An air deflector for air-conditioning units

Abstract

An air deflector is provided for use with air-conditioning units. The air deflector includes a frame designed to support multiple deflecting blades. The frame is configured to be attached over the outlet grille of an air-conditioning unit, allowing the deflector to redirect the airflow from the unit effectively. The design aims to enhance the direction and distribution of air, improving air circulation and efficiency in various environments.

Description

An air deflector for air-conditioning unitsField of the Invention

[0001] The field of the invention relates to air-conditioning systems, specifically to devices designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of air distribution from air-conditioning units. The invention focuses on air deflectors that are configured to redirect airflow from air-conditioning units to prevent recirculation of expelled air, enhance cooling or heating efficiency, and protect surrounding environments from adverse effects such as heat stress on plants. These deflectors are particularly applicable in residential, commercial, and industrial settings where controlled air distribution is necessary.Background of the Invention

[0002] An air-conditioning unit expels air into the surrounding environment through a process involving a fan, a compressor, and a set of coils. This process cools and dehumidifies the indoor air, creating a comfortable environment within the building while expelling the heat generated by the air-conditioning system to the outside.

[0003] However, improper ventilation can lead to the recirculation of hot air exhausted from an air-conditioning unit, significantly undermining its efficiency by up to 50%.

[0004] For example, inadequate ventilation in confined spaces can cause the hot air expelled by the air-conditioning unit to become trapped in the immediate vicinity. The accumulation of trapped hot air around the air-conditioning unit creates a heat buildup. This, in turn, can cause the unit to work harder and longer to cool the incoming air, leading to increased energy consumption and reduced efficiency.

[0005] Furthermore, the trapped hot air is often drawn back into the unit's intake, causing the air-conditioner to process the same warm air repeatedly. This recirculation not only increases cooling time but also decreases the overall cooling capacity. This problem may also exist during the heating cycle wherein expelled cool air is drawn back into the unit intake, thereby degrading its efficiency.

[0006] The hot air exhausted from air-conditioning units can also potentially cause damage to surrounding vegetation, including household plants. For example, the hotair expelled by air-conditioning units can raise the ambient temperature around plants. This sudden increase in temperature can subject plants to heat stress, which can damage plant cells, disrupt photosynthesis, and affect overall growth.

[0007] The hot air can also lead to increased evaporation of moisture from the soil and plant leaves. This rapid moisture loss can dehydrate plants, causing wilted leaves, leaf scorch, and even plant death if prolonged.

[0008] The present invention seeks to provide a way to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[0009] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.Summary of the Disclosure

[0010] The present disclosure relates to an air deflector for air-conditioning units, comprising a frame that supports a plurality of deflecting blades. The frame is configured to releasably attach over the outlet grille of an air-conditioning unit to effectively deflect air emanating from the unit.

[0011] The frame of the air deflector may include a pair of side members with parallel blades positioned between them, providing structural integrity and facilitating the redirection of airflow. Optionally, each blade may have a curved cross-section, enhancing the deflection of air and allowing for more efficient air distribution. Each blade may also incorporate a rear screw fastener engagement to enable secure attachment to the side members through the use of screws. In some embodiments, the blades are extruded, featuring a longitudinal channel that serves as the screw fastener engagement, offering improved assembly and alignment capabilities. The longitudinal channel may be longitudinally open, providing flexibility and ease of engagement with the screws.

[0012] The air deflector's frame can be designed to be magnetically attached to the air-conditioning unit, allowing for easy installation and removal without the need foradditional fasteners. This magnetic attachment feature facilitates quick adjustments and repositioning of the deflector to suit different airflow requirements.

[0013] The deflector may comprise a series of interconnecting modules, each containing a blade and side portions. These side portions can connect together in alignment to form the frame's side members. The edges of the side portions may overlap, and a common screw may engage the overlapping sections, also securing the blades in place. Each side portion might include a recessed area to accommodate the offset side of an adjacent portion, ensuring precise alignment and secure attachment.

[0014] The blades can be constructed from metallic materials, such as extruded aluminium, providing durability and strength, while the side portions may be made from injection-moulded plastic, offering lightweight and cost-effective manufacturing. Each side portion may define a pocket that retains a permanent magnet, which can be enclosed with a cover. This pocket may open through the side face of the side portion and could be strategically positioned adjacent to the attachment edge, separated by a thin piece, maximising magnetic attraction and stability.

[0015] The air deflector allows for improved airflow direction and distribution, which reduces the risk of recirculating hot air and enhances the efficiency of the air- conditioning unit. By deflecting air away from confined areas and plants, the deflector mitigates heat stress and dehydration, promoting energy efficiency and protecting surrounding vegetation. The modular design allows for customisation of the deflector's size, accommodating different air-conditioning unit dimensions and providing versatility in various installation scenarios.

[0016] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0018] Figure 1 shows an air deflector for air-conditioning units, illustrating the deflector attached to the air-conditioning unit.

[0019] Figure 2 depicts the rear screw fastener engagement of the blades and the engagement of the trailing edge against the rear edge of the side member.

[0020] Figure 3 illustrates the alignment and connection of the side portions to form the side members of the frame.

[0021] Figure 4 shows the deflector attached to the air-conditioning unit, deflecting air upwards.

[0022] Figure 5 displays air emanating horizontally from an air-conditioning unit without the deflector installed thereon.

[0023] Figure 6 provides a detailed view of a blade, showing its curved cross-section, inner side, rear side, leading edge, and trailing edge.

[0024] These figures collectively demonstrate the structure, assembly, and function of the air deflector in relation to an air-conditioning unit.Description of Embodiments

[0025] Figure 1 illustrates an air deflector 100 for air-conditioning units 120. The deflector 100 comprises a frame 101 supporting a plurality of deflecting blades 102. With reference to Figures 4 and 5, the frame 101 is configured to attach over an outlet grille 103 of an air-conditioning unit 120 to deflect air emanating therefrom. The frame 101 may comprise a pair of side members 104 and a plurality of parallel blades 102 positioned between them.

[0026] Referring to Figure 6, each blade 102 may have a curved cross-section, defining an inner side 105 facing the air-conditioning unit 120, a rear side 106 facing away from the air-conditioning unit, a leading edge 107, and a trailing edge 108. The leading edge 107 encounters the air emanating from the air-conditioning unit 120 more tangentially compared to the trailing edge 108, which deflects the air more orthogonally. Each blade 102 may have a rear screw fastener engagement 109 configured to engage a respective screw 1 10 (best shown in Figure 2) through a respective side member 104.

[0027] The blade 102 may be extruded, with the screw fastener engagement 109 being a longitudinal channel. Furthermore, the longitudinal channel 109 may be longitudinally open to provide slight flexure tolerance for engaging the screw 1 10.With reference to Figure 2, the trailing edge 108 may lean against a rear edge 121 of the side member 104.

[0028] Preferably, the frame 101 is configured to magnetically attach to the air- conditioning unit 120. In this way, the deflector 100 can be easily attached without fasteners and temporarily removed when access space is required. Furthermore, the deflector 100 can be attached to the air-conditioning unit 120 to deflect air upwards, as shown in Figure 4, or sideways, depending on the application.

[0029] With reference to Figure 2, the frame 101 preferably comprises a plurality of interconnecting blade modules 1 10. Each module 1 10 has a respective blade 102 and side portions 1 1 1 . With reference to Figure 3, the side portions 1 1 1 connect together in alignment to form the respective side members 104 of the frame 101 . The side portions 1 1 1 may overlap, and the overlapping portions of the side portions 1 1 1 fasten together using a common screw 1 10, also engaging a respective blade 102. Specifically, with reference to Figure 2, the side portion 1 1 1 may comprise a recessed area 1 12 that fits a respective offset side 1 13 of an adjacent side portion 1 1 1 to hold the side portions 1 1 1 in alignment. The offset side 1 13 has a screw fastener aperture1 14 to accommodate a screw 1 10, which penetrates the offset side 1 13 and the recessed area 1 12 of an adjacent side portion 1 1 1 .

[0030] The blades 102 may be metallic, such as extruded aluminium, and the side portions 1 1 1 may be injection-moulded plastic. With further reference to Figure 2, each side portion 1 1 1 may define a pocket 1 15 retaining a permanent magnet 1 16 therein. The pocket 1 15 may be covered with a snap-fit plastic cover 1 17. The pocket1 15 may open through a side face of the side portion 1 1 1 to prevent detachment onto the air-conditioning unit 120. Furthermore, the pocket 1 15 may be adjacent to an attachment edge 1 18 of the side portion 1 1 1 and may be separated from the attachment edge 1 18 by a thin piece 1 19, which maximises magnetic attraction therethrough.

[0031] The deflector 100 may be used to deflect air away from confined areas to avoid recirculation, away from plants to avoid dehydration, and the like. For example, Figure 5 shows air emanating horizontally from the air-conditioning unit 120. As mentionedabove, the deflector 100 can be attached to cover the outlet grille 103 of the air- conditioning unit 120 to deflect air emanating therefrom. For instance, with reference to Figure 4, the air may be deflected upwards to avoid recirculation or away from plants.

[0032] When the deflector 100 is configured to be magnetically attached to the air- conditioning unit 120, it can be easily affixed without fasteners. Furthermore, the deflector 100 can be easily removed from the air-conditioning unit 120 to provide access space or to adjust the orientation of the deflector 100 to deflect air sideways. The length of the blades 102 may be configured according to the width of the grille. Additionally, where the deflector 100 comprises the interconnecting blade modules 110, the length of the deflector 100 can be configured by attaching the appropriate number of modules 1 10 together.

[0033] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims1 . An air deflector for air-conditioning units, the deflector comprising a frame supporting a plurality of deflecting blades, wherein, in use, the frame is configured to releasably attach over an outlet grille of an air-conditioning unit to deflect air emanating therefrom.

2. The deflector as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a pair of side members and a plurality of parallel blades positioned between them.

3. The deflector as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each blade has a curved crosssection.

4. The deflector as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each blade has a rear screw fastener engagement to accommodate a respective screw through a respective side member.

5. The deflector as claimed in claim 4, wherein each blade is extruded and wherein the screw fastener engagement is a longitudinal channel.

6. The deflector as claimed in claim 5, wherein the longitudinal channel is longitudinally open.

7. The deflector as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the frame is configured to be magnetically attached to the air-conditioning unit.

8. The deflector as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the deflector comprises a plurality of interconnecting modules, each module having a respective blade and side portions, wherein the side portions connect together in alignment to form respective side members of the frame.

9. The deflector as claimed in claim 8, wherein edges of the side portions overlap.

10. The deflector as claimed in claim 9, wherein a screw engages overlapping portions of the side portions.1 1 . The deflector as claimed in claim 9, wherein the overlapping portions of the side portions fasten together using a common screw also engaging a respective blade.

12. The deflector as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein a side portion comprises a recessed area which fits a respective offset side of an adjacent side portion.

13. The deflector as claimed in claim 12, wherein the offset side has a screw fastener aperture to accommodate a screw which penetrates the offset side and the recessed area of an adjacent side portion.

14. The deflector as claimed in claim 8, wherein the blades are metallic and the side portions are plastic.

15. The deflector as claimed in claim 8, wherein each side portion defines a pocket retaining a permanent magnet therein.

16. The deflector as claimed in claim 15, wherein the pocket is enclosed with a cover.

17. The deflector as claimed in claim 15, wherein the pocket opens through a side face of the side portion.

18. The deflector as claimed in claim 15, wherein the pocket is adjacent to an attachment edge of the side portion and is separated from the attachment edge by a thin piece.

19. A method of deflecting air emanating from an air-conditioning unit using the deflector as claimed in claim 1 , the method comprising attaching the deflector over an outlet grille of the air-conditioning unit to deflect air emanating therefrom.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the deflector is positioned to deflect air upwards.21 . The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the deflector is positioned to deflect air sideways.

22. The method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising the use of the deflector as claimed in claim 7, wherein the method comprises magnetically attaching the deflector to the air-conditioning unit.

23. The method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising the use of the deflector as claimed in claim 8, wherein the method comprises connecting a plurality of modules together to configure the size of the deflector.

24. A system comprising an air-conditioning unit and the air deflector as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the deflector is configured to releasably attach over an outlet grille of the air-conditioning unit to deflect air emanating therefrom.

Images