GB2375167A - A heat pump air conditioner unit for a dwelling - Google Patents
A heat pump air conditioner unit for a dwelling Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2375167A GB2375167A GB0208706A GB0208706A GB2375167A GB 2375167 A GB2375167 A GB 2375167A GB 0208706 A GB0208706 A GB 0208706A GB 0208706 A GB0208706 A GB 0208706A GB 2375167 A GB2375167 A GB 2375167A
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- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- air
- casing
- trunk
- evaporator
- draft
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- 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
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Devices For Blowing Cold Air, Devices For Blowing Warm Air, And Means For Preventing Water Condensation In Air Conditioning Units (AREA)
Abstract
A heat pump air conditioner unit located at a floor region of a room comprising an air supply passage 'A' for communicating fresh air via an outside air inlet 6 to a supply air outlet 7, and an exhaust air passage 'B' for communicating circulating room air via a return air inlet 8 to an exhaust air outlet 10. An evaporator 2 and a blower 3 is disposed within the supply passage and a condenser 4 and a blower 5 is disposed within the exhaust passage. A bypass ('C',fig.4) is provided between the two passages A and B, and located upstream of the evaporator and the condenser. Preferably both the supply passage and the exhaust passage are 'U' shaped in construction and are contained with in a casing 1. The evaporator and the condenser both form part of a refrigerant circuit 11 which also includes a compressor 12, and possibly a humidifier 36. The circuit is preferably mounted within a frame 15 inside the casing and bridges both the air passages. This frame may be removable via an opening 17 with the aid of wheels and rails (21 and 22, fig. 9). Dampers 9, 13, 14 maybe use to regulate the air flow through the air passages. Preferably a drain pan with a drain hole (20, 25, fig.9) is also included.
Description
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
FLOOR TYPE HEAT PUMP AIR CONDITIONER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
t The present invention relates to a floor type heat pump air conditioner.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, an air conditioner utilizing chilled/hot water required a heat source for chilled/hot water or a total enthalpy heat exchanger.
Such conventional air conditioner had to inevitably be bulky, therefore space for installation was restricted and installation was troublesome especially on an indoor floor, besides cost of equipment was high.
Incidentally, the applicant of the present invention previously offered an air conditioner according to the Japanese Utility-Model Publication No. 62-40246 (1987), wherein a U-shape draft trunk is provided between an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein necessary devices such as heat exchanger are provided.
In addition, the applicant of the present invention previously proposed an air conditioner according to the Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-62542 (1995), wherein a plurality of air conditioner having a U-shape draft trunk are aligned in parallel.
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Also in addition, in the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
5-157282 (1993) discloses a heat pump air conditioner comprising : a supply air draft trunk connecting outdoor and the indoor; supply air blowing means blowing outdoor air from the outdoor toward the indoor; a exhaust draft trunk connecting the indoor and outdoor ; exhaust air blowing means blowing exhaust air from indoor toward the outdoor; and heat source for heating/cooling outdoor air, wherein the supply air blowing means, the exhaust air blowing means and the heat source are integrally arranged on the supply air draft trunk and the exhaust air draft trunk.
However both of those prior art references relate to an air conditioner had to inevitably be bulky, therefore space for installation was restricted and installation was troublesome especially on an indoor floor, besides cost of equipment was expensive, since a heat source for chilled/hot water or a total enthalpy heat exchanger was necessary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a floor type heat pump air conditioner that solves the aforementioned problems.
To accomplish the foregoing object, the first aspect of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention comprises an air supply draft trunk which communicates from an outdoor air inlet to a supply air outlet and in which an evaporator and a blower are provided; an exhaust air draft trunk which communicates from a return air inlet to an exhaust air outlet and in which a condenser and a blower are provided; and further comprises an outdoor air draft trunk communicating from upstream
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portion on air supply side of the evaporator in the air supply draft trunk to upstream portion on exhaust side of the condenser in the exhaust air draft trunk. In addition, the evaporator provided in the air supply draft trunk and the condenser provided in the exhaust air draft trunk constitute a refrigerant circulating circuit.
Also, the first aspect of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention comprises a casing on whose one end face above mentioned outdoor air inlet, supply air outlet, return air inlet and exhaust air outlet are formed. Further, the air supply draft trunk is formed in a U-shape inside the casing and communicates from the outdoor air inlet to the supply air outlet, and the exhaust air draft trunk is formed in a U-shape inside the casing and communicates from the return air inlet to the exhaust air outlet, and at least the portion of the air supply draft trunk where the evaporator is provided and the portion of the exhaust air draft trunk where the condenser is provided are adjacently disposed in parallel inside the casing.
Also, the first aspect of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention comprises a damper mechanism for optionally adjusting air volume of exhaust air from the exhaust air draft trunk, outdoor air from the outdoor air draft trunk and outdoor air from the air supply draft trunk, respectively.
Also, in the first aspect of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention, the evaporator is divided into windward side divided evaporator and leeward side divided evaporator; at least two compressors, i. e. the first and the second compressors are provided; the
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windward side divided evaporator, the first compressor and the condenser constitute the first refrigerant circulating circuit; and the leeward side divided evaporator, the second compressor, and the condenser used in common with the first refrigerant circulating circuit constitute the second refrigerant circulating circuit.
Also, in the first aspect of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention, capacity ratio of the first and the second compressor is preferably set within the range of 25 : 75 to 30 : 70.
Further, the second aspect of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention comprises a casing having an outdoor air inlet, a supply air outlet, a return air inlet and an exhaust air outlet; an air supply draft trunk which communicates inside the casing from the outdoor air inlet to the supply air outlet and in which an evaporator is provided; an exhaust air draft trunk which communicates inside the casing from the return air inlet to the exhaust air outlet and in which a condenser is provided; and further comprises a drain pan used in common to the condenser and the evaporator, spanned inside the casing over both of the exhaust air draft trunk and the air supply draft trunk so as to drain water from either of these draft trunks toward the other; a first blower of forced draft type mounted in either of the air supply draft trunk or exhaust air draft trunk whichever is located in the upstream side and windward side of the drain pan; a second blower of suction draft type mounted in either of the air supply draft trunk or exhaust air draft trunk whichever is located in the downstream side and leeward side of the drain pan. In addition, the evaporator provided in the air supply draft trunk and the condenser
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provided in the exhaust air draft trunk constitute a refrigerant circulating circuit.
Also, in the second aspect of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention, above mentioned outdoor air inlet, supply air outlet, return air inlet and exhaust air outlet are formed on one end face of the casing. Further, the air supply draft trunk is formed in a U'shape inside the casing and communicates from the outdoor air inlet to the supply air outlet, and the exhaust air draft trunk is formed in a U-shape inside the casing and communicates from the return air inlet to the exhaust air outlet, and at least the portion of the air supply draft trunk where the evaporator is provided and the portion of the exhaust air draft trunk where the condenser is provided are adjacently disposed in parallel inside the casing.
Also, the second aspect of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention comprises a frame detachably mounted inside the casing for fixing the refrigerant circulating circuit, an opening provided in the casing for taking in and out the frame through which, and a detachable or openable outer plate for covering the opening.
Also, the second aspect of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention comprises a sliding mechanism for moving the frame on which the refrigerant circulating circuit is fixed, into and out of the casing.
Also, in the first and the second aspects of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention, fin tubes of the evaporator and the condenser are oval cross section tubes.
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The above and further objects and features of the present invention will more fully be apparent from the following detailed description with accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS , FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention ;
FIG. 2 is a side view showing a configuration of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention ;
FIG. 4 is a conceptual drawing showing a configuration of draft trunks and directions of air flow according to the first embodiment of the present invention ;
FIG. 5 is a conceptual drawing showing a configuration of a refrigerant circulating circuit according to the first embodiment of the present invention ;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of fin tubes according to the first and the second embodiments of the present invention ;
FIG. 7 is a front view showing a configuration of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention ;
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FIG. 8 is a side view showing a configuration of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention ;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention ;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a frame on which a refrigerant circulating circuit is fixed and a drain pan according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the essential portion of a drain pan and a sliding mechanism according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment
Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 6, the first embodiment of the floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention is described hereunder.
As shown in FIG. 1, the first embodiment of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention is installed on a floor surface F, and an outdoor air inlet 6 for taking in the outdoor air (OA), a supply air outlet 7 for supplying the supply air (SA) into a room, a return air inlet 8 for taking in the return air (RA) from inside the room, and an exhaust air outlet 10 for exhausting the exhaust air (EA) toward the outdoor are provided on one end face of a casing 1.
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The casing 1 comprises therein, an air supply draft trunk A communicating from the outdoor air inlet 6 to the supply air outlet 7 and in which an evaporator 2 and a blower 3 are provided, an exhaust air draft trunk B communicating from the return air inlet 8 to the exhaust air outlet
10 and in which a condenser 4 that also recovers exhaust heat and a blower , 5 are provided, and an outdoor air draft trunk C (refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) communicating from an upstream portion of the evaporator 2 in the air supply draft trunk A to an upstream portion of the condenser 4 in the exhaust air draft trunk B.
Also, a damper mechanism D (specifically dampers 9,13 and 14) is provided for optionally adjusting air volume of outdoor air in the air supply draft trunk A, exhaust air in the exhaust air draft trunk B and outdoor air in the outdoor air draft trunk C, respectively.
Also, the air supply draft trunk A and the exhaust air draft trunk B are both formed in a U-shape inside the casing 1, and are adjacently disposed in parallel.
Further, a refrigerant circulating circuit 11 switchable to heat absorption and radiation, consisting of the condenser 4, the evaporator 2, a compressor 12, a receiver, an expansion valve, a switching valve, etc. , is provided inside the casing 1. The refrigerant circulating circuit 11 is detachable and can be taken in and out of the casing 1 as desired.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerant circulating circuit 11 comprising the condenser 4, the evaporator 2 and the compressor 12 is fixed and unified with a frame 15 that is detachably mounted inside the casing 1, and an opening 16 is formed on one end face of the casing 1.
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The frame 15 on which the refrigerant circulating circuit 11 is fixed can be taken in and out of the casing 1 through the opening 16. A detachable or openable outer plate 17 is provided on the opening 16. According to the drawing, the opening 16 is disposed at the front face of casing 1, whereas it is also an option to provide the opening 16 on other faces such as side face.
The casing 1 comprises an exhaust damper 13 for adjusting exhaust air volume from the return air inlet 8 to the condenser 4, an outdoor air damper 14 for assisting air volume to the condenser 4 by adjusting outdoor air volume from the outdoor air inlet 6 to the condenser 4, and a supply air damper 9 for adjusting outdoor air volume from the outdoor air inlet 6 to the evaporator 2. These dampers constitute damper mechanism D. Each of dampers 13, 14 and 9 is designed to adjust air volume in a range of 0 to 100%. The return air inlet 8 communicates with inside of a room through a duct DC3 or an air inlet, and the supply air outlet 7 communicates with inside of the room through a duct DC2 or an air outlet.
Also, in case the air conditioner of the present invention is installed on the floor surface F of an indoor room, the outdoor air inlet 6 and the exhaust air outlet 10 communicate with outdoor through a duct DC1 and DC4, respectively, whereas the ducts may be omitted depending on locations for installation. In addition, white arrows of solid line and dotted line show air flow directions.
As shown in FIG. 5, the evaporator 2 is divided into a windward side divided evaporator 2a and a leeward side divided evaporator 2b with a distance therebetween. The windward side divided evaporator 2a, the first compressor 12 and the condenser 4 constitute a first refrigerant circulating
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circuit 11, while the leeward side divided evaporator 2b, the second compressor 12 and the condenser 4 constitute a second refrigerant circulating circuit 11. Therefore the condenser 4 is used in common to the first and the second refrigerant circulating circuits.
An optimal capacity ratio of the compressors 12,12 (one divided evaporator : other divided evaporator) of the two refrigerant circulating circuits 11,11 is preferably within the range of 25 : 75 through 30: 70, though the ratio may be varied. The reason is that normally the capacity required for heating is approximately 60% of that for cooling, in case an identical evaporator is used for cooling (room cooling) and heating (room warming) selecting either or the other. Therefore by setting the mentioned range of capacity ratio, using only the windward side divided evaporator 2a, i. e. only one compressor 12 of one refrigerant circulating circuit 11 is sufficient for heating operation, which results in saving of energy.
It is preferable to set surface wind velocity of the evaporator 2 at 3.5 to 4.0 m/s. Also, it is optimal to set surface wind velocity of the condenser 4 at 4.0 to 6.0 m/s since employing a high speed wind velocity and compact condenser 4 can make a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention of a compact dimension, whereas the velocity may be varied. As shown in FIG. 6, it is preferable to employ oval cross section tubes 19 on a fin 190 of the evaporator 2 and the condenser 4, while the fin tubes can also be made of round tubes.
The first embodiment of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention, as schematically shown in FIG. 4, exchanges heat of outdoor air (OA) taken in through the outdoor air inlet 6
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at the evaporator 2 and supplies the supply air (SA) through the supply air outlet 7 activating a humidifier 36 if necessary, simultaneously exchanging heat between return air (RA) taken in through the return air inlet 8 and circulating refrigerant of the condenser 4 for either absorbing or radiating the heat, and exhausting the exhaust air (EA) through the exhaust air outlet 10 toward outdoor.
As a result of utilizing the heat of exhaust air as described above, heat exchanging load imposed on the condenser 4 is lowered, and a similar effect to a total enthalpy heat exchanger is attained by the condenser 4. In a case where air volume of exhaust air is not sufficient, the outdoor air damper 14 can be adjusted so that all or a part of outdoor air taken in through the outdoor air inlet 6 is directly blown toward the condenser 4, thus to supplement the air volume. Consequently, the foregoing arrangement is effective to an extensive range of air-conditioning environment, since air volume can easily be increased by the outdoor air damper 14 even when air volume toward the condenser 4 is insufficient for heat exchange operation.
Also, the first embodiment of the floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention allows an easy adjustment of temperature of air supplied indoors, by selecting operation of one or both of divided evaporators 2a, 2b (refrigerant circulating circuits 11,11) depending on outdoor raw air temperature (heat load). Moreover, even during an operation by just one of the divided evaporators 2a, 2b (refrigerant circulating circuit 11,11), heat exchanging capacity becomes higher than net division ratio of the evaporator because the fin group of the condenser 4
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is incorporated with two refrigerant circulating circuit 11,11, which provides a larger heat transfer area. In addition, by turning off the compressors 12,12, cooling operation by outdoor air or returning air operation can be executed.
Also, the first embodiment of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention is capable of dehumidifying and rehearing. For such purpose, outdoor air is cooled and dehumidified by the circulating refrigerant of the windward side divided evaporator 2a, after which the dehumidified air is heated by the circulating refrigerant of the leeward side divided evaporator 2b and supplied to the indoors through the supply air outlet 7, then return air exchanges heat with the circulating refrigerant of the condenser 4, and is exhausted through the exhaust air outlet 10. At this time, since the fin group of the condenser 4 is commonly used by both of the refrigerant circulating circuits 11,11, not only heat exchange between refrigerant and outdoor air but also heat exchange between refrigerants becomes possible wherein temperature difference (between refrigerant for heating and refrigerant for cooling) is greater, thereby improving heat exchange capacity.
In addition, in this first embodiment it is possible to provide the evaporator 2 in one unit instead of dividing, and just one refrigerant circulating circuit 11, though drawing of such arrangement is omitted. It is also an option to employ the floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the mentioned first embodiment of the present invention as an air conditioner for outdoor air treatment.
As described above, referring to the first embodiment of a floor type
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heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention, a separate heat source for chilled/hot water is not required, besides which a greater heat exchange capacity is attained because a condenser is operable by exhaust heat of return air from indoors, therefore the refrigerant circulating circuits can be compactly formed and energy can be saved. Also the first embodiment of the floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention does not require those conventionally used parts such as total enthalpy heat exchanger, therefore dimension of an entire equipment can be compact, and as a result space for installation can be minimized and both cost of equipment and running cost can be reduced.
Also, referring to the first embodiment of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention, just one unit of heat pump air conditioner can be operated for outdoor air treatment, cooling and heating, cooling by outdoor air and returning air, without need of a separate air conditioner for outdoor air treatment. Moreover, one outdoor air inlet can be used for taking in outdoor air for both of air supply draft trunk and outdoor air draft trunk, and one duct can be used as both outdoor air inlet duct for air supply and outdoor air inlet duct for exhaust air, therefore number of parts and dimension of equipment are reduced resulting in a lower production cost, besides installation work such as duct assembly becomes easier. In addition, since all air inlets and outlets are provided on just one end face of the casing, duct assembly work is also easy.
Further, referring to the first embodiment of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention, the air supply draft trunk is formed in U-shape, therefore a longer air travel distance can be secured
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without making the air conditioner bulkier. As a result attenuation of noise energy becomes greater and operating noise is reduced, resulting in less likelihood of causing a noise problem when an air conditioner is installed in the proximity of a principal area of a room.
Further, referring to the first embodiment of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention, the refrigerant circulating circuit alone can be taken out of the casing without removing the entire casing, therefore recovering refrigerant and maintenance can be easily carried out and works for mounting the refrigerant circulating circuit back in place are also simple. Moreover, since it is possible to replace the refrigerant circulating circuit alone, renovation cost is reduced.
Further, referring to the first embodiment of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention, just one unit of heat pump air conditioner is capable of dehumidifying and rehearing.
Controlling is easy since capacity can be easily adjusted by simply turning on or off any compressor, therefore control mechanism can be simplified, which enables an energy-saving operation wherein mechanical troubles and waste are minimized. Also, if a trouble should come up, one of the refrigerant circulating circuits can be used for back up.
Further, referring to the first embodiment of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention, capacity of the evaporator can be adjusted under operating condition of the compressor without wastefulness according to the heat load of the outdoor.
Further, referring to the first embodiment of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention, small sized evaporator
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and condenser can be employed because pressure loss does not increase nor is heat exchange capacity lowered under use with high wind velocity, therefore dimension of the entire equipment can be substantially minimized.
Also, under use with normal wind velocity, pressure loss becomes less and heat exchange efficiency goes up, therefore a small-sized blower can be employed, which results in reduction of noise.
Second Embodiment
Referring to FIG. 7 through FIG. 11, the second embodiment of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention is described hereunder.
As shown in FIG. 7, the second embodiment of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention is installed on a floor face F in the same way as the first embodiment, and comprises therein an exhaust air draft trunk B in which a condenser 4 is provided, an air supply draft trunk Am which an evaporator 2 is provided, a refrigerant circulating circuit 11, and a drain pan 20 used in common to the condenser 4 and the evaporator 2 and spanned over both of the exhaust air draft trunk B and the air supply draft trunk A so that water is drained from either of these draft trunks toward the other. The refrigerant circulating circuit 11 consisting of the condenser 4, the evaporator 2, a compressor 12, etc. also comprises a receiver, expansion valve, switching valve for refrigerant circulating direction, etc. which are omitted in the drawings, and is switchable to heat absorption and radiation by condenser 4 and evaporator 2.
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Also as shown in FIG. 8, the refrigerant circulating circuit 11 is spanned over both the exhaust air draft trunk B and the air supply draft trunk A, and is mounted inside the casing 1 in such a manner that enables taking refrigerant circulating circuit 11 in and out. Specifically, the refrigerant circulating circuit 11 is fixed on a frame 15 that is detachably mounted inside the casing 1, and an opening 16 is provided on the casing 1, through which the frame 15 can be taken in and out. The opening 16 is covered with a detachable or an openable outer plate 17, and a sliding mechanism for moving the frame 15 on which the refrigerant circulating circuit 11 is fixed into and out of the casing 1.
In addition, it is preferable to provide a plurality of wheels 21 to the frame 15, and rails 22 for guiding the wheels 21 inside the casing 1 as shown in the drawings, whereas such arrangement may be modified. In addition, other arrangements than that shown in the drawings can also be made for taking the refrigerant circulating circuit 11 in and out of the casing 1.
The air supply draft trunk A and the exhaust air draft trunk B are both formed in U-shape inside the casing 1, and adjacently disposed substantially in parallel. The condenser 4 is disposed at the turning portion of the exhaust air draft trunk B and the evaporator 2 at the turning portion of the air supply draft trunk A, so that sufficient air blows toward the condenser 4 and the evaporator 2. As a result of such arrangement, air flow becomes turbulent at the respective turning portions of the exhaust air draft trunk B and the air supply draft trunk A, and is dispersed and equally blows toward entire air entrance of the condenser 4 and the evaporator 2,
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therefore heat exchange efficiency is improved. Also, since the turning portions of the exhaust air draft trunk B and the air supply draft trunk A are adjacently disposed, the volume occupied by the condenser 4 and the evaporator 2 within the refrigerant circulating circuit 11 is minimal.
A humidifier 36 is provided in the air supply draft trunk A. The air supply draft trunk A and the exhaust air draft trunk B is divided into respective sections by partition panels or the like. The partition panel disposed in the refrigerant circulating circuit 11 can be attached to either the frame 15 or the casing 1. In the drawings, white arrows of solid line and dotted line show air flow directions.
A first blower of forced draft type is mounted in either of the air supply draft trunk A or the exhaust air draft trunk B whichever is located on upstream side and windward side of the drain pan 20, and a second blower of suction draft type in the other located on downstream side and leeward side of the drain pan 20, respectively. For instance, in case a drain hole 25 is disposed on the exhaust air draft trunk B side as shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 so that water is drained from the air supply draft trunk A side toward the exhaust air draft trunk B side, the first blower 34 of forced draft type is mounted at windward side of the evaporator 2 in the air supply draft trunk A located on upstream side of the drain pan 20, while the second blower 35 of suction draft type at leeward side of the condenser 4 in the exhaust air draft trunk B located on downstream side of the drain pan 20, respectively.
The drain pan 20 comprises partition panel 24 forming the respective sections of the air supply draft trunk A and the exhaust air draft
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trunk B, and through which drain water can flow from either of the draft trunks A or B to the other. As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, a partition panel 24 is provided with small water holes 23, which allow drain water to flow through and thus secure airtightness between the draft trunks A and B to the maximum possible extent. However other arrangements can also be made for forming sections and enabling drain water to flow through.
It is preferable to employ oval cross section fin tubes 19 on a fin 190 of the evaporator 2 and the condenser 4 as shown in FIG. 6 according to the first embodiment, while the fin tubes can also be made of round tubes.
1009 The casing 1 comprises an outdoor air inlet 6, a supply air outlet 7, a return air inlet 8 and an exhaust air outlet 10. The outdoor air inlet 6 and the supply air outlet 7 communicate with each other through the air supply draft trunk A, and the return air inlet 8 and the exhaust air outlet 10 communicate with each other through the exhaust air draft trunk B. The return air inlet 8 communicates with indoors through a duct DC3, an air inlet and the like, and the supply air outlet 7 communicates with indoors through a duct DC2, an air outlet and the like. Such arrangement is basically the same as the foregoing first embodiment.
The above described second embodiment of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 10, exchanges heat of outdoor air taken in through the outdoor air inlet 6 by the evaporator 2, and supplies air through the supply air outlet 7 activating the humidifier 36 if necessary, simultaneously exchanging heat between return air (exhaust air from indoors) taken in through the return air inlet 8 and the circulating refrigerant of the condenser 4 to cause either heat absorption
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or radiation, and exhausting air through the exhaust air outlet 10 toward outdoor.
As a result, the second embodiment of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention can reduce heat exchanging load applied on the condenser 4 utilizing exhaust heat of return air (exhaust air from indoors) taken in through the return air inlet 8, therefore a similar effect to a total enthalpy heat exchanger is attained by the condenser 4.
Also, cooling operation by outdoor air or returning air operation can be executed by turning off the compressor 12.
It is also an option to employ a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the mentioned second embodiment of the present invention as an air conditioner for outdoor air treatment, besides it is also an option to change locations for installation, or to place either vertically or horizontally.
As described above, referring to the second embodiment of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention, manufacturing is easy because of a simple structure, in addition a separate heat source for chilled/hot water is not required and also a greater heat exchange capacity is attained because the condenser is operable by exhaust heat of return air taken in from indoors, therefore the refrigerant circulating circuits can be compactly formed and energy can be saved.
Further the second embodiment of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention does not require those conventionally used parts such as total enthalpy heat exchanger, therefore dimension of an entire equipment can be compact, and as a result space for installation can be minimized and both cost of equipment and running cost can be reduced.
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Also, referring to the second embodiment of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention, just one unit of heat pump air conditioner can be operated for outdoor air treatment, cooling and heating, cooling by outdoor air and returning air operation, without need of a separate air conditioner for outdoor air treatment. The downstream side of the drain pan has a negative pressure against the upstream side, therefore drain water does not remain but is completely evacuated, which prevents water leakage. Since the drain pan is used in common to both of the air supply draft trunk and the exhaust air draft trunk, number of parts is reduced and production cost is lowered.
Further, referring to the second embodiment of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention, the refrigerant circulating circuit alone can be taken out of the casing without removing the entire casing, therefore recovering refrigerant and maintenance can be easily carried out and works for mounting the refrigerant circulating circuit back in place are also simple. Moreover, since it is possible to replace the refrigerant circulating circuit alone, renovation cost is reduced.
Further, referring to the second embodiment of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention, since the refrigerant circulating circuit is spanned over the exhaust air draft trunk and the air supply draft trunk that are adjacently disposed, the refrigerant circulating circuit can be compactly formed. Also, both of the exhaust air draft trunk and air supply draft trunk are formed in U-shape, besides blowers are mounted in these draft trunks at a distant position from the supply air outlet and the return air inlet on indoors side, therefore a long air
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travel distance can be secured without making an air conditioner bulkier.
As a result attenuation of noise energy becomes greater and operating noise is reduced, resulting in less likelihood of causing a noise problem when an air conditioner is installed in the proximity of a principal area of a room.
Further, referring to the second embodiment of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention, the refrigerant circulating circuit is fixed and unified with the frame that can be taken in and out the casing, which saves trouble of taking the refrigerant circulating circuit in and out and improves workability.
Furthermore, referring to the second embodiment of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention, the frame on which the refrigerant circulating circuit is fixed can be easily taken in and out of the casing utilizing the sliding mechanism, such labor is alleviated.
Furthermore, referring to the second embodiment of a floor type heat pump air conditioner according to the present invention, small sized evaporator and condenser can be employed because pressure loss does not increase nor is heat exchange capacity lowered under use with high wind velocity, therefore dimension of the entire equipment substantially minimized. Also, under use with normal wind velocity, pressure loss becomes less and heat exchange efficiency goes up, therefore a small-sized blower can be employed, resulting in reduction of noise.
As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiments are therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the
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description preceding them, and all changes that fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds thereof are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.
Claims (11)
1. A floor type heat pump air conditioner comprising: an air supply draft trunk which communicates from an outdoor air inlet to a supply air outlet, and in which a blower and an evaporator constituting a refrigerant circulating circuit are provided; and an exhaust air draft trunk which communicates from a return air inlet to an exhaust air outlet, and in which a blower and a condenser constituting said refrigerant circulating circuit are provided ; characterized by further comprising: an outdoor air draft trunk which communicates with upstream portion on air supply side of said evaporator in said air supply draft trunk and upstream portion on exhaust side of said condenser in said exhaust air draft trunk.
2. The floor type heat pump air conditioner as set forth in Claim 1, characterized by further comprising a casing on whose one end face said outdoor air inlet, said supply air outlet, said return air inlet and said exhaust air outlet are formed ; wherein said air supply draft trunk is formed in a U-shape within said casing and communicates from said outdoor air inlet to said supply air outlet ; said exhaust air draft trunk is formed in a U-shape within said casing and communicates from said return air inlet to said exhaust air
outlet ; and at least a portion in which said evaporator of said air supply draft
<Desc/Clms Page number 24>
trunk is provided and a portion in which said condenser of said exhaust air draft trunk is provided are adjacently disposed in parallel within said casing.
3. The floor type heat pump air conditioner as set forth in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by further comprising a damper mechanism for optionally adjusting air volume of exhaust air from said exhaust air draft trunk, outdoor air from said outdoor air draft trunk and outdoor air from said air supply draft trunk, respectively.
4. The floor type heat pump air conditioner as set forth in any one of Claims 1 through 3, characterized in that said evaporator is divided into windward side divided evaporator and leeward side divided evaporator; at least two compressors of the first and the second compressors are provided as said compressor; said windward side divided evaporator, said first compressor and said condenser constitute the first refrigerant circulating circuit; and said leeward side divided evaporator, said second compressor, and said condenser used in common with said first refrigerant circulating circuit constitute the second refrigerant circulating circuit.
5. The floor type heat pump air conditioner as set forth in Claim 4, characterized in that capacity ratio of said first and said second compressor is preferably set in the range of 25 : 75 through 30: 70.
<Desc/Clms Page number 25>
6. A floor type heat pump air conditioner comprising : a casing having an outdoor air inlet, a supply air outlet, a return air inlet and an exhaust air outlet; an air supply draft trunk which communicates inside the casing from said outdoor air inlet to said supply air outlet and in which an evaporator constituting a refrigerant circulating circuit is provided; and an exhaust air draft trunk which communicates inside the casing from said return air inlet to said exhaust air outlet and in which a condenser constituting said refrigerant circulating circuit is provided; characterized by further comprising : a drain pan in common use to said condenser and said evaporator, spanned within said casing over both of said exhaust air draft trunk and said air supply draft trunk so as to drain water from either of said exhaust air draft trunk or said air supply draft trunk toward the other; a first blower of forced draft type mounted in either of said air supply draft trunk or said exhaust air draft trunk whichever is located on upstream side and windward side of said drain pan; and a second blower of suction draft type mounted in either of said air supply draft trunk or said exhaust air draft trunk whichever is located on downstream side and leeward side of said drain pan.
7. The floor type heat pump air conditioner as set forth in Claim 6, characterized in that said supply air outlet, said return air inlet, said exhaust air outlet and said outdoor air inlet are formed on one end face of said casing;
<Desc/Clms Page number 26>
said air supply draft trunk is formed in a U-shape within said casing and communicates from said outdoor air inlet to said supply air outlet; said exhaust air draft trunk is formed in a U-shape within said casing and communicates from said return air inlet to said exhaust air outlet; and at least a portion in which said evaporator of said air supply draft trunk is provided and a portion in which said condenser of said exhaust air draft trunk is provided are adjacently disposed in parallel within said casing.
8. The floor type heat pump air conditioner as set forth in any of Claims 1 through 7, characterized in that a refrigerant circulating circuit having said condenser, said evaporator and a compressor is spanned over both of said air supply draft trunk and said exhaust air draft trunk and is mounted in such a manner that enables taking in and out of said casing.
9. The floor type heat pump air conditioner as set forth in Claim 8, characterized by further comprising : a frame detachably mounted inside said casing for fixing said refrigerant circulating circuit; an opening provided on said casing for taking in and out said frame through; and a detachable or openable outer plate for covering said opening.
<Desc/Clms Page number 27>
10. The floor type heat pump air conditioner as set forth in Claim 9, characterized by further comprising a sliding mechanism for moving said
frame on which said refrigerant circulating circuit is fixed, into and out of said casing.
,
11. The floor type heat pump air conditioner as set forth in any of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that fin tubes of said evaporator and said condenser are made of oval cross section tubes.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001126949A JP2002323233A (en) | 2001-04-25 | 2001-04-25 | Floor-type heat pump air conditioner |
| JP2001233392A JP3534314B2 (en) | 2001-08-01 | 2001-08-01 | Floor-mounted heat pump air conditioner |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0208706D0 GB0208706D0 (en) | 2002-05-29 |
| GB2375167A true GB2375167A (en) | 2002-11-06 |
| GB2375167B GB2375167B (en) | 2005-08-31 |
Family
ID=26614143
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0208706A Expired - Lifetime GB2375167B (en) | 2001-04-25 | 2002-04-16 | Floor type heat pump air conditioner |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2375167B (en) |
| HK (1) | HK1047469B (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN101619876B (en) * | 2009-07-22 | 2011-08-10 | 广东志高空调有限公司 | Integral type constant-temperature and constant-humidity machine |
| GB2516127A (en) * | 2013-12-11 | 2015-01-14 | Charlton & Jenrick Ltd | Heat pump apparatus |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN106739925B (en) * | 2016-11-29 | 2023-07-11 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Air conditioning equipment |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3831395A (en) * | 1973-05-30 | 1974-08-27 | H Levy | Air conditioner |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB582227A (en) * | 1943-06-30 | 1946-11-08 | Gen Motors Corp | Improvements relating to refrigeration apparatus |
| US5848536A (en) * | 1997-02-26 | 1998-12-15 | Dodge; David | Self contained marine air conditioner |
| JP2953453B2 (en) * | 1998-02-10 | 1999-09-27 | ダイキン工業株式会社 | Air conditioner |
| JP2001099441A (en) * | 1999-09-30 | 2001-04-13 | Fujitsu General Ltd | Dehumidifier |
-
2002
- 2002-04-16 GB GB0208706A patent/GB2375167B/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2002-11-20 HK HK02108385.4A patent/HK1047469B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3831395A (en) * | 1973-05-30 | 1974-08-27 | H Levy | Air conditioner |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN101619876B (en) * | 2009-07-22 | 2011-08-10 | 广东志高空调有限公司 | Integral type constant-temperature and constant-humidity machine |
| GB2516127A (en) * | 2013-12-11 | 2015-01-14 | Charlton & Jenrick Ltd | Heat pump apparatus |
| GB2516127B (en) * | 2013-12-11 | 2016-08-31 | Charlton & Jenrick Ltd | Heat pump apparatus |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| HK1047469A1 (en) | 2003-02-21 |
| GB0208706D0 (en) | 2002-05-29 |
| HK1047469B (en) | 2005-10-28 |
| GB2375167B (en) | 2005-08-31 |
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