KR20230087204A - Air handling unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is to provide an air conditioner that improves dehumidification and humidification functions by improving the location of a desiccant dehumidifier in the air conditioner and improving the moisture adsorption area of the desiccant dehumidifier. According to the present invention, the air conditioner comprises: a case forming a first suction part for sucking in air and a first discharge part for discharging air to the outside; a heat exchanger and a blower which are provided inside the case; a base panel provided below the heat exchanger and blower; and a module provided on one side of the base panel and absorbs or dehydrates moisture in the air. The base panel includes a second suction part which allows air from the indoor space that has passed through the module to be sucked into the inside of the case, and a second discharge part which discharges the air inside the case to the module. The base panel is located below the case, making it easy for users to manage.

Description

Air handling unit {AIR HANDLING UNIT}

The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

In general, an air conditioner that performs a dehumidifying or humidifying function using a desiccant rotor is accompanied by a water supply device or a dehumidifying tank necessary for supplying or dehumidifying water.

In general, air conditioners that perform a humidifying or dehumidifying function using a desiccant rotor have a problem in that the desiccant rotor is fixed to the inner space of the air conditioner and is not easy to manage.

In general, a humidification system using a desiccant rotor has a problem in that the moisture content of the supplied air is insufficient during the winter season when external air is supplied indoors in a state of low humidity.

In addition, since the desorption area is larger than the adsorption area, there is a problem that the amount of moisture adsorbed during rotation may be insufficient.

Republic of Korea Publication No. 10-2019-0015937 (2019.02.15), air conditioner

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention improves the position of the desiccant dehumidifier in the air conditioner and improves the moisture absorption and desorption area of the desiccant dehumidifier to provide an air conditioner that improves dehumidification and humidification functions. do.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that improves humidification capability by recycling moisture contained in indoor air even when the humidity of external air is low in winter.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner in which a module equipped with a desiccant dehumidifier is arranged to be easily accessible from the outside of the air conditioner so that it can be easily managed when a problem occurs in the desiccant dehumidifier.

An embodiment of the present invention may be provided with a side portion of the case including a first suction part for sucking in air outside the case and a first discharge part for discharging air inside the case to the outside of the case.

The first suction part and the first discharge part may be selectively opened and closed. By selectively opening and closing the first suction part and the first discharge part, different operation modes can be achieved.

An open/closeable damper may be installed in the first suction part and the first discharge part.

The damper may be controlled to be opened and closed by a control unit provided in a control box.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a base panel may be provided, and the base panel may include a second suction part for sucking air outside the case and a second discharge part for discharging air inside the case to the outside of the case.

The second discharge unit may be positioned between the first suction unit and the second suction unit so that air sucked from the first suction unit is not mixed with air drawn from the second suction unit.

The base panel forms a lower surface of the case and may be exposed to the outside of the case.

The base panel may include a base panel body in which the second suction part and the second discharge part are located.

The base panel body may form a lower surface of the case.

A module located on one side of the base panel and absorbing or dehydrating moisture in the air may be provided in the base panel.

The base panel may include a module bracket for guiding the module to be pulled in or out. The module may be slidably coupled by the module bracket.

The module is provided to be drawn in or drawn out from one side of the base panel, so that a user can easily manage it.

The module includes a module case forming an outer surface of the module, and the module case may provide a space into which a desiccant wheel for absorbing or dehydrating moisture is inserted.

The module case may include an upper case forming an upper surface.

The upper case may include a first opening vertically aligned at a position corresponding to the second discharge unit and a second opening vertically aligned at a position corresponding to the second suction unit. Air may be discharged through communication between the second discharge unit and the first opening. Air may be sucked by communicating with the second opening and the second suction part.

The upper case may include a motor through-hole through which a motor passes.

The module case may include a third opening vertically aligned at a position corresponding to the second discharge unit and a fourth opening vertically aligned at a position corresponding to the second suction unit. Air may be discharged through communication between the second discharge unit, the first opening, and the third opening. Air may be sucked in through the fourth opening, the second opening, and the second suction part communicating with each other.

The module case may include a housing forming top, bottom, left and right surfaces of the module.

The housing may include a housing body forming an outer surface of the module case.

The housing body may have a hexahedral shape with open upper and lower ends.

The housing may form a wheel space into which the desiccant wheel is inserted.

The housing may include a barrier to prevent air from passing into a space other than the wheel space. The prevention wall may be configured to protrude toward the wheel space through an inner surface of the housing body.

The module may include an upper guide preventing a bypass occurring in a space between the first and second openings. When the bypass is prevented by the upper guide, dehumidification or humidification efficiency of the module may be improved.

The module may further include a lower guide that prevents bypass from occurring in the space between the third and fourth openings. When the bypass is prevented by the lower guide, dehumidification or humidification efficiency of the module may be improved.

The module may include a desiccant wheel that absorbs or dehydrates moisture in the air.

The desiccant wheel may be coated with at least one of silica gel and zeolite to dehumidify air passing therethrough.

The desiccant wheel may include a first area exposed to the first and third openings and a second area exposed to the second and fourth openings.

The first region can absorb moisture during cooling and dehumidifying operation and dehydrate moisture during heating and humidifying operation.

The second region can dehydrate moisture during cooling and dehumidifying operation and absorb moisture during heating and humidifying operation.

The module may include a heater provided in parallel with the second region of the desiccant wheel to supply heat to the desiccant wheel. The heater may desorb moisture from the second region by supplying heat to the second region.

The heater may be supported by the lower guide.

The embodiment of the present invention may have a first mode in which all air sucked into the second intake unit is discharged to the first discharge unit.

The embodiment of the present invention may have a second mode in which the air sucked into the second suction part is not discharged to the first discharge part or only partially discharged.

An embodiment of the present invention may use both the first mode and the second mode during the cooling and dehumidifying operation. By selectively using the first and second modes during the cooling and dehumidifying operation, efficiency of the cooling and dehumidifying operation may be improved.

An embodiment of the present invention may use the second mode during heating and humidification operation. During the heating and humidification operation, humidification efficiency may be improved by recycling air in the indoor space by the second mode.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ventilation performance can be improved by improving the position of the desiccant dehumidifier in the air conditioner.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dehumidification and humidification functions can be improved by improving the moisture absorption and desorption area of the desiccant dehumidifier.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to improve humidification capability by recycling indoor air.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the module in which the desiccant dehumidifier is installed is located outside the air conditioner, so that the desiccant dehumidifier can be easily managed.

1 is a perspective view of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a top view of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention when the case cover is detached and viewed from the direction J of Figure 1;
3 is a bottom view as viewed from the direction K in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a front perspective view viewed from direction I of FIG. 1 .
5 is a perspective view showing that the module of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a module bracket.
6 is a perspective view showing that a base panel of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention is coupled to a module.
7 is a view illustrating mounting of modules of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention to a module bracket.
8 is a view showing a coupling part in which a module of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a module bracket.
9 is a perspective view showing a module of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a top view showing a module of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a perspective view of the module of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention viewed from the L direction of FIG. 9 after removing the lower case.
12 is a view showing a desiccant wheel of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
13 is an exploded view of a module of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
14 is a cross-sectional view of 14-14 of FIG. 13;
15 is a graph showing an air diagram according to the air position in the inner space of the air conditioner during a cooling and dehumidifying operation by introducing only outside air.
16 is a graph showing an air diagram according to the air position in the inner space of the air conditioner during a cooling/dehumidifying operation using outdoor air and indoor air.
17 is a graph showing an air diagram according to the air position in the inner space of the air conditioner during heating and humidification operation using outdoor air and indoor air.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail through exemplary drawings. In adding reference numerals to components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components have the same numerals as much as possible even if they are displayed on different drawings. In addition, in describing an embodiment of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function hinders understanding of the embodiment of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Also, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used to describe components of an embodiment of the present invention. These terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and the nature, order, or order of the corresponding component is not limited by the term. When an element is described as being “connected,” “coupled to,” or “connected” to another element, that element may be directly connected or connected to the other element, but there may be another element between the elements. It should be understood that may be "connected", "coupled" or "connected".

1 is a perspective view of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a top view of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention when the case cover is detached and viewed from the direction J of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is It is a bottom view as seen from the K direction in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a front perspective view as seen from the I direction in FIG.

1 to 4, the air conditioner 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a case 200 forming the outer shape of the air conditioner 1 and a base forming the bottom of the case 200. The panel 300 may be included.

The case 200 may include a first side portion 230 and a second side portion 210 forming both side surfaces of the case 200 .

The case 200 may further include a case front part 220 forming a front surface of the case.

The case 200 may further include a case rear portion 240 forming a rear surface of the case.

The case 200 may further include a case cover 250 forming an upper surface of the case.

The case 200 may have a rectangular shape with an open bottom. The base panel 300 may be located on the lower surface of the case 200 .

A heat exchanger assembly may be installed inside the case 200 . The heat exchanger assembly 60 includes a heat exchanger 61 through which the refrigerant flows, a heat exchanger header 62 connected to one side of the heat exchanger, and a plurality of branches for branching and introducing the refrigerant into the heat exchanger header 62. A heat exchanger branch pipe 63 may be included. An outdoor unit (not shown) interlocking with the heat exchanger assembly may be disposed outside the case 200 . The outdoor unit may include a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger.

The case 200 may further include a first panel 207 for partitioning a space inside the case. One space and another space can be partitioned by the first panel 207 .

The work space may include a first space 280 .

The heat exchanger header 62 and the heat exchanger branch pipe 63 may be installed in the first space 280 . An end of the heat exchanger 61 connected to the heat exchanger header 62 may be disposed to be inserted into the first panel 207 .

A control box equipped with a controller for controlling the operation of the air conditioner may be installed on one of the first and second side parts 210 and 230 of the case. At least a portion of the control box may be disposed in the first space and cooled by air.

The other space may be divided into a second space 281 and a third space 282 by the second panel 208 . The second space 281 may form a first air passage 284 . The third space 282 may form a second air passage 285 .

The heat exchanger 61 may be disposed in the second space 281 . The heat exchanger 61 may be configured to have left and right widths in the width direction of the flow path based on the flow path through which air flows. The left and right widths of the heat exchanger 61 are configured to be substantially equal to the width of the passage, so that air passing through the passage does not bypass the heat exchanger 61.

A filter 50 for removing air pollutants may be installed in the second space 281 . For example, the filter 50 may be disposed on the inlet side or the outlet side of the heat exchanger 61 . 1 shows that the filter 50 is disposed on the inlet side of the heat exchanger 61 .

A blower 70 for generating air flow may be disposed in the third space 282 . The blower 70 may be supported by a blower bracket 75. The blower bracket 75 is coupled to the second panel 208 and may support one side of the blower 70 .

The blower 70 may include a fan unit 71 for guiding air flow and a fan motor 72 for driving the fan unit 71 . The fan unit 71 may include a centrifugal fan.

Another embodiment is described.

In FIG. 1, it has been described that the second and third spaces 281 and 282 are partitioned by the second panel 208, and unlike this, the second and third spaces 281 and 282 are the heat exchanger 61 or the filter 50 ) can be partitioned by In other words, the heat exchanger 61 may be located between the second space 281 and the third space 282 . The filter 50 may be positioned between the second space 281 and the third space 282 .

The air conditioner 1 may include one or more suction parts through which air is sucked in and one or more discharge parts through which air is discharged.

For example, a plurality of suction units may be provided. The plurality of intake parts may be formed in the case 200 and the base panel 300 .

For example, a plurality of discharge units may be provided. The plurality of discharge parts may be formed in the case 200 and the base panel 300 .

The case 200 may include a first suction part 234 through which external air is sucked in and a first discharge part 231 through which air inside the case is discharged to an external space. The first suction part 234 and the first discharge part 231 may be formed on the first side part 230 .

The first suction part 234 and the first discharge part 231 may be selectively opened and closed.

For example, a damper corresponding to the size of the first suction part 234 and the first discharge part 231 is provided to selectively open and close the first suction part 234 and the first discharge part 231. can The damper may be controlled by a control unit provided in the control box.

The first suction part 234 may be located above the first discharge part 231 .

When indoor air is sucked into the bottom of the air conditioner through the base panel 300 through the second suction part 352 to be described later, the air sucked through the second suction part 352 is at a relatively low position. It may be easy to discharge through the first discharge unit 351 .

The base panel 300 includes a second suction part 352 for sucking air from the indoor space 400 into the case 200 and the air inside the case 200 into the indoor space 400. A second discharge unit 351 for discharging may be included.

The width of the second suction part 352 may be greater than that of the second discharge part 351 . Since the width of the second suction part 352 is larger, the humidification and dehumidification performance of the air conditioner may be improved.

The air conditioner 1 may further include a plurality of ducts for connecting the external space and the case 200 or connecting the indoor space 400 and the case 200 .

The plurality of ducts may include a first duct 401 for discharging air from the air conditioner 1 . The first duct 401 may be referred to as an “air supply duct” for supplying air inside the air conditioner 1 to the indoor space 400 .

The first duct 401 may be provided adjacent to or coupled to the base panel 300 . The first duct 401 is connected to the second discharge part 351, and the air in the air conditioner passes through the second discharge part 351 and the first duct 401 to the indoor space 400. ) can be released.

The plurality of ducts may include a second duct 402 for sucking air into the air conditioner 1. The second duct 402 may be referred to as a "ventilation duct" for sucking air from the indoor space 400 into the air conditioner 1.

The second duct 402 may be provided adjacent to or coupled to the base panel 300 . The second duct 402 is connected to the second suction part 352, and the air in the indoor space 400 passes through the second duct 402 and the second suction part 352 to the air conditioner. It can be sucked into the group (1).

The plurality of ducts may include a third duct 232 for discharging air to the air conditioner 1 . The third duct 232 may be referred to as a “discharge duct” for discharging internal air of the air conditioner 1 to an external space.

The third duct 232 may be provided adjacent to or coupled to the first side part 230 . The third duct 232 is connected to the first discharge part 231, and the air in the air conditioner 1 passes through the first discharge part 231 and the third duct 232 to an external space. can be emitted as

A third duct fan 233 driven to discharge air inside the air conditioner 1 to the outside may be installed in the third duct 232 .

The plurality of ducts may include a fourth duct 235 for sucking air into the air conditioner 1. The fourth duct 235 may be referred to as an “outside air duct” for sucking outside air into the air conditioner 1.

The fourth duct 235 may be provided adjacent to or coupled to the first side part 230 . The fourth duct 235 is connected to the first suction part 234, and outside air flows into the air conditioner 1 through the fourth duct 235 and the first suction part 234. can be inhaled.

A fourth duct fan 236 driven to suck external air may be installed in the fourth duct 235 .

When the blower 70 is driven, air in the indoor space 400 may be sucked into the case 200 through the second duct 401 and the second suction part 352 . Also, when the third duct fan 233 is driven together, air may be discharged to an external space before being introduced into the first air passage 284 . That is, the indoor air may not be mixed with the outside air.

As described above, this is because the first discharge part 231 connected to the third duct 232 is positioned lower than the first suction part 234 connected to the fourth duct 235, that is, the first 2 can be realized by being disposed closer to the suction part 352.

A configuration may be included in which external air sucked into the first suction part 234 and indoor air sucked through the second suction part 352 are selectively mixed.

Hereinafter, the configuration and arrangement of the base panel 300 and the module 100 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

5 is a perspective view showing that a module according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted in an air conditioner, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing that a module according to an embodiment of the present invention is coupled to a base panel.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 , the base panel 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be detachably provided on the lower surface of the case 200 . The base panel 300 is provided on the outside of the case 200 so that a user can easily access it. Therefore, repair or replacement of the base panel 300 may be possible.

The base panel 300 may include a base panel body 350 forming the lower surface of the case 200 .

The base panel body 350 may include the second suction part 352 and the second discharge part 351 .

The base panel body 350 may further include a first panel mounting bracket 359 on which the first panel 207 is installed. The first panel mounting bracket 359 may protrude upward from the base panel body 350 and be coupled to the lower portion of the first panel to support the lower portion of the first panel.

The base panel body 350 may further include a heat exchanger fixing bracket 356 to which the heat exchanger 61 is fixed. The second panel 208 may be additionally installed on the heat exchanger fixing bracket 356 . For example, the heat exchanger fixing bracket 356 may protrude upward from the base panel body 350 and be coupled to the lower portion of the second panel to support the lower portion of the second panel.

The base panel body 350 may further include a motor penetration part 358 through which a motor 120 for driving a desiccant wheel 130 to be described later passes. For example, the motor penetrating part 358 may include a through hole adjacent to the first panel mounting bracket and vertically passing through at least a portion of the base panel body.

The base panel 300 may be provided with a module 100 that absorbs or dehydrates moisture in the air.

The module 100 may be installed below the base panel body 350 .

The base panel 300 may further include a module bracket 380 on which the module 100 is installed. The module bracket 380 may be provided on a side of the base panel body 350 .

The module brackets 380 are provided on both sides of the base panel body 350 and may function as “guide rails” guiding the withdrawal of the module.

For example, the module bracket 380 may have a bent shape to accommodate at least a portion of the module. The module bracket may have a cross section of a “c” shape.

The module 100 may be slidably coupled to the module bracket 380 . It is opened at the front of the module bracket, and a space in which the module can be drawn in or out can be formed.

A controller may be installed on one side of the base panel 300 . Information may be collected from the module 100 using the controller and a series of work procedures may be performed.

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing that the module is installed in the module bracket, Figure 8 is a view showing that the module is mounted in the sliding groove of the module bracket.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 7 to 8 , the module bracket 380 and the configuration in which the module 100 is installed in the module bracket 380 will be described in detail.

The module bracket 380 may have a bent shape.

In detail, the module bracket 380 may include a module bracket upper surface portion 383 in contact with the base panel body 350 .

The module bracket 380 may further include a module bracket side part 384 that crosses or is perpendicular to the module bracket upper surface part 383 and extends in parallel with the direction in which the module 100 is inserted.

The module bracket 380 may further include a module bracket lower surface portion 385 that crosses or is perpendicular to the module bracket side portion 384 and extends while facing the module bracket upper surface portion 383 .

The module bracket 380 may further include a bent portion 387 that is bent and protrudes from the ends of the module bracket upper surface portion 383 and the module bracket lower surface portion 385, respectively.

The module bracket 380 further includes a sliding groove 389 formed by the module bracket upper surface portion 383, the module bracket side surface portion 384, the module bracket lower surface portion 385, and the bent portion 387. can include

The sliding groove 389 may guide the insertion or withdrawal of the module 100 .

The module bracket 380 may further include a door bracket fastening hole 381 to which the door bracket 392 is fastened.

9 is a perspective view showing a module of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a top view showing a module of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. After detaching the lower case, the module of the air conditioner according to the present invention is a perspective view as viewed from the L direction in FIG. An exploded view of an air conditioner module according to an embodiment, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view at 14-14 of FIG. 13 .

Hereinafter, the module 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14 .

The module 100 has a space into which the desiccant wheel 130 is inserted and may include a module case 101 forming an outer surface of the module 100 . For example, the module case 101 may have a hexahedral shape.

The module case 101 may include an upper case 110 forming an upper surface of the module 100 .

The upper case 110 may include a first opening 112 through which air discharged from the second discharge unit 351 passes. The first opening 112 may be formed adjacent to a first module bracket among the two module brackets 380 . The first opening 112 may be formed to have a first size or diameter.

The upper case 110 may further include a second opening 113 through which air sucked into the second suction part 352 passes. The second opening 113 may be formed adjacent to the second module bracket among the two module brackets 380 . The second opening 113 may be formed to have a second size or diameter.

The second size of the second opening 113 may be larger than the first size of the first opening 112 .

The first opening 112 and the second opening 113 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval.

The upper case 110 may further include a motor through-hole 115 through which the motor 120 passes.

The motor through hole 115 may be located closer to the second opening 113 than the first opening 112 .

The module case 101 may further include a lower case 180 forming a lower surface of the module 100 .

The lower case 180 may include a third opening 182 through which air discharged from the second discharge unit 351 passes. The third opening is located directly below the first opening 112 and may have a corresponding size.

The lower case 180 may further include a fourth opening 183 through which air sucked into the second suction part 352 passes. The fourth opening may be located directly below the second opening and may have a corresponding size.

The module case 101 may further include a housing 170 forming an exterior. The housing 170 may include a housing body 173 having a hexahedral shape with open upper and lower ends.

The housing 170 may include a wheel space 172 into which the desiccant wheel 130 is inserted.

When the desiccant wheel 130 has a circular shape, the wheel space 172 may be opened in a circular shape.

The housing 170 may include a barrier 171 to prevent air from passing into a space other than the wheel space 172 . The barrier wall 171 may be configured to protrude toward the wheel space 172 through an inner surface of the housing body 173 .

The module 100 may include a desiccant wheel 130 that absorbs moisture in the air.

The desiccant wheel 130 may have a disk shape.

The desiccant wheel 130 may further include a center hole 132 through which the center bar 190 passes. The desiccant wheel 130 may be configured to rotate based on the center bar 190 .

The desiccant wheel 130 may be coated with a material having a dehumidifying function. The material may include silica gel or zeolite.

The desiccant wheel 130 may form a honeycomb structure. Due to the honeycomb structure, the desiccant wheel 130 can increase absorption efficiency.

The desiccant wheel 130 may further include a first area 135 exposed to the first opening 112 and the third opening 182 . Moisture absorption or dehydration may be performed in the first region 135 .

The desiccant wheel 130 may further include a second area 136 exposed to the second opening 113 and the fourth opening 183 . Moisture absorption or dehydration may be performed in the second region 136 .

Areas other than the first area 135 and the second area 136 of the desiccant wheel 130 may not be exposed to the outside.

The module 100 may further include a motor 120 rotating the desiccant wheel 130 .

The motor 120 may pass through the motor penetration part 358 and be exposed to the inner space of the case 200 .

The motor 120 is provided outside the module case 101 , and a shaft of the motor may extend into the module case 101 through the motor through-hole 115 .

The module 100 may further include a pulley 124 that applies driving force of the motor 120 to the desiccant wheel 130 .

The pulley 124 may be partially wound around the shaft of the motor 120 .

The pulley 124 may be wound around at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the desiccant wheel 130 .

Frictional force generated between the contact surface of the pulley 124 and the desiccant wheel 130 may be sufficiently large to provide driving force of the motor 120 .

The pulley 124 may form teeth engageable with protrusions formed on the outer circumferential surface of the desiccant wheel 130 and may be engaged with each other.

The desiccant wheel 130 can be repeatedly rotated by the motor 120 and the pulley 124 . For example, the desiccant wheel 130 may rotate at a constant speed.

The module 100 may further include an upper guide 140 installed between the upper case 110 and the desiccant wheel 130 .

The upper guide 140 may prevent bypass of air generated between the first opening 112 and the second opening 113 .

The upper guide 140 may be configured to have a plurality of legs 142 , 143 , 144 , and 145 . In detail, the upper guide 140 may include a guide center 141 provided at a position corresponding to the center of the desiccant wheel 130 and a plurality of legs 142, 143, 144, and 145 extending in multiple directions from the guide center. can For example, the upper guide 140 may have a cross shape.

The dehumidification and humidification efficiency of the module 100 can be improved by the upper guide 140 .

The module 100 may further include a lower guide 160 installed between the lower case 180 and the desiccant wheel 130 .

The lower guide 160 may prevent bypass of air generated between the third opening 192 and the fourth opening 183 .

The lower guide 160 may be configured to have a plurality of legs 162 , 163 , 164 , and 165 . In detail, the lower guide 160 includes a guide center 161 provided at a position corresponding to the center of the desiccant wheel 130 and a plurality of legs 162, 163, 164, and 165 extending in multiple directions from the guide center 161. can include For example, the upper guide 160 may have a cross shape.

The dehumidification and humidification efficiency of the module 100 can be improved by the lower guide 160 .

One of the upper guide 140 and the lower guide 160 may further include a center bar 190 forming a rotational center of the desiccant wheel 130 .

The center bar 190 may pass through the center hole 132 .

The module 100 may further include a heater 150 installed in parallel with the second area 136 .

The heater 150 may be installed below the second region 136.

The heater 150 may be installed and supported on the lower guide 160 .

The heater 150 may generate heat for desorbing moisture from the second region 136 .

Using the components described above, the air flow will be described.

FIG. 15 is a view showing the air diagram according to the air position in the internal space of the air conditioner during the cooling and dehumidifying operation by introducing only outside air, and FIG. 16 is the air position in the internal space of the air conditioner during the cooling and dehumidifying operation using outdoor air and indoor air. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the air chart according to the position of the air in the inner space of the air conditioner during heating and humidification operation using outdoor air and indoor air.

4 and 15 to 17, first, the air in the indoor space 400 is sucked into the case 200 of the air conditioner 1 so that it is not mixed with the outside air and the outside of the case 200 can all be discharged. This flow is defined as a flow according to the first mode.

In the first mode, both the first suction part 234 and the first discharge part 231 may be opened.

Next, the air in the indoor space 400 is sucked into the case 200 of the air conditioner 1 and mixed with the outside air, and then supplied back to the indoor space after being conditioned with the mixed air. This flow is defined as a flow according to the second mode.

In the second mode, the first suction part 234 may be opened and the first discharge part 231 may be closed.

The first mode and the second mode may be controlled by the control box.

Hereinafter, the cooling and dehumidifying operation and the heating and humidifying operation according to the first mode and the second mode will be described in detail.

When the fourth duct fan 236 is driven during the cooling and dehumidifying operation using the first mode, outside air B is sucked along the fourth duct 235, and the outside air B is supplied to the first air It can be sucked into the inner space of the case 200 through the suction part 234 .

When the blower 70 operates, air in the indoor space 400 may be sucked in through the second suction unit 352 along the second virtue feature 402 . The blower 70 may be driven simultaneously with the fourth duct fan 236 .

In the first mode, the third duct fan 233 is further driven, and the air E (hereinafter referred to as ventilation air) sucked into the inner space of the case 200 through the second suction part 352 is 1 Since all are discharged through the discharge unit 231, the ventilation air (E) and the outside air (B) may not be mixed.

The outside air (B) may pass through the filter 50 and the heat exchanger 61 along the first air passage 284 . The heat exchanger 61 may function as an evaporator. Although not shown, an outdoor unit provided with a compressor and a second heat exchanger constituting a refrigeration cycle may be provided, and the second heat exchanger may function as a condenser during a cooling/dehumidifying operation.

The outside air (B) may pass through the filter 50 and the heat exchanger 61 and be conditioned. The external air (B) may be cooled by dissipating heat to the heat exchanger (61).

The conditioned air (hereinafter referred to as conditioned air) (C) may have a lower temperature and higher relative humidity than the external air (B). The relative humidity of the conditioned air C may be 100%.

The conditioned air (C) may flow into the second air passage 285 and flow to the second discharge unit 351 by the blower 70 .

The conditioned air C may be discharged through the second discharge unit 351 and pass through the desiccant wheel 130 .

The conditioned air C may pass through the first area 135 of the desiccant wheel 130 and be supplied to the indoor space 400 along the first duct 401 .

The air supplied to the indoor space 400 (hereinafter, supplied air) D may have a higher temperature and a lower relative humidity than the conditioned air C.

Since the conditioned air C is dehumidified by the desiccant wheel 130 while passing through the first area 135 of the desiccant wheel 130, the relative humidity may be lower than that of the supply air D. . Since the relative humidity of the first area 135 of the desiccant wheel 130 is set lower than that of the conditioning air C (the reason will be described later), it is easy to dehumidify the conditioning air C. can do.

The reason why the temperature of the supply air D is higher than that of the conditioned air C is that the heater 150 heats the second area 136 of the desiccant wheel 130, and the desiccant air Since the wheel 130 rotates, the entire area of the desiccant wheel 130 can be heated, and the air passing through the desiccant wheel 130 can be heated.

The supply air D may be supplied to the indoor space 400 to harmonize the indoor space 400 .

The internal air (hereinafter referred to as indoor air) (hereinafter referred to as indoor air) of the indoor space 400 conditioned by the supply air D may have a higher temperature and a lower relative humidity than the supply air D.

The indoor air (A) may flow along the second duct 402 by the blower 70 .

The indoor air A may pass through the desiccant wheel 130 and flow into the first suction part 352 .

The indoor air A may absorb moisture from the second area 136 of the desiccant wheel 130 . That is, the indoor air (A) can be humidified.

Since the desiccant wheel 130 having absorbed moisture in the first area 135 rotates and is located in the second area 136, the relative humidity of the second area 136 is the indoor air (A). It may be higher than that and it may be easy to humidify the indoor air (A).

The heater 150 can generate heat enough to desorb moisture from the second region 136 into the indoor air A. The desiccant wheel 130 may be heated by the heater 150 .

The indoor air (A) passes through the second area 136 of the desiccant wheel 130 and is sucked into the inner space of the case 200 through the second suction part 352 to supply the ventilation air. (E) can be formed.

The ventilation air (E) may have a higher temperature and higher relative humidity than the indoor air (A).

As described above, all of the ventilation air (E) may be exhausted through the first discharge unit 231. Therefore, the ventilation air (E) may not be mixed with the external air (B).

As the flow described above repeatedly occurs, the indoor space 400 can be cooled and dehumidified.

When the fourth duct fan 236 is driven during the cooling and dehumidifying operation using the second mode, external air (B) is sucked along the fourth duct 235, and the external air (B) is supplied to the first air It can be sucked into the inner space of the case 200 through the suction part 234 .

When the blower 70 operates, air in the indoor space 400 may be sucked in through the second suction unit 352 along the second virtue feature 402 . The blower 70 may be driven simultaneously with the fourth duct fan 236 .

In the second mode, the first discharge part 231 may be closed. Air E (hereinafter referred to as ventilation air) sucked into the inner space of the case 200 through the second suction part 352 may flow into the first air passage 284 . The ventilation air (E) and the outside air (B) may be mixed to form the mixed air (G) in the first air passage 284 .

The mixed air (G) may have a higher temperature than the ventilation air (E) and a lower temperature than the external air (G). The mixed air (G) may have a relative humidity value similar to that of the ventilation air (E) and the external air (G).

The mixed air G may pass through the filter 50 and the heat exchanger 61 along the first air passage 284 .

The mixed air (G) may pass through the filter 50 and the heat exchanger 61 and be conditioned. The mixed air (G) may absorb heat by the heat exchanger (61).

The heat exchanger 61 may serve as an evaporator during the second mode cooling and dehumidifying operation. In the heat exchanger 61, the refrigerant may evaporate and absorb heat from the mixed air (G).

The conditioned air (hereinafter referred to as conditioned air) (C) may have a lower temperature and higher relative humidity than the mixed air (G). The relative humidity of the conditioned air C may be 100%.

The conditioned air (C) may flow into the second air passage 285 and flow to the second discharge unit 351 by the blower 70 .

The conditioned air C may be discharged through the second discharge unit 351 and pass through the desiccant wheel 130 . The conditioned air C may be dehumidified by the desiccant wheel 130 while passing through the first area 135 of the desiccant wheel 130 . That is, the conditioned air C can be dehumidified. Since the relative humidity of the first area 135 of the desiccant wheel 130 is set lower than that of the conditioning air C, the conditioning air C can be dehumidified.

The conditioned air C may pass through the first area 135 of the desiccant wheel 130 and be supplied to the indoor space 400 along the first duct 401 .

The air supplied to the indoor space 400 (hereinafter, supplied air) D may have a higher temperature and a lower relative humidity than the conditioned air C. The reason why the temperature of the supply air (D) is higher than that of the conditioned air (C) is the same as that of the first mode cooling and dehumidifying operation.

The supply air D may be supplied to the indoor space 400 to harmonize the indoor space 400 .

The internal air (hereinafter referred to as indoor air) (hereinafter referred to as indoor air) of the indoor space 400 conditioned by the supply air D may have a higher temperature and a lower relative humidity than the supply air D.

The indoor air (A) may flow along the second duct 402 by the blower 70 .

The indoor air A may pass through the desiccant wheel 130 and flow into the first suction part 352 .

The indoor air A may absorb moisture from the second area 136 of the desiccant wheel 130 . That is, the indoor air (A) can be humidified.

Since the desiccant wheel 130 having absorbed moisture in the first area 135 rotates and is located in the second area 136, the relative humidity of the second area 136 is the indoor air (A). It may be higher than that and it may be easy to humidify the indoor air (A).

The heater 150 can generate heat enough to desorb moisture from the second region 136 into the indoor air A. The desiccant wheel 130 may be heated by the heater 150 .

The indoor air (A) passes through the second area 136 of the desiccant wheel 130 and is sucked into the inner space of the case 200 through the second suction part 352 to supply the ventilation air. (E) can be formed.

The ventilation air (E) may have a higher temperature and higher relative humidity than the indoor air (A).

As described above, the ventilation air (E) may be mixed with the external air (B) when the first discharge unit 231 is closed. Alternatively, the first discharge unit 231 may be opened, and a part of the ventilation air (E) may be discharged and the other part may be mixed with the external air (B).

As the flow described above repeatedly occurs, the indoor space 400 can be cooled and dehumidified.

Hereinafter, the heating and humidification operation using the second mode will be described. Since the air conditioner of the present invention does not have a separate water supply device, the heating and humidification operation can be performed only in the second mode to recycle moisture in indoor air.

When the fourth duct fan 236 is driven, external air B is sucked along the fourth duct 235, and the external air B passes through the first suction part 234 to the case 200. It can be sucked into the interior space.

When the blower 70 operates, air in the indoor space 400 may be sucked in through the second suction unit 352 along the second virtue feature 402 . The blower 70 may be driven simultaneously with the fourth duct fan 236 .

In the second mode, the first discharge part 231 may be closed. Air E (hereinafter referred to as ventilation air) sucked into the inner space of the case 200 through the second suction part 352 may flow into the first air passage 284 . The ventilation air (E) and the outside air (B) may be mixed to form the mixed air (G) in the first air passage 284 .

The temperature of the mixed air (G) may be lower than that of the ventilation air (E) and higher than that of the outside air (G). The mixed air (G) may have a lower relative humidity than the external air (B). The mixed air (G) may have a higher relative humidity than the ventilation air (E).

The mixed air G may pass through the filter 50 and the heat exchanger 61 along the first air passage 284 .

The mixed air (G) may pass through the filter 50 and the heat exchanger 61 and be conditioned. The mixed air (G) may be heated by the heat exchanger (61).

The heat exchanger 61 functions as a condenser during the second mode heating and humidification operation, and the second heat exchanger provided in the outdoor unit may function as an evaporator. In the heat exchanger 61, the refrigerant is condensed and the mixed air G can be heated.

The conditioned air (hereinafter referred to as conditioned air) (C) may have a higher temperature and a lower relative humidity than the mixed air (G).

The conditioned air (C) may flow into the second air passage 285 and flow to the second discharge unit 351 by the blower 70 .

The conditioned air C may be discharged through the second discharge unit 351 and pass through the desiccant wheel 130 . The conditioned air C may be humidified by the desiccant wheel 130 while passing through the first area 135 of the desiccant wheel 130 . Since the first area 135 of the desiccant wheel 130 has a higher relative humidity than the conditioning air C (the reason will be described later), the conditioning air C can be humidified. The temperature of the conditioned air C may be high enough to desorb moisture from the first region 135 .

The conditioned air C may pass through the first area 135 of the desiccant wheel 130 and be supplied to the indoor space 400 along the first duct 401 .

The air supplied to the indoor space 400 (hereinafter, supplied air) D may have a lower relative humidity than the conditioned air C. The temperature of the supply air (D) may be similar to that of the conditioned air (C).

The supply air D may be supplied to the indoor space 400 to harmonize the indoor space 400 .

The internal air (hereinafter referred to as indoor air) (hereinafter referred to as indoor air) of the indoor space 400 conditioned by the supplied air D may have a lower temperature and a higher relative humidity than the supplied air D.

The indoor air (A) may flow along the second duct 402 by the blower 70 .

The indoor air A may pass through the desiccant wheel 130 and flow into the first suction part 352 .

The indoor air A may be dehumidified by the second area 136 of the desiccant wheel 130 . The desiccant wheel 130 from which moisture is desorbed from the first area 135 may rotate and move to the second area 136 . Since the relative humidity of the second region 136 is lower than that of the indoor air A, the indoor air A can be dehumidified. That is, the second region 136 may absorb moisture.

Since the desiccant wheel 130 absorbs moisture from the indoor air A in the second region 136, when the desiccant wheel 130 rotates, the area where the moisture is absorbed is the first region ( 135). Accordingly, the relative humidity of the first region 135 may be higher than that of the conditioned air C.

The heater 150 can be operated to prevent freezing of the desiccant wheel 130 in winter and to maintain a constant temperature. The desiccant wheel 130 may be heated by the heater 150 . The heater 150 may be maintained lower than the desorption temperature of the moisture in the second region 136 .

After the indoor air (A) passes through the second area 136 of the desiccant wheel 130, it is sucked into the inner space of the case 200 through the second suction part 352, and the ventilation is performed. Air (E) can be formed.

The ventilation air (E) may have a higher temperature and higher relative humidity than the indoor air (A).

As described above, the ventilation air (E) may be mixed with the external air (B) when the first discharge unit 231 is closed.

By repeatedly generating the flow as described above, the indoor space 400 can be heated and humidified.

The above description is merely an example of the technical idea of the present invention, and various modifications and variations can be made to those skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present invention, but to explain, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments.

The protection scope of the present invention should be construed according to the claims below, and all technical ideas within the equivalent range should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

100: module 110: upper case
120: motor 124: pulley
130: desiccant wheel 140: upper guide
160: lower guide 150: heater
170: housing 180: lower case
200: case 231: first discharge unit
234: first suction unit 300: base panel
350: base panel body 351: second discharge unit
352: second suction unit

Claims (16)

a case forming a first suction part for sucking in air and a first discharge part for discharging air to the outside;
a heat exchanger and a blower provided inside the case;
a base panel provided below the heat exchanger and the blower; and
It is provided on one side of the base panel and includes a module for absorbing or dehydrating moisture in the air,
The air conditioning unit of claim 1 , wherein the base panel includes a second suction part for sucking air from the indoor space through the module into the case and a second discharge part for discharging the air inside the case to the module. energy. According to claim 1,
The module is provided to be drawn out or retractable on one side of the base panel,
The air conditioner module is exposed to the outside of the case. According to claim 2,
The air conditioner according to claim 1 , wherein the module is disposed below the base panel so that air sucked into the case through the second suction part forms an upward flow. According to claim 2,
The air conditioner further comprises a module bracket provided on at least one side of the base panel and forming a guide rail for withdrawing or retracting the module. According to claim 1,
The module bracket forms a sliding groove into which the module is inserted,
An upper surface portion of the module bracket forming an upper surface of the module bracket;
A module bracket side portion constituting a side surface of the module bracket, and
An air conditioner comprising a lower surface of the module bracket forming a lower surface of the module bracket. According to claim 1,
Further comprising a panel provided above the base panel and partitioning one space in which the heat exchanger is disposed and another space in which the blower is disposed,
The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the second suction part is formed at a position communicating with the one space, and the second discharge part is formed at a position communicating with the other space. According to claim 6,
The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the second suction part is larger than the second discharge part. According to claim 1,
The case includes a front part, a rear part, and first and second side parts,
The first suction part is formed on any one side part of the first and second side parts,
The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the first discharge portion is formed between the first suction portion and the second suction portion so that air sucked into the second suction portion is discharged through the first discharge portion. According to claim 1,
The module includes a desiccant wheel rotated by a motor and a module case accommodating the desiccant wheel and having a motor through-hole,
The air conditioner according to claim 1 , wherein the motor is provided outside the module case, and a shaft of the motor extends into the module case through the motor through-hole. According to claim 9,
The module is
a housing forming front, rear, left, and right surfaces of the module case and forming a wheel space into which the desiccant wheel is inserted; and
The air conditioner further comprises a pulley wound around at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the desiccant wheel. According to claim 10,
The module case,
It includes an upper case forming first and second openings and a lower case forming third and fourth openings,
The first and third openings are vertically aligned at positions corresponding to the second discharge portion,
The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the second and fourth openings are vertically aligned at positions corresponding to the second suction part. According to claim 11,
And an upper guide that prevents bypass occurring in the space between the first and second openings,
The air conditioner of claim 1, further comprising a lower guide preventing a bypass occurring in a space between the third and fourth openings. According to claim 9,
The desiccant wheel,
A first area located below the second discharge unit, in which moisture is absorbed during cooling and dehumidifying operation and dehydrated during heating and humidification operation; and
The air conditioner characterized in that it includes a second area located below the second suction part, in which moisture is dehydrated during cooling and dehumidifying operation and moisture is absorbed during heating and humidification operation. According to claim 13,
The module is
The air conditioner of claim 1, further comprising a heater vertically aligned with the desiccant wheel at the side of the second region to supply heat to the desiccant wheel. According to claim 9,
The air conditioner, characterized in that the desiccant wheel is coated with a dehumidifying material selected from at least one of silica gel and zeolite so that passing air can be dehumidified. According to claim 1,
Further comprising a damper for opening or closing the first suction part and the first discharge part and a control unit for controlling opening and closing of the damper,
The control unit,
Both the first suction part and the first discharge part are open,
The first discharge unit controls the damper to perform a first mode of discharging all air sucked into the second suction unit,
The first suction part is open, the first discharge part is closed,
The air conditioner controls the damper to perform a second mode in which the air sucked into the second suction part is mixed with the air sucked through the first suction part.

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