Compact indoor unit of an air conditioner

Details Compact indoor unit of an air conditioner Compact indoor unit of an air conditioner

2000-02-14

2001-03-13

McDermott, Corrine (Department: 3632)

Refrigeration

Structural installation

Window connected or mounted

C062S263000, C062S298000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06199393

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention generally relates to air distribution units of the type commonly used in air conditioning, heating or ventilation systems and, more particularly, to an extremely compact air conditioning unit.
BACKGROUND ART
In many commercial air conditioning, heating and ventilating systems, treated air is discharged into an area to be conditioned through an air distribution or conditioning unit. For example, one general type of air conditioning system, often referred to as a split system, includes separate indoor and outdoor units. The outdoor unit includes a compressor, a heat exchanger and a fan. The indoor unit includes a heat exchanger and a fan. In operation, the indoor fan draws air into the indoor unit, through an inlet thereof, and forces the air over the indoor heat exchanger and then out of the indoor unit, through an outlet opening therein.
The outdoor fan draws air into the outdoor unit, through an inlet, forces that air over the outdoor heat exchanger and then forces that air out of the outdoor unit through an outlet therein. At the same time, a compressor causes a refrigeration fluid to circulate through and between the indoor/outdoor heat exchangers. At the indoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the air passing over that heat exchanger, cooling that air. At the same time, at the outdoor heat exchanger, the air passing over the heat exchanger absorbs heat from the refrigerant passing therethrough.
Split type air conditioning units of this type are typically manufactured in a wide range of cooling capacities. Accordingly, the size of the indoor unit can range from a small compact relatively narrow unit up to a wide unit, of substantially the same height as the compact unit.
In manufacturing compact units, a particular challenge is mounting all of the necessary components within a confined space. Accordingly, it is desirable to mount the motor and fan assembly in an extremely compact space with a minimum of mounting hardware.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
An air distribution unit of the type including a housing defining an air inlet, an air outlet, and an air flow path therethrough extending from the inlet to the outlet. The unit includes an evaporator coil supported in the housing in the air flow path and a fan and motor assembly for effecting air flow along the air flow path and through the evaporator coil. The housing includes external cover components including a front panel and left and right external side covers. An internal structural framework of the unit supports components internally of the housing and also supports the external components. The framework includes at least one horizontally extending structural member and at least one vertically extending structural side panel structurally attached to the horizontal member in perpendicular relationship thereto. The fan and motor assembly includes a centrifugal fan having a horizontal axis of rotation and an electric motor having an axis coincident with the fan, which is drivingly coupled to the fan. The motor has a cylindrical housing, which has a plurality of mounting tabs extending radially thereform. The vertically extending side panel has an opening therein configured to receive at least a portion of the motor housing therein. The side panel further includes mounting tab engaging structure positioned about the opening. The engaging structure is configured to engage the plurality of mounting tabs of the motor to thereby affix the motor to the side panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention may be better understood and its objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of the indoor unit of an air conditioner which embodies the features of the present invention.
FIG. 2
is a perspective view of the right internal side cover of the air conditioning unit of
FIG. 1
showing the fan and fan drive motor to be assembled thereto;
FIG. 3
is an exploded perspective view of the air conditioning unit of
FIG. 1
; and
FIG. 4
is a left side view of the air conditioning unit of
FIG. 1
with the left side cover removed and the bottom of the left internal side cover broken away to show detail of the fan and scroll housing.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2810536 (1957-10-01), Cunningham
patent: 4164852 (1979-08-01), Anzalone
patent: 4733542 (1988-03-01), Blair
patent: 4951737 (1990-08-01), Tenhundfeld et al.
patent: 5638693 (1997-06-01), Baek
patent: 355085833 (1980-06-01), None
patent: WO9826491 (1998-06-01), None

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