AU2018244971A1

AU2018244971A1 - An air conditioning unit

Info

Publication number: AU2018244971A1
Application number: AU2018244971A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Shihong Bei; Jianguo ZHU
Original assignee: Zhang Yiyan
Current assignee: Zhang Yiyan
Priority date: 2017-03-27
Filing date: 2018-03-27
Publication date: 2019-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 2038-03-27
Also published as: AU2018244971B2; WO2018178854A1; CN109477658B; CN109477658A

Abstract

An air conditioning unit, including: a first chamber (2); a fan (1), in the first chamber (2), for effecting an entry air entering the air conditioning unit and an exit air exiting the air conditioning unit; a second chamber (4), and an evaporative unit (10), in the second chamber (4), for conditioning the entry air; wherein the fan (1) draws air, in a substantially vertical direction relative to ground, into the first chamber (2) and ejects air, in a substantially horizontal direction relative to ground, into the second chamber (4), without ejecting air directly to the evaporative unit (10), to create a pressure zone in the second chamber (4) such that air moves through the evaporative unit (10) substantially through a pressure effect.

Description

AN AIR CONDITIONING UNIT

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a ceiling air conditioning unit, which can be installed in a building or on a vehicle.

BACKGROUND [0002] It is common to include an air conditioning unit in a vehicle, such as a car, van, ute, truck, bus, motorhomes (RV), caravan, boat etc. The aim is to provide a cooling effect or heating effect when desired. An air conditioning unit normally includes a compressor, a condenser, a fan for the condenser, an evaporator, and a fan for the evaporator. The scientific principle of the working of an air conditioning unit is well known. For a ceiling air conditioning unit, part or the entire unit is mounted on top of a ceiling of a vehicle. Such a ceiling air conditioning unit can be used inside of a building. Sometimes it is also known as a cassette air conditioner.

[0003] The noise generated by such a unit or system is often at an unsatisfactory level, thus affecting or disturbing a person within a vehicle or a room. Embodiments disclosed herewith offers alternatives to those existing ceiling air conditioning units.

SUMMARY [0004] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an air conditioning unit, including: a first chamber; a fan, in the first chamber, for effecting an entry air entering the air conditioning unit and an exit air exiting the air conditioning unit; a second chamber; and an evaporative unit, in the second chamber, for conditioning the entry air; wherein the fan draws air, in a substantially vertical direction relative to the ground, into the first chamber and ejects air, in a substantially horizontal direction relative to the ground, into the second chamber, without ejecting air directly to the evaporative unit, to create a pressure zone in the second chamber such that air moves through the evaporative unit substantially through a pressure effect.

[0005] In one form, the air conditioning unit includes a centrifugal fan, wherein a centrifugal fan wheel of the centrifugal fan forms the fan and a housing of the centrifugal fan forms the first chamber.

[0006] In one form, the fan is an axial fan, and wherein the axial fan and the first chamber are configured to draw air, in a substantially vertical direction relative to the ground, into the first chamber and to eject air, in a substantially horizontal direction relative to the ground, into the second chamber.

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PCT/IB2018/052061 [0007] In one form, impellers of the centrifugal fan are forward-facing, forward-curved, backwardfacing, backward-curved, or straight radial.

[0008] In one form, after being ejected from the fan, the air is guided through a curve comer before moving through the evaporative unit through pressure effect.

[0009] In one form, the evaporative unit in the second chamber surrounds the first chamber; and wherein the fan ejects air from the first chamber into the second chamber through an aperture towards a wall and the ejected air surrounds and moves through the evaporative unit through pressure effect.

[0010] In one form, the air conditioning unit further includes a structure to collect water condensed on the evaporative unit.

[0011] In one form, the air conditioning unit further includes one or more louvers to adjust the exit air.

[0012] In one form, the air conditioning unit is a cassette type air conditioning unit. In one form, the air conditioning unit is a ceiling air conditioning unit for a vehicle. In one form, a condenser connected to the evaporative unit is positioned within a single protective cover together with the second chamber.

[0013] In one form, the air conditioning unit further including one or more sensors to sense temperature or humidity, to adjust the operation of the air conditioning unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0014] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0015] Figure 1 depicts a top view of one embodiment of an air conditioning unit;

[0016] Figure 2 depicts a cross sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 1;

[0017] Figure 3 shows the top isometric view of an exemplary air conditioning unit installed on a roof or outside of a room;

[0018] Figure 4 shows the corresponding bottom isometric view of the air conditioning unit of Figure 3. This view presents the portion of the air conditioning unit below the roof (or inside of a room);

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PCT/IB2018/052061 [0019] Figure 5 shows the internal parts of the air conditioning unit, with the cover removed, including an evaporator and the compressor/condenser part, which further includes a condenser fan, a condenser and a compressor;

[0020] Figure 6 shows a cross sectional view of the air conditioning unit of Figure 5; and [0021] Figure 7 shows the air conditioning unit of Figure 5 with the evaporator fan cover removed.

[0022] While the figures only show one embodiment, the description includes many other embodiments. In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0023] Note that in this specification, unless stated otherwise, the orientation of an air conditioning unit is always with reference to the upright orientation when installed on a ceiling. The ceiling can be a room ceiling, or a ceiling of a vehicle. For example, Figure 2 shows an air conditioning unit installed on a ceiling at an upright position. In relation to relative direction, unless stated otherwise, vertical and horizontal are both in relation to a horizontal ground level.

[0024] With reference to Figure 1, there is provided an embodiment where the air conditioning unit as shown includes a first chamber 2 which includes space 5. Inside the first chamber 2, there is a centrifugal fan 1. The centrifugal fan 1 is positioned on top of an air input opening 3.

[0025] Sometimes the wall of the first chamber 2 and the centrifugal fan 1 are known collectively as a “centrifugal fan”. In such instances, centrifugal fan 1 may be known as centrifugal fan wheel and the chamber may be known as a housing or a shell of a centrifugal fan.

[0026] In this embodiment, the evaporative unit 10 is positioned in a second chamber 4, space of which includes space indicated by 7, 8 and 9. The fist chamber 2 and the second chamber 4 are arranged and adapted to allow air to flow from the first chamber 2 to the second chamber 4 through an opening 14 (which is the opening of the centrifugal fan 1 to eject air). The evaporative unit 10 is arranged and adapted with respect with the opening 14 such that the evaporative unit 10, or most of the evaporative unit 10, is not presented at the front of the opening 14.

[0027] As shown, the evaporative unit 10 consists of two separate but similar parts that surround the first chamber 2, and surrounded by the second chamber 4. In other embodiments, the evaporative unit 10 can be a single unit or it can include one or more independent evaporators (in the sense that each

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PCT/IB2018/052061 evaporator is powered separately). In one form, the evaporative unit is known as an evaporative coil, evaporator, or a heat exchange unit. The evaporative unit can also be U (or n) shape, V shape, two U shapes, two V shapes, or combination of more than one “1” shapes.

[0028] As indicated in Figure 1, there is no direct air from the opening 14 to the evaporative unit 10. Rather, there is provided a space 8 in front of opening 14. From the space 8, air is guided, for example through structure of the second chamber 4, to flow towards space 7 and space 9.

[0029] In operation, the centrifugal fan 1, when powered, draws air through the air input opening 3. The air will then be ejected from space 5 through opening 14 into space 8. In doing so, a high pressure zone is created in space 8. The high pressure zone in space 8 then forces the air to travel towards space 7 and space 9. Along the paths to space 7 and space 9, part of the air will travel through evaporative unit 10 through pressure effect, thus conditioned by evaporative unit 10.

[0030] The evaporative unit 10 can be in many forms. In one form, the evaporative unit includes many fins. When connected to a compressor, and in operation, the fins provide the function of cooling or heating air passing through the evaporative unit 10. If the centrifugal fan 1 is ejecting air directly at the evaporative unit 10, part of the air will be blown directly at certain obstacles, for example, sides of the fins. This will generate noise as the air is not moving smoothly through the fins. In this embodiment, as it is depicted in the figure, the centrifugal fan 1 does not eject air directly against the evaporative unit 10. Rather, the centrifugal fan 1 creates a high pressure zone in space 8 that forces air to flow towards space 7 and space 9, thus creating high pressure zone along the path towards space 7 and space 9. This high pressure causes some air to flow through the evaporative unit 10 along the path to space 7 and space 9. Further, in one form, the structure guiding the air flow can be designed such that the pressure zones in space 8, space 7 and space 9 are of substantially the same pressure so that air flowing through evaporative unit 10 substantially evenly. This may increase the efficiency of the unit.

[0031] Since the air is not blown or forced against evaporative unit 10 directly, noise generated by the moving air within the air conditioning unit can be reduced.

[0032] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 1. Figure 2 shows an exemplary way to mount or install the air conditioning unit on a ceiling 21. Ceiling 21 can be the ceiling of a vehicle or a room or a corridor or any ceiling within a building. When installed, part of the air conditioning unit is below the ceiling and part of the air conditioning unit is above the ceiling. The part of the air conditioning unit above the ceiling and the part of the air conditioning unit below are configured to allow air to flow from below to above, and conditioned air to flow from above to below. In this embodiment, there is a bottom face plate 33 (sometimes known as panel). Face plate 33 provides an input aperture 35 to allow the fan 1 to draw air from below (such as a room) in a substantially vertical direction 37 into the

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PCT/IB2018/052061 air conditioning unit, and one or more output apertures to allow conditioned air to return to below (such as a room) in direction 39, 41. The input aperture 35 can be a single aperture, multiple apertures, single slot, multiple slots etc. as long as it can function to allow the fan 1 to draw air from below. Similarly, the one or more output apertures can be a single aperture, multiple apertures, single slot, multiple slots, an opening surrounding the input aperture 35 etc. as long as it can function to allow conditioned air to return to below. There is an air tunnel 34, such as a pipe, which separates the input air from the output air. There are also one or more air tunnels directing air that has passed through the evaporative coil 10 to pass through apertures 1 la, 1 lb, 1 lc and 1 Id to exit the air conditioning unit through output apertures in direction 39, 41. Air directions 25 and 31 show air flowing towards evaporative unit 10 through a pressure effect.

[0033] When installed on a vehicle, an outer shell 23 is used to protect the first chamber and the second chamber. While strictly not required in an indoor building installation, outer shell 23 can be included as well. Outer shell 23 can also be a shell to protect any other components related to this air conditioning unit. For example, the outer shell 23 can also include within itself a compressor, a condenser unit (coil), and a fan for the condenser unit. Heat resistance material 27 can be inserted.

[0034] While not shown, louvers, filters and other common accessories can be attached to the faceplate 33, one or more input apertures and/or one or more output apertures. For example, louvers can be positioned at the one or more output apertures to direct the output air at a desired direction or a desired angle or a desired air volume. Louvers can be used to block part of the output aperture too.

[0035] While not shown, faceplate 33 can include one or more sensors and a remote receiver. The one or more sensors can be used to sense conditions within the room, such as temperature or humidity, to adjust the operation of the air conditioning unit. The remote receiver can be used to receive instructions from a remote control. The remote control can communicate with the remote receiver wirelessly through any known protocol deemed suitable such as infrared, WIFI, Bluetooth etc.

[0036] In summary, the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2:

a. Uses a centrifugal fan to generate a positive pressure zone (such as space 8) and a positive pressure path (such as paths towards space 7 and space 9). Air flows from these positive pressure spaces through the evaporative unit 10 along the positive pressure path. Because the air is forced through the evaporative unit through pressure effect (rather than through direct action from the fan), the air through the evaporative unit is more even and that air collision against the evaporative unit is reduced, thus reducing the noise generated.

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PCT/IB2018/052061

b. Exhibits difference in air pressure between the zone before the air enters the evaporative unit and the zone after the air exit the evaporative unit.

c. Includes an evaporative unit sitting on the base of the chamber. The base may be part of the chamber casing or part of the outer shell, or both. The base may include a structure to collect water (such as 40 of Figure 2), such as water condensed and dropped from evaporative unit, and a mechanism to release the collected water from the air conditioning unit when required.

d. Includes input aperture and output aperture to share a same opening on the ceiling (i.e. one single opening on the ceiling is sufficient). Examples of the opening on the ceiling are 360mm x 360mm, 400mm x400mm etc. The opening can be rectangular in shape, or other shapes deemed suitable.

[0037] In the embodiment of Figure 2, it can be seen that the tunnel directing the air from centrifugal fan 1 into the second chamber is horizontal. However, it is possible to make modification to the placement of the centrifugal fan 1 to be higher or lower than the present position. The tunnel can be curved or bent to suit as long as the air enters the second chamber in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0038] In one form, impellers of the centrifugal fan 1 are forward-facing, forward-curved, backwardfacing, backward-curved, or straight radial.

[0039] The following are performances of an air conditioning unit following embodiment of Figures and 2 as compared to a known product of similar size and type:

	Embodiment of Figure 1	A known product
Conditioned air volume (m³/h)	550	510
Noise (dB(A))	59	63

[0040] It can be seen that even with a higher conditioned air volume (better output), the noise generated is 4dB(A) lower. This is a significant improvement and is noticeable by human ears.

[0041] Figures 3 to 7 depict one embodiment of the present invention. In particular, Figure 3 shows the top isometric view of an air conditioning unit installed on a roof or outside of a room. As can be seen from Figure 3, the portion of the air conditioning unit on the roof (or outside of a room) includes an external part 49, which includes a top cover 51 and bottom cover 57. Top cover 51 is fitted to bottom cover 57. To assess the internal of the external part 49, top cover 51 can be removed. The

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PCT/IB2018/052061 external part 49 includes slots 53 to allow air to flow in through parts of the external part (for example, the compressor/condenser part as depicted in Figure 5 when the top cover 51 is removed). The external part 49 further includes a condenser air exit aperture 55 which allows air drawn from slots 53 to exit through condenser air exit aperture 55, once the air drawn from slots 53 has passed through condenser 67 (of Figure 5). Of course, the compressor/condenser part can take many other forms without affecting the functionality of the evaporator part of the air conditioning unit. The compressor/condenser part can also be a distance away as a separate entity but connected to the evaporative unit. The choice of the top cover and bottom cover can also take many other forms. In fact, in one form, the air conditioning unit can do without the bottom cover, with the top cover fastened directly to the roof.

[0042] Figure 4 is a corresponding bottom isometric view of the air conditioning unit of Figure 3. This view presents the portion of the air conditioning unit below the roof (or inside of a room). In this embodiment, the portion of the air conditioning unit below the roof includes an air inlet/outlet interface 61 (sometimes known as a faceplate or a panel), where the air inlet 63 is positioned in the middle of the air inlet/outlet interface 61. There are four air outlets (65a, 65b, 65c and 65d). The air inlet 63 allows air to enter the air conditioning unit for air conditioning purposes while the air outlets (65a to 65d) allow conditioned air to exit the air conditioning unit. Of course, the air inlet/outlet interface can take many other forms. For example, depending on the types of fans and the direction of air flows, the inlet and outlets can be swapped position. Also, there may be fewer or more inlet(s) and/or outlets(s). Further, the inlet(s) and outlet(s) may not form a single inlet/outlet interface (i.e. they are separated at a distance away).

[0043] Figure 5 depicts the air conditioning unit of Figure 3 but with the top cover 51 removed. Inside, the compressor/condenser part is indicated by 73, which includes condenser fan 71, condenser 67 and compressor 69. Note that what is shown is for illustrative purposes only and the compressor/condenser part can take many other forms. 77a and 77b are electronic boxes to control the functionality of the air conditioning unit and their forms and location can be varied. The evaporative coil (or evaporative unit or evaporator) and the evaporative fan (centrifugal) are inside the evaporative coil cover 75. The evaporative coil cover 75 functions as a chamber. As air is blown into the chamber through an opening, a pressure zone is created. The air pressure of the pressure zone causes air to move away from the pressure zone. The evaporative unit is positioned such that the moving air is forced through the evaporative unit through pressure effect without the air being blown from the opening directly to, or without drawing air directly from, the evaporative unit.

[0044] Figure 6 is with cross sectional view across certain parts of the evaporative coil cover 75. This depicts air coming out from the opening of the centrifugal fan (with all the evaporative coil cover

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PCT/IB2018/052061 intact). The air from the centrifugal fan is forced against the wall of the evaporative coil cover 75 immediate adjacent of the opening. This creates a high pressure zone which forces air to “turn” towards region of lower pressure. In this case, the air “turns” and moves towards and through the evaporative unit or evaporator or evaporative coil 83. Note that the evaporative coil cover 75, the evaporator 83 and the centrifugal fan are configured such that air entering the second chamber (the space between evaporative coil cover 75 and evaporator 83) can only exit through evaporator 83. The air moves towards, then through, the evaporative unit substantially through a pressure effect without the evaporative fan ejecting air directly to, or without drawing air directly from, the evaporative unit. The evaporator fan 79 in this embodiment is a centrifugal fan. However, the same principle can be used by having an axial fan with modifications.

[0045] Figure 7 depicts the air conditioning unit of Figures 5 and 6 with the evaporator fan cover 75 removed.

[0046] In another embodiment, there may be more than one opening for the air to enter the second chamber from the first chamber. For example, the fan in the first chamber can eject air into the second chamber through a plurality of openings. In such a case, the plurality of openings are configured such that air exiting them are not blown directly against the evaporator.

[0047] In this specification, a centrifugal fan is a mechanical device for moving air. Sometimes, a centrifugal fan is also known as a “blower” and “squirrel cage fan”. A centrifugal fan generally draws air in a first direction and ejects air radially in directions perpendicular to the first direction. Often, a centrifugal fan includes a centrifugal fan wheel positioned within a housing. The centrifugal fan wheel ejects the air radially and the housing directs the air in a desired direction through an opening.

[0048] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise” and “include” and variations such as “comprising” and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0049] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0050] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is

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PCT/IB2018/052061 capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. An air conditioning unit, including:

a first chamber;

a fan, in the first chamber, for effecting an entry air entering the air conditioning unit and an exit air exiting the air conditioning unit;

a second chamber; and an evaporative unit, in the second chamber, for conditioning the entry air;

wherein the fan draws air, in a substantially vertical direction relative to ground, into the first chamber and ejects air, in a substantially horizontal direction relative to ground, into the second chamber, without ejecting air directly to the evaporative unit, to create a pressure zone in the second chamber such that air moves through the evaporative unit substantially through a pressure effect.

2. The air conditioning unit of claim 1, wherein the air conditioning unit includes a centrifugal fan, wherein a centrifugal fan wheel of the centrifugal fan forms the fan and a housing of the centrifugal fan forms the first chamber.

3. The air conditioning unit of claim 1, wherein the fan is an axial fan, and wherein the axial fan and the first chamber are configured to draw air, in a substantially vertical direction relative to ground, into the first chamber and ejects air, in a substantially horizontal direction relative to ground, into the second chamber.

4. The air conditioning unit of claim 2, wherein impellers of the centrifugal fan are forward-facing, forward-curved, backward-facing, backward-curved, or straight radial.

5. The air conditioning unit of claim 1, wherein after being ejected from the fan, the air is guided through a curve comer before moving through the evaporative unit through pressure effect.

6. The air conditioning unit of claim 1, wherein the evaporative unit in the second chamber surrounds the first chamber; and wherein the fan ejects air from the first chamber into the second chamber through an aperture towards a wall and the ejected air surrounds and moves through the evaporative unit through pressure effect.

7. The air conditioning unit of claim 1, further including a structure to collect water condensed on the evaporative unit.

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8. The air conditioning unit of claim 1, further including one or more louvers to adjust the exit air.

9. The air conditioning unit of claim 1, wherein the air conditioning unit is a cassette type air conditioning unit.

10. The air conditioning unit of claim 1, wherein the air conditioning unit is a ceiling air conditioning unit for a vehicle.

11. The air conditioning unit of claim 1, wherein a condenser connected to the evaporative unit is positioned within a single protective cover together with the second chamber.

12. The air conditioning unit of claim 1, further including one or more sensors to sense temperature or humidity, to adjust the operation of the air conditioning unit.