IP Library Granted Patent US 8,424,325
Granted Patent B2
US 8,424,325 · App. 12/640,817 · Granted Apr 23, 2013

Air conditioner

Inventors: In Ho Choi (Seoul, KR); Jong Chan Park (Seoul, KR); Han Lim Choi (Seoul, KR); Dong Whan Choi (Seoul, KR); Nam Sik Yim (Seoul, KR)
Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,424,325
App. No.
12/640,817
Granted
Apr 23, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed is an air conditioner includes a cabinet that is configured to mount on an indoor ceiling. The air conditioner also include a front panel that is coupled to the cabinet and having an air inlet and outlet. The air conditioner further include a suction panel that is coupled to the front panel and configured to move between an open positione in which air is able to circulate through the air conditioner and a closed position in which air is blocked from circulating through the air conditioner. The air conditioner further include a sensor unit that is mounted on the suction panel, that is configured to move together with the suction panel and that is configured to detect a position of a person in the indoor place. In addition, the air conditioner also include a controller adjusting a direction of air flow from the outlet based on the deteded position of the person.

Claims (28)

1. An air conditioner comprising:

a cabinet configured to mount on an indoor ceiling;

a front panel coupled to the cabinet and having an air inlet and outlet;

a suction panel coupled to the front panel and configured to move between an open position in which air is able to circulate through the air conditioner and a closed position in which air is blocked from circulating through the air conditioner;

a sensor unit that is mounted on the suction panel, that is configured to move together with the suction panel and that is configured to detect a position of a person in the indoor place; and

a controller configured to adjust a direction of air flow from the outlet based on the detected position of the person.

2. The air conditioner of claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit is mounted on an edge part of the suction panel.

3. The air conditioner of claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit is mounted on a central part of the suction panel.

4. The air conditioner of claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit comprises:

a sensing element configured to rotate forward or reversely in response to a driving signal generated by a driving motor; and

a sensor cover configured to cover the sensing element.

5. The air conditioner of claim 4 , wherein the sensor cover is defined in a cylindrical shape or its bottom part has a convexly curved shape.

6. The air conditioner of claim 4 , wherein the sensor cover is defined as an opaque body or material.

7. The air conditioner of claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit further detects movement of the person in the indoor.

8. The air conditioner of claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit further detects heat radiated from the person and generates a control signal to control a temperature of air output by the air conditioner based on comparing the detected the radiant heat with a reference value.

9. The air conditioner of claim 1 , wherein an amount of rotation of a discharge vane is adjusted by the controller.

10. An air conditioner comprising:

a cabinet configured to mount on an indoor ceiling;

a front panel coupled to the cabinet;

a suction panel coupled to the front panel and configured to move between an open position in which air is able to circulate through the air conditioner and a closed position in which air is blocked from circulating through the air conditioner;

a sensor unit mounted on the suction panel configured to move together with the suction panel, configured to detect a position of a person and configured to start the detection in connection with movement of the suction panel during an initial stage of the air conditioner; and

a controller configured to adjust a direction of air flow from the outlet based on the detected position of the person.

11. The air conditioner of claim 10 , wherein the sensor unit comprises:

a sensing element configured to rotate forward or reversely in response to a driving signal generated by a driving motor; and

a sensor cover configured to cover the sensing element.

12. The air conditioner of claim 11 , wherein the sensor cover is defined in a cylindrical shape or its bottom part has a convexly curved shape.

13. The air conditioner of claim 11 , wherein the sensor cover is defined as an opaque body or material.

14. The air conditioner of claim 10 , wherein the sensor unit is configured to start the detection after the movement of the suction panel is completed.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 18, 2009
From: CHOI, IN HO; PARK, JONG CHAN; CHOI, HAN LIM; CHOI, DONG WHAN; YIM, NAM SIK
To: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
Reel/Frame 023673/0574 →
Priority Claims (1)
KR 10-2009-0001983 · Jan 9, 2009 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100175399A1 · Jul 15, 2010