Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning device and an air conditioning
system. Specifically, the present invention relates to an air conditioning device
and an air conditioning system configured so as to prevent staining the periphery
of an installation site of the air conditioning device with water condensed as dew
on a heat generating portion.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, an air conditioning device using radiant heat of a heat exchanger
has been used in order to eliminate a draft sensation that is produced in a blow type
air conditioning device and with which a person in the surrounding area feels uncomfortable.
As such an air conditioning device, for example, one for which a plurality of heat
exchangers are laterally laid and disposed in a vertically aligned manner has been
proposed, as in an air conditioning device described in Patent Document 1.
[0003] The air conditioning device 9 described in Patent Document 1 shown in Fig. 12 is
a device which makes a heating medium flow through the inside of a flow path member
to perform heating or cooling of the outside of the flow path member by heat exchange
with the heating medium, in which heat exchangers 90 for which an inner core member
is housed in the inside of the flow path member and a flow channel through which the
heating medium is made to flow is formed by a surface of the inner core member and
an inner surface of the flow path member are arranged side by side vertically, horizontally,
or in a direction other than the vertical and horizontal directions, so as to circulate
the heating medium through the heat exchangers 90.
[0004] The air conditioning device 9, by having the configuration described above, can eliminate
during operation a draft sensation with which a person in the surrounding area feels
uncomfortable and also achieves a quick rise in temperature of a surface of the flow
path member that is a heat exchanging portion, and is therefore highly convenient.
Prior Art Document
Patent Document
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problem(s) to be Solved by the Invention
[0006] On the other hand, because the air conditioning device 9 described in Patent Document
1 has its heat exchangers 90 in round bar shapes and vertically disposed, during a
cooling operation, dew condensation water produced on the heat exchangers 90 have
sometimes dipped onto a front side or back side of the air conditioning device 9 to
stain the periphery of a site where the air conditioning device 9 has been installed.
[0007] Also, as shown in Fig. 13, when a reflector 91 is disposed at the back side of the
air conditioning device 9 in order to improve heat radiation efficiency, an indoor
heat convection occurs, and air may enter into a clearance gap between the reflector
91 and the heat exchangers 90 to flow in a direction opposite to the reflector 96
from between the heat exchangers 90. At this time, droplets of dew condensation water
produced on the heat exchangers 90 may be carried on the convective air to splatter
onto the front side of the air conditioning device 9 and stain the surroundings. Such
stains due to dew condensation water present a poor appearance and also cause mold
and the like, and are thus not preferable from a hygienic point of view.
[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof
is to provide an air conditioning device and an air conditioning system configured
so as to prevent the periphery of an installation site from being stained by dripping,
splattering, etc., of water having condensed on a heat generating portion.
Means for Solving the Problem(s)
[0009] In order to achieve the above object, an air conditioning device of the present invention
includes a support frame having support portions provided to stand on an installation
surface and disposed at an interval in a horizontal direction, a heat generating portion
having, in a region between the support portions of the support frame, flow pipes
which are respectively laterally laid thereacross at an interval in an up-and-down
direction and inside of which a flowable heating medium can flow through and outer
shell bodies covering the respective flow pipes, each showing a flat shape or elliptical
shape as an outer shape of a cross-section, having a structure capable of dissipating
to the outside heat transmitted from the flow pipe, and attached so that long axis
directions perpendicular to a longitudinal direction are inclined in the same direction,
a reflector having a reflecting surface that reflects radiant heat from the heat generating
portion and is not permeable to water, and disposed so that an end edge portion at
a lower side in the long axis direction of the outer shell body and the reflecting
surface are opposed at an interval, and a gutter-shaped receiving portion disposed
below the heat generating portion and under the reflector, and opened at an upper
part.
[0010] Here, the support frame, in the region between the support portions, supports the
heat generating portion in a manner laterally laid in the horizontal direction, and
supports the outer shell bodies of the heat generating portion at an interval in the
up-and-down direction.
[0011] When the flowable heating medium flows through the flow pipe housed inside the heat
generating portion, heat is transmitted to the outer shell body having a structure
capable of dissipating to the outside heat transmitted from the flow pipe, and the
heat generating portion radiates radiant heat to its surroundings. Also, the outer
shell body covering the flow pipe prevents the flow pipe from being deformed or damaged
by an outside pressure or impact and makes the surface area larger than when the heat
generating part is a simple tubular body to improve the heat exchange efficiency.
[0012] Also, as a result of the heat generating portion being disposed in the horizontal
direction and having the outer shell bodies being a constituent of the heat generating
portion each showing a flat shape or elliptical shape as an outer shape of a cross-section
(the term "cross-section" is used with a meaning of a section in a direction perpendicular
to the longitudinal direction of the heat generating portion. The same applies in
the following.) and being attached so that the long axis directions perpendicular
to the longitudinal direction are inclined in the same direction, dew condensation
water produced on the surface of the heat generating portion flows down only to the
reflector side which is the direction of inclination.
[0013] The reflector reflects radiant heat radiated to the reflector side of the heat generating
portion to emit the radiant heat to the outside of the air conditioning device through
the clearance gap in the heat generating portion. Also, if dew condensation water
from the heat generating portion adheres to the reflector, the adhered dew condensation
water runs down the plate surface to flow down onto the receiving portion located
below.
[0014] The gap between the end edge portion at the lower side in the long axis direction
of the outer shell body of the outer shell body of the heat generating portion and
the reflecting surface serves as a flow path when air heated or cooled by the heat
generating portion rises or falls.
[0015] The receiving portion receives dew condensation water that has run down the heat
generating portion to drip or dew condensation water that has run down the reflector
to drip. Additionally, the receiving portion prevents cold air convecting from an
up to down direction during cooling from directly contacting the installation surface
to prevent dew condensation, and changes the direction of convection to guide the
cold air so as to flow to the outside of the device.
[0016] The heat generating portion, the reflector, and the receiving portion, in conjunction
with one another, receive the dew condensation water produced on the heat generating
portion so as not to leak.
[0017] With the air conditioning device including the support frame, the heat generating
portion, the reflector, and the receiving portion, during operation, a person in the
surrounding area never feels an uncomfortable draft sensation, and air heated or cooled
by the heat generating portion directly warms or cools a space in front of the reflector,
and can efficiently warm and cool the installation space because convection occurs
in the installation space.
[0018] When the outer shell body has a pair of shell members having the same shape as each
other and is structured so that, in each one shell member, a fitting portion in which
an abutting portion formed with a concave face to be joined so as to be closely fitted
to an outer surface of the flow pipe, a projecting piece portion to be fitted by being
inserted into a recess portion formed in the other shell member, and a recess portion
into which a projecting piece portion formed in the other shell member is fitted by
insertion are formed is provided to fit the shell members together, because of being
a simple structure formed by only fitting the projecting piece portions and the recess
portions provided therefor in the fitting portions, no special tool or special technique
is required for an assembling operation to the flow pipe, which thus enables quick
assembly.
[0019] Also, because the shell members are identical components, needless expense in component
procurement can be eliminated to resultingly achieve a reduction in manufacturing
costs. Additionally, the concave face portions formed in the fitting portions of the
shell members, in a state of fitting together with the flow pipe sandwiched, make
the outer shell body and the flow pipe be closely fitted and keep these so as to be
immovable, and receive heat from the flow pipe to conduct the heat to the surface
side of the outer shell body. Further, the outer shell body, by adjusting its close-fitting
property with the flow pipe without fixedly mounting on the support frame, can turn
around the flow pipe to set the angle in its transverse direction to a required angle
and can thereby also adjust the radiation efficiency.
[0020] When the flowable heating medium is warm water or cold water, handling is easier
than when the flowable heating medium is oil or a chemical, and there is less environmental
burden at disposal.
[0021] When the flowable heating medium is a refrigerant, adopting one having a better heat
exchange efficiency and rust preventing property as compared with those of water allows
enhancing the performance of the air conditioning device such as a rise in temperature
and maintenance properties. Also, in this case, a refrigerant exclusively for the
air conditioning device may be used, or a refrigerant that is in common with a refrigerant
circuit of an air conditioner to be described later may be used.
[0022] When the air conditioning device includes a panel body attached to a region of the
support frame to be on an opposite side of the reflector with the heat generating
portion therebetween, and provided with a clearance for ventilation in a ceiling direction
or with respect to the installation surface, the panel body serves a role of a protective
cover to protect the heat generating portion or a mechanical portion such as a branching
portion of the flow pipe, and also has a role of a screen. Further, by the panel body,
the heat generating portion is sandwiched with the reflector to produce a chimney
effect, and warm air or cold air is emitted from the clearance for ventilation to
promote the convection of air, so that the heating efficiency or cooling efficiency
is improved.
[0023] When at least a part of the panel body that covers the heat generatingportionhas
a structure through which radiant heat generated by the heat generating portion can
pass, the panel body serves a role of a protective cover of the heat generating portion,
and the radiant heat that has passed the panel body can directly warm or cool a user
and the ambient air.
[0024] When an advertisement, a sign, a picture, or a photo is displayed on a surface of
the panel body, the panel body can be used as an advertisement panel or a signboard.
That is, because the air conditioning device also has significant presence as it is
in a largely exposed form in the indoor space in which the same is installed, when
an advertisement is displayed thereon, it can be made to have a function of a more
effective advertisement, and when an artistic image or the like is displayed thereon,
various effects, such as the creation of a space with an atmosphere of splendor or
a space that is relaxing to a person in the surrounding area, can be produced in the
indoor space by the artistic image.
[0025] When one or a plurality of types of processing or coating selected from among knurling,
alumite processing, heat dissipation coating, far infrared ray emission coating, and
coating having a deodorizing function, an antibacterial function, or a volatile organic
compound adsorption-decomposition function are applied to a surface of the outer shell
body, applying these types of processing or the like allows providing various functions
for the heat generating portion.
[0026] In greater detail, by applying knurling, an alumite processing, or a heat dissipation
coating, the heat generating portion is improved in heat dissipation and the heat
exchange at the heat generating portion is performed more efficiently, and if a far
infrared ray emission coating is applied, the far infrared rays emitted from the heat
generating portion, together with the radiant heat, cause indoor temperature adjustment
to be performed efficiently. Further, by applying a coating having a deodorizing function,
an antibacterial function, or a volatile organic compound adsorption-decompositionfunction,
the maintenance of the air conditioning device is made simpler and comfortable use
can be realized by these functions.
[0027] In order to achieve the above object, an air conditioning system of the present invention
includes an air conditioning device including a support frame having support portions
provided to stand on an installation surface and disposed at an interval in a horizontal
direction, a heat generating portion having, in a region between the support portions
of the support frame, flow pipes which are respectively laterally laid thereacross
at an interval in an up-and-down direction and inside of which a flowable heating
medium can flow through and outer shell bodies covering the respective flow pipes,
each showing a flat shape or elliptical shape as an outer shape of a cross-section,
having a structure capable of dissipating to the outside heat transmitted from the
flow pipe, and attached so that long axis directions perpendicular to a longitudinal
direction are inclined in the same direction, a reflector formed with a reflecting
surface that reflects radiant heat from the heat generating portion and is not permeable
to water, and disposed so that an end edge portion at a lower side in the long axis
direction of the outer shell body and the reflecting surface are opposed at an interval,
and a gutter-shaped receiving portion disposed below the heat generating portion and
under the reflector, and opened at an upper part, and an air conditioner to be operated
in combination with the air conditioning device, including a refrigerant circuit in
which a compressor, an expansion valve, a flow path switching valve, an indoor side
heat exchanger, and an outdoor side heat exchanger are connected by piping to circulate
a refrigerant to perform a refrigeration cycle, said air conditioning device being
incorporated in said refrigerant circuit, and supplying air that has undergone heat
exchange with the refrigerant by the indoor side heat exchanger to an indoor space
by a fan.
[0028] Here, the support frame, in the region between the support portions, supports the
heat generating portion in a manner laterally laid in the horizontal direction, and
supports the outer shell bodies of the heat generating portion at an interval in the
up-and-down direction.
[0029] When the flowable heating medium flows through the flow pipe housed inside the heat
generating portion, heat is transmitted to the outer shell body having a structure
capable of dissipating to the outside heat transmitted from the flow pipe, and the
heat generating portion radiates radiant heat to its surroundings. Also, the outer
shell body covering the flow pipe prevents the flow pipe from being deformed or damaged
by an outside pressure or impact and makes the surface area larger than when the heat
generating part is a simple tubular body to improve the heat exchange efficiency.
[0030] Also, as a result of the heat generating portion being disposed in the horizontal
direction and having the outer shell bodies being a constituent of the heat generating
portion each showing a flat shape or elliptical shape as an outer shape of a cross-section
(the term "cross-section" is used with a meaning of a section in a direction perpendicular
to the longitudinal direction of the heat generating portion. The same applies in
the following.) and being attached so that the long axis directions perpendicular
to the longitudinal direction are inclined in the same direction, dew condensation
water produced on the surface of the heat generating portion flows down only to the
reflector side which is the direction of inclination.
[0031] The reflector reflects radiant heat radiated to the reflector side of the heat generating
portion to emit the radiant heat to the outside of the air conditioning device through
the clearance gap in the heat generating portion. Also, if dew condensation water
from the heat generating portion adheres to the reflector, the adhered dew condensation
water runs down the plate surface to flow down onto the receiving portion located
below.
[0032] The gap between the end edge portion at the lower side in the long axis direction
of the outer shell body of the outer shell body of the heat generating portion and
the reflecting surface serves as a flow path when air heated or cooled by the heat
generating portion rises or falls.
[0033] The receiving portion receives dew condensation water that has run down the heat
generating portion to drip or dew condensation water that has run down the reflector
to drip. Additionally, the receiving portion prevents cold air convecting from an
up to down direction during cooling from directly contacting the installation surface
to prevent dew condensation, and changes the direction of convection to guide the
cold air so as to flow to the outside of the device.
[0034] The heat generating portion, the reflector, and the receiving portion, in conjunction
with one another, receive the dew condensation water produced on the heat generating
portion so as not to leak.
[0035] With the air conditioning device including the support frame, the heat generating
portion, the reflector, and the receiving portion, during operation, a person in the
surrounding area never feels an uncomfortable draft sensation, and air heated or cooled
by the heat generating portion directly warms or cools a space in front of the reflector,
and can efficiently warm and cool the installation space because convection occurs
in the installation space.
[0036] Also, the air conditioner, as a result of being one including a refrigerant circuit
in which a compressor, an expansion valve, a flow path switching valve, an indoor
side heat exchanger, and an outdoor side heat exchanger are connected by piping to
circulate a refrigerant to perform a refrigeration cycle and supplying air that has
undergone heat exchange with the refrigerant by the indoor side heat exchanger to
an indoor space by a fan, can perform air conditioning of the interior of the installation
space by forced convection due to blown air.
[0037] Additionally, as a result of the air conditioning device being incorporated in the
refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner, because a refrigerant is supplied from
the air conditioner side, equipment such as a compressor becomes no longer necessary
for the air conditioning device, and it also becomes possible to perform control coupled
with the air conditioner.
[0038] For example, the air conditioner has an advantage of being able to make the interior
of the space quickly reach a target temperature by forced convection due to blown
air from the fan, but on the other hand has a disadvantage in that blown air from
the fan provides an uncomfortable sensation (draft sensation) to the human body, and
the radiation type air conditioning device has an advantage of not providing such
a draft sensation to a person in the surrounding area, but has a disadvantage in that
it takes a long time to make the interior of the space reach a target temperature
as compared with the air conditioner.
[0039] To cope therewith, by operating the air conditioning device and the air conditioner
in combination, for example, mainly operating the air conditioner at first enabling
approaching a target temperature in a short time, and thereafter, mainly operating
the air conditioning device enables maintaining the temperature of the interior of
the space, so that the fan operating time of the indoor heat exchanger can be held
short to perform air conditioning that does not provide an uncomfortable draft sensation
to the human body.
[0040] Also, when the air conditioner and the air conditioning device are simultaneously
operated, radiant heat from the air conditioning device acts directly on the body
sensation of a person that is present in the nearby surrounding area, while the air
conditioner performs air conditioning of the entirety, and therefore, the time until
comfort is provided for the person in the surrounding area can become shorter than
when either the air conditioner or air conditioning device is operated alone. Further,
convecting the radiant heat from the air conditioning device and blown air from the
fan allows quickly making the temperature of the interior of the space uniform.
[0041] By the air conditioning system of the present invention, in which the air conditioner
that blows air by the fan and the radiation type air conditioning device thus complement
each other in their disadvantages by combining their respective advantages, the temperature
control of cooling and heating can therefore be performed efficiently and effectively.
Effect(s) of the Invention
[0042] The air conditioning device according to the present invention can prevent staining
the periphery of an installation site of the air conditioning device with water condensed
as dew on the heat generating portion.
[0043] The air conditioning system according to the present invention can prevent staining
the periphery of an installation site of the air conditioning device with water condensed
as dew on the heat generating portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0044]
Fig. 1(a) is an explanatory front view and Fig. 1(b) is an explanatory longitudinal
sectional view, showing an air conditioning device of a first embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 2 is an explanatory longitudinal sectional view showing a structure of a heat
generating portion of the air conditioning device shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged explanatory view in which a middle portion of Fig. 1(b) is partially
omitted.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged explanatory view in which a middle portion of Fig. 1(b) is partially
omitted and the flow of air during a cooling operation is shown by arrows.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged explanatory view in which a middle portion of Fig. 1(b) is partially
omitted and the flow of dew condensation water during a cooling operation is shown.
Fig. 6 is an explanatory view in which the flow of air during a heating operation
in the air conditioning device shown in Fig. 1 is shown by arrows.
Fig. 7 is a front view showing a second embodiment of an air conditioning device of
the present invention.
Fig. 8 is an explanatory front view showing a third embodiment of an air conditioning
device of the present invention.
Fig. 9 is an explanatory front view showing a fourth embodiment of an air conditioning
device of the present invention.
Fig. 10 is a schematic explanatory view of an air conditioning system for which an
air conditioner is combined with the air conditioning device shown in Fig. 1, showing
a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 11 includes refrigerant circuit diagrams of the air conditioning system shown
in Fig. 10.
Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing a conventional air conditioning device.
Fig. 13 is an explanatory view showing the flow of dew condensation water in the case
of a structure where a reflector is disposed for the conventional air conditioning
device.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0045] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in greater detail with reference
to Fig. 1 to Fig. 9. In addition, symbols in the respective figures are used to the
extent so as to reduce complication and facilitate understanding. In addition, a term
"front side" to be described later is used with a meaning equal to a "region to be
on an opposite side of a reflector with a heat generating portion therebetween."
[First Embodiment]
[0046] An air conditioning device 1A has a support frame 21, a heat generating portion 22
attached to the support frame 21, a reflector 23 for reflecting radiant heat from
the heat generating portion 22, a gutter-shaped receiving portion 24, and a panel
body 3a, and the respective portions will be described in the following.
[0047] Fig. 1(a) is referred to. The support frame 21 has support portions 210 provided
to stand on an instal lation surface F (if indoors, a floor surf ace or the like)
of the air conditioning device 1A and disposed at an interval in the horizontal direction.
The respective support portions 210 store inside connecting parts located at both
ends of a flow pipe 221 to be described later in a manner not visible from the outside
(refer to Fig. 1(a)). Also, in an upper side of a region between the respective support
portions 210, a reinforcing member 211 is provided in a manner laterally laid thereacross.
[0048] The heat generating portion 22 is disposed in the region between the support portions
210 of the support frames 21, and constituted by the flow pipe 221 through the inside
of which a flowable heating medium can flow and an outer shell body 222 covering the
flowpipe 221 and having a structure capable of dissipating to the outside heat transmitted
from the flow pipe 221.
[0049] The flow pipe 221 is, in a manner connecting at both end sides, meandering in an
up-and-down direction so as to run as a whole along an identical vertical plane, and
has a structure in which outer shell bodies 222 are respectively mounted on respective
horizontal parts arranged at regular intervals. Moreover, the respective outer shell
bodies 222 are attached in a manner such that long axis directions of their cross-sections
are similarly downwardly inclined toward the reflector 23 (refer to Fig. 1(b)).
[0050] In greater detail, the outer shell body 222 has a pair of shell members 223a and
223b having the same shape as each other, and is structured so that, in each one shell
member 223a, 223b, a fitting portion in which an abutting portion 226a, 226b formed
with a concave face to be joined so as to be closely fitted to an outer surface of
the flow pipe 221, a projecting piece portion 225a (225b) to be fitted by being inserted
into a recess portion 224b (224a) formed in the other shell member 223b (223a), and
a recess portion 224a (224b) to which a projecting piece portion 225b (225a) formed
in the other shell member 223b (223a) is fitted by insertion are formed is provided,
and the outer shape of a cross-section becomes a slightly flat, substantially elliptical
shape by fitting together the shell members 223a and 223b (refer to Fig. 2).
[0051] In addition, to a surface of the outer shell body 222 , knurling and an alumite processing
that form longitudinally extending concavities and convexities are applied, and thereby,
corrosion resistance is improved, and the surface area is increased to improve the
efficiency in heat exchange.
[0052] In the present embodiment, an inclination angle when attaching the outer shell body
222 suffices to be in a range of 1 to 89° where the angle at which the long axis of
an elliptical sectional shape of the outer shell body 222 becomes horizontal is provided
as 0°, and further, it is preferably in a range of 35° to 70°. This is because, if
in this inclination angle range, a radiation flux to be generated from the side to
be a lower surface side of the outer shell body 222 is likely to head towards the
front side and to a front-side floor surface of the air conditioning device 1A. Also,
the outer shell body 222 may be fixedly mounted by a screw or the like on the support
frame 21 so as to keep a predetermined inclination angle, or the outer shell body
222 may be rotatably attached so as to allow a person in the surrounding area to appropriately
set an inclination angle.
[0053] In the present embodiment, on the surface of the outer shell body 222 is applied
knurling and an alumite processing, but the processing is not limited thereto. When,
for example, one or a plurality of types of processing or coating selected from among
other types of coating including heat dissipation coating, far infrared ray emission
coating, and coating having a deodorizing function, an antibacterial function, or
a volatile organic compound adsorption-decomposition function are applied, applying
these types of processing or the like allows providing various functions for the heat
generating portion.
[0054] In the present embodiment, the flow pipe 221 is a meandering pipe as described above,
but is not limited thereto, and may have, for example, a ladder-shaped configuration
in which the flow pipe has a pair of vertical parts extending in the up-and-down direction
and a plurality of horizontal parts laid between the respective vertical parts. Also,
the flow pipe 221 includes at an upper end a connecting portion 227a to be connected
to an inlet pipe of the flowable heating medium and includes at a lower end a connecting
portion 227b to be connected to a return pipe of the flowable heating medium, but
is not limited thereto, and for example, the connecting portions to the inlet pipe/return
pipe may be provided in a side direction of the air conditioning device 1A, and three
or more connecting portions to the inlet pipe/return pipe may be provided. Also, the
connecting portions to the inlet pipe/return pipe may be both provided toward the
upper end or lower end of the air conditioning device 1A.
[0055] The reflector 23 is formed of a heat insulating material, and has a reflecting surface
231 that is not permeable to water, and the reflecting surface 231 is disposed so
as to be opposed at an interval to an end edge portion at a lower side in the long
axis direction of the outer shell body 222. To a lower end of the reflector 23, a
guide plate 232 bent at an obtuse angle to the side of the heat generating portion
22 is attached. A front end of the guide plate 232 is structured to be located in
the inside of a receiving portion 24 to be described later (refer to Fig. 1(b)).
[0056] The receiving portion 24 is located below the lowermost outer shell body 222 among
the outer shell bodies 222 of the heat generating portion 22 and under the reflector
23 (more specifically, under the guide plate 232 attached to the reflector 23), and
has a structure opened at an upper part so as to be able to receive dew condensation
water that has run down the guide plate 232 to drip or has dripped directly from the
heat generating portion 22.
[0057] The panel body 3a is formed of a perforated metal, and attached to below the front
side of the air conditioning device 1A. The panel body 3a provides a covering for
the receiving portion 24, a piping portion (not shown), etc., so as to serve as a
screen when viewed from the front direction. Also, the panel body 3a is attached so
that a clearance for ventilation is formed with the installation surface F.
[0058] Also, in the present embodiment, the panel body is attached to below the front side
of the air conditioning device, but is not limited thereto, and there may be a form
in which the panel body is attached to above the front side of the air conditioning
device when a piping portion (not shown) or the like is provided in an upper portion.
[0059] Examples of the flowable heating medium that flows through the flow pipe 221 include
warm (hot) water, steam, cold water, liquid phase refrigerants, gas-liquid two phase
refrigerants, and gas phase refrigerants of hydrochlorofluorocarbon, hydrofluorocarbon,
etc., but the flowable heating medium is not limited thereto, and other publicly known
heating media may be adopted.
[0060] Also, a modification example of the heat generating portion may be in such a form
that, of the surface of the outer shell body, a processing such as a water-repelling
processing or a guide groove along which dew condensation water is likely to flow
down is applied to a region facing the reflector side, and a processing to enhance
a heat dissipation effect such as knurling is applied to a region to be on an opposite
side of the reflector. In this case, dew condensation water produced on that heat
generating portion or dew condensation water that has dripped from the outer shell
body located at an upper height is likely to flow down to the reflector side, and
is unlikely to head for the front side of the air conditioning device 1A. Inaddition,
a measure against dew condensation water by applying a hydrophilization processing
such as blasting to a surface of the region facing the reflector side is also not
excluded.
[0061] On the other hand, because knurling etc., is applied to a side, of the surface of
the outer shell body, facing the front of the air conditioning device 1A, the efficiency
of heat dissipation to a person or space located on the front side is excellent.
[0062] Actions of the air conditioning device 1A according to the present invention will
be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 6, and particularly, to Fig. 4 to Fig.
6.
[0063] When the flowable heating medium flows through the flow pipe 221 of the heat generating
portion 22, heat of the flowable heating medium is transmitted to the outer shell
body 222 to dissipate the heat to the outside. The outer shell body 222 prevents the
flow pipe 221 from being deformed or damaged by an outside pressure or impact and
makes the surface area larger than when the heat generating part is simply the flow
pipe 221 to improve the heat exchange efficiency. The reflector 23 reflects radiant
heat radiated to the side of the reflector 23 of the heat generating portion 22 to
emit the radiant heat to the front direction side of the air conditioning device 1A
through the clearance gaps formed in the heat generating portion 22.
[0064] Also, as a result of the outer shell body 222 of the heat generating portion 22 being,
as described above, attached inan inclined manner, dew condensation water T produced
on the surface of the outer shell body 222 of the heat generating portion 22 flows
down only to the side of the reflector 23. The dew condensation water T produced from
the heat generating portion 22 and adhered to the reflector 23 runs down the plate
surface to flow down onto the receiving portion 24 located below (refer to Fig. 5).
[0065] Also, as described above, as a result of the heat generating portion 22 being attached
in an inclined manner, because radiant heat generated from a part to be at the lower
surface side of the outer shell body 222 of the heat generating portion 22 is directly
radiated towards the front direction of the air conditioning device 1A and to the
floor direction, a person present on the front side of the air conditioning device
1A can directly feel either cool or warm radiant heat.
[0066] As shown in Fig. 4 or Fig. 6, during a cooling or heating operation, a mainstream
of air to rise or fall along the reflector 23 occurs, and air passing through the
clearance gaps of the outer shell bodies 222 of the respective heat generating portions
22 flows to join the mainstream of air or flows separately therefrom, and at the time
of the joint flow or separate flow, the inclined outer shell bodies 222 guide air
so as to easily flow to increase the flow speed of air passing through the clearance
gaps. Further, during heating, radiant heat generated by the part to be at the lower
surface side of the outer shell body 222 warms the floor surface present in its radiation
flux direction to enhance an upward convection effect of indoor air thereby caused.
[0067] Because the outer shell body 222 has the structure described above and is simply
formed by only fitting the projecting piece portions 225a and 225b and the recess
portions 224a and 224b provided therefor in the fitting portions, no special tool
or special technique is required for an assembling operation to the flow pipe 221,
which thus enables quick assembly.
[0068] Also, because the shell members 223a and 223b are identical components, needless
expense in component procurement can be eliminated to achieve a reduction in manufacturing
costs. Additionally, in a state of being fitted together with the flow pipe 221 sandwiched
by the abutting portions 226a and 226b formed in the fitting portions of the shell
members 223a and 223b, the outer shell body 222 and the flow pipe 221 are closely
fitted and kept so as to be immovable.
[0069] In the present embodiment, the outer shell body 222 is fixedly mounted on the support
frame 21 using a securing means such as a screw to be kept at a predetermined mounting
angle, but is not limited thereto, and for example, by adjusting its close-fitting
property with the flow pipe 221 without fixedly mounting on the support frame 21,
the outer shell body 222 may be configured so as to be able to turn around the flow
pipe 221 to set the angle in its transverse direction to a required angle and thereby
be able to adjust the radiation efficiency.
[0070] During a cooling operation shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the air in an installation
space convects from up to down as shown by the arrows. Also, due to guidance by the
inclined surfaces of the outer shell bodies 222 of the heat generating portion 22,
the clearance gaps formed in the heat generating portion 22 also serve as flow paths
of air, and air passing through the clearance gaps formed in the heat generating portion
22 flows to join air that falls along the reflector 23 through the gap between the
heat generating portion 22 and the reflector 23. At this time, dew condensation water
T produced on the heat generating portion 22, even if dripping onto the outer shell
body 222 located at a lower height, does not splatter onto the front side of the air
conditioning device 1A because the outer shell body 222 is inclined to the side of
the reflector 23 as described above.
[0071] When the dripped dew condensation water T adheres to the reflector 23 due to contact
with the lower outer shell body 222 to splatter or the like (refer to the enlarged
view of Fig. 5), the adhered dew condensation water T runs down the plate surface
to flow down onto the receiving portion 24 located below. The heat generating portion
22, the reflector 23 including the guide plate 232, and the receiving portion 24,
in conjunction with one another, thus receive the dew condensation water T produced
on the heat generating portion 22 so as not to leak.
[0072] Additionally, the receiving portion 24 prevents cold air convecting from an up to
down direction during cooling from directly contacting the installation surface to
prevent dew condensation on the installation surface F, and changes the direction
of convection to guide the cold air so as to flow to the outside of the device.
[0073] During a heating operation shown in Fig. 6, the air in an installation space convects
from down to up as shown by the arrows. In addition, during the heating operation,
because no dew condensation water T is produced on the heat generating portion 22,
even if air flows to the front side of the air conditioning device 1A from the clearance
gaps formed in the heat generating portion 22 , contamination with dew condensation
water T does not occur.
[0074] The air conditioning device 1A can thus prevent staining the periphery of a site
where the air conditioning device 1A has been installed with dew condensation water
T produced on the heat generating portion 22. Also, with the air conditioning device
1A, during operation, because the flow of air that is generated in the space of an
installation region is by natural convection due to a difference in temperature of
the interior of the space, not by blown air due to forced convection as in a conventional
air conditioning device (air conditioner), a person in the surrounding area never
feels an uncomfortable draft sensation, and air heated or cooled by the heat generating
portion 22 directly warms or cools a space in front of the reflector 23, and can efficiently
warm and cool the installation space because convection occurs in the installation
space.
[Second Embodiment]
[0075] An air conditioning device 1B shown in Fig. 7 is in a form for which panel bodies
3b and 3c to cover the heat generating portion 22 are further provided at the front
side of the air conditioning device 1A. In addition, because structural parts other
than the panel bodies 3b and 3c are the same as in the air conditioning device 1A,
common structural parts will be denoted by the same symbols as in the air conditioning
device 1A, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0076] The panel bodies 3b and 3c are formed of perforated metals, and attached so as to
cover the heat generating portion 22 to be not visible from an upper to a middle portion
of the front side of the air conditioning device 1B. Also, the panel body 3c is attached
so that a clearance for ventilation is formed with a ceiling surface.
[0077] Because the panel bodies 3b and 3c serve a role of a protective cover of the heat
generating portion 22 and have a structure through which radiant heat generated by
the heat generating portion 22 can pass, the radiant heat that has passed therethrough
can directly warm or cool a person in the surrounding area and the ambient air.
[0078] Also, as shown in Fig. 7, on a surface of the panel bodies 3b and 3c, an advertisement
is displayed, and the panel body part can thus be used as an advertisement panel or
a signboard. That is, because the air conditioning device 1B also has significant
presence as it is in a largely exposed form in the indoor space in which it is installed,
when an advertisement is displayed thereon, it can be made to have a function of a
more effective advertisement, and when an artistic image or the like is displayed
thereon, various effects, such as the creation of a space with an atmosphere of splendor
or a space that is relaxing to a person in the surrounding area, can be produced in
the indoor space by the artistic image.
[0079] Additionally, the panel bodies 3b and 3c sandwich the heat generating portion 22
with the reflector 23 to produce a chimney effect, and warm air or cold air is emitted
from the clearance for ventilation to promote the convection of air, so that theheatingefficiency
or cooling efficiency is improved. Also, because the panel bodies 3b and 3c have a
large number of pores that penetrate through the inner and outer surfaces and through
which radiant heat can pass, when air flows at a high speed into the clearance gaps
formed in the heat generating portion 22 along the outer shell bodies 222 of the heat
generating portion 22, the pressure inside the gaps decreases (based on Bernoulli's
principle), and air is taken into the gaps from the pores formed in the panel bodies
3b and 3c to increase the flow rate of air passing through a region at the inner side
of the panel bodies 3b and 3c and further promote the convection of indoor air.
[0080] Further, by attaching the panel bodies 3b and 3c, an arrangement of incorporating
the heat generating portion 22 is provided, in which direct touching of the heat generating
portion 22 by hand is prevented. Therefore, even though the heat generating portion
22 may become high in temperature during heating by the gas phase refrigerant, etc.,
the arrangement is safe for a person in the surrounding area because the person in
the surrounding area cannot touch the heat generating portion 22 inadvertently.
[0081] Also, in the present embodiment, the structure of the panel bodies 3a, 3b, and 3c
is not particularly limited as long as radiant heat and air can pass through, and
for example, it may be like a fine mesh, or may be a structure or the like for which
a plurality of thin slits are provided in a plate. Also, the shape of the pores or
slits is not particularly limited, and may, for example, be circular, elliptical,
or any of various polygonal shapes, etc. The pores and slits may be connected to each
other as penetrating holes, or may be formed separately without being connected. Further,
although the size of each pore or slit is not particularly limited, it is preferably
of a size through which, for example, a finger cannot pass so that a person in the
surrounding area cannot inadvertently or intentionally contact the heat generating
portion.
[Third Embodiment]
[0082] An air conditioning device 1C shown in Fig. 8 is in a form for which the flow pipe
221 of the air conditioning device 1A is changed in structure. In addition, because
the air conditioning device 1C is the same as the air conditioning device 1A except
for the structural part of a flow pipe, common structural parts will be denoted by
the same symbols as in the air conditioning device 1A, and description thereof will
be omitted.
[0083] The flow pipe 221a is, in a manner connecting at both end sides, meandering in an
up-and-down direction so as to run as a whole along an identical vertical plane, and
specifically, has a structure in which, unlike the flow pipe 221, it branches off
from a first vertical part into a plurality of (in the present embodiment, six) laterally
laid parts, and the respective laterally laid parts connect to a second vertical part
located at a required interval with the first vertical part to again join into one,
and such structures are provided continuously in the up-and-down direction (refer
to Fig. 8). In addition, the flow of a flowable heating medium is shown by the arrows,
but is not limited thereto, and for example, as in a fifth embodiment to be described
later, the flow of a flowable heating medium is reversed by operation switching in
some cases.
[0084] According to the air conditioning device 1C using the flowpipe 221a, as compared
with when it is a simple meandering pipe, the flowable heating medium flowing through
the flow pipe 221a is lowered in resistance value, and a load to be applied to a compressor
or pump for sending out the flowable heating medium can thereby be reduced.
[Fourth Embodiment]
[0085] An air conditioning device 1D shown in Fig. 9 is in a form for which the air conditioning
device 1A is reduced in height. In addition, because the air conditioning device 1D
is substantially the same as the air conditioning device 1A, common structural parts
will be denoted by the same symbols as in the air conditioning device 1A, and description
thereof will be omitted. In addition, in the present embodiment, because an upper
portion of the air conditioning device 1D and the ceiling are separated in distance,
a structure is provided in which a flowable heating medium flows in from the direction
of "IN" described below the air conditioning device 1D and the flowable heating medium
returns to the direction of "OUT."
[0086] As can be understood by contrast with the person (symbol omitted) described in Fig.
9, the air conditioning device 1D is provided at a height on the order of one meter,
and the air conditioning device 1D, if in such a short form, can be disposed like
a partition that partitions a public space or can be disposed along a wall under a
window disposed at a predetermined height, and regardless of the natural disposition,
it can warm or cool a person in the periphery or a peripheral space by radiant heat.
[Fifth Embodiment]
[0087] In a fifth embodiment of the present invention shown inFig. 10 and Fig. 11, an air
conditioning system S is constituted by one outdoor machine 40 and two indoor machines
connected in series to the outdoor machine 1. One of the two indoor machines is a
general convective indoor machine 41, and the other is an air conditioning device
1A. The convective indoor machine 41 and the air conditioning device 1A are installed
in a room or the like having an air conditioning target space, and have a function
of cooling or heating the air conditioning target space.
[0088] In addition, the outdoor machine 40 and the convective indoor machine 41 described
above and a refrigerant piping 42, a compressor 43, an outdoor side heat exchanger
44, an expansion valve 45, an indoor side heat exchanger 46, and a four-way switching
valve 47 to be described later are equipment to constitute a so-called blow type air
conditioner, and in the following, are sometimes collectively called simply an "air
conditioner" when describing actions. Also, regarding the air conditioning device
1A to be used in the present embodiment, because the structure and actions thereof
are as described before, description thereof will be omitted.
[0089] The convective indoor machine 41 and the air conditioning device 1A are communicatively
connected by the refrigerant piping 42. Accordingly, the convective indoor machine
41 and the air conditioning device 1A form a part of a refrigerant circuit, and a
cooling operation or heating operation can be performed by circulating a refrigerant
in the refrigerant circuit. Note that, although the air conditioning system S is constituted
by one outdoor machine, one convective indoor machine 41, and one air conditioning
device 1A in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, the number of each of the machines is not limited
to the number shown in the figures.
[0090] As shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, the outdoor machine 40 has a publicly known structure
having the compressor 43, the outdoor side heat exchanger 44, and the expansion valve
45. Also, the convective indoor machine 41 has a publicly known structure including
the indoor side heat exchanger 46 and a blowing fan (not shown) that blows air to
the indoor side heat exchanger 46.
[0091] The indoor side heat exchanger 46 serves as a vaporizer during a cooling operation
and as a condenser (radiator) during a heating operation, performs heat exchange between
air supplied from a blower such as a fan (not shown) and the refrigerant, and generates
heating air or cooling air to be supplied to the air conditioning target space. The
equipment described above is connected via the refrigerant piping 42, and constitutes
a part of a refrigeration cycle (refrigerant circuit) of the air conditioning system
S.
[0092] Referring to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, the flow of a refrigerant during each operation
of the air conditioning system S will be described.
(During cooling operation: Fig. 11(a))
[0093] When a cooling operation is carried out by the air conditioning system S, the four-way
switching valve 47 is switched so that a refrigerant discharged from the compressor
43 flows into the outdoor side heat exchanger 44, and the compressor 43 is driven.
[0094] A refrigerant sucked into the compressor 43 is brought into a state of high-pressure
and high-temperature gas in the compressor 43, and the gas is discharged therefrom,
and flows into the outdoor side heat exchanger 44 via the four-way switching valve
47. The refrigerant which has flowed in the outdoor side heat exchanger 44 is cooled
while dissipating heat to air supplied from the blower (not shown), and becomes a
low-pressure and high-temperature liquid refrigerant to flow out from the outdoor
side heat exchanger 44.
[0095] The liquid refrigerant which has flowed out from the outdoor side heat exchanger
44 flows into the convective indoor machine 41 through the expansion valve 45. The
refrigerant which has flowed in the convective indoor machine 41 becomes a two-phase
refrigerant. The low-pressure two-phase refrigerant flows into the indoor side heat
exchanger 46, and vaporizes by absorbing heat from air supplied from the blower (not
shown) to become gas. At this time, cooling air is supplied to the air conditioning
target space such as an indoor space to realize a cooling operation of the air conditioning
target space.
[0096] The two-phase refrigerant which has flowed out from the indoor side heat exchanger
46 flows out from the convective indoor machine 41, flows into the air conditioning
device 1A, and passes through the heat generating portion 22. At this time, a heat
absorption action with the atmosphere and cooling of the atmosphere, that is air,
of the air conditioning target space such as an indoor space is performed to realize
cooling of the air conditioning target space.
[0097] The refrigerant which has flowed out from the air conditioning device 1A flows into
the outdoor machine 40, passes through the four-way switching valve 47 of the outdoor
machine 40, and is sucked into the compressor 43 again.
[0098] The cooling operation is performed by repeating the above refrigerant cycle.
(During heating operation: Fig. 11(b))
[0099] When a heating operation is carried out by the air conditioning system S, the four-way
switching valve 47 is switched so that a refrigerant discharged from the compressor
43 flows into the indoor side heat exchanger 46, and the compressor 43 is driven.
A refrigerant sucked into the compressor 43 is brought into a state of high-pressure
and high-temperature gas in the compressor 43, and the gas is discharged therefrom,
and flows into the air conditioning device 1A via the four-way switching valve 47.
[0100] The refrigerant which has flowed in the air conditioning device 1A emits radiant
heat from the heat generating portion 22 to warm the atmosphere of the air conditioning
target space such as an indoor space. The refrigerant which has flowed out from the
air conditioning device 1A flows into the indoor side heat exchanger 46 of the convective
indoor machine 41. The refrigerant which has flowed in the indoor side heat exchanger
46 is cooled while dissipating heat to air supplied from the blower (not shown) and
becomes a liquid refrigerant. At this time, heating air is supplied to the air conditioning
target space such as an indoor space to realize a heating operation of the air conditioning
target space.
[0101] The liquid refrigerant which has flowed out from the indoor side heat exchanger 46
is decompressed by the expansion valve 45 and becomes a low-pressure two-phase refrigerant.
The low-pressure two-phase refrigerant flows into the outdoor side heat exchanger
44 of the outdoor machine 40. The low-pressure two-phase refrigerant which has flowed
in the outdoor side heat exchanger 44 vaporizes by absorbing heat from air supplied
from the blower (not shown) to become gas. The low-pressure gas refrigerant flows
out from the outdoor side heat exchanger 44, passes through the four-way switching
valve 47, and is sucked into the compressor 43 again.
[0102] The heating operation is performed by repeating the above refrigerant cycle.
[0103] In the air conditioning systemS, the air conditioner (convective indoor machine 41)
and the air conditioning device 1A can thus complement each other in their disadvantages
by combining their respective advantages, so that the temperature control of cooling
and heating can be performed efficiently and effectively.
[0104] Also, during heating, the air in the vicinity of the heat generating portion 22 is
heated by conductive heat and radiant heat and a flow of air rising from a down to
up direction is generated along the reflector 23 through the gap between the reflector
23 and the heat generating portion 22, and the air from below is heated by the heat
generating portion 22 as it rises, and the flow described above is thus sustained.
[0105] The heated air that has risen and reached the ceiling has been increased in flow
speed, and flows along the ceiling surface to reach a position that is considerably
separated from the air conditioning device 1A. Also, in conjunction with this movement,
the air undergoes heat exchange with the indoor air, is thereby cooled, and descends
to move toward the installation surface, and the air again makes entry from a lower
portion of the air conditioning device 1A and rises upon being heated by the heat
generating portion 22. The indoor air is thus circulated and convected around the
entire indoor space while being heated by the heat generating portion 22.
[0106] Additionally, radiant heat radiated from the heat generating portion 22 is emitted
to the indoor space from the front side of the air conditioning device 1A, and a part
of the radiant heat reflected by the reflector 23 passes through the clearance gaps
formed in the heat generating portion 22 and is emitted to the indoor space to be
propagated to a person in the surrounding area, and therefore, the person in the surrounding
area can feel warmth directly. In addition, the radiant heat is used effectively for
warming the walls, ceiling, installation surface F, etc. , and the indoor air is indirectly
warmed by the warmed walls, ceiling, installation surface F, etc.
[0107] Thus, while the air conditioning device 1A repeats the reflection and emission of
the radiant heat, the entire indoor space is satisfactorily heated by the radiant
heat together with the heat moving due to the convection of air, and the air conditioning
can thus be performed effectively, and which therefore enables the blowing amount
of the fan of the indoor side heat exchanger 46 of the air conditioner to be lessened
or the fan to be stopped, and consequently, the draft sensation felt by the person
in the surrounding area due to the blown air from the fan can be suppressed or eliminated.
[0108] In addition, during the cooling described above, unlike when performing heating,
air is cooled by the heat generating portion 22 and the flow of air along the heat
generating portion 22 and the reflector 23 thus becomes from the up to down direction
and the flow of the cooled air is substantially opposite in direction to that in the
case of heating, but the ability to perform effective air conditioning of the entire
indoor space, the ability to suppress the draft sensation that the person in the surrounding
area feels due to the blown air from the fan, etc., are the same as those in the case
of heating.
[0109] Further, as a result of the air conditioning device 1A being incorporated in the
refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner, because a refrigerant is supplied from
the air conditioner side, equipment such as a compressor becomes no longer necessary
for the air conditioning device 1A, and it also becomes possible to perform control
coupled with the air conditioner.
[0110] In the present specification and claims, the term "radiant" may be replaced by "radiation."
Also, the term "chimney effect" in the present specification is used with a meaning
including the effect of increasing the flow speed of air inside the gap by covering
a part of the sides of the heat generating portion or by forming the entirety of the
sides of the heat generating portion into a tubular shape to cover the same.
[0111] Note that the terms and expressions used in the present specification and claims
are merely descriptive, and not restrictive by any means, and not intended to exclude
terms and expressions equivalent to the features and portions thereof described in
the present specification and claims. Also, as a matter of course, various modifications
are possible within the scope of the technical ideas of the present invention. Description
of the Symbols
1A, 1B, 1C, 1D: air conditioning device, S: air conditioning system,
21: support frame, 210: support portion, 22: heat generating portion, 221, 221a: flowpipe,
222: outer shell body, 223a, 223b: shell member, 224a, 224b: recess portion, 225a,
225b: projecting piece portion, 226a, 226b: abutting portion, 227a, 227b: connecting
portion, 23: reflector, 231: reflecting surface, 232: guide plate, 24: receiving portion
3a, 3b, 3c: panel body,
40: outdoor machine, 41: convective indoor machine, 42: refrigerant piping, 43: compressor,
44: outdoor side heat exchanger, 45 : expansion valve, 46: indoor side heat exchanger,
47: four-way switching valve,
F: mounting surface, T: dew condensation water
9: air conditioning device, 90: heat exchanger, 91: reflector