Marine air conditioning unit with EC fan
By adopting EC fans in marine air conditioning units, the problems of poor speed regulation and high energy consumption of fixed-frequency fans have been solved, resulting in a highly efficient, energy-saving, and reliable air conditioning system that extends equipment life.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- QUANGU REFRIGERATION AIR CONDITION SHANGHAI
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-21
AI Technical Summary
The fixed-frequency fans of existing marine unit air conditioning units have problems such as poor speed regulation capability, high energy consumption, high maintenance cost and large start-up impact, making it difficult to adapt to the complex operating conditions of ships.
The EC fan replaces the fixed frequency fan, and the electronic control achieves stepless smooth speed regulation from 10% to 100%. Combined with soft start technology, it avoids mechanical wear and energy waste, and is equipped with current, over-temperature and over-voltage protection.
It achieves precise speed regulation, reduces energy consumption by 30%-70%, reduces maintenance costs, and improves equipment safety, reliability, and service life.
Smart Images
Figure CN224528963U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of marine air conditioning unit technology, specifically to a marine air conditioning unit using an EC fan. Background Technology
[0002] Ships navigate various sea areas where weather conditions are complex and climates are changeable. To provide crew and passengers with a comfortable working and living environment, air conditioning technology is used to create a suitable artificial climate inside the cabins and improve the environment. However, the interior space of a ship is limited, especially in some small cabins. At the same time, there may be many electrical devices inside the cabins, making it unsuitable to install too many air ducts and water pipes. Therefore, unit-type air conditioning units are mostly used in each cabin to control the temperature and humidity parameters of the cabin environment.
[0003] Currently, commonly used marine unitary air conditioning units consist of a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator connected sequentially to form a refrigeration piping system. A standard fixed-frequency fan then delivers the treated air into the room. Due to limitations in technology and manufacturing costs, unitary air conditioning units generally use fixed-frequency fans in their air supply systems. However, fixed-frequency fans have the following disadvantages:
[0004] (1) Poor speed regulation capability. The power supply frequency of the fixed frequency motor is fixed at 50Hz or 60Hz, and the speed is constant. It can only be adjusted by physical means such as changing the pulley. Not only is the operation cumbersome, but the adjustment range is also very limited, making it difficult to accurately adapt to complex and ever-changing working conditions.
[0005] (2) Low energy efficiency. Regardless of the actual load, the fixed frequency fan runs at the rated speed. When there is a low load, the excess air volume needs to be consumed by the baffle, resulting in serious energy waste. Data shows that when the load is reduced by 50%, the energy consumption is reduced by only about 20%. At the same time, the baffle throttling will increase the noise of the unit, increase the system resistance, and affect the user experience and system performance.
[0006] (3) High maintenance costs. The mechanical adjustment components such as baffles and belts that it relies on are easily worn and need to be replaced frequently, which greatly increases the long-term maintenance costs.
[0007] (4) The starting impact is large. The fixed frequency fan adopts the direct starting method, and the instantaneous starting current is as high as 5-7 times the rated current. This will not only cause significant fluctuations in the power grid, but also aggravate the wear of internal parts of the equipment, shorten the service life of the equipment, and may even cause the power grid protection device to trip, affecting the overall power supply stability and equipment reliability. Utility Model Content
[0008] The main purpose of this utility model is to provide a marine air conditioning unit using an EC fan to overcome the problems existing in the prior art.
[0009] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:
[0010] A marine air conditioning unit using an EC fan includes a unit casing, a condenser, an evaporator, a heater, a compressor, an expansion valve, system piping, and an EC fan. The unit casing has a three-layer structure from top to bottom. The bottom layer has a unit base, on which the condenser and the compressor are mounted. The evaporator, the expansion valve, and the heater are located in the middle layer, and the EC fan is located in the top layer. The compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator are connected sequentially through the system piping. The unit casing has an air outlet, and the EC fan is used to deliver cooled or heated air into the cabin through the air outlet.
[0011] Furthermore, the unit housing includes a unit base, a unit frame, and a unit panel. The unit panel is located on the outside of the unit frame. The unit frame is provided with a first partition and a second partition from top to bottom, dividing the interior of the unit housing into three layers.
[0012] Furthermore, a filter is provided in the part of the system piping located between the condenser and the expansion valve.
[0013] Furthermore, an electrical control box is also provided on the base of the unit.
[0014] Furthermore, the EC fan is mounted on the first partition via a fan bracket.
[0015] Furthermore, a water collection tray is provided on the second partition.
[0016] Furthermore, an operation panel is provided on the outer side of the unit panel.
[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:
[0018] This utility model's air conditioning unit uses an EC fan. Regarding speed regulation, the EC fan achieves stepless smooth adjustment of motor speed from 10% to 100% through changes in control signal input, eliminating the need for complex physical operations. It can match different operating conditions in real time, with adjustment accuracy far exceeding that of fixed-frequency fans. In terms of energy consumption control, the EC fan can dynamically adjust its speed according to the actual load. When the load decreases, the speed decreases accordingly, and the shaft power decreases sharply according to a cubic relationship. Compared to fixed-frequency fans, energy consumption can be reduced by 30%-70%, while avoiding energy loss and increased noise caused by baffle throttling. Regarding maintenance costs, the EC fan uses soft-start technology, greatly reducing the impact on the motor and mechanical components. Combined with electronic speed control without mechanical wear, it effectively extends equipment life and reduces maintenance frequency and costs. Furthermore, the EC fan has built-in current protection, over-temperature protection, over-voltage protection, and stall protection. When overcurrent, overheating, or stall is detected, the controller automatically cuts off the power to prevent equipment damage, greatly improving the safety and reliability of the equipment. Attached Figure Description
[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model.
[0020] Figure 2 This is a system schematic diagram of the present invention.
[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Electrical control box; 2. Unit base; 3. Condenser; 4. Evaporator; 5. Heater; 6. Fan bracket; 7. Control panel; 8. Unit frame; 9. Compressor; 10. Expansion valve; 11. System piping; 12. Water tray; 13. EC fan; 14. Air outlet; 15. Filter. Detailed Implementation
[0022] The technical solution of this utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0023] Combination Figures 1 to 2 This embodiment provides a marine air conditioning unit using an EC fan, comprising an electrical control box 1, a unit base 2, a condenser 3, an evaporator 4, a heater 5, a fan bracket 6, an operation panel 7, a unit frame 8, a compressor 9, an expansion valve 10, system piping 11, a water tray 12, an EC fan 13, an air outlet 14, and a filter 15.
[0024] The unit's outer casing has a three-layer structure from top to bottom. The bottom layer has a unit base 2, an electrical control box 1, a condenser 3, and a compressor 9 installed on the unit base 2. The middle layer has an evaporator 4, an expansion valve 10, and a heater 5. The upper layer has an EC fan 13. The compressor 9, condenser 3, expansion valve 10, and evaporator 4 are connected in sequence through system pipes 11. The unit's outer casing has an air outlet 14. The EC fan 13 is used to send cooled or heated air into the cabin through the air outlet 14.
[0025] Specifically, the unit housing includes a unit base 2, a unit frame 8, and a unit panel. The unit panel is located on the outside of the unit frame 8. The unit frame 8 is provided with a first partition and a second partition from top to bottom, dividing the interior of the unit housing into three layers.
[0026] In this embodiment, a filter 15 is provided on the system pipeline 11 at the location between the condenser 3 and the expansion valve 10.
[0027] In a further embodiment, the EC fan 13 is mounted on the first partition via a fan bracket 6. A water receiving tray 12 is provided on the second partition.
[0028] In a further embodiment, an operation panel 7 is provided on the outer side of the unit panel.
[0029] In actual operation, the electrical control box 1, condenser 3, and compressor 9 are installed on the unit base 2. The middle layer includes a water collection tray 12, system piping 11, expansion valve 10, evaporator 4, and heater 5. The upper layer includes a fan bracket 6, EC fan 13, control panel 7, and air outlet 14. After all components are ready, proceed as follows: Figure 2 The system schematic diagram shown completes the system piping connections. Subsequently, system purging, pressure testing and leak detection, pipe insulation, Freon injection, and electrical wiring are carried out sequentially. After these procedures are completed, the unit panel is installed, and finally, the unit undergoes trial operation. If the trial operation proceeds without any abnormalities, the unit is considered fully manufactured.
[0030] During refrigeration, compressor 9 compresses the low-pressure refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas, which then flows into condenser 3. Seawater condenses the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant vapor in condenser 3 into a subcooled liquid through the cooling water inlet and outlet. The subcooled refrigerant liquid passes through filter 15 and is throttled and pressurized by expansion valve 10, becoming a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase fluid that enters evaporator 4. The low-temperature refrigerant absorbs heat in evaporator 4 and becomes saturated vapor. The saturated vapor is then drawn back into compressor 9 through system pipeline 11 to enter the next cycle. At the same time, the indoor circulating air is cooled by the evaporator through EC fan 13 before being sent into the cabin.
[0031] When heating, the aforementioned refrigeration cycle system is shut down, and the electric heater is activated so that the indoor air is heated by the heater 5 and then sent into the cabin through the EC fan 13, thereby achieving the purpose of heating.
[0032] In this embodiment, the EC fan adopts a brushless DC motor (BLDC). The direction of the stator winding current is controlled by electronic circuits (such as PWM pulse width modulation) to achieve "electronic commutation", which eliminates the friction loss of traditional brushes and achieves an efficiency of 80% to 90%. The advantages are more obvious under low load conditions (such as maintaining high efficiency when the load is reduced).
[0033] The marine environment is characterized by large temperature differences between day and night. The EC fan 13 can precisely adjust the speed according to the real-time load (such as temperature and air volume signals). The power and speed have an approximately cubic relationship (which conforms to the similarity law of fans). For example, when the speed is reduced by 50%, the power can be reduced to 12.5% of the original power, and the energy saving effect can reach 50% to 70%. It also supports soft start (low starting current and no impact), which further reduces energy consumption.
[0034] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and does not constitute any limitation on the technical scope of the present utility model. Therefore, any minor modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present utility model shall still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A marine air conditioning unit employing an EC fan, characterized in that, The unit includes a casing, condenser (3), evaporator (4), heater (5), compressor (9), expansion valve (10), system piping (11), and EC fan (13). The casing is divided into three layers from top to bottom. The bottom layer has a base (2). The condenser (3) and compressor (9) are installed on the base (2). The evaporator (4), expansion valve (10), and heater (5) are located in the middle layer. The EC fan (13) is located in the upper layer. The compressor (9), condenser (3), expansion valve (10), and evaporator (4) are connected in sequence through the system piping (11). The casing has an air outlet (14). The EC fan (13) is used to send cooled or heated air into the cabin through the air outlet (14).
2. A marine air conditioning unit using an EC fan as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The unit housing includes a unit base (2), a unit frame (8), and a unit panel. The unit panel is located on the outside of the unit frame (8). The unit frame (8) is provided with a first partition and a second partition from top to bottom, which divide the interior of the unit housing into three layers.
3. A marine air conditioning unit using an EC fan as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The system pipeline (11) is equipped with a filter (15) located between the condenser (3) and the expansion valve (10).
4. A marine air conditioning unit using an EC fan as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The unit base (2) is also equipped with an electrical control box (1).
5. A marine air conditioning unit using an EC fan as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The EC fan (13) is mounted on the first partition via a fan bracket (6).
6. A marine air conditioning unit using an EC fan as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The second partition is provided with a water receiving tray (12).
7. A marine air conditioning unit using an EC fan as described in claim 2, characterized in that, An operation panel (7) is provided on the outside of the unit panel.