Air conditioning apparatus

Abstract

Air conditioning apparatus (10) comprising a main body (13) provided with an air outlet aperture (16) and a lid (17) located at a certain distance above said aperture (16) so as to define, together with an internal side (18) of the main body (13), an air passage channel (15) which has a substantially C or U-shaped slot (14) for the air to exit from the air conditioning apparatus (10).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention concerns an air conditioning apparatus. For example, yet with no limitation to generality, the air conditioning apparatus can be a cooling, heating, purification, humidification, dehumidification or similar and comparable apparatus, in particular of the portable type.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Portable air conditioners (PACs) are small electrical household appliances used to air-condition rooms. They are available in different layouts, with monoblocs being the most common. They contain all the components of the cooling cycle in a single unit. Usually the condenser, compressor and throttle valve are positioned at the lowest level of the unit, while the evaporator is positioned above them.

[0003] Air is usually drawn from the back of the unit. If it passes through the condenser, it is released outside the environment through a duct. If it passes through the evaporator, it is released into the environment after being cooled. The following discussion only concerns the evaporator side of the unit.

[0004] Air is drawn into the unit by a fan. On the evaporator side, the fan usually appears as a tangential fan in the case of units with low cooling power, or a centrifugal fan with a spiral case for units with higher cooling power.

[0005] In the latter case, the air is not distributed uniformly at the fan outlet or at the unit outlet, due to the flow inside the fan. As a result, the cooled air can be strongly asymmetrical between the right and left sides of the room. This can cause a situation of discomfort for the user.

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

[0007] In most cases, the evaporator's air outlet is positioned above the unit, therefore the flow of cold air is mainly directed toward the room's ceiling.

[0008] As a result, the user, who usually sits in front of the unit, can benefit from the temperature reduction only after a certain amount of time, when the cold air from the ceiling moves downward due to the natural convection inside the room.

[0009] To reduce the time it takes to feel comfortable, the user can adjust the direction of the air with the help of the deflector, redirecting the air toward themselves. However, the airflow is usually very cold and fast, meaning the user does not feel comfortable anyway.

[0010] A solution is needed to reduce the time it takes to cool a room without compromising the user's thermal comfort.

[0011] Fig. 1 shows a known air conditioning apparatus 11, in which an aperture 12 for the outlet of air from the evaporator is located on the upper surface of the apparatus 11, from where the cold air exits from the unit, cooling the environment.

[0012] The aperture 12 has a substantially rectangular shape. In some cases, the air at the outlet of the unit is not evenly distributed, due to the choice of the evaporator's fan, usually of the centrifugal type.

[0013] The airflow at outlet is mainly directed upward, to create an air circulation within the entire environment.

[0014] It will be uneven between the right and left sides 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 aperture angle α is generally smaller than 120° and asymmetric between the right and left side of the unit.

[0015] Documents CN204853720U and WO2017 / 008628A1 disclose air conditioning apparatuses having an air outlet aperture created inside a circumferential groove on a lateral surface of the apparatus' body, and the airflow is emitted in a radial direction on an area of substantially 360°. These solutions are designed to be disposed in a central zone of an environment to be air conditioned and do not allow to optimize the air distribution in a specific zone. Furthermore, the position of the air outlet aperture is mainly concentrated at a low height with respect to the floor or the surface on which the air conditioning apparatus rests.

[0016] There is therefore the need to perfect an air conditioning apparatus that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0017] In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning apparatus that allows for a uniform and comfortable distribution of air inside a room, significantly limiting the asymmetries that are typical of known apparatuses and possibly allowing for an effective direction of the flow toward a preferential zone.

[0018] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning apparatus, in particular portable, aimed at maintaining the user's comfort, the homogeneity of the temperature of the area occupied in the room and, if such apparatus is used for cooling, simultaneously reducing the cooling times without modifications to the cooling means.

[0019] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0021] In accordance with the above purposes, an air conditioning apparatus according to the present invention comprises a main body provided with an air outlet aperture. The air conditioning apparatus also comprises a lid located at a certain distance above the aperture so as to define, together with an internal side of the main body, an air passage channel which has, in correspondence with an upper surface of the main body, a substantially C or U-shaped slot for the air to exit from the air conditioning apparatus with the convexity facing toward a front part of the air conditioning apparatus.

[0022] Thanks to this slot, it is possible to obtain an air conditioning apparatus that allows for a uniform and comfortable distribution of air inside a room, significantly limiting the asymmetries typical of known apparatuses.

[0023] The present air conditioning apparatus, in particular of the portable type, allows to maintain the comfort of the user, the homogeneity of the temperature of the area occupied in the room and, if the apparatus is used for cooling, simultaneously reduce the cooling times without modifications to the cooling means.

[0024] According to another aspect of the invention, the slot is defined between an end edge of the lid, facing toward the front part of the main body, and an internal profile of an upper edge of the main body that delimits the channel.

[0025] According to another aspect of the invention, the edges are offset in height with respect to each other and, in particular, the end edge of the lid is located at a higher level than the upper edge of the main body.

[0026] According to another aspect of the invention, the lid is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction by an angle varying between approximately 15° and approximately 40°.

[0027] According to another aspect of the invention, the airflow is distributed at the outlet of the slot according to an angle having a development of approximately 180°.

[0028] According to another aspect of the invention, the inclination of the internal side of the main body with respect to a vertical direction is defined by an angle of approximately 50-55°.

[0029] According to another aspect of the invention, the slot has, with respect to the lid, two lateral parts and one front part.

[0030] According to another aspect of the invention, the width of the slot substantially decreases on the lateral parts from the front part to the rear part of the air conditioning apparatus.

[0031] This conformation of the slot, tapered on the lateral walls from the front part to the back part, allows to maintain a flow with a substantially uniform rate even on the sides, without requiring an increase in the fan's power.

[0032] According to another aspect of the invention, the channel has a passage section decreasing from a first air inlet end to a second air outlet end, where the slot is positioned.

[0033] According to another aspect of the invention, the air conditioning apparatus comprises a deflector positioned upstream of the channel.

[0034] According to another aspect of the invention, the air conditioning apparatus comprises a mobile element equipped with an additional air outlet aperture.

[0035] According to another aspect of the invention, the mobile element is rotatable between a closed position in which it is substantially integrated in the lid, and one or more open positions in which it is variously inclined with respect thereto.

[0036] According to another aspect, the air conditioning apparatus comprises an intermediate wall and a flap made on the lid and mobile between a first position in contact with the intermediate wall, and a second position in which it defines together with it an outlet aperture separated from the slot.

[0037] According to another aspect, the lid is movable in a vertical direction, between a first position in which a lower side is substantially in contact with a fixed intermediate wall and a second position in which the lower side is spaced therefrom and a second slot is formed above the first slot.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein: fig. 1 is a three-dimensional view of an air conditioning apparatus known in the state of the art; figs. 2a and 2b are two three-dimensional views of the present air conditioning apparatus; fig. 3 is a larger-scale and section view of a zone in which air exits from the air conditioning apparatus; fig. 4 is a top view of the air conditioning apparatus of fig. 2a; figs. 5a, 5b and 5c are three schematic sections of three positions of a mobile air outlet element; fig. 6 is a section view of the outlet zone of the present air conditioning apparatus in accordance with a variant; fig. 7 is a section view of the outlet zone of the present air conditioning apparatus in accordance with another variant; fig. 8 is a section view of the outlet zone of the present air conditioning apparatus in accordance with another variant.

[0039] We must clarify that the phraseology and terminology used in the present description, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also in relation as to how described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their purpose being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0040] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

[0041] We will now refer in detail to the possible embodiments of the invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings, by way of a non-limiting illustration. The phraseology and terminology used here is also for the purposes of providing non-limiting examples.

[0042] With reference to the attached drawings, see in particular fig. 2a, fig. 3 and fig. 4, an air conditioning apparatus 10 comprises a main body 13 provided with an air outlet aperture 16.

[0043] By way of a non-limiting example, the air conditioning apparatus 10 can be of the portable type, such as an air conditioning apparatus connectable by means of a single or double duct to an external environment, known in the industry as "single duct" or "double duct".

[0044] The aperture 16 is located in particular on the upper part of the main body 13.

[0045] The air conditioning apparatus 10 also comprises at least one lid 17 located at a certain distance above the aperture 16, so as to define, together with an internal side 18 of the main body 13, an air passage channel 15 having a slot 14 that is substantially C or U-shaped, or in general crescent moon shaped, with more or less elongated lateral ends, for the air to exit from the air conditioning apparatus 10.

[0046] The convexity of the C or U shape faces toward the front part of the main body 13, able to face toward a zone of the room to be conditioned, so as to direct the air toward that zone.

[0047] The slot 14 is disposed in correspondence with an upper surface of the main body 13. Specifically, the slot 14 is defined between an end edge 36 of the lid 17, facing toward the front part of the main body 13, and an internal profile of an upper edge 37 of the main body 13 that delimits the channel 15.

[0048] In particular, a single C or U-shaped slot is defined between the facing edges 36, 37 of the lid and of the support body.

[0049] The rear part of the air conditioning apparatus 10 is substantially closed, that is, there is no provision for any portion of the slot 14 or other apertures for the passage of the conditioned airflow.

[0050] The end edge 36 and the upper edge 37 have an at least partly arched shape. The edges 36, 37 can be substantially mating in shape or have different shapes.

[0051] One or both of the end edge 36 and / or the upper edge 37 can have a shape that is at least partly flattened in correspondence with a front part of the main body 13.

[0052] In the example case, the end edge 36 of the lid 17 has a substantially arched shape, possibly slightly flattened toward the front central part, while the upper edge 37 can have a shape with a less pronounced curvature, with the sides that widen slightly outward and a front central part that can be slightly flattened.

[0053] Naturally, different shapes of the facing edges 36, 37 can be provided, resulting in different shapes of the slot 14, while still maintaining its C or U shape.

[0054] According to some embodiments, the edges 36, 37 are offset in height with respect to each other, wherein the end edge 36 is located at a greater height than the upper edge 37.

[0055] Thanks to this slot 14, or slit, the flow of air exiting from the air conditioning apparatus 10 is distributed in a substantially even manner on a substantially horizontal or slightly upwardly inclined plane toward a specific zone.

[0056] In particular, the flow of air at exit can be distributed over a space that develops on a substantially horizontal plane having a certain thickness that is coherent with a front height h1 of the slot 14.

[0057] The angle ε of inclination of the lid 17 with respect to a horizontal direction O is variable between 15° and 40°, therefore it is much smaller than the 70 degrees normally provided in known apparatuses. This allows to obtain an airflow that is slightly inclined upward at exit from the slot 14 and therefore more directed toward the users in the room.

[0058] Preferably, the lid 17 is fixed with an angle ε of inclination that is constant with respect to the main body 13, comprised between 15° and 40°.

[0059] The geometry of the slot 14 is designed to evenly redistribute the airflow in the occupied zone of the room.

[0060] The substantially C or U-like shape, see in particular fig. 4, allows to obtain an airflow at exit from the slot 14 according to an angle α which develops by about 180°, fig. 2 and fig. 4.

[0061] In this way, the airflow is evenly distributed in front of the air conditioning apparatus 10 and on its sides.

[0062] The air conditioning apparatus 10 can therefore be positioned with a rear part facing toward a wall, or in any case toward an area of the room that is not occupied by a user, while the airflow is delivered frontally and laterally.

[0063] The slot 14 has, with respect to the lid 17, two lateral parts 14a and one front part 14b. The width of the slot 14, fig. 4, preferably decreases on the two lateral parts 14a from the front part to the rear part of the air conditioning apparatus 10. This allows to better cool the occupied zone in the room and prevent the entry of cold air into the evaporator. In addition, the tapered shape of the slot in correspondence with the lateral walls 14a allows to also even out the flow rate laterally, substantially for the entire length of the slot 14 itself.

[0064] The average width in the front part 14b of the slot 14 can be about 17-19 mm, in the lateral parts 14a about 7-9 mm.

[0065] The inclination of the internal side 18 of the main body 13 with respect to a vertical direction V, fig. 3, can be defined by an angle δ of about 50-55°, which is particularly suitable to properly cool the occupied zone.

[0066] The internal side 18 substantially defines the inclination of the direction of the air at exit from the slot 14 and is a compromise that allows to not straighten the lid 17 too much in the vertical direction, but also to not lower it too much in a horizontal direction.

[0067] According to some embodiments, there is in particular one slot 14 and it is continuous only along the C or U-shaped arc, so as to have a uniform and localized flow.

[0068] According to some embodiments, the upper lid 17 is fixed, possibly inclined by a certain angle ε of inclination, so as to have a substantial constancy in the distribution of the flow.

[0069] The front height h1 of the slot 14 is sized so as to achieve an optimal flow of air from the evaporator of the air conditioning apparatus 10.

[0070] In particular, the front height h1 allows to obtain a limited drop in air pressure at the outlet and a high air volume, so as to have a rapid cooling time of the room. At the same time, the slot 14 must not be too high at the front, since in this case the flow would not be directed optimally toward the room and on a substantially horizontal plane.

[0071] A compromise that has proved to be optimal for achieving a rapid cooling of the room and an optimal directing of the flow is to size the height h1 so that it is comprised between about 20 and about 25 mm.

[0072] The volumetric flow rate of the air at exit can be about 140-380 m 3< / h.

[0073] The channel 15 has a first air inlet end 20 and a second air outlet end 21, where the slot 14 is positioned, fig. 3.

[0074] To achieve an even better flow, the channel 15 preferably has a section substantially decreasing from the first end 20 to the second end 21, so as to have the maximum air speed in the outlet section, that is, in correspondence with the slot 14.

[0075] According to some embodiments, the channel 15 is delimited at the top by a lower side 29 of the lid 17 and at the bottom by the internal side 18 that delimits an internal compartment of the main body 13.

[0076] According to some embodiments, the internal side 18 has a curved shape, which curves from the inside toward the outside of the main body 13.

[0077] A deflector 22 can be positioned upstream of the channel 15, in particular in proximity to the first end 20, fig. 3.

[0078] The deflector 22 has the function of reducing turbulence and distributing the flow at the inlet to the channel 15 even more effectively.

[0079] The deflector 22 is in particular positioned downstream of the evaporator of the air conditioning apparatus 10.

[0080] According to some embodiments, the deflector 22 can comprise a plurality of shields 23 installed substantially parallel to the height of the main body 13.

[0081] According to some embodiments, it is possible to provide a mobile air outlet element 24 on the lid 17, see fig. 2b and figs. 5a-5b.

[0082] According to these embodiments, the end edge 36 of the lid 17 does not move together with the mobile element 24, but it remains in a position of cooperation with the upper edge 37.

[0083] The mobile element 24 provides an additional air outlet aperture 31 integrated therein.

[0084] The mobile element 24 can provide a closed position, figs. 2a and 5a, and a plurality of open positions, see by way of example figs. 2b, 5b and 5c.

[0085] In fig. 5b the mobile element 24 is in an intermediate position while in fig. 5c it is completely raised, so as to direct an airflow also substantially toward the ceiling as well as toward the occupied zone of the room, to which the flow arrives mainly through the slot 14.

[0086] In particular, the mobile element 24 is rotatable around an axis Y substantially transverse to the lid 17. In this way, the airflow exiting from the mobile element 24 is suitably directed in front of the lid 17 and of the air conditioning apparatus 10. Pins for hinging the mobile element 24 to the lid 17 can be provided along the axis Y.

[0087] The mobile element 24 is housed in a seating 25, figs. 5b and 5c, created in the lid 17, so that it is substantially recessed in the closed position of fig. 2a and fig. 5a. In the closed position, the mobile element 24 is therefore substantially integrated in the lid 17.

[0088] The mobile element 24 comprises a first lower wall 26 and a second upper wall 27, between which an air passage channel 28 is created. The lower wall 26 is in particular convex, fig. 2b, and it is aligned, in the closed configuration of the mobile element 24, with a lower side 29 of the lid 17, fig. 5a.

[0089] The upper wall 27 can in particular be flat and it is aligned, in the closed configuration of the mobile element 24, with an upper side 30 of the lid 17.

[0090] The channel 28 provides the outlet aperture 31 at one end and an air inlet aperture 19 at the opposite end, facing the main body 13. The aperture 19 is substantially located downstream of the aperture 16 of the main body 13.

[0091] The channel 28 provides a decreasing section between the inlet aperture 19 and the outlet aperture 31, so as to have the maximum air speed in correspondence with the aperture 31.

[0092] The aperture 31 can have a substantially C or U-shaped conformation, which allows to obtain an airflow at exit from the mobile element 24 according to an angle of about 180°, which guarantees optimal uniformity over a wide diffusion zone. For this purpose, the lower wall 26 and the upper wall 27 can have a semicircular, crescent or similar shape.

[0093] The channel 28 communicates fluidically with the channel 15 that carries the air toward the slot 14. In particular, some of the air coming from the inlet end 20 into the channel 15 is conveyed into the channel 28.

[0094] The mobile element 24 can then rotate between a closed position, in which the airflow only exits through the fixed slot 14, and a fully open position in which, preferably, most of the airflow is made to exit through the aperture 31 in a variously angled direction, see figs. 5b and 5c.

[0095] According to these embodiments, when the mobile element 24 is closed, there is a single airflow that follows the first trajectory F1 exiting from the slot 14, while when the mobile element 24 rotates a second airflow is formed that follows the second trajectory F2 and passes through the additional aperture 31. Preferably, as the mobile element 24 rotates, the flow along the second trajectory F2 increases and the flow along the first trajectory F1 decreases proportionally.

[0096] Fig. 6 shows a variant of the outlet zone of the air conditioning apparatus 10 according to the present invention, in which the slot 14 is substantially the same as that described with reference to the embodiments of figs. 2a-4.

[0097] According to this embodiment, the lid 17 can be made mobile in a vertical direction, between a first position in which the lower side 29 is substantially in contact with a fixed intermediate wall 32, and a second position in which the lower side 29 is distanced from it and a second slot 34 is formed, whereby, in addition to the airflow that follows the first trajectory F1, a second airflow is generated that follows the second trajectory F2 through the second slot 34.

[0098] Fig. 7 shows a variant of the outlet zone of the air conditioning apparatus 10 according to the present invention, in which the slot 14 is substantially the same as that described with reference to the embodiments of figs. 2a-4 and the lid 17 is fixed.

[0099] Fig. 8 shows another variant of the outlet zone of the air conditioning apparatus 10 according to the present invention, in which the slot 14 is substantially the same as that described with reference to the embodiments of figs. 2a-4.

[0100] According to this embodiment, the channel 15 can be delimited at the bottom by the internal side 18 and at the top by an intermediate wall 32, which together with the internal side 18 defines a channel converging between an inlet end 20 and an outlet end 21.

[0101] An openable flap 33 can be provided on the lid 17, for example rotatable with respect to an axis Y between a first position in which it is substantially aligned with an upper side 30 of the lid 17, with the free end substantially located in contact with the intermediate wall 32, and a second position in which it is raised with respect to the upper side 30 and defines, together with the intermediate wall 32, an outlet aperture 35 which is separated with respect to the slot 14.

[0102] Also in this case, as a function of the movement of the flap 33 a second airflow is generated that follows the trajectory F2, wherein the flow rate increases along the second trajectory F2 and decreases along the first trajectory F1 as the flap 33 passes from the first toward the second position, and vice versa.

[0103] The present air conditioning apparatus 10 advantageously allows to increase comfort for the user who is inside a room, reduce cooling times, and convey the airflow on a wide zone of the room in a uniform and effective manner.

[0104] It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts may be made to the air conditioning apparatus as described heretofore, without thereby departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

[0105] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall be able to achieve other equivalent forms of air conditioning apparatus, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0106] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Air conditioning apparatus (10) comprising a main body (13) provided with an air outlet aperture (16), characterized in that said air conditioning apparatus (10) comprises a lid (17) located at a certain distance above said aperture (16) so as to define, together with an internal side (18) of said main body (13), an air passage channel (15) which has, in correspondence with an upper surface of the main body (13), a substantially C or U-shaped slot (14) for the air to exit from the air conditioning apparatus (10) with the convexity facing toward a front part of said air conditioning apparatus (10).

2. Air conditioning apparatus (10) as in claim 1, characterized in that said slot (14) is defined between an end edge (35) of the lid (17), facing toward said front part of the main body (13), and an internal profile of an upper edge (36) of said main body (13) which delimits said channel (15).

3. Air conditioning apparatus (10) as in claim 2, characterized in that said edges (36, 37) are offset in height with respect to each other.

4. Air conditioning apparatus (10) as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said lid (17) is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction (O) by an angle (ε) comprised between approximately 15° and approximately 40°.

5. Air conditioning apparatus (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said slot (14) has a front height (h1) comprised between 20mm and 25mm.

6. Air conditioning apparatus (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said airflow is distributed at the outlet of said slot (14) according to an angle (α) of approximately 180°.

7. Air conditioning apparatus (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the inclination of said internal side (18) of the main body (13) with respect to a vertical direction V is defined by an angle (δ) of approximately 50-55°.

8. Air conditioning apparatus (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said slot (14) has, with respect to said lid (17), two lateral parts (14a) and one front part (14b).

9. Air conditioning apparatus (10) as in claim 5, characterized in that the width of said slot (14) substantially decreases on said lateral parts (14a) from the front part to the rear part of the air conditioning apparatus (10).

10. Air conditioning apparatus (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said channel (15) has a passage section decreasing from a first air inlet end (20) to a second air outlet end (21), where said slot (14) is positioned.

11. Air conditioning apparatus (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises a deflector (22) positioned upstream of said channel (15).

12. Air conditioning apparatus (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that on the lid (17) it comprises a mobile element (24) equipped with an additional air outlet aperture (31).

13. Air conditioning apparatus (10) as in claim 12, characterized in that said mobile element (24) is rotatable between a closed position in which it is substantially integrated in the lid (17) and one or more open positions in which it is variously inclined with respect thereto.

14. Air conditioning apparatus (10) as in any claim from 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises an intermediate wall (29) and a flap (33) made on the lid (17) and mobile between a first position in contact with the intermediate wall (29) and a second position in which it defines together with it an outlet aperture (35) separated from said slot (14).

15. Air conditioning apparatus (10) as in any claim from 1 to 11, characterized in that said lid (17) is movable in a vertical direction, between a first position in which a lower side (29) is substantially in contact with a fixed intermediate wall (32) and a second position in which the lower side (29) is spaced therefrom and a second slot (34) is formed, whereby a part of the airflow travels through said slot (14) following a first trajectory (F1) and a second part of the airflow follows a second trajectory (F2) through said second slot (34).

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