U.S. patent application number 11/240776 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-06 for air conditioner.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Se Dong Chang, Song Choi, Baik Young Chung, Sung Hwan Kim.
Application Number | 20060070719 11/240776 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36124380 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060070719 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Sung Hwan ; et
al. |
April 6, 2006 |
Air conditioner
Abstract
An air conditioner comprises: at least one outdoor unit having a
compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger; an air process unit
including a heat exchanger connected to the outdoor unit by a
refrigerant pipe, in which the air is heat exchanged, and a blower
fan blowing the heat exchanged air; and a duct having one side
connected to the air process unit and another side connected to a
plurality of rooms, and introducing to the room, the air blown
after heat exchange. Accordingly, the refrigerant pipe is
shortened, which reduces a pressure loss and a head loss. Also, oil
discharged outside of the compressor together with the compressor
refrigerant is easily recovered, and the amount of accumulated
refrigerant is reduced, thereby reducing the risk of suffocation
due to leakage of a refrigerant.
Inventors: |
Kim; Sung Hwan; (Seoul,
KR) ; Choi; Song; (Seoul, KR) ; Chung; Baik
Young; (Incheon, KR) ; Chang; Se Dong;
(Gyeonggi-Do, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
|
Family ID: |
36124380 |
Appl. No.: |
11/240776 |
Filed: |
October 3, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/61 ; 165/62;
62/434 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 1/00075 20190201;
F25B 2313/006 20130101; F24F 1/32 20130101; F24F 3/001 20130101;
F24F 2221/54 20130101; F24F 3/065 20130101; F24F 1/26 20130101;
F25B 2313/0231 20130101; F25B 13/00 20130101; F25B 2313/007
20130101; F25B 25/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/061 ;
165/062; 062/434 |
International
Class: |
F25B 29/00 20060101
F25B029/00; F25B 13/00 20060101 F25B013/00; F25D 17/02 20060101
F25D017/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 5, 2004 |
KR |
79159/2004 |
Claims
1. An air conditioner comprising: at least one outdoor unit having
a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger; an air process unit
including a heat exchanger connected to the outdoor unit by a
refrigerant pipe, in which the air is heat exchanged, and a blower
fan blowing the heat exchanged air; and a duct having one side
connected to the air process unit and another side connected to a
plurality of rooms, and introducing to the room, the air blown
after heat exchange.
2. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the refrigerant pipe
includes a main refrigerant pipe and an auxiliary refrigerant pipe,
wherein one side of the main refrigerant pipe is connected to the
outdoor unit and its other side is connected to the auxiliary
refrigerant pipe, and one side of the auxiliary refrigerant pipe is
connected to the main refrigerant pipe and its other side is
connected to the heat exchanger.
3. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the air process unit
further comprises a humidifier humidifying the heat exchanged
air.
4. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the air process unit
further comprises a filter member removing foreign substances
within the heat exchanged air.
5. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the air process unit
further comprises an electric heater heating the heat exchanged
air.
6. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the duct is provided
with a plurality of discharge holes through which the heat
exchanged air can be discharged.
7. The air conditioner of claim 6, wherein the duct comprises: an
air supply duct allowing the air processed by the air process unit
to be transferred to each room; and a ventilation duct allowing the
air of each room to be transferred to the air process unit.
8. An air conditioner comprising: at least one outdoor unit having
a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger and an accumulator; an air
process unit including a cooling unit and a heating unit, each
comprising a heat exchanger connected to the outdoor unit by a
refrigerant pipe, in which the air is heat exchanged, and a blower
fan blowing the heat exchanged air; a duct having one side
connected to the air process unit and another side connected to a
plurality rooms, and introducing to the rooms, the air blown after
heat exchange; and a distribution unit distributing a refrigerant
so as to allow part of the air process unit to perform cooling
operation and allow another part to perform heating operation.
9. The air conditioner of claim 8, wherein the air process unit
further comprises a humidifier humidifying the heat exchanged
air.
10. The air conditioner of claim 8, wherein the air process unit
further comprises a filter member removing foreign substances
within the heat exchanged air.
11. The air conditioner of claim 8, wherein the air process unit
further comprises an electric heater heating the heat exchanged
air.
12. The air conditioner of claim 8, wherein the duct is provided
with a plurality of discharge holes through which the heat
exchanged air can be discharged.
13. The air conditioner of claim 12, wherein the duct comprises: a
cooling duct supplying to each room, the air cooled in the cooling
unit; and a heating duct supplying to each room, the air heated in
the heating unit.
14. The air conditioner of claim 8, wherein the distribution unit
comprises: a high-pressure pipe having one side connected to a
discharge side of the compressor and another side connected to the
air process unit; a low-pressure pipe having one side connected to
an intake side of the accumulator and another side connected to the
air process unit; a liquid pipe having one side connected to the
outdoor heat exchanger and another side connected to the air
process unit; a high-pressure valve installed on the high pressure
pipe and opening and closing the high-pressure pipe; and a
low-pressure valve installed on the low-pressure pipe and opening
and closing the low-pressure pipe.
15. An air conditioner comprising: at least one outdoor unit having
a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger; a heat exchange unit
connected to the outdoor unit by a refrigerant pipe, in which water
is heat exchanged; and a fan coil unit connected to the heat
exchange unit by a water pipe and installed at each room.
16. The air conditioner of claim 15, wherein the refrigerant pipe
comprises a main refrigerant pipe and an auxiliary pipe, wherein
one side of the main refrigerant pipe is connected to outdoor unit
and its other side is connected to the auxiliary refrigerant pipe,
and one side of the auxiliary refrigerant pipe is connected to the
main refrigerant pipe and its other side is connected to the heat
exchange unit.
17. The air conditioner of claim 15, wherein the heat exchange unit
comprises: a water storage tank storing water; and a heat exchanger
received in the water storage tank.
18. The air conditioner of claim 17, further comprising: a heater
heating water within the water storage tank.
19. The air conditioner of claim 15, further comprising: an opening
and closing valve for opening and closing a flow path provided at
one side of the fan coil unit.
20. The air conditioner of claim 15, further comprising: a
distribution unit distributing a refrigerant so as to allow part of
the air process unit to perform cooling operation and allow the
other part to perform heating operation.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and
particularly, to an air conditioner having a relatively short
refrigerant pipe so as to reduce the amount of accumulated
refrigerant and a pressure loss.
[0003] 2. Description of the Background Art
[0004] In general, an air conditioner is designed to control the
temperature, the humidity, the air current and the cleanness of the
air for the purpose of forming a pleasant indoor environment.
[0005] According to configuration of units, air conditioners are
divided into an integrated type air conditioner which has an indoor
unit and an outdoor unit in one case, and a separated type air
conditioner in which a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator
are separately installed such that an outdoor unit includes the
compressor and the condenser and an indoor unit includes the
evaporator.
[0006] Some of the air conditioners are provided with flow-path
switching valves for switching a flow path of a refrigerant,
thereby selectively performing cooling and heating. Recently, a so
called multi-type air conditioner having a plurality of indoor
units is increasingly used, which is able to perform cooling or
heating room by room of a building.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a configuration view that illustrates a related
art air conditioner. Referring to FIG. 1, the related art air
conditioner includes an outdoor unit 101 disposed outside and a
plurality of indoor units 111 disposed in an interior space (e.g.
room) to be cooled or heated.
[0008] The outdoor unit 101 includes a compressor (not shown) for
compressing a refrigerant and an outdoor heat exchanger (not shown)
performing heat-exchange while contacting with the outdoor air.
[0009] The indoor unit 111 includes an indoor heat exchanger (not
shown) connected to the compressor and the outdoor heat exchanger
to constitute a cooling cycle.
[0010] A distribution unit 121 is provided between the outdoor unit
101 and the indoor unit 111 so as to distribute to each indoor unit
111, a refrigerant provided from the outdoor unit 101. A plurality
of connection ports 122 connected to a plurality of refrigerant
pipes 123 are formed at the distribution unit 121.
[0011] However, the related art air conditioner has the following
problems.
[0012] If the outdoor unit 101 and the indoor unit 111 are spaced
far apart from each other, the related art air conditioner may
cause a great pressure loss because of a lengthened refrigerant
pipe 123. Particularly, if a height difference between the outdoor
unit 101 and the indoor unit 111 is big, a head loss greatly
occurs.
[0013] Also, if the refrigerant pipe 123 is lengthened, oil
discharged outside of the compressor together with a compressed
refrigerant cannot be recovered.
[0014] Also, if the refrigerant pipe 123 is lengthened, the amount
of accumulated refrigerant is increased, and the refrigerant is
liable to be leaked. Accordingly, the risk of suffocation is
increasing. In order to reduce such risk, a special ventilation
system is additionally required, which causes an increase in
cost.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide
an air conditioner having a short refrigerant pipe.
[0016] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with
the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly
described herein, there is provided an air conditioner comprising:
at least one outdoor unit having a compressor and an outdoor heat
exchanger; an air process unit including a heat exchanger connected
to the outdoor unit by a refrigerant pipe, in which the air is heat
exchanged, and a blower fan blowing the heat exchanged air; and a
duct having one side connected to the air process unit and another
side connected to a plurality of rooms, and introducing to the
room, the air blown after heat exchange.
[0017] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and
advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from
the following detailed description of the present invention when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a unit of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principles of the invention.
[0019] In the drawings:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a configuration view of the related art air
conditioner in accordance with a conventional art;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a configuration view of an air conditioner in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a configuration view of the air conditioner in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0023] FIG. 4 is a configuration view of the air conditioner in
accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0025] The air conditioner in accordance with the first embodiment
of the present invention will now be described with reference to
the accompanying drawing. FIG. 2 is a configuration view of the air
conditioner in accordance with the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 2, the air conditioner in accordance with
the first embodiment of the present invention includes an outdoor
unit 10, an air process unit 20 and a duct 40.
[0027] The outdoor unit 10 includes a compressor 11 compressing a
refrigerant, and an outdoor heat exchanger 13 disposed at one side
of the compressor 11, in which a refrigerant is heat exchanged by
contacting with the outdoor air.
[0028] A flow-path switching valve 15 is installed at a discharge
side of the compressor 11 so as to switch a flow path of a
refrigerant, and an accumulator 17 is provided at an intake side of
the compressor 11 so as to receive a gaseous refrigerant. A port of
the flow-path switching valve is connected to the outdoor heat
exchanger 13, and another port is connected to the accumulator 17.
Still another port of the flow-path switching valve is connected to
a main refrigerant pipe 29.
[0029] An outdoor expansion device 16 is installed at one side of
the outdoor heat exchanger 13, and a bypass path 18 having a check
valve 19 is formed at one side of the outdoor expansion device
16.
[0030] A main refrigerant pipe 29 and an auxiliary refrigerant pipe
30 allowing each air process unit 20 and the outdoor unit 10 to be
in communication with each other are installed between the outdoor
unit 10 and the air process unit 20.
[0031] One side of the main refrigerant pipe 29 is connected to one
side of the outdoor unit 10, and the other side thereof is
connected to the auxiliary refrigerant pipe 30.
[0032] One side of the auxiliary pipe 30 is connected to the main
refrigerant pipe 29, and its other side is connected to a heat
exchanger 23.
[0033] The air process unit 20 includes a cabinet 22, a heat
exchanger 23, an indoor expansion device 25 and a blower fan
27.
[0034] The cabinet 22 is a box having therein a receiving space and
forming an exterior of the air process unit 20.
[0035] The heat exchanger 23 is received in the cabinet 22 and
connected to the compressor 1 and the outdoor heat exchanger 13 to
constitute a refrigerant circuit.
[0036] The indoor expansion device 25 is disposed at the left side
of the heat exchanger 23, and a refrigerant is decompressed and
expanded.
[0037] The blower fan 27 is disposed under the heat exchanger 23,
accelerates heat exchange of the heat exchanger 23 and blows the
heat-exchanged air to each room (R).
[0038] In order to improve performance of the air process unit 20,
a humidifier 31, a filter member 33 and an electric heater 35 are
additionally installed.
[0039] The humidifier 31 is installed above the heat exchanger 23
and humidifies the air having passed through the heat exchanger
23.
[0040] The filter member 33 is installed above the humidifier 31
and removes foreign substances within the air.
[0041] The electric heater 35 is installed above the filter member
33 and heats the air having passed through the heat exchanger 23,
again.
[0042] The installation order and position of the above-mentioned
heat exchanger 23, the blower fan 27, the humidifier 31, the filter
member 33 and the electric heater 35 may be varied in consideration
of the performance of the air process unit 20.
[0043] The duct 40 is installed at an upper side of the cabinet 22
and goes by way of each room (R). The duct 40 has an air path
allowing air heat exchanged in the heat exchanger 23 to flow to
each room (R) and a plurality of discharge holes 42 through which
the heat exchanged air can be discharged.
[0044] Here, the duct may be divided into an air supply duct (not
shown) for transferring to each room (R), the air processed by the
air process unit 20, and a ventilation duct (not shown) provided
with a ventilation fan (not shown) for transferring the air of each
room (R) to the air process unit 20.
[0045] The operation of the air conditioner in accordance with the
first embodiment of the present invention will now be
described.
[0046] When each room (R) is cooled, the flow-path switching valve
15 switches a flow path so as to allow a compressed refrigerant to
flow to the outdoor heat exchanger 13.
[0047] The refrigerant having condensed through the outdoor heat
exchanger 13 is distributed to the air process unit 20, which is in
operation, through the main refrigerant pipe 29 and the auxiliary
refrigerant pipe 30, and is decompressed and expanded while passing
through the indoor expansion device 25.
[0048] Then, the refrigerant absorbs latent heat by heat exchange
in the heat exchanger 23, thereby being evaporated.
[0049] The evaporated refrigerant is combined in the main
refrigerant pipe 29 and is taken into the compressor 11 via the
flow-path switching valve 15 and the accumulator 17. Such processes
are repetitively performed.
[0050] When the blower fan 27 is operated, the air comes in contact
with the heat exchanger 23 and is thusly cooled.
[0051] Foreign substances of the cooled air are removed while the
air passes through the filter member 33, and then, the air is
discharged to each room (R) through the discharge hole 42 along the
duct 40.
[0052] When each room (R) is heated, the flow-path switching valve
15 switches the flow path to allow the compressed refrigerant to
flow to the air process unit 20.
[0053] The compressed refrigerant is introduced to the heat
exchanger 23 of the air process unit 20 through the main
refrigerant pipe 29 and the auxiliary refrigerant pipe 30.
[0054] The refrigerant heat exchanged and condensed in the heat
exchanger 23 passes through the main refrigerant pipe 29 and the
auxiliary refrigerant pipe 30, and is depressed and expanded while
passing through the outdoor expansion device 16. Then, the
refrigerant absorbs latent heat in the outdoor heat exchanger 13 to
be evaporated.
[0055] The evaporated refrigerant is taken into the compressor 11
via the flow-switching valve 15 and the accumulator 17. Such
processes are repetitively performed.
[0056] When the blower fan 27 of the air process unit 20 is
operated, the air comes in contact with the heat exchanger 23 to
thereby be heated, and is humidified by the humidifier 31.
[0057] Then, foreign substances of the air are removed while the
air passes through the filter member 33, and the air is heated
again by the electric heater 35 when necessary, and is discharged
to each room (R) through the discharge hole 42.
[0058] Due to the above-mentioned related art air process unit 20
and duct 40, a refrigerant pipe 123 (refer to FIG. 1) does not need
to be extended to the related art indoor unit 111 (refer to FIG.
1).
[0059] Namely, when a refrigerant is supplied from the outdoor unit
10 to the pair process unit 20 through the main refrigerant pipe 29
and the auxiliary refrigerant pipe 30, heat exchanged air, not a
refrigerant, is supplied from the air process unit 20 to the room
(R) through the duct 40. Therefore, the refrigerant pipe 123 (refer
to FIG. 1) is no longer required.
[0060] Accordingly, a long refrigerant pipe 123 (refer to FIG. 1)
for supplying a refrigerant from the outdoor unit 101 (refer to
FIG. 1) to the indoor unit 111 (refer to FIG. 1) according to the
related art air conditioner is not required. Therefore, the amount
of accumulated refrigerant and a pressure loss can be reduced.
[0061] Hereinafter, the air conditioner in accordance with the
second embodiment of the present invention will now be described in
detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. FIG. 3 is a
configuration view of the air conditioner in accordance with the
second embodiment of the present invention. The same reference
numerals are designated to the same parts as those of the
aforementioned structure, and the detailed description thereon will
be omitted.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 3, the air conditioner in accordance with
the second embodiment of the present invention includes an outdoor
unit 10, an air process unit 20, a duct 40 and a distribution unit
50.
[0063] The outdoor unit 10 includes a compressor 11 compressing a
refrigerant, and an outdoor heat exchanger 13 disposed at one side
of the compressor 11, in which a refrigerant is heat exchanged by
contacting with the outdoor air.
[0064] A flow-path switching valve 14 is installed at a discharge
side of the compressor 11 so as to switch a flow path of the
refrigerant, and an accumulator 17 is provided at its intake side
so as to receive a gaseous refrigerant. A port of the flow-path
switching valve 14 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 13,
and another port is connected to the accumulator 17. Still another
port of the flow-path switching valve 14 is connected to the
distribution unit 50.
[0065] An outdoor expansion device 16 is installed at one side of
the outdoor heat exchanger 13, and a bypass path 18 provided with a
check valve 19 is formed at one side of the outdoor expansion
device 16.
[0066] Unlike the first embodiment, the air process unit 20 in
accordance with the second embodiment includes a cooling unit 21a
and a heating unit 21b individually, such that cooling and heating
can be performed on each room (R) at the same time.
[0067] The cooling unit 21a and the heating unit 21b each include a
cabinet 22, a heat exchanger 23, an indoor expansion device 25, a
blower fan 27, and a filter member 33.
[0068] The cabinet 22 is a box having a receiving space therein and
forming an exterior of the cooling unit 21a and the heating unit
21b.
[0069] The heat exchanger 23 is received in the cabinet 22 and is
connected to the compressor 11 and the outdoor heat exchanger 13 to
constitute a refrigerant circuit.
[0070] The indoor expansion device 25 for decompressing and
expanding a refrigerant is disposed at the right side of the heat
exchanger 23.
[0071] The blower fan 27 is disposed under the heat exchanger 23,
accelerates heat exchange of the heat exchanger 23, and blows the
heat exchanged air so that the air can be supplied to each room
(R).
[0072] The filter member 33 is installed above a humidifier 31, and
removes foreign substances within the air.
[0073] The installation order and position of the above-mentioned
heat exchanger 23, the blower fan 27, and the filter member 33 may
be varied in consideration of the performance of the air process
unit 20.
[0074] The duct 40 is installed at an upper side of the cabinet 22,
and includes a cooling duct 41a and a heating duct 41b.
[0075] The cooling duct 41a supplies to each room (R), the air
cooled in the cooling unit 21a.
[0076] The heating duct 41b supplies to each room (R), the air
heated in the heating unit 21b.
[0077] A plurality of discharge holes 42 through which the air is
discharged to each room (R) are provided at the cooling duct 41a
and the heating duct 41b.
[0078] The distribution unit 50 distributes a refrigerant, such
that part of the air process unit 20 performs cooling operation and
another part thereof performs heating operation. To this end, the
distribution unit 50 includes a high-pressure pipe 52, a
low-pressure pipe 54, a liquid pipe 56, a high-pressure valve 53
and a low-pressure valve 55.
[0079] One side of the high-pressure pipe 52 is connected to a
discharge side of the compressor 11, and its other side is
connected to the air process unit 20.
[0080] One side of the low-pressure pipe 54 is connected to an
intake side of the accumulator 1, and its other side is connected
to the air process unit 20.
[0081] One side of the liquid pipe 56 is connected to the outdoor
heat exchanger 13, and its other side is connected to the air
process unit 20.
[0082] The high-pressure valve 53 is installed on the high-pressure
pipe 52, and opens and closes the high-pressure pipe 52.
[0083] The low-pressure valve 55 is installed on the low-pressure
pipe 54, and opens and closes the low-pressure pipe 54.
[0084] The operation of the air conditioner in accordance with the
second embodiment of the present invention will now be
described.
[0085] Cooling dominant operation in which the majority among units
of the air process unit 20 perform cooling operation while some few
of the units perform heating operation will be described as an
example.
[0086] The flow-path switching valve 14 switches a flow path, such
that a compressed refrigerant flows to the outdoor heat exchanger
13.
[0087] The refrigerant having passed through the outdoor heat
exchanger 13 flows to the distribution unit 50 along the liquid
pipe 56. Here, a portion of the refrigerant flows to the
distribution unit 50 along the high-pressure pipe 52.
[0088] The refrigerant flowing along the liquid pipe 56 is
introduced to the cooling unit 21a to perform the cooling
operation. Here, the air blown as the blower fan 27 is operated
comes in contact with the heat exchanger 23 to thereby be cooled.
Also, foreign substances of the air are removed by the filter
member 33, and then the air is discharged to each room (R) through
the discharge hole 42 along the cooling duct 41a.
[0089] The refrigerant having performed the cooling operation
passes through the opened low-pressure valve 55 and then is taken
into the accumulator 17 along the low-pressure pipe 54.
[0090] The refrigerant flowing along the high-pressure pipe 52 is
introduced to the heating unit 21b through the opened high-pressure
valve 53, to thereby perform the heating operation. Here, the air
blown as the blower fan 27 of the heating unit 21b is operated
comes in contact with the heat exchanger 23 to thereby be heated.
Then, foreign substances of the air are moved by the filter member
33, and the air is discharged to each room (R) along the heating
duct 41b.
[0091] Due to the air process unit 20, the distribution unit 50 and
the duct 40, a related art refrigerant pipe 123 (refer to FIG. 1)
does not need to be extended to the related art indoor unit 111
(refer to FIG. 1).
[0092] Namely, if a refrigerant is supplied from the outdoor unit
10 to the air process unit 20 through the distribution unit 50,
heat exchanged air, not the refrigerant, is supplied from the air
process unit 20 to the room (R) through the duct 40, Therefore, the
refrigerant pipe 123 (refer to FIG. 1) is no longer required.
[0093] Accordingly, a long refrigerant pipe like the one of the
related art, for supplying a refrigerant from the related art
outdoor unit 101 (refer to FIG. 1) to the related art indoor unit
111 (refer to FIG. 1), is not required. Thusly, the amount of
accumulated refrigerant and a pressure loss can be reduced.
[0094] The air conditioner in accordance with the third embodiment
of the present invention will now be described with reference to
the accompanying drawing. FIG. 4 is a configuration view of the air
conditioner in accordance with the third embodiment of the present
invention. The same reference numerals are designated to the same
parts as those of the aforementioned structure, and the detailed
description thereon will be omitted.
[0095] Referring to FIG. 4, the air conditioner in accordance with
the third embodiment of the present invention includes an outdoor
unit 10, a heat exchange unit 60 and a fan coil unit 65.
[0096] The outdoor unit 10 includes a compressor 11 for compressing
a refrigerant, and an outdoor heat exchanger 13 disposed at one
side of the compressor 11, in which a refrigerant is heat exchanged
by contacting with the outdoor air.
[0097] A flow-path switching valve 15 is installed at a discharge
side of the compressor 11 so as to switch a flow path of a
refrigerant, and an accumulator 17 is provided at an intake side
thereof so as to take in a gaseous refrigerant. A port of the
flow-path switching valve 15 is connected to the outdoor heat
exchanger 13, and another port is connected to an accumulator 17.
Still Another port of the flow-path switching valve 15 is connected
to a main refrigerant pipe 29.
[0098] An outdoor expansion device 16 is installed at one side of
the outdoor heat exchanger 13, and a bypass path 18 provided with a
check valve 19 is formed at one side of the outdoor expansion
device 16.
[0099] A main refrigerant pipe 29 and an auxiliary refrigerant pipe
30 allowing the outdoor unit 10 and the heat exchange unit 60 to be
in communication with each other are installed between the outdoor
unit 10 and the heat exchange unit 60.
[0100] One side of the main refrigerant pipe 29 is connected to the
outdoor unit 10, and its other side is connected to the auxiliary
refrigerant pipe 30.
[0101] One side of the auxiliary refrigerant pipe 30 is connected
to the main refrigerant pipe 29, and its other side connected to
the heat exchanger 23.
[0102] The heat exchange unit 60 includes a water storage tank 62
and a heat exchanger 23.
[0103] The water storage tank 62 has therein a heater 64 for
heating stored water. A water pipe 63 is connected to one side of
the water storage tank 62 so as to allow the water to circulate to
the fan coil unit 65 disposed at each room (R).
[0104] A circulation pump 67 allowing water to circulate is
installed on the water pipe 63.
[0105] The heat exchanger 23 is received in the water tank 62 and
is connected to the compressor 11 and the outdoor heat exchanger
13.
[0106] The fan coil unit 65 is installed in each room (R) and is
connected to the heat exchange unit 60 by the water pipe 63. An
opening and closing valve 69 for opening and closing a flow path is
provided at one side of the fan coil unit 65.
[0107] The operation of the air conditioner in accordance with the
third embodiment of the present invention will now be
described.
[0108] When the room (R) is cooled, the flow-path switching valve
15 switches a flow path so as to allow a compressed refrigerant to
flow to the outdoor heat exchanger 13.
[0109] The refrigerant heat exchanged in the heat exchanger 23
passes through the main refrigerant pipe 29 and the auxiliary
refrigerant pipe 30, and then passes through the indoor expansion
device 25 of the heat exchange unit 60 to be decompressed and
expanded.
[0110] Here, a refrigerant is evaporated by absorbing latent heat
in the heat exchanger 23. Also, water circulated by the circulation
pump 67 is cooled by the heat exchanger 23, and the cooled water is
introduced to the fan coil unit 65 along the water pipe 63 to
perform the cooling operation.
[0111] When the room (R) is heated, the flow path switching valve
15 switches a flow path so as to allow a compressed refrigerant to
flow toward the heat exchange unit 60.
[0112] The refrigerant introduced to the heat exchanger 23 of the
heat exchange unit 60 after passing through the main refrigerant
pipe 29 and the auxiliary refrigerant pipe 30 is heat exchanged
with water flowing along the water pipe 63 to thereby
condensed.
[0113] The condensed refrigerant is decompressed and expanded while
passing through the outdoor expansion device 16, is evaporated upon
absorbing latent heat in the outdoor heat exchanger 13, and is
taken into the compressor 11 via the accumulator 17.
[0114] Water circulated by the circulation pump 67 is heat
exchanged with the heat exchanger 23 and is heated by the heater 64
when necessary, and is introduced to the fan coil unit 65 along the
water pipe 63, thereby performing heating operation.
[0115] Due to the heat exchange unit 60 and the fan coil unit 65,
the related art refrigerant pipe 123 (refer to FIG. 1) does not
need to be extended to the related art indoor unit 111 (refer to
FIG. 1).
[0116] Namely, when a refrigerant is supplied from the outdoor unit
10 to the heat exchange unit 60 through the main refrigerant pipe
29 and the auxiliary refrigerant pipe 30, heat exchanged water
moves along the water pipe 63 from the heat exchange unit 60 to the
fan coil unit 65 installed at the room (R), thereby performing heat
and cooling operation.
[0117] Accordingly, a long refrigerant pipe 123 (referring to FIG.
1) for supplying a refrigerant from the outdoor unit 101 (referring
to FIG. 1) to the indoor unit 111 (referring to FIG. 1) according
to the related art air conditioner is not required. Therefore, the
amount of accumulated refrigerant and a pressure loss can be
reduced.
[0118] In the second embodiment described and illustrated with
reference to FIG. 3, the case where only the filter member 33 is
provided at the heating unit 21b is taken as an example. However,
the humidifier 31 and the electric heater 35 shown in FIG. 3 may be
further provided at the heating unit 21b.
[0119] In the third embodiment described and illustrated with
reference to FIG. 4, the case where cooling or heating operation is
made upon switching a flow of a refrigerant is taken as an example.
However, the distribution unit 50 shown in FIG. 3 may be further
provided such that part of the heat exchange unit 60 performs the
cooling operation and another part performs the heating
operation.
[0120] In the aforedescribed embodiments, the case where only one
outdoor unit 10 is provided is taken as an example. However, a
plurality of outdoor units 10 may be provided.
[0121] As so far described, the air conditioner in accordance with
the embodiments of the present invention has the following
advantages. First, a pressure loss and a head loss can be reduced
because of its short refrigerant pipe. Secondly, oil having been
discharged outside the compressor together with a compressor
refrigerant can be easily recovered. Thirdly, as the amount of
accumulated refrigerant is reduced, the risk of suffocation due to
the leakage of refrigerant is reduced. Also, because a special
ventilation system for preventing suffocation is not required, a
cost can be reduced.
[0122] 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
embodiments 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 metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of
such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the
appended claims.
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