US20070215317A1

US20070215317A1 - Movable multi-functional air-conditioner and its method of use

Info

Publication number: US20070215317A1
Application number: US11/640,005
Authority: US
Inventors: King-Leung Wong; Tsung-Lieh Hsien; Shih-Shih Ku; Huann-Ming Chou
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-03-17
Filing date: 2006-12-16
Publication date: 2007-09-20
Also published as: TW200736556A; TWI269016B

Abstract

A movable multi-functional air-conditioner equipped with wheels for high mobility is disclosed having a front chamber with an air inlet and an air outlet, an evaporator and a fan mounted in the front chamber, a rear chamber with an air inlet and an air outlet, a heater and a condenser mounted in the rear chamber, a front valve mounted in the air inlet of the front chamber, a rear valve mounted in the air inlet of the rear chamber, and an intermediate valve for controlling the air passage between the front chamber and the rear chamber so that the user to select hot mode, cold mode, dehumidifying mode, or simultaneous dehumidifying and drying mode by opening/closing the front valve, the rear valve, and the intermediate valve.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an air conditioning system without four-way valve and, more particularly to a movable multi-functional air-conditioner, which provides (a) Cooling mode, (b) Heating mode, (c) Dehumidifying mode, and (d) Simultaneous dehumidifying and drying mode and, which is movable to a local space where air conditioning is required or workable to provide cooling or hot air for an individual.
2. Description of the Related Art
Following prosperity of the society and improvement of people's living quality, air-conditioner, electric heater, dehumidifier and air dryer have become requisite electric home appliances in many families around the world. In rainy and wet geographic areas, there is a strong demand for dehumidifier and air drier for use to remove moisture from the places where precious precision instruments, pharmaceutical products or precious clothes are stored. Further, the demand for air-conditioner, electric heater, dehumidifier and air dryer is heavy in many rainy areas around the word where the temperature changes significantly in different seasons. Further, commercial dehumidifiers simply provide one single function to remove moisture from the air, not applicable for drying purpose. During operation of a regular dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air, the output flow of air has a relatively higher temperature, lower humidity ratio, lower specific humidity, and higher dryness, i.e., the output flow of air of a dehumidifier provides a certain ability of drying function. When designing a dehumidifier, the designer, may simply focus on the ability of removing moisture from the air to reduce the humidity ratio of the air. Conventional dehumidifiers do not with any function of utilizing the output byproduct of dry air. It is a pity to waste this precious resource that can be used to dry things. Further, when using a dehumidifier in a hot day, the output hot dry air of the dehumidifier simultaneously heats the air in the space when removing moisture from the air, thereby increasing the temperature of the space. Increasing the temperature during the wet and hot summer makes people to feel uncomfortable. Further, regular electric air dryers and heaters have the drawbacks of high temperature, high power consumption and low safety level. Further, using a heat pump air-conditioner to keep the house warm is much energy saving and safer than an electric heater. However, when using a heat pump air-conditioner, it is necessary to adjust the position of the four-way valve to switch between the hot air mode and the cool air mode. When switching the four-way valve during the operation of a heat pump air-conditioner, a pressure different between the high pressure end and lower pressure end of the system may be as high as ten times above the atmospheric pressure. Therefore, improper use of a heat pump air-conditioner may cause the switch of the four-way valve to be broken, or result in system failure. When a heat pump hot/cold dual-mode air-conditioner is designed in a house in the subtropical as well as tropical zones should focus on cold mode, thus the indoor heat exchanger (plays as the evaporator during cold mode) must be smaller than the outdoor heat exchanger (plays as the condenser during cold mode) so that the heat transfer rate of the condenser can be kept equal to the heat transfer rate of the evaporator plus the power of the compressor subject to laws of thermodynamics, assuring normal functioning of cold mode. However, when using this design of heat pump hot-cold dual-mode air-conditioner to output hot air in a cold day, the indoor heat exchanger (plays as the condenser during hot mode) should be greater than the outdoor heat exchanger (plays as the evaporator during hot mode) subject to laws of thermodynamics at this time, but they do absolutely violate, i.e., this function does not in conformity with laws of thermodynamics to keep energy in balance, resulting in poor performance of hot mode and may cause failure of the air-conditioner easily. When a heat pump hot/cold dual-mode air-conditioner is designed in a house in the temperate as well as frigid zones should focus on hot mode, thus the heat transfer rate of the condenser must be equal to the heat transfer rate of the evaporator plus of the power of the compressor subject to laws of thermodynamics. Therefore, the indoor heat exchanger (plays as the condenser during hot mode) must be greater than the outdoor heat exchanger (plays as the evaporator during hot mode) to keep energy in balance and to assure normal functioning of hot mode. However, using this design of heat pump hot-cold dual-mode air-conditioner to output cool air in a hot day, the indoor heat exchanger (the evaporator during cold mode) should be greater than the outdoor heat exchanger (the condenser during cold mode) subject to laws of thermodynamics at this time, but they do absolutely violate, i.e., this function does not in conformity with laws of thermodynamics to keep energy in balance, resulting in poor performance of hot mode and may cause failure of the air-conditioner easily. Further, a conventional air-conditioner or heat pump air-conditioner must be installed in a fixed place to regulate the air for whole the space even sometimes only a part of space need to be regulated, therefore it may consume more energy. Further, conventional air-conditioners and heat pump air-conditioners are commonly heavy, not easy to move.
It is therefore desirable to provide a movable multi-functional air-conditioner, which eliminates the previously mentioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a movable multi-functional air-conditioner has a high mobility characteristic and provides hot mode, cold mode, dehumidifying mode, and simultaneous dehumidifying as well as drying mode for different purposes.
To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, the movable multi-functional air-conditioner comprises an air-conditioner body defining an air circulation space that houses an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, a choke (or capillary) and a water collector. The air-conditioner body has wheels pivotally mounted on a bottom side thereof to make the movable multi-functional air-conditioner easy to move, a front chamber and a rear chamber defined in the air circulation space, the front chamber and the rear chamber each having an air inlet and an air outlet, an intermediate valve for controlling flowing of air between the front chamber and the rear chamber, a front valve installed in the air outlet of the front chamber, a rear valve installed in the air inlet of the rear chamber, a first fan mounted in the front chamber behind the evaporator for drawing outside air into the front chamber, and a second fan mounted in the rear chamber in front of the condenser for drawing outside air into the rear chamber. The evaporator is mounted in the air inlet of the front chamber. The condenser is mounted in the air outlet of the rear chamber. Further, a heater may be installed in the rear chamber and set in front of or behind the condenser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a movable multi-functional air-conditioner according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing showing the structural space and air flowing direction of the present invention under hot mode of the movable multi-functional air-conditioner during a cold day according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing showing the structural space and air flowing direction of the present invention under cold mode of the movable multi-functional air-conditioner during a hot day according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing showing the structural space and air flowing direction of the present invention under dehumidifying mode of the movable multi-functional air-conditioner according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing showing the structural space and air flowing direction of the present invention under simultaneous dehumidifying and drying mode of the movable multi-functional air-conditioner according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a movable multi-functional air-conditioner a in accordance with the present invention is shown having wheels a1 pivotally mounted on the bottom side thereof for easy movement. The movable multi-functional air-conditioner a has a middle partition wall 3 that divides the inside space of the movable multi-functional air-conditioner a into a front chamber 1 and a rear chamber 2. An intermediate valve 31 is installed in the middle partition wall 3 to open/close the air communication passage 32 between the front chamber 1 and the rear chamber 2. The front chamber 1 has an air inlet 11 and an air outlet 12. A pipe connector 121 is mounted in the air outlet 12 to hold a front valve 122, which controls opening/closing of the air outlet 12. The rear chamber 2 has an air inlet 21 and an air outlet 22 respectively mounted with a pipe connector 211 or 221. A rear valve 212 is installed in the pipe connector 211 of the air inlet 21 to control closing/opening of the air inlet 21. An evaporator 13 is installed in the air inlet 11 of the front chamber 1. A fan 14 is mounted inside the front chamber 1 behind the evaporator 13. A condenser 23 is installed in the air outlet 22 of the rear chamber 2. A fan 24 is mounted inside the rear chamber 2 in front of the condenser 23. A heater 25 is mounted in the rear chamber 2 between the condenser 23 and the air outlet 22. The heater 25 allows multi-step adjustment of the heating temperature. The movable multi-functional air-conditioner a further comprises parts necessary for a refrigerating system such as compressor 4, choke 5 (or capillary) and water collector 6. Control knobs are provided to control opening/closing status of every valve of the movable multi-functional air-conditioner a subject to different operation modes to fit different temperature conditions.
Subject to different requirements, the invention provides the following modes:
1. Hot Mode During Cold Weather (See FIG. 2):
When hot air is required during a cold day, open the front valve 122 in the front chamber 1 and the rear valve 212 in the rear chamber 2 and close the intermediate valve 31. Therefore, the front chamber 1 and the rear chamber 2 are independent spaces. At this time, the fan 24 in the rear chamber 2 is operated to draw outside air into the rear chamber 2 through the pipe connector 211 and the air inlet 21. The intake flow of air then goes through the condenser 23 to the outside of the movable multi-functional air-conditioner a via the pipe connector 221 and the air outlet 22 that is aimed to heat the air by condenser 23 for warming the particular space near the outlet 22. The heater 25 may be started to add the extra heat to the flow of air that goes through the movable multi-functional air-conditioner a in the situation needs higher temperature of the outlet air. Further, the fan 14 in the front chamber 1 draws outside air into the air inlet 11. The intake flow of air then goes through the evaporator 13, which lowers the temperature of the flow of air and removes part of moisture from the flow of air, and then goes into the front chamber 1 and then goes out of the front chamber 1 through the outlet 12 and the pipe connector 121. A guide pipe 9 is connected to the pipe connector 121 to guide cold air out of the front chamber 1 to the outside of the house (room).
2. Cold Mode During Hot Weather (See FIG. 3):
When cold air is required during a hot day, open the front valve 122 in the front chamber 1 and the rear valve 212 in the rear chamber 2, and close the intermediate valve 31. Therefore, the front chamber 1 and the rear chamber 2 are independent spaces. At this time, the fan 14 in the front chamber 1 is operated to draw outside air into the air inlet 11. The intake flow of air then goes through the evaporator 13, which lowers the temperature of the flow of air and removes part of moisture from the flow of air, and then goes into the front chamber 1 and then goes out of the front chamber 1 through the outlet 12 and the pipe connector 121 that is aimed to guide the cold air cooling the particular space near the outlet 12. At the same time, the operation of the fan 24 in the rear chamber 2 draws outside air into the rear chamber 2 through the pipe connector 211 and the air inlet 21. The intake flow of air then goes through the condenser 23 to the outside of the movable multi-functional air-conditioner a via the pipe connector 221 and the air outlet 22. In this case, the guide pipe 9 is connected to the pipe connector 221 to guide hot air out of the rear chamber 2 to the outside of the house (room).
3. Dehumidifying Mode (See FIG. 4):
When dehumidifying mode is required, close the front valve 122 in the front chamber 1 and the rear valve 212 in the rear chamber 2, and open the intermediate valve 31 to have the front chamber 1 and the rear chamber 2 be in air communication with each other. At this time, the fan 14 in the front chamber 1 and the fan 24 in the rear chamber 2 are in operation, so that outside air goes through the air inlet 11 and the evaporator 13 of the front chamber 1 and the air communication passage 32 in the middle partition wall 3 into the rear chamber 2, and then goes through the condenser 23 to the outside of the rear chamber 2 via the outlet 22 and the pipe connector 221. When the flow of air is passing through the evaporator 13, the evaporator 13 lowers the temperature and removes part of moisture of the flow of air. When the flow of air is passing through the condenser 23, the condenser 23 causes the flow of air to be heated and dried into a hot and dry status. The hot and dry flow of air that goes out of the rear chamber 2 has a temperature slightly higher than the temperature inside the house (room).
4. Simultaneous Dehumidifying and Drying Mode (See FIG. 5).
When simultaneous dehumidifying and drying mode is needed (more particularly for a small space or item, for example, cabinet or wardrobe, or wet hair after washing), close the front valve 122 in the front chamber 1 and the rear valve 212 in the rear chamber 2, and open the intermediate valve 31 to have the front chamber 1 and the rear chamber 2 be in air communication with each other. At this time, the fan 14 in the front chamber 1 and the fan 24 in the rear chamber 2 are in operation, so that outside air goes through the air inlet 11 and the evaporator 13 of the front chamber 1 and the air communication passage 32 in the middle partition wall 3 into the rear chamber 2, and then goes through the condenser 23 to the outside of the rear chamber 2 via the outlet 22 and the pipe connector 221. When the flow of air is passing through the evaporator 13, the evaporator 13 lowers the temperature and removes part of moisture of the flow of air. When the flow of air is passing through the condenser 23, the condenser 23 causes the flow of air to be heated and dried into a hot and dry status. If the faster drying process is needed, the heater 25 may be started at this time to heat the flow of air passing through the rear chamber 2 in order to make the air having a greater drying ability. Further, the guide pipe 9 must be connected to the pipe connector 221 at this time to guide the hot and dry flow of air from the air outlet 22 and the pipe connector 21 to the space 10 to be dried.
As stated above, the invention utilizes the parts of the refrigerating system of an air-conditioner or dehumidifier and divides the air circulation space into two chambers for enabling the user to control opening/closing of the valve in each chamber and the valve in between the two chambers, and therefore four different operation modes are selectively provided for different purposes. Further, the bottom wheels make the movable multi-functional air-conditioner easy to move, i.e., the user can move the movable multi-functional air-conditioner conveniently to a particular place or space area to supply cold air, or hot air, or to dehumidify, or to dry certain articles. Further, a guide pipe may be attached to the movable multi-functional air-conditioner to guide the unnecessary cold or hot air out of the house (room). In general, the invention has the following advantages:
1. Multiple functions: The movable multi-functional air-conditioner is a four-in-one cost-effective design that provides cold mode, cold mode, dehumidifying mode, and simultaneous dehumidifying and drying mode.
2. High mobility: It is not necessary to install the movable multi-functional air-conditioner in a fixed place. By means of the wheels of the movable multi-functional air-conditioner, the user can move the movable multi-functional air-conditioner to the desired place conveniently.
3. Power-saving and cost-effective features: When used as a heat pump air-conditioner to provide hot air, it saves much power when compared to an electric heater. Because of high mobility, the movable multi-functional air-conditioner can be moved to a particular place to provide hot or cold air to an individual, thus using a smaller refrigeration system is good enough thereby achieving a lot of energy-saving. Further, the added “simultaneous dehumidifying and drying mode” saves much energy when compared to a regular dehumidifier.
4. Convenience: Under simultaneous dehumidifying and drying mode, the movable multi-functional air-conditioner can dry shoes in a shoe cabinet, clothes in a wardrobe, the body or hair of a person after bathing. When designed for personal or home use, the movable multi-functional air-conditioner has low power consumption and lightweight characteristics, convenient for delivery.
A prototype of movable multi-functional air-conditioner has been constructed with the features of FIGS. 1˜5. The movable multi-functional air-conditioner functions smoothly to provide all of the features as discussed above.
Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A movable multi-functional air-conditioner comprising an air-conditioner body defining an air circulation space that houses an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, a choke (or capillary) and a water collector, wherein said air-conditioner body has wheels pivotally mounted on a bottom side thereof to make the movable multi-functional air-conditioner easy to move, a front chamber and a rear chamber defined in said air circulation space, said front chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet, said rear chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet, an intermediate valve for controlling flowing of air through an air communication passage between said front chamber and said rear chamber, a front valve installed in the air outlet of said front chamber, a rear valve installed in the air inlet of said rear chamber, a first fan mounted in said front chamber behind said evaporator for drawing outside air into said front chamber, and a second fan mounted in said rear chamber in front of said condenser for drawing outside air into said rear chamber; said evaporator is mounted in the air inlet of said front chamber; said condenser is mounted in the air outlet of said rear chamber.

2. The movable multi-functional air-conditioner as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a heater set in between the air outlet of said rear chamber and said condenser.

3. The movable multi-functional air-conditioner as claimed in claim 2, wherein said heat is adjustable to produce heating temperatures.

4. The movable multi-functional air-conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein said air-conditioner body has a middle partition wall with an air communication passage that separates said front chamber and said rear chamber; said intermediate valve is installed in said middle partition wall.

5. The movable multi-functional air-conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air outlet of said front chamber is mounted with a pipe connector.

6. The movable multi-functional air-conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air outlet of said rear chamber is mounted with a pipe connector.

7. A method of using a movable multi-functional air-conditioner constructed according to claim 1, subject to the operation modes of:

(a) Hot mode, wherein said front valve and said rear valve are opened and said intermediate valve is closed for enabling said second fan to draw outside air through the air inlet of said rear chamber and said condenser to the air outlet of said rear chamber and, for enabling said first fan to draw outside air through said evaporator toward the outlet of said front chamber to have cold air be guided out of the outlet of said front chamber via a guide pipe being connected to the outlet of said front chamber;

(b) Cold mode, wherein said front valve and said rear valve are opened and said intermediate valve is closed for enabling said first fan to draw outside air through said evaporator into said front chamber toward the outlet of said front chamber to that cold air is outputted through the air outlet of said front chamber, and at the same time said second fan is operated to guide outside air into the air inlet of said rear chamber through the condenser toward the air outlet of said rear chamber to have hot air be guided out of said rear chamber through the air outlet of said rear chamber and a guide pipe being connected to the air outlet of said rear chamber;

(c) Dehumidifying mode, wherein said front valve and said rear valve are closed and said intermediate valve is opened for enabling air to circulate between said front chamber and said rear chamber, and said first fan and second fan are operating for enabling outside air to go in proper order through said evaporator, said front chamber, said rear chamber, and said condenser toward the air outlet of said rear chamber so that hot dry air is outputted through the air outlet of said rear chamber; and

(d) Simultaneous dehumidifying and drying mode, wherein said front valve and said rear valve are closed and said intermediate valve is opened for enabling air to circulate between said front chamber and said rear chamber, and said first fan and second fan are operating to have outside air go through said evaporator into said front chamber and said rear chamber toward the outlet of said rear chamber via said condenser so that hot dry air is outputted through the air outlet of said rear chamber and a guide pipe being connected to the air outlet of said rear chamber for drying things.

8. A method of using a movable multi-functional air-conditioner constructed according to claim 2, subject to the operation modes of:

9. The method of using a movable multi-functional air-conditioner constructed according to claim 8, wherein said hot mode further comprising the step of starting said heater to heat the flow of air passing through said rear chamber.