WO2017137327A1

WO2017137327A1 - A portable air conditioner

Info

Publication number: WO2017137327A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/052410
Authority: WO
Inventors: Onder Balioglu; Funda ERDEM; Mehmet MUTLUDOGAN; Burak COBAN; Adem AKSOY; Semih KURULAR
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2016-02-09
Filing date: 2017-02-03
Publication date: 2017-08-17

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable air conditioner (1) comprising a body (2); a compressor (3), a condenser (4) and an evaporator (5) that are disposed in the body (2) and that together provide the realization of the refrigeration cycle; a phase changing material (6) that provides the storage of the thermal energy; at least one container (7) wherein the phase changing material (6) is disposed, and at least one housing (8) that is disposed in the body (2) and wherein the container (7) is disposed.

Description

A PORTABLE AIR CONDITIONER

The present invention relates to a portable air conditioner wherein thermal energy can be stored.

In general air conditioners consist of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit and during the cooling process, the heat drawn from the indoor unit is discharged to the outer environment by means of the outdoor unit. In portable air conditioners, the cooling process is generally performed by discharging to the outer environment the heat drawn from the environment by means of a hose extended through an opening that opens to the outer environment such as window, door, etc. However, the need for fixing the hose to the opening limits the portability of the air conditioner. Moreover, since a hole in a form suitable for the hose is required to be opened on the window, the wall or the doors in order to obtain an efficient cooling performance by providing insulation between the environment to be cooled and the outer environment, most users do not prefer the portable air conditioners. In addition, in the portable air conditioners the water condensing on the evaporator is generally stored in the appliance and the users are required to frequently discharge the condensate. Therefore, the portable air conditioners cause user dissatisfaction since the same requires hose installations and the use thereof is inconvenient.

In the state of the art German Patent Document No. DE3938875, a portable air conditioner is disclosed, wherein the need for discharging heat to the outer environment is eliminated by storing the thermal energy on phase changing material.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a portable air conditioner that provides ease of utilization.

The portable air conditioner realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof comprises a body; a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator that are disposed in the body and that together provide the realization of the refrigeration cycle; a phase changing material that provides the storage of the thermal energy; at least one container wherein the phase changing material is disposed, and at least one housing that enables the container to be detachably mounted to the body. The heat drawn from the environment during the cooling process is stored in the phase changing material and thus the need for discharging the heat is eliminated.

In the portable air conditioner of the present invention, the housing is arranged below the evaporator and while the container is in the housing, the water condensing on the evaporator reaches the container with the effect of the gravity. The water reaching the container fills into the phase changing material. Thus, the condensate can be discharged while the container is taken out of the housing for the regeneration of the phase changing material. Consequently, the need for an additional discharging operation in order to discharge the condensate is eliminated, providing ease of utilization.

In an embodiment of the present invention, an M-shaped channel is arranged in the phase changing material and the water reaching the container is accumulated in the channel. Thus, the phase changing material can efficiently transfer its heat into the water and can store thermal energy for a long time.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the housing is disposed into the body so as to be adjacent to the condenser. When placed into the housing, the container contacts the condenser and the phase changing material absorbs the heat on the condenser. Thus, the heat on the condenser can be efficiently stored.

In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one plate extends into the body from the wall of the condenser so as to contact one lateral side of the container when the container is in the housing. The plate increases the heat transmission surface between the condenser and the container. Thus, the heat on the condenser can be homogeneously transmitted to the phase changing material.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a receptacle is disposed into the body so as to be between the evaporator and the container. The water condensing on the evaporator is accumulated in the receptacle with the effect of the gravity. At the base of the receptacle at least one first opening is provided, that allows the condensate in the receptacle to fill into the container. Thus, in case more than one container is disposed under the evaporator, equal amount of water is enabled to fill into each container.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a valve allows the water in the container to pass through the first opening and to fill into the container when the container is placed into the housing, and when the container is taken out of the housing, the said valve closes the first opening and enables the condensate to be kept in the receptacle. Thus, in case the container is taken out of the housing, the water in the receptacle is prevented from flowing out of the body.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a water tank surrounds the compressor. The water tank is connected to the receptacle by means of a transmission line. Thus, in case the container is not placed into the housing, the water filling into the receptacle is stored in the water tank.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the user can open/close the port of the water transmission line by means of an arm as per his/her preference. Thus, when the user wants to take the container out of the housing when the portable air conditioner is operational, he/she can enable the water inside the receptacle to be accumulated in the water tank.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a discharge hole opening to the outside from the body is arranged on the wall of the receptacle. When the level of the water in the receptacle reaches the discharge hole, the water flows outside through the discharge hole. Thus, security risks that may arise due to the overflowing the water from the receptacle into the body are prevented.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a tray is disposed on the condenser, wherein the water in the receptacle fills. The water in the tray are delivered onto the surface of the condenser by means of second openings arranged at the base of the tray. Thus, some of the condensate stored in the body is vaporized with the heat of the condenser and the portable air conditioner can store water for a longer time. Moreover, the cooling of the condenser is provided.

By means of the present invention, the thermal energy storage capacity of the portable air conditioner is increased by storing the condensate in the phase changing material. Thus, a portable air conditioner is realized, with increased thermal efficiency and facilitated use, not requiring frequent discharging operations.

The portable air conditioner realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 – is the front perspective view of the portable air conditioner related to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 – is the rear perspective view of the portable air conditioner related to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 – is the top view of the portable air conditioner related to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 - is the cross-sectional view of the portable air conditioner shown in Figure 3, taken along the line A-A.

Figure 5 - is the cross-sectional view of the portable air conditioner shown in Figure 3, taken along the line B-B.

Figure 6 – is the perspective view of the condenser, the compressor and the plate related to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 – is the perspective view of the condenser, the compressor, the tray and the plate related to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 – is the partial perspective view of the body related to another embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Portable air conditioner
Body
Compressor
Condenser
Evaporator
Phase changing material
Container
Housing
Channel
Plate
Receptacle
First opening
Valve
Water tank
Transmission line
Discharge hole
Tray
Reservoir
Arm
Second opening

The portable air conditioner (1) comprises a body (2); a compressor (3), a condenser (4) and an evaporator (5) that are disposed in the body (2) and that together provide the realization of the refrigeration cycle; a phase changing material (6) that provides the storage of the thermal energy; at least one container (7) wherein the phase changing material (6) is disposed, and at least one housing (8) that is disposed in the body (2) and wherein the container (7) is disposed. The heat that is drawn from the environment during the cooling process is stored on the phase changing material (6). When the thermal energy storage capacity of the phase changing material (6) is full, the container (7) is taken out of the housing (8) and replaced into the housing (8) after the regeneration of the phase changing material (6) is completed.

The portable air conditioner (1) of the present invention comprises the container (7) that is disposed into the housing (8) so as to be under the evaporator (5) and that enables the water condensed on the evaporator (5) to be stored in the phase changing material (6). The water vapor in the air passed over the evaporator (5) during the cooling process condenses on the evaporator (5). The condensed water reaches the container (7) under the evaporator (5) with the effect of the gravity and is accumulated in the phase changing material (6). Thus, the heat drawn from the environment is transferred both to the phase changing material (6) and the condensate, and the thermal energy storage capacity of the portable air conditioner (1) is increased. The condensate accumulated in the phase changing material (6) is discharged when the container (7) is taken out of the body (2) for the regeneration of the phase changing material (6). Thus, the condensate can be discharged without any additional operation and the portable air conditioner (1) can be operated without requiring regeneration and discharge operations for a long time.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a serpentine channel (9) wherein the water fills is arranged in the phase changing material (6). By means of the serpentine structure of the channel (9), a large amount of water can be stored in the phase changing material (6) and the heat of the phase changing material (6) can be efficiently transferred to the water.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the housing (8) is disposed adjacent to the condenser (4) and allows the container (7) to be disposed into the body (2) so as to be in contact with the condenser (4). The heat of the condenser (4) is transferred to the phase changing material (6) in the container (7). Thus, the heat on the condenser (4) is efficiently removed and stored.

In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one plate (10) extends outwards from the condenser (4) so as to be in contact with the lateral side of the container (7) and enables the transfer of the heat of the condenser (4) to the lateral side of the container (7). In case there is more than one container (7) in the body (2), the plates (10) extend between the adjacent containers (7) so as to be in contact with both the containers (7). Thus, the area of the surface transferring the heat on the condenser (4) to the containers (7) is increased and the heat transfer is quickly realized.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a receptacle (11) wherein the water condensing on the evaporator (5) reaches with the effect of the gravity is disposed under the evaporator (5) and at least one opening (12) is arranged on the receptacle (11), allowing the transfer of the water in the receptacle (11) to the container (7). When the level of the water accumulated in the receptacle (11) reaches the level of the first opening (12), the water flows through the first openings (12) into the containers (7) disposed under the receptacle (11). Thus, in case there is more than one container (7) in the body (2), an equal amount of water is enabled to fill into each container (7).

In another embodiment of the present invention, a valve (13) allows the water to pass through the first opening (12) and to fill into the container (7) when the container (7) is placed into the housing (8), and when the container (7) is taken out of the housing (8), the said valve (13) closes the first opening (12) leak-proofingly and enables the water to be kept in the receptacle (11). Thus, when the portable air conditioner (1) is operated without the containers (7) being placed into the body (2) or one of the containers (7) is taken out of the housing (8), the water in the receptacle (11) is prevented from flowing out of the body (2).

In another embodiment of the present invention, a water tank (14) surrounds the compressor (3) and a transmission line (15) disposed between the water tank (14) and the receptacle (11) and that enables the water accumulated in the receptacle (11) to fill into the water tank (14). Thus, in case the portable air conditioner (1) is operated when the containers (7) are not in the housing (8), the water accumulated in the receptacle (11) is collected in the water tank (14). Moreover, the water collected in the water tank (14) is vaporized with the heat of the compressor (3) during the operation and thus the amount of water stored in the body (2) is decreased.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an arm (19) extends outwards from the body (2) and when moved, enables the port of the transmission line (15) to be opened/closed. Thus, in a situation requiring the container (7) to be detached from the body (2) such as the thermal energy storage capacity of the phase changing material (6) being full during the cooling process, the user can move the arm (19) and enable the water in the receptacle (11) to be collected in the water tank (14).

In another embodiment of the present invention, on the receptacle (11) a discharge hole (16) is arranged, that opens outside from the body (2) and that enables the excess water to be discharged from the body (2) when the receptacle (11) is full. The distance from the discharge hole (16) to the base of the receptacle (11) defines the maximum height that the water in the receptacle (11) can reach. Thus, when the water level in the receptacle (11) reaches a critical value, the water is discharged out of the body (2) by means of the discharge hole (16).

In another embodiment of the present invention, a tray (17) wherein the water in the receptacle (11) fills is disposed on the condenser (4), and on the tray (17) at least one second opening (20) is arranged, that enables the water in the tray (17) to reach the surface of the condenser (4). The water in the tray (17) passes through the second openings (20) on the base of the tray (17) and wets the surface of the condenser (4). By means of the heat of the condenser (4) reaching high temperatures during the cooling process, the water on the condenser (4) vaporizes. Under the condenser (4) a reservoir (18) is disposed, wherein the water that cannot be vaporized by the condenser (4) is collected. The water in the reservoir (18) is transferred back to the receptacle (11) by means of a pump. Thus, some of the water stored in the body (2) can be removed from the body (2) without any discharging operation.

In the portable air conditioner (1), the water condensing on the evaporator (5) is stored in the phase changing material (6) and thus the heat stored in the phase changing material (6) is enabled to be transferred to the water. Consequently, the thermal energy can be stored for a long time, the storage time of the condensate is prolonged and the latter is enabled to be easily discharged.

Claims

A portable air conditioner (1) comprising a body (2); a compressor (3), a condenser (4) and an evaporator (5) that are disposed in the body (2) and that together provide the realization of the refrigeration cycle; a phase changing material (6) that provides the storage of the thermal energy; at least one container (7) wherein the phase changing material (6) is disposed, and at least one housing (8) that is disposed in the body (2) and wherein the container (7) is disposed, characterized by the container (7) that is disposed into the housing (8) so as to be under the evaporator (5) and that enables the water condensed on the evaporator (5) to be stored in the phase changing material (6).
A portable air conditioner (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a serpentine channel (9) that is arranged in the phase changing material (6) and wherein the water fills.
A portable air conditioner (1) as in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized by the housing (8) that is disposed adjacent to the condenser (4) and that allows the container (7) to be disposed into the body (2) so as to be in contact with the condenser (4).
A portable air conditioner (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by at least one plate (10) that extends outwards from the condenser (4) so as to be in contact with the lateral side of the container (7) and that enables the transfer of the heat of the condenser (4) to the lateral side of the container (7).
A portable air conditioner (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a receptacle (11) that is disposed under the evaporator (5) and wherein the water condensing on the evaporator (5) reaches with the effect of the gravity and by at least one opening (12) that is arranged on the receptacle (11), allowing the transfer of the water in the receptacle (11) to the container (7).
A portable air conditioner (1) as in Claim 5, characterized by a valve (13) that allows the water to pass through the first opening (12) and to fill into the container (7) when the container (7) is placed into the housing (8), and when the container (7) is taken out of the housing (8), that closes the first opening (12) leak-proofingly and enables the water to be kept in the receptacle (11).
A portable air conditioner (1) as in Claim 5, characterized by a water tank (14) that surrounds the compressor (3) and a transmission line (15) that is disposed between the water tank (14) and the receptacle (11) and that enables the water accumulated in the receptacle (11) to fill into the water tank (14).
A portable air conditioner (1) as in Claim 7, characterized by an arm (19) that extends outwards from the body (2) and when moved, that enables the port of the transmission line (15) to be opened/closed.
A portable air conditioner (1) as in Claim 5, characterized by a discharge hole (16) that is arranged on the receptacle (11), that opens outside from the body (2) and that enables the excess water to be discharged from the body (2) when the receptacle (11) is full.
A portable air conditioner (1) as in Claim 5, characterized by a tray (17) that is disposed on the condenser (4) and wherein the water in the receptacle (11) fills, and by at least one second opening (20) that is arranged on the tray (17) and that enables the water in the tray (17) to reach the surface of the condenser (4).