Air conditioner

Abstract

An air conditioner is disclosed which uses a single blowing fan having one inlet and a pair of outlets to suck air from a room or from the outdoors and to blow a fraction of the sucked air to a dehumidification flow path while blowing the remaining fraction of the sucked air to a regeneration flow path. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the number of elements constituting the air conditioner, and thus, to reduce the installation costs. Also, it is possible to design a compact structure of the air conditioner.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and, more particularly, to an air conditioner wherein it is possible to blow air to both a regeneration flow path and a dehumidification flow path using only one blowing fan, thereby achieving a reduction in the number of constituent elements, and thus, reducing the installation costs.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, air conditioners are used to form more comfortable indoor environments for users. Such an air conditioner includes a dehumidifier for dehumidifying a confined space, for example, a room, a humidifier for humidifying the room, and a ventilator for ventilating the room. The dehumidifier removes moisture from indoor air using moisture absorbing and releasing functions of a dehumidifying rotor made of a desiccant.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a conventional dehumidifier.

As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional dehumidifier includes a dehumidifier body 2, a dehumidifying rotor 5 arranged in the interior of the dehumidifier body 2 and adapted to absorb moisture from ambient air or to release the absorbed moisture to the ambient air, a dehumidification flow path 4 defined in the interior of the dehumidifier body 2 such that the dehumidification flow path 4 extends through the dehumidifying rotor 5 at one side of the dehumidifying rotor 5, to guide indoor air to be dehumidified by the dehumidifying rotor 5, and a first blowing fan 8 arranged in the dehumidification flow path 4, to force the indoor air to flow along the dehumidification flow path 4. The dehumidifier also includes a regeneration flow path 10 defined in the interior of the dehumidifier body 2 such that the regeneration flow path 10 extends through the dehumidifying rotor 5 at the other side of the dehumidifying rotor 5, to guide circulating air to dry the dehumidifying rotor 5, and a second blowing fan 12 arranged in the regeneration flow path 10, to force the circulating air to flow along the regeneration flow path 10. The dehumidifier further includes a heater 14 arranged in the regeneration flow path 10, to heat the circulating air, a condenser 16 arranged in the regeneration flow path 10, to condense moisture absorbed from the circulating air by the dehumidifying rotor 5, and a motor which rotates the dehumidifying rotor 5.

The dehumidifying rotor 5 is divided into an absorption portion 6 corresponding to the side of the dehumidifying rotor 5, through which the dehumidification flow path 4 extends, and a regeneration portion 7 corresponding to the side of the dehumidifying rotor 5, through which the regeneration flow path 10 extends. The absorption portion 6 absorbs moisture contained in the indoor air passing through the dehumidification flow path 4, whereas the regeneration portion 7 releases the moisture absorbed by the absorption portion 6 to the circulating air.

After being used for a predetermined time, the dehumidifying rotor 5 is rotated by the motor 18 such that the positions of the absorption portion 6 and regeneration portion 7 are reversed.

A drain pan 20 is arranged beneath the condenser 16, to collect condensed water produced in the condenser 16.

Hereinafter, operation of the conventional dehumidifier having the above-mentioned configuration will be described.

When the first blowing fan 8 operates, indoor air enters the interior of the dehumidifier body 2, and then flows along the dehumidification flow path 4 to sequentially pass through the condenser 16 and the absorption portion 6 of the dehumidifying rotor 5. Accordingly, the absorption 6 of the dehumidifying rotor 5 absorbs moisture from the indoor air, so that the indoor air is dehumidified. The dehumidified air is then discharged to the room.

Meanwhile, when the second blowing fan 12 operates, air present in the regeneration flow path 10, namely, circulating air, is forced to circulate the regeneration flow path 10. Accordingly, the circulating air is heated by the heater 14, and is then forced to pass through the regeneration portion 7 of the dehumidifying rotor 5. As a result, the regeneration portion 7 of the dehumidifying rotor 5 is dried by the circulating air. That is, the regeneration portion 7 of the dehumidifying rotor 5 releases moisture to the circulating air, so that the circulating air is humidified. The humidified air is then introduced into the condenser 16.

The circulating air introduced into the condenser 16 heat-exchanges with the indoor air passing around the condenser 16. As a result, the circulating air, which is hot and humid, is condensed in the condenser 16. Condensed water produced in the condenser 16 is discharged to the drain pan 20.

However, the above-mentioned conventional dehumidifier has problems of high installation costs and a limitation in reducing the size of the dehumidifier because the dehumidifier uses separate blowing fans to blow indoor air and circulating air, respectively, namely, the first and second blowing fans 8 and 12.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the problems incurred in the related art, and it is an object of the invention to provide an air conditioner which can perform both a dehumidifying function a humidifying function, thereby being capable of achieving a reduction in installation costs and size.

In accordance with the present invention, this object is accomplished by providing an air conditioner comprising: a dehumidifying rotor divided into an absorption portion adapted to absorb moisture from air and a regeneration portion adapted to release moisture to air; a dehumidification flow path defined to extend through the absorption portion and adapted to guide air, to be dehumidified by the absorption portion, to pass through the absorption portion; a regeneration flow path defined to extend through the regeneration portion and adapted to guide air, to be humidified by the regeneration portion, to pass through the regeneration portion; and a blowing fan which sucks air from a room or from the outdoors, and forces a fraction of the sucked air to flow along the dehumidification flow path while forcing the remaining fraction of the sucked air to flow along the regeneration flow path.

The blowing fan may include an inlet, through which the air is sucked into blowing fan, and a plurality of outlets, through each of which the air sucked through the inlet is discharged into an associated one of the dehumidification flow path and the regeneration flow path.

The blowing fan may be arranged in the dehumidification flow path.

The inlet and the first outlet may communicate with the dehumidification flow path, and the second outlet may communicate with the regeneration flow path.

The blowing fan may comprise a centrifugal fan including a scroll housing provided with the inlet, the first outlet, and the second outlet, and an impeller rotatably mounted in the scroll housing.

The first outlet and the second outlet may be arranged perpendicular to each other.

The first outlet and the second outlet may be divided from each other by a flow guide mounted to the scroll housing.

The air conditioner may further comprise a heater arranged in the regeneration flow path, and adapted to heat the air which will pass through the regeneration portion.

The air conditioner may further comprise a condenser arranged in the regeneration flow path, and adapted to condense the air which has passed through the regeneration portion.

The blowing fan may be arranged in the regeneration flow path between the condenser and the dehumidifying rotor.

Since the air conditioner according to the present invention uses a single blowing fan which has one inlet and a pair of outlets to suck air from a room or from the outdoors and to blow a fraction of the sucked air into a dehumidification flow path while blowing the remaining fraction of the sucked air into a regeneration flow path, it is possible to reduce the number of elements constituting the air conditioner, and thus, to reduce the installation costs. Also, it is possible to design a compact structure of the air conditioner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above objects, and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent after reading the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a conventional dehumidifier;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a blowing fan according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the blowing fan according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating an air conditioner according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the annexed drawings.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a blowing fan according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the blowing fan according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a dehumidifying rotor 50 divided into an absorption portion 51 adapted to absorb moisture from air present around the absorption portion 51 and a regeneration portion 52 adapted to release the moisture absorbed in the dehumidifying rotor 50 in accordance with the moisture absorption of the absorption portion 51 to air present around the regeneration potion 52, a dehumidification flow path 53 defined to extend through the absorption portion 51 and adapted to guide air to be dehumidified by the absorption portion 51, and a regeneration flow path 54 defined to extend through the regeneration portion 52 and adapted to guide air to be humidified by the regeneration portion 52. The air conditioner also includes a blowing fan 60 which sucks air from a room to be air-conditioned by the air conditioner or from the outdoors, and forces a fraction of the sucked air to flow along the dehumidification flow path 53 while forcing the remaining fraction of the sucked air to flow along the regeneration flow path 54.

The air conditioner further includes a heater arranged in the regeneration flow path 54, to heat the air to be introduced into the regeneration portion 52, and a condenser 58 arranged in the regeneration flow path 54, to condense air emerging from the regeneration portion 52.

In order to enable the blowing fan 60 to force the air emerging from the dehumidifying rotor 50 to flow along both the regeneration flow path 54 and the dehumidification flow path 53, the condenser 58, dehumidifying rotor 50, and blowing fan 60 are arranged, in this order, in the dehumidification flow path 53.

The dehumidification flow path 53 has opposite ends communicating with the room such that indoor air is sucked into the dehumidification flow path 53, and is then discharged into the room after being dehumidified.

A motor (not shown) is connected to the dehumidifying rotor 50, to turn the dehumidifying rotor 50 after the use of the dehumidifying rotor 50 for a predetermined time such that the positions of the absorption portion 51 and regeneration portion 52 are reversed.

A drain pan 59 is arranged beneath the condenser 58, to collect condensed water produced in the condenser 58.

For the blowing fan 60, a centrifugal fan may be used. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the blowing fan 60 includes a scroll housing 64 having an inlet 63, through which air is sucked into the scroll housing 64, and outlets 61 and 62, through which the sucked air is discharged from the scroll housing 64, and an impeller 65 rotatably mounted in the scroll housing 64. A motor (not shown) is connected to a central portion of the impeller 65, to rotate the impeller 65.

The blowing fan 60 is arranged in the dehumidification flow path 53. The inlet 63 of the blowing fan 60 communicates with the dehumidification flow path 53, so as to suck the air emerging from the absorption portion 51 into the interior of the blowing fan 60. The outlet 61 of the blowing fan 60 discharges a fraction of the air, sucked into the interior of the blowing fan 60 through the inlet 63, into the dehumidification flow path 63, whereas the outlet 62 of the blowing fan 60 discharges the remaining fraction of the sucked air into the regeneration flow path 53.

That is, the inlet 63 and first outlet 61 communicate with the dehumidification flow path 53, and the second outlet 62 communicates with the regeneration flow path 54. In particular, the second outlet 62 is arranged perpendicular to the first outlet 61.

In order to efficiently carry out the air discharge into the regeneration flow path 54, it is preferred that the second outlet 62 have a cross section A corresponding to 5 to 30% of the scroll area B of the scroll housing 64.

The scroll area B of the scroll housing 64 can be expressed as follows:
Scroll Area(B)=Scroll Length(I)×Scroll Height(h)

The scroll length I represents the length from a cut-off point c of the scroll housing 64 to an ending point d of a scroll extension angle in the scroll housing 64, as shown in FIG. 4. The scroll height h is shown in FIG. 3.

Operation of the air conditioner having the above-described configuration according to the illustrated embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

When the air conditioner operates, air present in the room, namely, indoor air, is first introduced into the dehumidification flow path 53, and then sequentially passes through the condenser 58 and the absorption portion 51 of the dehumidifying rotor 50.

The absorption portion 51 of the dehumidifying rotor 50 absorbs moisture from the indoor air, so that the indoor air is dehumidified. The dehumidified air is then introduced into the interior of the blowing fan 60 through the inlet 63 of the blowing fan 60.

The air introduced into the interior of the blowing fan 60 is then radially outwardly discharged in accordance with rotation of the impeller 65. As a result, a fraction of the air introduced into the interior of the blowing fan 60 is discharged into the dehumidification flow path 53 through the first outlet 61, and the remaining fraction of the introduced air is discharged into the regeneration flow path 54 through the second outlet 62.

The air discharged into the dehumidification flow path 53 through the first outlet 61 is again discharged into the room.

On the other hand, the air discharged into the regeneration flow path 54 through the second outlet 62 is heated while passing through the heater 56. The air heated by the heater 56 then dries the regeneration portion 52 of the dehumidifying rotor 50 while passing through the regeneration portion 52. As a result, the regeneration portion 52 of the dehumidifying rotor 50 releases moisture therefrom. Simultaneously, the heated air absorbs the moisture released from the dehumidifying rotor 50, so that the heated air is humidified. The humidified air is then introduced into the condenser 58.

The air introduced into the condenser 58 heat-exchanges with the indoor air passing around the condenser 58, so that the air in the condenser 58 is condensed. The air is then outwardly discharged from the condenser 58.

Thus, it is possible to blow air into both the regeneration flow path 54 and the dehumidification flow path 53, using only one blowing fan, namely, the blowing fan 60. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the number of the elements constituting the air conditioner, and thus, to reduce the costs.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration and functions as those of the first embodiment, except that a blowing fan 70 is arranged between the condenser 58 and the dehumidifying rotor 50, to blow a fraction of air emerging from the condenser 58 to the absorption portion 51 of the dehumidifying rotor 50 and to blow the remaining fraction of the air to the heater 56. Accordingly, the constituent elements of the second embodiment respectively corresponding to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and no detailed description thereof will be given.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating an air conditioner according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, the air conditioner according to the third embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration and functions as those of the first embodiment, except that the air conditioner includes a blowing fan 80 including a scroll housing 83 provided with an inlet (not shown) and outlets 81 and 82, and an impeller 84 rotatably mounted in the scroll housing 83, and the outlets 81 and 82 are divided from each other by a flow guide 86 mounted to the scroll housing 83. Accordingly, the constituent elements of the third embodiment respectively corresponding to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and no detailed description thereof will be given.

As apparent from the above description, the air conditioner according to the present invention has various effects.

That is, the air conditioner according to the present invention uses a single blowing fan which has one inlet and a pair of outlets to suck air from a room or from the outdoors and to blow a fraction of the sucked air into a dehumidification flow path while blowing the remaining fraction of the sucked air into a regeneration flow path. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the number of elements constituting the air conditioner, and thus, to reduce the installation costs. Also, it is possible to design a compact structure of the air conditioner.

Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. An air conditioner comprising:

a dehumidifying rotor divided into an absorption portion adapted to absorb moisture from air and a regeneration portion adapted to release moisture to air;

a dehumidification flow path defined to extend through the absorption portion and adapted to guide air, to be dehumidified by the absorption portion, to pass through the absorption portion;

a regeneration flow path defined to extend through the regeneration portion and adapted to guide air, to be humidified by the regeneration portion, to pass through the regeneration portion; and

a blowing fan which sucks air from a room or from the outdoors, and forces a fraction of the sucked air to flow along the dehumidification flow path while forcing the remaining fraction of the sucked air to flow along the regeneration flow path.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the blowing fan is arranged in the dehumidification flow path.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the blowing fan includes an inlet, through which the air is sucked into blowing fan, and a plurality of outlets, through each of which the air sucked through the inlet is discharged into an associated one of the dehumidification flow path and the regeneration flow path.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of the outlets comprise a first outlet, through which a fraction of the air sucked through the inlet is discharged into the dehumidification flow path, and a second outlet, through which the remaining fraction of the sucked air is discharged into the regeneration flow path.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the inlet and the first outlet communicate with the dehumidification flow path, and the second outlet communicates with the regeneration flow path.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the blowing fan comprises a centrifugal fan including a scroll housing provided with the inlet, the first outlet, and the second outlet, and an impeller rotatably mounted in the scroll housing.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the first outlet and the second outlet are arranged perpendicular to each other.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the first outlet and the second outlet are divided from each other by a flow guide mounted to the scroll housing.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 6, further comprising:

a heater arranged in the regeneration flow path, and adapted to heat the air which will pass through the regeneration portion.

10. The air conditioner according to claim 6, further comprising:

a condenser arranged in the regeneration flow path, and adapted to condense the air which has passed through the regeneration portion.

11. The air conditioner according to claim 10, wherein the blowing fan is arranged in the regeneration flow path between the condenser and the dehumidifying rotor.

12. An air conditioner comprising:

a dehumidifying rotor divided into an absorption portion adapted to absorb moisture from air and a regeneration portion adapted to release moisture to air;

a dehumidification flow path defined to extend through the absorption portion and adapted to guide air, to be dehumidified by the absorption portion, to pass through the absorption portion;

a regeneration flow path defined to extend through the regeneration portion and adapted to guide air, to be humidified by the regeneration portion, to pass through the regeneration portion;

a heater arranged in the regeneration flow path, and adapted to heat the air which will pass through the regeneration portion;

a condenser arranged in the regeneration flow path, and adapted to condense the air which has passed through the regeneration portion; and

a blowing fan which sucks air from a room or from the outdoors, and forces a fraction of the sucked air to flow along the dehumidification flow path while forcing the remaining fraction of the sucked air to flow along the regeneration flow path.

13. The air conditioner according to claim 12, wherein the blowing fan includes an inlet, through which the air is sucked into blowing fan, and a plurality of outlets, through each of which the air sucked through the inlet is discharged into an associated one of the dehumidification flow path and the regeneration flow path.

14. The air conditioner according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of the outlets comprise a first outlet, through which a fraction of the air sucked through the inlet is discharged into the dehumidification flow path, and a second outlet, through which the remaining fraction of the sucked air is discharged into the regeneration flow path.

15. The air conditioner according to claim 14, wherein the inlet and the first outlet communicate with the dehumidification flow path, and the second outlet communicates with the regeneration flow path.

16. The air conditioner according to claim 14, wherein the first outlet and the second outlet are arranged perpendicular to each other.

17. The air conditioner according to claim 14, wherein the first outlet and the second outlet are divided from each other by a flow guide mounted to the scroll housing.

18. An air conditioner comprising:

a dehumidifying rotor divided into an absorption portion adapted to absorb moisture from air and a regeneration portion adapted to release moisture to air;

a dehumidification flow path defined to extend through the absorption portion and adapted to guide air, to be dehumidified by the absorption portion, to pass through the absorption portion;

a regeneration flow path defined to extend through the regeneration portion and adapted to guide air, to be humidified by the regeneration portion, to pass through the regeneration portion;

a heater arranged in the regeneration flow path, and adapted to heat the air which will pass through the regeneration portion;

a condenser arranged in the regeneration flow path, and adapted to condense the air which has passed through the regeneration portion; and

a blowing fan which sucks air from a room or from the outdoors, and forces a fraction of the sucked air to flow along the dehumidification flow path while forcing the remaining fraction of the sucked air to flow along the regeneration flow path,

wherein the blowing fan comprises a scroll housing including an inlet, through which the air is sucked into blowing fan, and a plurality of outlets, through each of which the air sucked through the inlet is discharged into an associated one of the dehumidification flow path and the regeneration flow path, and an impeller rotatably mounted in the scroll housing.

19. The air conditioner according to claim 18, wherein the plurality of the outlets comprise a first outlet communicating with the dehumidification flow path, and a second outlet communicating with the regeneration flow path.

20. The air conditioner according to claim 19, wherein the first outlet and the second outlet are divided from each other by a flow guide mounted to the scroll housing.