HEAT SOURCE APPARATUS

Abstract

 A heat source apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an air heat exchange unit that exchanges heat with air, and an icicle prevention unit that prevents an icicle from being produced on the air heat exchange unit. The icicle prevention unit has an opposed portion opposed to a corner of the air heat exchange unit.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a heat source apparatus including an air heat exchange unit that exchanges heat with air.

Description of the Related Art

[0002] A heat source apparatus disclosed in International Publication No. 2019/012619, for example, includes an air heat exchange unit that exchanges heat with air.

[0003] In a heat source apparatus, frost is accumulated on an air heat exchange unit when the air heat exchange unit is caused to operate as a cooler. Thus, the heat source apparatus executes a defrosting operation, for example, to remove frost adhering to the air heat exchange unit. In the defrosting operation, the air heat exchange unit is caused to operate as a heater, for example, thereby thawing out and removing frost adhering to the air heat exchange unit.

[0004] However, when defrosted water produced by the defrosting operation remains in the air heat exchange unit, problems arise in that the water freezes again to produce what is called an "icicle" or "ice block" below the air heat exchange unit, and such an "icicle" or "ice block" fills a space between the air heat exchange unit and a drain pan located below the air heat exchange unit.

[0005] Therefore, the present embodiment provides a heat source apparatus in which an "icicle" or "ice block" can be prevented from being produced on an air heat exchange unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A heat source apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an air heat exchange unit that exchanges heat with air, and an icicle prevention unit that prevents an icicle or ice block from being produced on the air heat exchange unit. The icicle prevention unit has an opposed portion opposed to a corner of the air heat exchange unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] 

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a heat source apparatus according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a corner of an air heat exchange unit according to the present embodiment and its surrounding portion;

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a baffle plate according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of an icicle prevention member according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a flow of water according to the present embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a corner of an air heat exchange unit according to a comparative example of the present embodiment and its surrounding portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment related to a heat source apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. A heat source apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is called a "chiller" or the like, for example, and in this case, configured as an air-cooled heat pump type chilling unit. The heat source apparatus 1 is capable of generating warm water for heating a temperature control target not shown. The heat source apparatus 1 is also capable of generating cold water for cooling a temperature control target not shown.

[0009] The heat source apparatus 1 includes air heat exchange units 3 configured to be capable of exchanging heat with air blown by blower fans 2. The air heat exchange units 3 are configured by combining refrigerant pipes with a plurality of fins as is well known.

[0010] The air heat exchange units 3 constitute a well-known refrigeration cycle unit together with a compressor, an expansion valve, a water heat exchanger, an accumulator, a switching valve, and the like neither shown but provided in a mechanical part 4. A operation mode of the refrigeration cycle unit can be switched between a heating mode and a cooling mode. Switching of the operation mode of the refrigeration cycle unit can be controlled by switching a direction in which refrigerant flows in the refrigerant pipes of the refrigeration cycle unit to a reverse direction by the switching valve.

[0011] In a case where the refrigeration cycle unit is switched to the heating mode, the air heat exchange units 3 operate as a cooler, and water which is a heat medium is heated by the water heat exchanger operating as a heater on the other hand, so that warm water is supplied to a temperature control target. On the other hand, in a case where the refrigeration cycle unit is switched to the cooling mode, the air heat exchange units 3 operate as a heater, and water which is a heat medium is cooled by the water heat exchanger operating as a cooler on the other hand, so that cold water is supplied to the temperature control target.

[0012] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the air heat exchange unit 3 is supported from below by a baffle plate 5 provided above the mechanical part 4. The baffle plate 5 is an example of a supporting part and made of a metallic plate material, for example.

[0013] As also illustrated in FIG. 3, the baffle plate 5 has a supporting part 5a that supports the air heat exchange unit 3 and an extended part 5b extended from an end of the supporting part 5a. The supporting part 5a is an inclined plane inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. Thus, the air heat exchange unit 3 supported by this supporting part 5a is arranged in a state inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. Moreover, the supporting part 5a is configured so as not to come into contact with a predetermined range including a corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 without being in contact with the entire area of a lower end of the air heat exchange unit 3. In other words, an unblocked region which is not blocked by the supporting part 5a is present at the lower end of the air heat exchange unit 3. Thus, ventilation below the air heat exchange unit 3 can be ensured through such an unblocked region, and favorable drainage performance can be ensured without interfering with a flow of drain water and defrosted water which will be described later from the air heat exchange unit 3.

[0014] The extended part 5b includes a base portion 5b1 and a leading end portion 5b2. The base portion 5b1 extends obliquely downward from an end of the supporting part 5a. The leading end portion 5b2 is bent at a generally right angle from a lower end of the base portion 5b1. The extended part 5b also includes a plurality of drain holes 5b3 on a lower end side and an upper end side of the leading end portion 5b2.

[0015] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the leading end portion 5b2 of the baffle plate 5 is a portion in the baffle plate 5 that is opposed to the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 from below. The leading end portion 5b2 of the baffle plate 5 is separate from the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 by a predetermined distance D1. The predetermined distance D1 can be implemented with appropriate changes within a range of 20 mm to 40 mm, for example.

[0016] Since the air heat exchange unit 3 operates as the cooler in the case where the refrigeration cycle unit is driven in the heating mode in the heat source apparatus 1, frost is accumulated on the air heat exchange unit 3. Thus, the heat source apparatus 1 is configured to be capable of executing a defrosting operation of thawing out and removing frost adhering to the air heat exchange unit 3. Note that the defrosting operation can be performed by, for example, driving the refrigeration cycle unit as in the cooling mode to cause the air heat exchange unit 3 to operate as the heater. On that occasion, the blower fan 2 is brought into a state such as a stop, for example, so that wind is not supplied to the air heat exchange unit 3.

[0017] Also in a case where the refrigeration cycle unit is driven in the cooling mode subsequently after being driven in the heating mode, for example, frost adhering to the air heat exchange unit 3 during the heating mode is thawed out, and water, that is, water that may become an "icicle" or "ice block", is produced similarly to defrosted water.

[0018] Water thus produced from the air heat exchange unit 3 will drop concentratedly from the corner K as the air heat exchange unit 3 is arranged in the inclined state. Thus, when water remains at the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3, a problem arises in that the water freezes again to produce what is called an "icicle" or "ice block."

[0019] Therefore, the heat source apparatus 1 of the present disclosure is provided with an ingenuity for preventing such an "icicle" or the like from occurring. This point will now be described in detail. In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the heat source apparatus 1 includes an icicle prevention member 100 below the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3. The icicle prevention member 100 is an example of an icicle prevention unit and is made of a metallic plate material, for example.

[0020] As also illustrated in FIG. 4, the icicle prevention member 100 integrally includes a base portion 101, an opposed portion 102, and an intermediate portion 103. The base portion 101 is firmly attached to the base portion 5b1 of the baffle plate 5 by welding or the like, for example. The opposed portion 102 is opposed to the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 from below. The intermediate portion 103 couples the base portion 101 and the opposed portion 102.

[0021] The icicle prevention member 100 also includes a plurality of drain holes 104 on a lower end side and an upper end side of the intermediate portion 103.

[0022] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the opposed portion 102 of the icicle prevention member 100 is separate from the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 by a predetermined distance D2. The predetermined distance D2 can be implemented with appropriate changes within a range of 1 mm to 6 mm, for example. Note that the size of a common water droplet is assumed to be 1 mm to 6 mm, for example. Thus, the predetermined distance D2 should be implemented with appropriate changes in consideration of a commonly assumed size of a water droplet. Note that the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 may have a certain range rather than being present as a single spot. In other words, the corner K can be defined as a region within a range not exceeding or slightly exceeding the commonly assumed size of a water droplet. Consequently, the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 may have a range with a predetermined distance from the lowermost end point of the inclined air heat exchange unit 3, such as approximately 1 mm to 6 mm or within approximately 10 mm, as illustrated by a fan-shaped region R in FIG. 2, for example.

[0023] The opposed portion 102 of the icicle prevention member 100 is inclined so as to make an acute angle A with an up-down direction. More suitably, setting the acute angle A at an angle within a range of -60° to +60° with reference to the up-down direction can achieve more favorable draining downward from the air heat exchange unit 3.

[0024] According to the heat source apparatus 1 thus configured, water produced from the air heat exchange unit 3 by the defrosting operation or the like, for example, concentrates on the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3. Then, water arrived at the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 flows down on the opposed portion 102 of the icicle prevention member 100 opposed to the corner K from below as illustrated by an arrow F1 in FIG. 5.

[0025] Herein, the opposed portion 102 of the icicle prevention member 100 is present separately from the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 by the predetermined distance D2 as described above. Thus, not only self-weight of water but also surface tension and capillary action of the water act to make water easier to move from the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 to the opposed portion 102. The water is thereby less likely to remain at the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3, which in turn can make an "icicle" or "ice block" less likely to be produced at the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3. In other words, the opposed portion 102 has the leading end portion arranged below the air heat exchange unit 3 and opposed to the corner of the air heat exchange unit 3. The opposed portion 102 exercises a function of, when coming into contact with a water droplet of defrosted water or the like, prompting draining by means of surface tension or capillary action.

[0026] Note that water having moved from the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 to an outer side surface of the opposed portion 102 flows as it is along the intermediate portion 103 inclined downward in a vertical direction with distance from the opposed portion 102 and the base portion 101 extending downward from the intermediate portion 103 to arrive at the extended part 5b of the baffle plate 5 as illustrated by an arrow F2 in FIG. 5. Water having moved from the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 to an inner side surface of the opposed portion 102 passes through the drain holes 104 to arrive at the extended part 5b of the baffle plate 5 as illustrated by an arrow F3 in FIG. 5.

[0027] Then, water having arrived at the extended part 5b of the baffle plate 5 passes through the drain holes 5b3 as illustrated by an arrow F4 in FIG. 5 to flow into a drain pan 6 provided below the baffle plate 5. Then, water having flowed in the drain pan 6 is collected by a drain collection unit not shown but included in the heat source apparatus 1 and thereafter discharged from a discharge unit not shown but included in the heat source apparatus 1 to the outside of the apparatus.

[0028] According to the heat source apparatus 1 illustrated above, the icicle prevention member 100 has the opposed portion 102 opposed to the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 from below. This configuration example can make water easier to move from the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 to the opposed portion 102, which can prevent water from remaining in the air heat exchange unit 3 and in turn can prevent an "icicle" or "ice block" from being produced on the air heat exchange unit 3.

[0029] Note that FIG. 6 illustrates a configuration having a sheet metal Z not opposed to the corner K as a comparative example. In the configuration of the comparative example, a leading end portion Za of the baffle plate Z is not opposed to the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3. Herein, a configuration is illustrated in which the leading end portion Za of the baffle plate Z is separate from the corner K by more than or equal to 10 mm. This is a configuration in which water is difficult to move from the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 to the sheet metal Z and likely to remain at the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3, so that water remaining at the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 freezes again to produce an "icicle T" or "ice block."

[0030] According to the heat source apparatus 1, the leading end portion 5b2 in the baffle plate 5 that is opposed to the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 is separate from the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 by the predetermined distance D1. This configuration example can prevent the baffle plate 5, in particular, the leading end portion 5b2, from becoming wet because of water if dropping from the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 or from the opposed portion 102 of the icicle prevention member 100. A space for arranging the icicle prevention member 100 can also be ensured effortlessly between the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 and the leading end portion 5b2 of the baffle plate 5.

[0031] According to the heat source apparatus 1, the opposed portion 102 of the icicle prevention member 100 is separate from the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 by the predetermined distance D2. This predetermined distance D2 is set in consideration of the commonly assumed size of a water droplet as described above. This can facilitate movement of water from the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 to the opposed portion 102 by utilizing not only self-weight of water but also surface tension and capillary action of the water. Consequently, it is possible to further prevent water from remaining at the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3, which in turn can further prevent an "icicle" or "ice block" from being produced at the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3.

[0032] According to the heat source apparatus 1, the opposed portion 102 of the icicle prevention member 100 is inclined so as to make the acute angle A with the up-down direction. According to this configuration example, the opposed portion 102 is in a state as close as possible to verticalness, so that water is easy to flow downward on the opposed portion 102. This can further facilitate movement of water from the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 by way of the opposed portion 102. Consequently, it is possible to further prevent water from remaining at the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 and in turn an "icicle" or "ice block" from being produced at the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3. Note that the opposed portion 102 may be arranged in a state along the up-down direction, that is, a vertical state.

[0033] The heat source apparatus 1 is configured such that the air heat exchange unit 3 is arranged in a state inclined with respect to the horizontal plane or the lower end of the air heat exchange unit 3 is arranged in an inclined state, and consequently configured such that water is likely to remain concentratedly at the corner K, that is, the lowest location of the air heat exchange unit 3. The present disclosure is suitable for such a configuration in which water is likely to remain at the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3. Note that the present disclosure is also applicable not only to the configuration in which the air heat exchange unit 3 is arranged in the state inclined with respect to the horizontal plane but also to a configuration in which the air heat exchange unit 3 is in a state not inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, that is, in the horizontal state.

[0034] The present embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, extensions, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the icicle prevention member 100 can be implemented with appropriate changes in shape, size, and the like of each portion as long as the icicle prevention member 100 is configured to have the opposed portion 102 opposed to the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3. The baffle plate 5 can also be implemented with appropriate changes in shape, size, and the like of each portion as long as the baffle plate 5 is configured to be capable of supporting the air heat exchange unit 3. The predetermined distances D1 and D2 can also be implemented with appropriate changes in length. Specifically, the predetermined distances D1 and D2 can be implemented with appropriate changes in length as long as a length relationship that "D1 > D2" is maintained.

[0035] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented merely as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, replacements, changes, and the like can be made within a range not departing from the spirit of the invention. The present embodiment and its modifications are involved in the scope and spirit of the invention and involved in the invention recited in the claims and an equivalent range thereof.

Claims

1. A heat source apparatus comprising:

an air heat exchange unit that exchanges heat with air; and

an icicle prevention unit that prevents an icicle from being produced on the air heat exchange unit, wherein

the icicle prevention unit has an opposed portion opposed to a corner of the air heat exchange unit.

2. The heat source apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a supporting part that supports the air heat exchange unit, wherein
a portion of the supporting part that is opposed to the corner of the air heat exchange unit is separate from the air heat exchange unit by a predetermined distance.

3. The heat source apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opposed portion is separate from the corner of the air heat exchange unit by a predetermined distance.

4. The heat source apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opposed portion is inclined so as to make an acute angle with an up-down direction.

5. The heat source apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air heat exchange unit is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane.

6. A heat source apparatus comprising:

an air heat exchange unit that exchanges heat with air; and

an opposed portion arranged below the air heat exchange unit and having a leading end opposed to a corner of the air heat exchange unit.

Drawing