ELIMINATING CONDENSATION

Description

The present invention relates to device for eliminating condensation in air conditioners. The present invention also relates to an air conditioner and a method for eliminating condensation in an air conditioner.

Background Art

Air conditioners are devices that are normally used to cool air by means of a refrigeration cycle.

Air conditioners comprise a refrigerant flow circuit housing a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and a throttling unit inserted between the condenser and the evaporator.

In "cooling" mode, the compressor compresses the refrigerant vapour at low temperature and low pressure and brings it, still as a vapour, to a high temperature and high pressure. The vapour is sent to the condenser through copper pipes. The condenser cools the vapour and then turns it into a liquid by discharging heat to the outside air, which is heated. After passing through the condenser, the refrigerant - now in liquid form but still at high pressure - passes through the throttling unit, usually a capillary tube, thus changing from high to low pressure, while retaining its liquid form. The low-pressure, low-temperature liquid is carried to the evaporator, where it is turned into a vapour by heat absorption. It then cools the air in the room where it is placed. The refrigerant then returns to the compressor in vapour form and the cycle resumes. The latest air conditioners can also work in heating mode by reversing the direction of the refrigerant flow. In this mode, also known as the "heat pump” method, the refrigerant flow is reversed by a four-way valve, which, in the winter, enables a certain amount of heat to be absorbed from the low-temperature outside air and discharged to the inside air at a high temperature.

There are air conditioners comprising an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The outdoor unit houses the condenser and the motor of the air conditioner; the indoor unit, or "split” unit, houses the evaporator, and air is fed into the room through a purpose-designed slot.

Recently“monoblock” devices have also come onto the market, which do not have an outdoor unit, can use air or water condensation, are formed by a single element and perform the functions of both the indoor and outdoor unit.

In both types of air conditioner, condensation forms on both the condenser and the evaporator.

In "cooling" mode, condensation forms on the evaporator (generally housed in the indoor unit) due to the difference in temperature compared with the humid air present in the room ln heating mode, condensation forms on the heat exchanger which is generally positioned outdoors once defrosted during the inverted refrigeration cycle.

Condensation is usually collected in trays that must be periodically emptied, or removed by the force of gravity through purpose-designed outdoor drains. Where condensation cannot be removed through such drains, a pump must be used.

However, these systems require the presence of piping and exhaust ducts outside of the air conditioner itself and, therefore, cannot always be implemented in buildings where the air conditioner is installed (for example, they cannot be installed in historic buildings). Furthermore, they cannot be implemented for monoblock air conditioners, in which the two units are integrated into a single element positioned inside a room.

Description of the Invention

The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the abovementioned drawbacks by enabling condensation to be definitively removed without increasing the overall size of the air conditioner, while avoiding the implementation of purpose- designed drains.

The invention fulfils this aim by means of a device for eliminating condensation that has the features defined in claim 1.

The device according to the present invention enables the condensation forming on an exchanger to be removed by moving it to the other exchanger to be vaporised. Furthermore, the device can be installed in an existing air conditioner simply by connecting it accordingly to the components of the air conditioner itself.

Advantageously, the valve has at least one second outlet that is suitable for being connected to the second heat exchanger, and the control unit is suitable for setting the opening and closing of the second outlet of the valve for conveying the condensation towards the second heat exchanger. This allows the device to be used when operating the air conditioner in both cooling mode and heating mode, and offers the guarantee that condensation will be removed and disposed of in any operating mode.

Preferably, the device comprises a pump with an inlet suitable for being connected to the first heat exchanger and/or the second exchanger, where the pump is suitable for conveying the condensation from the first heat exchanger and/or the second heat exchanger towards the valve. This allows condensation to be transferred to the valve efficiently.

Advantageously, the device comprises at least one collecting tank interposed between the first heat exchanger and the pump and/or between the second exchanger and the pump, where the tank is suitable for collecting the condensation from the first heat exchanger and/or from the second heat exchanger. The device preferably comprises at least one level sensor positioned in the collection tank and connected to the control unit in this way, the valve opens towards an exchanger when a certain level of condensation is exceeded.

A preferred embodiment of the device comprises at least one nebuliser or vaporiser positioned downstream of the valve. In particular, the valve has a third outlet connected to the nebuliser/vaporiser.

An advantageous embodiment of the device comprises at least one humidity sensor suitable to be positioned in a room, wherein the humidity sensor is connected to the control unit.

Preferably, the control unit commands the opening and closing of the valve outlet towards the nebuliser/vaporiser by means of a signal from the level sensor and/or from the humidity sensor.

The control unit can then control the opening of the valve towards the nebuliser/vaporiser - thus vaporising condensation to the outdoor air - if the condensation has not been eliminated effectively by the heat exchangers or if the humidity in the room where the air conditioner is placed exceeds a certain level. Advantageously, the control unit is suitable to be connected to a cycle inversion valve of the air conditioner and commands the opening and closing of the valve outlet towards the first heat exchanger or towards the second heat exchanger ) depending on the cycle inversion. This allows the device for eliminating condensation to operate automatically both in cooling mode and in heating mode. According to another aspect of the present invention, an air conditioner comprises the features of claim 1 1.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method for eliminating condensation in an air conditioner condensation comprises the features of claim 15.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show a non-limiting embodiment, in which:

-Figure 1 shows an operating arrangement for an air conditioner in "cooling" mode, in which a device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is inserted;

-Figure 2 shows the operating arrangement for the air conditioner referred to in Figure 1, in "heating" mode.

Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

Figure 1 shows, with reference number 1, a device for eliminating condensation according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The device 1 is inserted inside an air conditioner 2.

The air conditioner 2 is preferably operable both in "cooling” mode and in "heating" (“heat pump”) mode. Flowever, the device 1 according to the invention can also be used within a“cold only” air-conditioning unit.

The air conditioner 2 comprises, in the known way, a refrigerant flow circuit 3 comprising a compressor 4, a first heat exchanger 5, a second heat exchanger 6 and a throttling unit 7, such as a capillary tube or a control valve, inserted between the first heat exchanger 5 and the second heat exchanger 6.

In cooling mode, shown in Figure 1, the vapour contained in the circuit 3 of the air conditioner 2 is brought to a high pressure and high temperature in the compressor 4 before moving to the first heat exchanger 5. In this mode, the first heat exchanger 5 serves as a condenser. In the first heat exchanger-condenser 5, the vapour is turned into a liquid by discharging heat to the outside air. Then, the throttling unit 7 reduces the pressure of the liquid from the first heat exchanger- condenser 5 and regulates the quantity of the liquid to be sent to the second heat exchanger 6.

In cooling mode, the second heat exchanger 6 serves as an evaporator. In the second heat exchanger-evaporator 6, the liquid absorbs heat from the room to cool the room and is turned into a vapour. It is then redirected to the compressor 4 to resume the cycle.

In cooling mode, condensation forms on the second heat exchanger-evaporator 6 due to the difference in temperature compared to the humid air in the room, which comes into contact with the second heat exchanger-evaporator 6.

In the heating mode shown in Figure 2, the vapour contained in the circuit 3 of the air conditioner 2 is brought to a high pressure and high temperature in the compressor 4, before moving to the second heat exchanger 6. In cooling mode, the second heat exchanger 6 serves as a condenser. In the second heat exchanger- condenser 6, the vapour discharges heat into the room to heat the room and turns into a liquid. The throttling unit 7 then decreases the pressure of the liquid from the second heat exchanger-condenser 6 and regulates the quantity of the liquid to be sent to the first heat exchanger 5. ln cooling mode, the first heat exchanger 5 serves as an evaporator.

in the first heat exchanger-evaporator 5, the liquid absorbs heat from the outside air and is turned into a vapour. It is then redirected to the compressor 4 to resume the cycle.

Also in heating mode, condensation forms on the first heat exchanger-evaporator 5 after defrosting as part of the inverted refrigeration cycle.

To eliminate the condensation that forms on the heat exchanger, according to the present invention a device 1 is provided which comprises a control unit 8 and a valve 9 connected to the control unit 8, where the valve 9 has an inlet 10 connectable to at least one first heat exchanger, which will be the first heat exchanger 5 of the refrigeration circuit if the air conditioner is operating in heating mode or the second heat exchanger 6 if the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode, at least one first outlet connectable to at least one second heat exchanger, which will be the second exchanger 6 in the refrigeration circuit if the air conditioner is operating in heating mode or the first heat exchanger 5 if the air conditioner is operating in cooling mode, wherein the control unit 8 is suitable for setting the opening and closing of the first outlet of the valve 9 for conveying the condensation towards the second heat exchanger.

The valve 9 is preferably a solenoid valve.

The method for eliminating the condensation according to the present invention therefore comprises the steps of conveying the condensation from the first heat exchanger 5 to the valve 1 1 and opening the first outlet 1 1 of the valve 9 by means of the control unit 8 to convey the condensation to the second heat exchanger 6. i Advantageously, the valve 9 has at least one second outlet 12 connectable to the first heat exchanger 5 so as to remove condensation both in cooling mode and in heating mode. Advantageously, the inlet of the valve 9 is also connected to the second heat exchanger 6.

In a preferred embodiment, the valve 9 has a third outlet 13 to convey condensation out of the air conditioner 2. Advantageously, the device 1 comprises a nebuliser or vaporiser 14 connected to the third outlet 13 of the valve 9 so as to eliminate condensation by vaporising it to the outside air.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the device 1 comprises a pump 15 positioned upstream from the valve 9. In cooling mode, the inlet 16 of the pump 15 is connected to at least the second heat exchanger 6. Where the air conditioner 2 is operable in both modes, the inlet 16 of the pump 15 is connected both to the first heat exchanger 5 and to the second heat exchanger 6.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, a collecting tank 17 is provided to collect the condensation from at least the second heat exchanger 6 when in cooling mode. The collecting tank 17 is positioned upstream from the pump 15. Where the air conditioner 2 is operable in both modes, the collecting tank 17 is connected to both the first heat exchanger 5 and the second heat exchanger 6.

In this embodiment, the method includes the step of collecting the condensation from the exchanger in the collecting tank 17 and setting the level of condensation in the collecting tank 17 before conveying the condensation to the valve 9, preferably by means of a pump 15.

Advantageously, the collecting tank 17 houses a level sensor 18 connected to the control unit 8. In a preferred embodiment, the level sensor 18 comprises a two- stage float switch or an infrared level indicator. In an advantageous embodiment, the method includes the steps of ascertaining the humidity of the room in which the second heat exchanger 6 is placed and opening the third outlet 13 of the valve by means of the control unit 8 to convey condensation to a nebuliser/vaporiser 14 if the humidity is greater than a predetermined value.

In particular, the device 1 comprises a humidity sensor 19 connected to the control unit 8. The sensor 19 detects the humidity of the room in which the air conditioner 2 is placed if monoblock, or in which the internal unit is placed for an air conditioner 2 comprising a second heat exchanger 6.

The figures show an air conditioner 2 operable in both cooling mode and heating mode. In this case, the air conditioner 2 comprises a refrigeration cycle inversion valve 20, which is usually a four-way valve attached to the compressor 4 to reverse the direction of flow of the refrigerant in the circuit 3.

The valve 20 is connected to the circuit board of the air conditioner 2. Preferably, the refrigeration cycle inversion valve 20 is connected to the control unit 8 of the device 1 for eliminating condensation.

Where the throttling unit 7 comprises a control valve, the control valve is preferably connected to the control unit 8 of the device 1 for eliminating condensation.

The valve 9 of the device 1 for eliminating condensation is therefore controlled according to whether the cooling/heating mode is in operation and receives a signal from the cycle inversion valve 20.

The air conditioner 2 housing the device 1 for eliminating condensation operates as shown below. In the cooling mode shown in figure l , condensation forms on the second heat exchanger 6. The condensation is conveyed to the collecting tank 17.

In the advantageous embodiment shown, when the level sensor 18 positioned in the collecting tank 17 indicates that a first predetermined value has been exceeded, the control unit 8 commands the opening of the second outlet 12 of the valve 10 towards the first heat exchanger-condenser 5. In cooling mode, the first heat exchanger-condenser 5 reaches temperatures of around 90°C and the condensation is vaporised and discharged through a fan commonly attached to the first heat exchanger-condenser 5.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the quantity of condensation upstream from the valve 9 is measured and, if the level of condensation is greater than a predetermined value, the valve 9 is opened by the control unit 8 to convey the condensation to the nebuliser/vaporiser 14. ln particular, if the condensation is not removed through the first heat exchanger- condenser 5, the level in the collecting tank 17 increases. When the level sensor 18 indicates that a second predetermined value has been exceeded, the control unit 8 commands the closing of the second outlet 12 of the valve 9 towards the first heat exchanger-condenser 5 and commands the opening of the third outlet 13 of the valve 9 towards the nebuliser/vaporiser 14.

Preferably, if the level sensor 18 indicates that the second predetermined value has been exceeded for a certain time, such as one minute, the control unit 8 sends an alarm signal and/or commands the air conditioner 2 to be switched off.

In the embodiment shown in which the air conditioner 2 comprises the refrigeration cycle inversion valve 20, the method includes the following steps: setting the direction of flow of the refrigerant and setting the operating mode to cooling or heating; if the cooling operating mode applies, conveying the condensation from the second exchanger 6 to the valve 9 and opening the second outlet 12 of the valve 1 1 towards the first heat exchanger 5; if the heating operating mode applies, conveying the condensation from the first heat exchanger 5 to the valve 9 and opening the first outlet 1 1 of the valve towards the second heat exchanger 6.

in particular, when changing from cooling mode to heating mode, the cycle inversion valve 20 changes the direction of flow of the refrigerant, which, upon exiting the compressor 4, moves first to the second heat exchanger 6 and then to the first heat exchanger 5, on which condensation forms. In this case, the control unit 8 receives a signal from the cycle inversion valve 20 to close the second outlet 12 of the valve 9 towards the first heat exchanger 5.

ln the heating mode shown in Figure 2, the condensation forming on the first heat exchanger 5 is moved to the collecting tank 17.

According to the advantageous embodiment shown, when the level sensor 18 positioned in the collecting tank 17 indicates that a first predetermined value has been exceeded, the control unit 8 commands the opening of the first outlet 1 1 of the valve 9 towards the second heat exchanger 6. The condensation is fed into the room in which the air conditioner 2, if monoblock, is placed or in which the internal unit, if an air conditioner 2 comprising a second heat exchanger 6, is placed, to regulate the humidity levels.

[f the humidity sensor 19 in the room indicates that a predetermined value has been exceeded, the control unit 8 commands the closing of the first outlet 1 1 of the valve 9 and the opening of the third outlet 13 of the valve 9 towards the nebuliser/vaporiser 14. In heating mode, as in the cooling mode, when the level sensor 18 positioned in the collecting tank 17 indicates that a second predetermined value has been exceeded, the control unit 8 commands the closing of the first outlet 1 1 of the valve 9 towards the second heat exchanger 6 and the opening of the third outlet 13 of the valve 9 towards the nebuliser/vaporiser 14.

Preferably, if the level sensor 18 indicates that the second predetermined value has been exceeded for a certain time, such as one minute, the control unit 8 sends an alarm signal and/or commands the air conditioner 2 to be switched off.

The device according to the present invention therefore enables condensation to be effectively removed without requiring purpose-designed drains to be fitted when installing the air conditioner. Condensation is removed by the heat exchangers already present in the air conditioner.

The device can be built into any type of air conditioner, whether it comprises two units or a single unit. Furthermore, the device does not increase the size of the air conditioner, as the control unit, the valve and the pump and collection tank, where provided, are placed inside the air conditioner.