WO2021171585A1 - Outdoor unit - Google Patents

Abstract

An outdoor unit to which a receiving tray for condensation water is fixed. This outdoor unit comprises an outer panel, a heat exchanger, a valve fixed on the outside of the outer panel, and a receiving tray for receiving condensation water generated by the valve. The receiving tray has a guide surface that guides condensation water toward the heat exchanger, a first engagement portion that is engaged with the heat exchanger, and a second engagement portion that is engaged with the outer panel.

Description

Outdoor unit

The present disclosure relates to an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, and particularly to a fixed structure of a saucer for condensed water attached to the outdoor unit.

As an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a valve of a refrigerant pipe arranged on a side surface of an outdoor unit is covered with a cover to which a saucer made of synthetic resin is attached. According to the configuration of Patent Document 1, the dew condensation water adhering to the valve can be received by the saucer, and the dew condensation water can be drained from the gap between the valve and the side panel of the outdoor unit. Further, according to the configuration of Patent Document 1, the cover can prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the outdoor unit through the gap between the valve and the panel on the side surface of the outdoor unit.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-122717

For outdoor units installed in special environments, the cover that covers the connection between the valve and the piping may be removed for the purpose of improving workability. In such a case, it is necessary to fix the saucer by another method and secure a drainage route for the condensed water, instead of fixing the saucer to the cover as in Patent Document 1. However, for example, if a hole for fitting the saucer is formed in the outer panel of the outdoor unit and the hole is used as a drainage route to discharge the condensed water into the outdoor unit, foreign matter can enter through the hole. It cannot be prevented, and it becomes difficult to protect the equipment inside the outdoor unit.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and the saucer can be fixed without forming a hole for fitting the saucer in the outer panel of the outdoor unit, and the condensed water received by the saucer can be discharged. The purpose is to provide an outdoor unit.

The outdoor unit according to the present disclosure includes an outer panel, a heat exchanger, a valve fixed to the outside of the outer panel, and a saucer for receiving dew condensation water generated by the valve, and the saucer includes the dew condensation. It has a guide surface that guides water toward the heat exchanger, a first engaging portion engaged with the heat exchanger, and a second engaging portion engaged with the outer panel.

According to the outdoor unit according to the present disclosure, the saucer is fixed by the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion of the saucer, and the dew condensation water generated by the valve provided on the outer panel exchanges heat by the guide surface of the saucer. Since the water is drained into the vessel, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the outdoor unit.

It is a perspective view which shows the back surface of the outdoor unit which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a perspective view which looked at the saucer which concerns on Embodiment 1 from the left front side. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the 1st engaging part which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a side view which shows the structure of the 1st engaging part which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the 2nd engaging part which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment structure of the saucer which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a top view which shows the attachment structure of the 1st engaging part which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment structure of the 2nd engaging part which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a conceptual diagram explaining the action of the force generated in the 1st engaging part and the 2nd engaging part which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining the movement of the dew condensation water in the saucer which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the drainage route of the bottom plate which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a side view which shows the 1st engaging part which concerns on the modification 1 of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a perspective view which looked at the discharge port of the guide surface which concerns on the modification 2 of Embodiment 1 from the left front side. It is a top view which shows the discharge port of the guide surface which concerns on the modification 2 of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a top view which shows the discharge port of the guide surface which concerns on a comparative example. It is a perspective view which looked at the saucer which concerns on Embodiment 2 from the left front side. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment structure of the saucer which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG.

Hereinafter, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment will be described. In the drawings below, the size relationship of each component may differ from the actual one. Further, in the following drawings, those having the same reference numerals are the same or equivalent thereof, and this shall be common to the entire text of the specification. Furthermore, the forms of the components represented in the full text of the specification are merely examples, and are not limited to these descriptions.

Further, in the following figure, the X direction indicates the left-right direction of the outdoor unit, and the arrow indicates the right-to-left direction. The Y direction indicates the front-rear direction of the outdoor unit, and the arrow indicates the front-to-back direction. The Z direction indicates the vertical direction of the outdoor unit, and the arrow indicates the upward direction from the bottom.

Embodiment 1.
<Outdoor unit configuration>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the back surface of the outdoor unit 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the outdoor unit 100 according to the first embodiment includes a housing 1 that constitutes an outer shell. The housing 1 is composed of a right side panel 5, a back panel 10, a top panel 11, a left side panel 12, a bottom plate 7, and a front panel (not shown).

The back panel 10 and the right side panel 5 correspond to the outer panels of the present disclosure. The outer panel may have, for example, a configuration in which the back panel 10 and the right side panel 5 in contact with the back panel 10 are formed of one member having an L-shape in a plan view. The outer panel may be configured by connecting a back panel 10 composed of individual panels and a right side panel 5.

A groove 5a is formed on the right side panel 5. The groove 5a has a shape in which a part of the right side panel 5 is recessed in the left direction, that is, in the X direction in a cross section parallel to the back panel 10. The edge of the groove 5a has a shape extending in the vertical direction on the surface of the right side panel 5. The groove 5a is provided near the back surface of the right side panel 5.

Inside the housing 1, an outdoor heat exchanger 6 is placed and housed on the upper surface of the bottom plate 7. A part of the outdoor heat exchanger 6 is housed in the housing 1 so as to be exposed to the outside from the back surface of the housing 1. The outdoor heat exchanger 6 has a plurality of fins 6a. The plurality of fins 6a have a flat plate shape, and each of the fins 6a is arranged along the vertical direction. The plurality of fins 6a are arranged to face each other with a predetermined interval. A plurality of heat transfer tubes are inserted into the plurality of fins 6a in orthogonal directions. Illustration is omitted for a plurality of heat transfer tubes.

Inside the housing 1, together with the outdoor heat exchanger 6, a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, a four-way valve that switches the flow of the refrigerant, a flow control device that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant, and an air to the outdoor heat exchanger 6. The outdoor fan, which sends the air, is housed. The compressor, the four-way valve, the heat transfer tube of the outdoor heat exchanger 6, and the flow rate control device are connected by a refrigerant pipe. A valve 2 is connected to the end of the refrigerant pipe. The compressor, four-way valve, flow control device, outdoor fan, and refrigerant piping are not shown.

The refrigerant flowing through the plurality of heat transfer tubes of the outdoor heat exchanger 6 exchanges heat with the air outside the outdoor heat exchanger 6 via the plurality of fins 6a. The outdoor heat exchanger 6 functions as an evaporator during the heating operation and as a condenser during the cooling operation.

The valve 2 is exposed and fixed to the housing 1 to the outside. The valve 2 has a liquid side connection valve and a gas side connection valve. The valve 2 is provided on the outside of the back panel 10 so as to project toward the back side. The valve 2 is attached to the end of the refrigerant pipe that penetrates the back panel 10. An extension pipe connected to the indoor unit is connected to the valve 2. The outdoor unit 100 is connected to the indoor unit via an extension pipe connected to the valve 2. The refrigerant passes between the member connected by the refrigerant pipe in the housing 1, the valve 2, the extension pipe, and the indoor unit. The indoor unit and extension piping are not shown.

The saucer 4 is fixed to the housing 1 by the first engaging portion 4a and the second engaging portion 4b. The saucer 4 is fixed below the valve 2. The saucer 4 is provided to store the condensed water generated by the valve 2. The condensed water generated in the valve 2 is dropped from the valve 2, stored in the saucer 4, and discharged toward the outdoor heat exchanger 6. The saucer 4 is preferably made of a flexible synthetic resin or the like.

<Structure of saucer>
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the saucer 4 according to the first embodiment as viewed from the left front side. As shown in FIG. 2, the saucer 4 has a guide surface 4c, a first engaging portion 4a, and a second engaging portion 4b.

The guide surface 4c constitutes the bottom surface of the saucer 4. The guide surface 4c is a bottom plate having a surface that receives the dew condensation water dripping from the valve 2 and guides the dew condensation water toward the outdoor heat exchanger 6. The guide surface 4c is located below the valve 2 when the saucer 4 is attached to the housing 1.

A peripheral wall is erected on the edge of the guide surface 4c. The peripheral wall of the guide surface 4c has a contact surface 4f extending in the YZ direction and an opposing surface 4j facing the contact surface 4f with a gap. The contact surface 4f is a surface that contacts the back panel 10 when the saucer 4 is attached to the housing 1. The contact surface 4f is separated from the facing surface 4j at one end in the X direction, and is continuous with the facing surface 4j at the other end in the X direction.

At the portion where the contact surface 4f and the facing surface 4j are separated from each other, a part of the edge of the guide surface 4c is exposed and no peripheral wall is provided. The portion where a part of the edge of the guide surface 4c is exposed functions as a discharge port 4m.

The guide surface 4c is configured to be inclined in the front-rear and left-right directions. That is, the guide surface 4c is configured so that the height position in the Z direction changes in the Y direction, for example, the height position becomes the lowest as it approaches the contact surface 4f. Further, the guide surface 4c is configured so that the height position in the Z direction changes in the X direction and becomes the lowest at the discharge port 4 m.

Since the guide surface 4c is inclined so as to be the lowest at the discharge port 4m, the condensed water guided to the guide surface 4c moves toward the discharge port 4m and is discharged from the guide surface 4c. As described above, the guide surface 4c is formed with a drainage path toward the discharge port 4m.

The first engaging portion 4a is provided at one end of the contact surface 4f separated from the facing surface 4j. The first engaging portion 4a is formed continuously from the contact surface 4f.

The second engaging portion 4b is provided at the other end of the contact surface 4f, that is, the other end located on the opposite side of one end of the contact surface 4f on which the first engaging portion 4a is formed. The second engaging portion 4b is formed continuously from the contact surface 4f.

<Structure of the first engaging part>
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the first engaging portion 4a according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the configuration of the first engaging portion 4a according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first engaging portion 4a extends in a direction perpendicular to the contact surface 4f. The first engaging portion 4a has a rectangular shape when viewed from the side.

The first engaging portion 4a is a portion that is inserted between the fins 6a of the outdoor heat exchanger 6 when the saucer 4 is attached to the housing 1. The first engaging portion 4a is formed so as to extend in a direction parallel to the fins 6a of the outdoor heat exchanger 6 when the saucer 4 is attached to the housing 1. The first engaging portion 4a is inserted between the fins 6a of the adjacent outdoor heat exchanger 6 when the saucer 4 is attached to the housing 1. The first engaging portion 4a is in contact with the surface of the fins 6a of the outdoor heat exchanger 6 when the saucer 4 is attached to the housing 1.

<Structure of the second engaging part>
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the second engaging portion 4b according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the second engaging portion 4b has a shape that extends from the contact surface 4f in the direction opposite to the facing surface 4j and then bends in the direction along the contact surface 4f. The second engaging portion 4b has a hook shape when viewed from above.

The second engaging portion 4b is a portion that is engaged with the right side panel 5 that constitutes the right back corner of the housing 1 when the saucer 4 is attached to the housing 1. The second engaging portion 4b is engaged with the right side panel 5 by being inserted into the groove 5a of the right side panel 5.

The inner 4k of the hook-shaped portion of the second engaging portion 4b has an arc shape when viewed from above. The inner 4k of the second engaging portion 4b has a shape along the curved surface of the corner portion of the right side panel 5. When the saucer 4 is attached to the housing 1, the inside 4k of the second engaging portion 4b follows the shape of the right side panel 5, so that the attachment height position can be easily maintained.

<Installation of saucer 4>
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a mounting configuration of the saucer 4 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a top view showing a mounting configuration of the first engaging portion 4a according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a mounting configuration of the second engaging portion 4b according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the first engaging portion 4a of the saucer 4 is inserted between the fins 6a of the outdoor heat exchanger 6. Further, the second engaging portion 4b of the saucer 4 is hooked on the groove 5a formed on the back surface side of the right side panel 5. As a result, the saucer 4 is fixed to the housing 1.

Since the tip of the second engaging portion 4b has a rectangular shape when viewed from the side, the state in which the second engaging portion 4b inserted into the groove 5a of the right side panel 5 can be maintained can be maintained. In FIG. 8, the shape of the tip of the second engaging portion 4b is shown as a rectangular shape in a side view, but the tip of the second engaging portion 4b may be chamfered, for example. Further, in FIG. 8, the groove 5a of the right side panel 5 is shown in a shape extending in the vertical direction, but the shape of the groove 5a of the right side panel 5 is not limited to this. The groove 5a of the right side panel 5 may have a circularly concave shape on the surface of the right side panel 5, and may have a shape in which the tip of the first engaging portion 4a can be hooked.

<Action of the first engaging part and the second engaging part>
FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the action of the force generated in the first engaging portion 4a and the second engaging portion 4b according to the first embodiment. The arrow indicates the direction in which the force acts. As shown in FIG. 9, the first engaging portion 4a and the second engaging portion 4b generate a force in a direction facing each other.

In the saucer 4, the second engaging portion 4b is inserted into the groove 5a of the right side panel 5 in a state where the first engaging portion 4a is inserted between the fins 6a of the outdoor heat exchanger 6, and the saucer 4 is inserted into the housing 1. It is attached. The saucer 4 is in a state where the contact surface 4f is bent in the direction of contracting the facing surface 4j, and the second engaging portion 4b is inserted into the groove 5a of the right side panel 5 in that state. As a result, the fins 6a and the right side panel 5 of the outdoor heat exchanger 6 interposed between the first engaging portion 4a and the second engaging portion 4b are sandwiched, and the saucer 4 is firmly fixed to the housing 1. ..

<Movement of condensed water>
FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating the movement of the condensed water 3 in the saucer 4 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, dew condensation water 3 is generated on the surface of the valve 2 exposed to the outside of the housing 1 due to the temperature difference between the refrigerant flowing through the valve 2 and the outside air. For example, in the summer, when a refrigerant having a temperature lower than the outside air temperature circulates in the valve 2, dew condensation water 3 is generated on the surface of the valve 2.

The condensed water 3 generated on the surface of the valve 2 is dropped onto the guide surface 4c of the saucer 4 arranged below the valve 2. The condensed water 3 dropped on the guide surface 4c flows through the saucer 4 along the guide surface 4c, reaches the discharge port 4m, and is drained into the outdoor heat exchanger 6.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a drainage channel 7a of the bottom plate 7 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the bottom plate 7 has a drainage channel 7a extending in a concave shape and a drainage hole 7b formed in the drainage channel 7a. Condensation water 3 drained into the outdoor heat exchanger 6 flows into the bottom plate 7 through the fins 6a of the outdoor heat exchanger 6. When the condensed water 3 flows into the bottom plate 7, it flows through the drainage channel 7a of the bottom plate 7 and reaches the drainage hole 7b. Then, the condensed water 3 is discharged to the outside from the drain hole 7b, so that the drainage of the condensed water 3 is completed.

In this way, the dew condensation water 3 generated by the valve 2 is drained from the saucer 4 to the outdoor heat exchanger 6, and is discharged to the outside through the bottom plate 7. Therefore, a hole for discharging the dew condensation water 3 in the housing 1. The drainage route of the condensed water 3 can be secured without forming the water.

According to the outdoor unit 100 according to the present embodiment described above, the first engaging portion 4a engaged with the outdoor heat exchanger 6 and the second engaging portion 4b engaged with the right side panel 5 The saucer 4 is fixed to the housing 1 by the method. Then, the dew condensation water 3 generated by the valve 2 provided on the outside of the back panel 10 is drained into the outdoor heat exchanger 6 by the guide surface 4c of the saucer 4, so that the dew condensation water 3 is drained to the housing 1. No holes have been formed for this. This makes it possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the outdoor unit 100.

Further, since the first engaging portion 4a is configured to be inserted between the fins 6a of the outdoor heat exchanger 6, it is not necessary to provide a hole for fixing the saucer 4 in the housing 1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the outdoor unit 100.

Further, since the second engaging portion 4b has a configuration in which the second engaging portion 4b is inserted into the groove 5a of the right side panel 5, it is not necessary to provide a hole for fixing the saucer 4 in the housing 1. May be good. Therefore, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the outdoor unit 100.

Further, since the force sandwiched between the first engaging portion 4a and the second engaging portion 4b of the receiving tray 4 acts on the outdoor heat exchanger 6 and the outer panel, the receiving tray 4 is firmly fixed to the housing 1. be able to.

Further, since the first engaging portion 4a and the second engaging portion 4b of the saucer 4 generate a force in the direction of facing each other, the saucer 4 can be firmly held even if the saucer 4 is not provided with a hole for fixing. Can be fixed to the housing 1.

Although the configuration in which the first engaging portion 4a is inserted between the fins 6a of the outdoor heat exchanger 6 has been described above, the configuration in which the first engaging portion 4a is inserted is not limited to this. The first engaging portion 4a only needs to be able to drain the condensed water 3 from the saucer 4 to the outdoor heat exchanger 6, and the first engaging portion 4a is, for example, the end portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 6 and the end portion of the back panel 10. It may be inserted between and. Further, although the configuration in which the second engaging portion 4b is engaged with the right side panel 5 has been described above, the configuration in which the second engaging portion 4b is engaged is not limited to this. The second engaging portion 4b may be engaged with, for example, a groove formed in the back panel 10.

<Modification example of the first engaging part>
FIG. 12 is a side view showing the first engaging portion 4a according to the first modification of the first embodiment. The first engaging portion 4a according to the modified example has a chamfered 4d at the tip and has a tapered shape. By chamfering 4d at the tip of the first engaging portion 4a, the vertical dimension of the tip of the first engaging portion 4a inserted between the fins 6a of the outdoor heat exchanger 6 is larger than that of the other parts. It becomes smaller, and it becomes easy to insert the first engaging portion 4a between the fins 6a of the outdoor heat exchanger 6. In FIG. 12, the upper and lower corners of the first engaging portion 4a are chamfered 4d, but only one of the upper and lower corners may be chamfered 4d.

<Modification example of guide surface 4c>
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the discharge port 4 m of the guide surface 4c according to the second modification of the first embodiment as viewed from the left front side. FIG. 14 is a top view showing the discharge port 4m of the guide surface 4c according to the second modification of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a plurality of protrusions 4e are formed at the tip of the guide surface 4c on the discharge port 4 m side. The plurality of protrusions 4e are inserted between the fins 6a of the outdoor heat exchanger 6. The tip of the fin 6a of the outdoor heat exchanger 6 is in contact with the guide surface 4c between the plurality of protrusions 4e.

FIG. 15 is a top view showing the discharge port 4 m of the guide surface 4c according to the comparative example. As shown in FIG. 15, there may be a gap 8 between the discharge port 4m at the tip of the guide surface 4c and the fin 6a of the outdoor heat exchanger 6. When the gap 8 increases, the condensed water 3 cannot reach the bottom plate 7 through the fins 6a, and the drainage property from the bottom plate 7 deteriorates.

As in the saucer 4 according to the modified example, by providing a plurality of protrusions 4e at the discharge port 4m, the space between the guide surface 4c and the fins 6a of the outdoor heat exchanger 6 is filled, so that the drainage property from the guide surface 4c is improved. Can be improved.

Embodiment 2.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the saucer 4 according to the second embodiment as viewed from the left front side. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a mounting configuration of the saucer 4 according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the saucer 4 according to the second embodiment has a screw hole 4g formed on the contact surface 4f and a notch 4h formed on the facing surface 4j. The screw hole 4g and the notch 4h are formed at opposite positions.

The saucer 4 is attached to the housing 1 by the first engaging portion 4a and the second engaging portion 4b, and then fixed to the housing 1 by the screw 9 inserted into the screw hole 4g.

Since the saucer 4 is fixed to the housing 1 by the screws 9, the saucer 4 can be fixed to the housing 1 more firmly. Since the notch 4h is formed in the saucer 4, the screwing work can be performed while applying a screwdriver to the notch 4h. Since the notch 4h is formed, the facing surface 4j does not interfere with the driver when the driver is applied to the screw 9. As a result, the saucer 4 can be firmly fixed, and the work of fixing the saucer 4 can be facilitated.

According to the saucer 4 according to the second embodiment described above, since the saucer 4 is formed with a screw hole 4 g and a notch 4h, the saucer 4 is easily and firmly fixed to the housing 1. be able to.

1 housing, 2 valves, 3 condensed water, 4 saucer, 4a 1st engaging part, 4b 2nd engaging part, 4c guide surface, 4d chamfering, 4e protruding part, 4f contact surface, 4g screw hole, 4h notch 4j facing surface, 4k inside, 4m outlet, 5 right side panel, 5a groove, 6 outdoor heat exchanger, 6a fin, 7 bottom plate, 7a drainage channel, 7b drain hole, 8 gap, 9 screws, 10 back panel, 11 top panel, 12 left panel, 100 outdoor unit.

Claims (10)

Outer panel and
With a heat exchanger
A valve fixed to the outside of the outer panel,
A saucer that receives the condensed water generated by the valve and
With
The saucer
A guide surface that guides the condensed water toward the heat exchanger, and
The first engaging portion engaged with the heat exchanger and
A second engaging portion engaged with the outer panel and
Outdoor unit with. A housing partially composed of the outer panel is provided.
The outdoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is housed in the housing so that a part of the heat exchanger is exposed from the housing. The heat exchanger is exposed from the back surface of the housing.
The outdoor unit according to claim 2, wherein the outer panel constitutes the back surface of the housing and side surfaces connected to the back surface. The heat exchanger has a plurality of fins and has a plurality of fins.
The outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first engaging portion is inserted between a plurality of fins of the heat exchanger to be engaged with the heat exchanger. The outer panel has a groove and
The outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second engaging portion is engaged with the outer panel by inserting the tip into the groove. The outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first engaging portion has a chamfered tip. The guide surface
Has multiple protrusions at the ends,
The outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the heat exchanger is in contact with the guide surface between the plurality of protrusions. The saucer has a peripheral wall and
A screw hole is formed in a portion of the peripheral wall in contact with the outer panel.
The outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a notch is formed in a portion of the peripheral wall facing the screw hole. The saucer
The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are fixed to the outer panel and the heat exchanger by sandwiching the heat exchanger and the outer panel. The outdoor unit described in any one of the items. The outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion generate a force in a direction facing each other.

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