Air conditioning unit for mounting on a roof

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning unit for controlling the temperature, in particular cooling, of a room. The air conditioning unit is designed for installation on a roof, e.g., on the roof of a vehicle (e.g., a mobile home or caravan). Such an air conditioning unit is therefore also referred to as a roof-mounted air conditioning system.

[0002] The underlying principle of air cooling, which involves generating cold using a cooling circuit, is described, for example, in WO 2007 / 042065 A1. In so-called rooftop air conditioning systems, which are used in caravans or mobile homes, for example, the components for generating the cooling circuit (i.e., fan, heat exchanger, evaporator, condenser) are mounted in a housing on the roof of the vehicle. The vehicle only contains an interior air distributor.

[0003] Roof-mounted air conditioning systems include various reinforcement elements integrated into the housing. For roof mounting, the air conditioning system is braced to the roof. This is achieved by screwing fasteners inside the vehicle to the system's reinforcement elements. The interior air distributor is attached to the fasteners inside the vehicle, thus underneath the roof. The interior air distributor and the housing are located in an area around a recess in the roof for air exchange between the components in the housing and the interior air distributor.

[0004] It is known, for example, from DE 20 2011 003 575 U1 to provide stiffening elements in a so-called lower shell associated with the housing. This stiffens the lower shell. Second, the housing is screwed to the stiffening elements with two fastening elements inside the vehicle. This clamps the housing to the roof. The air conditioning system according to EP 3 411 250 B1 includes a frame that is used in the roof cutout to position the air conditioning system and simultaneously for sealing. Further embodiments of air conditioning systems or air exchange devices are disclosed, for example, in DE 18 40 118 U, EP 0 668 475 A1, or EP 2 418 434 A1.

[0005] DE 10 2019 212949 A1 and US 2021 / 061060 A1 show fastenings of roof-mounted air conditioning systems with fastening elements.

[0006] A disadvantage of the current technology is the sometimes very complex integration of the stiffening elements into the lower shell. Typically, several components are used that are bolted together. This is complemented by additional fastening elements inside the vehicle. This multitude of elements complicates assembly. Furthermore, it is important to ensure that, for example, the bolting is carried out with the required force.

[0007] The object underlying the invention is therefore to propose an air conditioning unit which, in contrast to the prior art, is characterized by the simplest possible installation.

[0008] The invention solves the problem by means of an air conditioning unit for mounting on a roof, comprising a housing, an internal air distributor and two frame units, wherein the two frame units are of identical design, wherein each frame unit has a first side and a second side, and wherein in an assembled state the two frame units are arranged between the housing and the internal air distributor and one frame unit serves as the upper frame unit and the other frame unit as the lower frame unit, and wherein in the assembled state the first sides of the two frame units face each other and the second side of the upper frame unit faces the housing and the second side of the lower frame unit faces the internal air distributor.

[0009] The air conditioning unit according to the invention is thus a so-called roof air conditioning system in which the components that form the refrigeration circuit are located in a housing on the roof, for example of a vehicle. In the room that is to be tempered by the air conditioning unit, there is only one interior air distributor through which the tempered air is introduced into the room and preferably also takes in the air to be tempered. In the assembled state, the two frame units are located between the housing - on the roof - and the interior air distributor - below the roof - and preferably each lie directly on the roof - i.e. on the top and bottom respectively. The two frame units thus form the two support surfaces of the air conditioning unit on a roof. The two frame units are identical parts that have opposite installation positions when assembled.For this purpose, the frame units each have two sides, referred to here as the first and second sides, which differ from one another in terms of their respective geometry. When assembled, the first two sides face each other. When assembled, the frame units stiffen the air conditioning unit and brace it to the roof. The interior air distributor can also be attached to the underside. When used for roof mounting, one frame unit is located above the roof and the other below the roof. This means that the second sides of the frame units face the housing or the interior air distributor.

[0010] In one embodiment, the two frame units are essentially designed as a kind of flat ring. The outer contour is rectangular in one variant, with the corners optionally rounded. In one embodiment, the inner contour of the ring is also rectangular.

[0011] The further designs describe parts of the geometries of the two sides of the frame units.

[0012] One design provides for the frame units each to have an inner edge that encloses an inner recess. The frame units thus have a kind of ring shape. In one variant, the air exchange between the housing – or more precisely: between the refrigeration circuit created by the components in the housing – and the interior air distributor takes place through the interior recess. The air to be tempered thus passes from the interior air distributor into the housing through the interior recess, and conversely, the tempered air passes from the housing to the interior air distributor. In one variant, the inner edge surrounding the interior recess is high enough to serve as a stop in the continuous recess in the roof during installation of the air conditioning unit. The inner edge thus abuts the roof recess and the frame unit itself rests on or under the roof. The inner edge therefore facilitates installation.

[0013] One embodiment includes the frame units each having a plurality of mounting recesses for receiving mounting elements, and at least one mounting recess allowing an inserted mounting element to be secured. The mounting elements are, for example, standardized or commonly used parts such as screws, bolts, nuts, or washers. The mounting recesses are, for example, continuous recesses through which mounting elements are passed through the frame units. At least one mounting recess allows the inserted mounting element to be secured. For example, some of the mounting recesses are designed to secure an inserted mounting element in such a way that during assembly of the air conditioning unit, the mounting elements are inserted into the mounting recesses before the respective frame unit is positioned relative to the roof and are held there for further assembly.

[0014] One embodiment provides for the fixation to be achieved through a positive and / or frictional connection between the mounting recess and the mounting element. This is achieved, for example, by the mounting element being slightly larger than the corresponding mounting recess.

[0015] In an alternative or supplementary embodiment, the fixation is achieved by assigning a clamping hook to the mounting recess. Such a clamping hook is, for example, elastically deformable, so that the mounting element is inserted and then held in place.

[0016] For example, some mounting elements are clipped into the mounting recesses. In one embodiment, the clipping is achieved by the mounting elements having a slight oversize compared to the mounting recesses. For example, a polygonal nut is inserted as a mounting element into a mounting recess with the same number of corners. The oversize holds the nut firmly in the recess. In an alternative or additional embodiment, an elastically deformable element is provided which deforms elastically when the mounting element is inserted into the mounting recess and then returns to a rest position that prevents the mounting element from moving out of the mounting recess without the element being deformed again. This means that fewer elements need to be held and positioned during assembly. The frame units essentially carry the mounting elements with them. This simplifies assembly.

[0017] The following design refers in particular to the fact that the frame units are used with two different orientations.

[0018] Therefore, according to one embodiment, at least one mounting recess is designed as a continuous recess which has a geometry on the first side of the frame unit that differs from the geometry on the second side of the frame unit. For example, one embodiment provides that the geometry of a mounting recess allows for the fixation of a nut, for example. On the other side, this geometry is not required because a screw or bolt, for example, is inserted from this side. Therefore, it is a continuous recess as part of the mounting recess. This allows the same screwing points to be used with the frame units. The screwing points allow the air conditioning unit to be braced or stiffened within itself or on the roof and, on the other hand, enable the interior air distributor to be attached in the interior.

[0019] One design involves the frame units each having at least one stiffening element on at least one side. The stiffening element is necessary due to the forces acting on the housing during assembly or due to the forces acting on the housing, e.g., wind.

[0020] Individual implementations of the stiffening element are discussed below. Several designs can also be combined, so that the frame units each have several different stiffening elements.

[0021] One embodiment provides for several stiffening elements, and for the stiffening elements to be accumulations of material with an essentially identical geometry. The stiffening elements are, for example, triangular in shape, with free spaces between the individual stiffening elements, which also provide a certain elasticity. In one embodiment, the stiffening elements form a type of labyrinth geometry. In one embodiment, the labyrinth structure is formed by triangular shapes facing each other, so that a corner of each triangle lies between the side surfaces of two inverted triangles. The paths of the labyrinth are located between the triangles designed as elevations.

[0022] An alternative or supplementary embodiment involves the stiffening element being designed as an at least partially annular enclosure of a mounting recess with webs adjoining it in a star shape. In this embodiment, a mounting recess is at least partially enclosed in a ring shape. The ring can be closed or implemented as a partial ring. From this ring, which can also be designed, for example, as a flat circular cylinder, individual webs extend outward in a star shape. This serves to divert forces away from the mounting recess and the mounting element located therein when installed.

[0023] An alternative or supplementary embodiment provides for the stiffening element to be designed as a cross member (or alternatively referred to as a cross brace). In one embodiment, the cross member covers the area of ​​the interior recess. In one embodiment, the cross member is located inside the housing. Thus, in one variant, the cross member forms an internal connection between two parallel sides of the frame unit across the central recess.

[0024] One design involves the frame units each having at least one recess on one side for a sealing component. This recess allows, for example, the attachment – ​​e.g., by gluing – of a foam element on the side facing the interior air distributor for noise insulation. Such a foam element serves alternatively or additionally for the seal between the frame unit and the roof on which the air conditioning system is mounted.

[0025] One embodiment provides that the frame units each have at least one sealing structure on one side, which is designed as at least one elevation. The sealing structure prevents the ingress of water. The sealing structure is preferably located on the second side of the frame units. In particular in the case of the upper frame unit, which is located outside the protected space of the vehicle due to its installation on the roof, the sealing structure has the advantage of preventing the ingress of water. In particular, it is intended to prevent water - e.g. rainwater - from getting into the interior air distributor and the interior space below the roof via the interior recess of the frame unit. When installed, the sealing structure engages in the housing and thus seals the housing against the upper side of the roof.Below the roof, the sealing structure allows for easier positioning of the interior air distributor relative to the lower frame unit.

[0026] One embodiment provides that on an outer side of the sealing structure there is at least one free surface which is open to the outside and preferably inclined.

[0027] Such an open space serves, for example, to allow condensation water to drain from the housing and be conducted outward via the open space. Therefore, the open space is located outside the area enclosed by the sealing structure. In one embodiment, two open spaces are provided, which are preferably arranged symmetrically to one another. Depending on the arrangement of the open space(s), at least one opening for the condensate is located above the open space(s) in the housing.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the frame units each have at least one removable dome on one side. The domes rise from the surface of the respective side of the frame units. They are designed in such a way that they can be removed relatively easily and without too much effort. For example, they are narrow or have a predetermined breaking point. In one embodiment, the domes are located at a certain distance from the inner recess of the frame units. In one embodiment, the frame units each have at least two domes, which are located at different distances from the inner recess with increasing distances. In one embodiment, these domes serve as stop surfaces or stop components for larger roof recesses. Thus, in one embodiment, the inner edge around the inner recess functions as a stop surface for a first size of a recess in the roof on which the air conditioning unit is to be installed.The domes are located further out, making them suitable for use in larger roof openings. For installation in smaller openings, the domes are best removed so they are not resting on the roof.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, the frame units are provided with at least one indicator on each side. The indicator is, for example, an embossed arrow and / or a label. The indicator direction is preferably positioned so that it can be seen through a roof cutout during installation of the air conditioning unit, thus serving as a guide for alignment.

[0030] One design involves the frame units being one-piece plastic injection-molded components. Such plastic injection-molded parts allow for a wide variety of shapes, are lightweight, and are usually inexpensive to produce.

[0031] One embodiment of the air conditioning unit provides that a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator are arranged in the housing and form a cooling circuit. According to this embodiment, all components for generating a cooling circuit are arranged in the housing and thus outside the room.

[0032] In detail, there are numerous possibilities for designing and developing the air conditioning unit according to the invention. Reference is made, on the one hand, to the claims subordinate to claim 1 and, on the other hand, to the following description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an air conditioning unit installed on a roof, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the second side of a frame unit, Fig. 3 is a section through a part of an installed air conditioning unit along the Fig. 2 drawn axis, Fig. 4 a plan view of the first side of the frame unit of the Fig. 2 , Fig. 5 a view of a second side of an alternative embodiment of a frame unit, Fig. 6 a view of the first side of the embodiment of the frame unit of the Fig. 5 , Fig. 7 an enlarged section of the Fig. 6 , Fig. 8 an enlarged section of the Fig. 5 , Fig. 9 another enlarged section of the Fig. 7 and Fig. 10 a plan view of a second side of a further embodiment of the frame unit.

[0033] The Fig. 1 shows schematically the structure of an air conditioning unit for cooling a room 100 located below a roof 101.

[0034] The cooling circuit or refrigeration process implemented in this way is described, for example, in WO 2007 / 042065 A1. In the cooling circuit, a compressor (alternatively referred to as compressor) 201 compresses a gaseous refrigerant, which heats up and is transported via a refrigerant line to a condenser (alternatively referred to as condenser) 202. In the condenser 202, the heat of the refrigerant is transferred to the ambient air (or outside air) surrounding the room via a heat exchanger. The liquid refrigerant, which is still under high pressure, is expanded to a lower pressure in an expansion device 203, which is designed, for example, as a throttle, whereby it cools. In the evaporator 204, the air is cooled via a further heat exchanger by transferring its thermal energy to the refrigerant. As a result, the refrigerant transforms into the gaseous state.The gaseous refrigerant eventually returns to compressor 201, allowing the cooling cycle to continue. The cycle can also be reversed, allowing the device to serve as a space heater.

[0035] Room 100 is, for example, the interior of a caravan or mobile home. The components of the air conditioning unit for implementing the cooling process are located in the housing 1, which rests on the roof 101. Located in the room 100 is the interior air distributor 2, through which air from the room 100—as air to be tempered—is extracted and through which the air tempered by the air conditioning unit is introduced into the room 100. The air distributor 2 is attached to the inside of the roof 101. A continuous ceiling recess is located between the components in the housing 1 on the roof 101 and the interior air distributor 2 below the roof 101. The air to be tempered enters the housing 1 (or to the components located therein) through the recess, and the tempered air from the housing 1 enters the air distributor 2.The direct contact between the housing 1 and the interior air distributor 2 and the roof 101 is made via the two frame units 3, 4.

[0036] The Fig. 2 shows a second side 12 of a frame unit. When assembled, this second side 12 faces the housing or the interior air distributor. In other words, the second side 12 faces away from the roof.

[0037] The outer contour is rectangular, and the inner recess 14 is also rectangular. The inner recess 14 is surrounded by several stiffening elements 19, which consist of a series of triangles and squares. The triangles alternately face the inner recess 14 with a vertex or base. Further radially outward, a circumferential sealing structure 17 is provided, which serves to seal against external liquids. Further radially outward, a recess can be seen around the sealing structure 17, in which a sealing element is inserted when assembled.

[0038] Also visible are four washers, which are assigned to screws in continuous recesses and serve as mounting elements 5. The mounting elements 5—i.e., screws, nuts, washers, or bolts—are common standard components that are incorporated into the frame units and serve as fastening elements during assembly.

[0039] The cut along the Fig. 2 The line shows the Fig. 3 .

[0040] It can be seen how the roof 101, in the assembled state shown, is located between the two frame units 3, 4. The second sides 12 are facing away from each other and also from the roof 101. Also visible are the various mounting elements 5, which protrude beyond the plane of the frame units 3, 4 and are used for the housing and the interior air distributor, respectively.

[0041] The Fig. 4 shows a first side 11, which in the mounted state rests on the roof 101 of the vehicle and is clearly different from the second side 12 of the Fig. 2 differs.

[0042] The inner recess 14 is surrounded by a raised inner edge 13. This edge is high enough to serve as a stop surface in the roof recess. Further radially outward are narrow domes 18, which act as stops in larger roof recesses and, due to their narrow design, can be easily removed if necessary.

[0043] Further radially outward there is a recess 16 into which a sealing component or other damping component can be inserted for assembly. At each of the four corners in front of the recess 16 there is a mounting recess 15 into each of which a nut can be inserted as an assembly element. The shape of the mounting recess 15 is such that the corresponding assembly element 5 is held captive. These mounting recesses 15 are only designed for the nuts on the first side 11 shown. On the opposite side, i.e. on the second side 12, there is only a continuous recess since no nut is provided there as an assembly element. Furthermore, further assembly elements 5 can be seen directly on the inner edge 13.

[0044] The Fig. 5 bis 9 show an alternative design of a frame unit. Only the differences are described below.

[0045] The stiffening elements 19 are on the Fig. 5 The second side 12 shown is formed by struts, which each enclose triangular surfaces as well as triangular surfaces combined to form rectangles. The sealing structure 17 has a recess on two symmetrically opposite sides, so that a free surface 20 is enclosed. The free surface 20 is open to the outside and is therefore not surrounded by the sealing structure 17. The free surface 20 is inclined slightly outwards so that liquid is guided to the outside. In the assembled state, the free surfaces 20 are each located below holes in the housing through which condensate can drain away. The mounting recesses 15 result here as elevations. The inner recess 14 is also surrounded by an inner edge 13, which fits well in the Fig. 6 can be seen.

[0046] On the first page 11 of the Fig. 6 It can be seen that there are a total of six mounting recesses 15 for installation on the roof. The recess 16 for a sealing element surrounds the entire area in which the mounting recesses 15 are located. Instead of the domes 18 of the design of the Fig. 4 There are indicator devices 21 for the installation of the frame unit in the area of ​​a roof recess.

[0047] The Fig. 7 shows such an indication device 21 on the first page 11. This is an example of an arrow with the size of the roof cutout. The arrow indicates the area up to which the frame unit can be fitted with a roof cutout of the specified size. The clamping hook 150 can be seen in the mounting recess 15. If, for example, a nut is inserted into the mounting recess 15, the clamping hook 150 is bent slightly elastically in one embodiment, so that the nut can then only fall out if a force is exerted against the clamping hook 150. Alternatively or additionally, the dimensions of the mounting recess 15, the clamping hook 150 and the associated mounting element are such that the mounting element is blocked in one direction of movement (particularly in the direction of fall) by the clamping hook 150, which here extends radially inwards with an upper end.

[0048] In the Fig. 8 On the second side 12, the stiffening elements 19 can be seen, which are located here around a mounting recess 15. Starting from a partially open ring-like structure, struts extend radially away from the mounting recess 15.

[0049] The Fig. 9 shows a mounting recess 15, to which a clamping hook 150 is connected. The clamping hook 150 initially extends from the mounting recess 15 toward the side surfaces of the mounting recess 15 and protrudes inward with one end. This prevents an inserted mounting element from falling out.

[0050] The Fig. 10 shows, using a second side 12, how the open spaces 10 are located outside the sealing structure 17. Furthermore, three different stiffening elements 19 can be seen. These are the webs that form the basic geometric shapes: triangles on the left side and triangles and squares on the right side. Furthermore, the mounting recesses are surrounded by the partially annular structure, to which webs radiate. Furthermore, there is a cross member that provides internal stiffening across the inner recess 14. The cross member is located in the housing above the frame units. Bezugszeichenliste

[0051] 1 Housing 2 Interior air distributor 3 upper frame unit 4 lower frame unit 5 Mounting element 11 first page 12 second page 13 inner edge 14 Interior recess 15Mounting recess 16 Deepening 17 Sealing structure 18 Cathedral 19 stiffening element 20 open space 21 Information device 100 Space 101 Roof 150 clamp hook 201 compressor 202 Condenser 203 Expansion facility 204 evaporator

Claims

1. An air conditioning unit for installation on a roof (101), comprising a housing (1), an indoor air distributor (2), and two frame units (3, 4), wherein each frame unit (3, 4) has a first side (11) and a second side (12), wherein in an installed state, the two frame units (3, 4) are arranged between the housing (1) and the indoor air distributor (2), and one frame unit serves as an upper frame unit (3) and the other frame unit serves as a lower frame unit (4), and wherein in the installed state, the first sides (11) of the two frame units (3, 4) face each other, and the second side (12) of the upper frame unit (3) faces the housing (1) and the second side (12) of the lower frame unit (4) faces the indoor air distributor (2), characterized in that the two frame units (3, 4) are of identical design.

2. The air conditioning unit according to claim 1, wherein the frame units (3, 4) each have an inner edge (13) which each encloses an inner recess (14).

3. The air conditioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame units (3, 4) each have a plurality of mounting recesses (15) for receiving mounting elements (5), and wherein at least one mounting recess (15) allows an inserted mounting element (5) to be fixed in place.

4. The air conditioning unit according to claim 3, wherein the fixing is obtained by a form fit and / or a force fit between the mounting recess (15) and the mounting element (5).

5. The air conditioning unit according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the fixing is obtained in that a clamping hook (150) is associated with the mounting recess (15).

6. The air conditioning unit according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein at least one mounting recess (15) is shaped as a through-recess, which has a geometry on the first side (11) of the frame unit (4) that differs from the geometry on the second side (12) of the frame unit (4).

7. The air conditioning unit according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the frame units (3, 4) each include at least one stiffening member (19) on at least one side (11, 12).

8. The air conditioning unit according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of stiffening members (19) are provided, and wherein the stiffening members (19) are material accumulations having a substantially identical geometry.

9. The air conditioning unit according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the stiffening member (19) is configured as an at least partially annular enclosure of a mounting recess (15) with webs adjoining in a star shape.

10. The air conditioning unit according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the stiffening member (19) is configured as a crossbar.

11. The air conditioning unit according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein on one side (11, 12), the frame units (3, 4) each include at least one depression (16) for a sealing component.

12. The air conditioning unit according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein on one side (11, 12), the frame units (3, 4) each include at least one sealing structure (17) which is in the form of at least one raised portion.

13. The air conditioning unit according to claim 12, wherein on an outer face of the sealing structure (17) at least one clearance surface (20) is provided, which is open toward the outside and preferably inclined.

14. The air conditioning unit according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein on one side (11, 12), the frame units (3, 4) each include at least one removable dome (18).

15. The air conditioning unit according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein on one side (11, 12), the frame units (3, 4) each include at least one indicating device (21).

16. The air conditioning unit according to any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the frame units (3, 4) each are one-piece injection-molded plastic components.