AIR CONDITIONER AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM

• US 20110005261A1
• Filed: 07/02/2008
• Published: 01/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Park, Jongho, Kim, Younghoon, Lee, Sunghwa, Sung, Bongjo
• Granted Patent: US 8,813,517 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/331
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/22 Ionisation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4608 using electrical discharges
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/46109 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46138 Electrodes comprising a substrate and a coating
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/42 Liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2006/006 with water treatment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7313 Control of outflow from tank

Abstract

Provided are an air conditioner with a humidifier and an air conditioning system. The humidifier is modularized within the air conditioner, enabling humidifying to be performed together with air conditioning. Moreover, by providing the humidifier as a module, indoor space utilization efficiency is improved, and a multi-function, low-cost air conditioner can be manufactured. Furthermore, the humidifier can be linked in operation to the air conditioner, allowing air discharged from the air conditioner to be distributed evenly across an indoor space.

Claims

1. An air conditioner comprising:

a main body comprising an air inlet and an air outlet;

a heat exchanger within the main body;

a drain pan receiving a lower end of the heat exchanger to collect condensate that forms on a surface of the heat exchanger;

a fan assembly within the main body, for suctioning indoor air; and

a humidifying module within the main body, and comprising a discharge cell that ionizes water through in-water discharging.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the discharge cell is mounted to one side surface of the drain pan.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the humidifying module comprises:

a water tank supplying water to the drain pan; and

a humidifying device formed of a ceramic material and partly immersed in water collected in the drain pan.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the water tank is detachably provided on a cover member pivotably mounted to a side of the main body.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the water tank comprises an intermediate member at one end thereof for supplying water, or the water tank is directly connected to a tap water pipe.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the drain pan comprises a water level sensor mounted at one side thereof, and a quantity of water supplied from the water tank is controlled according to a water level sensed by the water level sensor.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the discharge cell is configured with mutually opposed surfaces on which a high voltage electrode portion and a ground electrode portion are provided, respectively.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the humidifying module comprises:

a water pan within the main body, for collecting water within and having the discharge cell mounted to one side thereof;

a humidifying device formed of a ceramic material and partly immersed in water collected in the water pan;

a water tank supplying water to the water pan; and

a water level sensor provided on at least one of the water tank and the water pan.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the humidifying device is disposed in a passage for air discharged from the fan assembly.

10. An air conditioning system comprising:

an air conditioner comprising a fan assembly for suctioning and discharging indoor air, and a heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between air suctioned by the fan assembly and refrigerant, the air conditioner performing indoor cooling or heating; and

a humidifier comprising a discharge cell for ionizing water through in-water discharging, a humidifying device for absorbing ionized water, and a fan assembly for suctioning and discharging air to evaporate water absorbed by the humidifying device, wherein the humidifier operates independently or in connection with the air conditioner, according to input operating conditions or an operating state of the air conditioner.

11. The air conditioning system according to claim 10, further comprising a remote control for wirelessly controlling operation of one or both of the air conditioner and the humidifier.

12. The air conditioning system according to claim 11, wherein the humidifier, the air conditioner, and the remote control are capable of mutual wireless transmission/reception.

13. The air conditioning system according to claim 10, wherein the discharge cell is constituted of a high voltage electrode portion integrated in one body with a ground electrode portion.

14. The air conditioning system according to claim 13, wherein the high voltage electrode portion comprises one or a plurality of insulation layers on a surface thereof, for preventing direct contact with water.

15. The air conditioning system according to claim 10, wherein the humidifying device is formed of a ceramic material.

16. The air conditioning system according to claim 10, wherein operating conditions or an operating state of the humidifier is varied according to one or more determining factors that comprise indoor temperature, indoor humidity, and operating conditions or an operating state of the air conditioner.

17. The air conditioning system according to claim 10, wherein the humidifier is provided at a position opposite to the air conditioner.

18. The air conditioning system according to claim 10, wherein the humidifier and the air conditioner respectively comprise a controller and an input unit for inputting operating conditions, and operation of one of the humidifier and the air conditioner is controllable through an input entered through the other of the humidifier and the air conditioner.