Apparatus for redirecting wind and air conditioner having the same

Abstract

An air conditioner, especially to an apparatus for redirecting wind in an indoor unit of the air conditioner is disclosed. A scroll guide provided so as to form an air duct at the circumference of a centrifugal fan for sucking and discharging the interior air so that the interior air can pass through a heat exchanger is installed in a rotation controllable state. Wind direction patterns can be regulated in various states by rotating the scroll guide by a predetermined angle and converting the setting position of an air discharge opening according to the operation mode. The degree of freedom relative to wind redirection of the discharge air can be improved by a variable air duct and the product efficiency and the reliability can be improved through improvement of the wind amount efficiency and reduction of noise.

1 . An apparatus for redirecting wind in an air conditioner, the apparatus comprising: 
 a fan motor unit for sucking and discharging exterior air so that the exterior air can be heat-exchanged by a heat exchanger embedded in a cabinet;    an air duct installed in the cabinet so as to form an air passage at the circumference of the fan motor unit, for guiding the air discharge direction; and    a drive unit for varying the position of a discharge opening of the air duct.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the fan motor unit comprises: 
 a centrifugal fan installed so as to face the heat exchanger; and    a drive motor for driving and rotating the centrifugal fan.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of fan motor units are installed so as to face the heat exchanger and to be parallel to each other.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the air duct comprises: 
 a plurality of passage guides disposed on the inner side of the cabinet so as to form a plurality of discharge openings; and    a scroll guide installed around the fan motor unit so as to form an air discharge passage by cooperating with the plurality of passage guides.    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the scroll guide has a plurality of air discharge openings.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive unit comprises: 
 a drive motor installed so as to be supported by the cabinet;    a drive gear installed at an output shaft of the drive motor;    a driven gear installed at the outer periphery of the air duct so as to be engaged with the drive gear; and    a guide section installed in the cabinet so as to support the air duct in a movable state.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein an annular rack gear is disposed along the outer peripheral surface of the air duct in the driven gear.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive unit comprises: 
 a drive motor installed so as to be supported by the cabinet;    a drive gear provided at an output shaft end of the drive motor;    a sprocket installed in the air duct;    a chain installed so as to travel on an endless track and connecting the drive gear and the sprocket; and    a guide section installed in the cabinet so as to support the air duct in a movable state.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the guide section comprises: 
 a guide rib protruding from the circumference of the body of the air duct; and    a support bar installed so as to protrude from the cabinet and making contact with the inner side of the guide rib to support the air duct.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the guide section comprises: 
 a support bar installed so as to be supported by the cabinet;    a guide rail provided in the body of the air duct; and    a roller member provided at the tip end of the support bar so as to be mutually engaged with the guide rail to be moved.    
   
   
       11 . An air conditioner comprising: 
 a cabinet having an air suction opening and a discharge opening;    a heat exchanger embedded in the cabinet;    a fan motor unit installed so as to face the heat exchanger, for sucking and discharging exterior air;    an air duct installed in the cabinet so as to form an air passage at the circumference of the fan motor unit, for guiding the air discharge direction; and    a drive unit for varying the position of a discharge opening of the air duct.    
   
   
       12 . The air conditioner according to  claim 11 , wherein the fan motor unit comprises: 
 a centrifugal fan installed so as to face the heat exchanger; and    a drive motor for driving and rotating the centrifugal fan.    
   
   
       13 . The air conditioner according to  claim 11 , wherein a plurality of fan motor units are installed so as to face the heat exchanger and to be parallel to each other.  
   
   
       14 . The air conditioner according to  claim 11 , wherein the air duct comprises: 
 a plurality of passage guides disposed on the inner side of the cabinet so as to form a plurality of discharge openings; and    a scroll guide installed around the fan motor unit so as to form an air discharge passage by cooperating with the plurality of passage guides and having an air discharge opening having an opened side.    
   
   
       15 . The air conditioner according to  claim 14 , wherein the scroll guide has a plurality of air discharge openings.  
   
   
       16 . The air conditioner according to  claim 11 , wherein the drive unit comprises: 
 a drive motor installed so as to be supported by the cabinet;    a drive gear installed at an output shaft of the drive motor;    a driven gear installed at the outer periphery of the air duct so as to be engaged with the drive gear; and    a guide section installed in the cabinet so as to support the air duct in a movable state.    
   
   
       17 . The air conditioner according to  claim 11 , wherein an annular rack gear is disposed along the outer peripheral surface of the air duct in the driven gear.  
   
   
       18 . The air conditioner according to  claim 11 , wherein the drive unit comprises: 
 a drive motor installed so as to be supported by the cabinet;    a drive gear provided at an output shaft end of the drive motor;    a sprocket installed in the air duct;    a chain installed so as to travel on an endless track and connecting the drive gear and the sprocket; and    a guide section installed in the cabinet so as to support the air duct in a movable state.    
   
   
       19 . air conditioner according to  claim 16 , wherein the guide section comprises: 
 a guide rib protruding from the circumference of the body of the air duct; and    a support bar installed so as to protrude from the cabinet and making contact with the inner side of the guide rib to support the air duct.    
   
   
       20 . apparatus for redirecting wind according to  claim 16 , wherein the guide section comprises: 
 a support bar installed so as to be supported by the cabinet;    a guide rail provided in the body of the air duct; and    a roller member provided at the tip end of the support bar so as to be mutually engaged with the guide rail to be moved.