EP1645811A2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents
Air conditioner Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1645811A2 EP1645811A2 EP05256194A EP05256194A EP1645811A2 EP 1645811 A2 EP1645811 A2 EP 1645811A2 EP 05256194 A EP05256194 A EP 05256194A EP 05256194 A EP05256194 A EP 05256194A EP 1645811 A2 EP1645811 A2 EP 1645811A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- air
- unit
- heat exchanger
- air conditioner
- outdoor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F3/00—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems
- F24F3/001—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems in which the air treatment in the central station takes place by means of a heat-pump or by means of a reversible cycle
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/06—Separate outdoor units, e.g. outdoor unit to be linked to a separate room comprising a compressor and a heat exchanger
- F24F1/26—Refrigerant piping
- F24F1/28—Refrigerant piping for connecting several separate outdoor units
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
- F24F1/00075—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units receiving air from a central station
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/06—Separate outdoor units, e.g. outdoor unit to be linked to a separate room comprising a compressor and a heat exchanger
- F24F1/26—Refrigerant piping
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/06—Separate outdoor units, e.g. outdoor unit to be linked to a separate room comprising a compressor and a heat exchanger
- F24F1/26—Refrigerant piping
- F24F1/32—Refrigerant piping for connecting the separate outdoor units to indoor units
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F3/00—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems
- F24F3/06—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the arrangements for the supply of heat-exchange fluid for the subsequent treatment of primary air in the room units
- F24F3/065—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the arrangements for the supply of heat-exchange fluid for the subsequent treatment of primary air in the room units with a plurality of evaporators or condensers
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F5/00—Air-conditioning systems or apparatus not covered by F24F1/00 or F24F3/00, e.g. using solar heat or combined with household units such as an oven or water heater
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B13/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with reversible cycle
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F2221/00—Details or features not otherwise provided for
- F24F2221/54—Heating and cooling, simultaneously or alternatively
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
- F25B2313/006—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for two pipes connecting the outdoor side to the indoor side with multiple indoor units
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
- F25B2313/007—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for three pipes connecting the outdoor side to the indoor side with multiple indoor units
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2313/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
- F25B2313/023—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units
- F25B2313/0231—Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for using multiple indoor units with simultaneous cooling and heating
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B25/00—Machines, plants or systems, using a combination of modes of operation covered by two or more of the groups F25B1/00 - F25B23/00
- F25B25/005—Machines, plants or systems, using a combination of modes of operation covered by two or more of the groups F25B1/00 - F25B23/00 using primary and secondary systems
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an air conditioner.
- an air conditioner is designed to control the temperature, the humidity, the air current and the cleanness of the air for the purpose of forming a pleasant indoor environment.
- air conditioners are either integrated type air conditioners which have an indoor unit and an outdoor unit in one case, and separated type air conditioners in which a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator are separately installed such that the outdoor unit includes the compressor and the condenser and the indoor unit includes the evaporator.
- Some air conditioners are provided with flow-path switching valves for switching a flow path of the refrigerant, thereby selectively performing cooling and heating.
- so called multi-type air conditioners having a plurality of indoor units have been developed. There are able to perform cooling and heating room by room of a building simultaneously.
- Figure 1 illustrates a related art air conditioner.
- the related art air conditioner includes an outdoor unit 101, disposed outside, and a plurality of indoor units 111 each disposed in an interior space (e.g. room) to be cooled or heated.
- the outdoor unit 101 includes a compressor (not shown) for compressing a refrigerant and an outdoor heat exchanger (not shown) performing heat-exchange with the outdoor air.
- the indoor unit 111 includes an indoor heat exchanger (not shown) connected to the compressor and the outdoor heat exchanger to constitute a cooling cycle.
- a distribution unit 121 is provided between the outdoor unit 101 and the indoor units 111 so as to distribute to each indoor unit 111 refrigerant provided from the outdoor unit 101.
- a plurality of connection ports 122 connected to a plurality of refrigerant pipes 123 are provided at the distribution unit 121.
- the related art air conditioner has the following problems.
- the related art air conditioner may suffer a significant pressure loss because of an extended pipework 123. Particularly, if there is a significant height difference between the outdoor unit 101 and the indoor unit 111, a considerable loss of head can occur.
- Embodiments of the present invention provide an air conditioner having a short refrigerant pipework.
- an air conditioner comprising: at least one outdoor unit having a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger; an air process unit including a heat exchanger connected to the outdoor unit by a refrigerant pipe, in which the air is heat exchanged, and a blower fan blowing the heat exchanged air; and a duct having one side connected to the air process unit and another side connected to a plurality of rooms, and introducing to the room, the air blown after heat exchange.
- an air conditioner in accordance with a first embodiment includes an outdoor unit 10, an air process unit 20 and a duct 40.
- the outdoor unit 10 includes a compressor 11 for compressing a refrigerant, and an outdoor heat exchanger 13 disposed at one side of the compressor 11, in which a refrigerant is cooled by heat exchanged with the outdoor air.
- a flow-path switching valve 15 is installed on the discharge side of the compressor 11 so as to route refrigerant.
- An accumulator 17 is provided on the intake side of the compressor 11 to receive gaseous refrigerant.
- a port of the flow-path switching valve is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 13. Another port is connected to the accumulator 17. Still another port of the flow-path switching valve is connected to a main refrigerant pipe 29.
- the air process unit 20 includes a cabinet 22, a heat exchanger 23, an indoor expansion device 25 and a blower fan 27.
- the cabinet 22 is a box defining a space and forming an exterior of the air process unit 20.
- the heat exchanger 23 is received in the cabinet 22 and is connected to the compressor 1 and the outdoor heat exchanger 13 to constitute a refrigerant circuit.
- the indoor expansion device 25 is disposed at the left side of the heat exchanger 23, by which refrigerant is decompressed and expanded.
- the blower fan 27 is disposed under the heat exchanger 23, to promote heat exchange by the heat exchanger 23 and blow the heat-exchanged air to each room (R).
- An outdoor expansion device 16 is installed on one side of the outdoor heat exchanger 13, and a bypass path 18 having a check valve 19 is connected around the outdoor expansion device 16.
- the main refrigerant pipe 29 and an auxiliary refrigerant pipe 30, allowing each air process unit 20 and the outdoor unit 10 to be in communication with each other, are installed between the outdoor unit 10 and the air process unit 20.
- One side of the main refrigerant pipe 29 is connected to one side of the outdoor unit 10, and the other side thereof is connected to the auxiliary refrigerant pipes 30.
- the auxiliary pipes 30 are connected between the main refrigerant pipe 29, and each of the heat exchangers 23.
- a humidifier 31, a filter member 33 and an electric heater 35 are additionally installed.
- the humidifier 31 is installed above the heat exchanger 23 and humidifies the air which has passed through the heat exchanger 23.
- the filter member 33 is installed above the humidifier 31 and removes matter from the air.
- the electric heater 35 is installed above the filter member 33 and heats the air which has passed through the heat exchanger 23, again.
- the installation order and position of the above-mentioned heat exchanger 23, the blower fan 27, the humidifier 31, the filter member 33 and the electric heater 35 may be varied in consideration of the performance of the air process unit 20.
- a manifold duct 40 is installed in an upper port of the cabinet 22 and enters each room (R).
- the duct 40 has an air path allowing air heat exchanged in the heat exchanger 23 to flow to each room (R) through a plurality of discharge holes 42 through which the heat exchanged air can be discharged.
- the duct may be divided into an air supply duct (not shown) for transferring to each room (R) the air processed by the air process unit 20, and a ventilation duct (not shown) provided with a ventilation fan (not shown) for transferring the air of each room (R) to the air process unit 20.
- the flow-path switching valve 15 switches a flow path so as to route compressed refrigerant to flow to the outdoor heat exchanger 13.
- the refrigerant having condensed through the outdoor heat exchanger 13, is distributed to the air process unit 20, which is in operation, through the main refrigerant pipe 29 and the auxiliary refrigerant pipe 30, and is decompressed and expanded while passing through the indoor expansion device 25.
- the refrigerant absorbs latent heat by heat exchange in the heat exchanger 23, thereby being evaporated.
- the evaporated refrigerant is combined in the main refrigerant pipe 29 and is taken into the compressor 11 via the flow-path switching valve 15 and the accumulator 17. Such processes are repetitively performed.
- the flow-path switching valve 15 switches the flow path to route the compressed refrigerant to flow to the air process unit 20.
- the compressed refrigerant is introduced to the heat exchanger 23 of the air process unit 20 through the main refrigerant pipe 29 and the auxiliary refrigerant pipe 30.
- the refrigerant heat exchanged and condensed in the heat exchanger 23 passes through the main refrigerant pipe 29 and the auxiliary refrigerant pipe 30, and is compressed and expanded while passing through the outdoor expansion device 16. Then, the refrigerant absorbs latent heat in the outdoor heat exchanger 13 and is evaporated.
- the evaporated refrigerant is taken into the compressor 11 via the flow-switching valve 15 and the accumulator 17. Such processes are repetitively performed.
- the air passes through the heat exchanger 23 to be heated, and is humidified by the humidifier 31.
- a refrigerant pipe 123 (refer to Figure 1) does not need to be extended to the indoor unit 111.
- a long refrigerant pipe 123 (refer to Figure 1) for supplying a refrigerant from the outdoor unit 101 (refer to Figure 1) to the indoor unit 111 (refer to Figure 1) according to the related art air conditioner is not required. Therefore, the amount of accumulated refrigerant and attendant pressure loss can be reduced.
- the air conditioner in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention includes an outdoor unit 10, an air process unit 20, a duct manifold 40 and a distribution unit 50.
- the outdoor unit 10 includes a compressor 11 for compressing refrigerant, and an outdoor heat exchanger 13 disposed on one side of the compressor 11, in which a refrigerant is heat exchanged using the outdoor air.
- a flow-path switching valve 14 is installed at a discharge side of the compressor 11 so as to switch a flow path of the refrigerant, and an accumulator 17 is provided at its intake side so as to receive a gaseous refrigerant.
- a port of the flow-path switching valve 14 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 13, and another port is connected to the accumulator 17. Still another port of the flow-path switching valve 14 is connected to the distribution unit 50.
- An outdoor expansion device 16 is installed to one side of the outdoor heat exchanger 13, and a bypass path 18 provided with a check valve 19, is arranged across the expansion device 16 to one side of the outdoor expansion device 16.
- the air process unit 20 in accordance with the second embodiment includes a separate cooling unit 21 a and heating unit 21 b such that cooling and heating can be performed on each room (R) at the same time.
- the cooling unit 21 a and the heating unit 21 b each include a cabinet 22, a heat exchanger 23, an indoor expansion device 25, a blower fan 27, and a filter member 33.
- the cabinet 22 is a box forming an exterior of the cooling unit 21 a and the heating unit 21 b.
- the heat exchanger 23 is received in the cabinet 22 and is connected to the compressor 11 and the outdoor heat exchanger 13 to constitute a refrigerant circuit.
- the indoor expansion device 25 for decompressing and expanding a refrigerant is disposed at the right side of the heat exchanger 23.
- the blower fan 27 is disposed under the heat exchanger 23, accelerates heat exchange of the heat exchanger 23, and blows the heat exchanged air so that the air can be supplied to each room (R).
- the filter member 33 is installed above a humidifier 31, and removes foreign substances within the air.
- the humidifier is not shown but is arranged as illustrated in Figure 2.
- the installation order and position of the above-mentioned heat exchanger 23, the blower fan 27, and the filter member 33 may be varied in consideration of the performance of the air process unit 20.
- the duct 40 is installed at an upper side of the cabinet 22, and includes separate cooling 41 a and heating ducts 41 b.
- the cooling duct 41 a supplies to each room (R), the air cooled in the cooling unit 21a.
- the heating duct 41 b supplies to each room (R), the air heated in the heating unit 21 b.
- a plurality of discharge holes 42 through which the air is discharged to each room (R) are provided in the cooling duct 41 a and the heating duct 41 b.
- the distribution unit 50 distributes refrigerant, such that part of the air process unit 20 performs a cooling operation and another part thereof performs a heating operation.
- the distribution unit 50 includes a high-pressure pipe 52, a low-pressure pipe 54, a liquid pipe 56, a high-pressure valve 53 and a low-pressure valve 55.
- One side of the high-pressure pipe 52 is connected to a discharge side of the compressor 11, and its other side is connected to the air process unit 20.
- One side of the low-pressure pipe 54 is connected to an intake side of the accumulator 17, and its other side is connected to the air process unit 20.
- One side of the liquid pipe 56 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 13, and its other side is connected to the air process unit 20.
- the high-pressure valve 53 is installed on and opens and closes the high-pressure pipe 52.
- the low-pressure valve 55 is installed on and opens and closes the low-pressure pipe 54.
- Cooling dominant operation in which the majority of units of the air process unit 20 perform a cooling operation while some few of the units perform a heating operation will be described as an example.
- the flow-path switching valve 14 switches a flow path, such that compressed refrigerant flows to the outdoor heat exchanger 13.
- the refrigerant having passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 13 flows to the distribution unit 50 along the liquid pipe 56.
- a portion of the refrigerant flows to the distribution unit 50 along the high-pressure pipe 52.
- the refrigerant flowing along the liquid pipe 56 is introduced to the cooling unit 21 a to perform the cooling operation.
- the air blown as the blower fan 27 is operated comes in contact with the heat exchanger 23 to be cooled. Also, foreign substances of the air are removed by the filter member 33, and then the air is discharged to each room (R) through the discharge hole 42 along the cooling duct 41a.
- the refrigerant having performed the cooling operation passes through the opened low-pressure valve 55 and then is taken into the accumulator 17 along the low-pressure pipe 54.
- the refrigerant flowing along the high-pressure pipe 52 is introduced to the heating unit 21 b through the opened high-pressure valve 53, to thereby perform the heating operation.
- the air blown as the blower fan 27 of the heating unit 21 b is operated comes in contact with the heat exchanger 23 to be heated.
- foreign substances of the air are moved by the filter member 33, and the air is discharged to each room (R) to be heated along the heating duct 41 b.
- a related art refrigerant pipe 123 (refer to Figure 1) does not need to be extended to the related art indoor unit 111.
- a refrigerant is supplied from the outdoor unit 10 to the air process unit 20 through the distribution unit 50, heat exchanged air, not the refrigerant, is supplied from the air process unit 20 to the room (R) through the duct 40. Therefore, the refrigerant pipe 123 (refer to Figure 1) is no longer required.
- the air conditioner in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention includes an outdoor unit 10, a heat exchange unit 60 and a fan coil unit 65.
- the outdoor unit 10 includes a compressor 11 for compressing refrigerant, and an outdoor heat exchanger 13 disposed on one side of the compressor 11, in which refrigerant is heat exchanged by contact with the outdoor air.
- a flow-path switching valve 15 is installed at a discharge side of the compressor 11 so as to switch a flow path for refrigerant.
- An accumulator 17 is provided at an intake side thereof so as to take in a gaseous refrigerant.
- a port of the flow-path switching valve 15 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 13, and another port is connected to an accumulator 17. Still another port of the flow-path switching valve 15 is connected to a main refrigerant pipe 29.
- An outdoor expansion device 16 is installed at one side of the outdoor heat exchanger 13, and a bypass path 18 provided with a check valve 19 is arranged on one side of the outdoor expansion device 16.
- a main refrigerant pipe 29 and an auxiliary refrigerant pipe 30 allowing the outdoor unit 10 and the heat exchange unit 60 to be in communication with each other are installed between the outdoor unit 10 and the heat exchange unit 60.
- One side of the main refrigerant pipe 29 is connected to the outdoor unit 10, and its other side is connected to the auxiliary refrigerant pipe 30.
- auxiliary refrigerant pipe 30 is connected to the main refrigerant pipe 29, and its other side connected to the heat exchanger 23.
- the heat exchange unit 60 includes a water storage tank 62 and a heat exchanger 23.
- the water storage tank 62 has therein a heater 64 for heating stored water.
- a water pipe 63 is connected to around the water storage tank 62 so as to allow the water to circulate to the fan coil unit 65 disposed in each room (R).
- a circulation pump 67 enables water to circulate through the water pipe 63.
- the heat exchanger 23 is disposed in the water tank 62 and is connected to the compressor 11 and the outdoor heat exchanger 13.
- the fan coil unit 65 is installed in each room (R) and is connected to the heat exchange unit 60 by the water pipe 63.
- An opening and closing valve 69 for opening and closing a flow path is provided at one side of the fan coil unit 65.
- the flow-path switching valve 15 switches a flow path so as to allow compressed refrigerant to flow to the outdoor heat exchanger 13.
- the refrigerant heat exchanged in the heat exchanger 23 passes through the main refrigerant pipe 29 and the auxiliary refrigerant pipe 30, and then passes through the indoor expansion device 25 of the heat exchange unit 60 to be decompressed and expanded.
- refrigerant is evaporated by absorbing latent heat in the heat exchanger 23. Also, water circulated by the circulation pump 67 is cooled by the heat exchanger 23, and the cooled water is introduced to the fan coil unit 65 along the water pipe 63 to perform the cooling operation.
- the flow path switching valve 15 switches a flow path so as to allow a compressed refrigerant to flow toward the heat exchange unit 60.
- the refrigerant introduced to the heat exchanger 23 of the heat exchange unit 60 after passing through the main refrigerant pipe 29 and the auxiliary refrigerant pipe 30 is condensed by heat exchange with water flowing along the water pipe 63.
- the condensed refrigerant is decompressed and expanded while passing through the outdoor expansion device 16, is evaporated upon absorbing latent heat in the outdoor heat exchanger 13, and is taken into the compressor 11 via the accumulator 17.
- Water circulated by the circulation pump 67 is heat exchanged with the heat exchanger 23 and is heated by the heater 64 when necessary, and is introduced to the fan coil unit 65 along the water pipe 63, thereby performing a heating operation.
- the related art refrigerant pipe 123 (refer to Figure 1) does not need to be extended to the related art indoor unit 111.
- a refrigerant is supplied from the outdoor unit 10 to the heat exchange unit 60 through the main refrigerant pipe 29 and the auxiliary refrigerant pipe 30, heat exchanged water moves along the water pipe 63 from the heat exchange unit 60 to the fan coil unit 65 installed at the room (R), thereby performing heating and cooling operations.
- a long refrigerant pipe123 (referring to Figure 1) for supplying refrigerant from the outdoor unit 101 to the indoor unit 111 (referring to Figure 1) according to the related art air conditioner is not required. Therefore, the amount of accumulated refrigerant and attendant pressure loss can be reduced.
- the case where only the filter member 33 is provided at the heating unit 21 b is taken as an example.
- the humidifier 31 and the electric heater 35 shown in Figure 3 may be further provided at the heating unit 21 b.
- the distribution unit 50 shown in Figure 3 may be further provided such that part of the heat exchange unit 60 performs the cooling operation and another part performs the heating operation.
- the air conditioner in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention have the following advantages.
- a pressure loss and a head loss can be reduced because of its shorter refrigerant pipe.
- oil having been discharged outside the compressor together with a compressor refrigerant can be more easily recovered.
- the risk of suffocation due to the leakage of refrigerant is reduced.
- cost can be reduced.
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to an air conditioner.
- In generai, an air conditioner is designed to control the temperature, the humidity, the air current and the cleanness of the air for the purpose of forming a pleasant indoor environment.
- According to the arrangement of units, air conditioners are either integrated type air conditioners which have an indoor unit and an outdoor unit in one case, and separated type air conditioners in which a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator are separately installed such that the outdoor unit includes the compressor and the condenser and the indoor unit includes the evaporator.
- Some air conditioners are provided with flow-path switching valves for switching a flow path of the refrigerant, thereby selectively performing cooling and heating. Recently, so called multi-type air conditioners having a plurality of indoor units have been developed. There are able to perform cooling and heating room by room of a building simultaneously.
- Figure 1 illustrates a related art air conditioner. The related art air conditioner includes an
outdoor unit 101, disposed outside, and a plurality ofindoor units 111 each disposed in an interior space (e.g. room) to be cooled or heated. - The
outdoor unit 101 includes a compressor (not shown) for compressing a refrigerant and an outdoor heat exchanger (not shown) performing heat-exchange with the outdoor air. - The
indoor unit 111 includes an indoor heat exchanger (not shown) connected to the compressor and the outdoor heat exchanger to constitute a cooling cycle. - A
distribution unit 121 is provided between theoutdoor unit 101 and theindoor units 111 so as to distribute to eachindoor unit 111 refrigerant provided from theoutdoor unit 101. A plurality ofconnection ports 122 connected to a plurality ofrefrigerant pipes 123 are provided at thedistribution unit 121. - The related art air conditioner has the following problems.
- If the
outdoor unit 101 and theindoor unit 111 are spaced far apart from each other, the related art air conditioner may suffer a significant pressure loss because of anextended pipework 123. Particularly, if there is a significant height difference between theoutdoor unit 101 and theindoor unit 111, a considerable loss of head can occur. - Also, if the
refrigerant pipe 123 is too long, oil discharged from the compressor together with compressed refrigerant cannot be recovered. - Also, if the
pipework 123 is lengthened, the amount of accumulated refrigerant is increased, and the refrigerant is more liable to leak. Accordingly, the risk of suffocation is increased. In order to reduce such a risk, a special ventilation system is additionally required, which increases cost. - The present invention is defined in the accompanying independent claims. Some preferred features are recited in the dependent claims.
- Embodiments of the present invention provide an air conditioner having a short refrigerant pipework.
- As embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided an air conditioner comprising: at least one outdoor unit having a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger; an air process unit including a heat exchanger connected to the outdoor unit by a refrigerant pipe, in which the air is heat exchanged, and a blower fan blowing the heat exchanged air; and a duct having one side connected to the air process unit and another side connected to a plurality of rooms, and introducing to the room, the air blown after heat exchange.
- The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments which together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.
- In the drawings:
- Figure 1 is a view of the related art air conditioner in accordance with a conventional art;
- Figure 2 is a view of an air conditioner in accordance with a first embodiment;
- Figure 3 is a configuration view of the air conditioner in accordance with a second embodiment; and
- Figure 4 is a configuration view of the air conditioner in accordance with a third embodiment.
- Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
- Referring to Figure 2, an air conditioner in accordance with a first embodiment includes an
outdoor unit 10, anair process unit 20 and aduct 40. - The
outdoor unit 10 includes acompressor 11 for compressing a refrigerant, and anoutdoor heat exchanger 13 disposed at one side of thecompressor 11, in which a refrigerant is cooled by heat exchanged with the outdoor air. - A flow-
path switching valve 15 is installed on the discharge side of thecompressor 11 so as to route refrigerant. Anaccumulator 17 is provided on the intake side of thecompressor 11 to receive gaseous refrigerant. A port of the flow-path switching valve is connected to theoutdoor heat exchanger 13. Another port is connected to theaccumulator 17. Still another port of the flow-path switching valve is connected to amain refrigerant pipe 29. - The
air process unit 20 includes acabinet 22, aheat exchanger 23, anindoor expansion device 25 and ablower fan 27. Thecabinet 22 is a box defining a space and forming an exterior of theair process unit 20. Theheat exchanger 23 is received in thecabinet 22 and is connected to the compressor 1 and theoutdoor heat exchanger 13 to constitute a refrigerant circuit. Theindoor expansion device 25 is disposed at the left side of theheat exchanger 23, by which refrigerant is decompressed and expanded. Theblower fan 27 is disposed under theheat exchanger 23, to promote heat exchange by theheat exchanger 23 and blow the heat-exchanged air to each room (R). - An
outdoor expansion device 16 is installed on one side of theoutdoor heat exchanger 13, and abypass path 18 having acheck valve 19 is connected around theoutdoor expansion device 16. - The
main refrigerant pipe 29 and anauxiliary refrigerant pipe 30, allowing eachair process unit 20 and theoutdoor unit 10 to be in communication with each other, are installed between theoutdoor unit 10 and theair process unit 20. - One side of the
main refrigerant pipe 29 is connected to one side of theoutdoor unit 10, and the other side thereof is connected to theauxiliary refrigerant pipes 30. - The
auxiliary pipes 30 are connected between themain refrigerant pipe 29, and each of theheat exchangers 23. - In order to improve performance of the
air process unit 20, ahumidifier 31, afilter member 33 and anelectric heater 35 are additionally installed. Thehumidifier 31 is installed above theheat exchanger 23 and humidifies the air which has passed through theheat exchanger 23. Thefilter member 33 is installed above thehumidifier 31 and removes matter from the air. Theelectric heater 35 is installed above thefilter member 33 and heats the air which has passed through theheat exchanger 23, again. - The installation order and position of the above-mentioned
heat exchanger 23, theblower fan 27, thehumidifier 31, thefilter member 33 and theelectric heater 35 may be varied in consideration of the performance of theair process unit 20. - A
manifold duct 40 is installed in an upper port of thecabinet 22 and enters each room (R). Theduct 40 has an air path allowing air heat exchanged in theheat exchanger 23 to flow to each room (R) through a plurality ofdischarge holes 42 through which the heat exchanged air can be discharged. Here, the duct may be divided into an air supply duct (not shown) for transferring to each room (R) the air processed by theair process unit 20, and a ventilation duct (not shown) provided with a ventilation fan (not shown) for transferring the air of each room (R) to theair process unit 20. - The operation of the air conditioner in accordance with the first embodiment will now be described.
- When each room (R) is cooled, the flow-
path switching valve 15 switches a flow path so as to route compressed refrigerant to flow to theoutdoor heat exchanger 13. - The refrigerant, having condensed through the
outdoor heat exchanger 13, is distributed to theair process unit 20, which is in operation, through themain refrigerant pipe 29 and theauxiliary refrigerant pipe 30, and is decompressed and expanded while passing through theindoor expansion device 25. - Then, the refrigerant absorbs latent heat by heat exchange in the
heat exchanger 23, thereby being evaporated. - The evaporated refrigerant is combined in the
main refrigerant pipe 29 and is taken into thecompressor 11 via the flow-path switching valve 15 and theaccumulator 17. Such processes are repetitively performed. - When the
blower fan 27 is operated, the air comes in contact with theheat exchanger 23 and is cooled. - Foreign matter in the cooled air is removed as the air passes through the
filter member 33, and then the air is discharged to each room (R) through thedischarge hole 42 along theduct 40. - When each room (R) is heated, the flow-
path switching valve 15 switches the flow path to route the compressed refrigerant to flow to theair process unit 20. - The compressed refrigerant is introduced to the
heat exchanger 23 of theair process unit 20 through themain refrigerant pipe 29 and theauxiliary refrigerant pipe 30. - The refrigerant heat exchanged and condensed in the
heat exchanger 23 passes through themain refrigerant pipe 29 and theauxiliary refrigerant pipe 30, and is compressed and expanded while passing through theoutdoor expansion device 16. Then, the refrigerant absorbs latent heat in theoutdoor heat exchanger 13 and is evaporated. - The evaporated refrigerant is taken into the
compressor 11 via the flow-switchingvalve 15 and theaccumulator 17. Such processes are repetitively performed. - When the
blower fan 27 of theair process unit 20 is operated, the air passes through theheat exchanger 23 to be heated, and is humidified by thehumidifier 31. - Then, foreign matter in the air is removed as the air passes through the
filter member 33, and the air is heated again by theelectric heater 35 when necessary, and is discharged to each room (R) through the discharge holes 42. - Due to the above-mentioned
air process unit 20 andduct 40, a refrigerant pipe 123 (refer to Figure 1) does not need to be extended to theindoor unit 111. - Namely, when a refrigerant is supplied from the
outdoor unit 10 to theair process unit 20 through the mainrefrigerant pipe 29 and theauxiliary refrigerant pipe 30, heat exchanged air, not refrigerant, is supplied from theair process unit 20 to the room (R) through theduct 40. Therefore, the refrigerant pipe 123 (refer to Figure 1) is no longer required. - Accordingly, a long refrigerant pipe 123 (refer to Figure 1) for supplying a refrigerant from the outdoor unit 101 (refer to Figure 1) to the indoor unit 111 (refer to Figure 1) according to the related art air conditioner is not required. Therefore, the amount of accumulated refrigerant and attendant pressure loss can be reduced.
- An air conditioner in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 3. The same reference numerals are designated to the same parts as those of the aforementioned structure, and the detailed description thereon will be omitted.
- Referring to Figure 3, the air conditioner in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention includes an
outdoor unit 10, anair process unit 20, aduct manifold 40 and adistribution unit 50. - The
outdoor unit 10 includes acompressor 11 for compressing refrigerant, and anoutdoor heat exchanger 13 disposed on one side of thecompressor 11, in which a refrigerant is heat exchanged using the outdoor air. - A flow-
path switching valve 14 is installed at a discharge side of thecompressor 11 so as to switch a flow path of the refrigerant, and anaccumulator 17 is provided at its intake side so as to receive a gaseous refrigerant. A port of the flow-path switching valve 14 is connected to theoutdoor heat exchanger 13, and another port is connected to theaccumulator 17. Still another port of the flow-path switching valve 14 is connected to thedistribution unit 50. - An
outdoor expansion device 16 is installed to one side of theoutdoor heat exchanger 13, and abypass path 18 provided with acheck valve 19, is arranged across theexpansion device 16 to one side of theoutdoor expansion device 16. - Unlike the first embodiment, the
air process unit 20 in accordance with the second embodiment includes aseparate cooling unit 21 a and heating unit 21 b such that cooling and heating can be performed on each room (R) at the same time. - The cooling
unit 21 a and the heating unit 21 b each include acabinet 22, aheat exchanger 23, anindoor expansion device 25, ablower fan 27, and afilter member 33. - The
cabinet 22 is a box forming an exterior of the coolingunit 21 a and the heating unit 21 b. - The
heat exchanger 23 is received in thecabinet 22 and is connected to thecompressor 11 and theoutdoor heat exchanger 13 to constitute a refrigerant circuit. - The
indoor expansion device 25 for decompressing and expanding a refrigerant is disposed at the right side of theheat exchanger 23. - The
blower fan 27 is disposed under theheat exchanger 23, accelerates heat exchange of theheat exchanger 23, and blows the heat exchanged air so that the air can be supplied to each room (R). - The
filter member 33 is installed above ahumidifier 31, and removes foreign substances within the air. The humidifier is not shown but is arranged as illustrated in Figure 2. - The installation order and position of the above-mentioned
heat exchanger 23, theblower fan 27, and thefilter member 33 may be varied in consideration of the performance of theair process unit 20. - The
duct 40 is installed at an upper side of thecabinet 22, and includes separate cooling 41 a and heating ducts 41 b. - The cooling duct 41 a supplies to each room (R), the air cooled in the
cooling unit 21a. - The heating duct 41 b supplies to each room (R), the air heated in the heating unit 21 b.
- A plurality of discharge holes 42 through which the air is discharged to each room (R) are provided in the cooling duct 41 a and the heating duct 41 b.
- The
distribution unit 50 distributes refrigerant, such that part of theair process unit 20 performs a cooling operation and another part thereof performs a heating operation. To this end, thedistribution unit 50 includes a high-pressure pipe 52, a low-pressure pipe 54, aliquid pipe 56, a high-pressure valve 53 and a low-pressure valve 55. - One side of the high-
pressure pipe 52 is connected to a discharge side of thecompressor 11, and its other side is connected to theair process unit 20. - One side of the low-
pressure pipe 54 is connected to an intake side of theaccumulator 17, and its other side is connected to theair process unit 20. - One side of the
liquid pipe 56 is connected to theoutdoor heat exchanger 13, and its other side is connected to theair process unit 20. - The high-
pressure valve 53 is installed on and opens and closes the high-pressure pipe 52. - The low-
pressure valve 55 is installed on and opens and closes the low-pressure pipe 54. - The operation of the air conditioner in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention will now be described.
- Cooling dominant operation in which the majority of units of the
air process unit 20 perform a cooling operation while some few of the units perform a heating operation will be described as an example. - The flow-
path switching valve 14 switches a flow path, such that compressed refrigerant flows to theoutdoor heat exchanger 13. - The refrigerant having passed through the
outdoor heat exchanger 13 flows to thedistribution unit 50 along theliquid pipe 56. Here, a portion of the refrigerant flows to thedistribution unit 50 along the high-pressure pipe 52. - The refrigerant flowing along the
liquid pipe 56 is introduced to thecooling unit 21 a to perform the cooling operation. Here, the air blown as theblower fan 27 is operated comes in contact with theheat exchanger 23 to be cooled. Also, foreign substances of the air are removed by thefilter member 33, and then the air is discharged to each room (R) through thedischarge hole 42 along the cooling duct 41a. - The refrigerant having performed the cooling operation passes through the opened low-
pressure valve 55 and then is taken into theaccumulator 17 along the low-pressure pipe 54. - The refrigerant flowing along the high-
pressure pipe 52 is introduced to the heating unit 21 b through the opened high-pressure valve 53, to thereby perform the heating operation. Here, the air blown as theblower fan 27 of the heating unit 21 b is operated comes in contact with theheat exchanger 23 to be heated. Then, foreign substances of the air are moved by thefilter member 33, and the air is discharged to each room (R) to be heated along the heating duct 41 b. - Due to the
air process unit 20, thedistribution unit 50 and theduct 40, a related art refrigerant pipe 123 (refer to Figure 1) does not need to be extended to the related artindoor unit 111. In particular, if a refrigerant is supplied from theoutdoor unit 10 to theair process unit 20 through thedistribution unit 50, heat exchanged air, not the refrigerant, is supplied from theair process unit 20 to the room (R) through theduct 40. Therefore, the refrigerant pipe 123 (refer to Figure 1) is no longer required. - Accordingly, a long refrigerant pipe like the one of the related art, for supplying refrigerant from the related art outdoor unit 101 (refer to Figure 1) to the related art
indoor unit 111, is not required. By this means, the amount of accumulated refrigerant and attendant pressure loss can be reduced. - An air conditioner in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention will now be described. The same reference numerals are designated to the same parts as those of the aforementioned structure, and the detailed description thereon will be omitted.
- Referring to Figure 4, the air conditioner in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention includes an
outdoor unit 10, aheat exchange unit 60 and afan coil unit 65. - The
outdoor unit 10 includes acompressor 11 for compressing refrigerant, and anoutdoor heat exchanger 13 disposed on one side of thecompressor 11, in which refrigerant is heat exchanged by contact with the outdoor air. - A flow-
path switching valve 15 is installed at a discharge side of thecompressor 11 so as to switch a flow path for refrigerant. Anaccumulator 17 is provided at an intake side thereof so as to take in a gaseous refrigerant. A port of the flow-path switching valve 15 is connected to theoutdoor heat exchanger 13, and another port is connected to anaccumulator 17. Still another port of the flow-path switching valve 15 is connected to a mainrefrigerant pipe 29. - An
outdoor expansion device 16 is installed at one side of theoutdoor heat exchanger 13, and abypass path 18 provided with acheck valve 19 is arranged on one side of theoutdoor expansion device 16. - A
main refrigerant pipe 29 and anauxiliary refrigerant pipe 30 allowing theoutdoor unit 10 and theheat exchange unit 60 to be in communication with each other are installed between theoutdoor unit 10 and theheat exchange unit 60. - One side of the main
refrigerant pipe 29 is connected to theoutdoor unit 10, and its other side is connected to theauxiliary refrigerant pipe 30. - One side of the
auxiliary refrigerant pipe 30 is connected to the mainrefrigerant pipe 29, and its other side connected to theheat exchanger 23. - The
heat exchange unit 60 includes awater storage tank 62 and aheat exchanger 23. - The
water storage tank 62 has therein aheater 64 for heating stored water. Awater pipe 63 is connected to around thewater storage tank 62 so as to allow the water to circulate to thefan coil unit 65 disposed in each room (R). - A
circulation pump 67 enables water to circulate through thewater pipe 63. - The
heat exchanger 23 is disposed in thewater tank 62 and is connected to thecompressor 11 and theoutdoor heat exchanger 13. - The
fan coil unit 65 is installed in each room (R) and is connected to theheat exchange unit 60 by thewater pipe 63. An opening and closingvalve 69 for opening and closing a flow path is provided at one side of thefan coil unit 65. - The operation of the air conditioner in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention will now be described.
- When the room (R) is to be cooled, the flow-
path switching valve 15 switches a flow path so as to allow compressed refrigerant to flow to theoutdoor heat exchanger 13. - The refrigerant heat exchanged in the
heat exchanger 23 passes through the mainrefrigerant pipe 29 and theauxiliary refrigerant pipe 30, and then passes through theindoor expansion device 25 of theheat exchange unit 60 to be decompressed and expanded. - Here, refrigerant is evaporated by absorbing latent heat in the
heat exchanger 23. Also, water circulated by thecirculation pump 67 is cooled by theheat exchanger 23, and the cooled water is introduced to thefan coil unit 65 along thewater pipe 63 to perform the cooling operation. - When the room (R) is to be heated, the flow
path switching valve 15 switches a flow path so as to allow a compressed refrigerant to flow toward theheat exchange unit 60. - The refrigerant introduced to the
heat exchanger 23 of theheat exchange unit 60 after passing through the mainrefrigerant pipe 29 and theauxiliary refrigerant pipe 30 is condensed by heat exchange with water flowing along thewater pipe 63. - The condensed refrigerant is decompressed and expanded while passing through the
outdoor expansion device 16, is evaporated upon absorbing latent heat in theoutdoor heat exchanger 13, and is taken into thecompressor 11 via theaccumulator 17. - Water circulated by the
circulation pump 67 is heat exchanged with theheat exchanger 23 and is heated by theheater 64 when necessary, and is introduced to thefan coil unit 65 along thewater pipe 63, thereby performing a heating operation. - Due to the
heat exchange unit 60 and thefan coil unit 65, the related art refrigerant pipe 123 (refer to Figure 1) does not need to be extended to the related artindoor unit 111. In particular, when a refrigerant is supplied from theoutdoor unit 10 to theheat exchange unit 60 through the mainrefrigerant pipe 29 and theauxiliary refrigerant pipe 30, heat exchanged water moves along thewater pipe 63 from theheat exchange unit 60 to thefan coil unit 65 installed at the room (R), thereby performing heating and cooling operations. - Accordingly, a long refrigerant pipe123 (referring to Figure 1) for supplying refrigerant from the
outdoor unit 101 to the indoor unit 111 (referring to Figure 1) according to the related art air conditioner is not required. Therefore, the amount of accumulated refrigerant and attendant pressure loss can be reduced. - In the second embodiment described and illustrated with reference to Figure 3, the case where only the
filter member 33 is provided at the heating unit 21 b is taken as an example. However, thehumidifier 31 and theelectric heater 35 shown in Figure 3 may be further provided at the heating unit 21 b. - In the third embodiment described and illustrated with reference to Figure 4, the case where cooling or heating operation is made upon switching a flow of a refrigerant is taken as an example. However, the
distribution unit 50 shown in Figure 3 may be further provided such that part of theheat exchange unit 60 performs the cooling operation and another part performs the heating operation. - In the aforedescribed embodiments, the case where only one
outdoor unit 10 is provided is taken as an example. However, a plurality ofoutdoor units 10 may be provided. - As so far described, the air conditioner in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention have the following advantages. First, a pressure loss and a head loss can be reduced because of its shorter refrigerant pipe. Secondly, oil having been discharged outside the compressor together with a compressor refrigerant can be more easily recovered. Thirdly, as the amount of accumulated refrigerant is reduced, the risk of suffocation due to the leakage of refrigerant is reduced. Also, because a special ventilation system for preventing suffocation is not required, cost can be reduced.
- As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.
Claims (16)
- An air conditioner comprising:at least one outdoor unit having a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger;an air process unit including a heat exchanger connected to the outdoor unit by a refrigerant pipe, in which air is heat exchanged; anda duct connected to the air process unit and forming outlets for the discharge of air from the heat exchanger.
- An air conditioner comprising:at least one outdoor unit having a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger and an accumulator;an air process unit including a cooling unit and a heating unit, each comprising a heat exchanger connected to the outdoor unit by a refrigerant pipe, in which air is heat exchanged, and a blower fan for moving the heat exchanged air;a duct connected to the air process unit and forming outlets for the discharge of air from the heat exchanger; anda distribution unit for distributing a refrigerant so as to enable part of the air process unit to perform a cooling operation and enable another part to perform a heating operation.
- The air conditioner of claim 1 or 2, wherein the refrigerant pipe includes a main refrigerant pipe and an auxiliary refrigerant pipe,
wherein one side of the main refrigerant pipe is connected to the outdoor unit and its other side is connected to the auxiliary refrigerant pipe, which is connected to the heat exchanger. - The air conditioner of claim 1 or 2, wherein the air process unit further comprises a humidifier for humidifying the heat exchanged air.
- The air conditioner of claim 1 or 2, wherein the air process unit further comprises a filter member arranged to remove matter from the heat exchanged air.
- The air conditioner of claim 1 or 2, wherein the air process unit further comprises an electric heater for heating the heat exchanged air.
- The air conditioner of claim 1 or 2, including a blower arranged to move the heat exchanger air toward the duct.
- The air conditioner of claim 7, wherein the duct comprises:an air supply duct for enabling the air processed by the air process unit to be transferred to each room; anda ventilation duct for enabling the air of each room to be transferred to the air process unit.
- The air conditioner of claim 2, wherein the duct comprises:a cooling duct for supplying to a room, the air cooled in the cooling unit; anda heating duct for supplying to a room, the air heated in the heating unit.
- The air conditioner of claim 2, wherein the distribution unit comprises:a high-pressure pipe having one side connected to a discharge side of the compressor and another side connected to the air process unit;a low-pressure pipe having one side connected to an intake side of the accumulator and another side connected to the air process unit;a liquid pipe having one side connected to the outdoor heat exchanger and another side connected to the air process unit;a high-pressure valve installed on the high pressure pipe for opening and closing the high-pressure pipe; anda low-pressure valve installed on the low-pressure pipe for opening and closing the low-pressure pipe.
- An air conditioner comprising:at least one outdoor unit having a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger;a heat exchange unit connected to the outdoor unit by a refrigerant pipe, in which water is heat exchanged; anda fan coil unit connected to the heat exchange unit by a water pipe.
- The air conditioner of claim 11, wherein the refrigerant pipe comprises a main refrigerant pipe and an auxiliary pipe,
wherein one side of the main refrigerant pipe is connected to outdoor unit and its other side is connected to the auxiliary refrigerant pipe, which is connected to the heat exchange unit. - The air conditioner of claim 11, wherein the heat exchange unit comprises:a water storage tank storing water; anda heat exchanger received in the water storage tank.
- The air conditioner of claim 13, further comprising:a heater for heating water within the water storage tank.
- The air conditioner of claim 11, further comprising:an opening and closing valve for opening and closing a flow path provided on one side of the fan coil unit.
- The air conditioner of claim 11, further comprising:a distribution unit for distributing a refrigerant so as to allow part of the air process unit to perform a cooling operation and allow the other part to perform a heating operation.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR1020040079159A KR100619746B1 (en) | 2004-10-05 | 2004-10-05 | Hybrid multi-air conditioner |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP1645811A2 true EP1645811A2 (en) | 2006-04-12 |
EP1645811A3 EP1645811A3 (en) | 2006-11-02 |
Family
ID=36124380
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP05256194A Withdrawn EP1645811A3 (en) | 2004-10-05 | 2005-10-04 | Air conditioner |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20060070719A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1645811A3 (en) |
KR (1) | KR100619746B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN1757979A (en) |
Families Citing this family (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP5188572B2 (en) * | 2008-04-30 | 2013-04-24 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Air conditioner |
KR101581466B1 (en) * | 2008-08-27 | 2015-12-31 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Air conditioning system |
EP2314939A4 (en) * | 2008-10-29 | 2014-07-02 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Air conditioner and relaying device |
JP5859220B2 (en) * | 2011-04-28 | 2016-02-10 | 三菱重工業株式会社 | Branch pipe and air conditioner |
JP2013217631A (en) * | 2012-03-14 | 2013-10-24 | Denso Corp | Refrigeration cycle device |
DE102012011519A1 (en) * | 2012-06-08 | 2013-12-12 | Yack SAS | air conditioning |
JP6138364B2 (en) * | 2014-05-30 | 2017-05-31 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Air conditioner |
JP6135705B2 (en) * | 2015-04-06 | 2017-05-31 | ダイキン工業株式会社 | User side air conditioner |
CN114279104B (en) * | 2021-11-15 | 2023-03-28 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Cold and heat source unit for breeding house and breeding house environment control system |
Citations (5)
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---|---|---|---|---|
US4507938A (en) * | 1982-09-10 | 1985-04-02 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | System for air-conditioning and hot water supplying |
JPH0571820A (en) * | 1991-09-09 | 1993-03-23 | Nippondenso Co Ltd | Duct type heat pump air conditioning apparatus |
US5317907A (en) * | 1991-04-25 | 1994-06-07 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Air conditioning apparatus having ambient air-conditioning unit and a plurality of personal air-conditioning units connected to outdoor unit |
EP1113233A2 (en) * | 1999-12-27 | 2001-07-04 | Carrier Corporation | Reversible heat pump system |
US20040045699A1 (en) * | 2002-01-14 | 2004-03-11 | Noah Norman Chester | Heat recovery system |
-
2004
- 2004-10-05 KR KR1020040079159A patent/KR100619746B1/en active IP Right Grant
-
2005
- 2005-09-29 CN CNA2005101076691A patent/CN1757979A/en active Pending
- 2005-10-03 US US11/240,776 patent/US20060070719A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2005-10-04 EP EP05256194A patent/EP1645811A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4507938A (en) * | 1982-09-10 | 1985-04-02 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | System for air-conditioning and hot water supplying |
US5317907A (en) * | 1991-04-25 | 1994-06-07 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Air conditioning apparatus having ambient air-conditioning unit and a plurality of personal air-conditioning units connected to outdoor unit |
JPH0571820A (en) * | 1991-09-09 | 1993-03-23 | Nippondenso Co Ltd | Duct type heat pump air conditioning apparatus |
EP1113233A2 (en) * | 1999-12-27 | 2001-07-04 | Carrier Corporation | Reversible heat pump system |
US20040045699A1 (en) * | 2002-01-14 | 2004-03-11 | Noah Norman Chester | Heat recovery system |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
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PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 017, no. 395 (M-1451), 23 July 1993 (1993-07-23) -& JP 05 071820 A (NIPPONDENSO CO LTD), 23 March 1993 (1993-03-23) * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR100619746B1 (en) | 2006-09-12 |
US20060070719A1 (en) | 2006-04-06 |
CN1757979A (en) | 2006-04-12 |
EP1645811A3 (en) | 2006-11-02 |
KR20060030331A (en) | 2006-04-10 |
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