A heat exchange unit

Abstract

A heat exchange unit for heat pumps or air conditioners, comprising a box-like casing ( 1 ), a lower surface ( 2 ), an upper surface ( 3 ) which is opposite the lower surface ( 2 ) and which is spaced apart therefrom with respect to an axis (X) of the casing ( 1 ), and a front surface ( 4 ) which extends between the lower surface ( 2 ) and the upper surface ( 3 ), the surfaces ( 2, 3, 4 ) being defined on the casing ( 1 ). The heat exchange unit further comprises a first opening ( 6 ) and a second opening ( 7 ) which are made on the casing ( 1 ), a channel ( 8 ) which extends inside the casing ( 1 ) between the first and second openings ( 6, 7 ), a fan ( 9 ) which is housed inside the casing ( 1 ), along the channel ( 8 ), and which is provided to move an air flow ( 10 ) away from and towards the external environment with respect to the casing ( 1 ) through the openings ( 6, 7 ), and a heat exchanger ( 11 ) which is placed in the channel ( 8 ), at least a portion of the fan ( 9 ) and the heat exchanger ( 11 ) being one below the other with respect to the axis (X). The fan ( 9 ) is a centrifugal fan while the heat exchanger ( 11 ) has a V-like profile. The first opening ( 6 ) is made on the front surface ( 4 ) of the casing ( 1 ) and the second opening ( 7 ) is constructed in the upper surface ( 3 ) and/or on the front surface ( 4 ) in a position above the first opening ( 6 ) with respect to the axis (X).

1 . A heat exchange unit for heat pumps or air conditioners, comprising:
 a box-like casing,   a lower surface, an upper surface which is opposite the lower surface and which is spaced apart therefrom with respect to an axis (X) of the casing, and a front surface which extends between the lower surface and the upper surface, the surfaces being defined on the casing,   a first opening and a second opening which are made on the casing,   a channel which extends inside the casing between the first and second openings,   a fan housed inside the casing, along the channel, and which is arranged to move an air flow away from and towards the external environment with respect to the casing through the openings, the fan being a centrifugal fan,   a heat exchanger placed in the channel, in which the heat exchanger has a V-like profile and at least a portion of the fan and the heat exchanger are one below the other with respect to the axis (X),   
       wherein the first opening is made on the front surface of the casing and the second opening is made on the upper surface and/or on the front surface in a position above the first opening with respect to the axis (X). 
     
     
         2 . A heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second openings are made the front surface and on the upper surface of the casing, respectively. 
     
     
         3 . A heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the fan is placed in the channel between the first opening and the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         4 . A heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the fan is arranged to promote a circulation of the air flow from the first opening to the second opening. 
     
     
         5 . A heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotation axis (Y) of the impeller of the fan is transverse, in particular orthogonal, to the axis (X). 
     
     
         6 . A heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the fan is placed in a position adjacent to the first opening in such a manner that the impeller of the fan faces the first opening. 
     
     
         7 . A heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the fan comprises a casing and an impeller which can be rotated about an individual rotation axis (Y) inside the casing, the extent of the first opening substantially coinciding with the extent of an inlet opening of the casing of the fan through which the air flow is drawn by the rotation of the impeller. 
     
     
         8 . A heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the vertex of the heat exchanger turns towards the upper surface. 
     
     
         9 . A heat exchange unit according to  claim 8 , wherein the heat exchange unit comprises a pair of containers for collecting condensation water, which are placed in the region of respective distal ends of the heat exchanger with respect to the vertex thereof. 
     
     
         10 . A heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the box-shaped casing further comprises a rear surface opposite the front surface and a pair of lateral surface which are opposite each other, the lower surface, rear surface and lateral surfaces not being provided with one or more openings for the passage of the air flow away from and towards the external environment with respect to the casing. 
     
     
         11 . A heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is at least partially above the fan with respect to the axis (X) of the casing. 
     
     
         12 . A heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is substantially aligned with the fan along the axis (X) of the casing. 
     
     
         13 . A heat exchange unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchange unit comprises hydraulic and electrical connection means which are provided to operationally connect the heat exchange unit to one or more internal units of a conditioning installation and/or sanitary water distribution devices and/or refrigeration devices.