EP3585635A1

EP3585635A1 - An air conditioning unit

Info

Publication number: EP3585635A1
Application number: EP19768994.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Renzhen Chu; Jianguo ZHU; Guangqing CHANG
Original assignee: Ningbo Hongdu Electrical Appliance Co Ltd
Current assignee: NINGBO HONGDU ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE CO., LTD.
Priority date: 2018-04-23
Filing date: 2019-04-18
Publication date: 2020-01-01
Also published as: WO2019206017A1; CN108357329B; CN108357329A; EP3585635A4

Abstract

An air conditioning unit(1) for mounting on a roof of a vehicle, wherein the air conditioning unit(1) comprises: a main panel assembly(3) engage to an inner side of the roof of the vehicle, the main panel assembly(3) comprising at least one air outlet port(33) and a lower panel(4); wherein a lower surface of the main panel assembly(3) is provided with a through hole or aperture(5); and wherein the lower panel(4) is fixed below the through hole or aperture(5) in a way that there is a gap between the lower surface of the main panel assembly(3) and the lower panel(4), and wherein the gap forms a main air inlet port(7) of the internal air conditioning unit(1).

Description

AN AIR CONDITIONING UNIT

PRIORITY DOCUMENT
The present application claims priority from Chinese Patent Application No. 201810368360.5 filed on 23 April 2018, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of an air conditioning unit, in particular in relation to a ceiling air conditioning unit, such as one used in a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

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.
For example, a ceiling air conditioner for an RV comprises a ceiling external air conditioning unit, a ceiling internal air conditioning unit, an air inlet channel, and an air outlet channel. The ceiling external air conditioning unit is mounted on the outer side of the roof of the RV, the ceiling internal air conditioning unit is mounted on the inner side of the roof of the RV, and the air inlet and outlet channels are mounted inside a through hole in the roof of the RV. A through hole is also known as an aperture and can take many shapes and forms. The ceiling external unit comprises a casing, and an evaporation system and a condensation system located inside. The airflow inside the RV enters the evaporation system through the air inlet channel, and is subjected here to heat exchange and then blown back into the inside of the RV through the air outlet channel.
A conventional ceiling internal air conditioning unit comprises a panel assembly, and an air inlet port and an air outlet port on the panel assembly. The air inlet port of the conventional ceiling internal air conditioning unit is located in the middle of the panel assembly and equipped with an air inlet grille. The air outlet port of the ceiling internal air conditioning unit is located on the peripheral side of the panel assembly and equipped with an air outlet grille. Under the action of a built-in fan of the RV air conditioner, the air inside the RV enters the interior of the RV air conditioner from bottom to top via the air inlet grille in the middle of the panel assembly, and is subjected here to heat exchange and then blown into the interior of the RV via the air outlet grille from the peripheral side of the panel assembly.
The layout of the air inlet and outlet ports provided on the panel assembly of the above internal air conditioning unit has the following problems: 1. the air inlet port is located in the middle or near the middle of the panel assembly. The air incoming direction is from the bottom to the top inside of the RV, which will cause large noise inside the RV due to the concentrated airflow into the air conditioner. 2. As viewed from the inside the RV, the air inlet and outlet ports on the panel assembly, and the mounted grille are visible to a person inside the RV, thus reducing the aesthetics of the air conditioning panel.
It is against this background that the present disclosure has been developed.
SUMMARY
According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an air conditioning unit for mounting on a roof of a vehicle, wherein the air conditioning unit comprises: a main panel assembly to engage an inner side of the roof of the vehicle, the main panel assembly comprising at least one air outlet port; and a lower panel; wherein a lower surface of the main panel assembly is provided with a through hole or aperture; and wherein the lower panel is fixed below the through hole or aperture in a way that there is a gap between the lower surface of the main panel assembly and the lower panel; and wherein the gap forms a main air inlet port of the internal air conditioning unit.
In one form, at least a part of the peripheral side of the main panel assembly above the level of the main air inlet port is provided with an air outlet port of the internal air conditioning unit. In one form, the lower panel is supported below the through hole or aperture by air inlet grille. In one form, the lower panel substantially covers the through hole or aperture.
In one form, the unit further comprises an air duct bracket fixedly engaged with the inner side of the roof of the vehicle and the main panel assembly is fixedly engaged to the air duct bracket. In one form, the main panel assembly is provided on an inner side with an air duct isolation plate, which is located between the air outlet port and the air inlet port on the same side, so that incoming airflow is isolated from outgoing airflow on the same side of the main panel assembly. In one form, the air duct isolation plate and a baffle assembly on the air duct bracket together form an independent air outlet channel and air inlet channel, thereby separating the outgoing airflow from the incoming airflow. In one form, the main panel assembly is provided on both sides with an arched notch, which is provided with a horizontally extending detachable filter screen located inside a main air inlet duct of the air duct bracket; an auxiliary air inlet port, having a level lower than the filter screen, is formed at the arched notch and the handle of the filter screen. In one form, the air duct bracket and the main panel assembly are fixed with a fastening screw assembly, which is located on the inner side of the main panel assembly.
In one form, an air outlet port is respectively provided in a pair of directions of the main panel assembly, and an auxiliary air inlet port is respectively provided in the other pair of directions of the main panel assembly, where the level of the auxiliary air inlet ports are higher than that of the main air inlet port of the internal air conditioning unit. In one form, a peripheral side portion of an upper surface of the lower panel is fixed below the main panel assembly through an air inlet grille located at the edge of the through hole or aperture of the main panel assembly.
In one form, both ends of the lower surface of the main panel assembly are curved, and the air outlet port is disposed at the curved-surface portion. In one form, an air inlet grille is annularly distributed and projects downwardly on the grille structure of the lower surface of the main panel assembly, and the lower panel is detachably coupled to the grille structure by a snap member. In one form, the air outlet port is provided with an air guide louver.
According to another of the present disclosure, there is provided a ceiling RV air conditioner, wherein it comprises the air conditioning unit according to the first aspect.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a schematic view 1 of the overall structure of an exemplary vehicle ceiling air conditioner;
Figure 2 is a schematic view 2 of the overall structure of the ceiling air conditioner of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the overall structure of the ceiling air conditioner of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is an exploded view of the overall structure of the ceiling air conditioning unit of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a schematic view 1 of the incoming and outgoing airflows of the ceiling air conditioning unit of Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a schematic view of the structure of the main panel assembly;
Figure 7 is a schematic view 2 of the incoming and outgoing airflows of the ceiling air conditioning unit;
Figure 8 is a top view of the ceiling air conditioning unit;
Figure 9 is a schematic plan view of the incoming and outgoing airflows of the ceiling air conditioning unit;
Figure 10 is a top view of the main panel assembly;
Figure 11 is a schematic view of the assembled structure of the air duct bracket and the main panel assembly;
Figure 12 is a side view of the ceiling air conditioning unit; and
Figure 13 is an enlarged view of the position A in Figure 12.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a ceiling air conditioner 9 for a vehicle comprising a ceiling internal air conditioning unit 1 fixedly mounted on the inner side of the roof of the vehicle, and an external air conditioning unit 91 mounted on the outer side of the roof of the vehicle. As shown in Figure 4, the ceiling internal air conditioning unit 1 of Figure 3 comprises an air duct bracket 2 fixed on the inner side of the roof of the vehicle, a main panel assembly 3 fixedly engaged with a lower side of the air duct bracket, and a lower panel 4 fixed below the main panel assembly. The structural schematic diagrams of the assembled air duct bracket 2, the main panel assembly 3 and the lower panel 4 are as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 7. The upper and lower distribution here is defined in terms of the structure in which the internal air conditioning unit has been installed in the vehicle. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, a middle portion of a lower surface of the main panel assembly 3 is provided with a through hole or aperture 5 having a shape corresponding to that of the lower panel 4, wherein the lower panel 4 is fixed below the main panel assembly 3 and covers the through hole or aperture 5, such that an annular gap area between the lower surface of the main panel assembly 3 and the lower panel 4 forms a main air inlet port 7 of the internal air conditioning unit, and at least a part of a peripheral side of the main panel assembly 3 above the level of the main air inlet port 7 is provided with an air outlet port 33 of the internal air conditioning unit. Note that the through hole or aperture 5 need not be the same shape with the lower panel 4, as long as the lower panel 4 can substantially cover the through hole or aperture 5, so that the through hole or aperture 5 is hidden from plain view, or at least partially covered to improve the aesthetics of the main panel assembly 3.
As shown in Figure 4, the air duct bracket 2 is fixed on the inner side of the roof of the vehicle, and is provided at its centre with a main air inlet interface 22. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the main air inlet interface 22 is connected to the external air conditioning unit 91 on the outer side of the roof by a retractable air duct 10 installed inside the roof, so that the air in the air conditioner can be sent into the external air conditioning unit 91. In one form, the main air inlet interface 22 has a honeycomb structure and can uniformly adjust the incoming airflow. Of course, the main air inlet interface 22 can take other forms depending on the design requirements.
As shown in Figure 6, the main panel assembly 3, having a certain thickness, has an arched outer surface and two curved-surface structures at both ends thereof. Other forms are possible. As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the inner side of the main panel assembly 3 is configured to be fixedly engaged with the lower side of the air duct bracket 2, which can be done in the same way as in a conventional air conditioner for a vehicle and will not be described here.
As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the main panel assembly 3 is provided with an air inlet grille 6 which is annularly distributed around the through hole or aperture 5 and projects downwardly from the main panel assembly 3, where the lower panel 4 is configured to detachably couple to the grille structure by snap members 41 (Figure 4) formed on the lower panel 4 (Figure 4) . It will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, other suitable attachment means may also apply, for example by connecting screws etc.
The main panel assembly may also comprise features such as a control panel, an infrared sensor, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi receiver suitable for controlling the functions of the air conditioner.
In an alternative embodiment, the lower panel 4 may instead be provided with the air inlet grille 6, which is annularly distributed on an upper surface of the lower panel 4 and projected upwardly from the lower panel 4, where the lower panel 4 is configured to detachably couple to the grille structure by snap members (or suitable alternatives) formed on the main panel assembly 3.
As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the lower panel 4 is mounted below the main panel assembly 3 via the air inlet grille 6, covering the through hole or aperture 5 (Figure 5) of the main panel assembly 3. It will be appreciated that the annular gap between the lower panel 4 and the main panel assembly 3 forms the air inlet port 7 of the internal air conditioning unit, so that the typical concentrated air intake from bottom to top (as found in conventional prior art solutions) is changed into a dispersive uniform air intake in a lateral direction. The air inlet and outlet configuration in the RV is shown in Figures 5, 7 and 9. This configuration not only improves the aesthetics of the internal air conditioning unit, but also disperses the incoming airflow of the air conditioner and changes the direction of the incoming airflow. Therefore, when the fan power of the air conditioner is constant, the intake airflow noise may be reduced.
It will be appreciated that the annular gap shown and described refers to a gap formed between the main panel assembly 3 and the lower panel 4 about the perimeter of the lower panel 4 and is not intended to mean a circular ring shape. It will also be appreciated that the annular gap may be segmented or may be interrupted, for instance, by the air inlet grille 6 or by attachment means used to attach the lower panel 4 to the main panel assembly 3, as long as the gap allows air input into the air conditioning unit.
As shown in Figures 5, 6 and 10, an air outlet port 33 is respectively provided in a pair of directions of the main panel assembly 3, and an auxiliary air inlet port 34 is respectively provided in the other pair of directions of the main panel assembly 3, with the level of the auxiliary air inlet port 34 higher than that of the main air inlet port 7 of the internal air conditioning unit. The auxiliary air inlet port 34 may increase the air intake capability of the air conditioner, thereby accelerating the circulation of indoor air and improving the speed at which cooling or heating takes place.
As shown in Figure 4, the main panel assembly 3 is provided on the inner side with an air duct isolation plate 31, which is located between the air outlet port 33 and the air inlet port 34 on the same side, so that the incoming airflow is isolated from the outgoing airflow on the same side of the main panel assembly 3. This reduces the heat exchange between the outgoing air and the incoming air, and improves the work efficiency of the air conditioner.
In one form, the air duct isolation plate 31 and a baffle assembly 21 on the air duct bracket 2 together form independent air outlet channels and air inlet channels, thereby separating the outgoing airflow from the incoming airflow.
It will be appreciated that alternative air outlet and inlet channels may employed to separate the outgoing airflow from the incoming airflow. For example, ducts can be used to create air outlet and inlet channels.
Both ends of the lower surface of the main panel assembly 3 are curved, and the air outlet port 33 is disposed at the curved-surface portion. Other forms may apply depending on the design requirements.
As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the main panel assembly 3 is provided on both sides with an arched notch 8, which is provided with a horizontally extending detachable filter screen 32 located on the inner side of the main air inlet interface 22 of the air duct bracket 2; an auxiliary air inlet port 34, having a level lower than the filter screen 32, is formed at the arched notch 8 and the handle 321 of the filter screen 32. The filter screen 32 can filter the air. When the main air inlet interface 22 has a honeycomb structure, the incoming airflow entering from the main air inlet interface 22 may be sequentially filtered by the filter screen 32 and the main air inlet interface 22 before entering the internal air conditioning unit. Other forms may apply depending on the design requirements.
As shown in Figures 11 to 13 together, the air duct bracket 2 and the main panel assembly 3 are fixed with a fastening screw assembly 11, which is located on the inner side of the side of the main panel assembly 3, the air duct bracket 2 is provided on the lower side with four first screw mounts 1101, and the main panel assembly 3 is provided on the inner side with four second screw mounts 1102, with the first screw mounts 1101 and the second screw mounts 1102 fixed with fastening screws 1103. Located on the inner side of the side of the main panel assembly 3, the fastening screw 1103 of the air duct bracket 2 and the main panel assembly 3 is covered by the filter screen 32 and hidden. With the screw hole in the second screw mount 1102 lower than the screw hole in the first screw mount 1101, the fastening screw 1103 respectively goes through the two screw holes to make the main panel assembly 3 be lifted upwards, such that the air duct bracket 2 is more closely connected to the main panel assembly 3. It will however be appreciated that other suitable means for fixing the air bracket 2 and the main panel assembly 3 may be applied.
In the exemplary form shown in Figure 4, the air outlet port 33 is provided with an air guide louver 331, which can adjust the air-outgoing angle. It will be appreciated that the air guide louver 331 may be manually or automatically adjustable, or may be absent.
It can be seen that the lower panel 4 has a thin plate structure, and the lower surface thereof is smooth, however it will be appreciated that the lower surface may have some decorative structures and patterns to make it more aesthetically pleasing. It will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the lower panel could be fitted with a light source in order to illuminate the vehicle.
It can also be seen that the lower panel 4 has a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners and (as shown in Figure 12) has an arched outer surface to match the arched outer surface of the main panel 3. It will however be appreciated that the lower panel 4 and corresponding through hole or aperture 5 may take many shapes or forms as long as the lower panel 4 can substantially cover the through hole or aperture 5, so that the through hole or aperture 5 is hidden from plain view, or at least partially covered to improve the aesthetics of the main panel assembly 3.
The main air inlet port of the internal air conditioning unit is an annular gap area between the lower surface of the main panel assembly 3 and the lower panel 4, such that the air inlet area of the internal air conditioning unit is annularly distributed, and the airflow inside the vehicle is laterally introduced into the internal air conditioning unit, which can make the airflow entering the air conditioner from the inside of the vehicle dispersive and uniform, thereby reducing the noise inside the vehicle. The internal air conditioning unit is mounted on the roof of the vehicle in a higher position, and the lower panel 4 covers the middle through hole or aperture 5 in the main panel assembly 3, avoiding the lack of aesthetics caused by the exposure of the air inlet port 34 and the grille 6 of the air conditioner.
The ceiling internal air conditioning unit and the ceiling air conditioner provided by the present disclosure are described above in detail. The principles and embodiments of the present invention are illustrated with reference to specific examples. The above examples are provided only for helping people understand the present invention and the core concept thereof. It should be noted that those skilled in the art could make various modifications and changes to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
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.
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.
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 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

An air conditioning unit for mounting on a roof of a vehicle, wherein the air conditioning unit comprises:

a main panel assembly to engage an inner side of the roof of the vehicle, the main panel assembly comprising at least one air outlet port; and

a lower panel;

wherein a lower surface of the main panel assembly is provided with a through hole or aperture; and wherein and the lower panel is fixed below the through hole or aperture in a way that there is a gap between the lower surface of the main panel assembly and the lower panel, and wherein the gap forms a main air inlet port of the internal air conditioning unit.
The air conditioning unit according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the peripheral side of the main panel assembly above the level of the main air inlet port is provided with an air outlet port of the internal air conditioning unit.
The air conditioning unit according to claim 1, wherein the lower panel is supported below the through hole or aperture by air inlet grille.
The air conditioning unit according to claim 1, wherein the lower panel substantially covers the through hole or aperture.
The air conditioning unit according to claim 1, wherein the unit further comprises an air duct bracket fixedly engaged with the inner side of the roof of the vehicle and the main panel assembly is fixedly engaged to the air duct bracket.
The air conditioning unit according to claim 1, wherein an air outlet port is respectively provided in a pair of directions of the main panel assembly, and an auxiliary air inlet port is respectively provided in the other pair of directions of the main panel assembly, where the level of the auxiliary air inlet ports are higher than that of the main air inlet port of the internal air conditioning unit.
The air conditioning unit according to claim 1, wherein a peripheral side portion of an upper surface of the lower panel is fixed below the main panel assembly through an air inlet grille located at the edge of the through hole or aperture of the main panel assembly.
The air conditioning unit according to claim 5, wherein the main panel assembly is provided on an inner side with an air duct isolation plate, which is located between the air outlet port and the air inlet port on the same side, so that incoming airflow is isolated from outgoing airflow on the same side of the main panel assembly.
The air conditioning unit according to claim 8, wherein the air duct isolation plate and a baffle assembly on the air duct bracket together form an independent air outlet channel and air inlet channel, thereby separating the outgoing airflow from the incoming airflow.
The air conditioning unit according to claim 1, wherein both ends of the lower surface of the main panel assembly are curved, and the air outlet port is disposed at the curved-surface portion.
The air conditioning unit according to claim 5, wherein the main panel assembly is provided on both sides with an arched notch, which is provided with a horizontally extending detachable filter screen located inside a main air inlet duct of the air duct bracket; an auxiliary air inlet port, having a level lower than the filter screen, is formed at the arched notch and the handle of the filter screen.
The air conditioning unit according to claim 1, wherein an air inlet grille is annularly distributed and projects downwardly on the grille structure of the lower surface of the main panel assembly, and the lower panel is detachably coupled to the grille structure by a snap member.
The air conditioning unit according to claim 1, wherein the air outlet port is provided with an air guide louver.
The air conditioning unit according to claim 5, wherein the air duct bracket and the main panel assembly are fixed with a fastening screw assembly, which is located on the inner side of the main panel assembly.
A ceiling RV air conditioner, wherein it comprises the air conditioning unit according to claim 1.