(19)
(11) EP 4 279 826 A1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
22.11.2023 Bulletin 2023/47

(21) Application number: 23171991.5

(22) Date of filing: 08.05.2023
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
F24F 1/22(2011.01)
F24F 11/89(2018.01)
F24F 11/36(2018.01)
F24H 4/02(2022.01)
(52) Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC):
F24F 1/22; F24F 11/36; F24F 11/89; F24H 4/02
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC ME MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
Designated Extension States:
BA
Designated Validation States:
KH MA MD TN

(30) Priority: 16.05.2022 JP 2022080239

(71) Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
Osaka-shi, Osaka 540-6207 (JP)

(72) Inventors:
  • Inagaki, Ko
    Osaka 540-6207 (JP)
  • Yamaoka, Yuki
    Osaka 540-6207 (JP)
  • Yoshida, Jun
    Osaka 540-6207 (JP)
  • Moriwaki, Shunji
    Osaka 540-6207 (JP)
  • Aoyama, Shigeo
    Osaka 540-6207 (JP)
  • Nagai, Masaaki
    Osaka 540-6207 (JP)
  • Nakatani, Kazuhito
    Osaka, 540-6207 (JP)

(74) Representative: Eisenführ Speiser 
Patentanwälte Rechtsanwälte PartGmbB Postfach 31 02 60
80102 München
80102 München (DE)

   


(54) HEAT PUMP CYCLE DEVICE


(57) The present disclosure provides a heat pump cycle device with improved safety that maintains the airtightness of an electrical equipment box by disposing a cable outlet of the electrical equipment box on a mechanical chamber side, and prevents ignition even if a refrigerant leaks. A heat pump cycle device 1 includes: a compressor 22, a use side heat exchanger 23, expansion means 24, and a heat source side heat exchanger 20 stored inside a housing 10; a refrigerant circuit connecting these members annularly and using a flammable refrigerant; a blower device 21 for circulating air through the heat source side heat exchanger 20; and an electrical equipment box 30 configured to be airtight, wherein the electrical equipment box 30 is disposed across a mechanical chamber 13 and a blower chamber 12, and is provided with a cable 45 that electrically connects a control board in the electrical equipment box 30 and external equipment of the electrical equipment box 30, and an outlet 46 for the cable 45 is disposed on the mechanical chamber 13 side of the electrical equipment box 30.




Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION


Field of the Invention



[0001] The present invention relates to a heat pump cycle device.

Description of the Related Art



[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-055455 discloses a configuration including: a housing which has a bottom plate and is at least partly made of metal; a compressor installed inside the housing to compress a flammable refrigerant; an outdoor heat exchanger installed inside the housing to exchange heat between the refrigerant and outside air; an electric heating device installed on a top side of the bottom plate; and an electrical equipment box installed across both a mechanical chamber and a blower chamber, wherein the electrical equipment box is covered with a top cover and an under cover, on the blower chamber side.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION



[0003] The present disclosure provides a heat pump cycle device with improved safety that maintains airtightness of an electrical equipment box by disposing a cable outlet of the electrical equipment box on a mechanical chamber side, and reliably prevents ignition even if a refrigerant leaks.

[0004]  A heat pump cycle device of the present disclosure includes: a compressor, a use side heat exchanger, expansion means, and a heat source side heat exchanger stored inside a housing; a refrigerant circuit connecting these members annularly and using a flammable refrigerant; a blower device for circulating air through the heat source side heat exchanger; and an electrical equipment box configured to be airtight, wherein the compressor, the use side heat exchanger, and the expansion means are disposed in a mechanical chamber located on one side of the housing, the heat source side heat exchanger and the blower device are disposed in a blower chamber located on another side of the housing, the electrical equipment box is disposed across the mechanical chamber and the blower chamber, and is provided with a cable that electrically connects a control board in the electrical equipment box and external equipment of the electrical equipment box, and an outlet for the cable is disposed on the mechanical chamber side of the electrical equipment box.

[0005] The heat pump cycle device of the present disclosure can suppress an increase in temperature of electronic components disposed in the electrical equipment box, and prevent malfunctions and shortening of service life of a product. Moreover, it is possible to prevent a leaked refrigerant from entering into the electrical equipment box, and thus take an anti-explosion measure, and improve safety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS



[0006] 

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a heat pump cycle device of Embodiment 1;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the heat pump cycle device of Embodiment 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state in which a front panel of the heat pump cycle device of Embodiment 1 is removed;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a refrigerant circuit according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing an electrical equipment box of Embodiment 1;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the electrical equipment box of Embodiment 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a cable gland of Embodiment 1;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the cable gland of Embodiment 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a cable gland of Embodiment 2; and

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the cable gland of Embodiment 2.


DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS


(Findings that Formed the Basis of the Present Disclosure)



[0007] When the inventors came up with the present disclosure, there was a technology in which an electrical equipment box of a heat pump cycle device using a flammable refrigerant has a sealed structure to prevent ignition even if a refrigerant leaks.

[0008] However, the inventors have found a problem that, if the electrical equipment box is sealed, the temperature inside the electrical equipment box rises, and, as a result, the seal at an outlet for pulling out a cable from the electrical equipment box deteriorates, and airtightness cannot be maintained. In order to solve the problem, the inventors have invented the subject matter of this disclosure.

[0009] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a heat pump cycle device with improved safety by disposing a cable outlet of an electrical equipment box on a mechanical chamber side so as to maintain the airtightness of the electrical equipment box, and reliably prevent ignition even if a refrigerant leaks.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessarily detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of well-known matters, or redundant description of substantially the same configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following description from becoming unnecessarily redundant, and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0011] Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to allow those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims.

(Embodiment 1)



[0012] Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 will be described using the drawings.

[1-1. Configuration]


[1-1-1. Configuration of Heat Pump Cycle Device]



[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heat pump cycle device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the heat pump cycle device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state in which a front panel of the heat pump cycle device according to Embodiment 1 is removed.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, a heat pump cycle device 1 has a box-shaped housing 10. In the present embodiment, each part of the housing 10 is made of a steel plate.

[0015]  A partition plate 11 extending in an up-down direction is provided inside the housing 10. The inside space of the housing 10 is partitioned into a blower chamber 12 and a mechanical chamber 13 by the partition plate 11.

[0016] The housing 10 has a bottom plate 14 forming a bottom surface of the housing 10, a pair of side panels 15 covering the mechanical chamber 13 of the housing 10 from the front and rear thereof, a front panel 16 covering a front side of the blower chamber 12, and a top plate 17 covering a top side of the housing 10.

[0017] The front panel 16 is provided with a ventilation part 18 formed in a mesh shape to allow passage of air.

[0018] A heat source side heat exchanger 20 and a blower device 21 are installed in the blower chamber 12.

[0019] The heat source side heat exchanger 20 of the present embodiment extends along a height direction of the housing 10, and is formed in a substantially L shape in a plan view of the housing 10 so as to face a side surface and a back surface of the housing 10.

[0020] For the heat source side heat exchanger 20, for example, a fin-tube heat exchanger is used.

[0021] For the blower device 21, for example, an axial fan with propeller-like impeller is used. The blower device 21 is disposed so as to direct an axial flow direction to the ventilation part 18.

[0022] Stored in the mechanical chamber 13 are various pieces of equipment forming a refrigerant circuit, such as a compressor 22, a use side heat exchanger 23, and expansion means 24 (see FIG. 4), and refrigerant piping 25 connecting these pieces of equipment to each other.

[0023] For the use side heat exchanger 23, for example, a plate heat exchanger is used.

[0024] A cut-out part 26 is formed in an upper portion of the partition plate 11, and an electrical equipment box 30 is installed in the cut-out part 26.

[1-1-2. Configuration of Refrigerant Circuit]



[0025] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a refrigerant circuit according to Embodiment 1.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the compressor 22, a four-way valve 27, the use side heat exchanger 23, the expansion means 24, and the heat source side heat exchanger 20 are annularly connected through predetermined refrigerant piping 25 so as to form the refrigerant circuit.

[0027] Predetermined water supply piping 28 is connected to the use side heat exchanger 23, and, in the use side heat exchanger 23, heat exchange is performed with a refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit.

[0028] The refrigerant compressed to high temperature and high pressure by the compressor 22 flows as shown by the solid-line arrows in FIG. 4, and is sent to the use side heat exchanger 23 in which the refrigerant is heat-exchanged with water flowing through the water supply piping 28, and is cooled and condensed by the use side heat exchanger 23. The water that becomes hot water by receiving the heat of the refrigerant is supplied to a predetermined location.

[0029] The refrigerant discharged from the use side heat exchanger 23 is decompressed by the expansion means 24 to evaporate, is heat-exchanged in the heat source side heat exchanger 20 to be a gas refrigerant, and is returned again to the compressor 22.

[0030]  Moreover, by switching the four-way valve 27, the refrigerant flows as shown by the broken-line arrows in FIG. 4, is heat-exchanged with outside air in the heat source side heat exchanger 20, is decompressed by the expansion means 24, and is then sent to the use side heat exchanger 23 so as to enable cooling of the water flowing through the water supply piping 28.

[0031] Here, in the present embodiment, a flammable refrigerant is used as the refrigerant. The flammable refrigerant is R32 or a mixed refrigerant containing 70 weight percent or more of R32, or propane or a mixed refrigerant containing propane.

[0032] Note that an inflammable refrigerant may be used as the refrigerant, instead of the flammable refrigerant.

[1-1-3. Configuration of Electrical Equipment Box]



[0033] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the electrical equipment box of Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the electrical equipment box of Embodiment 1.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the electrical equipment box 30 is disposed above the blower chamber 12 and the mechanical chamber 13. The electrical equipment box 30 is disposed across the mechanical chamber 13 and the blower chamber 12.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the electrical equipment box 30 includes a box-shaped electrical equipment box body 32 with an open-top opening 31, and a lid member 33 for closing the opening 31.

[0036] A substantially rectangular bottom opening 35 is formed on an electrical equipment box bottom surface 34 of the electrical equipment box body 32.

[0037] The electrical equipment box body 32 is made of a material with high thermal conductivity, for example, a metal material.

[0038] Note that, in the present embodiment, although the entire electrical equipment box body 32 is made of a metal material, only a portion located in the blower chamber 12 may be made of a metal material.

[0039] The lid member 33 is formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape. The lid member 33 is preferably made of a metal material with high thermal conductivity like the electrical equipment box body 32.

[0040] A control board 40 made of a printed wiring board, and various electronic components are stored in the electrical equipment box 30.

[0041] Although not shown in the drawings, on the control board 40, for example, electronic components such as a semiconductor chip like a CPU, a transistor, a capacitor, and a resistor are mounted to form an electrical circuit.

[0042] A radiator plate 41 with a plurality of fins is installed on a lower surface of the control board 40 so as to project downward from the bottom opening 35.

[0043] The control board 40 is installed such that the radiator plate 41 projects downward from the bottom opening 35. A seal material 42 is disposed on a peripheral edge of the bottom opening 35, and the control board 40 is installed so as to close the bottom opening 35 through the seal material 42, and is secured in this state.

[0044] Other electronic components which are electrically connected to the control board 40 are installed on both sides of the control board 40 on the electrical equipment box bottom surface 34 of the electrical equipment box body 32.

[0045] The lid member 33 is secured through the seal material 42 to the top of the electrical equipment box body 32 with screws or the like. Consequently, the inside of the electrical equipment box body 32 is made a sealed space.

[0046] Further, a ventilable space is formed between the lower surface of the top plate 17 of the housing 10 and an upper surface of the electrical equipment box 30.

[0047] An outlet 46 for a cable 45, which is electrically connected to the control board 40, is provided on the electrical equipment box bottom surface 34 of the electrical equipment box body 32, at a point located in the mechanical chamber 13.

[0048] In the present embodiment, a cable gland 50 is attached to the outlet 46. The cable 45 is taken out of the electrical equipment box 30 through the cable gland 50, and connected to predetermined equipment such as the compressor 22.

[1-1-4. Configuration of Cable Gland]



[0049] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the cable gland of Embodiment 1. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the cable gland of Embodiment 1.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the cable gland 50 has a gland body 51 which is attached to the electrical equipment box bottom surface 34 of the electrical equipment box 30.

[0051] The gland body 51 includes a flange part 52 which is provided at a substantially central portion in the axial direction, and protrudes toward an outer periphery. Formed above the flange part 52 is an insertion part 54 that penetrates the electrical equipment box bottom surface 34 of the electrical equipment box 30, and has an external thread 53 formed on an outer circumference. Formed at a lower upper portion of the flange part 52 is a holding part 55 with the external thread 53 formed on the outer circumference surface.

[0052] The cable gland 50 includes a nut member 57 formed with an internal thread 56 that is screwed with the external thread 53 of the holding part 55. A cylindrical seal member 58 is inserted into the holding part 55.

[0053] The insertion part 54 of the gland body 51 is inserted into the electrical equipment box bottom surface 34 of the electrical equipment box 30 from below. At this time, a seal member 59 is disposed between the upper side of the flange part 52 and the electrical equipment box bottom surface 34 of the electrical equipment box 30.

[0054] Then, by screwing a securing nut 60 with the external thread 53 from above the electrical equipment box bottom surface 34 of the electrical equipment box 30 to hold the electrical equipment box bottom surface 34 of the electrical equipment box 30 between the flange part 52 and the securing nut 60, the securing nut 60 is secured to the electrical equipment box bottom surface 34 of the electrical equipment box 30.

[0055] In this state, the cable 45 is inserted into the inside of the gland body 51 and into the inside of the seal material 58, and the nut member 57 is tightened and secured to the holding part 55 by screwing the internal thread 56 of the nut member 57 with the external thread 53 of the holding part 55.

[0056] The seal material 58 is deformed by tightening the nut member 57, and the seal material 58 is closely attached to an external surface of the cable 45. Consequently, it is possible to airtightly hold the cable 45 with respect to electrical equipment box 30.

[0057] Note that, in the example shown in the drawings, the cable 45 is the multi-core cable 45 including a plurality of core wires covered with an outer covering.

[0058] Thus, by disposing the outlet 46 for the cable 45 at the mechanical chamber 13 in which the influence of the heat source side heat exchanger 20 is small and a change in temperature is smaller than in the blower chamber 12, it is possible to reduce the deterioration over time of the cable 45 and the outlet 46. Furthermore, since the electrical equipment box 30 is disposed in an upper portion near the top plate 17 away from a lower portion of the housing 10 in which the refrigerant with a higher specific gravity than air is likely to accumulate, if the refrigerant leaks, it is possible to reduce the amount of the refrigerant entering into the electrical equipment box 30.

[1-2. Operation]



[0059] Next, an operation of the heat pump cycle device 1 configured as described above will be described.

[0060] When the heat pump cycle device 1 is driven, the compressor 22 and the blower device 21 are operated, and a fan 44 is also started to operate.

[0061] Consequently, when hot water is used, the refrigerant compressed to high temperature and high pressure by the compressor 22 flows as shown by the solid-line arrows in FIG. 4, is sent to the use side heat exchanger 23, and is cooled by heat exchange with the water flowing through the water supply piping 28 by the use side heat exchanger 23, and the water becomes hot water by receiving the heat of the refrigerant, and is supplied to a predetermined location.

[0062] The refrigerant discharged from the use side heat exchanger 23 is decompressed by the expansion means 24 and heat-exchanged by the heat source side heat exchanger 20 to be a gas refrigerant, and is returned again to the compressor 22.

[0063] Moreover, when cool water is used, by switching the four-way valve 27, the refrigerant flows as shown by the broken-line arrows in FIG. 4, is heat-exchanged with outside air by the heat source side heat exchanger 20, is decompressed by the expansion means 24, and is then sent to the use side heat exchanger 23 so as to cool the water flowing through the water supply piping 28.

[0064] During these operations, when the blower device 21 is operated, air flows to the electrical equipment box 30 located in the blower chamber 12.

[0065] Further, since the ventilable space is formed between the lower surface of the top plate 17 of the housing 10 and the upper surface of the electrical equipment box 30, the air also flows to the upper surface of the electrical equipment box 30.

[0066] With these air flows, the entire surface of the electrical equipment box 30 can be cooled by the air, and a rise in temperature of electronic components 43 stored inside the electrical equipment box 30 can be suppressed.

[0067] Furthermore, with the operation of the blower device 21, the air flows to the radiator plate 41. Consequently, the radiator plate 41 can be cooled, and the control board 40 can be cooled through the radiator plate 41.

[0068] Moreover, by disposing the cable gland 50 in the mechanical chamber 13 in which the influence of the heat source side heat exchanger 20 is small and a change in temperature is smaller than in the blower chamber 12, it is possible to reduce the deterioration over time of the cable 45 and the outlet 46.

[0069] Additionally, since the cable gland 50 is disposed on the lower surface of the electrical equipment box 30, and the cable 45 is arranged to extend downward from the electrical equipment box 30, an uneven load due to the weight of the cable 45 does not occur and deformation of the cable 45 due to twisting of the cable 45 is smaller compared to a case in which the cable 45 is arranged sideways, and therefore the contact between the seal material 58 of the cable gland 50 and the cable 45 is evenly maintained over the entire circumference.

[1-3. Effects]



[0070] As described above, in the present embodiment, the heat pump cycle device 1 includes: the compressor 22, the use side heat exchanger 23, the expansion means 24, and the heat source side heat exchanger 20 stored inside the housing 10; the refrigerant circuit connecting these members annularly and using the flammable refrigerant; the blower device 21 for circulating air through the heat source side heat exchanger 20; and the electrical equipment box 30 configured to be airtight, wherein the compressor 22, the use side heat exchanger 23, and the expansion means 24 are disposed in the mechanical chamber 13 located on one side of the housing 10, the heat source side heat exchanger 20 and the blower device 21 are disposed in the blower chamber 12 located on another side of the housing 10, the electrical equipment box 30 is disposed across the mechanical chamber 13 and the blower chamber 12, and is provided with the cable 45 that electrically connects the control board in the electrical equipment box 30 and external equipment of the electrical equipment box 30, and the outlet 46 for the cable 45 is disposed on the mechanical chamber 13 side of the electrical equipment box 30.

[0071] Consequently, since the deterioration over time of the cable 45 and the outlet 46 can be reduced, it is possible to ensure the airtightness of the electrical equipment box 30 for a long period of time, and, even if a flammable refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant circuit, it is possible to reliably prevent ignition of the flammable refrigerant.

[0072] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the cable gland 50 for airtightly holding the cable 45 with respect to the electrical equipment box 30 is attached to the outlet 46.

[0073] Consequently, the airtightness of the cable 45 can be kept by the cable gland 50.

[0074] Further, in the present embodiment, the cable gland 50 airtightly holds the cable 45 by closely attaching the cable 45 and the seal material 58 made of an elastic material.

[0075] Consequently, the airtightness of the cable 45 can be kept by the seal material 58 of the cable gland 50.

[0076]  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the cable gland 50 is disposed on the lower surface of the electrical equipment box 30, and the cable 45 is arranged to extend downward from the electrical equipment box 30.

[0077] Consequently, deformation of the cable 45 due to twisting of the cable 45 can be reduced, and the airtightness between the seal material 58 of the cable gland 50 and the cable 45 can be evenly maintained over the entire circumference.

[0078] Additionally, in the present embodiment, the cable 45 is constituted by one multi-core cable 45 including a plurality of core wires covered with an outer covering, and the cable gland 50 airtightly holds the one cable 45.

[0079] Consequently, it is possible to ensure more airtightness, and, even if a flammable refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant circuit, it is possible to reliably prevent ignition of the flammable refrigerant.

[0080] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the flammable refrigerant is R32 or a mixed refrigerant containing 70 weight percent or more of R32, or propane or a mixed refrigerant containing propane.

[0081] Consequently, even when the flammable refrigerant is used, it is possible to cool the electrical equipment box 30 while preventing the refrigerant from entering into the electrical equipment box 30.

(Embodiment 2)



[0082] Next, Embodiment 2 will be described using the drawings.

[2-1. Configuration]



[0083] Embodiment 2 shows another example of the cable 45 that is held more airtightly by the cable gland 50. The configuration of the heat pump cycle device is the same as in Embodiment 1. Hereinafter, the cable gland 50 of Embodiment 2 will be described.

[0084] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the cable gland 50 of Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the cable gland 50 of Embodiment 2.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, in the present embodiment, the cable 45 is constituted by a plurality of cables 45.

[0086] The seal material 58 of the cable gland 50 is formed with a plurality of insertion holes 61 into which the plurality of cables 45 are inserted.

[2-2. Functions and Effects]



[0087] In the present embodiment, the cables 45 are inserted into the insertion holes 61, respectively, of the seal material 58, and the nut member 57 is tightened and secured to the holding part 55 by screwing the internal thread 56 of the nut member 57 with the external thread 53 of the holding part 55.

[0088] The seal material 58 is deformed by tightening the nut member 57, and the seal material 58 is closely attached to the external surface of each cable 45 inserted into the insertion hole 61. Consequently, the respective cables 45 can be airtightly held with respect to the electrical equipment box 30.

[0089] As described above, in the present embodiment, the cable 45 is constituted by a plurality of cables 45, the seal material 58 of the cable gland 50 has the insertion holes 61 into which the plurality of cables 45 are inserted, and the cable gland 50 airtightly holds the plurality of cables 45.

[0090] Consequently, it is possible to ensure more airtightness, and, even if a flammable refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant circuit, it is possible to reliably prevent ignition of the flammable refrigerant.

[Other Embodiments]



[0091] As described above, Embodiment 1 is described as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can also be applied to embodiments in which modifications, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. are made.

[Configurations Supported by the Embodiments]



[0092] The above-described embodiments support the following configurations.

(Configuration 1)



[0093] A heat pump cycle device including: a compressor, a use side heat exchanger, expansion means, and a heat source side heat exchanger stored inside a housing; a refrigerant circuit connecting these members annularly and using a flammable refrigerant; a blower device for circulating air through the heat source side heat exchanger; and an electrical equipment box configured to be airtight, wherein the compressor, the use side heat exchanger, and the expansion means are disposed in a mechanical chamber located on one side of the housing, the heat source side heat exchanger and the blower device are disposed in a blower chamber located on another side of the housing, the electrical equipment box is disposed across the mechanical chamber and the blower chamber, and is provided with a cable that electrically connects a control board in the electrical equipment box and external equipment of the electrical equipment box, and an outlet for the cable is disposed on the mechanical chamber side of the electrical equipment box.

[0094] According to this configuration, since the deterioration over time of the cable and the outlet can be reduced, it is possible to ensure the airtightness of the electrical equipment box for a long period of time, and, even if a flammable refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant circuit, it is possible to reliably prevent ignition of the flammable refrigerant.

(Configuration 2)



[0095] The heat pump cycle device according to configuration 1, wherein the outlet is provided with a cable gland for airtightly holding the cable with respect to the electrical equipment box.

[0096] According to this configuration, the airtightness of the cable can be kept by the cable gland.

(Configuration 3)



[0097] The heat pump cycle device according to configuration 1 or configuration 2, wherein the cable gland airtightly holds the cable by closely attaching the cable and a seal material made of an elastic material to each other.

[0098] According to this configuration, the airtightness of the cable can be kept by the seal material of the cable gland.

(Configuration 4)



[0099] The heat pump cycle device according to configuration 2 or configuration 3, wherein the cable gland is disposed on a lower surface of the electrical equipment box, and the cable is arranged to extend downward from the electrical equipment box.

[0100] According to this configuration, deformation of the cable due to twisting of the cable can be reduced, and the airtightness between the seal material of the cable gland and the cable can be evenly maintained over the entire circumference.

(Configuration 5)



[0101] The heat pump cycle device according to any one of configuration 2 to configuration 4, wherein the cable is constituted by one multi-core cable including a plurality of core wires covered with an outer covering, and the cable gland airtightly holds the one cable.

[0102] According to this configuration, it is possible to ensure more airtightness, and, even if a flammable refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant circuit, it is possible to reliably prevent ignition of the flammable refrigerant.

(Configuration 6)



[0103] The heat pump cycle device according to any one of configuration 2 to configuration 4, wherein the cable is constituted by a plurality of cables, the seal material of the cable gland has an insertion hole into which the plurality of cables are inserted, and the cable gland airtightly holds the plurality of cables.

[0104] According to this configuration, it is possible to ensure more airtightness, and, even if a flammable refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant circuit, it is possible to reliably prevent ignition of the flammable refrigerant.

(Configuration 7)



[0105] The heat pump cycle device according to any one of configuration 1 to configuration 6, wherein the flammable refrigerant is R32 or a mixed refrigerant containing 70 weight percent or more of R32, or propane or a mixed refrigerant containing propane.

[0106] According to this configuration, even when a flammable refrigerant is used, it is possible to cool the electrical equipment box while preventing the refrigerant from entering into the electrical equipment box.

Industrial Applicability



[0107] The present disclosure can be suitably applied to a heat pump cycle device that can suppress an increase in temperature of electronic components disposed in the electronic component box, prevent malfunctions and shortening of the service life of a product, prevent a leaked refrigerant from entering into the electrical equipment box, take an anti-explosion measure, and improve safety.

Reference Signs List



[0108] 
1
heat pump cycle device
10
housing
11
partition plate
12
blower chamber
13
mechanical chamber
14
bottom plate
15
side panel
16
front panel
17
top plate
18
ventilation part
20
heat source side heat exchanger
21
blower device
22
compressor
23
use side heat exchanger
24
expansion means
25
refrigerant piping
26
cut-out part
27
four-way valve
28
water supply piping
30
electrical equipment box
31
opening
32
electrical equipment box body
33
lid member
34
electrical equipment box bottom surface
35
bottom surface opening
40
control board
41
radiator plate
42
seal material
43
electronic component
45
cable
46
outlet
50
cable gland
51
gland body
52
flange part
53
external thread
54
insertion part
55
holding part
56
internal thread
57
nut member
58
seal material
59
seal material
60
securing nut
61
insertion hole



Claims

1. A heat pump cycle (1) device characterized by comprising: a compressor (22), a use side heat exchanger (23), expansion means (24), and a heat source side heat exchanger (20) stored inside a housing (10); a refrigerant circuit connecting these members annularly and using a flammable refrigerant; a blower device (21) for circulating air through the heat source side heat exchanger; and an electrical equipment box (30) configured to be airtight, wherein

the compressor, the use side heat exchanger, and the expansion means are disposed in a mechanical chamber (13) located on one side of the housing,

the heat source side heat exchanger and the blower device are disposed in a blower chamber (12) located on another side of the housing,

the electrical equipment box is disposed across the mechanical chamber and the blower chamber, and

is provided with a cable (45) that electrically connects a control board (40) in the electrical equipment box and external equipment of the electrical equipment box, and

an outlet (46) for the cable is disposed on the mechanical chamber side of the electrical equipment box.


 
2. The heat pump cycle device according to claim 1, wherein the outlet is provided with a cable gland (50) for airtightly holding the cable with respect to the electrical equipment box.
 
3. The heat pump cycle device according to claim 2, wherein the cable gland airtightly holds the cable by closely attaching the cable and a seal material (58) made of an elastic material to each other.
 
4. The heat pump cycle device according to claim 3, wherein the cable gland is disposed on a lower surface of the electrical equipment box, and the cable is arranged to extend downward from the electrical equipment box.
 
5. The heat pump cycle device according to claim 3, wherein

the cable is constituted by one multi-core cable including a plurality of core wires covered with an outer covering, and

the cable gland airtightly holds the one cable.


 
6. The heat pump cycle device according to claim 3, wherein

the cable is constituted by a plurality of cables, and

the seal material of the cable gland has an insertion hole into which the plurality of cables are inserted, and the cable gland airtightly holds the plurality of cables.


 
7. The heat pump cycle device according to any one of claim 1 to claim 6, wherein the flammable refrigerant is R32 or a mixed refrigerant containing 70 weight percent or more of R32, or propane or a mixed refrigerant containing propane.
 




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Cited references

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



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Patent documents cited in the description