Air conditioning device

Abstract

An air conditioning device (10) comprising a body (13) provided with an air outlet aperture (16), the air conditioning device (10) comprising: a cover (17) located at a distance above the air outlet aperture (16) so as to define, together with a side face (18) of the body (13), an air passage (15) provided with at least one outlet slot (14); and a moving element (24) located on the cover (17) and provided with an additional air outlet hole (31).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present utility model relates to an air conditioning device. For example, but not limiting in general, the air conditioning device can be a cooling, heating, purifying, humidifying, dehumidifying or similar device, in particular portable. BACKGROUND

[0002] Portable air conditioners (PAC) are small household appliances for conditioning the air of a room. They can be obtained in different layouts, of which the single block is the most common. They contain all the components of the cooling cycle in a single unit. Typically, the condenser, the compressor and the throttle valve are located at the lowest level of the unit, while the evaporator is located above them.

[0003] The air is generally sucked from the back of the unit. If the air passes through the condenser, it is released to the environment outside through a duct. If the air passes through the evaporator, it is released to the environment after being cooled. The following discussion relates only to the evaporator side of the unit.

[0004] The air is sucked into the unit by a fan. On the evaporator side, the fan is usually represented by a tangential fan in the case of units with low cooling power, or by a centrifugal fan with a volute in the case of units with higher cooling power.

[0005] In the latter case, due to the flow inside the fan, the air cannot be distributed uniformly at the fan outlet or at the unit outlet. As a result, the cooling air can be very asymmetric between the right and left sides of the room. This can lead to situations of discomfort for the user.

[0006] A solution is needed to reduce this asymmetry and thus the lack of uniform temperature between the left and right sides of the room.

[0007] In most cases, the air outlet of the evaporator is located above the unit, so the flow of cold air is mainly directed towards the ceiling of the room.

[0008] As a result, when the cold air coming from the ceiling moves downwards due to the natural convection inside the room, the user who is usually sitting in front of the unit can only benefit from the temperature decrease after a certain time.

[0009] In order to reduce the time spent feeling comfortable, the user can redirect the air towards himself with the help of a deflector. However, the air flow is usually very cold and fast, meaning that the user does not feel comfortable anyway.

[0010] A solution is needed to reduce the time spent cooling the room without compromising the thermal comfort of the user.

[0011] Figure 1A known air conditioning device 11 is shown, in which the hole 12 for the discharge of air from the evaporator is located on the upper surface of the device 11, from which the cold air leaves the unit, cooling the environment.

[0012] The hole 12 has a substantially rectangular shape. In some cases, due to the choice of the fan of the evaporator, which is usually centrifugal, the air at the outlet of the unit is not uniformly distributed.

[0013] The air flow at the outlet is mainly directed upwards, to create an air circulation in the entire environment.

[0014] It will then be uneven between the right and left side of the room. In this case, the air movement can be uncomfortable and the cooling time in the occupied zone can be long. The elevation angle ε is usually close to 70°, while the hole aperture angle a is usually less than 120° and is asymmetric between the right and left side of the unit.

[0015] Furthermore, it is not possible to achieve, at least in front of the air conditioning device, a uniformly distributed, satisfactorily comfortable and directable air flow through the hole 12.

[0016] Therefore, there is a need to perfect an air conditioning device which is able to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0017] In particular, one purpose of the present application is to provide an air conditioning device which allows a uniform and comfortable distribution of air within the room, significantly limiting the typical asymmetry of the known devices, and possibly allowing an effective flow direction at least in front of the air conditioning device.

[0018] Another purpose of the present application is to provide an air conditioning device, in particular portable, which aims to maintain the comfort of the user, the uniformity of the temperature in the occupied zone of the room, and at the same time, if such a device is used for refrigeration, to reduce the refrigeration time without the need to modify the refrigeration device.

[0019] The Applicant has designed, tested and implemented the present application to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages. SUMMARY

[0020] The present application is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other features or variants of the main inventive concept.

[0021] According to the above-mentioned object, the air conditioning device according to the utility model comprises a main body provided with an air outlet hole. The air conditioning device further comprises: a cover, the cover being located at a certain distance above the air outlet hole so as to define an air passage together with the inner side of the main body, the air passage being provided with at least one outlet slot; and a moving element, the moving element being located on the cover and being provided with an additional air outlet hole.

[0022] Thanks to the combination of the outlet slot and the moving element, an air conditioning device can be obtained which allows air to be distributed uniformly and comfortably within a room, significantly limiting the typical asymmetry of known devices, and, thanks to the moving element, a variable direction of the flow can also be achieved.

[0023] The air conditioning device according to the utility model, in particular the portable air conditioning device, allows to maintain the comfort of the user, the uniformity of the temperature in the occupied area of the room, and, if the device is used for cooling, to simultaneously reduce the cooling time without the need to modify the cooling device.

[0024] According to another aspect of the utility model, the moving element is rotatable between a closed position, in which the moving element is substantially integrated into the cover, and one or more open positions, in which the moving element is inclined with respect to the cover.

[0025] According to another aspect of the utility model, the moving element is housed in a seat formed in the cover, so that, in the closed position, the moving element is substantially embedded in the cover.

[0026] According to another aspect of the utility model, the moving element comprises a first lower wall and a second upper wall, between which an additional air passage is formed in fluid communication with the air passage, which additional air passage conveys air towards the outlet slot.

[0027] According to another aspect of the utility model, the additional air passage has a passage section which decreases from the air inlet hole to the additional air outlet hole.

[0028] According to another aspect of the utility model, the additional air outlet hole for the exit of air from the additional air passage is substantially C-shaped or U-shaped.

[0029] According to another aspect of the utility model, the outlet slot is substantially C-shaped or U-shaped.

[0030] According to another aspect of the utility model, the airflow is distributed at the outlet of the outlet slot and / or at the outlet of the additional air outlet hole, so that the air exits from the additional air passage according to an angle of approximately 180°.

[0031] According to another aspect of the utility model, the moving element is rotatable about an axis substantially transverse to the cover.

[0032] According to another aspect of the present utility model, the air conditioning device comprises a deflector, which is located upstream of the air passage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0033] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present utility model will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of non-limiting example, in which:

[0034] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of an air conditioning device known in the prior art;

[0035] Figure 2a and 2b are two three-dimensional views of the air conditioning device of the present utility model;

[0036] Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the area where the air is discharged from the air conditioning device;

[0037] Figure 4 is a top view of the air conditioning device;

[0038] Figure 5a , 5b and 5c are three schematic sections of three positions of the movable air outlet element.

[0039] We must clarify that the wording and terminology used in this specification, as well as the drawings in the drawings on how to describe, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present utility model, with the aim of providing a non-limiting example of the utility model itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0040] For ease of understanding, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings to identify identical common elements as far as possible. It should be understood that the elements and features of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] We will now refer in detail to possible embodiments of the present utility model, of which one or more examples are shown by way of non-limiting illustration in the accompanying drawings. The wording and terminology used here are also for the purpose of providing a non-limiting example.

[0042] With reference to the drawings, in particular to Figure 2a , 2b , 3 and 4, the air conditioning device 10 comprises a main body 13 provided with an air outlet hole 16.

[0043] As a non-limiting example, the air conditioning device 10 can be portable, for example, an air conditioning device connectable to the external environment through a single or double pipe, known in the industry as "single pipe" or "double pipe".

[0044] The holes 16 are in particular located on the upper part of the body 13.

[0045] The air conditioning device 10 also comprises at least one cover 17 located at a distance above the holes 16 so as to define, with the inner side 18 of the body 13, the air passage 15 and so as to define at least one slot 14 for the exit of air from the passage 15.

[0046] A mobile air passage element 24 is located on the cover 17, provided with additional air outlet holes 31.

[0047] The holes 16 are in particular located on the upper part of the body 13. The slot 14 can be substantially C-shaped or U-shaped, although different shapes can be provided.

[0048] Thanks to this slot 14 or slit, the air flow exiting the air conditioning device 10 is distributed in a substantially uniform manner on a substantially horizontal or slightly upwardly inclined plane.

[0049] In particular, the air flow at the outlet can be distributed on a space formed on a substantially horizontal plane having a certain thickness coinciding with the height hi of the front of the slot 14.

[0050] The inclination angle e of the cover 17 with respect to the horizontal direction O varies between 15° and 40°, thus it is much less than 70 degrees. This allows to obtain an air flow slightly upwardly inclined from the outlet of the slot 14 and thus more directed towards the user in the room.

[0051] The geometry of the slot 14 is designed to redistribute the air flow uniformly in the occupied area of the room.

[0052] With particular reference to Figure 4 , the substantially C-shaped or U-shaped shape allows to obtain, upon exit from the slot 14, an air flow according to an angle a of approximately 180°, as shown in Figure 2a and Figure 4 . In this way, the air flow is distributed uniformly both in front of the air conditioning device 10 and on its sides.

[0053] The slot 14 has two side portions 14a and a front portion 14b with respect to the cover 17. As shown in Figure 4 , the width of the slot 14 on the two side portions 14a is preferably reduced from the front to the rear of the air conditioning device 10. This allows to better cool the occupied area in the room and prevent the entry of cold air into the evaporator.

[0054] The average width of the front portion 14b of the slot 14 can be approximately 17-19 mm, the average width of the side portions 14a can be approximately 7-9 mm.

[0055] As shown in Figure 3As shown, the inclination of the inner side 18 of the main body 13 with respect to the vertical direction V can be defined by an angle δ of about 50-55°, which is particularly suitable for properly cooling the occupied area.

[0056] The inner side 18 substantially defines the inclination of the direction of the air exiting from the slot 14 and is a compromise that allows the cover 17 not to be too straight in the vertical direction, but also not too low in the horizontal direction.

[0057] According to some embodiments, there is in particular one slot 14 and it is continuous along the C-shaped or U-shaped arch, so as to have a uniform and localised flow.

[0058] According to some embodiments, the upper cover 17 is fixed, so as to have a substantially constant stability in the flow distribution.

[0059] The size of the front height hi of the slot 14 is determined so as to achieve an optimal air flow from the evaporator of the air conditioning device 10.

[0060] In particular, the front height hi allows to obtain a limited air pressure drop and a high air volume at the outlet, so as to have a fast cooling time of the room. At the same time, the slot 14 cannot be too high in the front, because in this case the flow would not be optimally directed towards the room and on a substantially horizontal plane.

[0061] It has been proven that the optimal compromise for achieving a fast cooling of the room and an optimal direction of the flow is to determine the size of the height hi so that it is comprised between about 20 mm and about 25 mm.

[0062] The volumetric flow rate of the air at the outlet can be about 140-380 m3 / h.

[0063] The channel 15 has a first air inlet end 20 and a second air outlet end 21, in Figure 3 In particular, the slot 14 is located at the second air outlet end 21.

[0064] In order to achieve a better flow, the channel 15 preferably has a substantially decreasing cross section from the first end 20 to the second end 21, so as to have a maximum air speed in the outlet cross section, i.e. the cross section corresponding to the slot 14.

[0065] According to some embodiments, the channel 15 is defined at the top by the lower side 29 of the cover 17 and at the bottom by the inner side 18 defining the internal compartment of the main body 13.

[0066] According to some embodiments, the inner side 18 has a curved shape, which curves from the inner side to the outer side of the main body 13.

[0067] The deflector 22 can be positioned upstream of the channel 15, in particular close to the first end 20, asFigure 3 is shown.

[0068] The deflector 22 has the function of reducing turbulence and distributing the flow more effectively to the passage 15 at the inlet.

[0069] The deflector 22 is positioned in particular downstream of the evaporator of the air conditioning device 10.

[0070] According to some embodiments, the deflector 22 can comprise a plurality of shields 23, which are mounted substantially parallel to the height of the body 13.

[0071] According to some embodiments, with reference to Figure 2b and Figures 5a-5b , a movable air outlet element 24 is provided on the cover 17.

[0072] The moving element 24 provides an additional air outlet hole 31 integrated therein. In other words, the outlet hole 31 moves in an integral manner with the moving element 24.

[0073] The moving element 24 provides a closed position Figure 2a and 5a and a plurality of open positions (see for example Figure 2b , 5b and 5c).

[0074] In Figure 5b , the moving element 24 is in the intermediate position, while in Figure 5c , the moving element 24 is completely raised so as to direct the air flow also substantially towards the ceiling and the occupied area of the room, which is reached mainly through the slot 14.

[0075] In particular, the moving element 24 can rotate about an axis Y substantially transverse to the cover 17. In this way, the air flow discharged from the moving element 24 is suitably directed to the front of the cover 17 and of the air conditioning device 10. The pin for hinging the moving element 24 to the cover 17 can be provided along the axis Y.

[0076] As shown in Figure 5b and 5c , the moving element 24 is housed in a seat 25 formed in the cover 17, so that in the closed position Figure 2a and Figure 5a , it is substantially embedded. Therefore, in the closed position, the moving element 24 is substantially integrated in the cover 17.

[0077] The moving element 24 comprises a first lower wall 26 and a second upper wall 27, between which an air passage 28 is formed. The lower wall 26 is in particular convex, as shown in Figure 2b , and in the closed configuration of the moving element 24, the lower wall 26 is aligned with the lower side 29 of the cover 17, as shown inFigure 5a is shown.

[0078] The upper wall 27 can be flat in particular and, in the closed configuration of the mobile element 24, is aligned with the upper side 30 of the cover 17.

[0079] The channel 28 provides an outlet hole 31 at one end and an air inlet hole 19 facing the body 13 at the opposite end. The hole 19 is substantially downstream of the hole 16 of the body 13.

[0080] The channel 28 provides a reduced cross section between the inlet hole 19 and the outlet hole 31 so as to have the greatest air speed in correspondence with the hole 31.

[0081] The hole 31 can have a substantially C-shaped or U-shaped configuration, which allows to obtain a flow according to an angle of approximately 180° at the outlet of the mobile element 24, which guarantees the best uniformity on a wide diffusion area. To this end, the lower wall 26 and the upper wall 27 can have a semicircular, crescent or similar shape.

[0082] The channel 28 is in fluid communication with the channel 15, sending air towards the slot 14. In particular, some of the air that enters the channel 15 from the inlet end 20 is conveyed into the channel 28.

[0083] The mobile element 24 can then be rotated between a closed position, in which the flow is discharged only through the fixed slot 14, and a fully open position, in which the majority of the flow is discharged through the hole 31 in a direction at a different angle, see Figure 5b and 5c .

[0084] According to these embodiments, when the mobile element 24 is closed, there is a single flow along the first trajectory Fl that exits from the slot 14, while when the mobile element 24 is rotated, a second flow is formed along the second trajectory F2 and through the additional hole 31. Preferably, when the mobile element 24 is rotated, the flow along the second trajectory F2 increases, while the flow along the first trajectory Fl decreases correspondingly.

[0085] The present air conditioning device 10 advantageously allows to increase the comfort of the users inside the room, to reduce the cooling time and to deliver the flow in a uniform and efficient manner on a wide area of the room.

[0086] It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts can be made to the air conditioning device described above, without departing from the field and scope of the utility model defined by the claims.

[0087] It should also be clear that, although the application has been described with reference to some specific embodiments, other equivalent forms of the air conditioning device having the features set out in the claims can be implemented by a person skilled in the art, and therefore all these equivalent forms fall within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

[0088] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the reference signs placed in parentheses is to facilitate their reading and they cannot be considered as limiting factors with respect to the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An air conditioning device (10) comprising a main body (13) provided with an air outlet hole (16), characterized in that, The air conditioning device (10) comprises: a cover (17) located at a distance above the air outlet hole (16) so as to define, together with the inner side (18) of the main body (13), an air passage (15) provided with at least one outlet slot (14); and a mobile element (24) located on the cover (17) and provided with an additional air outlet hole (31).

2. The air conditioning apparatus (10) according to claim 1, characterized by The mobile element (24) is rotatable between a closed position, in which it is integrated into the cover (17), and one or more open positions, in which it is tilted with respect to the cover (17).

3. The air conditioning apparatus (10) according to claim 2, characterized by The mobile element (24) is housed in a seat (25) formed in the cover (17) so that, in the closed position, it is embedded in the cover (17).

4. The air conditioning apparatus (10) according to claim 1, characterized by The mobile element (24) comprises a first lower wall (26) and a second upper wall (27) between which an additional air passage (28) is formed in fluid communication with the air passage (15), which conveys air towards the outlet slot (14).

5. The air conditioning apparatus (10) according to claim 4, characterized by The additional air passage (28) has a passage section that decreases from an air inlet hole (19) to the additional air outlet hole (31).

6. The air conditioning apparatus (10) according to claim 4, characterized by The additional air outlet hole (31) for the exit of air from the additional air passage (28) is C-shaped or U-shaped.

7. The air conditioning apparatus (10) according to claim 1, characterized by The outlet slot (14) is C-shaped or U-shaped.

8. The air conditioning apparatus (10) according to claim 4, characterized by The air flow is distributed at the outlet of the outlet slot (14) and / or at the outlet of the additional air outlet hole (31) for the exit of air from the additional air passage (28) according to an angle (a) of approximately 180°.

9. The air conditioning apparatus (10) according to claim 1, characterized by The mobile element (24) is rotatable about an axis (Y) transverse to the cover (17).

10. The air conditioning apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by The air conditioning device (10) comprises a deflector (22) located upstream of the air passage (15).

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