit of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the guide parts may be provided on an upper end of the second panel and in an upper panel of the body. 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic view illustrating a guide part configured to guide movement of a front panel according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and  FIG. 11  is a schematic view an operation of the guide part configured to guide the movement of the front panel according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Reference numerals not shown may be understood with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 9 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , an air conditioner  1 A according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include guide parts  240 A configured to guide movement of a front panel  100 . 
     The air conditioner  1 A includes a body  10 A, and the front panel  100  installed in an opening portion  20  in a front of the body  10 A. The front panel  100  includes a first discharge panel  111  and a second discharge panel  121 A, and when being moved by rotation of the first discharge panel  111 , the second discharge panel  121 A rotated relative to the first discharge panel  111  is guided by the guide parts  240 A to be moved in directions toward the front and rear of the body  10 A. 
     In this case, each of the guide parts  240 A provided to guide the movement of the second discharge panel  121 A may include a gear  241 A formed on the second discharge panel  121 A and a guide motor  243 A provided inside a containing portion  14  of the body  10 A to be engaged with the gear  241 A of the second discharge panel  121 A. 
     The guide motor  243 A may include a rotation gear  243 Aa corresponding to the gear  241 A of the second discharge panel  121 A to be engaged with the gear  241 A. Accordingly, when the guide motor  243 A is rotated, the gear  241 A of the second discharge panel  121 A is moved in frontward and rearward directions by rotation of the rotation gear  243 Aa. 
     As described above, since the second discharge panel  121 A is moved in the frontward and rearward directions by power of the guide motor  243 A, rotational movement of the first discharge panel  111  rotated relative to the second discharge panel  121 A may be smoothed, and thus convenience for user may be further improved. 
     Although the embodiments are disclosed to facilitate the understanding of the present disclosure described above, those skilled in the art should understand that the present disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments described above, and the embodiments may be variously transformed, modified, and replaced without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.