U.S. patent application number 10/914086 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-17 for ventilator.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Chin, Sim Won, Lee, Jung Woo, Lee, Sang Yeul.
Application Number | 20050252647 10/914086 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34938916 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050252647 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee, Jung Woo ; et
al. |
November 17, 2005 |
Ventilator
Abstract
The present invention relates to a ventilator. Channels are
horizontally extended in the interior of a total heat exchanger.
The channels are vertically stacked for thereby enhancing the
efficiency of heat exchange.
Inventors: |
Lee, Jung Woo; (Seoul,
KR) ; Lee, Sang Yeul; (Seoul, KR) ; Chin, Sim
Won; (Gwangmyeong-si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
1950 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
34938916 |
Appl. No.: |
10/914086 |
Filed: |
August 10, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/166 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02B 30/56 20130101;
F24F 12/006 20130101; Y02B 30/563 20130101; F28D 9/0062
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/166 |
International
Class: |
F28F 003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 14, 2004 |
KR |
34154/2004 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A ventilator, comprising: a casing; a flow path formed in the
inside of the casing, and sucks in and discharges indoor air and/or
outdoor air; and a total heat exchanger connected to the flow path
includes a plurality of channels for allowing the indoor air and/or
outdoor to flow through, and the upper and lower surfaces of the
total heat exchanger are blocked.
2. The ventilator of claim 1, further comprising a blower provided
adjacent to the total heat exchanger.
3. The ventilator of claim 1, wherein the total heat exchanger is
hexahedron shape formed in a horizontal direction.
4. The ventilator of claim 1, wherein the channels are stacked from
top to bottom order.
5. The ventilator of claim 1, wherein fins-are provided in the
inside of the channels for enhancing the heat exchange
efficiency.
6. The ventilator of claim 1, wherein the channels are extended in
a straight line shape.
7. The ventilator of claim 1, wherein the total heat exchanger
includes: a lower frame and an upper frame that are blocked and
formed in the upper and lower sides, respectively; and a side frame
setting the channel inside, and connects said upper frame and the
lower frame outside.
8. The ventilator of claim 1, wherein a horizontal cross section of
the total heat exchanger is a rectangular shape, and an apex of the
same is formed in the direction of an inner surface of the
casing.
9. The ventilator of claim 1, wherein at least one pair of the
outdoor air suction part and discharge part and/or the indoor air
suction part and discharge part have the air that has been sucked
in or exhausted flows in parallel direction.
10. The ventilator of claim 1, wherein at least one of the outdoor
air and/or indoor air suction part or discharge part is separately
formed at the side surface of the casing.
11. The ventilator of claim 1, wherein a ventilation duct that
connects the indoor air suction part and discharge part is provided
in the flow path, and said ventilation duct is not connected with
the total heat exchanger.
12. The ventilator of claim 1, wherein said flow path includes at
least one ventilation duct that is not connected with the total
heat exchanger, and a flow path switch means which performs the
switching function of another duct connected to the total heat
exchanger and the ventilation duct.
13. The ventilator of claim 1, wherein at least one fan is provided
in the flow path.
14. A ventilator, comprising: a casing; a total heat exchanger that
is provided in the inside of the casing wherein indoor air and/or
outdoor air flow through horizontally extended channels, and the
upper and lower sides of the total heat exchanger are blocked; a
suction duct and a discharge duct that guide the outdoor and indoor
air in the direction of the total heat exchanger wherein an outer
portion of the casing is connected with the total heat exchanger;
and a fan formed in the interior of the suction duct and/or the
discharge duct.
15. The ventilator of claim 14, wherein said suction duct and
discharge duct are crossed each other at least one point.
16. The ventilator of claim 14, wherein said fan is a centrifugal
fan, and said duct having the centrifugal fan is vertically crossed
with respect to another neighboring duct, thereby decreasing a
resistance in the flow of air from the centrifugal fan.
17. The ventilator of claim 14, wherein a horizontal cross section
of the total heat exchanger at a certain height are the same size
formed in rectangular shapes.
18. The ventilator of claim 14, wherein said total heat exchanger
includes a plurality of channels that are stacked from top to
bottom order, and the air flows therein in a straight line
direction.
19. A ventilator, comprising: a casing; a total heat exchanger that
is provided in the interior of the casing and is extended in a
horizontal direction and has a plurality of channels that are
stacked in a vertical direction; and a duct that connects the total
heat exchanger and an outer portion of the casing.
20. The ventilator of claim 19, further comprising: a plurality of
wrinkled plates that divide the channels in horizontal directions.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a ventilator, and in
particular to an improved ventilator that allows to form a smaller
heat exchanger by enhancing a heat exchange efficiency of supplied
air and exhausted air in a heat exchanger in which the heat
exchange is performed by making the supplied air and exhausted air
to crossed each other.
[0003] 2. Description of the Background Art
[0004] Generally, in a certain limited space in which air is not
well circulated, and various kinds of lives breath together, the
amount of oxygen gradually decreases while the carbon dioxide
gradually increases. When a person stays in a limited narrow space
or a space with many persons therein, it is needed to regularly
change the indoor air with external fresh air. In this case, a
ventilator is generally used.
[0005] The conventional ventilator adapts a method of forcibly
discharging indoor air to the outside using one blower. However, in
the instance where the indoor air is forcibly discharged using one
blower, the additional cost is spent for warming or heating the
indoor air to a desired temperature since the indoor warm air or
hot air are directly discharged to the outside without passing
through a certain filter.
[0006] In order to overcome the above problems, a ventilator
adapting a total heat exchange method has been developed. In the
above ventilator, the supplied outdoor air goes through a
heat-exchanging process with the discharged indoor air.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a plane view of a ventilator for describing the
operation of a conventional ventilator, and FIG. 2 is a cross
sectional view taken along the line I-I' of FIG. 2.
[0008] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional ventilator 10
includes a casing 11 forming an outer construction, an air supply
suction part 31 formed in one surface of the casing 11 for sucking
outdoor air, a suction duct 33 for sucking outdoor air sucked
through the air supply suction part 31, and an air supply discharge
part 32 for discharging outdoor air into an indoor. In addition, an
exhaust suction part 41 is formed in one surface of the casing 11
for sucking indoor air. The indoor air sucked through the exhaust
suction part 41 is flown by an exhaust duct 43. An exhaust
discharge part 42 discharges the indoor air to the outdoor. In
addition, there are further provided a suction fan 30 installed in
the air supply suction part 31 and the air supply discharge part 32
for sucking indoor air, and an exhaust fan 40 installed in a flow
path connecting the exhaust part 41 and the exhaust discharge part
42 for sucking indoor air.
[0009] In addition, there is further provided a total heat
exchanger capable of achieving heat exchange in such a manner that
outdoor air and indoor are crossed with each other. In detail, the
total heat exchanger 20 includes a suction air flow path 21 for
flowing outdoor air, and an exhaust flow path 22 for flowing indoor
air. Here, since the suction air flow path 21 and the exhaust flow
path 22 are alternately formed in a layer structure with a
partition wall therebetween, that outdoor air and indoor air are
not mixed during heat exchange.
[0010] Namely, in the conventional ventilator, the heat exchange is
achieved in such a manner that the outdoor and indoor air inputted
through the outdoor and indoor sides are not mixed with each other
when they pass through the suction air flow path 21 and the exhaust
flow path 22 of the total heat exchanger 20. In detail, the total
heat exchanger 20 has a lateral cross section of a diamond shape
and is longitudinally extended in a horizontal direction. In
addition, the sucked outdoor and indoor air are inputted along a
lower slanted surface of the total heat exchanger 20 and are
discharged along the upper side slanted surface. The sucked outdoor
and indoor are inputted along the upper side slanted surface and
are discharged along the lower side slanted surface.
[0011] However, since the total heat exchanger 20 is arranged in a
diamond shape, the conventional ventilator has the following
problems.
[0012] Since there is a limit in the vertical height of the
ventilator, the cross section dimension of the total heat exchanger
has a certain limit. Therefore, it is impossible to make the cross
section of the total heat exchange larger. In addition, in the case
that the length of the total heat exchanger is extended in order to
compensate the limit of the cross section of the total heat
exchanger, the size of the total heat exchanger is increased. In
addition, as the length of the total heat exchanger is extended,
the airflow path passing through the total heat exchanger is bent
at many points, so that the resistance of the flow path is
increased.
[0013] Since air is inputted through the lower side and is
discharged through the upper side, in other words, since the flow
path is bent in the upper and lower directions, a multiple layer
flow section B is formed in the flow path at both sides of the
inlet and outlet of the total heat exchanger. In this case, the
resistance of the flow path is also increased.
[0014] The air inputted eccentrically inputted in the left or right
direction in the total heat exchanger does not reach at the
opposite suction air flow path 21 or the exhaust flow path 22, so
that a dead zone is formed wherein the efficiency of heat exchange
is sharply decreased therein. Since the heat exchange is not
actually performed in the dead zone, the efficiency of the heat
exchange of the total heat exchanger 20 is decreased.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a ventilator structure capable of overcoming the problems
encountered in the conventional art.
[0016] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
ventilator structure capable of minimizing the dimension of a
ventilator by improving a structure of a total heat exchanger that
performs heat exchanger by outdoor air and indoor air.
[0017] It is further another object of the present invention to
provide a ventilator capable of decreasing a resistance in a flow
path in such a manner that an airflow path is simplified, and a
multiple layer flow section in a flow path is removed. In addition,
a dead zone is not formed in the interior of a total heat exchanger
in such that the air is uniformly flown in the entire flow paths in
a horizontal direction of a total heat exchanger.
[0018] It is still further another object of the present invention
to provide a ventilator capable of significantly enhancing a heat
exchange efficiency of a total heat exchanger and capable of
enhancing an efficiency in use of a space in such a manner that a
ventilator is conveniently installed in a narrow installation
space.
[0019] It is still further another object of the present invention
to provide a ventilator in which a multiple layer flow section does
not occur in a flow path, and a dead zone is not formed in a flow
path, for thereby increasing a heat exchange efficiency of a total
heat exchanger.
[0020] To achieve the above objects, according to an embodiment of
the present invention, there is provided a ventilator, comprising a
casing; a flow path that is formed in the interior of the casing
wherein indoor air and/or outdoor air are sucked and discharged
through the flow path; and a total heat exchanger that is connected
with the flow path wherein the indoor air and/or outdoor flow
through a plurality of channels horizontally extended, and the
upper and lower sides of the total heat exchanger are blocked.
[0021] To achieve the above objects, according to another
embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a
ventilator, comprising a casing; a total heat exchanger that is
provided in the interior of the casing wherein indoor air and/or
outdoor air flow in horizontally extended channels, and the upper
and lower sides of the total heat exchanger are blocked; a suction
duct and a discharge duct that guide the outdoor and indoor air in
the direction of the total heat exchanger wherein an outer portion
of the casing is connected with the total heat exchanger; and a fan
formed in the interior of the suction duct and/or the discharge
duct.
[0022] To achieve the above objects, according to further another
object of the present invention, there is provided a ventilator,
comprising a casing; a total heat exchanger that is provided in the
interior of the casing and is extended in a horizontal direction
and has a plurality of channels that are stacked in a vertical
direction; and a duct that connects the total heat exchanger and an
outer portion of the casing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The present invention will become better understood with
reference to the accompanying drawings which are given only by way
of illustration and thus are not limitative of the present
invention, wherein;
[0024] FIG. 1 is a plane view of a ventilator for describing the
operation of a conventional ventilator;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line I-I' of
FIG. 2;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a ventilator
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a total heat
exchanger according to the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the portion C of FIG. 4;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating the operation of the
ventilator according to the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a ventilator according to a second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a ventilator according to a third
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0032] FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating a ventilator according to
a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First Embodiment
[0034] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a ventilator
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, the ventilator 100 according to the
present invention includes a casing 110 that forms an outer
construction of the ventilator and protects inner elements, the
suction air suction part 120 that is provided in one surface of the
casing 110 and sucks outdoor air, and an air suction discharge part
121 that is provided in the other surface of the casing 110 so that
air sucked through the suction air suction part 120 is discharged
to the indoor. In addition, there are further provided an exhaust
suction part 130 that is provided in one surface of the casing 110
and sucks indoor air, and an exhaust discharge part 131 that is
provided in the other surface of the casing 110 so that the indoor
air sucked through the exhaust suction part 130 is discharged to
the outdoor. In addition, a total heat exchanger 200 is provided in
a center portion of the ventilator 100 wherein the air inputted
into the interior of the ventilator 100 through the suction air
suction part 120 and the exhaust suction part 130 is crossed and
heat-exchanged. A suction fan 140 and an exhaust fan 150 are
installed in the interior of the ventilator 100, so that the
outdoor air and indoor air forcibly flow thereby.
[0036] A plurality of stacked channels are formed in the total heat
exchanger 200 in the upper and lower directions. The proceeding
directions of the flow path in which the channels are formed are
crossed with each other in the vertical direction. Therefore, the
flow path for the air sucked and the flow path for the air
exhausted are not mixed. In addition, since the channels are
stacked in the total heat exchanger 200 from top to bottom order,
it is easy to expand the area of heat exchange. The air flowing in
the flow path does not turn in the vertical direction, but turn
only in the horizontal direction, so that a flow path resistance by
the flow of air is very small. Therefore, the resistance in airflow
is very small, and the efficiency of the heat exchange is
enhanced.
[0037] The operation of the ventilator according to the present
invention will be described.
[0038] When the power is supplied to the ventilator 100, the
suction fan 140 for sucking outdoor air is operated, and the
exhaust fan 150 for sucking indoor air is operated. In addition,
the outdoor air and indoor air are inputted into the ventilator 100
through the suction air suction part 120 based on the operation of
the suction fan 140. The indoor air is inputted into the interior
of the ventilator 100 through the exhaust suction part 130 based on
the operation of the exhaust fan 150. In addition, the indoor air
and outdoor air inputted, into the interior of the ventilator 100
perform a heat exchange operation, while passing through the total
heat exchanger 200. At this time, since the flow path of the indoor
air is filly separated from the flow path of the outdoor air, the
indoor air and outdoor air are not mixed.
[0039] In detail, the air sucked into the suction air suction part
120 is sucked only through the suction air suction part 280 of the
total heat exchanger 200 having a rectangular cross section, and
the air sucked through an exhaust suction part 130 is sucked only
through an exhaust suction part 290 of the total heat exchanger 200
having a rectangular cross section. Therefore, since it is
installed away from the flow path, a dead zone in which air does
not flow well is not formed. In addition, since the channels in the
total heat exchanger 200 are extended in the horizontal direction
without any curves in the upper and lower directions, there is not
airflow in the upper and lower directions, so that the resistances
in the flow are not caused. In addition, in the present invention,
since air does not flow in the multiple layers in the inlet and
outlet portions of the total heat exchanger 200, the resistances in
the flow of air is effectively prevented. Only the direction of the
channel formation is changed at a certain height of the total heat
exchanger, so that the same rectangular shapes are achieved.
[0040] Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to more
enhance the efficiency of heat exchange of the ventilator based on
the decrease of the flow resistance of air and the removal of the
dead zone. Even when the ventilator is fabricated with a small
size, it is possible to achieve the same effects as a large
capacity ventilator.
[0041] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a total heat
exchanger according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an
enlarged view of the portion C of FIG. 4.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the total heat exchanger 200
according to the present invention has a hexahedral shape wherein
air is sucked and discharged in a lateral direction. Namely, the
air is sucked through the suction air suction part 280 and the
exhaust suction part 290 formed in one side surface of the total
heat exchanger 200, and the air is discharged through the opposite
side of the same.
[0043] In detail, the total heat exchanger 200 includes a
rectangular plate shaped upper frame 230, a lateral frame 240 that
is attached to four corners of the upper frame 230 and is
vertically extended, and a lower frame 250 of which corners are
attached to the ends of the other side of the lateral frame 240. In
addition, a suction channel 210 and an exhaust channel 220 are
alternately stacked between the upper frame 230 and the lower frame
250 in the upper and lower directions. In details, the outdoor air
is sucked and discharged through the suction channel 210, and the
indoor air is sucked and discharged through the exhaust channel
220. The construction of the total heat exchanger 200 will be
described. Since the upper and lower sides of the total heat
exchanger 200 are blocked by the upper frame 230 and the lower
frame 250, air is not sucked or discharged. In addition, the
suction air suction part 280 and the exhaust suction part 290 are
formed in four corners of the lateral side of the total heat
exchanger 200, and a suction discharge part 281 and an exhaust
discharge part 291 are formed in the opposite lateral sides of the
suction air suction part 280 and the exhaust suction part 290.
[0044] Each channel 210 and 220 includes a heat exchange plate 261
in which a heat exchange is achieved between the outdoor air and
indoor air based on a heat transfer operation, and a wrinkled plate
260 that is provided between the spaced-apart heat exchange plates
261 for thereby guiding the air to flow in a certain direction.
Therefore, the heat exchange plate 261 is coupled to the upper side
and lower side of the wrinkled plate 260.
[0045] The wrinkled plate 260 allows the air to uniformly flow in
the channels 210 and 220, so that the heat exchange is enhanced
during the flow of air. The wrinkled plate 260 operates as fins
capable of, increasing the area of heat exchange, so that the heat
exchange efficiency of the total heat exchanger is significantly
enhanced. In detail, the wrinkled plate 260 is callable of
increasing the total heat area with air thereby transferring more
heat. As the outdoor air and indoor air pass through the interiors
of the channels 210 and 220, the heat exchange is performed by the
heat exchange plate 261 and the wrinkled plate 260, so that the
efficiency of the heat exchange of the total heat exchanger is more
enhanced. The winkle plate 260 and/or the heat exchange plate 2651
are formed of a certain metal having a high heat, transfer
coefficient, for example, an aluminum material.
[0046] Here, the construction of the wrinkled plate 260 is not
limited to the embodiment of the present invention. The wrinkled
plate with various shapes and widths may be adapted. Namely, the
wrinkled plate 260 may be designed in such a manner that the air is
sucked through the suction parts 280 and 290 in the interiors of
the channels, and the air is discharged through the discharge parts
281 and 291.
[0047] The suction channel 210 and the exhaust channel 220 are
alternately stacked, so that the entrance for sucking the indoor
air is crossed from the entrance for sucking the outdoor air.
Therefore, the indoor air and outdoor air are crossed and flow in
the interior of the total heat exchanger 200.
[0048] When the total heat exchanger 200 is mounted in the interior
of the casing 110, it faces the bottom of the lower frame 250, and
the upper frame faces the upper surface of the same. The lateral
side frame 240 faces the front and rear sides and both sides of the
ventilator 100.
[0049] Since the suction terminal and discharge terminal have the
same height, a multiple layer flow section does not occur in the
flows of indoor and outdoor air sucked by the total heat exchanger
200 having the above-described construction. Therefore, it is
possible to prevent any loss due to the flow resistance occurring
during the flow of air. Even though the capacities of the suction
fans 140 and 150 are small, it is possible to obtain a high
efficiency. The consumption of energy may be decreased. It is
possible to obtain high heat exchange efficiency by a small sized
ventilator.
[0050] FIG. 6 is a plane view illustrating the operation of the
ventilator according to the present invention.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 6, the ventilator 100 according to the
present invention includes an exhaust flow path formed of the
exhaust suction part 130, the exhaust suction duct 132, the total
heat exchanger 200, the exhaust discharge duct 133, and the exhaust
discharge part 131. In addition, there is provided a suction flow
path formed of the suction part 120, the suction duct 122, the
total heat exchanger 200, the suction discharge duct 123 and the
suction discharge part 121. The suction flow path crosses with the
exhaust flow path in a X shape.
[0052] In more detail, the suction air suction part 120 and the
exhaust suction part 130 are the same horizontal line, and the
discharge part 121 and the exhaust discharge part 131 are the same
horizontal line by channel. Since the air flow path is formed like
that, the length of the air flow is decreased, and the loss in flow
is more decreased.
Second Embodiment
[0053] FIG. 7 is a plane view of a ventilator according to a second
embodiment of the present invention. Since the second embodiment of
the present invention is the same as the first embodiment of the
present invention except for the construction of the duct, the
detailed description will be omitted.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 7, the suction air discharge duct 123 and
the exhaust suction duct 132 are crossed at a vertically distanced
portion and are connected with the total heat exchanger 200. The
suction air discharge duct 123 and the exhaust suction duct 132 are
crossed in the interior of the ventilator 100 based on the
characteristic of the fan. In the case that the suction fan 140 is
a centrifugal fan like sirocco fan or turbo fan in which air is
sucked in an axial direction and discharged in a radius direction,
it is needed to minimize the resistance in air flow discharged from
the suction fan 140. In other words, since the direction of the
airflow in the centrifugal fan is curved at 90.degree. at the sides
of inlet and outlet of the fan, it is needed to curve the direction
of the flow path for thereby decreasing the resistance of
airflow.
[0055] When the flow path like in the first embodiment of the
present invention is formed in a state that the centrifugal fan,
the direction of the flow of the air discharged in a state that the
direction of flow is curved at 90.degree. by the centrifugal fan
should be curved gain in the straight line direction. In addition,
when the flow path is changed, a lot of resistance occurs based on
the inner shape of the duct, resulting a lot of noses.
[0056] In the present invention, the suction air discharge duct 123
and the exhaust suction duct 132 are overlapped at the upper and
lower positions, but the flow paths of the same are not mixed. In
the detailed embodiment of the present invention, when the
centrifugal fan is used, the neighboring ducts should be obviously
crossed with each other.
Third Embodiment
[0057] FIG. 8 is a plane view of a ventilator according to a third
embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment of the
present invention is the same as the second embodiment of the
present invention except for the construction of a switching unit
provided in the flow path. Therefore, the detailed description will
be omitted except for the above different construction.
[0058] In the third embodiment of the present invention, the
ventilator 100 further includes a ventilation duct 170 connected
with the exhaust suction part 130 and the exhaust discharge part
131. In addition, a flow path switching unit 160 is further
provided at an entrance of the exhaust suction part 130. In
particular, the flow path switching unit is preferably provided
near the exhaust suction part 130. If it is installed near the
exhaust fan 150, the installation may be complicated. In addition,
a certain problem may occur in the operation of the flow path
switching unit 160 due to a turbulent flow near the exhaust fan
150. The exhaust fan 150 may be installed in any portion in the
flow path in which the ventilation duct 170 is divided for thereby
achieving a desired operation in the present invention. The flow
path switching unit may includes a conventional damper, and a
certain device may be adapted wherein it is rotatable with respect
to a hinge point by a certain driving device.
[0059] The operation of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention will be described. The ventilator according to the
present invention may be operated in the total heat exchange mode
or the conventional ventilation operation mode.
[0060] First, in the total heat exchange mode, the flow path
switching unit 160 blocks the entrance of the ventilation duct 170,
so that the indoor air flows through the total heat exchanger 200.
At this time, since the heat exchange is performed by the total
heat exchanger 200, the indoor temperature and moisture are
constantly maintained together with the function of
ventilation.
[0061] In the case that the ventilation operation is performed
without the total heat exchange, since the flow path switching unit
160 blocks the entrance of the exhaust suction duct 132, the indoor
air is discharged through the ventilation duct 170. In a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, a blower may be installed in
the interior of the ventilation duct 170 for thereby achieving fast
ventilation.
Fourth Embodiment
[0062] FIG. 9 is a plane view illustrating a ventilator according
to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth
embodiment of the present invention is the same as the second
embodiment of the present invention except for the construction
that the exhaust suction part is not on the same straight line as
the exhaust discharge part, but is at the different position. The
constructions not described in detail may be deemed similar with
the constructions of the first and second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 8, in the ventilator 100 according to the
present invention, the installation position of the exhaust suction
part 130 for sucking the indoor air is not parallel with the
exhaust discharge part 131, but is formed at a certain angle. In
other words, the flow direction of the air sucked through the
exhaust suction part 130 and the flow direction of the air
discharged through the exhaust discharge part 131 are not parallel.
Namely, the exhaust suction part 130 is formed in at a different
position, so that the connection with a certain duct connected with
the exhaust suction part 130 is easily achieved. When forming
connection terminals, other preferred methods and positions may be
easily adapted, so that the convenience of use is enhanced.
[0064] The construction that the flow direction of the air is not
parallel is not limited to the construction of the exhaust suction
part 130. Namely, other suction parts and/or discharge parts may be
installed with various directions based on the position that the
ventilator 100 is installed.
[0065] In the first, second and third embodiments of the present
invention, the suction air suction part and the suction air
discharge part are installed on the same straight line in parallel,
and the exhaust suction part and the exhaust discharge part are
installed on the same straight line in parallel. However, in the
fourth embodiment of the present invention, the suction part and
the discharge part may be installed in the other directions. With
the above construction, there may not be limits in the formation
directions and positions of any types of ducts. Therefore, it is
possible to further enhance the convenience of use.
[0066] In the present invention, it is possible to make the
ventilator smaller. The construction of flow structure is enhanced,
for thereby enhancing a heat exchange efficiency.
[0067] In addition, since the flow structure is improved, the dead
zone in which heat exchange is not efficiently performed is
minimized. A multiple layer flow section does not occur in the flow
path, thus decreasing the resistance in airflow.
[0068] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms
without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics
thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described
examples are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing
description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be
construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the
appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that
fall within the meets and bounds of the claims, or equivalences of
such meets and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the
appended claims.
* * * * *