U.S. patent application number 14/992758 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-14 for ventilation appartus.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Jaeheuk Choi, Doyong Ha, Taehee Kwak, Myongsok Ryu.
Application Number | 20160201942 14/992758 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55077457 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160201942 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kwak; Taehee ; et
al. |
July 14, 2016 |
Ventilation Appartus
Abstract
A ventilation apparatus includes a casing having the inside
partitioned into a first floor and a second floor. A first sharing
duct is formed in the first floor and configured to suck one of
indoor air and outdoor air and to have the sucked air horizontally
moved. A second sharing duct is formed in the second floor and
configured to suck the other of indoor air and outdoor air and to
have the sucked air horizontally moved. First and second heat
exchangers are disposed in the first and second sharing ducts,
respectively. The ventilation apparatus is advantageous in that air
resistance is minimized, horizontally moving air is subject to heat
exchange with the entire area of the heat exchanger, and efficiency
of heat exchange between air and the heat exchanger is improved
because air is divided into the first floor and the second floor
and horizontally moved.
Inventors: |
Kwak; Taehee; (Seoul,
KR) ; Ha; Doyong; (Seoul, KR) ; Ryu;
Myongsok; (Seoul, KR) ; Choi; Jaeheuk; (Seoul,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG Electronics Inc. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
55077457 |
Appl. No.: |
14/992758 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/48.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02B 30/56 20130101;
Y02B 30/52 20130101; F24F 3/1429 20130101; F24F 13/30 20130101;
F24F 1/022 20130101; Y02B 30/563 20130101; F24F 12/003
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 13/30 20060101
F24F013/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 12, 2015 |
KR |
10-2015-0004411 |
Claims
1. A ventilation apparatus, comprising: a casing having an inside
partitioned into a first floor and a second floor; a first sharing
duct provided in the first floor; a second sharing duct provided in
the second floor; a first heat exchanger located in the first
sharing duct, the first heat exchanger forming a permeable wall
that partitions the first sharing duct into a first entering
airflow chamber and a first exit airflow chamber; and a second heat
exchanger located in the second sharing duct, the second heat
exchanger forming a permeable wall that partitions the second
sharing duct into a second entering airflow chamber and a second
exit airflow chamber, wherein a main flow direction of air through
the first heat exchanger is non-parallel to a main flow direction
of air entering the first entering airflow chamber, and wherein a
main flow direction of air through the second heat exchanger is
non-parallel to a main flow direction of air entering the second
entering airflow chamber.
2. The ventilation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the main flow
direction of air through the first heat exchanger is perpendicular
to the main flow direction of air entering the first entering
airflow chamber, and wherein the main flow direction of air through
the second heat exchanger is perpendicular to the main flow
direction of air entering the second entering airflow chamber.
3. The ventilation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first entering
airflow chamber is configured to receive a first one of an indoor
air and an outdoor air, and wherein the second entering airflow
chamber is configured to receive a second one of an indoor air and
an outdoor air.
4. The ventilation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the main flow
direction of air through the first heat exchanger is horizontal,
and wherein the main flow direction of air through the second heat
exchanger is horizontal.
5. The ventilation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an
indoor suction chamber connected to the first entering airflow
chamber and the second entering airflow chamber, the indoor suction
chamber configured to receive indoor air, an indoor discharge
chamber connected to the first exit airflow chamber and the second
exit airflow chamber, the indoor discharge chamber configured to
discharge air indoors, an outdoor suction chamber connected to the
first entering airflow chamber and the second entering airflow
chamber, the outdoor suction chamber configured to receive outdoor
air, and an outdoor discharge chamber connected to the first exit
airflow chamber and the second exit airflow chamber, the outdoor
discharge chamber configured to discharge air outdoors.
6. The ventilation apparatus of claim 5, wherein an indoor
discharge fan is located in at least one of the indoor suction
chamber and the indoor discharge chamber, and wherein an outdoor
discharge fan is located in at least one of the outdoor suction
chamber and the outdoor discharge chamber.
7. The ventilation apparatus of claim 6, wherein the indoor
discharge fan is located in the indoor discharge chamber, and
wherein the outdoor discharge fan is located in the outdoor
discharge chamber.
8. The ventilation apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: an
indoor suction damper disposed in the indoor suction chamber and
configured to selectively open or close any one of the first
sharing duct and the second sharing duct; an indoor discharge
damper disposed in the indoor discharge chamber and configured to
selectively open or close any one of the first sharing duct and the
second sharing duct; an outdoor suction damper disposed in the
outdoor suction chamber and configured to selectively open or close
any one of the first sharing duct and the second sharing duct; and
an outdoor discharge damper disposed in the outdoor discharge
chamber and configured to selectively open or close any one of the
first sharing duct and the second sharing duct.
9. The ventilation apparatus of claim 8, wherein the indoor suction
damper comprises: a first indoor suction damper configured to open
or close the first sharing duct; and a second indoor suction damper
configured to open or close the second sharing duct.
10. The ventilation apparatus of claim 8, wherein the outdoor
suction damper comprises: a first outdoor suction damper configured
to open or close the first sharing duct; and a second outdoor
suction damper configured to open or close the second sharing
duct.
11. The ventilation apparatus of claim 8, wherein the indoor
discharge damper comprises: a first indoor discharge damper
configured to open or close the first sharing duct; and a second
indoor discharge damper configured to open or close the second
sharing duct.
12. The ventilation apparatus of claim 8, wherein the outdoor
discharge damper comprises: a first outdoor discharge damper
configured to open or close the first sharing duct; and a second
outdoor discharge damper configured to open or close the second
sharing duct.
13. The ventilation apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first
entering airflow chamber is located between the indoor suction
chamber and the outdoor suction chamber, and wherein the first exit
airflow chamber is located between the indoor discharge chamber and
the outdoor discharge chamber.
14. The ventilation apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of
the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger comprises a
first heat exchanger portion and a second heat exchanger portion,
the first heat exchanger portion being angularly oriented with
respect to the second heat exchanger portion.
15. The ventilation apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first heat
exchanger portion and the second heat exchanger portion form a `V`
shape.
16. The ventilation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first
entering airflow chamber includes a first suction air guide therein
configured to redirect a flow of air entering the first entering
airflow chamber toward the first heat exchanger.
17. The ventilation apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first exit
airflow chamber includes a first discharge air guide therein
configured to redirect a flow of air exiting the first heat
exchanger toward an exit of the first exit airflow chamber.
18. A ventilation apparatus, comprising: a casing having an inside
partitioned into a first floor and a second floor; a first sharing
duct provided in the first floor; a second sharing duct provided in
the second floor; a first heat exchanger located in the first
sharing duct that partitions the first sharing duct into a first
entering airflow chamber and a first exit airflow chamber; a second
heat exchanger located in the second sharing duct that partitions
the second sharing duct into a second entering airflow chamber and
a second exit airflow chamber; and a first suction air guide
located in the first entering airflow chamber and configured to
redirect a flow of air entering the first entering airflow chamber
toward the first heat exchanger.
19. The ventilation apparatus of claim 18, further comprising: a
first discharge air guide located in the first exit airflow chamber
and configured to redirect a flow of air exiting the first heat
exchanger toward an exit of the first exit airflow chamber.
20. The ventilation apparatus of claim 18, wherein: the first
suction guide comprise a first end, a second end, and a middle
part, the middle part is disposed between the first end and the
second end, and the middle part is placed closer to the first heat
exchanger compared to the first end and the second end.
21. The ventilation apparatus of claim 20, wherein a surface
between the first end portion and the intermediate portion is
curved, and wherein a surface between the second end portion and
the intermediate portion is curved.
22. A ventilation apparatus, comprising: a casing partitioned into
a first floor and a second floor; a first sharing duct formed in
the first floor; a second sharing duct formed in the second floor;
a first heat exchanger placed in the first sharing duct and
configured to have an absorption layer for absorbing moisture
formed in the first heat exchanger and to divide the first sharing
duct into a first inlet chamber and a first exit chamber; and a
second heat exchanger placed in the second sharing duct and
configured to have an absorption layer for absorbing moisture
formed in the second heat exchanger and to divide the second
sharing duct into a second inlet chamber and a second exit chamber,
wherein a main flow direction of air passing through the first heat
exchanger intersects a main flow direction of air entering the
first inlet chamber, a main flow direction of air passing through
the second heat exchanger intersects a main flow direction of air
entering the second inlet chamber, an indoor suction chamber is
connected to the first inlet chamber and the second inlet chamber
and configured to be supplied with indoor air, an outdoor discharge
chamber is connected to the first exit chamber and the second exit
chamber and configured to discharge indoor air, an outdoor suction
chamber is connected to the first inlet chamber and the second
inlet chamber and configured to be supplied with indoor air, an
outdoor discharge chamber is connected to the first exit chamber
and the second exit chamber configured to be discharge indoor air,
an indoor suction damper is disposed in the indoor suction chamber
and configured to selectively open and close any one of the first
sharing duct and the second sharing duct, an indoor discharge
damper is disposed in the indoor discharge chamber and configured
to selectively open and close any one of the first sharing duct and
the second sharing duct, an outdoor suction damper is disposed in
the outdoor suction chamber and configured to selectively open and
close any one of the first sharing duct and the second sharing
duct, an outdoor discharge damper is disposed in the outdoor
discharge chamber and configured to selectively open and close any
one of the first sharing duct and the second sharing duct, a
suction guide is disposed in at least one of the first inlet
chamber and the second inlet chamber and configured to change a
flow of introduced air, and a discharge guide is discharged in at
least one of the first exit chamber and the second exit chamber and
configured to change a flow of air passing through the first heat
exchanger or the second heat exchanger.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(a) to Patent Application No. 10-2015-0004411, filed in
the Republic of Korea on Jan. 12, 2015, the entire contents of
which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a ventilation
apparatus.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] In general, a ventilation apparatus refers to an apparatus
configured to discharge contaminated indoor air, suck in fresh and
clean outdoor air, and supply the fresh and clean outdoor air to
the indoors.
[0006] An air-conditioner not having a ventilation function cools
or heats indoor air while circulating the indoor air.
[0007] In this case, the air-conditioner to which outdoor air is
not introduced filters the indoor air through a filter, etc. If
air-conditioning is performed using only the indoor air, however,
the quality of the indoor air is gradually reduced.
[0008] For this reason, examples in which a ventilation apparatus
capable of sucking an outdoor air and discharging an indoor air is
installed and a combination of an air-conditioner and ventilation
apparatus capable of heating and cooling is installed have recently
increased.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a
ventilation apparatus in which an outdoor air duct and an indoor
air duct are simply formed.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
ventilation apparatus capable of increasing a contact area with air
that flows in a limited space.
[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
ventilation apparatus in which the movement resistance of air is
small.
[0012] Further yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a ventilation apparatus capable of reducing power
consumption by minimizing a height difference of the movement of
the air.
[0013] A ventilation apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the
present invention includes a casing configured to have a first
sharing duct formed in a first floor and to have a second sharing
duct formed in a second floor; an indoor suction chamber formed in
the casing, connected to the first sharing duct and the second
sharing duct, and configured to suck an indoor air; an indoor
discharge chamber formed in the casing, connected to the first
sharing duct and the second sharing duct, and configured to
discharge air indoors; an outdoor suction chamber formed in the
casing, connected to the first sharing duct and the second sharing
duct, and configured to suck an outdoor air; an outdoor discharge
chamber formed in the casing, connected to the first sharing duct
and the second sharing duct, and configured to discharge air
outdoors; a first heat exchanger disposed in the first sharing
duct; a second heat exchanger disposed in the second sharing duct;
an indoor suction damper disposed in the indoor suction chamber and
configured to selectively open or close any one of the first
sharing duct and the second sharing duct; an indoor discharge
damper disposed in the indoor discharge chamber and configured to
selectively open or close any one of the first sharing duct and the
second sharing duct; an outdoor suction damper disposed in the
outdoor suction chamber and configured to selectively open or close
any one of the first sharing duct and the second sharing duct; and
an outdoor discharge damper disposed in the outdoor discharge
chamber and configured to selectively open or close any one of the
first sharing duct and the second sharing duct.
[0014] A ventilation apparatus in accordance with another aspect of
the present invention includes a casing configured to have the
inside partitioned into a first floor and a second floor, a first
sharing duct formed in the first floor and configured to suck one
of an indoor air and an outdoor air and to have the sucked air
horizontally moved, a second sharing duct formed in the second
floor and configured to suck the other of an indoor air and an
outdoor air and to have the sucked air horizontally moved, a first
heat exchanger disposed in the first sharing duct, and a second
heat exchanger disposed in the second sharing duct.
[0015] The ventilation apparatus in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention is advantageous in that the resistance of
air can be minimized because air is divided into the first floor
and the second floor and horizontally moved.
[0016] Furthermore, the ventilation apparatus in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention is advantageous in that
efficiency of heat exchange between the heat exchanger and air can
be improved because horizontally moved air is uniformly subject to
heat exchange with the entire area of the heat exchanger.
[0017] Furthermore, the ventilation apparatus in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention is advantageous in that the
velocity of discharged air is constant because air is horizontally
moved with the up and down movements of the air being
minimized.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a ventilation
apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram illustrating that the duct
structure of the ventilation apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 is
divided into a first floor and a second floor in order to describe
the duct structure;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a first exemplary diagram illustrating that the
ventilation apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of
the present invention is driven in ventilation mode;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a second exemplary diagram illustrating that the
ventilation apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of
the present invention is driven in ventilation mode;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a first exemplary diagram illustrating that the
ventilation apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of
the present invention is driven in circulation mode;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a second exemplary diagram illustrating that the
ventilation apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of
the present invention is driven in circulation mode;
[0025] FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram illustrating that the duct
structure of a ventilation apparatus in accordance with a second
embodiment of the present invention is divided into the first floor
and the second floor in order to describe the duct structure;
[0026] FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram illustrating that the duct
structure of a ventilation apparatus in accordance with a third
embodiment of the present invention is divided into the first floor
and the second floor in order to describe the duct structure;
and
[0027] FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram illustrating that the duct
structure of a ventilation apparatus in accordance with a fourth
embodiment of the present invention is divided into the first floor
and the second floor in order to describe the duct structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are
described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0029] Furthermore, in describing the present invention, a detailed
description of a known function or element related to the present
invention will be omitted if it is deemed to make the gist of the
present invention unnecessarily vague. It is to be noted that the
same terms may be assigned different reference numerals although
they are indicative of different parts.
[0030] Furthermore, terms described herein have been adopted by
taking into consideration functions in the present invention and
may be changed depending on an intention or practice of a user,
such as a person who performs experiments or measurement.
Accordingly, the terms should be defined based on the overall
contents of this specification.
[0031] In this specification, terms, such as the first and the
second, may be used to describe various elements, but the elements
should not be restricted by the terms. The terms are used to only
distinguish one element and the other element from each other. For
example, a first element may be named a second element without
departing from the scope of the present invention. Likewise, a
second element may be named a first element. The term "and/or"
includes a combination of a plurality of related and described
items or any one of a plurality of related and described items.
[0032] The terms used in this application are used to only describe
specific embodiments and are not intended to restrict the present
invention. An expression of the singular number includes an
expression of the plural number unless clearly defined otherwise in
the context.
[0033] All terms used herein, unless defined otherwise, have the
same meanings as those typically understood by those having
ordinary skill in the art. The terms, such as ones defined in
common dictionaries, should be interpreted to have the same
meanings as terms in the context of pertinent technology, and
should not be interpreted to have ideal or excessively formal
meanings unless clearly defined in the specification.
[0034] Furthermore, unless explicitly described to the contrary,
the word "comprise" and variations, such as "comprises" or
"comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated
elements but not the exclusion of any other elements.
[0035] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a ventilation
apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an exemplary
diagram illustrating that the duct structure of the ventilation
apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 is divided into a first floor and a
second floor in order to describe the duct structure, FIG. 4 is a
first exemplary diagram illustrating that the ventilation apparatus
in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention is
driven in ventilation mode, FIG. 5 is a second exemplary diagram
illustrating that the ventilation apparatus in accordance with the
first embodiment of the present invention is driven in ventilation
mode, FIG. 6 is a first exemplary diagram illustrating that the
ventilation apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of
the present invention is driven in circulation mode, and FIG. 7 is
a second exemplary diagram illustrating that the ventilation
apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of the present
invention is driven in circulation mode.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, the ventilation apparatus
according to the present embodiment includes a casing 10, an
outdoor discharge fan 20 installed in the casing 10 and configured
to discharge air to the outside, an indoor discharge fan 30
installed in the casing 10 and configured to discharge air to the
inside, and an air-conditioning unit 40 installed in the casing 10
and configured to perform air-conditioning on moved air.
[0037] The casing 10 includes a first sharing duct 11 configured to
have an indoor air or an outdoor air move therein, a second sharing
duct 12 configured to have an indoor air or an outdoor air move
therein and stacked on the first sharing duct 11, an indoor suction
chamber 52 connected to the first sharing duct 11 and the second
sharing duct 12 and configured to suck an indoor air, an indoor
discharge chamber 54 connected to the first sharing duct 11 and the
second sharing duct 12 and configured to discharge air to the
inside, an outdoor suction chamber 56 connected to the first
sharing duct 11 and the second sharing duct 12 and configured to
suck an outdoor air, and an outdoor discharge chamber 58 connected
to the first sharing duct 11 and the second sharing duct 12 and
configured to discharge air to the outside.
[0038] An indoor suction damper 62, an indoor discharge damper 64,
an outdoor suction damper 66, and an outdoor discharge damper 68
configured to control the movement of air to and from the first
sharing duct 11 or the second sharing duct 12 are disposed in the
indoor suction chamber 52, the indoor discharge chamber 54, the
outdoor suction chamber 56, and the outdoor discharge chamber 58,
respectively.
[0039] The air-conditioning unit 40 is configured to include a
compressor 45, a first heat exchanger 41, a second heat exchanger
42, an expansion valve (not illustrated), and a 4-way refrigerant
switching valve (not illustrated).
[0040] The air-conditioning unit 40 is a heat pump that may be
driven in a cooling cycle and a heating cycle. Accordingly, if the
first heat exchanger 41 operates as a condenser in response to the
switching of the refrigerant switching valve, the second heat
exchanger 42 operates as an evaporator. If the first heat exchanger
41 operates as an evaporator in response to the switching of the
refrigerant switching valve, the second heat exchanger 42 operates
as a condenser.
[0041] The operation mechanism of the air-conditioning unit 40 is
known to those skilled in the art, and thus a detailed description
thereof is omitted.
[0042] In the present embodiment, the first heat exchanger 41 is
disposed in the first sharing duct 11, and the second heat
exchanger 42 is disposed in the second sharing duct 12.
[0043] The first and second heat exchangers 41, 42 are disposed to
cross the first and second sharing ducts 11, 12. Accordingly, the
first and second heat exchangers 41, 42 partition the first and
second sharing ducts 11, 12 into a suction side and a discharge
side.
[0044] The first heat exchanger 41 and its supporting structure
extend from one side wall of the first sharing duct 11 to the
opposing side wall of the first sharing duct 11 to form a wall
between the suction side and the discharge side of the first
sharing duct 11. In this way, a room for receiving air is provided
at the suction side in the first sharing duct 11 and next to one
side of the heat exchanger 41, and a room for receiving air is
provided at the discharge side in the first sharing duct 11 and
next to the other side of the heat exchanger 41.
[0045] Similarly, the second heat exchanger 42 and its supporting
structure extend from one side wall of the second sharing duct 12
to the opposing side wall of the second sharing duct 12 to form a
wall between the suction side and the discharge side of the second
sharing duct 12. In this way, a room for receiving air is provided
at the suction side in the second sharing duct 12 and next to one
side of the heat exchanger 42, and a room for receiving air is
provided at the discharge side in the second sharing duct 12 and
next to the other side of the heat exchanger 42.
[0046] The suction side is a duct connected to the indoor suction
chamber 52 and the outdoor suction chamber 56, and the discharge
side is a duct connected to the indoor discharge chamber 54 and the
outdoor discharge chamber 58.
[0047] Furthermore, air that moves from the suction side of the
first sharing duct 11 or second sharing duct 12 to the discharge
side is subject to heat exchange while passing through the first
heat exchanger 41 or the second heat exchanger 42.
[0048] When air is subject to heat exchange with the first and
second heat exchangers 41, 42, air moves horizontally while
maintaining a same level, and the moved air is uniformly subject to
heat exchange with the entire area of the first and second heat
exchangers 41, 42.
[0049] Furthermore, a desiccant coating capable of absorbing
moisture in the air is formed on a surface of the first and second
heat exchangers 41, 42.
[0050] The desiccant coating is a material capable of absorbing
moisture in the air and discharging absorbed air into the air when
heat is applied to the material. The material is commonly used by
those skilled in the art, and thus a detailed description thereof
is omitted.
[0051] In the present embodiment, the first and second heat
exchangers 41, 42 are alternately used as a condenser or evaporator
depending on a cycle. If one of the first and second heat
exchangers 41, 42 is used as the evaporator, it absorbs moisture.
If one of the first and second heat exchangers 41, 42 is used as
the condenser, it discharges absorbed moisture into the air.
[0052] The compressor 45 is disposed in a separate machine room 15
formed in the casing 10.
[0053] The indoor suction damper 62, the indoor discharge damper
64, the outdoor suction damper 66, and the outdoor discharge damper
68 have the same structure and selectively open or close the first
sharing duct 11 or the second sharing duct 12.
[0054] The indoor suction damper 62, the indoor discharge damper
64, the outdoor suction damper 66, and the outdoor discharge damper
68 may be fabricated to have various structures. In the present
embodiment, they are configured to open or close the duct through a
shutter method.
[0055] For example, the indoor suction damper 62 may selectively
open or close at least one of the first and the second sharing
ducts 11 and 12. When the indoor suction damper 62 is open in
response to a control signal, an indoor air may move to at least
one of the first sharing duct 11 and the second sharing duct 12
through the indoor suction chamber 52.
[0056] In the present embodiment, dampers connected to the first
sharing duct 11 are defined as a first indoor suction damper 62-1,
a first indoor discharge damper 64-1, a first outdoor suction
damper 66-1, and a first outdoor discharge damper 68-1. Dampers
connected to the second sharing duct 12 are defined as a second
indoor suction damper 62-2, a second indoor discharge damper 64-2,
a second outdoor suction damper 66-2, and a second outdoor
discharge damper 68-2.
[0057] Furthermore, a location that belongs to the casing 10 and
where the first sharing duct 11 is placed is defined as the first
floor, and a location that belongs to the casing 10 and where the
second sharing duct 12 is placed is called the second floor.
[0058] The indoor suction chamber 52, the indoor discharge chamber
54, the outdoor suction chamber 66, and the outdoor discharge
chamber 68 may be partitioned and formed into the first floor and
the second floor. In the present embodiment, however, the indoor
suction chamber 52, the indoor discharge chamber 54, the outdoor
suction chamber 66, and the outdoor discharge chamber 68 are formed
to share the first floor and the second floor.
[0059] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the outdoor
discharge fan 20 is disposed in the outdoor discharge chamber 58,
and the indoor discharge fan 30 is disposed in the indoor discharge
chamber 54.
[0060] An operation of the ventilation apparatus in accordance with
the first embodiment of the present invention is described in
detail below with reference to related drawings.
[0061] Ventilation Mode
[0062] In ventilation mode, some of an indoor air is discharged to
the outside, and fresh air is sucked from the outside and supplied
to the inside.
[0063] In this case, in the ventilation apparatus according to the
present embodiment, while the ducts in the first floor and the
second floor are alternately open and closed, an outdoor air is
supplied to the inside, and an indoor air is discharged to the
outside.
[0064] For example, a case where an outdoor air is supplied to the
inside through the first floor and an indoor air is discharged to
the outside through the second floor is described below (refer to
FIG. 4).
[0065] First, in order to supply the outdoor air to the inside, the
first outdoor suction damper 66-1 and the first indoor discharge
damper 64-1 disposed in the first floor are open, and the remaining
dampers disposed in the first floor are closed.
[0066] Furthermore, in order to discharge the indoor air to the
outside, the second indoor suction damper 62-2 and the second
outdoor discharge damper 68-2 disposed in the second floor are
open, and the remaining dampers disposed in the second floor are
closed.
[0067] In this case, the outdoor discharge fan 20 and the indoor
discharge fan 30 are respectively driven to move air in the second
floor and the first floor.
[0068] In such a case, the outdoor air is supplied to the inside
through the first floor, and the indoor air is discharged to the
outside through the second floor.
[0069] In this case, the state of the first and second heat
exchangers 41, 42 disposed in the first and second floors may be
changed from a condenser or evaporator state to an evaporator or
condenser state. In such a case, the first and second floors
reverse the direction of a movement.
[0070] If the function of the first and second heat exchangers 41,
42 is alternated, the indoor air is discharged through the first
floor, and the outdoor air is supplied through the second floor
(refer to FIG. 5).
[0071] Accordingly, in order to discharge the indoor air through
the first floor, the first indoor suction damper 62-1 and the first
outdoor discharge damper 68-1 are open, and the remaining dampers
are closed.
[0072] Furthermore, in order to supply the outdoor air through the
second floor, the second outdoor suction damper 66-2 and the second
indoor discharge damper 64-2 are open, and the remaining dampers
are closed.
[0073] If ducts are configured by controlling the dampers as in
FIG. 4 or 5, air moving from the outside to the inside and air
moving from the inside to the outside horizontally move through
different layers and uniformly come in contact with the entire area
of the first heat exchanger 41 or the second heat exchanger 42,
thereby being capable of being subject to heat exchange.
[0074] In particular, if air is subject to heat exchange while
moving through the first sharing duct 11 and the second sharing
duct 12 that are horizontally disposed as in the present
embodiment, there are advantages in that the resistance of the
moving air can be minimized and the velocity of the air can be
regularly maintained.
[0075] Furthermore, a vortex formed in moving air can be minimized
because the first sharing duct 11 and the second sharing duct 12
are formed in a straight line.
[0076] For example, if air moves while forming a difference of
altitude, air that moves from the upper side to the lower side has
a faster velocity than air that moves from the lower side to the
upper side. Accordingly, there is a difference of a flux between
air that is sucked to the inside and discharged air. If air sucked
to the inside and discharged air move in the same layer as in the
present embodiment, there are advantages in that a difference of a
flux between the suction side and the discharge side can be
minimized and resistance occurring while the air moves can be
minimized.
[0077] Circulation Mode
[0078] In circulation mode, dampers are controlled so that an
indoor air is sucked and discharged to the inside.
[0079] First, a case where an indoor air is circulated in the first
floor and an outdoor air is circulated in the second floor is
described below with reference to FIG. 6.
[0080] If the indoor air is circulated in the first floor, the
first indoor suction damper 62-1 and the first outdoor discharge
damper 64-1 are open and the remaining dampers are closed.
[0081] If the outdoor air is circulated in the second floor, the
second outdoor suction damper 66-2 and the second outdoor discharge
damper 68-2 are open and the remaining dampers are closed.
[0082] In this case, the outdoor discharge fan 20 discharges the
air in the second floor to the outside, and the indoor discharge
fan 30 circulates the indoor air.
[0083] Furthermore, the outdoor discharge fan 20 may not operate or
intermittently operate depending on an operating condition, such as
an external temperature.
[0084] Next, a case where an indoor air is circulated in the second
floor and an outdoor air is circulated in the first floor is
described below with reference to FIG. 7.
[0085] If an outdoor air is circulated in the first floor, the
first outdoor suction damper 66-1 and the first outdoor discharge
damper 68-1 are open and the remaining dampers are closed.
[0086] If an indoor air is circulated in the second floor, the
second indoor suction damper 62-2 and the second indoor discharge
damper 64-2 are open and the remaining dampers are closed.
[0087] In this case, the outdoor discharge fan 20 discharges the
air in the first floor to the outside, and the indoor discharge fan
30 circulates the indoor air.
[0088] Dehumidification and Humidification
[0089] In the ventilation apparatus according to the present
embodiment, a desiccant coating capable of absorbing moisture is
provided on the first heat exchanger 41 and the second heat
exchanger 42. Accordingly, when the ventilation apparatus is driven
in ventilation mode or circulation mode, the inside can be
dehumidified or humidified depending on a user's choice.
[0090] When a user selects dehumidification, the control unit (not
illustrated) of the ventilation apparatus may drive a heat
exchanger, disposed in the duct of air discharged to the inside, as
an evaporator and remove moisture in the air by performing heat
exchange on the evaporator and air supplied to the inside.
[0091] For example, in ventilation mode, the control unit may
perform dehumidification on air that is supplied from the outside
and discharged to the inside. In circulation mode, the control unit
may perform dehumidification on air that is sucked from the inside
and discharged to the inside.
[0092] Furthermore, when a user selects humidification, the control
unit drives a heat exchanger, disposed on the duct of air
discharged to the inside, as a condenser and discharges moisture
into the air by performing heat exchange on the condenser and air
supplied to the inside.
[0093] In this case, the first and second heat exchangers 41, 42
alternately operate as the evaporator or condenser and absorb
moisture from the air or discharge moisture into the air. The
control unit calculates the amount of moisture accumulated in the
first and second heat exchangers 41, 42 by detecting a temperature
and humidity in moving air.
[0094] Accordingly, if dehumidification or humidification is
performed, the ventilation apparatus according to the present
embodiment determines that any one of the first heat exchanger 41
and the second heat exchanger 42 will be used as a condenser or an
evaporator by changing the 4-way valve of the air-conditioning unit
40.
[0095] FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram illustrating that the duct
structure of a ventilation apparatus in accordance with a second
embodiment of the present invention is divided into the first floor
and the second floor in order to describe the duct structure.
[0096] The ventilation apparatus according to the present
embodiment includes a plurality of heat exchangers disposed in a
single layer, unlike in the first embodiment.
[0097] More specifically, the ventilation apparatus according to
the present embodiment may include two first heat exchangers 41-1
and 41-2. One (e.g., 41-1) of the two first heat exchangers is
installed close to the first indoor discharge damper 64-1, and the
other (e.g., 41-2) of the two first heat exchangers is installed
close to the first outdoor discharge damper 68-1.
[0098] Furthermore, one (e.g., 42-1) of two second heat exchangers
is installed close to the second indoor discharge damper 64-2, and
the other (e.g., 42-2) of the two second heat exchangers is
installed close to the second outdoor discharge damper 68-2.
[0099] In this case, the first and second heat exchangers may
include at least two heat exchangers separated from each other.
Accordingly, there is an advantage in that the heat exchangers can
be optimized for and installed in the duct of air.
[0100] In the present embodiment, the first and second heat
exchangers are installed close to the discharge side and are
disposed so that air is subject to heat exchange before it is
discharged to the inside or outside. Accordingly, the first and
second heat exchanger can be configured so that air is subject to
heat exchange through a rapid flux at a location close to the
outdoor discharge fan 20 or the indoor discharge fan 30.
[0101] Unlike in the present embodiment, the plurality of heat
exchangers may be installed on the suction side. In some
embodiments, some of the plurality of heat exchangers may be
installed on the suction side, and the remaining heat exchangers
may be installed on the discharge side. Those skilled in the art
may dispose such heat exchangers in various forms depending on an
installation structure or duct structure of the ventilation
apparatus.
[0102] The remaining elements are the same as those of the first
embodiment, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0103] FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram illustrating that the duct
structure of a ventilation apparatus in accordance with a third
embodiment of the present invention is divided into the first floor
and the second floor in order to describe the duct structure.
[0104] The ventilation apparatus according to the present
embodiment may further include a guide configured to guide the flow
of air and installed in at least one of the first sharing duct 11
and the second sharing duct 12.
[0105] In the present embodiment, the guide may include a first
suction guide 71-1 and a first discharge guide 71-2 installed in
the first sharing duct 11 and a second suction guide 72-1 and a
second discharge guide 72-2 installed in the second sharing duct
12.
[0106] In this case, the first suction guide 71-1 is configured to
guide sucked air to the first heat exchanger 41, and the second
suction guide 72-1 is configured to guide sucked air to the second
heat exchanger 42.
[0107] Furthermore, the first discharge guide 71-2 is configured to
guide air, passing through the first heat exchanger 41, to the
exit, and the second discharge guide 72-2 is configured to guide
air, passing through the second heat exchanger 42, to the exit.
[0108] In the present embodiment, the suction guides 71-1 and 72-1
and the discharge guides 71-2 and 72-2 have the same shape, and
thus the first suction guide 71-1 is described as an example.
[0109] The first suction guide 71-1 may include one end 73, the
other end 75, and a middle part 74.
[0110] The one end 73, the other end 75, and the middle part 74 are
configured to have a curved surface.
[0111] The first suction guide 71-1 is generally curved in a bow
shape, and the middle part 74 is placed closer to the heat
exchanger 41, 42.
[0112] That is, the middle part 74 is more protruded than the one
end 73 and the other end 75.
[0113] Accordingly, in the first suction guide 71-1, the middle
part 74 guides air that passes through the first outdoor suction
damper 66-1 or the first indoor suction damper 62-1 so that the
flow of the air switches to the first heat exchanger 41.
[0114] In the first discharge guide 71-2, the middle part 74 guides
air, passing through the first heat exchanger 41, to the first
outdoor discharge damper 68-1 or the first indoor discharge damper
64-1.
[0115] In this case, the suction guide or the discharge guide
changes the direction of flowing air and can minimize resistance of
air that is generated in this process. The suction guide 71-1, 72-1
and the discharge guide 71-2, 72-2 have streamline shapes by taking
the direction of a flow into consideration and can minimize the
generation of a turbulent flow in the first sharing duct 11 or the
second sharing duct 12.
[0116] In some embodiments, the suction guide or the discharge
guide may have a flat surface not a curved surface or may have a
triangle in a flat cross section.
[0117] The remaining elements are the same as those of the first
embodiment, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0118] FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram illustrating that the duct
structure of a ventilation apparatus in accordance with a fourth
embodiment of the present invention is divided into the first floor
and the second floor in order to describe the duct structure.
[0119] Unlike in the first embodiment, the ventilation apparatus
according to the present embodiment increases an area brought in
contact with the same air by changing the shape of the first heat
exchanger or the second heat exchanger.
[0120] In the present embodiment, a first heat exchanger includes a
first heat exchange unit 41-1 and a second heat exchange unit 41-2.
The first heat exchange unit 41-1 and the second heat exchange unit
41-2 are assembled to cross each other and protruded toward the
inlet side or the exit side.
[0121] Like the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger
includes a first heat exchange unit 42-1 and a second heat exchange
unit 42-2.
[0122] Referring to FIG. 10, at least one of the first heat
exchanger and the second heat exchanger may have a "<" or ">"
form. In this case, there is an advantage in that an area coming in
contact with air is increased because the length of the heat
exchanger is increased.
[0123] Furthermore, the velocity of a moving fluid is the fastest
in the middle part of a duct and the slowest in the edge part of
the duct due to air resistance. If the heat exchanger is configured
to have the "<" or ">" form by taking into consideration the
velocity of a moving fluid, the velocities of a moving fluid in the
middle and edge parts may become uniform.
[0124] The remaining elements are the same as those of the first
embodiment, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0125] Although some exemplary embodiments of the present invention
have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings,
the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, but may be
manufactured in various, different forms. Those skilled in the art
to which the present invention pertains will appreciate that the
present invention may be implemented in other detailed forms
without changing the technical spirit or essential characteristics
of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that
the aforementioned embodiments are not limitative, but are
illustrative from all aspects.
* * * * *