Fan-coil unit and air conditioning system

Abstract

A fan coil unit and an air conditioning system are provided. The fan coil unit includes a housing defining an airflow inlet, an airflow outlet, and an airflow path from the airflow inlet to the airflow outlet, a crossflow fan at the airflow inlet to draw airflow into the housing, and a heat exchange unit downstream of the crossflow fan on the airflow path.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of air conditioning technology, and more specifically, to an improved fan coil unit and an air conditioning system having such a fan coil unit. Background Technology

[0002] Air conditioning systems used in shopping malls or buildings often employ fan coil units, which are arranged in various areas to regulate the air in those areas. Existing fan coil units typically use centrifugal fans. Due to the limited space at the outlet of centrifugal fans, the airflow distribution to the coils is uneven, and their structure is relatively complex. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to solve or at least alleviate the problems existing in the prior art.

[0004] According to one aspect, a fan coil unit is provided, comprising:

[0005] A housing that defines an airflow inlet, an airflow outlet, and an airflow path from the airflow inlet to the airflow outlet;

[0006] A cross-flow fan, located at the airflow inlet to introduce airflow into the housing; and

[0007] A heat exchange unit located downstream of the cross-flow fan in the airflow path.

[0008] Optionally, in an embodiment of the fan coil unit, the airflow inlet faces downwards, and the airflow outlet and the airflow inlet are vertically oriented.

[0009] Optionally, in an embodiment of the fan coil unit, the housing at the airflow inlet includes: a pair of sidewalls, an upper volute and a lower volute, the impeller of the cross-flow fan is laterally arranged between the pair of sidewalls, the drive motor of the cross-flow fan is located outside one of the pair of sidewalls, and the upper volute and lower volute surround the impeller.

[0010] Alternatively, in the embodiment of the fan coil unit,

[0011] The upper volute includes a gradually widening portion extending upward from the front side of the impeller along a gradually widening profile, for example, extending in a substantially vertically upward direction to the gradually widening profile, and then extending along the gradually widening profile into a substantially horizontal direction; and / or

[0012] The lower volute includes an inclined portion that extends backward and downward from the rear side of the impeller.

[0013] Optionally, in an embodiment of the fan coil unit, the lower volute further includes a surrounding plate that surrounds a portion of the impeller. For example, the surrounding plate corresponds to a central angle of 10 to 40 degrees of the impeller, or alternatively, the surrounding plate corresponds to a central angle of 20 to 30 degrees of the impeller.

[0014] Optionally, in an embodiment of the fan coil unit, the upper volute further includes a small baffle connected to the bottom of the expanding portion.

[0015] Optionally, in an embodiment of the fan coil unit, the heat exchange unit is a tube-fin heat exchanger that spans the entire airflow path and is arranged obliquely in the airflow path in the direction of the airflow (forward and downward).

[0016] Optionally, in the embodiment of the fan coil unit, the tilt angle of the inclined portion of the lower volute is smaller than the tilt angle of the heat exchange unit. Optionally, the tilt angle of the inclined portion of the lower volute is in the range of 20 to 70 degrees, for example, in the range of 30 to 60 degrees, or for example, in the range of 40 to 50 degrees, and the tilt angle of the heat exchange unit is in the range of 30 to 80 degrees, for example, in the range of 45 to 75 degrees, or for example, in the range of 55 to 65 degrees.

[0017] Optionally, in an embodiment of the fan coil unit, the central angle of the airflow inlet corresponding to the impeller is between 120 and 240 degrees, for example between 160 and 200 degrees, or for example between 170 and 190 degrees.

[0018] On the other hand, an air conditioning system is provided, which includes a fan coil unit as described in various embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The disclosure of this invention will become more readily understood with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that these drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention. Furthermore, similar numbers in the drawings are used to denote similar components, wherein:

[0020] Figure 1 A perspective view of a fan coil unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; and

[0021] Figure 2 An internal structural diagram of a fan coil unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0022] It is readily understood that, based on the technical solution of this invention, those skilled in the art can propose various interchangeable structural methods and implementations without altering the essential spirit of the invention. Therefore, the following detailed embodiments and accompanying drawings are merely illustrative examples of the technical solution of this invention and should not be considered as the entirety of the invention or as limitations or restrictions on the technical solution of this invention.

[0023] The directional terms such as up, down, left, right, front, back, front, back, top, and bottom mentioned or possibly used in this specification are defined relative to the structures shown in the accompanying drawings. They are relative concepts and may therefore vary depending on their location and usage. Therefore, these or other directional terms should not be interpreted as restrictive.

[0024] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 This invention introduces a fan coil unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fan coil unit includes: a housing 10 defining an airflow inlet 1, an airflow outlet 2, and an airflow path 3 from the airflow inlet 1 to the airflow outlet 2; a cross-flow fan 20 located at the airflow inlet 1 to introduce airflow into the housing 10; and a heat exchange unit 30 located downstream of the cross-flow fan 20 in the airflow path 3 within the housing 10. The fan coil unit according to the embodiment of the present invention uses a cross-flow fan arranged at the airflow inlet instead of a conventional centrifugal fan. The airflow path is as follows: Figure 2 As shown by the arrow in the image.

[0025] In some embodiments, the air inlet 1 is substantially downward-facing, while the air outlet 2 is substantially horizontal, which may be perpendicular to the air inlet. An airflow path 3 extends between the air inlet 1 and the air outlet 2. As air flows through the airflow path, it comes into contact with the refrigerant in the coil 31 at the heat exchange unit 30, thereby regulating the indoor air. In alternative embodiments, the air inlet 1 and the air outlet 2 may have other orientations and arrangements.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 10 includes at the airflow inlet 1: a pair of opposing sidewalls 13, 14, an upper volute 11, and a lower volute 12. The cross-flow fan 20 includes an impeller 21 and a fan motor 22. The fan motor 22 drives the impeller 21 to rotate (e.g., clockwise as shown in the figure) to drive air from the airflow inlet 1 into the fan coil unit, as... Figure 2As indicated by arrow 60. In the illustrated embodiment, the impeller 21 is arranged laterally between a pair of sidewalls 13, 14, and substantially spans the entire width between the pair of sidewalls. The drive motor 22 of the cross-flow fan may be located outside one of the pair of sidewalls, as shown outside sidewall 13 in the figure. In some embodiments, for example, the entire fan coil unit may be divided into upper, middle, and lower portions by a horizontal line, and the center O of the impeller 21 may be located in the middle portion, while the entire impeller may span the upper, middle, and lower portions. The sidewalls may extend the height of the entire fan coil unit into the upper, middle, and lower portions, with the upper volute located in the upper and middle portions, and the lower volute located in the upper, middle, and lower portions, or in the middle and lower portions. Although not shown, a screen plate may be used to shield the area below the fan impeller.

[0027] In some embodiments, the upper volute 11 includes a widening portion 111 that extends upward along a widening profile from the rear side of the impeller 21. For example, it extends from a vertically upward direction along the widening line from the position closest to the impeller 21 to a substantially horizontal direction. The widening line refers to the fact that the distance from the center O of the impeller gradually increases at each downstream point along the widening line. In some embodiments, the widening portion 111 of the upper volute extends from a position substantially at the same horizontal plane as the center O of the impeller and maintains a certain gap with the impeller. In some embodiments, the upper volute 11 also includes a small baffle 110 located below and connected to the widening portion 111. The small baffle 110 may be slightly tilted outward of the fan coil unit to guide the incoming airflow 60 and block the influence of airflows from other directions on the impeller (e.g., airflow from the left side of the figure in the opposite direction of impeller rotation), thereby improving the efficiency of the fan coil unit.

[0028] In some embodiments, the lower volute 12 includes an inclined portion 121 extending obliquely in a rearward and downward direction from the rear side of the impeller. In some embodiments, the angle A between the inclined portion 121 of the lower volute 12 and the horizontal plane can be in the range of 20 to 70 degrees, optionally in the range of 30 to 60 degrees, and optionally in the range of 40 to 50 degrees. In some embodiments, the lower volute 12 also includes a surrounding plate 120 surrounding a portion of the impeller 21, the surrounding plate 120 extending downward around the impeller from one end of the inclined portion 121. In some embodiments, the surrounding plate 120 may surround the impeller at a central angle D corresponding to 10 to 40 degrees of the impeller 21, optionally, for example, the corresponding central angle D of the surrounding plate 120 may be in the range of 20 to 30 degrees.

[0029] In the embodiment shown in the figure, the heat exchange unit 30 can be a tube-fin heat exchanger well known in the art, comprising a heat exchange unit body 32 and a supply pipe 31 located outside the sidewall 13, the supply pipe supplying refrigerant to the heat exchange unit body 32 for heat exchange with the passing airflow. In some embodiments, the heat exchange unit 30 can be arranged rearward and downward in the airflow path, thereby improving the stability of the heat exchange unit 30. For example, it can span the entire cross-section. In some embodiments, to optimize the contact between the fluid and the heat exchange unit 30, the heat exchange unit 30 can form an angle B with the horizontal direction, wherein the angle B is greater than the angle A between the inclined portion 121 of the lower volute and the horizontal direction. In some embodiments, the angle B between the heat exchange unit 30 and the horizontal direction can be in the range of 30 to 80 degrees, for example, in the range of 45 to 75 degrees, and optionally, in the range of 55 to 65 degrees. By tilting the heat exchange unit, the contact area between the airflow and the heat exchange unit can be increased on the one hand, and the heat exchange unit can be stably arranged in the airflow path on the other hand. Furthermore, this arrangement allows for more uniform fluid flow and, with the same size heat exchange unit, enables a thinner fan duct unit, facilitating indoor installation. As shown in the figure, the upper volute 11 can be connected to horizontal transition plates 50 and 51, extending to the fluid outlet 2. The lower volute 121 can be connected to a horizontal plate 40, which may include a water storage tray to receive condensate. Additionally, an inclined plate 41 can be provided, which reduces the height of the gas outlet 2 to meet the size requirements of the gas outlet 2 while ensuring sufficient height in the airflow path 3.

[0030] In some embodiments, the upper volute 11 and the lower volute 12 together define the size of the gas inlet 1. In some embodiments, the gas inlet defined by the upper volute 11 and the lower volute 12 corresponds to a central angle C of the fan impeller that can be in the range of 120 degrees to 240 degrees, for example, in the range of 160 degrees to 200 degrees, for example, 170 degrees to 190 degrees, for example, around 180 degrees.

[0031] On the other hand, an air conditioning system is provided, which includes a fan coil unit as described in various embodiments.

[0032] The advantages of the fan coil unit according to embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to: easy implementation of a downward-facing air inlet and ease of installation. The heat exchange unit's proximity to the cross-flow fan increases the heat exchange area. The inclined arrangement of the heat exchange unit provides better stability and heat exchange area, conforming to the aerodynamic design of the cross-flow fan's outlet airflow. Some of these features enable a compact, fully heat-exchangeable fan coil unit, including uniform airflow distribution and competitive cost advantages.

[0033] The specific embodiments described above are merely for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention, wherein the various components are clearly shown or described to make the principles of the present invention easier to understand. Various modifications or variations can be readily made to the present invention by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that all such modifications or variations should be included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fan coil unit, characterized in that, include: A housing that defines an airflow inlet, an airflow outlet, and an airflow path from the airflow inlet to the airflow outlet; A cross-flow fan is located at the airflow inlet to introduce airflow into the housing; as well as A heat exchange unit located downstream of the cross-flow fan in the airflow path; The housing at the airflow inlet includes: a pair of sidewalls, an upper volute and a lower volute, the impeller of the cross-flow fan is arranged laterally between the pair of sidewalls, the drive motor of the cross-flow fan is located outside one of the pair of sidewalls, and the upper volute and the lower volute surround the impeller. The upper volute includes a gradually expanding portion extending upward from the front side of the impeller along a gradually expanding profile. The gradually expanding portion extends in a substantially vertically upward direction to the gradually expanding profile, and then extends along the gradually expanding profile to a substantially horizontal direction. The lower volute includes an inclined portion extending from the rear side of the impeller in a rearward and downward inclined direction and a surrounding plate surrounding a portion of the impeller; The heat exchange unit spans the entire airflow path and is arranged inclined backward and downward in the airflow path, facing the airflow direction; and The tilt angle of the inclined portion of the lower volute relative to the horizontal direction is smaller than the tilt angle of the heat exchange unit relative to the horizontal direction.

2. The fan coil unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The airflow inlet faces downwards, and the airflow outlet is perpendicular to the airflow inlet.

3. The fan coil unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The surrounding plate corresponds to a central angle of 10 to 40 degrees for the impeller.

4. The fan coil unit according to claim 3, characterized in that, The surrounding plate corresponds to a central angle of 20 to 30 degrees for the impeller.

5. The fan coil unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper volute also includes a small baffle connected to the bottom of the widening portion.

6. The fan coil unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchange unit is a tube-fin heat exchanger.

7. The fan coil unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tilt angle of the inclined portion of the lower volute is in the range of 20 to 70 degrees, and the tilt angle of the heat exchange unit is in the range of 30 to 80 degrees.

8. The fan coil unit according to claim 7, characterized in that, The tilt angle of the inclined portion of the lower volute is in the range of 30 to 60 degrees, and the tilt angle of the heat exchange unit is in the range of 45 to 75 degrees.

9. The fan coil unit according to claim 8, characterized in that, The tilt angle of the inclined portion of the lower volute is in the range of 40 to 50 degrees, and the tilt angle of the heat exchange unit is in the range of 55 to 65 degrees.

10. The fan coil unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The central angle of the airflow inlet corresponding to the impeller is between 120 and 240 degrees.

11. The fan coil unit according to claim 10, characterized in that, The central angle of the airflow inlet corresponding to the impeller is between 160 and 200 degrees.

12. The fan coil unit according to claim 11, characterized in that, The central angle of the airflow inlet corresponding to the impeller is between 170 and 190 degrees.

13. An air conditioning system, characterized in that, The air conditioning system includes a fan coil unit as described in any one of claims 1-12.

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