NATURAL WIND AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a natural wind air-conditioning system where the wind from rotary control fans interferes with the wind from the blower to scatter the pressure waves thereof. The suction port is placed opposite to the air vent to make pressure differences, which result in two different forces of pushing and pulling. The indoor air current forms natural convections due to those different forces.
(b) Description of the Related Art
Generally, natural wind develops as a result of pressure differences
between two regions, and is blown in an unpredictably irregular manner.
The artificial wind from an electric fan or an air-conditioner with the rotation of wings is generated by forcefully intercepting and pushing the air,
and blown intermittently. Accordingly, the blowing of the artificial wind is
made more regular than that of the natural wind. With the artificial wind
blowing, compression and rarefaction air particle states are repeated
mechanically and regularly due to the rotation of the rotators, and pressure
waves are generated.
The rarefaction refers to the state where the air particles are spread
apart with low air pressure, while the compression refers to the state where
the air particles are compressed together with high air pressure. These
states are continuously repeated with the artificial wind.
When the artificial wind is intermittently and continuously generated from the electric fan or air conditioner by forcefully intercepting and moving the air, uniform pressure differences as well as mechanical continuity and regularity are made, and expressed by the pressure waves
When the human body is long exposed to the artificial wind, a headache or a skin pricking or stinging is made, and the face is swollen.
This is due to the mechanical stress where the compressions and the rarefactions of the artificial wind and the mechanically repeated pressure waves continuously impinge upon the body or skin at a regular frequency.
By contrast, the natural wind little involves such a trouble to the human body or skin in that it is blown unpredictably irregular due to the two forces of pushing and pulling made in the presence of pressure differences. The natural wind does not make cumulative effects of pressure stress to the human body. That is, even when the human body is long exposed to the natural wind, it is not pricked or swollen, but bears soft and tender feelings or sensations.
Recently, in order to make the artificial wind approximate to the natural wind, it has been proposed that the frequency of the pressure waves is varied by changing the rotation speeds of the air blower fans or by colliding the artificial wind against the wall or ceiling to reduce the bad or harmful effects of the pressure waves.
However, in case the rotation speeds of the blower fans are changed,
only the cycle of the pressure waves becomes longer and the frequency
variation thereof is made slightly further, but those pressure waves are made
still cyclically.
Furthermore, in case the artificial wind collides against the wall or
ceiling, the pressure waves are scattered while reducing the damages due
thereto, but the strength of the wind becomes largely weakened.
When the wind of the air-conditioner is directed toward the ceiling,
the temperature of the region over the accommodation of persons is first
varied, and the temperature of the region below the personal
accommodation is varied thereafter. Consequently, the energy efficiency is deteriorated in that the air-conditioning time period becomes elongated, and the energy consumption due to the thermal loss is increased.
As shown in Fig. 1 , two fans 2 were angled to each other by a
predetermined degree (θ) before the user 1 such that the winds from the
respective fans 2 collide with each other. Even though the user had stayed long before the fans 2 while being exposed to the winds therefrom, he little
experienced the sensations of skin pricking or headache. Extensive
researches have been made to improve the situation, and it turns out that in
case the winds running in different directions impinge upon (or are mixed
with) each other, the turbulence degree thereof is amplified while scattering
or dissipating the pressure waves. In this way, the artificial wind becomes
to be in a state similar to that of the natural wind, and the possible stress
thereof to the human body is decreased while creating tender feelings or
sensations, and elevating the pleasant sensitivity of the human body to the
wind.
The above-like investigation results are disclosed in Korean Patent
No. 379992 (Natural wind electric fan) and Korean Patent No. 360775
(Natural wind air-conditioner).
Considering that the human body less suffers stress with the
unpredictably irregular collisions of the natural wind than with the definite and
continuous collisions of the artificial wind, the 379992 Patent discloses a structure where the rotational axes of two or more rotators are at a
predetermined angle with each other, and the rotation speeds thereof are varied cyclically. The winds from the rotators impinge upon each other, thereby becoming irregular and increased in their turbulence degree. Then, the winds temporarily or partially collide with the human body in an unpredictably irregular manner while being varied in the strength as like with
the natural wind. In this way, the artificial wind becomes to be in a state similar to that of the natural wind, and the possible stress thereof to the
human body is decreased while creating tender feelings or sensations, and
elevating the pleasant sensitivity of the human body to the wind.
The 360775 Patent discloses a structure where the basic structure of
the 379992 Patent is applied to an air conditioner. In order to improve or
remove the troubles of the user such as the sensations of headache,
muscular pain or skin pricking, the wind blown from the blower and passed
the heat exchanger cyclically impinges upon the wind from the control fan
(the indoor air current) at a predetermined angle so that the turbulence
degree thereof is amplified, and the blown wind becomes irregular and soft.
The air-conditioned wind is controlled to be varied in its texture, temperature
and volumes such that the user can select the desired functions or
conditions. In this way, the pleasant sensitivity of the user to the air-
conditioned wind is elevated. The pressure wave is scattered to make the
artificial wind come closer to the natural wind, and the user is prevented from
feeling headache or skin pricking even when long exposed to the artificial
wind. However, with the above-described techniques, as the wind is simply
blown from the rotator or the air conditioner to the indoor side, it becomes possible to generate nearly natural wind by scattering the pressure waves, but problems are still made in that the wind strength is weakened, or the wind does not reach the distant region due to the resistance of the indoor air, thereby not making convections over the entire indoor area in rapid and
fluent manners.
The natural wind forms convections in such a way that the air
continuously flows from one region to the other region due to the two
different forces of pushing and pulling generated by the difference between
the high pressure region and the low pressure region. However, with the
conventional techniques where the wind is forcefully blown from one side to
the other side, a natural convection is not made due to the resistance of the
indoor air pressure and the air particles. Referentially speaking, the weight
of the 1m3 air at 0°C under the pressure of 1kg/cπ is 1.251kg. The wind
blown through the air conditioner proceeds while overcoming the resistance
due to the air weight. Therefore, as it comes further distant from the air
vent, the strength of the wind becomes reduced, and the convections cannot
be made over the entire indoor area.
In particular, as the air conditioner has an air outlet placed at the top
and an air inlet placed at the bottom, the circulating range of the convection
is short, and the wind is not well transmitted to the desired place.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a natural wind air-
conditioning system where the air inlet is placed distant from the air outlet to make pressure differences, and the indoor air current form natural convections due to two different forces of pushing and pulling, induced by the pressure differences. It is another object of the present invention to provide a natural wind
air-conditioning system where with room air conditioners such as a
household air conditioner and a vehicle air conditioner with simplified
functions of temperature controlling, turbulence amplifying, and air flow
speed and rate controlling, the troubles of the user such as headache,
muscular pain and skin pain are significantly improved by making the air
current rapid and soft due to the pressure differences while enhancing the
thermal distribution capacity, thereby enhancing the pleasant sensitivity of
the user.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a natural
wind air-conditioning system where the nearly natural wind is effectively fed
to the distant place by forming natural conventions, and the energy efficiency
is heightened by directly the air-conditioned wind to the accommodation of
persons through controlling the mixture ratio of the wind blown from the
blower and passed the heat exchanger and the control wind from the control
fans.
These and other objects may be achieved by a natural wind air-
conditioning system with the following features. The natural wind air-conditioning system includes a case one-sidedly
with an air vent, an air blower placed within the case distant to the air vent to generate wind, and a heat exchanger placed within the case close to the air blower to exchange heat. Means for dissipating pressure waves is placed external to the case and positioned close to the air vent, or placed internal to
the case and positioned between the heat exchanger and the air vent to scatter and dissipate the pressure waves of the wind blown from the air
blower and passed the heat exchanger and make the cycles thereof irregular.
A suction port is spaced apart from the air vent by a predetermined distance
while facing the air vent. A suction duct communicates the suction port with
the inside of the case to guide the air input through the suction port to the
inside of the case.
The pressure wave dissipation means is formed with one or more
control fans placed external to the case and positioned close to the air vent,
or placed internal to the case between the heat exchanger and the air vent
such that they are each at a predetermined angle with the air flowing
direction of the air vent.
It may be difficult to obtain the installation space for the control fans,
or a problem may be made to the apparent shape of the air conditioner due
to the installation of the control fans. Furthermore, an air resistance may be
made to the wind blowing due to the installation of the control fans. In these
cases, the control fans may be installed at the inside and/or the outside of
the case in a separate manner. For instance, the control fans are operated between the heat exchanger and the air vent or around the air vent using ducts or hoses such that the wind therefrom interferes with the cooled or warmed wind while being at an angle with the latter.
The air fed through the suction duct may cyclically interfere with the wind blown from the air blower and passed the heat exchanger while being
at a predetermined angle with the latter.
The control fan has a function of dissipating the pressure waves by
generating the control wind using the indoor air such that the control wind interferes with the wind passed the heat exchanger to thereby produce
irregular and soft wind, and a function of controlling the temperature of the
wind by varying the mixture ratio of the wind element passed the heat
exchanger to the control wind element based on the indoor air.
The suction port is provided with a suction fan to forcefully inhale the
indoor air, and the suction fan has a motor and a blade rotatably connected
to the motor.
With the natural wind air-conditioning system, the operation of a
compressor or a heater may be varied depending upon the mode of high,
middle, low, or low natural.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A more complete appreciation of the invention, and many of the
attendant advantages thereof, will be readily apparent as the same becomes
better understood by reference to the following detailed description when
considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like
reference symbols indicate the same or the similar components, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a plan view of electric fans angled to each other by a predetermined degree;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a natural wind air-conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of the natural wind air-conditioning system shown in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a plan view of control fans for the natural wind air-
conditioning system shown in Fig. 2, illustrating the installation state thereof;
Fig. 5 is a side view of control fans for the natural wind air-
conditioning system shown in Fig. 2, illustrating the installation state thereof;
Fig. 6 is a partially amplified sectional view of an air suction blower
for the natural wind air-conditioning system shown in Fig. 2, illustrating the
installation state thereof;
Fig. 7 is a plan view of suction ports for the natural wind air-
conditioning system shown in Fig. 2, illustrating the installation state thereof;
Fig. 8 is a side elevation view of a natural wind air-conditioning
system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a side elevation view of a natural wind air-conditioning
system according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view of the natural wind air-conditioning
system taken along the K-K line of Fig. 9;
Fig. 11 is a rear perspective view of the natural wind air-conditioning
system shown in Fig. 9;
Fig. 12 is a side elevation view of a natural wind air-conditioning
system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 13 is a side elevation view of a natural wind air-conditioning system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a turbulence generator for the natural
wind air-conditioning system shown in Fig. 13;
Fig. 15 is a partially amplified sectional view of a turbulence
generator for the natural wind air-conditioning system shown in Fig. 13;
Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view of the turbulence generator for the
natural wind air-conditioning system taken along the H-H line of Fig. 15;
Fig. 17 is a cross sectional view of the turbulence generator for the
natural wind air-conditioning system taken along the G-G line of Fig. 16;
Fig. 18 is a side elevation view of a natural wind air-conditioning
system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 19 is a side elevation view of a natural wind air-conditioning
system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 20 is a side elevation view of a natural wind air-conditioning
system according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 21 is a side elevation view of a natural wind air-conditioning
system according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 22 is a side elevation view of a natural wind air-conditioning
system according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 23 is a cross sectional view of the natural wind air-conditioning
system taken along the J-J line of Fig. 22;
Fig. 24 is a side elevation view of a natural wind air-conditioning system according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 25 is a side elevation view of a natural wind air-conditioning system according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 26 is a plan elevation view of a suction port for the natural wind
air-conditioning system shown in Fig. 25, illustrating the shape thereof;
Fig. 27 is a side elevation view of a suction port for the natural wind
air-conditioning system shown in Fig. 25, illustrating the shape thereof;
Fig. 28 is a perspective view of a natural wind air-conditioning
system according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention,
illustrating the state thereof applied to a car;
Fig. 29 is a side view of the natural wind air-conditioning system
shown in Fig. 28;
Fig. 30 is a side elevation view of a turbulence generator for the
natural wind air-conditioning system shown in Fig. 28; and
Fig. 31 is a side elevation view of a natural wind air-conditioning
system according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of this invention will be explained with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figs. 2 to 7 illustrate a natural wind air-conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figs. 2 to 7, the
system includes a case 10 with an air vent 20, an air blower 70 mounted within the case 10 and positioned distant to the air vent 20 to generate wind, and a heat exchanger 28 mounted within the case 10 and positioned close to the air blower 70 to exchange heat. Means for dissipating pressure waves
is provided external to the case 10, and positioned close to the air vent 20.
The pressure wave dissipation means scatters the pressure waves of the
wind blown from the air blower 70 and passed the heat exchanger 28 to
make the wind cycles irregular. A suction port 80 is spaced apart from the
air vent 20 by a predetermined distance while facing the latter. A suction
duct 90 communicates the suction port 80 with the case 10 to guide the air
input through the suction port 80 to the case 10.
The air blower 70 is formed with a motor 71 installed at the case 10,
and a plurality of blades 74 connected to a shaft 72 of the motor 71.
The blades 74 may be operated in various ways of propeller, impeller,
sirocco fan, and others.
A grill 22 is installed at the air vent 20 to control the wind directions.
An air inlet 18 is formed at the front bottom of the case 10 to intake
the indoor air, and a filter 19 is provided at the air inlet 18 to filter alien
materials.
As shown in Figs. 2 to 5, the pressure wave dissipation means is
formed with one or more control fans 30, which are installed external to the
case 10 and positioned close to the air vent 20. Each control fan 30 has a
plurality of blades 34, and a rotation shaft 32 angled to the direction of the air vent 20 by a predetermined degree.
The directions of the motor 31 and the rotation shaft 32 may be varied, and the wind from the control fan 30 may be blown in various
directions. In the drawings including Fig. 3 and Figs. 8-23, the arrow indicates
the wind direction.
The number of the blades 34 is two or more. For example, the
control fan 30 may be propeller-typed with three or four blades.
Furthermore, the control fan 30 may be centrifugal-typed, or other-
typed.
The control fan 30 may utilize the air passed the heat exchanger 28,
the indoor air around the control fan 30, and the indoor air input through the
suction duct 90. In this embodiment, the control fan 30 uses the indoor air.
The control fan 30 may use the different-routed air elements one by
one, or a mixture of those two or more air elements. Furthermore, the
amount of the air elements may be determined, or varied arbitrarily.
It may be difficult to obtain the installation space for the control fans
30, or a problem may be made to the apparent shape of the air conditioner
due to the installation of the control fans 30. Furthermore, an air resistance
may be made to the wind blowing due to the installation of the control fans
30. In these cases, the control fans 30 may be installed at the inside and/or
the outside of the case 10 in a separate manner. For instance, the control fans 30 are operated between the heat exchanger 28 and the air vent 20 or around the air vent 20 using ducts or hoses such that the wind therefrom interferes with the cooled or warmed wind while being at an angle with the
latter.
The control fans 30 using the ducts or hoses are provided with nozzles, which may be fixed or displaced.
In case the rotation shafts 32 of the control fans 30 are at a
predetermined angle with the air flow direction of the air vent 20, the
pressure wave of the wind from the control fans 30 interferes with the
pressure wave of the wind (warmed or cooled wind) blown through the air
vent 20 so that the compression and rarefaction states of the wind cyclically
repeated are scattered. Consequently, the pressure waves become
dissipated or weakened. This means that the repeated compression and
rarefaction states of the wind or the mechanical regularities thereof are
dispelled, and the turbulence degree of the wind is amplified, thereby forming
irregular and soft wind flows.
The control fans 30 are operated 3-10 minutes later from the
operation of the air blower 70, or in accordance with the input information.
The control fans 30 are sequentially and repeatedly shifted from the low
speed to the high speed, or from the high speed to the low speed.
That is, each control fan 30 is structured such that the rotation speed
thereof is automatically shifted from the step 1 to the step 2, or to the step 3.
When needed, the rotation speed may be controlled manually.
Furthermore, the control fan 30 is structured such that the rotation speed thereof can be selected using a rotary switch or a remote control
switch.
The rotation shafts 32 of the control fans 30 are angled to each other by a predetermined degree, and possibly, to the air flow direction of the air
vent 20.
For example, the rotation shafts 32 of the control fans 30 are at an
angle of 0-180° with each other. The angle between the rotation shafts 32
may be determined or varied.
The rotation shafts 32 of the control fans 30 may be at a
predetermined angle with each other from the point of plan view as shown in
Fig. 4, and from the point of side view as shown in Fig. 5. That is, as shown
in Fig. 4, the plane angle between the rotation shafts 32 is established to be
α, and as shown in Fig. 5, the side angle between the rotation shafts 32 to be
P-
It is preferable that the plane angle is in the range of 0°<α<180°, and
the side angle in the range of 0°<β< 90°.
When the plane angle and the side angle are both 0°, the blades (34)
of the two control fans 30 are linearly placed toward the same direction (the
rotation shafts 32 of the fans 30 proceed parallel to each other). In case the
plane angle is 90°, the blades 34 and the rotation shafts 32 are placed
perpendicular to each other. In case the side angle is 90°, the blade 34 of
the one control fan 30 is directed toward the front side, while the blade 34 of the other control fan 34 is directed toward the top or the bottom. In case the
plane angle and the side angle are 180°, the blades 34 of the two control
fans 30 are directed toward each other, or opposite to each other.
The plane angle and the side angle may be determined simultaneously, or separately. It is also possible that such angles are varied regularly or irregularly using a mechanical or electronic controller, or
controlled arbitrarily by the user.
When the two control fans 30 are mounted at the inside and/or the
outside of the case 10 such that the rotation shafts 32 thereof are angled to
each other by a predetermined degree, the pressure wave of the wind from
the one control fan 30 interferes with the pressure wave of the wind from the
other control fan 30. Consequently, the compression and rarefaction states
of the wind cyclically repeated are scattered, thereby weakening the
pressure waves thereof while amplifying the turbulence degree.
Furthermore, the wind from the control fans 30 also interferes with the wind
blown through the air vent 20 and passed the heat exchanger 28 so that the
mechanical regularities (the compression and rarefaction states) of the
resulting wind are dispelled while weakening the pressure waves thereof,
thereby producing irregular and soft wind flows.
The plane angle α and the side angle β are preferably established
such that the pressure waves interfere with each other at a predetermined
location to make the wind blowing in the desired directions.
It is advantageous in the factors of pressure wave interference, wind direction and wind flow efficiency that the plane angle should be established
to be in the range of 5-120°.
Furthermore, it is advantageous in the factors of the wind direction and the wind flow efficiency that the side angle should be established to be
in the range of 5-60°.
The angle between the wind passed the heat exchanger 28 and the
wind from the control fans 30 is preferably in the range of 0-90°, more
preferably in the range of 5-60°.
The specific internal mechanism, the rotation power supply, the
protective wire, and the housing of the control fan 30 can be derived from the
structure of a usual fan or air blower, and detailed explanations thereof will
be omitted.
Furthermore, the control fans 30 is structured using a mechanical or
electronic controller such that the locations and angles thereof for making the
interference can be determined or varied.
The respective control fans 30 are rotated at different speeds, and
the locations and angles thereof may be varied. That is, the control fans 30
are cyclically varied in their locations and speeds, and make a predetermined
phase difference from each other.
For example, when the user turns on the power switch with the
above structure, one of the two control fans 30 is slowly rotated, and the
other control fan 30 is kept to be at a standstill. When the rotation speed of
the first control fan 30 reaches 60% of the normal rotation numbers, the
second control fan 30 begins slowly rotated.
When the second control fan 30 is rotated, the pressure wave of the wind from the first control fan 30 interferes with the pressure wave of the wind from the second control fan 30. Consequently, the pressure waves of the wind from the two control fans 30 are scattered so that the cyclic
compression and rarefaction states become irregular. The irregular-stated control wind again interferes with the wind run through the heat exchanger
28 so that the turbulence degree of the resulting wind is amplified to thereby
produce irregular and soft wind flows.
It is possible to make a natural wind mode where the temperature
and volumes of the wind are controlled unpredictably in the following way.
That is, the motor 71 of the air blower 70 and the motors 31 of the control
fans 30 are controlled by a mechanical or electronic controller such that the
rotation numbers thereof are varied, and the wind from the air blower 70 and
the wind from the control fans 30 collide with each other in a cyclic manner. The processed wind suffers texture variation, temperature variation and volume variation, and becomes turbulent to thereby produce irregular and soft wind flows.
The natural wind mode may be initially or periodically operated by the automatic or manual establishment of the user, or automatically operated when the room temperature agrees to the predetermined temperature.
The process of making the natural wind is illustrated in Table 1.
Table 1
In Table 1 , the operation time of each cycle is determined to be 5-60 seconds, or made irregularly per cycles. Ten or more cycles (for instance, 10-100 cycles) may be operated as one unit, or the user may arbitrarily determine or program the number of cycles for each unit.
The natural wind mode refers to the state where like the natural wind, the temperature, the shape and the strength of the wind are not regular, and restful and comfortable wind is repeated in a cyclic manner such that it is
difficult or impossible to predict the temperature or volume thereof.
Furthermore, it is possible that the two control fans 30 are rotated for
a predetermined period of time with the normal numbers of rotation, but after
the predetermined time period is lapsed, the rotation speed of the first
control fan 30 becomes slowly reduced and halted, and the rotation speed of
the second control fan 30 then becomes slowly reduced and halted, while
the first control fan 30 begins rotated.
The control wind is irregularly varied in its compression and
rarefaction state because the pressure wave thereof is scattered through
repeating the above process. The control wind is blown toward the wind run through the air vent 20. Consequently, the wind from the control fans 30 interferes with the wind from the air vent 20 so that the turbulence degree of the wind is amplified to thereby produce irregular and soft wind flows, very
similar to the natural wind. The variation of the rotation speed of the control fan 30 may be
made using a timer, or an electronic part (such as a central processing unit,
and a semiconductor chip).
The user may manually vary the rotation speed of the control fan 30
using a rotary switch.
As shown in Fig. 6, the suction port 80 is provided with a suction fan
82. The suction fan 82 has a motor 81 , and a blade 84 connected to the
motor 81. The suction fan 82 forcefully inhales the indoor air while being
rotated.
The suction fan 82 is internally fitted to the suction port 80 by a
support 85.
A filter 88 is preferably installed at the suction port 80 to filter alien
materials from the inhaled air.
The blade 84 is made in a type of propeller, impeller, or sirocco fan.
The end of the suction duct 90 placed opposite to the suction port 80
is preferably connected to the front side of the heat exchanger 28 as the
inhaled air is converted to cooled or warmed air while passing the heat
exchanger 28.
Fig. 8 illustrates the structure of a natural wind air-conditioning system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 8, the air inlet structure may be dispensed at the front of the case 10, or an air inlet 18 may be structured to partially make the air inlet operation while being controlled in its switching operation. That is, as the
indoor air is inhaled through the suction port 80 communicated with the suction duct 90 and heat-exchanged, it becomes possible to make the
desired air circulation without installing a separate air inlet structure to the
case 10.
The wind run through the air vent 20 and the control wind run
through the control fans 30 collide with each other while forming a
predetermined angle γ.
In case the air inlet 18 is not installed to the case 10, the duct or
hose end connected to the control fans 30 may be fitted to case 10, or the air
inlet or suction structural components may be used in a combinatorial
manner.
With the above-structured natural wind air-conditioning system
according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the wind dispelled
or scattered in its pressure wave by the control wind from the control fans 30
runs through the air vent 20, and moves along the indoor area. The wind is
then inhaled through the suction port 80. Accordingly, a natural convection
is made over the entire indoor area.
When the location of the suction port 80 is made at the wall opposite
to the air vent 20 to the bottom, the air flow run through the air vent 20 moves along the indoor area, and enters the suction port 80. Consequently, the convection is made over the entire indoor area, and the air-conditioning effect is maximized.
With the conventional air-conditioning system, as the air flow run
through the air vent 20 is again introduced into the air inlet 18 positioned directly below the air vent 20, the convection is not made over the entire
indoor area, but made only locally.
Furthermore, with the natural wind air-conditioning system according
to the first embodiment of the present invention, as with the natural wind
generated by the movement of air due to the difference between the high
pressure region and the low pressure region, the movement of air is made
due to the pressure difference between the air vent 20 through which the air
is blown at a predetermined pressure and the suction port 80 placed distant
to the air vent 20 to inhale the indoor air by a predetermined pressure.
Consequently, an air current is formed due to the atmospheric pressure
difference as with the natural wind bearing two forces of pushing and pulling
to produce nearly natural wind flows.
The suction port 80 may be installed at the left and right sides of the
case wall opposite to the air vent 20 by branching the suction duct 90, or at
the left and right case walls around the air vent 20.
Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 7, plural numbers of suction ports 80 may be provided using two or more suction ducts 90. The suction duct 90
may be formed with a metallic tube or pipe, or a plastic tube or hose.
In case the plurality of suction ports 80 are provided at various locations, the air flow from the air vent 20 is forked in various directions, and
the air-conditioning is uniformly made over the entire indoor area.
In order to effectively treat the air from the air vent 20 with the plurality of suction ports 80 positioned at various, places, the respective
suction ports 80 are separately controlled in the air flow thereof, or switched.
That is, the rotation speed of the motor 83 may be controlled, or a switch
valve may be provided to control the air flow through the respective suction
ports 80.
A remote controller may be provided to control the operation of the
suction motor 83 or to switch the control valve while giving the user a
convenience in handling the suction ports 80.
Recently, as apartments, buildings, offices, school rooms,
restaurants, factories, churches or department stores are designed to involve
a space for installing the air conditioner, the suction ports 80 and the suction
ducts 90 may be preliminarily laid at the proper wall place during the building
process. The natural wind air-conditioning system according to the present
invention is well adapted for this purpose.
The installation height of the suction port 80 is preferably in the
range of 30-90 cm from the bottom because at that height, a natural
convection is formed around the accommodation of persons.
Furthermore, when the switching of the suction port 80 and the
operation of the suction fan 82 are selectively controlled by the user, it is possible to control the wind blown through the air vent 20 in the desired directions, thereby making the efficient and optimal air conditioning. That is,
in case any suction port 80 inhales the indoor air, the wind run through the air vent 20 is naturally directed toward that suction port 80, and convection is made in that direction. In this way, the indoor air stream can be formed in
the desired direction, and the air conditioning can be localized to the
necessary space, thereby decreasing the energy consumption and
increasing efficiency in the air conditioning.
Figs. 9-10 illustrate a natural wind air-conditioning system according
to a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figs. 9-10, the
control wind generated from the control fans 30 is introduced into the case
10 through tubes 36, and spray nozzles 94 are fitted to the case 10 at a
predetermined angle therewith such that the control wind collides with the
wind from the blower 70 by a predetermined angle.
With the structure according to the third embodiment, the control fan
30 is mounted within a box case 38, and an inlet 39 for inhaling the indoor air
and plural numbers of tubes 36 for guiding the control wind into the case 10
are connected to the case 38,
The structural components according to the third embodiment are
the same as those related to the first and the second embodiments except
for the above-mentioned components, and hence, detailed explanations thereof will be omitted.
The plane angle and the side angle formed by the spray directions of the two or more spray nozzles 94 branched from the one control fan 30 at a
predetermined degree involve the same meaning as those angles α and β
formed by the rotation axes 32 of the two control fans 30 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 11 , it is also possible to place the control fan 30 external to the case 10, to direct the control tubes 36 from the
control fan 30 toward the case 10, and to install the spray nozzles 94
connected to the control tubes 36 at the case 10. In this case, the structural
components are the same as those related to the third embodiment except
for the aforementioned structural components.
As shown in Fig. 12, the pressure wave dissipation means has a
plurality of blades 34. The pressure wave dissipation means may be
formed with one or more control fans 30 installed within the case 10 between
the heat exchanger 28 and the air vent 20 such that they are at a
predetermined angle with the flowing direction of the wind (warmed or cooled
air flow) blown from the blower 70 and passed the heat exchanger 28.
In order to make the explanatory convenience, it is illustrated in Fig.
12 that the control fan 30 is protruded from the inner surface of the case 10.
However, in such a case, the control fan 30 is liable to be a blockage to the
flowing of the wind from the blower 70, and cause noise occurrence.
Therefore, it is preferable that the control fan 30 is not prominent from the
inner surface of the case 10. In case the control fan 30 is structured in the above-described way, the pressure wave of the wind blown from the blower 70 and passed the heat
exchanger 28 is scattered by the control wind generated by the control fan 30, and the resulting wind is blown through the air vent 20.
With the above structure, as the control fan 30 is placed within the case 10, it apparently gives gracious feelings.
As shown in Figs. 13-16, the pressure wave dissipation means is
formed with a helical-shaped structure such that the wind (warmed or cooled
air flow) blown from the blower 70 and passed the heat exchanger 28 is
partially whirled to make turbulences. The pressure wave dissipation
means is possibly formed with a turbulence generator 50 installed within the
case 10 between the heat exchanger 28 and the air vent 20.
The turbulence generator 50 makes the blown wind be whirled or
irregular, and amplifies the turbulence degree of the wind, thereby resulting
in irregular and soft wind flows.
As shown in Figs. 14-16, the turbulence generator 50 has a first ring-
shaped outer frame 56 fitted to the case 10 by a plurality of supports 57, and
a first ring-shaped inner frame 55 placed at the center of the first outer-frame
56. A second ring-shaped outer-frame 58 is spaced apart from the first
outer-frame 56 by a predetermined distance, and fitted to the case 10 by a
plurality of supports 57. A central shaft 54 has a one-sided end placed at
the center of the second outer-frame 58, and an opposite-sided end inserted
into the first inner-frame 55. A plurality of spokes are radially formed at a predetermined angle to interconnect the first outer-frame 56 and the first inner-frame 55 as well as to interconnect the second outer-frame 58 and the free end of the central shaft 54. Plate-shaped blades 52 interconnect the
spokes 53 sided with the first outer-frame 56 and the spokes 53 sided with the second outer-frame 58 in pairs. The blade 52 is not standing at the vertical plane, but fitted to the
spokes 53 rotated by a predetermined angle such that it seems to bear a
helical shape when viewed from the lateral side.
The plurality of supports 57 for fitting the first outer-frame 56 and the
second outer-frame 58 to the inner surface of the case 10 are stably fixed at
the rectangular inner sides of the case 10 side by side.
The supports 57, the first outer-frame 56, the second outer-frame 58,
the spokes 53, the central shaft 54 and the first inner-frame 55 are preferably
formed with a shape of not blocking the wind (warmed or cooled air flow)
blown from the blower 70 and passed the heat exchanger 28, and with a
possibly thin thickness.
As shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the turbulence generator 50 is
preferably structured such that a motor 51 capable of making the clockwise
or anticlockwise rotation is installed at the first inner-frame 55, and as the
central shaft 54 is rotated, the helical angle of the blade 52 can be controlled.
With the controlled helical angle of the blade 52, as shown in Fig. 17,
a rotation frame 59 incorporating the spokes 53 is installed within the second
outer-frame 58 such that it can slide therein. In operation, when the motor 51 is rotated, the central shaft 54 is
rotated, and the lower-sided spokes 53 bodily combined with the central shaft 54 are rotated together to thereby turn only the lower-sided ends of the blades 52. As the first inner-frame 55 and the first outer-frame 56 are kept to be in a standstill, the upper-sided spokes 53 are also in a still state to thereby fix the upper-sided ends of the blades 52.
On the contrary, the upper-sided spokes 53 may be rotated, while
the lower-sided spokes 53 are kept to be in a standstill.
Accordingly, the helical angle of the blade 52 can be controlled by
varying the rotation of the motor 51 , and more particularly, by controlling the
clockwise or anticlockwise rotation of the motor 51 using a remote controller
or a control panel from the outside. In this way, it becomes possible to
control the turbulence degree of the wind.
Although not shown in the drawings, the turbulence generator 50
may be further provided with an external cylindrical container surrounding the
first outer-frame 56 and the second outer-frame 58. With the installation of
the external container, the turbulent wind is not leaked through the lateral
sides of the blades 52, thereby facilitating the generation of turbulences.
Furthermore, it is also possible that the turbulence generator 50 is
formed with a plurality of guidance holes for guiding the wind flows while
being at a predetermined angle with each other. In this case, helical groove
or protrusions may be formed at the guidance holes.
The turbulence generator 50 is dispensed with, while the heat exchanger 28 conducts the function of the turbulence generator 50. For this
purpose, a helical-shaped unit is fixedly or movably installed at the outlet side of the heat exchanger 28.
With the above-structured turbulence generator 50, the wind (warmed or cooled air flow) blown from the blower 70 and passed the heat exchanger 28 is whirled, and the turbulence degree thereof is amplified so
that the pressure waves of the wind interfere with each other, and are
scattered. The cyclically repeated compression and rarefaction states of
the wind are dispelled, and as a result, turbulent air flows, similar to the
natural wind state, are run through the air vent 20.
As shown in Fig. 18, the pressure wave dissipation means may be
structured such that the control fan 30 is placed external to the case 10, and
the turbulence generator 50 is placed internal to the case 10.
With the above-like arrangement of the control fan 30 and the
turbulence generator 50, the wind blown from the blower 70 becomes turbulent while passing the turbulence generator 50, and the pressure wave thereof is scattered by colliding with the control wind from the control fan 30, thereby producing nearly natural wind. As shown in Fig. 19, the pressure wave dissipation means may be structured such that the control fan 30 is installed within the case 10, the turbulence generator 50 is installed within the case 10 between the control fan 30 and the air vent 20, or at the air vent 20.
With the above arrangement of the control fan 30 and the turbulence generator 50, the pressure wave of the wind blown from the blower 70 is scattered by the control wind from the control fan 30, and re-scattered while passing the turbulence generator 50, thereby producing turbulent air flow nearly close to the natural wind.
Although it is explained that the turbulence generator 50 is placed between the control fan 30 and the air vent 20, the present invention is not limited to that structure. As shown in Fig. 20, it is possible that the turbulence generator 50 is placed next to the heat exchanger 28, and the control fan 30 is installed within the case 10 between the turbulence generator 50 and the air vent 20. As shown in Fig. 21 , the pressure wave dissipation means may be formed with an impact guide unit 60 having one or more guidance holes 62, which is provided within the case 10 between the air vent 20 and the heat exchanger 28. A part of the wind blown from the blower 70 and passed the
heat exchanger 28 passes through the guidance holes 62 to function as a
control wind, and is at a predetermined angle with the remaining wind part.
The control wind part passed through the guidance holes 62 collides
with the wind part not passed the guidance holes 62 to thereby scatter the
pressure waves. Accordingly, the cyclically repeated compensation and
rarefaction states of the wind are scattered to thereby produce nearly natural
wind. The resulting wind is blown through the air vent 20.
The pressure wave dissipation means may be formed by selecting
one or more of the structures illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 and Figs. 8-21 , and
combining them.
For instance, one or more control fans 30 are installed between the
heat exchanger 28 and the turbulence generator 50, and other one or more control fans are installed around the air vent 20.
In case the control fan 30 is placed between the heat exchanger 28 and the turbulence generator 50, the suction duct 90 is branch-lined such
that the indoor air input through the suction port 80 is partially fed to the
control fan 30.
The air fed through the suction duct 90 or the air around the control
fan 30 may be used as the input air for the control fan 30. Optionally, the
air fed through the suction duct 90 and the air around the control fan 30 may
be mixed in a controlled manner to be used as the input air for the control
fan 30.
The indoor air input through the suction duct 90 is partially fed to the
control fan 30, and the remainder is fed to the blower 70 and/or the heat
exchanger 28. The air volume to be fed is determined definitively or
controlled artificially.
In case the indoor air input through the suction duct 90 is fed to the
blower 70, as shown in Figs. 3 and 8, it is possible to make the feeding to the
inlet side of the blower 70, and as shown in Fig. 12, to make the feeding to
the outlet side of the blower 70, that is, toward the heat exchanger 28.
As shown in Figs. 22 and 23, the pressure wave dissipation unit may
be structured such that the air input through the suction duct 90 is run
through a spray nozzle 94 angularly placed within the case 10, and partially collides with the wind blown from the blower 70 and passed the heat
exchanger 28 while being at a predetermined angle with the latter.
The air input through the suction duct 90 is partially guided to the spray nozzle 94 via a branch tube 92. The branch tube 92 may be formed
with a pipe, a hose, or a duct.
When a part of the wind input through the suction duct 90 collides
with the air-conditioned wind, the pressure waves of the wind are scattered,
thereby producing soft wind flows.
The spray angle (the installation angle) of the spray nozzle 94 is at 5-
60° with the direction of the air-conditioned wind.
A valve 98 is installed at the branch tube 92 to control or switch the
air flow.
Figs. 24 and 25 exemplify the structure where the air input through
the suction duct 90 is partially fed to the control fan 30 via the branch tube 21.
With the control fan 30 installed around the air vent 20, the rear or
lateral side of the case 10 may be opened to allow the passage of the
external air while controlling the opening degree.
The indoor air input through the suction duct 90 is partially fed to the
area between the blower 70 and the heat exchanger 28 or between the heat
exchanger 28 and the air vent 20, or around the air vent 20. The feeding
location may be controlled using a valve.
With the above structure, the temperature of the blown air can be
controlled by varying the air flows from the blower 70 and the respective control fans 30. In case the temperature of the air-conditioned wind is lower than the predetermined temperature, the air flow from the blower 70 is reduced while partially or wholly increasing the air flow from the control fans 30 such that the warm air is more contained in the room. In case the
temperature of the air-conditioned wind is higher than the pre-determined temperature, the air flow from the blower 70 is increased while partially or
wholly decreasing the air from the control fans 30 such that the cooled air is much more contained in the room than the warm indoor air. When the
radiator is concerned, the controlling is made contrariwise.
It is possible to make a natural wind mode where the processed wind
approximates to the natural wind by controlling the air flows from the blower
70 and the respective control fans 30 while varying the temperature and
volumes of the wind with a mechanical or electronic controller.
Fig. 26 exemplifies the structure where the air vent 20 is directed
toward the front side B as well as toward both lateral sides A.
When the air vent 20 is directed toward three different sides, it
becomes possible to spread the cooled or warmed wind over the entire
indoor area.
When the air vent 20 is formed at both lateral sides A, it is preferable
to install a grill 22 front thereto such that it can be switched when needed.
As shown in Fig. 27, the air vent 20 may be longitudinally extended up and down. Alternatively, it is possible to differentiate the directions of
the grill 22 while dividing the area of the air vent 20 into two or three parts such that the wind is flown out from the air vent 20 to those different directions. When needed, it is possible to switch the lower-sided (D) and
(E) grills 22.
As shown in Figs. 27 and 31 , it is possible to install a partition 38 around the air vent 20 such that the air flow from the heat exchanger 28 to
the air vent 20 can be partitioned by two parts.
Furthermore, two or more partitions 38 may be provided while
partitioning the air flow into three or more parts.
When the partition 38 is installed in the above way, it becomes
possible to partly divide and control the wind run through the air vent 20.
That is, the temperature and volumes of the wind passed the upper-sided (C)
grill 22 may be differentiated from those of the wind passed the lower-sided
(D) and (E) grills 22.
For instance, as shown in Fig. 31 , the heat exchangers 28 and the
blowers 70 are installed each in a separate manner, and the operations
thereof are differently controlled using a controller to thereby differentiate the
temperature and volumes of the wind to be blown out. The numbers of the
partitioned-installed heat exchangers 28 and blowers 70 reach 2-8.
The heat exchangers 28 and the blowers 70 may be numerically the
same (for instance, two heat exchangers and two blowers), or different (for
instance, one heat exchanger and two blowers, or two heat exchangers and
one blower). The partition 38 is rotatably hinged at its end sided with the air vent
20 such that the partitioning of the wind to be blown out is varied by a predetermined ratio when needed.
The above structure enables one air conditioning system to produce two or more wind flows differentiated in the volume, speed and temperature
thereof. That is, with the above structure, it is possible to control the directions of the wind differently depending upon the temperature and
strengths of thereof, and to produce wind flows of different temperatures and
strengths depending upon the locations and tastes of the user.
When two or more blowers 70 are provided, the central shafts of the
respective blowers 70 are at a predetermined plane angle as well as at a
predetermined side angle with each other. Consequently, the wind flows
intervene with each other such that the texture variation and the turbulence
thereof are made effectively.
The central shafts of the two or more blowers 70 are rotatably
structured such that the plane and side angles thereof can be varied. The
plane and side angles of the two or more blowers 70 to each other are
preferably determined or varied in the range of 5-60°.
The two or more blowers 70 may be operated with the same rotation
speed, or different rotation speeds. It is possible to structure the
respective blowers 70 such that the rotation speed thereof can be varied with
different cycles.
In case two or more blowers 70 are installed such that the resulting wind flows interfere with each other, only the blowers 70 may be used to
dissipate the pressure waves without providing the pressure wave dissipation means in a separate manner. In such a case, as the blowers 70 conduct the function of the control fan 30, the control fan 30 may be omitted.
Figs. 28 and 29 illustrate examples where the natural wind air- conditioning system according to the present invention is applied to a car.
In this case, as shown in Fig. 30, the turbulence generator 50 is preferably
installed at an air duct 97 positioned close to the air vent 20 to facilitate the
generation of turbulences.
As shown in Figs. 28 and 29, when the suction ports 80 are installed
at the center of the rear seat as well as at the left and right sides of the rear
seat, natural convections are made within the internal area of the car.
Particularly as the internal area of the car is much narrower than that of the
house, the air flow between the air vent 20 and the suction port 80 can be
directly made while distinctively exerting the convection effect.
Although not illustrated in the drawings, the suction ports 80 may be
installed at the area between the driver seat and the assistant seat, and at
both , lateral sides of the rear seat. When the suction port 80 is also
provided at the trunk while forming a small through-hole between the trunk
and the rear seat, the natural convection can be made up to the inside of the
trunk.
Accordingly, the shortage with the usual cars where the cooled or
warmed wind blown from the front dash board does not reach the rear seat
in a sufficient manner with increased air-conditioning time and decreased air- conditioning efficiency can be overcome by employing the inventive natural wind air conditioning system where natural wind-like soft air flows are quickly
made based on the pressure differences.
When the natural wind air-conditioning system is applied to the car
air conditioner, it may be called the "natural type" as the improvement of the
instrument type, which is more economic and excellent than the dual type.
The natural type involves improved indoor temperature distribution, simplified
indoor temperature controlling, excellent indoor temperature elevation and
drop, and soft and rapid air current flowing.
Furthermore, with the usual cars, the air vent 20 misses the user
because he may be inconvenient under the direct influence of the wind
blown through the air vent for a long time. As the inventive structure
enables the temperature and volumes of the wind from the respective air
vents 20 to be controlled in a separate manner, it becomes possible to differentiate the locations and sizes of the air vent 20 as well as the shapes thereof in various ways.
In order to obtain the installation space for the control fans 30 and to compensate for the air resistance to the wind blowing, it is possible that the control fans 30 may be installed separately while communicating with the space between the heat exchanger 28 and the air vent 20 or the space around the air vent 20 using a duct or a hose such that the wind from the control fans 30 cyclically interfere with the wind from the blower 70 while being at a predetermined angle with the latter (See Fig. 28).
The natural air-conditioning system according to the present invention may involve various combinations of units for improving the properties and functions of the air-conditioned wind such as antibiosis, fragrance, humidification, atmospheric discharge, and ionization. That is, in order to improve the pleasant sensitivity of the user to the air-conditioned wind, various additional elements or units may be introduced.
For instance, if the water generated from the heat exchanger (the evaporator) during the making of cooled wind is vaporized by a humidifier and discharged together with the cooled wind, the indoor air can be prevented from being dried. In this case, the water vaporized by the humidifier is preferably sterilized, and purified.
Practically, it is difficult to treat the water generated from the evaporator during the making of cooled air, particularly with the indoor
installation type. This difficulty can be effectively overcome by installing a
humidifier.
Furthermore, the pleasant sensitivity of the user can be improved by
additionally installing an electric discharger for collecting and discharging the
electrostatics made at the air particles during the air inhaling and the wind
blowing.
In addition, when an interest is made with respect to the detailed
structure of the blown wind and air flows based on the advanced science,
various techniques of wholly improving the pleasant sensitivity of the user can be developed.
As described above, with the inventive natural wind air conditioning system, the pressure waves of the control wind generated from one or more
control fans and the air-conditioned wind blown through an air vent are compensated for each other or weakened due to the interference thereof. The resulting wind becomes turbulent, and amplified in the turbulence
degree, thereby producing nearly natural soft wind. In case the user
exposes to the soft wind (cooled or warmed air flows), he always has cool,
warm and soft sensations or feelings, and does not suffer skin friction or
pains, or face swelling.
Furthermore, as it is possible to install the control fans at the inside
or the outside of the case, various designs for the air-conditioning system
may be made while varying the outlines thereof.
The wind elements passed through the helical-shaped structure of
the turbulence generator impinge upon each other, and become turbulent to
thereby produce nearly natural wind.
With the inventive natural wind air-conditioning system, the nearly
natural wind enables the flowing of the wind to be directed toward the
relevant person, and the energy efficiency is enhanced. The air-
conditioning time is shortened, and the energy consumption is reduced.
Furthermore, an optimal energy consumption reduction can be made by
operating only the required suction ports for the air conditioning while closing
the unneeded suction ports.
Furthermore, with the inventive natural wind air-conditioning system, the indoor air current is forcefully circulated by placing the suction port opposite to the air vent, and convections are made over the entire indoor area due to the atmospheric pressure differences, as with the natural wind. In this way, the air conditioning is uniformly made every nook and corner,
and even with the small amount of wind flow, the air conditioning is made up to the distant place. Accordingly, the air-conditioning efficiency is
increased by 15% or more.
With the inventive natural wind air-conditioning system, as it is
possible to control the mixture ratio of the wind generated from the control
fans using the indoor air to the cooled or warmed wind passed the heat
exchanger, the headache or rejection sensation of the user due to the great
difference between the temperature of the cooled or warmed wind and the
body temperature of the user can be significantly reduced. The
temperature of the cooled or warmed wind can be easily controlled by
varying the mixture (or collision) ratio of the wind passed the heat exchanger
and the control wind generated from the control fans using the indoor air.
In this way, soft indoor air current can be rapidly formed due to the
atmospheric pressure differences, and a revolutionary improvement in the
heat distribution capacity can be made while reducing the energy
consumption.
With the inventive natural wind air-conditioning system, as the
temperature and volumes of the blown wind is easily controlled by varying
the mixture (collision) ratio of the cooled or warmed wind to the control wind, the wind blown through the air vent can be directly led to the accommodation of the users while reducing the energy consumption made over the lighting or
the top level.
Accordingly, with the structure according to the present invention, in
order to reduce or nearly remove the mechanical stress of the artificial wind,
the turbulence amplification of the wind to be blown is made by the collision
between the cooled or warmed wind and the control wind, or by the turbulence generator. The motor of the blower and the motor of the control
fan are centrally controlled by a mechanical or electronic controller to vary
the rotation numbers of the respective motors. The wind elements from
the blower and the control fans cyclically collide with each other while making
the texture variation, the temperature variation and the volume variation with
respect to the wind to be blown. The resulting wind becomes turbulent to
thereby produce irregular and soft wind. In this way, it is possible to make a natural wind mode where it is difficult to predict the temperature and volumes of the wind. When the room temperature agrees to the predetermined temperature, the natural wind mode is automatically operated. Optionally, the user may manually operate the natural wind mode.
While the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and substitutions can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.