BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to an outdoor unit and a heat pump cycle device.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] WO2020-170327 discloses a technology including: a blower chamber in which a fan is stored; a first
mechanical chamber in which a compressor is stored; a second mechanical chamber in
which a controller is stored; and a third chamber in which a wiring portion connecting
the compressor and the controller to each other is stored. The first mechanical chamber
and the second mechanical chamber are disposed so that the blower chamber is interposed
therebetween, and the third mechanical chamber is disposed between the first mechanical
chamber and the second mechanical chamber in a first direction orthogonal to a rotation
axis of a fan, and is arranged alongside the fan in a second direction orthogonal
to each of the rotation axis and the first direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present disclosure provides an outdoor unit and a heat pump cycle device which
use a refrigerant and are capable of improving safety while avoiding electric leakage.
[0004] An outdoor unit according to 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, wherein the heat pump cycle
device has a cover member covering from an end portion of the heat source side heat
exchanger to a portion between a refrigerant connection port and a water connection
port of the use side heat exchanger.
[0005] The outdoor unit according the present disclosure can prevent water leaked from the
use side heat exchanger from hitting contacts of the compressor and a four-way valve
in the mechanical chamber by the cover member. Therefore, it is possible to reduce
the possibility of explosion, and improve safety.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outdoor unit of a heat pump cycle device of
Embodiment 1;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1 in which machines
such as a compressor are omitted;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view, as viewed from the front side, of the outdoor unit according
to Embodiment 1 in which machines such as the compressor are omitted;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view, as viewed from the rear side, showing a state in which
panels around the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1 are removed;
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a schematic structure of the outdoor unit according
to Embodiment 1;
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a schematic structure of the outdoor unit according
to Embodiment 1;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a use side heat exchanger of Embodiment 1; and
FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing a refrigerant circuit of the heat pump cycle device
according to Embodiment 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0007] The present disclosure provides an outdoor unit and a heat pump cycle device which
use a refrigerant and are capable of improving safety while avoiding electric leakage.
[0008] 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 of those skilled in the art.
[0009] 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)
[0010] Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 will be described using the drawings.
[1-1. Configuration]
[1-1-1. Configuration of Heat Pump Cycle Device]
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an outdoor unit of a heat pump cycle device according
to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a front view of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment
1 in which machines such as a compressor are omitted. FIG. 3 is a perspective view,
as viewed from the front side, of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1 in which
machines such as the compressor are omitted. FIG. 4 is a perspective view, as viewed
from the rear side, showing a state in which panels around the outdoor unit according
to Embodiment 1 are removed. FIG. 5 is a front view showing a schematic structure
of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a schematic
structure of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1.
[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, an outdoor unit 2 of 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.
[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, a partition plate 11 extending in the 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.
[0014] The housing 10 has a bottom plate 14 forming a bottom surface of the housing 10,
a right-side front panel 15a and a right-side rear panel 15b 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.
[0015] The front panel 16 is provided with a ventilation part 18 formed in a mesh shape
to allow passage of air.
[0016] A heat source side heat exchanger 20 and a blower device 21 are installed in the
blower chamber 12.
[0017] 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 plan
view of the housing 10 so as to face a side surface and a back surface of the housing
10.
[0018] For the heat source side heat exchanger 20, for example, a fin-tube heat exchanger
is used.
[0019] For the blower device 21, for example, an axial fan with a propeller-shaped impeller
is used. The blower device 21 is disposed such that an axial flow direction is directed
to the ventilation part 18.
[0020] Stored in the mechanical chamber 13 are various pieces of equipment, such as a compressor
22, a use side heat exchanger 23, and expansion means 24 (see FIG. 8), forming a refrigerant
circuit, and refrigerant piping 25 (see FIG. 8) connecting these pieces of equipment
to each other. For the use side heat exchanger 23, for example, a plate heat exchanger
is used. An upper portion of the partition plate 11 is cut out to enable installation
of an electrical equipment box 30. The electrical equipment box 30 is installed in
the cut-out part of the upper portion of the partition plate 11. The electrical equipment
box 30 is disposed across the mechanical chamber 13 and the blower chamber 12.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the use side heat exchanger 23. A plate heat
exchanger is shown as the use side heat exchanger 23. In the present embodiment, a
refrigerant and water are used as a heat medium.
[0022] In an upper portion and a lower portion of the use side heat exchanger 23, refrigerant
connection ports 40, 41, and water connection ports 42, 43 are provided side by side
in the left-right direction.
[0023] For example, in a case in which hot water is supplied from the heat pump cycle device
1, the refrigerant connection port 40 functions as a refrigerant inlet, the refrigerant
connection port 41 functions as a refrigerant outlet, the water connection port 43
functions as a water inlet, and the water connection port 42 functions as a water
outlet.
[0024] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, the
housing 10 has a cover member 50. The cover member 50 is mounted such that the cover
member 50 is in contact with an end portion of the heat source side heat exchanger
20 at one end, extends in the left-right direction of the housing 10, and is in contact
with the portion between the refrigerant connection ports 40, 41 and the water connection
ports 42, 43 of the use side heat exchanger 23 at another end.
[0025] In other words, the refrigerant connection ports 40, 41 of the use side heat exchanger
23 are located on the front side of the cover member 50, and the water connection
ports 42, 43 are located on the rear side of the cover member 50.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, an upper end of the cover member 50 is formed to be slightly
lower than an upper end of the heat source side heat exchanger 20. Consequently, a
ventilable space is formed between the upper end of the cover member 50 and a lower
surface of the top plate 17.
[0027] Further, a space allowing discharge of water is formed between a lower end of the
cover member 50 and the bottom plate 14 of the housing 10.
[1-1-2. Configuration of Refrigerant Circuit]
[0028] FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing the refrigerant circuit of the heat pump cycle
device 1 according to Embodiment 1.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 8, in the heat pump cycle device 1, 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 the predetermined refrigerant
piping 25 so as to form the refrigerant circuit.
[0030] Predetermined water supply piping 28 is connected to the use side heat exchanger
23, and heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant
circuit and water in the use side heat exchanger 23.
[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.
[1-2. Operation]
[0033] Next, an operation of the heat pump cycle device 1 configured as described above
will be described.
[0034] When the heat pump cycle device 1 is driven, the compressor 22 and the blower device
21 are operated.
[0035] Consequently, in a case in which 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. 8, 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, and the water
becomes hot water by receiving the heat of the refrigerant, and is supplied to a predetermined
location.
[0036] The refrigerant discharged from the use side heat exchanger 23 is decompressed by
the expansion means 24, is heat-exchanged by the heat source side heat exchanger 20
to be a gas refrigerant, and is returned again to the compressor 22.
[0037] Moreover, in a case in which cool water is used, by switching the four-way valve
27, the refrigerant flows as shown by the broken-line arrows in FIG. 8, is heat-exchanged
with outside air by the heat source side heat exchanger 20, is decompressed by the
expansion means 24, is sent to the use side heat exchanger 23 so as to cool the water
flowing through the water supply piping 28, and is then returned again to the compressor
22.
[0038] Here, the plate heat exchanger which is used as the use side heat exchanger 23 performs
heat exchange between the water and the compressed refrigerant to produce hot water
or cool water, and uses O-rings or the like to seal against water.
[0039] However, water leakage may occur due to deterioration of the seal over time. In the
heat pump cycle device using the flammable refrigerant, if the leaked water hits contacts
of electronic parts such as the compressor 22 and the four-way valve 27 in the mechanical
chamber 13, there is a high possibility of occurrence of sparks and explosion.
[0040] In the present embodiment, since the cover member 50 partitioning from the end portion
of the heat source side heat exchanger 20 to the water circuit of the use side heat
exchanger 23 is provided, it is possible to prevent the water leaked from the use
side heat exchanger 23 from hitting the contacts of the compressor 22 and the four-way
valve 27 in the mechanical chamber 13. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the
possibility of explosion, and improve safety.
[0041] Moreover, since the space is formed between the upper end of the cover member 50
and the lower surface of the top plate 17, it is possible to ensure ventilation between
the mechanical chamber 13 and the top plate 17.
[0042] Further, since the space allowing discharge of water is formed between the lower
end of the cover member 50 and the bottom plate 14 of the housing 10, water leaked
from the use side heat exchanger 23 can be discharged together with condensed water
produced in the mechanical chamber 13.
[0043] Furthermore, since the spaces are provided above and below the cover member 50, it
is possible to prevent the concentration of flammable gas inside the mechanical chamber
13 from increasing locally when the refrigerant leaks.
[1-3. Effects]
[0044] As described above, in the present embodiment, the outdoor unit 2 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 through the refrigerant piping 25, and using a flammable refrigerant;
the blower device 21 for circulating air through the heat source side heat exchanger
20; and the electrical equipment box 30, wherein the outdoor unit 2 has the cover
member 50 covering from an end portion of the heat source side heat exchanger 20 to
a portion between the refrigerant connection ports 40, 41 and the water connection
ports 42, 43 of the use side heat exchanger 23.
[0045] Consequently, it is possible to prevent water leaked from the use side heat exchanger
23 from hitting the contacts of the compressor 22 and the four-way valve 27 in the
mechanical chamber 13 by the cover member 50. Therefore, it is possible to reduce
the possibility of explosion, and improve safety.
[0046] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the outdoor unit 2 has a ventilable space between
the upper end of the cover member 50 and the top plate 17 of the housing 10.
[0047] Consequently, it is possible to ensure ventilation between the mechanical chamber
13 and the top plate 17.
[0048] Further, in the present embodiment, the outdoor unit 2 has a space allowing discharge
of water below the cover member 50.
[0049] Consequently, water leaked from the use side heat exchanger 23 can be discharged
together with condensed water produced in the mechanical chamber 13.
[0050] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a flammable refrigerant to be used in the
outdoor unit 2 is R32 or a mixed refrigerant containing 70 weight percent or more
of R32, or propane or a mixed refrigerant containing propane.
[0051] Consequently, even when a particularly combustible flammable refrigerant is used,
it is possible to prevent water leaked from the use side heat exchanger 23 from hitting
the contacts of the compressor 22 and the four-way valve 27 in the mechanical chamber
13 by the cover member 50, and it is possible to reduce the possibility of explosion,
and improve safety.
(Other Embodiments)
[0052] 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]
[0053] The above-described embodiments support the following configurations.
(Configuration 1)
[0054] An outdoor unit 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, wherein the outdoor unit has a cover member covering from an end portion
of the heat source side heat exchanger to a portion between a refrigerant connection
port and a water connection port of the use side heat exchanger.
[0055] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent water leaked from the
use side heat exchanger from hitting contacts of the compressor and a four-way valve
in a mechanical chamber by the cover member. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the
possibility of explosion, and improve safety.
(Configuration 2)
[0056] The outdoor unit according to configuration 1, wherein a ventilable space is provided
between an upper end of the cover member and a top plate of the housing.
[0057] According to this configuration, it is possible to ensure ventilation between the
mechanical chamber and the top plate.
(Configuration 3)
[0058] The outdoor unit according to configuration 1 or configuration 2, wherein a space
allowing discharge of water is provided under the cover member.
[0059] According to this configuration, water leaked in the use side heat exchanger can
be discharged together with condensed water produced in the mechanical chamber.
(Configuration 4)
[0060] The outdoor unit according to any one of configuration 1 to configuration 3, 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.
[0061] According to this configuration, even when a particularly combustible flammable refrigerant
is used, it is possible to prevent water leaked from the use side heat exchanger from
hitting the contacts of the compressor and the four-way valve in the mechanical chamber
by the cover member, and it is possible to reduce the possibility of explosion, and
improve safety.
(Configuration 5)
[0062] A heat pump cycle device including the outdoor unit according to any one of configuration
1 to configuration 4.
[0063] According to this configuration, since the heat pump cycle device has the outdoor
unit, it is possible to obtain the heat pump cycle device that can prevent water leaked
from the use side heat exchanger from hitting the contacts of the compressor and the
four-way valve in the mechanical chamber by the cover member, reduce the possibility
of explosion, and improve safety.
[0064] The present disclosure can be suitably used for a heat pump cycle device that can
prevent water leaked from a use side heat exchanger from hitting contacts of a compressor
and a four-way valve in a mechanical chamber, reduce the possibility of explosion,
and improve safety.
Reference Signs List
[0065]
- 1
- heat pump cycle device
- 10
- housing
- 11
- partition plate
- 12
- blower chamber
- 13
- mechanical chamber
- 14
- bottom plate
- 15a
- right-side front panel
- 15b
- right-side rear 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
- 27
- four-way valve
- 28
- water supply piping
- 30
- electrical equipment box
- 40, 41
- refrigerant connection port
- 42, 43
- water connection port
- 50
- cover member