U.S. patent application number 14/625142 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-20 for portable air conditioner.
The applicant listed for this patent is LG ELECTRONICS INC.. Invention is credited to Hyein JUNG, Taihong KIM, Kyunam LEE, Seungmin YOO.
Application Number | 20150233611 14/625142 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53797787 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150233611 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JUNG; Hyein ; et
al. |
August 20, 2015 |
PORTABLE AIR CONDITIONER
Abstract
A portable air conditioner that performs dehumidification and
cooling functions is provided. The portable air conditioner may
include a body, a thermoelectric unit or device disposed in the
body, to absorb heat at one or a first side thereof while emitting
heat at the other or a second side thereof, a cooling unit or
device connected to a heat absorption side of the thermoelectric
unit, to condense air to dehumidify and cool the air, and a blowing
unit or blower to feed air to the cooling unit.
Inventors: |
JUNG; Hyein; (Seoul, KR)
; KIM; Taihong; (Seoul, KR) ; LEE; Kyunam;
(Seoul, KR) ; YOO; Seungmin; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG ELECTRONICS INC. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
53797787 |
Appl. No.: |
14/625142 |
Filed: |
February 18, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/3.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 2221/12 20130101;
F25B 21/02 20130101; F24F 5/0042 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25B 21/02 20060101
F25B021/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 20, 2014 |
KR |
10-2014-0019805 |
Claims
1. A portable air conditioner, comprising: a body having front and
rear walls formed into a biconvex shape to define an accommodation
space in the body; a thermoelectric device disposed in the
accommodation space of the body, that absorbs heat at a first side
thereof while emitting heat at a second side thereof; a cooling
device disposed in the accommodation space of the body and
connected to the heat absorption side of the thermoelectric device,
to condense air to dehumidify and cool air; a blower disposed in
the accommodation space of the body, to feed air to the cooling
device; and a plurality of net plates forming portions of the front
and rear walls of the body, each of the plurality of net plates
having ventilation holes to allow air to flow into and out of the
body.
2. The portable air conditioner according to claim 1, further
comprising: a lighting device disposed in the accommodation space
of the body, that emits light to an outside of the body through the
ventilation holes of the plurality of net plates.
3. The portable air conditioner according to claim 1, further
comprising: an insect repellent device to be heated by a heat
emission side of the thermoelectric device, the insect repellent
device comprising an insect repellent material to be evaporated
when heated by the heat emission side.
4. The portable air conditioner according to claim 1, further
comprising: a handle having an upwardly protruded arch shape, the
handle being connected to opposite ends of a top wall of the
body.
5. The portable air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the
handle and the body form a hobo bag shape.
6. The portable air conditioner according to claim 1, further
comprising: a water collection device disposed in the body, to
collect condensed water produced by the cooling device and to guide
the collected condensed water to an outside of the body.
7. The portable air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the
body is formed, at one side of a lower portion thereof, with a
drainage hole, and wherein the condensed water collected in the
water collection device is discharged out of the body via the
drainage hole.
8. The portable air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein the
drainage hole of the body is formed to be coupled to a PET
container.
9. The portable air conditioner according to claim 1, further
comprising: a battery that supplies power to the thermoelectric
device, the cooling device, and the blower.
10. The portable air conditioner according to claim 1, further
comprising: a display, wherein the display displays an operation
state of the portable air conditioner.
11. The portable air conditioner according to claim 10, wherein the
operation state includes at least one of a current time, a current
temperature, or a current humidity.
12. A portable air conditioner, comprising: a body having an
accommodation space defined therein; a thermoelectric device
disposed in the accommodation space of the body, that absorbs heat
at a first side thereof while emitting heat at a second side
thereof; a cooling device disposed in the accommodation space of
the body and connected to the heat absorption side of the
thermoelectric device, to condense air to dehumidify and cool air;
and a blower disposed in the accommodation space of the body, to
feed air to the cooling device.
13. The portable air conditioner according to claim 12, further
comprising: a lighting device disposed in the accommodation space
of the body, that emits light through ventilation holes provided in
the body to an outside of the body.
14. The portable air conditioner according to claim 12, further
comprising: an insect repellent device to be heated by a heat
emission side of the thermoelectric device, the insect repellent
device comprising an insect repellent material to be evaporated
when heated by the heat emission side.
15. The portable air conditioner according to claim 12, further
comprising: a handle having an upwardly protruded arch shape, the
handle being connected to opposite ends of a top wall of the body,
wherein the handle and the body form a hobo bag shape.
16. The portable air conditioner according to claim 12, further
comprising: a water collection device disposed in the body, to
collect condensed water produced by the cooling device and to guide
the collected condensed water to an outside of the body.
17. The portable air conditioner according to claim 16, wherein the
body is formed, at one side of a lower portion thereof, with a
drainage hole, wherein the condensed water collected in the water
collection device is discharged out of the body via the drainage
hole, and wherein the drainage hole of the body is configured to be
coupled to a container.
18. The portable air conditioner according to claim 1, further
comprising: a battery that supplies power to the thermoelectric
device, the cooling device, and the blower.
19. The portable air conditioner according to claim 1, further
comprising: a display, wherein the display displays an operation
state of the portable air conditioner.
20. The portable air conditioner according to claim 19, wherein the
operation state includes at least one of a current time, a current
temperature, or a current humidity.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2014-0019805, filed in Korea on Feb. 20, 2014 in
the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] A portable air conditioner, and more particularly, a
portable air conditioner that performs dehumidification and cooling
functions is disclosed herein.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] In accordance with the recent spread of camping culture,
camping has become a leisure activity beyond a passing trend. To
cope with rapid expansion of camping culture, camping equipment is
being changed into luxury goods.
[0006] During summer camping, an interior of a tent may be very hot
and humid. For this reason, it is necessary to provide an air
conditioner capable of humidifying and cooling air in the tent
while being conveniently portable. Further, such an air conditioner
must have additional functions, such as insect repelling and
lighting functions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to
the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to
like elements, and wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating use of a portable air
conditioner according to an embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating inner components of the
portable air conditioner of FIG. 1; and
[0010] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a system configuration of the
air conditioner of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments,
examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
However, embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and
should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth
herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this
disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the
scope to those skilled in the art. The present disclosure is
defined only by the categories of the claims. In certain
embodiments, detailed descriptions of device constructions or
processes well known in the art may be omitted to avoid obscuring
appreciation of the disclosure by a person of ordinary skill in the
art. Wherever possible, the same or like reference numbers will be
used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like
parts.
[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to
the drawings for explaining portable air conditioners according to
embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating use of a portable air
conditioner according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view
illustrating inner components of the portable air conditioner of
FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a system configuration of the
air conditioner of FIG. 1.
[0014] The portable air conditioner according to this embodiment
may include a body 111, and a thermoelectric unit or device 121
disposed in the body 111, to perform absorption of heat at one or a
first side thereof, namely, a heat absorption side 121a, and
emission of heat at the other or a second side thereof, namely, a
heat emission side 121b. The portable air conditioner may further
include a cooling unit or device 122 connected to the heat
absorption side 121a of the thermoelectric unit 121, to condense
air for dehumidification and cooling of the air, a blowing unit or
blower 123 to force air to pass around the cooling unit 122, and an
insect repellent unit or device 125 to be heated by the heat
emission side 121b of the thermoelectric unit 121 for evaporation
of an insect repellent material.
[0015] The body 111 may define an appearance of the portable air
conditioner. The body 111 may have front and rear walls each
including a bent plate having an arc-shaped cross-section. The
front and rear walls of the body 111 may contact each other along
opposite lateral ends thereof, and as such, take a biconvex shape
in order to define an accommodation space within the body 111. The
body 111 may have a flat bottom wall, and an arched top wall
recessed in a downward direction.
[0016] The thermoelectric unit 121, the cooling unit 122, the
blowing unit 123, and the insect repellent unit 125 may be
accommodated in the body 111. A lighting unit or device 171 and a
battery 161 may also be accommodated in the body 111. A water
collection unit or device 115 may also be disposed in the body 111.
A handle 112 may be connected to the top wall of the body 111. A
net plate 119 may be provided at the front and/or the rear wall of
the body 111.
[0017] A display 181 may be provided at a portion of the body 111.
The display 181 may display operation states of the portable air
conditioner, such as, a current time, a current temperature, or a
current humidity, for example.
[0018] A drainage hole 116 may be formed at one side of a lower
portion of the body 111, to outwardly drain condensed water
produced within the body 111.
[0019] The net plate 119 may be provided at the body 111. The net
plate 119 may be formed with ventilation holes, to allow air to
flow into and out of the body 111. The net plate 119 may include a
bent plate having an arc-shaped cross-section. A plurality of net
plates 119 may be disposed at the front and rear walls of the body
111, respectively. In this case, the plurality of net plates 119
may form portions of the front and rear walls of the body 111,
respectively. In this case, air may be introduced into the body 111
through the net plate 119 provided at the rear wall of the body
111, and then, may be discharged out of the body 111 through the
net plate 119 provided at the front wall of the body 111.
[0020] The handle 112 may be coupled to the top wall of the body
111, to allow a user to grasp the handle 112 to carry the portable
air conditioner. The handle 112 may define a gap spaced from the
body 111. An operating panel (not shown) may be provided at or in
the handle 112, to allow the user to operate the portable air
conditioner.
[0021] The handle 112 may have an upwardly protruded arch shape.
The handle 112 may be connected to opposite ends of the top wall of
the body 111, and as such, the handle 112 and the body 111 may
generally take a hobo bag shape.
[0022] The thermoelectric unit 121 may include a thermoelectric
element that functions to absorb heat at one or a first side
thereof while emitting heat at the other or a second side thereof
in accordance with the Peltier effect. When electric power from a
battery 161 is supplied to the thermoelectric unit 121, the heat
absorption side 121a of the thermoelectric unit 121 absorbs heat,
and the heat emission side 121b of the thermoelectric unit 121
emits heat.
[0023] The thermoelectric unit 121 may be disposed at the lower
portion of the body 111 inside the body 111. The cooling unit 122
may be connected to the heat absorption side 121a of the
thermoelectric unit 121. The insect repellent unit 125 may be
disposed at the heat emission side 121b of the thermoelectric unit
121. Cooling fins may be provided at the heat emission side 121b of
the thermoelectric unit 121. The heat emission side 121b of the
thermoelectric unit 121 may be disposed near the bottom wall of the
body 111, to be cooled by a cold floor.
[0024] The cooling unit 122, which may be connected to the heat
absorption side 121a of the thermoelectric unit 121, may condense
air blown by the blowing unit 123, to humidify and cool the air.
The cooling unit 122 may be cooled by the thermoelectric unit 121.
The cooling unit 122 may exchange heat with air introduced into the
body 111, thereby condensing and cooling the air.
[0025] The cooling unit 122 may include cooling fins or a cooling
pipe. When the cooling unit 122 includes cooling fins, the cooling
unit 122 may directly exchange heat with the heat absorption side
121a of the thermoelectric unit 121. On the other hand, when the
cooling unit 122 includes a cooling pipe, the cooling unit 122 may
exchange heat with the heat absorption side 121a of the
thermoelectric unit 121 via a refrigerant flowing through the
cooling pipe.
[0026] The cooling unit 122 may be arranged in such a manner as to
contact air flowing within the body 111 as much as possible. The
cooling unit 122 may be arranged in an upright state, to occupy a
large area in a direction normal to a horizontal plane. The cooling
unit 122 may be arranged between the blowing unit 123 and the net
plate(s) 119.
[0027] When the cooling unit 122 condenses air, condensed water may
be formed on a surface of the cooling unit 122 or around the
cooling unit 122. The condensed water produced by the cooling unit
122 may be collected into the water collection unit 115.
[0028] The blowing unit 123 may force air to flow into and out of
the body 111. The blowing unit 123 may include a fan and a motor.
The blowing unit 123 may be disposed within the body 111.
[0029] The blowing unit 123 may be arranged in such a manner that
ambient air may be sucked into the body 111 through one net plate
119, and then, may be fed to the cooling unit 122. The blowing unit
123 may be arranged between one or a first net plate 119 and the
cooling unit 122. The blowing unit 123 may discharge air cooled by
the cooling unit 122 out of the body 111 through the other or a
second net plate 119.
[0030] The insect repellent unit 125 may include an insect
repellent material capable of repelling insects, such as
mosquitoes, when evaporated. The insect repellent material may be
composed of a polymer, or a natural compound, such as aroma. The
insect repellent material may take a liquid, gel, or sol form, for
example, and as such, may be permeated into a pad, or may be
contained in a container, for example.
[0031] The insect repellent unit 125 may take a cartridge form, for
easy replacement thereof. The insect repellent unit 125 may be
separably disposed within the body 111.
[0032] The insect repellent unit 125 may be heated by the heat
emission side 121b of the thermoelectric unit 121. The insect
repellent unit 125 may directly contact the heat emission side 121b
of the thermoelectric unit 121 or may contact the cooling fins of
the heat emission side 121b. When the insect repellent unit 125 is
heated, the insect repellent material may be evaporated, and as
such, may repel insects, such as mosquitoes.
[0033] In accordance with one embodiment, the insect repellent unit
125 may be a device that generates high frequency waves, to repel
insects, such as mosquitoes. In this case, the insect repellent
unit 125 may generate electromagnetic waves having a frequency
which insects, such as mosquitoes, hate upon receiving electric
power from the battery 161, and as such, may repel insects.
[0034] In accordance with another embodiment, the insect repellent
unit 125 may be a device that discharges a high voltage, to repel
insects, such as mosquitoes. In this case, the insect repellent
unit 125 may discharge a high voltage upon receiving electric power
from the battery 161, and as such, may exterminate insects
approaching thereto.
[0035] In accordance with another embodiment, the insect repellent
unit 125 may be a device that generates ions, to repel insects,
such as mosquitoes. In this case, the insect repellent unit 125 may
generate ions upon receiving electric power from the battery 161,
and as such, may repel insects therearound. The battery 161 may
supply electric power to the cooling unit 122, the blowing unit
123, the lighting unit 171, and the display 181. The battery 161
may be disposed within the body 111, for portability. The battery
161 may be charged with electric power from an external power
source. Alternatively, the battery 161 may be separated from the
body 111, for replacement thereof.
[0036] The lighting unit 171 may include various light emitting
devices. The lighting unit 171 may be disposed within the body 111,
to emit light to the outside of the body 111 through the
ventilation holes of the net plate(s) 119.
[0037] The water collection unit 115 may be disposed at the lower
portion of the body 111 inside the body 111. The water collection
unit 115 may be arranged beneath the cooling unit 122. The water
collection unit 115 may collect condensed water produced by the
cooling unit 122, and guide the collected water to the outside of
the body 111. Condensed water collected in the water collection
unit 115 may be discharged out of the body 111 through the drainage
hole 116 formed at one side of the lower portion of the body
111.
[0038] Condensed water discharged out of the body 111 may be stored
in a water container 200 coupled to the drainage hole 116 of the
body 111. The water container 200 may be a PET container, which is
readily available. The drainage hole 116 of the body 111 may be
formed in such a manner as to allow the water container 200 to be
coupled thereto. In accordance with one embodiment, condensed water
discharged out of the body 111 may flow to a field ground via a
hose (not shown) coupled to the drainage hole 116 of the body
111.
[0039] Hereinafter, operation of the portable air conditioner
having the above-described configuration according to embodiments
will be described hereinbelow.
[0040] When a user operates the portable air conditioner through
operation of an operating panel, the battery 161 may supply
electric power to the blowing unit 123 which, in turn, may operate.
When the blowing unit 123 operates, ambient air around the body 111
may be introduced into the body 111 through the net plate 119 at
the rear wall of the body 111, and then, may be fed to the cooling
unit 122.
[0041] When the battery 161 supplies electric power to the
thermoelectric unit 121, the heat absorption side 121a of the
thermoelectric unit 121 may absorb heat, and the heat emission side
121b of the thermoelectric unit 121 may generate heat. The cooling
unit 122 connected to the heat absorption side 121a may condense
air flowing in accordance with operation of the blowing unit 123,
thereby dehumidifying and cooling the air. Air cooled by the
cooling unit 122 may be discharged out of the body 111 through the
net plate 119 at the front wall of the body 111.
[0042] Condensed water produced during air cooling of the cooling
unit 122 may be collected in the water collection unit 115, and
then, may be discharged out of the body 111 through the drainage
hole 116. Condensed water discharged out of the body 111 may be
stored in the water container 200 coupled to the body 111.
[0043] Meanwhile, heat generated from the heat emission unit 121b
may heat the insect repellent unit 125. When the insect repellent
unit 125 is heated, the insect repellent material may be
evaporated, and as such, insects, such as mosquitoes, may be
repelled.
[0044] In accordance with operation by the user, the lighting unit
171 may operate to emit light to the outside of the body 111. In
accordance with operation by the user, only the blowing unit 123
may operate to blow air under a condition that the cooling unit 122
does not operate.
[0045] The portable air conditioner according to embodiments may
provide at least the following advantages.
[0046] First, there is an advantage in that dehumidification and
cooling may be achieved through a simple, portable
configuration.
[0047] Second, there is an advantage in that repelling of insects,
such as mosquitoes, may be achieved in addition to dehumidification
and cooling, using a thermoelectric element.
[0048] Third, there is an advantage in that disposal of condensed
water produced due to dehumidification may be simplified.
[0049] Fourth, there is an advantage in that air conditioning,
insect repelling, and lighting required during camping may be
achieved, using a single appliance with a simple structure, which
exhibits excellent mobility and portability.
[0050] Embodiments disclosed herein provide a portable air
conditioner capable of performing various functions.
[0051] Embodiments are not limited to the above-described object,
and those skilled in the art may appreciate additional objects not
described, from the description.
[0052] Embodiments disclosed herein provide a portable air
conditioner that may include a body, a thermoelectric unit or
device disposed in the body, to absorb heat at one or a first side
thereof while emitting heat at the other or a second side thereof,
a cooling unit or device connected to a heat absorption side of the
thermoelectric unit, to condense air for dehumidification and
cooling of the air, and a blowing unit or blower to feed air to the
cooling unit.
[0053] Details of embodiments will be apparent from the detailed
description and the accompanying drawings.
[0054] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
embodiments are not limited to the above-described effects, and
other effects not described above will be understood from the
description of the accompanying claims.
[0055] Although embodiments has been described in conjunction with
the illustrative embodiments and the accompanying drawings,
embodiments are not limited to such embodiments and drawings. It
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations may be made without departing from the
spirit or scope defined in the appended claims and should not be
individually interpreted from the technical idea and prospect.
[0056] 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. 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.
[0057] 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.
* * * * *