AU2016200299A1

AU2016200299A1 - A vehicle air conditioning unit

Info

Publication number: AU2016200299A1
Application number: AU2016200299A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Shihong Bei
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-01-11
Filing date: 2016-01-19
Publication date: 2017-07-27
Also published as: CN105644298A

Abstract

A vehicle air conditioning unit, including: at least a first evaporator component and a second evaporator component at a different location from the first evaporator component; and at least a first tangential fan and a second tangential fan; wherein the first tangential fan is operable to direct air from or to the first evaporator component; and the second tangential fan is operable to direct air from or to the second evaporator component, in a direction different from a direction of air directed by the first tangential fan. 3 If 9 Figure 4 45- Figure 5

Description

1 2016200299 19 Jan 2016

A VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle air conditioning unit.

BACKGROUND

[0002] It is common to include an air conditioning unit in a vehicle, such as a car, van, ute, truck, bus, motorhomes (RV), caravan, boat etc. The aim is to provide cooling effect or heating effect when desired. An air conditioning unit normally includes a compressor, a condenser, a fan for the condenser, an evaporator, and a fan for the evaporator. The scientific principle of the working of an air conditioning unit is well known.

[0003] Axial fans and centrifugal fans are used in vehicle air conditioning unit. However, the noise generated by such unit or system is often unsatisfactory.

SUMMARY

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle air conditioning unit, including: at least a first evaporator component and a second evaporator component at a different location from the first evaporator component; and at least a first tangential fan and a second tangential fan; wherein the first tangential fan is operable to direct air from or to the first evaporator component; and the second tangential fan is operable to direct air from or to the second evaporator component, in a direction different from a direction of air directed by the first tangential fan.

[0005] In one form, the first evaporator component and the second evaporator component are parts of a single evaporator. In one form, the first evaporator component and the second evaporator component are different evaporators. In one form, the direction of air directed by the first tangential fan to or from the first evaporator component is substantially opposite in direction from the direction of air directed by the second tangential fan to or from the second evaporator component. In one form, the vehicle air conditioning unit further including an air intake portion and an air exit portion, wherein the first tangential fan and the second tangential fan direct air from the same air intake portion to their respective evaporator components, or direct air to the same air exit portion from their respective evaporator components. In one form, the air exit portion surrounds or partially surrounds the air intake portion. In one form, the air intake portion surrounds or partially surrounds the air exit portion.

[0006] In one form, the noise generated by the vehicle air conditioning unit is < 55dB(A). 2 2016200299 19 Jan 2016 [0007] In one form, the vehicle air conditioning unit is positioned at least partially on the roof of a vehicle. In one form, the portions positioned on the roof is <0.25m3 in total volume. In one form, blades of an impeller of either or both of the first tangential fan and the second tangential fan have a slant angle relative to the rotation axis of the impeller when view from a direction tangential to the rotation axis.

[0008] In one form, part of an impeller of either or both of the first tangential fan and the second tangential fan is exposed to an respective air exit aperture or portion; wherein the exposed part is within 8% to 13% of the diameter of the respective impeller.

[0009] In one form, the shortest distance between an impeller of either or both of the first tangential fan and the second tangential fan and a respective volute is within 4 to 7% of the diameter of the respective impeller.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for directing air in a vehicle air conditioning unit, the method includes: directing air from or to a first evaporator component using a first tangential fan; directing air from or to a second evaporator component using a second tangential fan, in a direction different from a direction of air directed by the first tangential fan.

[0011] In one form, the direction of air directed by the first tangential fan to or from the first evaporator component is substantially opposite in direction from the direction of air directed by the second tangential fan to or from the second evaporator component.

[0012] In one form, the first tangential fan and the second tangential fan direct air from a same air intake portion to their respective evaporator components, or direct air to the same air intake portion from their respective evaporator components.

[0013] According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an evaporator module, including: at least a first evaporator component and a second evaporator component at a different location from the first evaporator component; and at least a first tangential fan and a second tangential fan; wherein the first tangential fan is operable to direct air from or to the first evaporator component; and the second tangential fan is operable to direct air from or to the second evaporator component, in a direction different from a direction of air directed by the first tangential fan.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 3 2016200299 19 Jan 2016 [0015] Figure 1 depicts one embodiment of the present invention; [0016] Figure 2 depicts the embodiment of Figure 1 but with the casing of the evaporator module removed; [0017] Figure 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of air conditioning unit of Figure 1; [0018] Figure 4 depicts a bottom view of the air conditioning unit of Figure 1; [0019] Figure 5 depicts the impellers of tangential fans of air conditioning unit of Figure 1; [0020] Figure 6 depicts one possible embodiment of a impellers of tangential fans; [0021] Figure 7 depicts a side view (into the rotation axis) of the embodiment of the impellers shown in Figure 6.

[0022] Figure 8 shows another embodiment of the present invention; [0023] Figure 9 depicts a bottom view of the air conditioning unit of Figure 8; [0024] Figure 10 depicts a cross-sectional view of air conditioning unit of Figure 8; [0025] Figure 11(a) to (f) shows several possible embodiments of the present invention; [0026] Figure 12 depicts yet another embodiment of the present invention; [0027] Figure 13 depicts another embodiment of the present invention and its respective design parameters; [0028] Figure 14 depicts another embodiment of the present invention and its respective design parameters; and [0029] Figure 15 depicts another embodiment of the present invention and its respective design parameters.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0030] The present invention presents a way to reduce noise generated by a vehicle air conditioning unit. In particular, the invention includes directing air from or to a first evaporator component using a first tangential fan and directing air from or to a second evaporator component using a second tangential fan, 4 2016200299 19 Jan 2016 in a direction different from a direction of air directed by the first tangential fan. This principle will be explained in greater details with reference to various embodiments illustrated and described in this specification.

[0031] Figure 1 depicts one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the vehicle air conditioning unit takes a form of a roof mounted air conditioning unit 1. This roof mounted air conditioning unit includes two main modules, an evaporator module 3 and a condenser module 5 (only the location of the condenser module 5 is shown but the actual components, such as a compressor, a condenser, a fan for the condenser are not shown). Direction 7 indicates an approximate position where the air intake portion and air exit portion are. While embodiment shown in Figure 1 is a vehicle roof top air conditioning unit, it is possible to have the unit installed at a side or a back of a vehicle, depending on the size of the vehicle and available space of the vehicle. For example, it may be feasible to install one embodiment of the present invention at the back of a motorhome or the back of a caravan. Direction 7 can be modified too. Further, the air exiting from air conditioning unit 1 can be directly released into the vehicle. Alternatively, all of or part of the air can be redirected to be released directly to other parts of the vehicle through use of air passages.

[0032] Figure 2 depicts the embodiment of Figure 1 but with the casing of the evaporator module 3 removed. As can be seen, there are two main parts 11 and 13. Each part includes a tangential fan and evaporator elements within main parts 11 and 13.

[0033] A simple explanation of the working of a tangential fan is as followed: A tangential fan is a fan where the movement (rotation) of an impeller causes the air to flow transversely across the impeller, crossing blades of the impeller two times. A tangential fan is also known as cross-flow fan or tabular fan. A tangential fan includes an impeller, a volute, an air intake and an air exit. During operation, the impeller with blades, usually curved forward, rotates to direct air flow. The volute is shaped to affect the air flow through the air exit. Uniform air flow through air exit can be achieved by careful design of the impeller, the volute, and the exit.

[0034] While it is known for its low noise level during operation, a tangential fan is not known for providing strong air flow, thus would be considered not feasible to be used in a vehicle.

[0035] Referring to Figure 3, this embodiment of the present invention overcomes this challenge by having two tangential fans 21 and 22 with respective impellers 23 and 24 for directing air through their respective evaporator components 25 and 26. In this example, evaporator components 25 and 26 are spatially separated. In other embodiments, evaporator components 25 and 26 can be different parts of a single evaporator. During operation the impellers 23 and 24 of two tangential fans 21 and 22 rotate in directions marked by 31 and 32 respectively. The blades of the impeller 23 of tangential fan 21 direct air 5 2016200299 19 Jan 2016 to move in the path indicated by arrows 35, 36 and 37. The blades of the impeller 24 of tangential fan 22 direct air to move in the path indicated by arrows 35, 38 and 39. Air moving through evaporator components 25 and 26 will be cooled and returned as cooled air through path indicated by arrows 37 and 39. Modification can be made to the air conditioning unit so that the air conditioning unit operates as a reversed cycle air conditioning unit. Thus, the role of evaporator components 25 and 26 can be changed to the role of a condenser to provide heating to the air flowing through evaporator components 25 and 26. The principle and design of a reversed cycle air conditioning unit in relation to the change of roles between evaporator and condenser are known and will not be described here. Note that the orientation of impellers 23 and 24 with respect to evaporator components 25 and 26 can be adjusted. The invention works as long as the two tangential fans 21 and 22 are directing air through them to different evaporator components.

[0036] Figure 4 depicts a bottom view of the air conditioning unit 1. The air enters via air intake portion 41. Air exit portion 43 is positioned around air intake portion 41. Air exit portion 43 can completely surround or partially surround air intake portion 41, for example, Air exit portion 43 just located at two sides of air intake portion 41. Various types of casing or accessories can be added at the air exit portion 43, such as louvers. Similarly, various casing or accessories can be added at the air intake portion 41, such as an air filter. Since there is only one air intake portion 41, the two tangential fans 21 and 22 are drawing air from the same intake portion, then directing the air in two different directions. Effectively, some of the air will be directed in one direction to pass through evaporator components 25 and some air in another direction to pass through evaporator components 26.

[0037] Figure 5 depicts the impellers 44 and 46 of tangential fans 21 and 22. The positions of the respective motors 45 and 47 are also shown. Note that the respective motors 45 and 47 can take many other forms and can be positioned at various positions as long as there can drive the impellers 44 and 46 of tangential fans 21 and 22. The blades of the impellers 44 and 46 cannot be seen in this Figure 5. An impeller showing its blades are presented in Figure 6. The two impellers work to direct air flow in different directions from each other. In this embodiment, the direction of air directed by tangential fan 21 to or from the first evaporator component is substantially opposite in direction from the direction of air directed by tangential fan 22 to or from the second evaporator component.

[0038] Figure 6 depicts one possible embodiment of the impellers of tangential fans 21 and 22. While the impellers of tangential fans 21 and 22 are shown in Figure 5 to be the same, it can be designed so that the impellers of tangential fans 21 and 22 are of different designs. In this embodiment, it can be seen that blades 53 of an impeller 51 of either or both of the first tangential fan and the second tangential fan have a slant angle relative to the rotation axis 54 of the impeller 51 when view from a direction tangential to the rotation axis (i.e. viewing into the paper with a slant angle in the direction indicated by arrow 55). 6 2016200299 19 Jan 2016 [0039] Figure 7 depicts a side view (into the rotation axis) of the embodiment of the impellers shown in Figure 6. In this example, there are a total of thirty five blades. Arrow 56 indicates the rotating direction of the impellers during operation to direct air.

[0040] Figure 8 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the vehicle air conditioning unit takes a form of a roof mounted air conditioning unit 101. This roof mounted air conditioning unit includes two main modules, an evaporator module 103 and a condenser module 105 (only the location of the condenser module 105 is shown but the actual components, such as a compressor, a condenser, a fan for the condenser are not shown). Direction 107 indicates an approximate position where the air intake portion and air exit portion are. The casing of the evaporator module has been removed from this figure, thus showing the two main parts 111 and 113 of the evaporator module 103. Each part includes a tangential fan and evaporator elements within main parts 111 and 113.

[0041 ] Figure 9 depicts a bottom view of the air conditioning unit 101. The air enters via air intake portion 143. Air exit portion 141 is positioned around air intake portion 143. Air exit portion 141 can be completely surrounded or partially surrounded by air intake portion 143, for example, air intake portion 143 just located at two sides of air exit portion 143. Note that with changes to the rotation direction of the impellers and the orientation and position of the impellers, the air flow directions can be reversed.

Various casing or accessories can be added at the air intake portion 143, such as louvers. Similarly, various casing or accessories can be added at the air exit portion 141, such as an air filter. Since there is only one air exit portion 141, the two tangential fans are drawing air from the same intake portion, then direct directing the air in two different directions. Effectively, some of the air will be directed in one direction to pass through one evaporator component and some air will be directed in another direction to pass through another evaporator components.

[0042] Referring to Figure 10, which is a cross-sectional view of air conditioning unit 101, this embodiment of the present invention includes two tangential fans 121 and 122 with respective impellers 123 and 124 for directing air through their respective evaporator components 125 and 126. In this example, evaporator components 125 and 126 are spatially separated. In other embodiments, evaporator components 125 and 126 can be different parts of a single evaporator. During operation the impellers 123 and 124 of the two tangential fans 121 and 122 rotate in directions marked by 131 and 132 respectively. The blades of the impeller 123 of tangential fan 121 direct air to move in the path indicated by arrows 135, 136 and 137. The blades of the impeller 124 of tangential fan 122 direct air to move in the path indicated by arrows 135a, 138 and 139. Air moving through evaporator components 125 and 126 will be cooled and returned as cooled air through path indicated by arrows 137 and 139. Modification can be made to the air conditioning unit so that the air conditioning unit operates as a reversed cycle air conditioning unit. 7 2016200299 19 Jan 2016

Thus, the role of evaporator components 125 and 126 can be changed to the role of a condenser to provide heating to the air flowing through evaporator components 125 and 126.

[0043] Figure 11(a) to (f) shows several possible embodiments of the present invention, with arrows showing the direction of the air flow. The configuration of the embodiments of figures 11 (a) to (c) is similar to embodiments described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 8 in that the evaporator components 151 and 152, 153 and 154, 155 and 156 are located at different positions and that they are separated from each other. However, for other embodiments, it is possible that evaporator components 161 and 162, 163 and 164, 165 and 166 are located at different positions, yet the components belong to a same entity. This will be explained in greater detail with reference to Figure 12 below.

[0044] Figure 12 depicts yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the air conditioning unit includes two main modules, an evaporator module 183 (with top portion of casing removed) and a condenser module 185. Direction 187 indicates an approximate position where the air intake portion and air exit portion are. As can be seen, there are two tangential fans 191 and 193. Each of the tangential fans is directing air in a different direction through different evaporator components 192 and 194 respectively. Evaporator components 192 and 194 are parts of an O-shape evaporator. Alternatively, the O-shape evaporator can be replaced by a U-shape evaporator. Other shapes are also possible, as long as the two tangential fans 191 and 193 are directing air through different evaporator components.

[0045] It is found that by having a first tangential fan operable to direct air from or to a first evaporator component; and a second tangential fan operable to direct air from or to the second evaporator component, in a direction different from a direction of air directed by the first tangential fan, an air conditioning unit which is of compact size and with low noise is achievable. The test results shows that a noise level of <55dB(A) is achieved. This is a great improvement over noises of known air conditioning units, which is >60dB(A). A compact size of <0.25m3 is also achieved.

[0046] Figure 13 depicts another embodiment of the present invention and its respective design parameters. Angle 207 represents the entry angle of the tangential fan. Depending on the design requirement, the angle 207 can be within 135° to 150°. Angle 209 represents the exit angle of the tangential fan. Depending on the design requirement, the angle 209 can be within 155° to 190°. Angle 205 represents the transitional angle of the tangential fan. Depending on the design requirement, the angle 205 can be within 100° to 120°. Distance 201 represents the shortest distance between the impeller and the volute. Distance 203 represents the shortest distance between the impeller and the tongue of the volute. Depending on the design requirement, distance 201 and distance 203 can be within 4 to 7% of the diameter of the impeller. Distance 210 represents part of the impeller exposed to the air exit aperture or 8 2016200299 19 Jan 2016 portion measured from a side of the tongue of the volute as shown in Figure 13. Depending on the design requirement, distance 210 can be within 8 to 13% of the diameter of the impeller.

[0047] Figure 14 depicts another embodiment of the present invention and its respective design parameters. Angle 219 represents the entry angle of the tangential fan. Depending on the design requirement, the angle 219 can be within 135° to 150°. Angle 217 represents the exit angle of the tangential fan. Depending on the design requirement, the angle 217 can be within 155° to 190°. Angle 215 represents the transitional angle of the tangential fan. Depending on the design requirement, the angle 215 can be within 100° to 120°. Distance 211 represents the shortest distance between the impeller and the volute. Distance 220 represents the shortest distance between the impeller and the tongue of the volute. Depending on the design requirement, distance 211 and distance 220 can be within 4 to 7% of the diameter of the impeller. Distance 213 represents part of the impeller exposed to the air exit aperture or portion measured from a side of the tongue of the volute as shown in Figure 14. Depending on the design requirement, distance 213 can be within 8 to 13% of the diameter of the impeller.

[0048] Figure 15 depicts another embodiment of the present invention and its respective design parameters. Angle 227 represents the entry angle of the tangential fan. Depending on the design requirement, the angle 227 can be within 135° to 150°. Angle 229 represents the exit angle of the tangential fan. Depending on the design requirement, the angle 229 can be within 155° to 190°. Angle 225 represents the transitional angle of the tangential fan. Depending on the design requirement, the angle 225 can be within 100° to 120°. Distance 221 represents the shortest distance between the impeller and the volute. Distance 223 represents the shortest distance between the impeller and the tongue of the volute. Depending on the design requirement, distance 221 and distance 223 can be within 4 to 7% of the diameter of the impeller. Distance 230 represents part of the impeller exposed to the air exit aperture or portion measured from a side of the tongue of the volute as shown in Figure 15. Depending on the design requirement, distance 230 can be within 8 to 13% of the diameter of the impeller.

[0049] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise” and “include” and variations such as “comprising” and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0050] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0051 ] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment 2016200299 19 Jan 2016 9 with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle air conditioning unit, including: at least a first evaporator component and a second evaporator component at a different location from the first evaporator component; and at least a first tangential fan and a second tangential fan; wherein the first tangential fan is operable to direct air from or to the first evaporator component; and the second tangential fan is operable to direct air from or to the second evaporator component, in a direction different from a direction of air directed by the first tangential fan.

2. The vehicle air conditioning unit of claim 1, wherein the first evaporator component and the second evaporator component are parts of a single evaporator.

3. The vehicle air conditioning unit of claim 1, wherein the first evaporator component and the second evaporator component are different evaporators.

4. The vehicle air conditioning unit of claim 1, wherein the direction of air directed by the first tangential fan to or from the first evaporator component is substantially opposite in direction from the direction of air directed by the second tangential fan to or from the second evaporator component.

5. The vehicle air conditioning unit of claim 1, further including an air intake portion and an air exit portion, wherein the first tangential fan and the second tangential fan direct air from the same air intake portion to their respective evaporator components, or direct air to the same air exit portion from their respective evaporator components.

6. The vehicle air conditioning unit of claim 5, wherein the air exit portion surrounds or partially surrounds the air intake portion.

7. The vehicle air conditioning unit of claim 5, wherein the air intake portion surrounds or partially surrounds the air exit portion.

8. The vehicle air conditioning unit of claim 1, wherein the noise generated by the vehicle air conditioning unit is < 55dB(A).

9. The vehicle air conditioning unit of claim 1, wherein the vehicle air conditioning unit is positioned at least partially on the roof of a vehicle.

10. The vehicle air conditioning unit of claim 9, wherein the portions positioned on the roof is <0.25m3 in total volume.

11. The vehicle air conditioning unit of claim 1, wherein blades of an impeller of either or both of the first tangential fan and the second tangential fan have a slant angle relative to the rotation axis of the impeller when view from a direction tangential to the rotation axis.

12. The vehicle air conditioning unit of claim 1, wherein part of an impeller of either or both of the first tangential fan and the second tangential fan is exposed to an respective air exit aperture or portion; wherein the exposed part is within 8% to 13% of the diameter of the respective impeller.

13. The vehicle air conditioning unit of claim 1, wherein the shortest distance between an impeller of either or both of the first tangential fan and the second tangential fan and a respective volute is within 4 to 7% of the diameter of the respective impeller.

14. A method for directing air in a vehicle air conditioning unit, the method includes: directing air from or to a first evaporator component using a first tangential fan; directing air from or to a second evaporator component using a second tangential fan, in a direction different from a direction of air directed by the first tangential fan.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the direction of air directed by the first tangential fan to or from the first evaporator component is substantially opposite in direction from the direction of air directed by the second tangential fan to or from the second evaporator component.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the first tangential fan and the second tangential fan direct air from a same air intake portion to their respective evaporator components, or direct air to the same air intake portion from their respective evaporator components.

17. An evaporator module, including: at least a first evaporator component and a second evaporator component at a different location from the first evaporator component; and at least a first tangential fan and a second tangential fan; wherein the first tangential fan is operable to direct air from or to the first evaporator component; and the second tangential fan is operable to direct air from or to the second evaporator component, in a direction different from a direction of air directed by the first tangential fan.