FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an outdoor unit for a heat pump system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In air conditioning, and in particular, in heat pump systems, it is common to have
combined refrigerant and heat medium circuits capable of exchanging heat between each
other. For such thermal exchanges to take place, it is common to use heat exchangers.
These heat exchangers are typically complex, usually metal constructions. As the system
ages and/or due to external factors, such heat exchangers occasionally develop leakages
which may pass unnoticed to the user but which leakages can cause the transfer of
substantial amounts of refrigerant to the heat medium circuit of said systems. As
such, a gas-liquid separator is an essential part of an air conditioning and/or heat
pump in order to prevent high concentrations of refrigerant in indoor areas, should
a leakage come to develop. Should refrigerant build up inside the gas-liquid separator,
said refrigerant must be evacuated.
[0003] EP3967943 discloses an air conditioning outside unit comprising a gas-liquid separator at the
highest part of the heat medium circuit. Said gas-liquid separator comprises a top
outlet in fluid connection with an outlet disposed to the front plate, and above the
ventilation element of said unit. The benefits of disposing of the refrigerant gas
near the ventilation element of an outdoor unit, in particular above the center of
said unit, should be obvious to one skilled in the art. However, the refrigerant gas
is usually heavier than air, causing it to sink. The unit disclosed in EP '943 provides
the most direct path between the gas-liquid separator and the refrigerant outlet by
means of a substantially horizontal pipe or a pipe that is slightly inclined towards
the outlet. This makes it difficult for the refrigerant to even reach the refrigerant
outlet without having refrigerant flowing back into the gas-liquid separator and/or
dwelling between the outlet and the gas-liquid separator.
[0004] The present invention aims to provide a device which resolves the disadvantage mentioned
above. The present invention relates to an outdoor unit having an improved refrigerant
evacuation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention aims to resolve at least some of the problems and disadvantages
mentioned above.
[0006] The present invention and embodiments thereof serve to provide a solution to one
or more of above-mentioned disadvantages. To this end, the present invention relates
to an outdoor unit according to claim 1.
[0007] The first aspect of the invention relates to an outdoor unit for a heat pump system
comprising a refrigerant circuit and a heat medium circuit in thermal communication
with each other by means of a plate heat exchanger.
[0008] More in particular, the refrigerant circuit comprises a compressor, a heat source
heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and a refrigerant side of the plate heat exchanger.
the heat medium circuit comprises a heat medium side of the plate heat exchanger and
an air purge valve, wherein the plate heat exchanger has a first lateral face and
a second lateral face, wherein heat medium pipe connection ports are arranged on the
first lateral face and wherein refrigerant pipe connection ports and an air purge
valve connection port are arranged on the second lateral face. An air discharge path
is provided connected to a discharge port of the air purge valve. This advantageously
permits the evacuation of any refrigerant leaked into the heat medium circuit in a
safe and controlled manner.
[0009] A housing is further provided for accommodating the compressor, the heat source heat
exchanger, the expansion valve, the plate heat exchanger, the air purge valve and
the air discharge path. The housing advantageously having an opening in fluid communication
with the discharge port of the air purge valve via the air discharge path. In this
way, the refrigerant gas evacuated from the heat exchanger via the air purge valve
does not pool inside said housing where it could build up to a concentration which
would propitiate an explosion. Said refrigerant is instead, and very advantageously,
conveyed and expelled from the interior of the outdoor unit by means of discharge
path. This air discharge path is arranged so that it faces downward from the discharge
port of the air purge valve to the opening of the housing. Such arrangement advantageously
permits taking advantage of the density of the refrigerant which, being denser than
air, will drift down and leave the outdoor unit without the risk of this refrigerant
floating back up and inside of said unit. Preferred embodiments of the device are
shown in any of the claims 2 to 13.
[0010] In an embodiment, the opening of the housing is provided on a bottom plate of the
housing. This permits discharging the refrigerant more effectively as the refrigerant,
being heavier than air, will quickly reach the bottom of plate of the outdoor unit
and evacuate through the discharge hole.
[0011] In an embodiment, the outdoor unit further comprises a partition plate that divides
the outdoor unit in an air chamber, where a fan and the heat source heat exchanger
are positioned, and in a machine chamber where the compressor, the expansion valve,
the plate heat exchanger, the air purge valve and the air discharge path are positioned.
The opening of the housing is provided at a bottom plate of the machine chamber. In
this way, the opening is advantageously located in the compartment of the outdoor
unit where most of the refrigerant-bearing elements, and thus the most likely sources
of refrigerant leakage, are located. This permits the evacuation of the leaked refrigerant
before it is allowed to pool inside the machine chamber, and potentially ignite.
[0012] In an embodiment, the outdoor unit further comprises an electric component box in
the machine chamber, wherein the electric component box is positioned at a top region
of the machine chamber. Since the refrigerant is heavier than air, the placement of
the electric component box advantageously eliminates the possibility of said refrigerant
ever reaching the electric component box, and in this way greatly reduces or even
entirely overcomes the risk of explosion by deflagration of the refrigerant.
[0013] In an embodiment, the machine chamber comprises a second partition plate, said second
partition plate separating the electric component box from the air discharge path.
In this way, any refrigerant purged out of the heat exchanger and conducted by the
air discharge path to the outside of the outdoor unit, is safely kept away from any
contact with any of the components inside the electric component box.
[0014] In an embodiment, an electric component box is arranged inside a second housing disposed
on a top plate of the housing of the outdoor unit. This provides yet another barrier
keeping the refrigerant out of the electric component box. Furthermore, since the
refrigerant is heavier than air, the placement of the electric component box advantageously
eliminates the possibility of said refrigerant ever reaching the electric component
box, and in this way greatly reducing the risk of explosion by deflagration of the
refrigerant.
[0015] In an embodiment, an electric component box is arranged inside a second housing disposed
on a lateral side plate of the housing of the outdoor unit. In this way, all the components
of inside the electrical component box are safely distanced and isolated from any
leaking refrigerant.
[0016] In an embodiment, the electric component box is provided with an electrical connection
extending internally into the housing of the outdoor unit. By preference, the electrical
connection reaching the inside of the housing of the outdoor unit is airtight. In
this way, electrical signals and energy can still be exchanged between the electrical
component box and the different chambers inside the outdoor unit without increasing
the risk of any refrigerant reaching inside the electric component box.
[0017] In an embodiment, the opening of the housing is provided in a rear plate of the housing.
By preference, the first lateral face of the heat exchanger faces a rear plate of
the housing, and the heat medium pipe connection ports are arranged on the rear plate,
outside of the housing. In this way, the piping entering and leaving the outdoor unit
is advantageously closer to the wall where said unit is mounted on, which permits
maintaining a longer straight section of pipe after the heat exchanger. This promotes
a laminar flow in said section of pipe and reduce the noise created by the flow of
heat medium. This embodiment also provides a shorter path between the air purge valve
and the outside of the outdoor unit, thus reducing the time the leaked refrigerant
remains inside said unit, and therefore also reducing the risk of any said refrigerant
reaching any electrical component inside the unit.
[0018] In an embodiment, the opening of the housing is provided in a lateral plate of the
housing. In this way, the outdoor unit can be mounted closer to a wall without risk
of limiting the dispersion of the leaked refrigerant once it reaches the outside of
the outdoor unit. By locating the opening on one of the lateral walls of the housing,
a path between the air purge valve and the outside of the housing is advantageously
made shorter. This location of the opening further permits taking advantage of any
wind drafts passing by the housing of the outdoor unit in order to disperse any leaked
refrigerant leaving the housing more quickly.
[0019] In an embodiment, the plate heat exchanger is a double-wall plate heat exchanger.
The use of a double wall construction greatly reduces the risk of refrigerant leaking
into heat medium side of the heat exchanger. In the unlikely scenario that such a
leakage takes place, the amount of refrigerant leaked is advantageously small and
easily dealt with by the air purge valve.
DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0020] The following description of the figures of specific embodiments of the invention
is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present teachings,
their application or uses. Throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals
indicate like or corresponding parts and features.
[0021] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the outdoor unit comprising a heat exchanger with an air
purge valve.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The invention is further described by the following non-limiting examples which further
illustrate the invention, and are not intended to, nor should they be interpreted
to, limit the scope of the invention.
[0023] The present invention concerns an outdoor unit containing at least part of a refrigerant
circuit and a heat medium circuit in thermal communication with each other by means
of heat exchanger. The heat medium circuit is advantageously provided with an air
purge valve in order to discharge any refrigerant which may leak into the heat medium
circuit. The safety and performance of the outdoor unit according to the invention
is further, and greatly, enhanced by a discharge path directed towards the outside
of the housing of the outdoor unit following a substantially downwards path from an
air purge valve disposed to the heat medium circuit. This advantageously permits take
advantage of the density of the refrigerant, which being denser than air, will naturally
flow downwards and away from the outdoor unit.
[0024] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in disclosing the invention, including technical
and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill
in the art to which this invention belongs. By means of further guidance, term definitions
are included to better appreciate the teaching of the present invention.
[0025] As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:
"A", "an", and "the" as used herein refers to both singular and plural referents unless
the context clearly dictates otherwise. By way of example, "a compartment" refers
to one or more than one compartment.
[0026] "Comprise", "comprising", and "comprises" and "comprised of" as used herein are synonymous
with "include", "including", "includes" or "contain", "containing", "contains" and
are inclusive or open-ended terms that specifies the presence of what follows e.g.
component and do not exclude or preclude the presence of additional, non-recited components,
features, element, members, steps, known in the art or disclosed therein.
[0027] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in
the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily
for describing a sequential or chronological order, unless specified. It is to be
understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances
and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation
in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.
[0028] The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers and fractions
subsumed within that range, as well as the recited endpoints.
[0029] Whereas the terms "one or more" or "at least one", such as one or more or at least
one member(s) of a group of members, is clear
per se, by means of further exemplification, the term encompasses
inter alia a reference to any one of said members, or to any two or more of said members, such
as,
e.g., any ≥3, ≥4, ≥5, ≥6 or ≥7 etc. of said members, and up to all said members.
[0030] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in disclosing the invention, including technical
and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill
in the art to which this invention belongs. By means of further guidance, definitions
for the terms used in the description are included to better appreciate the teaching
of the present invention. The terms or definitions used herein are provided solely
to aid in the understanding of the invention.
[0031] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means
that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various
places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics
may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to a person skilled in
the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. Furthermore, while some
embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other
embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within
the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood
by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments
can be used in any combination.
[0033] With as a goal illustrating better the properties of the invention the following
presents, as an example and limiting in no way other potential applications, a description
of a number of preferred embodiments of the outdoor unit based on the invention, wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the outdoor unit (1) comprising a heat exchanger
(5) with an air purge valve (15). The figure shows an outdoor unit (1) for a heat
pump according to the first aspect of the invention. The system comprises a refrigerant
circuit (not shown) and a heat medium circuit (6) in thermal communication with each
other by means of a plate heat exchanger (5).
[0034] More in particular, the refrigerant circuit (not shown) comprises a compressor (not
shown), a heat source heat exchanger (not shown), an expansion valve (not shown),
and a refrigerant side of the plate heat exchanger (5). the heat medium circuit (6)
is shown comprising a heat medium side of the plate heat exchanger (5), which heat
exchanger (5) is shown equipped with an air purge valve (15). The plate heat exchanger
(5) has a first lateral face (7) and a second lateral face (8), wherein heat medium
pipe connection ports (22, 23) are arranged on the first lateral face (7). The refrigerant
pipe connection ports (27, 28) and the air purge valve (15) connection port are arranged
on the second lateral face (8) of said plate heat exchanger (5). An air discharge
path (16) is provided connected to a discharge port of the air purge valve (15). This
advantageously permits the evacuation of any refrigerant leaked into the heat medium
circuit (6) in a safe and controlled manner. The invention can be realized using many
different types and dimensions of plate heat exchangers in order to meet, for example
though not limited to, specific heat transfer and/or space restriction needs. This
plate heat exchanger (5) is preferably a double-wall plate heat exchanger. The use
of a double wall construction greatly reduces the risk of refrigerant leaking into
heat medium side of the heat exchanger (5). In the unlikely scenario that such a leakage
takes place, the amount of refrigerant leaked is advantageously small and easily dealt
with by the air purge (15) valve.
[0035] A housing (29) is further shown accommodating the compressor, the heat source heat
exchanger, the expansion valve, the plate heat exchanger (5), the air purge valve
(15) and the air discharge path (16). The housing (29) advantageously provides an
opening (17) in fluid communication with the discharge port of the air purge valve
(15) via the air discharge path (16). In this way, the refrigerant gas evacuated from
the heat exchanger (5) via the air purge valve (15) does not pool inside said housing
(29) where it could build up to a concentration which could lead up to an explosion.
Said refrigerant is instead, and very advantageously, conveyed and expelled from the
interior of the outdoor unit (1) by means of the discharge path (16). This air discharge
path is arranged so that it faces downward from the discharge port of the air purge
valve (15) to the opening of the housing (29). Such arrangement advantageously permits
taking advantage of the density of the refrigerant which, being denser than air, will
drift down and leave the outdoor unit (1) without the risk of this refrigerant floating
back up and inside of said unit (1). The are many ways to realize the invention using
housings (29) having different types of construction. Such housings (29) may be constructed
of a single or multiple folded metal sheets, it may have a cast metal structure, or
other structures which permits mounting and operation of the internal elements of
the outdoor unit (1). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the housing (29) comprises
a front plate (9), a first side plate (10), a second side plate (11), a rear plate
(12), a top plate (13) and a bottom plate (14). This type of construction advantageously
allows for a more cost-effective manufacturing and assembly while permitting easy
access to the internal elements of the outdoor unit (1) by simply removing a minimum
number of plates. This type of construction is also quite light, thereby reducing
transportation costs as well as facilitating installation.
[0036] The opening of the housing is, advantageously, provided on a bottom plate (14) of
the housing (29). This permits discharging the refrigerant more effectively as the
refrigerant, being heavier than air, will quickly reach the bottom of plate (14) of
the outdoor unit (1) and evacuate through the discharge opening (17).
[0037] The outdoor unit further comprises a first partition plate (26) that divides the
interior of the outdoor unit (1) in an air chamber (31), where a fan and the heat
source heat exchanger (not shown) are positioned, and in a machine chamber (21) where
the compressor (not shown), the expansion valve, the plate heat exchanger (5), the
air purge valve (15) and the air discharge path (16) are positioned. The opening (17)
of the housing is provided at a bottom plate (14) of the machine chamber (21). In
this way, the opening (17) is advantageously located in the compartment of the outdoor
unit (1) where most refrigerant-bearing elements, and thus most likely sources of
refrigerant leakage, are located. This permits the evacuation of the leaked refrigerant
before it is allowed to pool inside the machine chamber (21), and potentially ignite.
[0038] In an embodiment not shown in FIG. 1, the outdoor unit (1) further comprises an electric
component box (19) in the machine chamber (21), wherein the electric component box
(19) is positioned at a top region of the machine chamber 21. Since the refrigerant
is heavier than air, the placement of the electric component box (19) advantageously
eliminates the possibility of said refrigerant ever reaching the electric component
box (19), and in this way greatly reducing the risk of explosion by deflagration of
the refrigerant.
[0039] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the machine chamber (21) is shown comprising a
second partition plate (18), said second partition plate (18) separating the electric
component box (19) from the air discharge path (16). In this way, the electric component
box section (20) defined by the second partition (18) further isolates the electric
component box (19) and any of its components from any refrigerant purged out of the
heat exchanger (5). Said refrigerant can therefore be more safely conducted by the
air discharge path (16) to the outside of the outdoor unit (1) without any risk of
explosion.
[0040] In another embodiment not shown in FIG. 1, the electric component box (19) is arranged
inside a second housing disposed on a top plate (13) of the housing (29) of the outdoor
unit (1). This provides yet another barrier keeping the refrigerant out of the electric
component box (19). Furthermore, since the refrigerant is heavier than air, the placement
of the electric component box (19) advantageously eliminates the possibility of said
refrigerant ever reaching said electric component box (19), and in this way greatly
reducing the risk of explosion by deflagration of the refrigerant.
[0041] In another embodiment not shown in FIG. 1, an electric component box (19) is arranged
inside a second housing disposed on a lateral side plate (10 or 11) of the housing
(29) of the outdoor unit (1). In this way, all the components of inside the electrical
component box (19) are safely distanced and isolated from any leaking refrigerant.
[0042] In the embodiments wherein the electric component box (19) is provided inside a second
housing, said electric component box (19) is provided with an electrical connection
(not shown) extending internally into the housing (29) of the outdoor unit (1). By
preference, the electrical connection reaching the inside of the housing (29) of the
outdoor unit (1) is airtight. In this way, electrical signals and energy can still
be exchanged between the electrical component box (19) and the different sections
inside the outdoor unit (1) without increasing the risk of any refrigerant reaching
inside the electric component box (19). In order to provide such airtight connection,
the electric component box (19), and preferably also the housing (29) of the outdoor
unit (1) are provided with cable glands equipped with sealing elements, such as O-rings
or sleeves, and/or foam, such as polyurethane foam, and/or glue, such as silicone
glue.
[0043] In an embodiment not shown in FIG. 1, the opening (17) of the housing (29) is provided
in a rear plate (12) of the housing (29). By preference, the first lateral face of
the plate heat exchanger (5) faces a rear plate (12) of the housing (29), and the
heat medium pipe connection ports (22, 23) are arranged on the rear plate (12), outside
of the housing (29). In this way, the pipes (24, 25) entering and leaving the outdoor
unit (1) are advantageously closer to the wall where said unit (1) is mounted on.
This permits maintaining a longer straight section of pipe (24, 25) after the heat
exchanger (5). This promotes a laminar flow in said section of pipe (24, 25) and reduces
the noise created by the flow of heat medium. This embodiment also provides a shorter
path between the air purge valve (15) and the outside of the outdoor unit (1), thus
reducing the time the leaked refrigerant remains inside said unit (1), and therefore
also reducing the risk of any said refrigerant reaching any electrical component inside
the unit (1).
[0044] In an embodiment not shown in FIG. 1, the opening of the housing (17) is provided
in a lateral plate (10, 11) of the housing (29). In this way, the outdoor unit (1)
can be mounted closer to a wall without risk of limiting the dispersion of the leaked
refrigerant once it reaches the outside of the outdoor unit (1). By locating the opening
(17) on one of the lateral plates (10, 11) of the housing (29), a path between the
air purge valve (15) and the outside of the housing (29) is advantageously made shorter.
This location of the opening (17) further permits taking advantage of any wind drafts
passing by the housing (29) of the outdoor unit (1) in order to disperse any leaked
refrigerant more quickly.
[0045] The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment shown in the figure.
On the contrary, the present invention may be realized in many different ways without
departing from the scope of the invention.
List of numbered items:
[0046]
- 1
- outdoor unit
- 5
- plate heat exchanger
- 6
- heat medium circuit
- 7
- first lateral face of the heat exchanger
- 8
- second lateral face of the heat exchanger
- 9
- front plate
- 10
- first side plate
- 11
- second side plate
- 12
- rear plate
- 13
- top plate
- 14
- bottom plate
- 15
- air purge valve
- 16
- air discharge path
- 17
- opening
- 18
- second partition plate
- 19
- electric component box
- 20
- electric component box section
- 21
- machine section
- 22
- heat medium outlet port
- 23
- heat medium inlet port
- 24
- first heat medium pipe
- 25
- second heat medium pipe
- 26
- first partition plate
- 27
- refrigerant outlet port
- 28
- refrigerant inlet port
- 29
- housing
- 31
- air chamber
1. An outdoor unit for a heat pump system comprising:
a refrigerant circuit comprising a compressor, a heat source heat exchanger, an expansion
valve, and a refrigerant side of a plate heat exchanger;
a heat medium circuit comprising a heat medium side of the plate heat exchanger and
an air purge valve, wherein the plate heat exchanger has a first lateral face and
a second lateral face, wherein heat medium pipe connection ports are arranged on the
first lateral face and wherein refrigerant pipe connection ports and an air purge
valve connection port are arranged on the second lateral face;
an air discharge path connected to a discharge port of the air purge valve;
a housing accommodating the compressor, the heat source heat exchanger, the expansion
valve, the plate heat exchanger, the air purge valve and the air discharge path, the
housing having an opening in fluid communication with the discharge port of the air
purge valve via the air discharge path;
wherein the air discharge path is arranged so that it faces downward from the discharge
port of the air purge valve to the opening of the housing.
2. The outdoor unit according to the claim 1, wherein the opening of the housing is provided
on a bottom plate of the housing.
3. The outdoor unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outdoor unit further comprising
a partition plate that divides the outdoor unit in an air chamber where a fan and
the heat source heat exchanger are positioned and in a machine chamber where the compressor,
the expansion valve, the plate heat exchanger, the air purge valve and the air discharge
path are positioned, and wherein the opening of the housing is provided at a bottom
plate of the machine chamber.
4. The outdoor unit according to claim 3, wherein the outdoor unit further comprises
an electric component box in the machine chamber, wherein the electric component box
is positioned at a top region of the machine chamber.
5. The outdoor unit according to claim 4, wherein the machine chamber comprises a second
partition plate, said second partition plate separating the electric component box
from the air discharge path.
6. The outdoor unit according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein an electric component
box is arranged inside a second housing disposed on a top plate of the housing of
the outdoor unit.
7. The outdoor unit according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein an electric component
box is arranged inside a second housing disposed on a lateral side plate of the housing
of the outdoor unit.
8. The outdoor unit according to any one of the claims 6 to 7, wherein the electric component
box is provided with an electrical connection extending internally into the housing
of the outdoor unit.
9. The outdoor unit according to claim 8, wherein the electrical connection reaching
the inside of the housing of the outdoor unit is airtight.
10. The outdoor unit according to the claim 1, wherein the opening of the housing is provided
in a rear plate of the housing.
11. The outdoor unit according to the claim 1, wherein the opening of the housing is provided
in a lateral plate of the housing.
12. The outdoor unit according to any one of the claims 1 to 11, wherein the first lateral
face of the heat exchanger faces a rear plate of the housing, and the heat medium
pipe connection ports are arranged on the rear plate, outside of the housing.
13. The outdoor unit according to any one of the claims 1 to 12, wherein the plate heat
exchanger is a double-wall plate heat exchanger.
Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.
1. An outdoor unit (1) for a heat pump system comprising:
a refrigerant circuit comprising a compressor, a heat source heat exchanger, an expansion
valve, and a refrigerant side of a plate heat exchanger (5);
a heat medium circuit (6) comprising a heat medium side of the plate heat exchanger202
and an air purge valve (15), wherein the plate heat exchanger has a first lateral
face (7) and a second lateral face (8), wherein heat medium pipe connection ports
(24, 25) are arranged on the first lateral face and wherein refrigerant pipe connection
ports (27, 28) and an air purge valve connection port connected to an air purge valve
(15) are arranged on the second lateral face;
an air discharge path (16) connected to a discharge port of the air purge valve;
a housing (29) accommodating the compressor, the heat source heat exchanger, the expansion
valve, the plate heat exchanger, the air purge valve and the air discharge path, the
housing having an opening (17) in fluid communication with the discharge port of the
air purge valve via the air discharge path;
characterized in that the air discharge path is arranged so that it faces downward from the discharge port
of the air purge valve to the opening of the housing.
2. The outdoor unit according to the claim 1, wherein the opening of the housing is provided
on a bottom plate (14) of the housing.
3. The outdoor unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outdoor unit further comprising
a first partition plate (26) that divides the outdoor unit in an air chamber (31)
where a fan and the heat source heat exchanger are positioned and in a machine chamber
(21) where the compressor, the expansion valve, the plate heat exchanger, the air
purge valve and the air discharge path are positioned, and wherein the opening of
the housing is provided at a bottom plate (14) of the machine chamber.
4. The outdoor unit according to claim 3, wherein the outdoor unit further comprises
an electric component box (19) in the machine chamber, wherein the electric component
box is positioned at a top region of the machine chamber.
5. The outdoor unit according to claim 4, wherein the machine chamber comprises a second
partition plate (18), said second partition plate separating the electric component
box from the air discharge path.
6. The outdoor unit according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein an electric component
box (19) is arranged inside a second housing disposed on a top plate (13) of the housing
of the outdoor unit.
7. The outdoor unit according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein an electric component
box (19) is arranged inside a second housing disposed on a lateral side plate (10,
11) of the housing of the outdoor unit.
8. The outdoor unit according to any one of the claims 6 to 7, wherein the electric component
box is provided with an electrical connection extending internally into the housing
of the outdoor unit.
9. The outdoor unit according to claim 8, wherein the electrical connection reaching
the inside of the housing of the outdoor unit is airtight.
10. The outdoor unit according to the claim 1, wherein the opening of the housing is provided
in a rear plate (12) of the housing.
11. The outdoor unit according to the claim 1, wherein the opening of the housing is provided
in a lateral plate (11, 12) of the housing.
12. The outdoor unit according to any one of the claims 1 to 11, wherein the first lateral
face of the heat exchanger faces a rear plate (12) of the housing, and the heat medium
pipe connection ports are arranged on the rear plate, outside of the housing.
13. The outdoor unit according to any one of the claims 1 to 12, wherein the plate heat
exchanger (5) is a double-wall plate heat exchanger.