1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an air conditioning system without four-way valve and, more particularly to an economic and durable air conditioning system, which provides (a) Heating and dehumidifying mode, (b) Cooling and dehumidifying mode, and (c) Warming mode.
2. Description of the Related Art
In Taiwan and many other countries of similar geographical features, people may use an air-conditioner to regulate the temperature and humidity of the house during hot days, and an electric heater to keep the house warm during winter. Actually, using a heat pump air-conditioner to keep the house warm is much energy saving and safer than an electric heater. A heat pump air-conditioner enables hot air to be evenly distributed in the whole space inside the house. When an electric heater is operation, there is a big temperature difference between the remote place in the house and the proximity place close to the electric heater. Uneven distribution of temperature in the house may cause the people feel uncomfortable. An improper use of an electric heater may cause a fire accident. Further, when not in use, the user must find a space to store the electric heater. An air-conditioner with hot air function is more expensive than an air-conditioner without hot air function. However, it is economic to use an air-conditioner with hot air function in a family instead of the use of an air-conditioner without hot air and an electric heater. From the explanation of thermodynamics indicated in
A conventional four-way valve type heat pump air conditioner is capable of providing cold air in hot season and hot air in cold season.
It is therefore desirable to provide a heat pump air conditioning system, which eliminates the previously mentioned drawbacks.
The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide an air conditioning system, which eliminate the drawbacks of conventional four-way valve type heat pump air conditioners. It is another object of the present invention to provide an air conditioning system, which is cost-effect. It is still another object of the present invention to provide an air conditioning system, which is durable in use as a normal air conditioner with cooling function only. It is still another object of the present invention to provide an air conditioning system, which allows the user to regulate the humidity and temperature of the air inside the house in all seasons through the year.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the air conditioning system comprises a lower and an upper layer air passages. Both the lower and upper layer air passages have an outdoor air inlet, an outdoor air outlet, an indoor air inlet and an indoor air outlet. Moreover, air valves are respectively mounted in all the door air inlets and outlets. An intermediate air door with a close/open valve is installed in the left end of the separate board between the lower and upper passages. Its function is in communication between the upper layer air passage and the lower layer air passage. The present air conditioning system comprises a compressor, a condenser, a liquid accumulator, an expansion valve and an evaporator. The condenser is installed in the lower layer air passage, and the evaporator is installed in the upper layer air passage. The compressor, liquid accumulator and expansion valve are installed in suitable positions outside the lower and upper layer air passages. A fan is installed in the lower layer air passage behind the condenser. A heater is set between the condenser and the fan. A fan is installed in the upper layer air passage behind the evaporator. In addition, a valve control system adapted to control closing/opening of the valves in the lower layer air passage, the upper layer air passage and the intermediate air passage. According to another aspect of the present invention, the air conditioning system provides three modes as follows: (a) Heating and dehumidifying mode: where the valve control system opens the valve of the intermediate air passage, the indoor air inlet valve of the upper layer air passage and the indoor air outlet valve of the lower layer air passage, and at the same time closes the outdoor air inlet valve, outdoor air outlet valve and indoor air outlet valve of the upper layer air passage and the outdoor air inlet valve, outdoor air outlet valve and indoor air inlet valve of the lower layer air passage; during this stage, the upper layer fan causes currents of indoor air from the inside space of the house to pass in direction through the evaporator (where air is cooled and dehumidified) in the upper layer air passage toward the inside of the intermediate air passage, and the lower layer fan draws currents of air from the upper layer air passage into the lower layer air passage to let currents of air be heated by condenser and heater; (b) Cooling and dehumidifying mode: where the valve control system closes the valve of the intermediate air passage, the outdoor air inlet valve and outdoor air outlet valve of the upper layer air passage, and the indoor air inlet valve and indoor air outlet valve of the lower layer air passage, and at the same time opens the indoor air inlet valve and indoor air outlet valve of the upper layer air passage and the outdoor air inlet valve and outdoor air outlet valve of the lower layer air passage, so that indoor air is prohibited from passing to the lower layer air passage inside of the air conditioning system, and outdoor air is prohibited from passing to the upper layer air passage inside of the air conditioning system; during this stage, the upper layer fan causes currents of indoor air to pass through the evaporator (where air is cooled and dehumidified) in the upper layer air passage toward the indoor space of the house, and the lower layer fan draws currents of air from the outdoor space into the lower layer air passage to make a heat exchange with the condenser, and therefore, the air conditioning system outputs cold air and removes humidity from air; and (c) Warming mode: where the valve control system closes the valve of the intermediate air passage, the indoor air inlet valve and indoor air outlet valve of the upper layer air passage, and the outdoor air inlet valve and outdoor air outlet valve of the lower layer air passage, and at the same time opens the outdoor air inlet valve and outdoor air outlet valve of the upper layer air passage and the indoor air inlet valve and indoor air outlet valve of the lower layer air passage, so that outdoor air is prohibited from passing to the lower layer air passage inside of the air conditioning system, and indoor air is prohibited from passing to the upper layer air passage inside of the air conditioning system; during this stage, the upper layer fan causes currents of outdoor air to pass from the outdoor space to the inside of the upper layer air passage to make a heat exchange with the evaporator then flows toward the outdoor space of the house, and the lower layer fan draws currents of indoor air from the house into the lower layer air passage to make a heat exchange with the condenser, the air is heated by the condenser then flows toward the house and makes a warm function.
FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) illustrate the structure of the front panel and back panel of the main unit of the air conditioning system according to the present invention.
FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b) are schematic drawings showing the air passage arrangement of the split type air conditioning system according to the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 1˜3, the basic hardware architecture of an air conditioning system in accordance with the present invention is shown comprising a lower layer air passage a, an upper layer air passage b, an intermediate air passage c in communication between the lower layer air passage a and the upper layer air passage b, a compressor 1, a condenser 2, a liquid accumulator 3, an expansion valve 4, an evaporator 5, a thermostat-controlled heater 6, an upper layer fan 7, and a lower layer fan 8. The lower layer air passage a has an outdoor air inlet a1, an outdoor air outlet a2, an indoor air inlet a3, and an indoor air outlet a4. Air valves a11, a22, a33, a44 are respectively mounted in the outdoor air inlet a1, the outdoor air outlet a2, the indoor air inlet a3, and the indoor air outlet a4. The upper layer air passage b has an outdoor air inlet b1, an outdoor air outlet b2, an indoor air inlet b3, and an indoor air outlet b4. Air valves b11, b22, b33, b44 are respectively mounted in the outdoor air inlet b1, the outdoor air outlet b2, the indoor air inlet b3, and the indoor air outlet b4. The intermediate air passage c is disposed in communication between the air output side of the upper layer air passage b and the air input side of the lower layer air passage a. A valve c1 is installed in the intermediate air passage c, and adapted to close/open the passage between the upper layer air passage b and the lower layer air passage a. In the drawings, reference sign A indicates the outdoor space (outdoor side), and reference sign B indicates the indoor space (indoor side). The evaporator 5 is installed in the upper layer air passage b. The condenser 2 is installed in the lower layer air passage a. The upper layer fan 7 is installed in the upper layer air passage b behind the evaporator 5. The lower layer fan 8 is installed in the lower layer air passage a behind the condenser 2. The thermostat-controlled heater 6 is set between the condenser 2 and the lower layer fan 8.
By means of the control of a valve control system (not shown), the air conditioning system provides three operation modes, namely, heating and dehumidifying mode (in cold and wet days), cooling and dehumidifying mode (in hot days), and warming mode (in cold days). The design of the present invention is practical for use in window type air conditioners as well as split type air conditioners.
(1) Heating and Dehumidifying Mode (See FIGS. 1˜3 and 10):
Turn the function selector of the control panel at the front panel 200 of the main unit of the window type air-conditioner shown in
(2) Cooling and Dehumidifying Mode (See FIGS. 4˜6 and 10):
Turn the function selector of the control panel at the front panel 200 of the main unit of the window type air conditioner to the position of “COLD”, the fan control to the desired fan amount, and the temperature control to the desired temperature level. At this time, the valve control system closes the valve c1 of the intermediate air passage c, the outdoor air inlet valve b11 and outdoor air outlet valve b22 of the upper layer air passage b, and the indoor air inlet valve a33 and indoor air outlet valve a44 of the lower layer air passage a, and at the same time opens the indoor air inlet valve b33 and indoor air outlet valve b44 of the upper layer air passage b and the outdoor air inlet valve all and outdoor air outlet valve a22 of the lower layer air passage a. Thus, the upper layer air passage b of the air conditioning system is isolated from outdoor air, and outdoor air is allowed to pass into the inside the lower layer air passage a of the air conditioning system. Therefore, indoor air is prohibited from passing to inside the lower layer air passage a of the air conditioning system, and outdoor air is prohibited from passing to the inside the upper layer air passage b of the air conditioning system. During operation, the upper layer fan 7 causes currents of indoor air from the house to pass through the evaporator 5 (where the air is cooled and dehumidified) in the upper layer air passage b then flows toward the indoor space of the house; the lower layer fan 8 draws currents of air from the outdoor space into the lower layer air passage a to make a heat exchange with the condenser 2. Due to the effect of the evaporator 5, moisture is removed from the currents of air and air is cooled as well. Further, the condenser 2 condenses refrigerant during circulation of outdoor air. Therefore, the air conditioning system outputs cold air, and removes humidity from air.
(3) Warming Mode (see FIGS. 7˜10):
Turn the function selector of the control panel at the front panel 200 of the main unit of the window type air conditioner to the position of “HOT”, the fan control to the desired fan amount, and the temperature control to the desired temperature level. At this time, the valve control system closes the valve c1 of the intermediate air passage c, the indoor air inlet valve b33 and indoor air outlet valve b44 of the upper layer air passage b, and the outdoor air inlet valve all and outdoor air outlet valve a22 of the lower layer air passage a, and at the same time opens the outdoor air inlet valve b11 and outdoor air outlet valve b22 of the upper layer air passage b and the indoor air inlet valve a33 and indoor air outlet valve a44 of the lower layer air passage a. Thus, outdoor air is prohibited from entering into the lower layer air passage a and, indoor air is prohibited from passing to the inside the upper layer air passage b of the air conditioning system. During operation, the upper layer fan 7 causes currents of outdoor air from the outdoor space to the inside of the upper layer air passage b through the evaporator 5 (where the refrigerant is heated by outdoor air and vaporizes) toward the outdoor space of the house; the lower layer fan 8 draws currents of indoor air from the house into the lower layer air passage a through the condenser 2 (where the air is heated) toward the indoor space of the house. Due to the effect of the evaporator 5, circulating refrigerant is heated by outdoor air, and currents of indoor air are heated by the hot circulating refrigerant in the condenser 2 and creates a warm function.
Further, air sealing hoods 9 are provided in the upper layer air passage a and the lower layer air passage b around the respective valves to prevent air leakage and to guide flows of air. If only valve dampers are used without the air sealing hoods 9, eddy flow energy loss will occur. When selecting the heating and dehumidifying mode or the warming mode, the user can set the thermostat-controlled heater 6 subject to the desired temperature level. FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) show the arrangement of the front panel 200 and back panel 300 of the window type air conditioner. The aforesaid compressor 1, liquid accumulator 3, expansion valve 4 and valve control system are set in suitable positions between the front panel 200 and the back panel 300.
According to this example, the main unit 100 is installed in the outdoor space A, and the control panel f of the front panel 200 of the main unit 100 is disposed in the indoor space B and electrically connected to the internal circuit of the main unit 100 by electric wires g. Similar to the aforesaid first example, the split type air-conditioner provides heating and dehumidifying mode, cooling and dehumidifying mode, and warming mode in the same manner. The front panel of the main unit 100 has only upper and lower layer indoor air inlets b3 and a3 and upper layer and lower layer indoor air outlets b4 and a4. An upper layer air inlet connector bb3 and a lower layer air inlet connector aa3 are respectively installed in the upper and lower layer indoor air inlets b3 and a3. An upper layer air inlet air hose h3 and a lower layer air inlet air hose h2 are respectively connected to the upper layer air inlet connector bb3 and the lower layer air inlet connector aa3. The upper layer air inlet air hose h3 and the lower layer air inlet air hose h2 have the respective opposite end respectively connected to a three-way air inlet conduit E2. The three-way air inlet conduit E2 has an air inlet end connected to an indoor air inlet conduit h1, which is in turn connected to an air inlet port k in the ceiling B1 in the indoor space B. An upper layer air outlet connector bb4 and a lower layer air outlet connector aa4 are respectively installed in the upper and lower layer indoor air outlets b4 and a4. An upper layer air outlet air hose j2 and a lower layer air outlet air hose j3 are respectively connected to the upper layer air outlet connector b4 and the lower layer air outlet connector a4. The upper layer air outlet air hose j2 and the lower layer air outlet air hose j3 have the respective opposite end respectively connected to a three-way air outlet conduit E1. The three-way air outlet conduit E1 has an air outlet end connected to an indoor air outlet conduit j1, which is in turn connected to an air outlet port m in the ceiling B1 in the indoor space B. In
During operation, indoor air is sucked into the indoor air inlet conduit h1 through the air inlet port k in the ceiling B1 in the door space B subject to the operation mode selected (the heating and dehumidifying mode, the cooling and dehumidifying mode, or the warming mode). When air sucked into the indoor air inlet conduit h1, it flows through the three-way conduit E2 and the upper or lower layer air inlet connector bb3 or aa3 to the upper or lower layer indoor air inlet b3 or a3. The other circulation path is same as the aforesaid Example I. Further, when passed out of the upper or lower layer indoor air outlet b4 or a4, air flows through the upper or lower layer indoor air outlet b4 or a4 to the indoor air outlet conduit j1 through the three-way air outlet conduit E1, and then flows to the indoor space B via the air outlet port m in the ceiling B1.
As indicated above, the invention provides an air conditioning system, which matches the requirement of the heat exchanger area of condenser must be greater than that of evaporator and is durable in use and, which allows the user to dehumidify the air and regulate the indoor temperature to the comfortable level in all seasons through the year. Because this air conditioning system owns the functions of combination of a conventional heat pump air conditioner and a dehumidifier, the application of the invention saves much money and energy consumption.
A prototype of air conditioning system has been constructed with the features of FIGS. 1˜13. The air conditioning system functions smoothly to provide all of the features as discussed before.
Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.