DEVICE FOR ELIMINATING CONDENSATE FOR AIR CONDITIONERS, AIR CONDITIONER AND METHOD FOR ELIMINATING CONDENSATE

Abstract

A device for eliminating condensation for air conditioners comprises a control unit and a valve connected to the control unit, the valve having an inlet suitable for being connected to at least one first heat exchanger and at least one first outlet suitable for being connected to at least one second heat exchanger, wherein the control unit is suitable for setting the opening and the closing of the first outlet of the valve for conveying the condensation towards the second heat exchanger.

Claims

1. A device for eliminating condensation for air conditioners, the device comprising a control unit and a valve connected to the control unit, the valve having an inlet suitable for being connected to at least one first heat exchanger and at least one first outlet suitable for being connected to at least one second heat exchanger, wherein the control unit is suitable for setting the opening and the closing of the first outlet of the valve for conveying the condensation towards the second heat exchanger.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the valve has at least one second outlet suitable for being connected to the first heat exchanger, and the control unit is suitable for setting the opening and the closing of the second outlet of the valve for conveying the condensation towards the first heat exchanger.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a pump having an inlet suitable for being connected to the first heat exchanger and/or to the second heat exchanger, the pump being suitable for conveying the condensation arriving from the first heat exchanger and/or from the second heat exchanger towards the valve.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein it comprises at least one collecting tank for the condensation interposed between the first heat exchanger and the pump and/or between the second heat exchanger and the pump, the tank being suitable for collecting the condensation arriving from the first heat exchanger and/or from the second heat exchanger.

6. The device according to claim 4, wherein it comprises at least one level sensor positioned in the collecting tank and connected to the control unit.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein it comprises at least one nebulizer or vaporizer positioned downstream of the valve.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein the valve has a third outlet connected to the nebulizer or vaporizer.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein it comprises at least one humidity sensor suitable for being positioned in a room, wherein the humidity sensor is connected to the control unit.

10. The device according to claim 7, wherein the control unit commands the opening and the closing of the third outlet of the valve towards the nebulizer or vaporizer depending on a signal arriving from the level sensor and/or from the humidity sensor.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is suitable for being connected to a cycle inversion valve of the air conditioner and commands the opening and the closing of the outlet of the valve of the device towards the first heat exchanger or towards the second heat exchanger depending on the cycle inversion.

12. An air conditioner comprising a circuit for the circulation of a coolant fluid; a compressor for bringing the coolant fluid from a first pressure to a second pressure which is higher than the first; a first heat exchanger positioned downstream of the compressor; a second heat exchanger positioned upstream of the compressor; a throttling unit, preferably a capillary tube or a control valve, interposed between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger; and a device for eliminating condensation according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet of the valve is connected at least to the second heat exchanger; an outlet of the valve is connected to the first heat exchanger; and the control unit is suitable for setting the opening and the closing of the outlet of the valve for conveying the condensation towards the first heat exchanger.

13. The air conditioner according to claim 11, wherein the inlet of the valve is connected to the first heat exchanger, an outlet of the valve is connected to the second heat exchanger, and the control unit is suitable for setting the opening and the closing of the outlet of the valve for conveying the condensation towards the second heat exchanger.

14. The air conditioner according to claim 11, wherein the inlet of the pump is connected to the first heat exchanger and/or to the second heat exchanger for conveying the condensation arriving from the first heat exchanger and/or from the second heat exchanger towards the valve.

15. The air conditioner according to claim 11, wherein it comprises a coolant cycle inversion valve, wherein the control unit commands the opening and the closing of the outlet of the valve of the device towards the first heat exchanger or towards the second heat exchanger depending on the cycle inversion.

16. A method for eliminating condensation in an air conditioner comprising a circuit for the circulation of a coolant fluid; a compressor for bringing the coolant fluid from a first pressure to a second pressure which is higher than the first, a first heat exchanger positioned downstream of the compressor; a second heat exchanger positioned upstream of the compressor; a throttling unit, preferably a capillary tube or a control valve, interposed between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger; and a device for eliminating condensation according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet of the valve is connected to the second heat exchanger and an outlet of the valve is connected to the first heat exchanger; the method comprising the steps of: conveying the condensation arriving from the second heat exchanger towards the valve, and opening the outlet of the valve by means of the control unit for conveying the condensation towards the first heat exchanger.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein it comprises the step of ascertaining the quantity of condensation upstream of the valve and if the quantity of condensation is greater than a predetermined value, opening the valve by means of the control unit for conveying the condensation towards a nebulizer or vaporizer.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the air conditioner comprises a coolant fluid cycle inversion valve for causing operation of the air conditioner in cooling or heating mode, wherein the inlet of the valve of the device for eliminating condensation is connected to the first heat exchanger and wherein an outlet of the valve is connected to the second heat exchanger, the method being characterised in that it comprises the steps of: determining the cooling or heating operating mode of the air conditioner; if the mode is cooling, conveying the condensation arriving from the second heat exchanger towards the valve and opening the second outlet of the valve towards the first heat exchanger; if the operating mode is heating, conveying the condensation arriving from the first heat exchanger towards the valve and opening the first outlet of the valve towards the second heat exchanger.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein it comprises the step of ascertaining the humidity of the room in which at least the second heat exchanger is located and opening the valve by means of the control unit for conveying the condensation towards a nebulizer or vaporizer if the humidity is greater than a predetermined value.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein it comprises the step of collecting the condensation arriving from the first heat exchanger and/or from the second heat exchanger in a collecting tank and ascertaining the level of condensation in the collecting tank before conveying the condensation towards the valve, preferably by means of a pump.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] 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:

[0026] FIG. 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;

[0027] FIG. 2 shows the operating arrangement for the air conditioner referred to in FIG. 1, in “heating” mode.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0028] FIG. 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.

[0029] The air conditioner 2 is preferably operable both in “cooling” mode and in “heating” (“heat pump”) mode. However, the device 1 according to the invention can also be used within a “cold only” air-conditioning unit.

[0030] 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.

[0031] In cooling mode, shown in FIG. 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] In the heating mode shown in FIG. 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. In cooling mode, the first heat exchanger 5 serves as an evaporator.

[0035] 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.

[0036] Also in heating mode, condensation forms on the first heat exchanger-evaporator 5 after defrosting as part of the inverted refrigeration cycle.

[0037] 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.

[0038] The valve 9 is preferably a solenoid valve.

[0039] 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 11 and opening the first outlet 11 of the valve 9 by means of the control unit 8 to convey the condensation to the second heat exchanger 6.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] The air conditioner 2 housing the device 1 for eliminating condensation operates as shown below.

[0053] In the cooling mode shown in FIG. 1, condensation forms on the second heat exchanger 6. The condensation is conveyed to the collecting tank 17.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] In 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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 11 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 11 of the valve towards the second heat exchanger 6.

[0059] 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.

[0060] In the heating mode shown in FIG. 2, the condensation forming on the first heat exchanger 5 is moved to the collecting tank 17.

[0061] 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 11 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.

[0062] If 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 11 of the valve 9 and the opening of the third outlet 13 of the valve 9 towards the nebuliser/vaporiser 14.

[0063] 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 11 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.