Patent Description:
In general, air conditioning apparatuses are apparatuses for cooling, heating or cleaning air.

The air conditioning apparatus may include an air conditioner as a cooling device for cooling an indoor space, a heat pump for heating the indoor space, and an air cleaner for cleaning indoor air.

A dust collector for an air conditioning apparatus is disclosed in <CIT>) that is a prior document.

The dust collector includes an ionizing part for ionizing impurities in air, a gold net disposed on a rear surface of the ionizing part to filter the impurities passing through the ionizing part, and a collection part charging the fine impurities passing through the gold net so that the impurities have opposite polarity to absorb the charged fine impurities through an electrostatic force.

According to the dust collector according to the related art, since the ionizing part is disposed at a rear side of a suction part in the air conditioning apparatus, only a portion of the air passes through the ionizing part, and thus air cleaning performance is deteriorated. Also, the ionizing part itself acts as flow resistance against the air. Also, the ionizing part is disposed in the air conditioning apparatus to decrease space occupancy efficiency in the air conditioning apparatus. If the ionizing part increases in size, the air conditioning apparatus also increases in size.

<CIT> relates to an air cleaning apparatus, especially for cleaning of room air, comprises an ionizing device having a unipolar ion source formed by a corona discharge electrode, an electrostatic precipitator connected to a high-voltage source and having a flow-through passageway for air to be cleaned and two groups of electrode elements disposed in the flow-through passageway, the electrode elements of one group being interleaved with and spaced from the electrode elements of the other group and arranged to be at a potential different from that of the said other group. The corona discharge electrode is arranged such that the ions generated at the electrode can diffuse essentially freely away from the electrode and thereby diffuse substantially freely throughout the room in which the ionizing device is positioned.

<CIT> relates to an air conditioner mounted with an ion generator that, when negative ions or both negative ions and positive ions are generated from a discharge needle installed to a part of a blowing part, increasing a ratio of the negative ions makes a product body, surrounding wall surfaces or equipment easy to be charged and easy to be attached with dust.

<CIT> relates to an air conditioner detachably provided with a dust collecting part comprising a filter having deodorizing performance and disinfecting performance in addition to dielectric property induced by an electric dust collector while causing no damage by separation in washing by forming the filter in three-dimensional knitted shape to eliminate a laminated part.

<CIT> discloses an air conditioning apparatus comprising a main body comprising an air inlet through which air is suctioned and a discharge part through which the air suctioned through the air inlet is discharged; a fan disposed in the main body to allow the air to flow; an indoor heat exchanger disposed in the main body in which the air suctioned through the air inlet is heat exchanged with a refrigerant; an electric charge device coupled to a suction grill defining the air inlet outside the main body to charge dust in the air; a filter mounted to an device disposed between the air inlet and the indoor heat exchanger in the main body to collect the charged dust particles; a discharge grill part for guiding discharge of the air that is heat exchanged with the refrigerant and supporting the indoor heat exchanger; and a dust storage part for collecting dust particles removed from the filter device. The filter device is mounted to the air inlet of the air conditioning device. The dust storage part is mounted to a discharge grill near the air outlet.

Embodiments provide an air conditioning apparatus having improved air conditioning performance.

The object is solved by the features of the independent claim.

The electric charge device may include: an electric charge part having at least one electrode; a base on which the electric charge part is seated, the base being coupled to the main body; and a cover for covering the base.

A position fixing part for fixing a position of the electric charge part may be disposed on the base or the cover.

An exposing part allowing the electrode of the electric charge part to be exposed to the outside may be defined in one of the base and the cover.

A voltage applying part for applying a voltage into the electrode of the electric charge part may be disposed between the base and the cover.

A wire through-hole through which a wire connected to the voltage applying part passes may be defined in the base.

A seating guide for guiding a seated position of the voltage applying part may be disposed on the base or the cover.

The air conditioning apparatus may further include a voltage applying part disposed in the main body to apply a voltage into the electrode of the electric charge part.

A plurality of coupling parts coupled to the main body may be disposed on the base.

The filter device may include at least one conductive member for collecting the discharged dust particles.

The at least one conductive member may contact a dielectric.

The air conditioning apparatus may further include a power source supply part connected to the conductive member, wherein the power source supply part may supply a voltage having a first frequency while the air conditioning apparatus operates, and when it is determined that the filter device needs to be cleaned, the power source supply part applies a voltage having a second frequency that is higher than the first frequency into the at least one conductive member.

The fan may be stopped while the power source supply part applies the voltage having the second frequency that is higher than the first frequency into the at least one conductive member.

When it is determined that the filter device needs to be cleaned in a state where the fan rotates while the air conditioning apparatus operates, the power supply part may apply the voltage having the second frequency that is higher than the first frequency into the at least one conductive member, and the fan is reduced in rotation rate.

According to the embodiments, since the electric charge part is disposed outside the main body, the amount of the charged dust may be maximized to maximize the air conditioning performance.

Also, since the dust particles are separated from the filter by the dielectric barrier discharge to collect the dust particles into the dust storage part without separating the filter from the main body to clean the filter by a user, the user convenience may be improved.

Also, since the dust particles separated from the filter are stored in the dust storage part, the discharge of the dust particles to the outside of the main body may be minimized.

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced.

Also, in the description of embodiments, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b) or the like may be used herein when describing components of the present invention. It should be noted that if it is described in the specification that one component is "connected," "coupled" or "joined" to another component, the former may be directly "connected," "coupled," and "joined" to the latter or "connected", "coupled", and "joined" to the latter via another component.

The air conditioning apparatus in the present disclosure may be comprehensive apparatuses including an air conditioner as a cooling device for cooling an indoor space, a heat pump for heating the indoor space, and an air cleaner for cleaning indoor air. Thus, the air conditioning apparatus in the present disclosure may include any products as long as the apparatuses change a state of flowing air.

<FIG> is a schematic view of an air conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment.

The air conditioning apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment may include an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit is illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the air conditioning apparatus <NUM> includes a main body <NUM> in which a plurality of components is accommodated therein.

The main body <NUM> may include a front frame <NUM> defining an outer appearance of the main body <NUM> and a rear frame <NUM>. In a state where the front frame <NUM> and the rear frame <NUM> are coupled to each other, a space in which various components such as an indoor heat exchanger <NUM> and a fan <NUM> that will be described later are disposed may be defined between the front frame <NUM> and the rear frame <NUM>.

In the current embodiment, the frame defining the outer appearance of the main body <NUM> is not limited to a shape and number thereof.

The main body <NUM> may further include a front panel <NUM> disposed on a front surface of the front frame <NUM> to defining a front outer appearance of the main body <NUM>. Here, the front panel <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the front frame <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> further includes a suction grill 16A defining a suction part <NUM> through which indoor air is suctioned and a discharge part <NUM> through which the suctioned indoor air is discharged into an indoor space.

The suction grill 16A may be defined in an upper portion of the main body <NUM>, substantially, in an upper portion of the front frame <NUM>. The discharge part <NUM> may be defined in front and bottom surfaces of the main body <NUM>. However, in the current disclosure, each of the suction part <NUM> and the discharge part <NUM> is not limited to a position thereof.

The main body <NUM> further includes a filter device <NUM> for filtering the air suctioned through the suction part <NUM>, the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> in which the indoor air is heat exchanged with a refrigerant, a fan <NUM> for forcibly flowing the indoor air, and an electric charge device <NUM> for charging dust in the air.

Also, the main body <NUM> further includes a discharge grill part <NUM> for guiding discharge of the indoor air that is heat exchanged with the refrigerant.

A portion of or whole indoor heat exchanger <NUM> may be inclinedly disposed in the main body <NUM>. The indoor heat exchanger <NUM> may have a structure in which a plurality of heat exchanger are connected to each other, or a single heat exchanger is bent several times.

The filter device <NUM> is disposed between the suction part <NUM> and the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> to collect dust, thereby removing dust in the air. For example, not according to the invention the filter device <NUM> may be disposed in the indoor heat exchanger <NUM>. Alternatively, not according to the invention the filter device <NUM> may be disposed on one surface of the front frame <NUM> in which the suction part <NUM> is defined inside the main body <NUM>.

For example, although the filter device <NUM> is coupled to the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> or the front frame <NUM>, for example, in a hook manner, in the present disclosure, the coupling structure of the filter device <NUM> is not limited.

The discharge grill part <NUM> supports the indoor heat exchanger <NUM>. Not according to the invention, a dust storage part <NUM> for collecting dust particles removed from the filter device <NUM> may be coupled to the discharge grill part <NUM>. Alternatively, not according to the invention the discharge grill part <NUM> may define the dust storage part <NUM>. The dust storage part <NUM> is coupled to the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> at an upstream side or downstream side of the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> with respect to a flow of the air. For example, the dust storage part <NUM> may be coupled to the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> by a hook.

The dust storage part <NUM> may be disposed at a lower side of the filter device <NUM> so as to collect the dust removed from the filter device <NUM> therein. Although it will be described later, the dust in the air may be collected in the filter device <NUM>, and the dust collected in the filter device <NUM> may be separated from the filter device <NUM>. Also, the dust separated from the filter device <NUM> may be stored in the dust storage part <NUM>.

As another example, not according to the invention the dust storage part <NUM> may be coupled to a lower portion of the filter device <NUM>, or a portion of the filter device <NUM> may define the dust storage part <NUM>.

The electric charge device <NUM> may charge the dust in the air so that an amount of dust collected in the filter device <NUM> increases. The electric charge device <NUM> is connected and may be separably connected to the suction grill 16A at the outside of the main body <NUM>.

Since the indoor air is suctioned into the main body <NUM> through the suction part <NUM> defined in the suction grill 16A, when the electric charge device <NUM> is disposed outside the main body <NUM>, the amount of the charged dust in the air may be maximized.

Also, since the electric charge device <NUM> is disposed outside the main body <NUM>, a space occupancy in the main body <NUM> may increase, and thus the electric charge device <NUM> may be changed in position depending on an installation position of the main body <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the filter device <NUM> will be described in detail.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of a filter device according to an embodiment, and <FIG> is a schematic view of a filter according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the filter device <NUM> may include a filter <NUM> and a filter housing <NUM> for supporting the filter <NUM>.

The filter <NUM> may include a plurality of arrays <NUM> spaced apart from each other. Since the plurality of arrays <NUM> are spaced apart from each other, the air may pass through between the plurality of arrays <NUM>.

Each of the plurality of arrays <NUM> may include a conductive member <NUM> and a dielectric layer <NUM> in which a dielectric material is applied on an outer surface of the conductive member <NUM>.

The conductive member <NUM> may include carbon, carbon nanotube, or conductive polymer. For example, the conductive polymer may include poly(<NUM>,<NUM>-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) or polypyrrole.

A 2n-th array of the plurality of arrays <NUM> may be connected to a power source supply part <NUM>, and a 2n+<NUM>-th array of the plurality of arrays <NUM> may be grounded.

The power source supply part <NUM> may supply an alternating current (AC) voltage or a direct current (DC) voltage. When the AC or DC voltage is supplied from the power source supply part <NUM> to the filter <NUM>, plasma discharge may occur between the plurality of arrays <NUM>. Then, the dust particles flowing between the plurality of arrays <NUM> may be attached to the dielectric layer <NUM> of each of the plurality of arrays <NUM>, thereby cleaning the air. That is, the air may be cleaned by dielectric barrier discharge.

Both ends of the conductive member <NUM> of each of the plurality of arrays <NUM> are exposed to the outside. Support frames <NUM> and <NUM> are coupled to both sides of the array <NUM>. Also, the both ends of the conductive member <NUM> may mass through the support frames <NUM> and <NUM>.

The filter housing <NUM> includes an accommodation part <NUM> for accommodating the filter <NUM>. Also, the filter housing <NUM> includes air hole <NUM> and <NUM> for allowing the air to pass through the filter housing <NUM>.

A first conductive plate <NUM> for contacting the conductive member <NUM> of the 2n-th array of the filter <NUM> and a second conductive plate <NUM> for contacting the conductive member <NUM> of the 2n+<NUM>-th array of the filter <NUM> may be disposed in the filter housing <NUM>. Also, the first conductive plate <NUM> is grounded, and the second conductive plate <NUM> is connected to the power source supply part <NUM>.

The power source supply part <NUM> may apply a low frequency voltage or a high frequency voltage into the filter <NUM>. That is, in the current embodiment, the frequency of the voltage applied into the filter <NUM> may be changed.

The power source supply part <NUM> may apply the high frequency voltage into the filter <NUM> when it is determined that the filter <NUM> needs to be cleaned while applying the low frequency voltage into the filter <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the electric charge device <NUM> will be described in detail.

<FIG> are perspective views of an electric charge device according to an embodiment, and <FIG> is a view illustrating a state where a cover constituting the electric charge device is separated according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the electric charge device <NUM> may include a base <NUM> coupled to the suction grill 16A, a cover <NUM> coupled to the base <NUM>, and one or more electric charge parts <NUM> disposed between the base <NUM> and the cover <NUM>.

The electric charge device <NUM> may further include a voltage applying part <NUM> disposed between the base <NUM> and the cover <NUM> and connected to the electric charge part <NUM> to apply a voltage into the electric charge part <NUM>.

The voltage applying part <NUM> may be seated on the base <NUM>. A seating guide <NUM> for guiding a seated position of the voltage applying part <NUM> may be disposed on the base <NUM>. A movement of the voltage applying part <NUM> may be prevented in a state where the voltage applying part <NUM> is seated on the seating guide <NUM>. As another example, the seating guide <NUM> may be disposed on the cover <NUM>.

The plurality of electric charge parts <NUM> may be connected to the voltage applying part <NUM> so as to increase the amount of the charged dust. Each of the electric charge parts <NUM> may include one or a plurality of carbon fiber electrodes 613A (hereinafter, referred to as an "electrode"). Although not limited, the carbon fiber electrode may have a diameter in a range of about <NUM> µm to about <NUM> µm.

The plurality of electric charge parts <NUM> may be connected to the voltage applying part <NUM> in a state where the plurality of electric charge parts <NUM> are horizontally spaced apart from each other. Also, a position fixing part for fixing positions of the plurality of electric charge parts <NUM> that are spaced apart from each other may be disposed on the base <NUM>. The position fixing part may include a first rib <NUM> and a second rib <NUM> which are spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other. The first and second ribs <NUM> and <NUM> may protrude from the base <NUM>. Here, each of the electric charge parts <NUM> may be disposed between the first rib <NUM> and the second rib <NUM>. The state in which the plurality of electric charge parts <NUM> are spaced apart from each other may be maintained by the position fixing part. As another example, the position fixing part may be disposed on the cover.

The base <NUM> includes a sidewall 610A. An exposure art <NUM> for allowing the one or more electrodes 613A of each of the electric charge parts <NUM> to contact the air or dust is defined in the sidewall 610A. The exposing part <NUM> may be a groove, a hole, or a cutoff portion.

Also, a wire through-hole <NUM> through which a wire <NUM> connected to the voltage applying part <NUM> passes may be defined in the base <NUM>.

A plurality of coupling parts 619A and 619B for fixing the base <NUM> to the suction grill 16A may be disposed on the base <NUM>. Although, for example the plurality of coupling parts 619A and 619B may be a hook, it is not limited thereto.

An exposing part <NUM> for allowing the one or more electrodes 613A of the electric charge part <NUM> to contact the air or dust may be also defined in the cover <NUM>. Of course, the exposing part may be defined in any one of the base and the cover.

Although the cover <NUM> is coupled to the base <NUM> by using the hook or a screw, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the present disclosure is not limited to the coupling method between the cover <NUM> and the base <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling the air conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the air conditioning apparatus <NUM> is turned on to operate. Then, the fan <NUM> rotates to allow the indoor air to be suctioned into the main body <NUM> through the suction part <NUM>. In operation S2, the low frequency DC voltage or AC voltage is supplied into the filter <NUM>. Also, in operation S3, the electric charge device <NUM> operates.

When the electric charge device <NUM> operates, a high voltage is applied from the voltage applying part <NUM> into the electric part <NUM>. Then, ions may be generated from an end of the electrode 613A of the electric charge part <NUM> to charge the dust contained in the air.

Here, as described above, since the electric charge device <NUM> is disposed outside the suction grill 16A, the amount of dust contacting the electric charge part <NUM> increases to increase an amount of the electrically charged dust particles.

The air suctioned through the suction part <NUM> passes through the filter device <NUM> before the air is heat exchanged with the indoor heat exchanger <NUM>. In detail, the air passes through the air hole <NUM> of the filter housing <NUM> to pass between the plurality of arrays <NUM> constituting the filter. The plasma discharge occurs between the plurality of arrays <NUM>. Also, the dust particles that are charged while the air passes through the plurality of arrays <NUM> may be attached onto the dielectric layer <NUM> of the array <NUM> to clean the air.

Also, the air passing through the filter <NUM> is heat exchanged with the indoor heat exchanger <NUM> and is discharged to the outside of the main body <NUM> through the discharge part <NUM>.

In operation S4, a control unit (not shown) determines whether a cleaning condition of the filter <NUM> is satisfied while the air conditioning apparatus <NUM> operates.

In the current embodiment, the case in which the cleaning condition of the filter is satisfied may be a case in which the turn-on time of the air conditioning apparatus <NUM> reaches a reference time, a case in which the operation number of air conditioning apparatus <NUM> reaches a reference number, a case in which a pressure difference between the upstream side and the downstream side of the filter device <NUM> with respect to the flow direction of the air reaches a reference pressure, or a case in which a load of a motor for rotating the fan <NUM> reaches a reference load. For example, the pressure difference between the upstream side and the downstream side of the filter device <NUM> may be determined by pressure sensors (not shown) disposed at a suction part-side and a discharge part-side.

Here, the reference time or the reference number is variable. For example, since the amount of dust particles attached onto the filter <NUM> is large in dusty regions or countries, a cleaning cycle of the filter has to be shortened, and thus the reference time or reference number may be set to be short.

When the amount of dust particles attached onto the filter <NUM> increases, the dust particles act as flow resistance against the air. Here, as the amount of dust particles increases, the pressure difference between the upstream side and the downstream side of the filter device <NUM> gradually increases. Thus, when the pressure difference between the upstream side and the downstream side of the filter device <NUM> reaches a reference pressure, it may be determined that the cleaning condition of the filter <NUM> may be satisfied.

In operation S5, when the cleaning condition of the filter <NUM> is satisfied, the power source supply part <NUM> applies the high frequency voltage into the filter <NUM>.

Although not limited, in the current embodiment, the low frequency voltage may be a voltage having a frequency of about <NUM> or less (a first frequency), and the high frequency voltage may be a voltage having a frequency of about <NUM> or more (a second frequency).

When the high frequency voltage is applied into the filter <NUM>, organic particles of the particles attached on the array <NUM> are burned, and inorganic particles are separated from the array <NUM> to allow the array <NUM> to perform self-cleaning.

The inorganic particles separated from the array <NUM> may fall into the dust storage part <NUM>. Here, the fan <NUM> may be stopped while the filter <NUM> is cleaned, i.e., while the high frequency voltage is applied into the filter <NUM> so as to minimize a phenomenon in which the dust particles separated from the filter <NUM> are discharged from the main body <NUM> while the filter <NUM> is cleaned. However, when the fan <NUM> is stopped, information for notifying that the filter is under cleaning may be displayed on a display part (not shown).

Alternatively, while the filter <NUM> is cleaned, a rotation rate of the fan <NUM> may be reduced to the minimum reference rotation rate to allow the dust particles separated from the filter <NUM> to fall into the dust storage part <NUM>. That is, in the present disclosure, a current rotation rate of the fan <NUM> may be reduced while the filter <NUM> is cleaned (fan stop included).

Also, in operation S6, the control unit determines whether the filter <NUM> is completely cleaned. For example, in the current embodiment, whether the cleaning of the filter <NUM> is completed may be determined according to whether a cleaning time of the filter (a time for which the high frequency voltage is applied into the filter) reaches a completion determination time.

If, when it is determined that the filter <NUM> is completely cleaned, the power source supply part may apply the low frequency voltage into the filter <NUM> again (returned to the operation S2).

<FIG> is a schematic view of an air conditioning apparatus according to another embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, in the current embodiment, although the electric charge device <NUM> is disposed outside the suction grill 16A, the voltage applying part 630A may be disposed outside the electric charge device <NUM>. For example, the voltage applying part 630A may be disposed in the main body <NUM>.

In the current embodiment, since the voltage applying part 630A is disposed outside the electric charge device <NUM>, a degree of installation freedom of the electric charge device <NUM> may be improved.

Although the filter device cleans the air by the plasma discharge in the above embodiment, it is not limited thereto. For example, the filter device may include a dust collection plate connected to the ground electrode to collect the charge dust particles. However, in this case, the filter device may be cleaned manually by the user.

Although the filter is cleaned while the air conditioning apparatus operates in the above embodiment, it is not limited thereto. For example, when it is determined that the cleaning condition of the filter is satisfied while the air conditioning apparatus operates, the filter may be automatically cleaned after the operation of the air conditioning apparatus is completed.

Alternatively, when it is determined that the cleaning condition of the filter is satisfied while the air conditioning apparatus operates, the information for notifying that the filter needs to be cleaned is displayed on the display part after the operation of the air conditioning apparatus is completed. For example, when the user inputs a filter cleaning command by using a filter cleaning button, the filter cleaning may be performed.

Alternatively, it is determined whether the cleaning condition of the filter is satisfied after the operation of the air conditioning apparatus is completed, and then the filter may be automatically cleaned when the cleaning condition of the filter is satisfied.

Claim 1:
Air conditioning apparatus comprising:
a main body (<NUM>) comprising a suction part (<NUM>) through which air is suctioned and a discharge part (<NUM>) through which the air suctioned through the suction part (<NUM>) is discharged;
a fan (<NUM>) disposed in the main body (<NUM>) to allow the air to flow;
an indoor heat exchanger (<NUM>) disposed in the main body (<NUM>) in which the air suctioned through the suction part (<NUM>) is heat exchanged with a refrigerant;
an electric charge device (<NUM>) coupled to a suction grill (16A) defining the suction part (<NUM>) outside the main body (<NUM>) to charge dust in the air;
a filter device (<NUM>) disposed between the suction part (<NUM>) and the indoor heat exchanger (<NUM>) in the main body (<NUM>) to collect the charged dust particles;
a discharge grill part (<NUM>) for guiding discharge of the air that is heat exchanged with the refrigerant and supporting the indoor heat exchanger (<NUM>); and
a dust storage part (<NUM>) for collecting dust particles removed from the filter device (<NUM>),
characterized in that the filter device (<NUM>) and the dust storage part (<NUM>) are coupled to the indoor heat exchanger (<NUM>).