WALL-MOUNTED AIR CONDITIONER WITH CONCEALED MOUNTING

Abstract

This utility model relates to indoor air conditioning systems, specifically to wall-mounted indoor units designed for concealed installation in vertical surfaces (walls, furniture structures, decorative panels). The model can be used in split-systems, multi-split systems, multi-zone systems (VRF / VRV), and as a fan coil unit for chiller-fan coil systems. The technical result achieved by the claimed utility model is the complete concealed integration of the air conditioner's indoor unit into the interior finishing material (walls, furniture, decorative panels), allowing for seamless blending with the color and texture of the surrounding surface, without compromising the unit's operational efficiency, flexible air exchange, or accessibility for maintenance. This unified technical result is achieved through a combination of the utility model's essential features.The claimed technical result is achieved through the design of a concealed wall-mounted air conditioner comprising a housing, a heat exchanger, a fan, a drain pan, and a control unit. According to the utility model, the housing is a parallelepiped-shaped metal unit with flat edges; removable panels are mounted on the housing and can be removed and inserted to provide four air intake and supply options; telescopic systems, consisting of receiving and mating parts, ensure the passage of air flow through the finishing material with adjustable thickness; overhead panels, made of paintable metal, magnetically attached to the mating parts of the telescopic systems to mask openings and crevices. 5 c.p. fils, 12 figs.

Description

[0001] This utility model relates to indoor air conditioning systems, specifically wall-mounted indoor units designed for concealed installation in vertical surfaces (walls, furniture structures, decorative panels). It can be used in split-systems, multi-split systems, multi-zone systems (VRF / VRV), and as a fan coil unit for chiller-fan coil systems.

[0002] The following solutions are known from the prior art.

[0003] A known indoor air conditioner unit (RU 2541287 C2, published 10.02.2015) is described. The utility model discloses an indoor air conditioner unit with a modified front panel and housing design. The side surfaces are U-shaped, and special grooves are provided between the front panel and the base. These grooves form additional channels that allow for air intake from three sides (front and both sides), thereby increasing flexibility and air intake volume. The disadvantages of the known solution include the lack of modularity and delivery options. The solution is aimed solely at air intake variability, but does not provide for the ability to change the cooled air delivery configuration (e.g., top-down, bottom-up, or a combination). There is no concept of removable panels for reconfiguring the entire unit. The problem of complete concealment has not been solved. The design remains a traditional indoor unit, mounted on a wall, rather than within a finishing structure.There are no concealment elements (telescopic adapters, overhead panels for painting), the device remains visible and is not integrated into the plane of the wall or furniture.

[0004] The closest analogue to the patented solution is a stand-alone wall-mounted air conditioner (US 5697226 A, published December 16, 1997). The document describes a wall-mounted monoblock air conditioner with a flat, parallelepiped-shaped housing, designed for mounting on the top of a wall. The device includes a system for indoor air intake and fresh air supply from outside through integrated ducts, as well as a removable front panel providing access for maintenance. This solution is aimed at improving aesthetics due to a flatter profile and the ability to partially recess into the wall structure. This analogue provides a single, rigidly defined air intake and supply pattern (intake from above and outside, exhaust from the front). This does not allow for adaptation to various layout solutions and interior requirements. The design also does not include special elements (telescopic systems) to compensate for the thickness of decorative finishes (drywall, panels, cabinets).The air grilles are built directly into the housing, preventing seamless flush integration with various finishing materials. The front of the unit is a standard decorative panel for the air conditioner, not designed to be painted to match the wall color or blend seamlessly with the finish, remaining a visually distinct technical element.

[0005] The technical problem addressed by the claimed utility model is the contradiction between the desire to completely conceal the indoor unit of an air conditioning system to ensure a flawless aesthetic appearance and the need to maintain full functionality of the device, including efficient air flow distribution, accessibility for maintenance, and adaptability to a variety of finishing materials and layouts. Existing alternatives offer only partial solutions: some allow for partial recession of the unit within the structure but have a fixed, inflexible air distribution pattern; others offer variable air intake but remain a visible element mounted on the wall; still others use telescopic elements to adapt to wall thickness but fail to address the problem of concealment within the room and integration with the decor.

[0006] The technical objective of creating a utility model is to develop a design for an indoor air conditioner unit that would ensure its full visual integration into various interior finishing surfaces (walls, furniture, decorative panels) through seamless flush mounting, while simultaneously providing the ability to flexibly reconfigure the air intake and supply directions, easy access for maintenance, and universal adaptation to a wide range of types and thicknesses of finishing materials.

[0007] This problem is solved through a combination of design features, including a modular system of removable body panels, allowing for four basic air exchange patterns; telescopic airflow systems that compensate for the thickness of the finishing layer and direct the airflow; and removable, magnetically attached overlay panels, painted to match the surrounding surface and completely concealing all openings and crevices.

[0008] The technical result achieved by the claimed utility model is the complete, concealed integration of the air conditioner's indoor unit into the interior finishing material (walls, furniture, decorative panels) with the ability to seamlessly blend it with the color and texture of the surrounding surface, without compromising the unit's operational efficiency, flexible air exchange, or accessibility for maintenance. This unified technical result is achieved through a combination of the essential features of the utility model.

[0009] The claimed technical result is achieved through the design of a concealed wall-mounted air conditioner comprising a housing, a heat exchanger, a fan, a drain pan, and a control unit. According to the utility model, the housing is a parallelepiped-shaped metal unit with flat edges. The housing is equipped with removable panels, which can be removed and inserted to provide four air intake and supply options. Telescopic systems, consisting of receiving and mating parts, ensure the passage of air through the finishing material with adjustable thickness; overhead panels, made of paintable metal, are magnetically attached to the mating parts of the telescopic systems to conceal openings and crevices.

[0010] In a particular case of implementing the utility model, the removable panels are secured to the body with screws and provided with a sealing tape around the perimeter.

[0011] In a specific embodiment of the utility model, telescopic systems include upper and lower units with horizontal and / or vertical blinds. The horizontal blinds are controlled by an electric drive; in this specific case, the vertical blinds may also be equipped with an electric drive.

[0012] In a particular case of the implementation of the utility model, the overhead panels have two design options depending on the type of the mating part of the telescopic system.

[0013] In a particular case of implementing a utility model, the housing can be installed in a wall, niche, furniture or behind a false panel.

[0014] The parallelepiped-shaped metal housing with flat edges provides the necessary structural foundation for a tight and easy fit with a variety of facing and finishing materials, a prerequisite for concealed installation. A system of removable panels on the housing, offering four air intake and supply options, addresses the challenge of maintaining and adapting the unit's full functionality even when concealed, allowing for flexible airflow adjustments depending on the room configuration and installation location. Telescopic systems, consisting of receiving and mating parts, directly address concealment by compensating for the variable thickness of finishing materials and ensuring the passage and direction of airflow through them, creating the basis for seamless flush installation.

[0015] Paintable metal panels with magnetic mounts provide the final concealment function, completely hiding all openings, blinds, and gaps between the telescopic system and the finishing material, resulting in a visual blending of the unit with the interior.

[0016] Thus, all the essential features of the utility model are interconnected and aimed at achieving a single technical result - the creation of an indoor air conditioner unit, structurally adapted for its complete visual disappearance in the decoration of the room.

[0017] The solution is further explained by reference to figures, which show the following.

[0018] Fig. 1 - general view of the air conditioner body with removable panels.

[0019] Fig. 2 - diagram of four options for organizing air intake and supply.

[0020] Fig. 3 - telescopic systems.

[0021] Fig. 4-6 - variants of the counter parts of telescopic systems.

[0022] Fig. 7, 8 - installation options for overhead panels.

[0023] Fig. 9-12 - examples of air conditioner installation in the interior.

[0024] The housing (1) is the main load-bearing element of the concealed-mount wall-mounted air conditioner (CMWA). It is shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped with flat edges. This geometric shape was chosen to ensure the simplest and tightest possible connection to exterior finishing materials and building structures. The housing (1) is self-supporting and made of metal, such as galvanized steel or aluminum alloy, ensuring the necessary rigidity and durability when installed in a wall, niche, or furniture.

[0025] The outer edges of the housing (1) are fitted with removable panels (2, 3, 4, 5, 6). Panels (2-6) are attached to the housing (1) with screws, ensuring a secure fit and allowing for their removal if necessary. A sealing strip is installed around the perimeter of each panel (2-6), ensuring a tight seal and preventing the penetration of untreated air, as well as the occurrence of whistling and drafts during operation.

[0026] The removable casing panels are divided into functional groups responsible for different stages of the air conditioner's operation. When removed, panels (2) and (3) reveal openings designed to draw warm air from the serviced room into the unit. Panel (4) is a service panel; its removal provides access to key internal components of the NKSM, such as the heat exchanger, drain pan, and control unit, for regular maintenance, cleaning, or repair. Panels (5) and (6), when removed, reveal openings through which cooled air is returned to the room. The casing's configurability, ensured by the ability to remove various panel combinations, allows for four basic air flow arrangements (intake and supply from the top / bottom in various combinations), which adapts the unit to specific layout conditions and interior design.

[0027] The frame design (1), with its flat edges and removable panel system (2-6), is specifically designed for concealed installation. It can be installed directly into a solid wall if the wall is thick enough, into a prepared niche, integrated into cabinetry (for example, into the upper sections of kitchen or living room cabinets), or mounted in the space between the main wall and a false panel made of plasterboard, MDF, or other finishing material.

[0028] Telescopic systems are a key design element that allows concealed wall-mounted air conditioners (CWAs) to adapt to varying finishing material thicknesses and to organize concealed air ducts. These systems consist of two main connecting parts: a receiving part (7) and a mating part (11).

[0029] The receiving parts (7) are stationary pipes or frames, rigidly attached inside the air conditioner housing (1). They are located directly behind the removable panels (2-3, 5-6) and serve to receive the air flow from the interior of the unit and direct it primarily. Each receiving part (7) is shaped to accept the mating part assembly.

[0030] The counter parts (11) are removable modular units that fit into the corresponding receiving parts (7). Their key feature is their telescopic (sliding) design, which allows for adjustment of their overall length or reach. Telescopic extension is achieved through the coaxial telescopic connection of the receiving part (7) and the counter part (11), whereby the counter part (11) moves relative to the receiving part (7) along a common axis. This design allows for precise compensation of the distance between the front surface of the cabinet (1) and the inner surface of the finishing material (drywall, MDF panel, cabinet front), ensuring a tight fit of the decorative grille or trim to the finish.

[0031] Depending on the function and installation location, the mating parts (11) are made in several versions. The upper grille (12) is a simple perforated or slotted element for unobstructed air passage. The upper intake unit with a horizontal louver (13) and the upper intake unit (15) are designed for installation in the air intake zone and may contain adjustable slats to change the direction of the incoming flow. The lower supply unit with horizontal and vertical louvers (14) and the lower supply unit with vertical louvers (16) are installed in place of panels (5) and (6) and serve to supply and accurately distribute cooled air into the room due to a system of louvers adjustable in two planes. The horizontal louvers are equipped with an electric drive. Vertical louvers can be optionally equipped with an electric drive.

[0032] To ensure a tight seal and prevent noise, a sealing element, such as a foam or rubber strip, can be installed at the junction of the female (7) and female (11) components. Thus, telescopic systems serve a dual purpose: they provide mechanical adaptation of the device to specific installation conditions and form the final section of the air duct, equipped with flow control elements, before it exits into the room through the finishing layer.

[0033] The trim panels (9, 10) are the final decorative elements, designed to completely conceal airflow paths and integrate the air conditioner into the finished surface. Their primary purpose is to conceal mounting holes, the louver elements of the telescopic system's mating parts (13-16), and the gaps between these elements and the facing finishing material (wall, panel, or furniture front).

[0034] Panels (9, 10) are made of thin sheet metal, such as steel, which provides the necessary rigidity and shape while maintaining a relatively low weight. A key feature of this material is its paintable surface, allowing the panel to be painted in any desired color directly on-site. This ensures a precise color match with the surrounding finish—a wall, cabinet, or other decorative element.

[0035] The cover panels (9, 10) are attached to the front of the mating parts (13-16) using weak magnets. This solution allows the panel to be securely held in place while being easily removed with a simple hand movement, eliminating the need for tools or significant force. This ensures unimpeded access to the serviced parts of the telescopic system and air ducts for cleaning or adjusting the blinds.

[0036] Depending on the type of telescopic system's mating element installed (e.g., a unit with horizontal blinds or a grille), the cover panels have two front panel designs, designated (17) and (18). These designs may differ in the perforation or slot configuration, which replicates the pattern of the concealed elements to ensure unimpeded air flow, as well as the frame profile for optimal adhesion to the surface. Thus, the cover panels (9, 10) are the final, aesthetically significant component that transforms the technical unit into an inconspicuous part of the interior.

[0037] To ensure efficient operation of the concealed wall-mounted air conditioner (CWA) and even distribution of cooled air, its housing (1) is positioned in the upper half of the room's vertical wall surface. This placement complies with the principles of thermodynamics, whereby cool air supplied from above naturally descends, displacing warmer air masses.

[0038] The enclosure (1) can be embedded in various structural elements of the room. The first option is installation directly into a load-bearing wall, provided that the niche depth or wall thickness is sufficient to accommodate the entire enclosure parallelepiped. The second option involves installation in a specially prepared niche in the wall made of building materials. The third, most flexible option is integration into cabinet furniture, such as upper sections of kitchen cabinets, sliding wardrobes in the living room, or wardrobe systems in the hallway or children's room. The fourth option involves placement in the space formed between the main wall and a false structure: a plasterboard (GKL) or gypsum fiber (GVL) partition, decorative wall panels, or other elements that create the necessary installation volume. The fifth option involves placing the NKSMS behind a decorative element (a painting, panel, etc.).), not blocking the air intake / supply zones in the selected circulation pattern.

[0039] The facing or finishing material that covers the body (1) and forms a plane with openings for telescopic systems can be made of materials commonly used in construction and furniture manufacturing. These include gypsum fiber sheets (GVL), gypsum plasterboard sheets (GKL), wood-based boards (MDF, chipboard, laminated chipboard), as well as more massive and decorative materials: porcelain stoneware, sheet metal, natural wood, stone or its imitation. A critical parameter is the thickness of the selected material, which should not exceed the maximum permissible projection of the adjustable elements of the telescopic systems (7, 11). This limitation ensures a tight fit of the mating parts (11) with blinds (12-16) to the inner side of the trim and the subsequent correct installation of the overhead panels (9, 10).

[0040] The finishing element of the front surface is made removable to provide access to the service panel (4); it can cover the area between panels (3) and (5) or extend beyond the dimensions of the NKSM.

[0041] Facing and finishing materials are mounted on the wall or furniture frame according to the standard technology (with screws, glue, frame system) and should only fit tightly to the edges of the body (1) of the NKSM.

[0042] The concealed-mount wall-mounted air conditioner (NKSM) is used exclusively as an indoor unit and is an integral, functionally complete part of the air conditioning system package. It is designed for operation in a split-system, where it is connected via freon lines to a single outdoor unit, as well as in more complex multi-split and multi-zone systems (VRF / VRV), where one or more outdoor units serve several indoor units, including the NKSM. The design versatility of the casing (1) and internal layout also allows the unit to be manufactured as a fan coil unit for chiller-fan coil central air conditioning systems. In this case, the copper-aluminum freon-to-air heat exchanger is replaced with a water-to-air heat exchanger, and cold and hot water pipes are connected to the casing (1).

[0043] The NKSM's application area covers virtually all types of premises where increased aesthetic demands are placed and usable space must be preserved. The device is designed for installation in domestic and residential spaces (apartments, private homes), office spaces, commercial facilities (hotels, restaurants), common areas (corridors, lobbies, reception areas), and other premises of various purposes where current Russian legislation does not prohibit the installation of this type of equipment. The ability of the housing (1) to integrate into furniture and false structures makes it particularly popular in interiors with designer finishes and built-in furniture.

[0044] The cooling capacity of the NKSM series ranges from 1 to 10 kW, allowing you to select a unit to service both small rooms (bedrooms, studies) and spacious living rooms or open office spaces. The specific model is selected based on the thermal calculation of the room.

[0045] The internal layout of the unit, in addition to the previously described casing elements and telescopic systems, includes a full set of functional components typical of a standard indoor air conditioner unit. These include a mounting panel (plate) used to attach the casing (1) to a supporting surface, including a load-bearing wall, furniture components, internal building structures, as well as frames and cladding systems made using sheet materials such as plasterboard; a copper-aluminum heat exchanger in which heat exchange between the refrigerant (freon) and the room air occurs; a fan with an electric motor that creates an air flow through the heat exchanger; a drain pan with discharge tubes for collecting and removing condensate; as well as a control unit that coordinates the operation of all elements.

[0046] The NKSM can be controlled using a wired wall-mounted control panel, a wireless wall-mounted control panel operating via Wi-Fi, or remotely via a dedicated smartphone app, including in conjunction with the wireless control panel. Communication with the wireless control panel and smartphone is ensured by a Wi-Fi module built into the control unit, which receives control signals via the local network.

Claims

1. A concealed-mount wall-mounted air conditioner comprising a housing within which a heat exchanger, a fan with an electric motor, a drain pan and a control unit are located, characterized in that the housing is made in the form of a metal rectangular parallelepiped with flat outer edges, on said edges of the housing a set of removable panels is installed, on the inside of the housing, behind the areas where said removable panels are located, receiving parts of telescopic systems are located, in said receiving parts with the possibility of connection there are mating parts installed, each of which contains a telescopic unit adjustable in length and an element for organizing the direction of the air flow, wherein on the front side of the mating parts, overhead decorative panels are installed by means of a magnetic fastening.

2. An air conditioner according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the element for organizing the direction of the air flow in the mating part is made in the form of one of the following elements: a grille, a unit with horizontal blinds, a unit with vertical blinds, a unit with horizontal and vertical blinds.

3. An air conditioner according to paragraph 2, characterized in that the horizontal and / or vertical blinds are equipped with an electric drive.

4. An air conditioner according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the overhead decorative panels are made with a perforated or slotted front part, ensuring the passage of air flow.

5. An air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing is designed with the possibility of placement in a space limited on the front side by a finishing material selected from the group including a gypsum board, a gypsum fiber board, a chipboard, an MDF board, porcelain stoneware, stone, wood, or the façade of a furniture element.

6. An air conditioner according to any one of paragraphs 1–5, characterized in that it is designed with the possibility of use as part of split systems, multi-split systems, multi-zone air conditioning systems of the VRF / VRV type, as well as in the form of a fan coil for chiller-fan coil systems, wherein, depending on the type of system, the device contains a freon-to-air heat exchanger or a water-to-air heat exchanger.

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