Patent Application
20250116421
This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0131874, filed in Korea on Oct. 4, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
A vertical air handling unit that may be reversely disposed is disclosed herein. drain pan
Air handlers adjust a temperature and humidity of air in an indoor space or supply fresh air, and are usually used in a building or a vehicle, for example. An air handler ordinarily includes a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with air drawn into an air inlet, a fan that blows air drawn into the air inlet to an air outlet, for example, and operates based on a theory in which refrigerant compressed in a compressor release heat through a condenser and absorb heat through an evaporator, to cool or heat air in an indoor space. The air handler is also referred to as an air handling unit (AHU).
The air handling unit described above may be disposed in various places in various ways. For example, the air handling unit may directly suction air from an indoor space and discharge air to an indoor space. However, the air handling unit may be installed in an attic or a basement, or in an outdoor space, and suction air in a place in which the air handling unit is installed and supply air into an indoor space through a duct that communicates with the indoor space.
It may be useful to arbitrarily set a direction of the air inlet and the air outlet depending on a space in which the air handling unit is installed. Additionally, a cabinet constituting an exterior of the air handling unit is ordinarily provided with a service surface that is opened and closed for repairs and maintenance for example, and a panel that covers the service surface, and it may also be useful to arbitrarily set a direction of the service surface.
However, condensed water may form on a surface of a heat exchanger due to moisture included in air drawn into the air inlet, and accordingly, the air handling unit is ordinarily provided with a drain pan that collects and discharges falling condensed water. As collection of condensed water at the drain pan depends on gravity, the condensed water may not be drained properly in a case in which a direction in which the air handling unit is disposed changes arbitrarily.
Further, as the heat exchanger includes a metal material in large amounts to ensure high thermal conductivity and is filled with refrigerant, the heat exchanger has a large weight, and structure supporting the weight of the heat exchanger also needs to change depending on a direction in which the air handling unit is disposed. It is undesirable to change the disposition direction of the air handling unit arbitrarily without a special support structure.
Embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:
Aspects, features and advantages are specifically described hereinafter with reference to accompanying drawings such that one having ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter pertains can embody the technical spirit easily. Herein, description of known technologies in relation to the subject matter is omitted if it is deemed to make the gist unnecessarily vague. Hereinafter, embodiments are specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, identical reference numerals denote identical or similar components.
The terms “first”, “second” and the like are used herein only to distinguish one component from another component, but the components are not to be limited by the terms. Certainly, a first component can be a second component, unless stated to the contrary.
Herein, each component may be provided as a single one or a plurality of ones, unless explicitly indicated otherwise.
When any one component is described as being “in the upper portion (or the lower portion)” or “on (or under)” another component, any one component can be directly on (or under) another component, and an additional component can be interposed between the two components.
When any one component is described as being “connected”, “coupled” or “connected” to another component, any one component can be directly connected or coupled to another component, but an additional component can be “interposed” between the two components, or the two components can be “connected”, “coupled” or “connected” by an additional component.
Herein, singular forms include plural forms as well, unless explicitly indicated otherwise. The terms “being comprised of”, “comprising”, and the like do not imply necessarily including stated components or stated steps, and imply excluding some of the stated components or stated steps or including additional components or additional steps.
Throughout, the terms “A and/or B” as used herein can denote A, B or A and B, and the terms “C to D” can denote C or greater and D or less, unless stated to the contrary.
Hereinafter, embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
An air handling unit according to an embodiment may be disposed in various directions and in various ways. Herein, a disposition in which an air outlet is disposed further upward than an air inlet is referred to a regular disposition, a disposition in which the air inlet is disposed further upward than the air outlet is referred to as a reverse disposition. Further, a disposition in which the air inlet and the air outlet are spaced from each other substantially horizontally is referred to as a horizontal disposition. Further, terms indicating directions are used in relation to the above-described ways of disposition, and unless the disposition state is limited, the terms indicating directions are used in a regular disposition state.
Hereinafter, an air handling unit according to an embodiment is described in a state in which the air handling unit is disposed regularly, with reference to
In a state in which the air handling unit according to an embodiment is disposed regularly, that is, vertically, the air inlet 101 and the air outlet 102 may be disposed in such a way that the air outlet 102 faces upward while the air inlet 101 faces downward. In this orientation, a central longitudinal axis of the air handling unit extends in a vertical direction and the air outlet 102 faces upward while the air inlet 101 faces downward. However, unless otherwise restricted hereinafter, the air inlet 101 and the air outlet 102 may be spaced from each other to the extent that the inner space 100 is disposed between the air inlet 101 and the air outlet 102.
The cabinet 1 may include a panel 12 that forms one or a first surface of the cabinet 1. The first surface may be a front surface of the cabinet 1. The panel 12 may be assembled to a main housing 11 a front of which is open, such that the cabinet 1 has a substantially rectangular cuboid shape. The panel 12 may be provided in such a way that the front surface of the cabinet 1 is opened and closed, such that repairs or maintenance, for example, may be performed inside of the air handling unit. However, the panel 12 may not necessarily constitute the front surface of the cabinet 1, and may not be necessarily opened and closed.
The air handling unit may include the heat exchanger 2 mounted in the inner space 100. The heat exchanger 2 may be provided to exchange heat with air suctioned into the inner space 100. The heat exchanger 2 may be configured to heat air for heating or to cool air for cooling.
A refrigerant pipe 20 may be connected to the heat exchanger 2. The refrigerant pipe 20 may be connected to an outdoor unit outside of the cabinet 1, to allow refrigerant having exchanged heat with an outdoor space to flow into the heat exchanger 2.
The air handling unit may include a fan 3. The fan 3 may be configured to discharge air having exchanged heat with the heat exchanger 2 to the air outlet 102. The fan 3 may be provided with a swiveling blade. A duct that blows air to an indoor space may communicate with the air outlet 102.
In a state in which the air handling unit according to an embodiment is disposed regularly, the fan 3 may be disposed further upward than the heat exchanger 2 and disposed at the air outlet 102 side. Accordingly, air suctioned into the air inlet 101 may exchange heat with the heat exchanger 2 and then be discharged by the fan 3 to the air outlet 102. However, unless otherwise restricted hereinafter, the heat exchanger 2 may be disposed between the air inlet 101 and the air outlet 102, and the fan 3 may be disposed anywhere including outside of the cabinet 1, as long as the fan 3 is disposed in a portion in which there is a pressure difference between the air inlet 101 and the air outlet 102.
Hereinafter, a filter bracket according to an embodiment is described with reference to
Referring back to
The filter may be supported by a filter bracket 4. More specifically, the filter may be inserted into and installed in the filter bracket 4.
The filter bracket 4 may be fixed to the cabinet 1, between the air inlet 101 and the heat exchanger 2. Alternatively, in a state in which the air handling unit according to an embodiment is disposed regularly, the filter bracket 4 may be installed inside of a lower end portion of the cabinet 1 and define the air inlet 101.
The rail member 41 may be provided with a rail 410 that extends in a frontward-rearward direction. The rail 410 may support end portions at a left or first side and a right or second side of the filter. More specifically, the rail 410 may accommodate the end portions at the first side and second side of the filter, respectively, in a shape in which the rail 410 is depressed from inner surfaces on a left or first and right or second of the pair of rail members 41 toward outsides on a left or first side and a right or second side thereof. The filter may be inserted in the frontward-rearward direction along the rail 410 and mounted in the filter bracket 4.
The rail member 41 may include a synthetic resin material, for example. As the rail member 41 includes a synthetic resin material, damage to the filter and the rail 410 may be minimized despite repetitive insertion of the filter into the filter bracket and repetitive withdrawal of the filter from the filter bracket. Additionally, as the rail member 41 includes a synthetic resin material, the rail member 41 may be readily injection molded, for example, and may be highly conformable to the filter, such that the rail member 41 is less likely to cause deformation, such as a twist, for example, to the filter.
The pair of rail members 41 may have a same shape. More specifically, the pair of rail members 41 may be disposed in such a way that the pair of rail members 41 is symmetrical to each other in a leftward-rightward or lateral direction such that each rail 410 faces inward in the leftward-rightward direction. Accordingly, components of the filter bracket 4 may be shared, thereby ensuring economic efficiency in manufacturing.
The pair of rail members 41 injection molded using a synthetic resin may have the same shape, extend in the frontward-rearward direction, and be symmetrical to each other in the leftward-rightward direction such that the rail 410 faces inward.
The pair of beams 42 may include first beam 42a disposed at a front of the filter bracket 4 and second beam 42b disposed further rearward than the first beam 42a. The pair of beams 42 may have a same shape. Accordingly, components of the filter bracket 4 may be shared, thereby ensuring economic efficiency in manufacturing.
Hereinafter, a shape and disposition of a beam according to an embodiment are described with reference to
First, a shape of a beam according to an embodiment is described.
Referring to the drawing, the beam 42 may include a main support 420 that has a predetermined width and extends in the leftward-rightward direction. The filter bracket 4 may include a stiffness reinforcement part or portion 421 that extends from end portions at both sides of the main support 420 in a widthwise direction thereof, in a direction across both of the direction in which the main support 420 extends and the widthwise direction of the main support 420, and/or a side support 422 that extends from end portions at both sides of the main support 420 in the direction in which the main support 420 extends, in a direction the same as the direction in which the stiffness reinforcement portion 421 extends.
The beam 42 may be manufactured in such a way that both end portions of a sheet material of one metal, which has a predetermined width and extends, in the widthwise direction of sheet material and in a direction in which the sheet material extends, bend in the same direction, to form the main support 420, the stiffness reinforcement portion 421 and the side support 422.
As the beam 42 is provided with the stiffness reinforcement portion 421, a section modulus of the beam 42 increases in a direction in which the beam 42 extends, to ensure improvement in bending stiffness. As described hereinafter, the bending stiffness of the beam 42 is an important factor for maintaining a distance between the pair of rail members 41 and maintaining conformability between the filter bracket 4 and the filter. As the beam 42 is provided with the side support 422, the beam 42 interferes with or is fixed to the rail member 41 and/or the cabinet 1, so as not to move along the direction in which the beam 42 extends.
Hereinafter, a direction in which the beam according to an embodiment is disposed is described.
Referring back to
The second beam 42b may be disposed in such a way that main support 420b crosses the rail 410. In other words, the second beam 42b may be disposed in such a way that the widthwise direction of the main support 420b of the second beam 42b is substantially parallel with the rear plate of the cabinet 1 and crosses the direction into which the filter is inserted.
In a state in which the air handling unit according to an embodiment is disposed regularly, a planar surface of the main support 420a of the first beam 42a faces upward and downward, and the stiffness reinforcement portion 421a and a side support 422a of the first beam 42a may be disposed in such a way that the stiffness reinforcement portion 421a and the side support 422a of the first beam 42a extend downward from the main support 420a, and a planar surface of the main support 420b of the second beam 42b faces forward and rearward, and the stiffness reinforcement portion 421b and a side support 422b of the second beam 42b may be disposed in such a way that the stiffness reinforcement portion 421b and the side support 422b of the second beam 42b extend forward from the main support 420b.
A disposition structure of the beam is described in relation to mounting of the filter according to an embodiment.
The stiffness reinforcement portion 421a of the first beam 42a may be provided at the front of the rail in such a way that the stiffness reinforcement portion 421a avoids a path along which the filter is inserted and withdrawn. In other words, a distance between a planar surface substantially passed by the upper end portion of the rail, into which the filter is inserted, and a planar surface substantially passed by the main support 420a of the first beam 42a may be greater than a length at which the stiffness reinforcement portion 421a extends from the main support 420a. Accordingly, the stiffness reinforcement portion 421a of the first beam 42a may reinforce a bending stiffness of the main support 420a of the first beam 42a and may not interfere with the path along which the filter is inserted and withdrawn.
The main support 420b of the second beam 42b may limit a depth to which the filter is inserted, at the rear of the rail 410. In other words, the main support 420b of the second beam 42b may be disposed at the rear end portion of the rail 410, to cross the rail 410, and define the rear end portion of a space into which the filter is inserted. Accordingly, the second beam 42b may regulate the filter such that the filter is not excessively inserted rearward along the rail 410, and together with a filter cover 43 may interfere or prevent with movement of the filter.
With the above structure, the filter bracket 4 may be provided with a filter insertion space a front of which is open, into which the filter is readily inserted and from which the filter is readily withdrawn, and a side and rear of which are defined by the rail 410 and the second beam 42b.
Hereinafter, a connection relationship of the beam 42 is described in relation to a structural reliability of the filter bracket and the cabinet.
The side support 422a of the first beam 42a may contact the cabinet 1 in the leftward-rightward direction. The side support 422a of the first beam 42a may be fixed to the cabinet 1 in the leftward-rightward direction. Accordingly, the first beam 42a may connect between left and right or first and second lateral plates 111 of the cabinet 1 to reinforce a stiffness of the cabinet 1. In particular, the cabinet 1 may include the main housing 11 the front of which is open, and the first beam 42a connects the front end portions at both sides of the main housing 11, such that the main housing 11 is prevented from being deformed.
The main support 420 of the second beam 42b may be disposed in such a way that the main support 420 contacts the cabinet 1 rearward. The main support 420b of the second beam 42b may be fixed to a rear plate 112 of the cabinet 1 rearward. The side support 422b of the second beam 42b may contact the first and second lateral plates 111 of the cabinet 1, and may connect the rear end portions at both sides of the first and second lateral plates 111 of the cabinet 1. Accordingly, a stiffness of the rear plate 112 and the first and second lateral plates 111 of the cabinet 1 may improve, and deformation thereof may be prevented.
The side support 422a of the first beam 42a may overlap the rail member 41 in the leftward-rightward direction. The side support 422a of the first beam 42a may connect to an outside of the front end portion of the rail member 41 in the leftward-rightward direction thereof. Accordingly, a coupling between the first beam 42a and the rail member 41 may be stabilized, and the first beam 42a may define a gap between the pair of rail members 41 and a gap between the rails 410, increasing conformability between the filter bracket 4 and the filter. In particular, in a case in which the inner surface of the side support 422a of the first beam 42a contacts the outside of the rail member 41 in the leftward-rightward direction thereof, the first beam 42a may prevent widening between the rail members 41, caused due to a repetitive entrance and exit of the filter.
The side support 422b of the second beam 42b may overlap the rail member 41 in the leftward-rightward direction. The side support 422b of the second beam 42b may connect to the outside of the rear end portion of the rail member 41 in the leftward-rightward direction thereof. Accordingly, a coupling between the second beam 42b and the rail member 41 may be stabilized. The second beam 42b may define a gap between the pair of rail members 41 and a gap between the rails 410, increasing conformability between the filter bracket 4 and the filter. In particular, in a case in which the inner surface of the side support 422b of the second beam 42b contacts the outside of the rail member 41 in the leftward-rightward direction thereof, the second beam 42b may prevent the widening between the rail members 41, caused due to a repetitive entrance and exit of the filter.
Hereinafter, a material for the beam 42 according to an embodiment is described.
As the first beam 42a must not interfere with the path along which the filter is inserted, while the second beam 42b defines the rear of the space into which the filter is inserted, the beam 42 needs to be thin. More specifically, in a case in which a thickness of the first beam 42a decreases, a thickness of the filter bracket 4 may not be much greater than a thickness of the filter, and in a case in which a thickness of the second beam 42b decreases, a length of the filter bracket 4 may not be much greater than a length of the filter. Additionally, as the beam 42 maintains the structures of the filter bracket 4 and the cabinet 1 and improves stiffness thereof, the beam 42 needs to have a high stiffness although the beam 42 is thin. Thus, the beam 42 may be formed of a metallic material. The stiffness reinforcement portion 421, as described above, may add bending stiffness to the beam 42 which is thin.
Hereinafter, structure in which a drain pan is held in the filter bracket according to an embodiment is described with reference to
Referring to
In a state in which the air handling unit according to an embodiment is disposed regularly, the heat exchanger 2 may be supported by the filter bracket 4. The drain pan 51 may be disposed in the upward direction with respect to the filter bracket 4 to directly support the heat exchanger 2.
The drain pan 51 may have an escape prevention hook 510 in a front end portion thereof. The escape prevention hook 510 may extend toward the filter bracket 4, and an end portion thereof may protrude rearward. The first beam 42a may be provided with a hook accommodation part or portion 4200 into which the escape prevention hook 510 may be inserted and which interferes with the escape prevention hook 510 in the upward-downward direction. More specifically, the hook accommodation portion 4200 may have a shape in which the hook accommodation portion 4200 is indent inward from the end portion of the stiffness reinforcement portion 421a of the first beam 42a. Accordingly, the front end portion of the drain pan 51 may be prevented from escaping upward from the filter bracket 4.
The second beam 42b may connect with an escape prevention plate 4210 that extends toward the drain pan 51 and interferes with an upper surface of the drain pan 51. More specifically, the escape prevention plate 4210 may prevent a rear end portion of the drain pan 51 from escaping upward.
The drain pan 51 may be mounted in the filter bracket 4 while the drain pan 51 slides rearward at a position above a position of the filter bracket 4. The drain pan 51 may be fixed by the hook accommodation portion 4200 and the escape prevention plate 4210, such that the front and rear end portions of the drain pan 51 may not escape upward. After the drain pan 51 is mounted in the filter bracket 4, the panel 12 may be assembled to a front of the drain pan 51, and may prevent the drain pan 51 from escaping forward from the filter bracket 4. That is, in the air handling unit according to an embodiment, the drain pan 51 may be fixed so as not to escape from the filter bracket 4 in any direction.
Hereinafter, an entire structure in a reverse disposition state and structure of a middle bracket according to an embodiment are described with reference to
Referring back to
An end portion of the hold hook 6010 may protrude toward the heat exchanger 2. That is, the hold hook 6010 may pass through the hold hole 1111 and then bend toward the heat exchanger 2. Accordingly, as the hold hook 6010 is mounted in the hold hole 1111, the front beam 60 is disposed at/held in the cabinet 1, such that the front beam 60 may not escape from the cabinet 1 and be disposed at/held in the cabinet 1 reliably. In particular, in a state in which the air handling unit according to an embodiment is disposed regularly, the front beam 60 is disposed further downward than the heat exchanger 2, such that the hold hook 6010 is mounted in the hold hole 1111 reliably.
The hold hole 1111 may be provided with a tapered part or portion 1111T a width of which decreases toward the heat exchanger 2. Accordingly, the hold hook 6010 may readily pass through the hold hole 1111, and in a state in which the hold hook 6010 is held in the hold hole 1111, a position of the hold hook 6010 may be precisely 1 or controlled such that an assembly position between the front beam 60 and the cabinet 1 is precisely regulated or controlled. In particular, in a case in which the air handling unit according to an embodiment is disposed regularly, the hold hook 6010 passes through the hold hole 1111, and then as the front beam 60 is affected by gravity downward, the hold hook 6010 is guided by the tapered portion 1111T, such that the position of the front beam 60 is precisely regulated or controlled.
Referring back to
The front beam 60 may include a main support 601 having a predetermined width in a heightwise direction and extending in the leftward-rightward direction; and a stiffness reinforcement part or portion 602 that extends in the frontward-rearward direction from end portions at both sides of the main support 601 in a widthwise direction thereof, and the side beam 61 may include a main support 611 having a predetermined width in the leftward-rightward direction thereof and extending in the frontward-rearward direction; and a stiffness reinforcement part or portion 612 that extends in a heightwise direction from end portions at both sides of the main support 611 in a widthwise direction thereof. The front beam 60 and the side beam 61 may be respectively provided with the main support and the stiffness reinforcement portion, such that the front beam 60 and the side beam 61 are thin but have sufficient bending stiffness.
Referring back to
The side beam 61 may include a rear surface support 613 that extends from a rear end portion of the main support 611 in the heightwise direction. The side beam 61 may include a hold projection 6112 that extends forward. The cabinet 1 may include a hold part or portion 1112 that interferes with the hold projection 6112 in the heightwise direction. Accordingly, the front end portion of the side beam 61 may be held in the cabinet 1 before the side beam 61 is completely fixed to the cabinet 1, a positional relationship between the side beam 61 and the cabinet 1 may be precisely regulated or controlled.
The hold projection 6112 may contact the cabinet 1 in a forward direction, and the rear surface support 613 of the side beam 61 may contact the cabinet 1. Accordingly, the side beam 61 may contact the hold portion 1112 in a downward direction, and contact the front and rear of the cabinet 1 in forward and rearward directions, such that the side beam 61 may be held in the cabinet 1 without rotating, and a position relationship between the cabinet 1 and the side beam 61 may be precisely regulated or controlled even before the side beam 61 is completely fixed to the cabinet 1.
Referring back to
The second flange 6120b may extend inward from the stiffness reinforcement portion 612 of the side beam 61 in the leftward-rightward direction, and interfere with the stiffness reinforcement portion 602 of the front beam 60 in the heightwise direction. Thus, when the side beam 61 is installed, the stiffness reinforcement portion 602 of the front beam 60 may interfere with the side beam 61 in the upward direction of the side beam 61 and may regulate an installation position of the side beam 61.
When the side beam 61 is installed, the side beam 61 may interfere with the stiffness reinforcement portion 602 of the front beam 60 in the upward direction, interfere with the hold portion 1112 of the cabinet 1 in the downward direction, and interfere with the inner surface of the cabinet 1 in forward and rearward direction, such that an installation position of the side beam 61 may be precisely regulated or controlled. Thus, in a case in which the air handling unit according to an embodiment is disposed reversely, the side beam 61 may be readily installed at an accurate position.
Additionally, the side beam 61 and the front beam 60 may connect at two different points, and as the main support 611 of the side beam 61 and the stiffness reinforcement portion 612 of the side beam 61 respectively connect to the front beam 60, the middle bracket 6 may have high resistance against a twist, a bend, and a buckling load.
Referring back to
Referring back to
Hereinafter, structure in which the drain pan is held in the middle bracket according to an embodiment is described with reference to
Referring back to
The drain pan 51 may have an escape prevention hook 510 in the front end portion thereof. The escape prevention hook 510 may extend toward the middle bracket 6, and an end portion thereof may protrude rearward. The front beam 60 may have a hook accommodation part or portion 6011 into which the escape prevention hook 510 is inserted and which interferes with the escape prevention hook 510 in the upward-downward direction. More specifically, the hook accommodation portion 6011 may be shaped into a hole that is formed in such a way that the hook accommodation portion 6011 penetrates the main support 601 of the front beam 60. Accordingly, the front end portion of the drain pan 51 may be prevented from escaping from the filter bracket 4 in upward direction.
In all aspects, the above embodiments are provided as examples, and embodiments are not limited to the embodiments set forth herein, and the scope is defined only according to the appended claims rather than the above description. Further, meaning and scope of the claims described hereinafter, and all the modifications and modifiable embodiments drawn from equivalents thereof are to be included in the scope of the present disclosure.
The embodiments are described above with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof. However, embodiments are not limited to the embodiments and drawings set forth herein, and numerous other modifications and embodiments can be drawn by one skilled in the art within the technical scope. Further, the effects and predictable effects based on the configurations in the disclosure are to be included within the range of the disclosure though not explicitly described in the description of the embodiment.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air handling unit that may be disposed in a reversely disposition state in which a direction in which an air inlet and an air outlet are formed is reversed, such that a support structure of a heat exchanger and a mounting structure of a drain pan are readily changeable.
Embodiments disclosed herein further provide an air handling unit that may sufficiently support a weight load of a heat exchanger and may not be readily deformed in both of a regular disposition state and a reverse disposition state.
Embodiments disclosed herein furthermore provide an air handling unit in which a drain pan may be reliably mounted without moving.
Embodiments disclosed herein additionally provide an air handling unit in which structure is readily changeable depending on a set disposition direction of the air handling unit and which is readily installed in a regular disposition state and a reverse disposition state.
Advantages are not limited to the above advantages, and other advantages that are not mentioned above may be clearly understood from the description and may be more clearly understood from the embodiments set forth herein. Additionally, the advantages may be realized via means and combinations thereof that are described in the appended claims.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air handling unit that may include a cabinet configured to have a main housing a front of which is open and a panel which opens and closes the front of the main housing, and provided with an air inlet and air outlet; a fan disposed between the air inlet and the air outlet and configured to discharge gas suctioned from the air inlet to the air outlet; a heat exchanger disposed between the air inlet and the fan and configured to exchange heat with gas suctioned from the air inlet; a filter disposed between the air inlet and the heat exchanger; a filter bracket fixed to the cabinet and configured to support the filter; and a front beam disposed between the fan and the heat exchanger, and configured to extend in a leftward-rightward or lateral direction in such a way that both end portions of the front beam are respectively fixed to left and right plates of the main housing. The heat exchanger may be supported upward selectively from the filter bracket or the front beam.
The air handling unit may be disposed selectively in such a way that the air handling unit may be disposed regularly or reversely. In a state in which the air handling unit is disposed regularly, the air inlet may face downward, while the air outlet may face upward. In a state in which the air handling unit is disposed reversely, the air inlet may face upward while the air outlet may face downward. As the air handling unit may be selectively disposed regularly or reversely, a direction in which the air outlet and/or a duct that extends from the air outlet is formed, and a direction in which the air inlet and/or a duct that extends from the air inlet is formed may be set arbitrarily, at the time when the air handling unit is installed.
Additionally, the front beam may connect middle portions of front end portions of the main housing the front of which is open and improve a stiffness of the main housing. The front beam improves the stiffness of the main housing in a state in which the air handling unit is disposed regularly, while supporting the heat exchanger as well as improving the stiffness of the main housing in a state in which the air handling unit is disposed reversely, such that a small number of members is used to freely set a direction where the air handling unit is disposed.
The heat exchanger may be supported by the filter bracket in the regular disposition state. The heat exchanger may be disposed further upward than the air inlet, and the filter bracket may be disposed between the air inlet and the heat exchanger to support the heat exchanger upward. The filter bracket may not necessarily contact the heat exchanger directly to support the heat exchanger, and another member may be disposed between the filter bracket and the heat exchanger to support the heat exchanger indirectly.
The heat exchanger may be supported by the front beam in the reverse disposition state. The heat exchanger may be disposed further upward than the air outlet, and the front beam may be disposed between the air outlet and the heat exchanger to support the heat exchanger upward. The front beam may not necessarily contact the heat exchanger directly to support the heat exchanger, and another member may be disposed between the heat exchanger and the front beam to support the heat exchanger directly. Additionally, together with another member, the front beam, as described hereinafter, may form a middle bracket disposed between the heat exchanger and the fan, and, the middle bracket may support the heat exchanger.
The cabinet may have a pair of hold holes at each of the left and right plates thereof, and the front beam may include a pair of hold hooks corresponding to the pair of hold holes. The pair of hold hooks may extend to pass through the pair of hold holes respectively, at positions spaced in the leftward-rightward direction. Accordingly, assembly positions of the front beam and the cabinet may be precisely regulated or controlled.
The end portion of the hold hook may protrude toward the heat exchanger. That is, the hold hook may have a shape in which the hold hook passes through the hold hole and then bends toward the heat exchanger. Accordingly, as the hold hook is mounted in the hold hole, the front beam may be reliably disposed so as not to escape from the cabinet, after the front beam is held in the cabinet. In particular, in a state in which the air handling unit according to an embodiment is disposed regularly, the hold hook may be mounted in the hold hole reliably, as the front beam is disposed further downward than the heat exchanger.
The hold hole may be provided with a tapered part or portion a width of which decreases toward the heat exchanger. Accordingly, the hold hook may pass through the hold hole, and in a state in which the hold hook is held in the hold hole, a position of the hold hook may be precisely regulated or controlled, such that an assembly position between the front beam and the cabinet may be precisely regulated or controlled. In particular, in a state in which the air handling unit according to an embodiment is disposed regularly, the hold hook may be guided by the tapered portion as the front beam is affected by gravity downward, after the hold hook passes through the hold hole, such that a position of the front beam may be precisely regulated or controlled.
The filter bracket may include a pair of rail members provided with a rail part or rail that guides insertion and withdrawal of the filter in a frontward-rearward direction thereof, and extends in the frontward-rearward direction to respectively support both sides of the filter in a leftward-rightward or lateral direction thereof; a pair of beams configured to extend in the leftward-rightward direction and spaced from each other in the frontward-rearward direction such that both end portions of the pair of beams respectively connect to the pair of rail members; and a filter cover installed in an end portion at a front of the filter bracket and configured to open and close the front of the filter bracket.
The beam may include a main support part or support configured to have a predetermined width and to extend in the leftward-rightward direction. The beam may include a stiffness reinforcement part or portion configured to extend from end portions at both sides of the main support part in a widthwise direction thereof, in a direction across both of the direction in which the main support part extends and the widthwise direction of the main support part, and/or a side support part or support configured to extend from the end portions at both sides of the main support part in the direction where the main support part extends, in a direction the same as the direction in which the stiffness reinforcement part extends.
For example, the beam may be formed in such a way both end portions of a sheet material of one metal, which has a predetermined width and extends, in the widthwise direction of the sheet material and in a direction where the sheet material extends, bend. As the beam is provided with the stiffness reinforcement part, a section modulus of the beam may increase in a direction where the beam extends, to ensure improvement in bending stiffness. The side support part may interfere with a member such as the rail member to which the beam connects or may be fixed together with the member, to prevent the beam from moving in the direction where the beam extends.
The pair of beams may be a pair of members having a same shape. More specifically, the pair of beams may include a first beam that is disposed forward, and a second beam that has a same shape as the first beam and is disposed further rearward than the first beam. As the first beam and the second beam have the same shape, parts of the first beam and the second beam may be shared, thereby ensuring economic efficiency in manufacturing of the filter bracket.
The air handling unit may include a drain pan that collects condensed water formed at a surface of the heat exchanger. The drain pan may be disposed between the filter bracket and the heat exchanger and support the heat exchanger. The drain pan may be disposed at the main support part of the first beam and the pair of rail members.
The drain pan may have an escape prevention hook which extends toward the filter bracket and the end portion of which protrudes rearward, in a front end portion thereof. The first beam may have a hook accommodation part or portion into which the escape prevention hook is inserted, and which interferes with the escape prevention hook. More specifically, the hook accommodation part may have a shape in which the hook accommodation part is indent inward from the end portion of the stiffness reinforcement part of the first beam. In a state in which the air handling unit according to an embodiment is disposed regularly, as the escape prevention hook is accommodated in the hook accommodation part and interferes with the hook accommodation part, the front end portion of the drain pan may be prevented from being lifted upward from the filter bracket, such that the drain pan is held reliably in the filter bracket.
The second beam may connect with an escape prevention plate that extends toward the drain pan and interferes with the upper surface of the drain pan. More specifically, the escape prevention plate may interfere with the rear end portion of the drain pan in an upward-downward direction. In a state in which the air handling unit according to an embodiment is disposed regularly, the rear end portion of the drain pan may be interfered with by the escape prevention plate not to escape upward, such that the drain pan is held reliably in the filter bracket.
In particular, in a case in which the air handling unit is provided with all of the escape prevention hook, the hook accommodation part, and the escape prevention plate, as shown in one embodiment, the drain pan may not escape from the filter bracket in the upward-downward direction and may be unmounted only forward, in a state in which the drain pan is mounted in the filter bracket. As the front of the drain pan is fixed by the panel, the drain pan may be prevented from escaping from the filter bracket in all directions in a state in which the drain pan and the filter bracket are assembled completely.
The front beam may form the middle bracket together with a pair of side beams that extends in the frontward-rearward direction and is fixed to the left and right plates of the cabinet. As describe above, in a state in which the air handling unit according to an embodiment is disposed reversely, the heat exchanger may be supported by the middle bracket.
The front beam may include a main support part or support configured to have a predetermined width in a heightwise direction and to extend in the leftward-rightward direction; and a stiffness reinforcement part or portion configured to extend from end portions at both sides of the main support part in a widthwise direction thereof, in the frontward-rearward direction. The side beam may include a main support part or support configured to have a predetermined width in the leftward-rightward direction and to extend in the frontward-rearward direction; and a stiffness reinforcement part configured to extend from end portions at both sides of the main support part in a widthwise direction thereof, in the heightwise direction. As the front beam and the side beam are respectively provided with the main support part and the stiffness reinforcement part, the front beam and the side beam are thin but have sufficient bending stiffness.
Both end portions of the stiffness reinforcement part of the front beam in the leftward-rightward direction thereof may be disposed further inward in the leftward-rightward direction than end portions inside of the main support part of the side beam in the leftward-rightward direction thereof. Accordingly, in a case in which the side beam is installed to reversely dispose the air handing unit, in a state in which the front beam is first mounted in the cabinet, the side beam may not interfere with the stiffness reinforcement part of the front beam.
The side beam may include a rear surface support part or support that extends from the rear end portion of the main support part in the heightwise direction. The side beam may include a hold projection that extends forward. The cabinet may include a hold part or portion that interferes with the hold projection in the heightwise direction. Accordingly, the front end portion of the side beam may be held in the cabinet before the side beam is completely fixed to the cabinet, a positional relationship between the side beam and the cabinet may be precisely regulated or controlled.
The hold projection may contact the cabinet forward, and the rear surface support part of the side beam may contact the cabinet. Accordingly, the side beam may contact the hold part downward, and contact the front and rear of the cabinet forward and rearward, such that the side beam may be held in the cabinet without rotating, and a positional relationship between the cabinet and the side beam may be precisely regulated or controlled even before the side beam is completely fixed to the cabinet.
The side beam may include a first flange that extends from the main support part and connects to the front beam, and a second flange that extends from the stiffness reinforcement part and connects to the front beam. As the side beam and the front beam are connected at two different points, relative rotation between the side beam and the front beam may be blocked. Further, as the main support part of the side beam and the stiffness reinforcement part of the side beam both connect to the front beam, a bending stiffness of the main support part and the stiffness reinforcement part may improve, the bucking of the side beam, caused by a bend of the main support part and/or the stiffness reinforcement part, may be prevented.
The second flange may extend inward from the stiffness reinforcement part of the side beam in the leftward-rightward direction, and interfere with the stiffness reinforcement part of the front beam in the heightwise direction. Thus, when the side beam is installed, the stiffness reinforcement part of the front beam may interfere with the side beam in the upward direction of the side beam and may regulate the installation position of the side beam.
When the side beam is installed, the side beam may interfere with the stiffness reinforcement part of the front beam upward, interfere with the hold part of the cabinet downward, and interfere with the inner surface of the cabinet forward and rearward, such that an installation position of the side beam may be precisely regulated or controlled. Thus, in a case in which the air handling unit according to an embodiment is disposed reversely, the side beam may be readily installed at an accurate position.
The side beam and the front beam may connect at two different points, and as the main support part of the side beam and the stiffness reinforcement part of the side beam respectively connect to the front beam, the middle bracket may have high resistance against twisting, bending and buckling.
A bent part or portion is bent forward may be provided in the front end portion of the rear surface support part. The bent part may increase the bending stiffness of the rear surface support part, and in a case in which the side beam is fitted into a right or correct position, prevent scratches on the inner surface of the cabinet made by a sharp end portion of the rear surface support part. In particular, in a case in which the side beam is manufactured by press cutting and bending a metal sheet, the side beam may have a sharp burr in the end portion thereof, and in a case in which the inner surface of the cabinet is scratched by the burr, stiffness may deteriorate due to corrosion, for which, of the cabinet.
The stiffness reinforcement part of the side beam may include an outer stiffness reinforcement part or portion that is provided outside of the side beam in the leftward-rightward direction and contacts the left and right plates of the cabinet. The outer stiffness reinforcement part may have a bent part or portion that is bent inward in the leftward-rightward direction, in the front end portion of thereof. The bent portion may increase the bending stiffness of the outer stiffness reinforcement part, and in a case in which the side beam is fitted into a right or correct position, prevent scratches on the inner surface of the cabinet made by a sharp end portion of the outer stiffness reinforcement part. In particular, in a case in which the side beam is manufactured by press cutting and bending a metal sheet, the side beam may have a sharp burr in the end portion thereof, and in a case in which the inner surface of the cabinet is scratched by the burr, stiffness may deteriorate due to corrosion, for example, of the cabinet.
The air handling unit may include a drain pan that collects condensed water formed on the surface of the heat exchanger. The drain pan may be disposed between the middle bracket and the heat exchanger and support the heat exchanger. The drain pan may be disposed at the pair of side beams.
The drain pan may have an escape prevention hook which extends toward the middle bracket and the end portion of which protrudes rearward, in the front end portion thereof. The front beam may have a hook accommodation part or portion into which the escape prevention hook is inserted and which interferes with the escape prevention hook. More specifically, the hook accommodation part may be shaped into a hole that is formed in such a way that the hook accommodation part penetrates the main support part of the front beam. As the escape prevention hook is accommodated in the hook accommodation part and interferes with the hook accommodation part, the front end portion of the drain pan may be prevented from being lifted upward from the middle bracket, in a state in which the air handling unit according to an embodiment is disposed regularly, such that the drain pan is reliably held in the middle bracket.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air handling unit in which as a filter bracket or a front beam selectively supports a drain pan and a heat exchanger, the air handling unit may be selectively disposed regularly or reversely. Thus, when the air handling unit is installed, directions of an air inlet and an air outlet may be set freely.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air handling unit which is provided with a bracket that sufficiently supports a weight load of a heat exchanger, and has sufficient stiffness and a firm coupling structure not to be deformed readily in both of the regular disposition state and the reverse disposition state.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air handling unit which is provided with structure for preventing a drain pan from escaping, and a bracket in which a drain pan is reliably mounted without moving in both of the regular disposition state and the reverse disposition state.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air handling unit which is provided with structure for guiding disposition and fastening of a front beam and a side beam, such that the air handling unit is installed readily depending on a set disposition direction.
In addition to the advantages described, a variety of advantages may be produced according to embodiments disclosed herein, and the advantages are described with reference to each embodiment, or advantages readily inferred by one having ordinary skill in the art, and the like are not described.
It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on” another element or layer, the element or layer can be directly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
Spatially relative terms, such as “lower”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented “upper” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures). As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2023-0131874 | Oct 2023 | KR | national |
