Fan coil unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fan coil units have a large footprint and thickness, making them unsuitable for compact spaces and requiring increased width for enhanced heating/cooling power, which limits their versatility and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A vertically developed fan coil unit with a compact design featuring two tilted heat exchangers and a flow diverting channel with a 'V' shaped profile, allowing for efficient air flow diversion and heat exchange while maintaining reduced dimensions and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the width of fan coil units is increased to enhance heating/cooling power, then thermal power is improved, but the footprint and space requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal development configuration to a vertical development configuration. The fan coil unit is arranged to develop mainly in a vertical direction rather than horizontal, allowing the unit to achieve enhanced thermal power through increased height instead of width, thereby reducing the footprint and space requirements while maintaining or improving heating/cooling capacity
2Power
If the thickness of fan coil units is increased to accommodate heat exchange components, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but the compactness and suitability for small spaces worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent redistributes heat exchange components along the vertical axis rather than requiring increased thickness. The evaporator and condenser are arranged in a vertical configuration where the evaporator is positioned above the fan assembly and the condenser is positioned below, allowing efficient heat exchange without increasing the horizontal thickness of the unit
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the fan assembly is positioned between the evaporator and condenser components vertically. This nested configuration allows multiple functional components to be integrated in a compact vertical stack, achieving efficient heat exchange while maintaining compact dimensions suitable for small spaces
3Ease of operation
If horizontal development configuration is used for fan coil units, then ease of installation according to under-window configuration is improved, but versatility for different installation environments worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts a vertical development configuration that enables the fan coil unit to be installed in various orientations and locations beyond traditional under-window horizontal installations. The vertical arrangement allows for wall-mounted installations, ceiling installations, and placement in corners or alcoves, significantly enhancing versatility for different installation environments while maintaining ease of installation through standardized mounting interfaces
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The compact fan coil unit achieves adequate thermal power with reduced dimensions, improved air flow distribution, and enhanced safety and aesthetics, while maintaining low production costs and ease of operation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heat exchange portion arranged inside said at least one lower compartment for heating or cooling an air flow generated by said air flow generating means by heat exchange with a heat transfer fluid
Implementation Method 2
said upper compartment comprises a flow diverting channel for diverting said heated/cooled air flow exiting from said at least one heat exchange portion towards said side openings
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a fan coil unit (100) comprising at least one lower compartment (D, E, F) in fluid connection with the outside, wherein said at least one lower compartment (D) is delimited by respective walls (27, 29, 24) including a first wall (29) substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis (Y) and a second wall (27), opposite the first wall (29), at least one upper compartment (G), arranged above said at least one lower compartment (D, E, F), relative to said longitudinal axis (Y), and in fluid communication with it, said at least one upper compartment (G) being delimited by respective walls (28, 25, 240) including two side walls (28) comprising respective side openings (23), air flow generating means (31) arranged in said at least one lower compartment (D, E, F); and at least one heat exchange portion (32b, 32c; 32d, 32e; 32a) arranged inside said at least one lower compartment (D, E, F) for heating or cooling an air flow generated by said air flow generating means (31) by heat exchange with a heat transfer fluid, and wherein said upper compartment (G) comprises a flow diverting channel (22) to divert said heated/cooled air flow exiting from said at least one heat exchange portion (32b, 32c; 32d, 32e; 32a) towards said side openings (23). Said fan coil unit (100) is characterised in that it comprises a central compartment (D), and at least one first side compartment (E) adjacent to said central compartment (D), wherein said central compartment (D) and said at least one first side compartment (E) are arranged below said upper compartment (G) and are divided by respective internal side walls (24) and wherein said at least one heat exchange portion (32b, 32c; 32d, 32e; 32a) is arranged in said central compartment (D).