WO2008056348A1 - Condensate evacuation system for portable monoblock air conditioner - Google Patents

Condensate evacuation system for portable monoblock air conditioner Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2008056348A1
WO2008056348A1 PCT/IL2007/001276 IL2007001276W WO2008056348A1 WO 2008056348 A1 WO2008056348 A1 WO 2008056348A1 IL 2007001276 W IL2007001276 W IL 2007001276W WO 2008056348 A1 WO2008056348 A1 WO 2008056348A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
air conditioner
hot air
water tube
portable
monoblock
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL2007/001276
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Avner Movshovitz
Original Assignee
Amcor Holdings Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Amcor Holdings Ltd. filed Critical Amcor Holdings Ltd.
Publication of WO2008056348A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008056348A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
    • F24F13/22—Means for preventing condensation or evacuating condensate
    • F24F13/222—Means for preventing condensation or evacuating condensate for evacuating condensate
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
    • F24F1/02—Self-contained room units for air-conditioning, i.e. with all apparatus for treatment installed in a common casing
    • F24F1/022—Self-contained room units for air-conditioning, i.e. with all apparatus for treatment installed in a common casing comprising a compressor cycle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
    • F24F1/02—Self-contained room units for air-conditioning, i.e. with all apparatus for treatment installed in a common casing
    • F24F1/04—Arrangements for portability

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to portable, monoblock air conditioners, and particularly to an automatic condensate evacuation system of excess water for such an air conditioner.
  • the monoblock air conditioner is a single packaged mobile or portable air conditioner (the terms “mobile” and “portable” being used interchangeably).
  • a typical monoblock air conditioner is a one piece unit with a flexible discharge hose, and does not have a remote condenser.
  • air conditioners typically include an evaporator and condenser.
  • the evaporator provides cooling by evaporating a refrigerant from a liquid to a gas, which causes heat within the room air to be transferred to the refrigerant.
  • the heated refrigerant is condensed in the condenser, wherein the heat absorbed by the refrigerant is rejected or transferred to some other medium, such as forced air.
  • the condenser is cooled by the outdoors air and/or a fan.
  • the condenser In a portable monoblock one-ducted air conditioner, the condenser is typically cooled by air which has been sucked from the air conditioned room. This warmed air is typically evacuated by a flexible hose to the outdoors.
  • excess water condensate accumulates in a drain pan or bottom tray, and is recirculated over the hot condenser and evaporates.
  • water may not drain and evaporate at a sufficient rate from the unit, which may result in too much water condensate accumulating in the drain pan. This water must be manually evacuated or drained by the user, which may be a nuisance if it needs to be done too often.
  • the present invention seeks to provide an automatic condensate evacuation system of excess water for a portable monoblock air conditioner, as is described more in detail hereinbelow.
  • a portable, monoblock air conditioner including an evaporator and a condenser, a drain pan for collecting water condensate that has condensed from the evaporator, a hot air exhaust hose for evacuating warm air to an outside environment, a water tube in fluid communication with the drain pan, the water tube running through the hot air exhaust hose, and an atomizer at a distal end of the water tube adapted for atomizing water exiting the water tube which exits together with hot air exiting the hot air exhaust hose.
  • the air conditioner may further include a pump in fluid communication with the water tube for pumping condensate from the drain pan into the water tube.
  • a safety switch may be disposed near the drain pan, which is operative to switch on the pump when the condensate has accumulated above a predefined level.
  • the water tube is connected to a quick connector mounted on the hot air exhaust pipe.
  • An adapter may be affixed to an end of the hot air hose and configured for placement in a window.
  • Fig. 1 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a portable, monoblock air conditioner, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a hot air exhaust hose, water tube and atomizer of the air conditioner of Fig. 1 , constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Air conditioner 10 may be one-ducted.
  • air conditioner 10 has an evaporator 11 and a condenser 12, which may be cooled by air which has been sucked from the air conditioned room.
  • the warmed air may be evacuated by a flexible hot air hose 14 to the outdoors.
  • the flexible hot air hose 14 may be connected to a hot air exhaust pipe 16, typically at the back of the unit.
  • An adapter 18 may be affixed to the end of the hot air hose 14, the adapter 18 being configured for placement in a window, for example. Excess water condensate that has condensed from the evaporator 11 may accumulate in a drain pan 20 at the bottom of the unit.
  • a condensate evacuation system may be provided that includes a circulation pump 22 operative to pump condensate into a water tube 24 from the drain pan 20.
  • a safety switch 26 e.g., a safety overflow microswitch, may be disposed in the unit near drain pan 20 to switch on the pump 22 when the condensate has accumulated above a predefined level. It is noted that when safety switch 26 turns the pump 22 on, the compressor of the air conditioner may turn off, but any fans may keep running.
  • Water tube 24 may be flexible and spiral, for example.
  • the portion of water tube 24 from the drain pan 20 may be connected to a quick connector 28 mounted on the wall of exhaust pipe 16.
  • the quick connector 28 may include male and female connectors, one of which is mounted on the wall of the exhaust pipe 16 and the other connected to the rest of the length of the water tube 24 which runs through the length of exhaust hose 14.
  • An atomizer 32 may be mounted at the far (distal) end of water tube 24 near adapter 18. Any water condensate exiting the water tube 24 is atomized by the atomizer 32 together with the hot air from hot air pipe 16 into a mist or tiny water drops.
  • the flexible water tube 24 may be supplied by the manufacturer in the flexible hot air exhaust hose 14.
  • the end user simply takes out the water tube 24 from the flexible hose 14 (as much as necessary) and connects the quick connector half at the end of the water tube 24 to the other quick connector half mounted on the wall of exhaust tube 16. This effects fluid connection to the water tube 24 on the opposite side of the air outlet tube 16, which is fluidly connected to pump 22.
  • the flexible hot air exhaust hose 14 is then snugly slipped over the hot air exhaust pipe 16 (or otherwise connected thereto) and unfolded to the desired length.
  • the end of the hose 14 (the adapter end) may then be placed in a window.
  • the present invention may have the following advantages, without limitation:
  • the tiny atomized drops are evacuated out through the window by the flow of hot air coming out of the hose.
  • the detachable (perhaps flexible and spiral) water tube is connected to the main unit in the air outlet by a quick connector connection.
  • the quick connector ensures that whenever the tube has not been connected, or was not connected properly or got loose, water cannot come out of the unit, avoiding the risk of water spilling to the indoors.

Abstract

A portable, monoblock air conditioner including an evaporator and a condenser, a drain pan for collecting water condensate that has condensed from the evaporator, a hot air exhaust hose for evacuating warm air to an outside environment, a water tube in fluid communication with the drain pan, the water tube running through the hot air exhaust hose, and an atomizer at a distal end of the water tube adapted for atomizing water exiting the water tube which exits together with hot air exiting the hot air exhaust hose.

Description

CONDENSATE EVACUATION SYSTEM FOR PORTABLE MONOBLOCK AIR
CONDITIONER FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to portable, monoblock air conditioners, and particularly to an automatic condensate evacuation system of excess water for such an air conditioner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the art of air conditioning, one well-known device is the monoblock (or as it is commonly spelled in Europe "monobloc"). The monoblock air conditioner is a single packaged mobile or portable air conditioner (the terms "mobile" and "portable" being used interchangeably). A typical monoblock air conditioner is a one piece unit with a flexible discharge hose, and does not have a remote condenser.
As is well known in the art, air conditioners typically include an evaporator and condenser. The evaporator provides cooling by evaporating a refrigerant from a liquid to a gas, which causes heat within the room air to be transferred to the refrigerant. The heated refrigerant is condensed in the condenser, wherein the heat absorbed by the refrigerant is rejected or transferred to some other medium, such as forced air. In most normal air conditioners, the condenser is cooled by the outdoors air and/or a fan. In a portable monoblock one-ducted air conditioner, the condenser is typically cooled by air which has been sucked from the air conditioned room. This warmed air is typically evacuated by a flexible hose to the outdoors.
In one-ducted monoblock air conditioners, excess water condensate accumulates in a drain pan or bottom tray, and is recirculated over the hot condenser and evaporates. However, in particularly humid environments, water may not drain and evaporate at a sufficient rate from the unit, which may result in too much water condensate accumulating in the drain pan. This water must be manually evacuated or drained by the user, which may be a nuisance if it needs to be done too often.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide an automatic condensate evacuation system of excess water for a portable monoblock air conditioner, as is described more in detail hereinbelow.
There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a portable, monoblock air conditioner including an evaporator and a condenser, a drain pan for collecting water condensate that has condensed from the evaporator, a hot air exhaust hose for evacuating warm air to an outside environment, a water tube in fluid communication with the drain pan, the water tube running through the hot air exhaust hose, and an atomizer at a distal end of the water tube adapted for atomizing water exiting the water tube which exits together with hot air exiting the hot air exhaust hose.
The air conditioner may further include a pump in fluid communication with the water tube for pumping condensate from the drain pan into the water tube. A safety switch may be disposed near the drain pan, which is operative to switch on the pump when the condensate has accumulated above a predefined level.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the water tube is connected to a quick connector mounted on the hot air exhaust pipe.
An adapter may be affixed to an end of the hot air hose and configured for placement in a window.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a portable, monoblock air conditioner, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
Fig. 2 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a hot air exhaust hose, water tube and atomizer of the air conditioner of Fig. 1 , constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Reference is now made to Fig. 1, which illustrates a portable, monoblock air conditioner 10, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Air conditioner 10 may be one-ducted.
As is typical and well known in the art for portable monoblock air conditioners, air conditioner 10 has an evaporator 11 and a condenser 12, which may be cooled by air which has been sucked from the air conditioned room. The warmed air may be evacuated by a flexible hot air hose 14 to the outdoors. The flexible hot air hose 14 may be connected to a hot air exhaust pipe 16, typically at the back of the unit. An adapter 18 may be affixed to the end of the hot air hose 14, the adapter 18 being configured for placement in a window, for example. Excess water condensate that has condensed from the evaporator 11 may accumulate in a drain pan 20 at the bottom of the unit. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a condensate evacuation system may be provided that includes a circulation pump 22 operative to pump condensate into a water tube 24 from the drain pan 20. A safety switch 26, e.g., a safety overflow microswitch, may be disposed in the unit near drain pan 20 to switch on the pump 22 when the condensate has accumulated above a predefined level. It is noted that when safety switch 26 turns the pump 22 on, the compressor of the air conditioner may turn off, but any fans may keep running.
Reference is now made additionally to Fig. 2. Water tube 24 may be flexible and spiral, for example. The portion of water tube 24 from the drain pan 20 may be connected to a quick connector 28 mounted on the wall of exhaust pipe 16. The quick connector 28 may include male and female connectors, one of which is mounted on the wall of the exhaust pipe 16 and the other connected to the rest of the length of the water tube 24 which runs through the length of exhaust hose 14. An atomizer 32 may be mounted at the far (distal) end of water tube 24 near adapter 18. Any water condensate exiting the water tube 24 is atomized by the atomizer 32 together with the hot air from hot air pipe 16 into a mist or tiny water drops.
Assembling the flexible hose 14 is easy and convenient. The flexible water tube 24 may be supplied by the manufacturer in the flexible hot air exhaust hose 14. The end user simply takes out the water tube 24 from the flexible hose 14 (as much as necessary) and connects the quick connector half at the end of the water tube 24 to the other quick connector half mounted on the wall of exhaust tube 16. This effects fluid connection to the water tube 24 on the opposite side of the air outlet tube 16, which is fluidly connected to pump 22. The flexible hot air exhaust hose 14 is then snugly slipped over the hot air exhaust pipe 16 (or otherwise connected thereto) and unfolded to the desired length. The end of the hose 14 (the adapter end) may then be placed in a window.
The present invention may have the following advantages, without limitation:
1. There is no need for a special outlet to the outdoor environment. Instead, the flexible water tube leading the water to the "atomizing" point is located inside the hot air hose.
2. The tiny atomized drops are evacuated out through the window by the flow of hot air coming out of the hose.
3. Most of the tiny water drops may be evaporated in the hot air flow and disappear visually as vapors. 4. The extendable (perhaps flexible and spiral) water tube folds and unfolds together with the flexible hot air hose.
5. The detachable (perhaps flexible and spiral) water tube is connected to the main unit in the air outlet by a quick connector connection. The quick connector ensures that whenever the tube has not been connected, or was not connected properly or got loose, water cannot come out of the unit, avoiding the risk of water spilling to the indoors.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the features described hereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof which would occur to a person of skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:
1. A portable, monoblock air conditioner comprising: an evaporator and a condenser; a drain pan for collecting water condensate that has condensed from said evaporator; a hot air exhaust hose for evacuating warm air to an outside environment; a water tube in fluid communication with said drain pan, said water tube running through said hot air exhaust hose; and an atomizer at a distal end of said water tube adapted for atomizing water exiting said water tube which exits together with hot air exiting said hot air exhaust hose.
2. The portable, monoblock air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a pump in fluid communication with said water tube for pumping condensate from said drain pan into said water tube.
3. The portable, monoblock air conditioner according to claim 2, further comprising a safety switch disposed near said drain pan and operative to switch on said pump when the condensate has accumulated above a predefined level.
4. The portable, monoblock air conditioner according to claim 1 , wherein said hot air exhaust hose is connected to a hot air exhaust pipe.
5. The portable, monoblock air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein said water tube is connected to a quick connector mounted on said hot air exhaust pipe.
6. The portable, monoblock air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising an adapter affixed to an end of said hot air hose and configured for placement in a window.
7. The portable, monoblock air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein said air conditioner comprises a one-ducted air conditioner.
PCT/IL2007/001276 2006-11-06 2007-10-24 Condensate evacuation system for portable monoblock air conditioner WO2008056348A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/556,707 2006-11-06
US11/556,707 US20080104989A1 (en) 2006-11-06 2006-11-06 Condensate evacuation system for portable monoblock air conditioner

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008056348A1 true WO2008056348A1 (en) 2008-05-15

Family

ID=39015838

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IL2007/001276 WO2008056348A1 (en) 2006-11-06 2007-10-24 Condensate evacuation system for portable monoblock air conditioner

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20080104989A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2008056348A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103629796A (en) * 2012-08-28 2014-03-12 美的集团股份有限公司 Induced draught system for air conditioners
CN104764095A (en) * 2015-03-27 2015-07-08 广东美的制冷设备有限公司 Integrated air conditioner and condensed water processing method for integrated air conditioner
CN105698321A (en) * 2016-04-22 2016-06-22 芜湖美智空调设备有限公司 Movable air conditioner
WO2019137084A1 (en) * 2018-01-09 2019-07-18 青岛海尔空调器有限总公司 Atomizing drainage air conditioner

Families Citing this family (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090143004A1 (en) * 2007-11-29 2009-06-04 C Enterprise (Hk) Limited Personal air conditioning apparatus
CN104613550A (en) * 2014-12-19 2015-05-13 广东美的制冷设备有限公司 Mobile air conditioner
WO2017194092A1 (en) * 2016-05-10 2017-11-16 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Air conditioner with water removal
CN109312934B (en) 2016-05-27 2021-07-27 伊莱克斯电器股份公司 Air conditioner with window connection
CN106640678B (en) * 2016-10-31 2023-11-28 佛山市顺德区美的电子科技有限公司 Mobile air conditioner, water pumping device and water pumping method thereof
CN107192042A (en) * 2017-07-31 2017-09-22 南通宁普电器有限公司 A kind of heat release of mobile air conditioner
US11262001B1 (en) * 2017-11-22 2022-03-01 Dometic Sweden Ab Vent cover with integrated drain tube attachment
CN111433521A (en) 2017-12-13 2020-07-17 伊莱克斯家用电器股份公司 Outdoor unit of air conditioner
US11566815B2 (en) 2017-12-13 2023-01-31 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Installation device for split air-conditioner
WO2019114944A1 (en) 2017-12-13 2019-06-20 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Window-type air conditioner
CN210128437U (en) * 2019-04-09 2020-03-06 广东美的制冷设备有限公司 Mobile air conditioner
US11168920B1 (en) * 2020-04-30 2021-11-09 Midea Group Co., Ltd. Window air conditioning unit anti-tip bracket assembly
CN113028635A (en) * 2021-04-07 2021-06-25 威海广泰空港设备股份有限公司 Air conditioner condensate water recovery and elimination device, elimination method and condensate water-free air conditioning system
US11879647B2 (en) 2021-12-22 2024-01-23 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Portable air conditioning unit window installation system

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH03191230A (en) * 1989-12-20 1991-08-21 Toshiba Corp Air conditioner
JPH0719520A (en) * 1993-07-01 1995-01-20 Nippondenso Co Ltd Humidified cold air fan
JP2006132799A (en) * 2004-11-02 2006-05-25 Tsune Seiki Co Ltd Drain water treatment device

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3438219A (en) * 1967-08-14 1969-04-15 Chrysler Corp Room air conditioner
US3682141A (en) * 1970-09-02 1972-08-08 Birton Klima Og Koleteknik As Steam generators
DE3735551C1 (en) * 1987-10-21 1988-12-15 Loh Kg Rittal Werk Device for removing condensation from a compressor-operated cooling device
US6931881B1 (en) * 2004-09-28 2005-08-23 Amcor International Ltd. Portable monoblock air conditioner

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH03191230A (en) * 1989-12-20 1991-08-21 Toshiba Corp Air conditioner
JPH0719520A (en) * 1993-07-01 1995-01-20 Nippondenso Co Ltd Humidified cold air fan
JP2006132799A (en) * 2004-11-02 2006-05-25 Tsune Seiki Co Ltd Drain water treatment device

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103629796A (en) * 2012-08-28 2014-03-12 美的集团股份有限公司 Induced draught system for air conditioners
CN103629796B (en) * 2012-08-28 2016-10-19 美的集团股份有限公司 A kind of air-conditioning induced draught system
CN104764095A (en) * 2015-03-27 2015-07-08 广东美的制冷设备有限公司 Integrated air conditioner and condensed water processing method for integrated air conditioner
CN104764095B (en) * 2015-03-27 2018-02-06 广东美的制冷设备有限公司 The processing method of the condensed water of integral air conditioner and integral air conditioner
CN105698321A (en) * 2016-04-22 2016-06-22 芜湖美智空调设备有限公司 Movable air conditioner
CN105698321B (en) * 2016-04-22 2018-12-11 芜湖美智空调设备有限公司 Mobile air-conditioner
WO2019137084A1 (en) * 2018-01-09 2019-07-18 青岛海尔空调器有限总公司 Atomizing drainage air conditioner

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20080104989A1 (en) 2008-05-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20080104989A1 (en) Condensate evacuation system for portable monoblock air conditioner
CN212987392U (en) Kitchen air conditioning system
ES2282374T3 (en) ROOM CLIMATE CONTROL
US8181939B2 (en) Continuous drain-type dehumidifier
CN105378389A (en) Air-conditioner
CN108050602A (en) Dehumidifier
CN111886455A (en) Small-sized dehumidifier
KR20110072965A (en) Air conditioner of single body type having condensation water evaporation device
US20170082317A1 (en) Air conditioner units having improved condensate removal assemblies
WO2020072099A1 (en) Compact fan and air conditioner assembly
US20120118535A1 (en) Chilled Beam Air Conditioning System
CN101268315A (en) Condensate drain hose arrangement for an evaporator unit
EP0268776B1 (en) Condensate drainage system for air conditioners of the "split" or mono bloc type with condenser exposed to the outside
US20020092313A1 (en) Package terminal/split unit air conditioning
JP7014983B1 (en) Imaging unit and air processing unit
CN101644464A (en) Exhaust pipe cooling device of integrated air conditioner
GB2349687A (en) Air conditioning apparatus
JP2002031378A (en) Air conditioner
CN220728361U (en) Integrated direct-blowing type suspended ceiling cold and warm air conditioner
CN214199138U (en) Air conditioner convenient for condensed water discharge
CN218328313U (en) Air-conditioning type range hood
CN209978238U (en) Double-air-pipe mobile air conditioner with spray cooling function
CN116592437A (en) Ventilation refrigeration equipment and refrigeration airflow control method
KR20050026109A (en) Air conditioner using radiation panel
KR20030000922A (en) Air conditioner

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 07827250

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 07827250

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1