Outdoor unit of air conditioner

By designing the inflow and outflow holes of the bottom plate and vertical plate in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, and using the structure of flexible pipes and support plates, the problems of inconvenient connection and poor aesthetic appearance in the existing technology are solved, and flexible and convenient Connection method to adapt to heating needs in different areas.

CN119309253APending Publication Date: 2025-01-14LG ELECTRONICS INC
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202311322918.3
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-07-13
Filing Date
2023-10-12
Publication Date
2025-01-14

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The outdoor water pipe connector of existing heat-regenerative air conditioners is arranged on the side or back, which leads to inconvenient connection and poor aesthetic appearance. Especially in Europe, the connection parts of the hot water pipe for heating tend to extend vertically on the bottom surface, which increases the connection complexity and aesthetics. question.

Method used

An outdoor unit of an air conditioner is designed, which includes a bottom plate and a vertical plate, forming an inflow hole and an outflow hole. The water pipe unit is connected by a pump and a degasser. The inflow connector and the outflow connector are installed on the bottom plate or vertical plate to allow water. The pipe is connected on either side of the bottom and side surfaces, and the connection process is simplified by using flexible pipes and support plates.

Benefits of technology

It realizes flexible connection of water pipes, simplifies the installation and maintenance process, improves the convenience and aesthetics of connections, and adapts to the connection needs of different geographical areas.

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Abstract

An outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention comprises: a base plate in which an inflow hole and an outflow hole are formed; the compressor is arranged on the bottom plate; a heat storage tank in which a refrigerant flow path through which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows and a water flow path for exchanging heat with the refrigerant flowing along the refrigerant flow path are formed; a water piping unit connected to the heat storage tank; a pump for supplying water to the heat storage tank; a vertical plate defining at least one of a side surface and a back surface of the bottom plate and formed with an inflow hole and an outflow hole; and a degasser for removing air bubbles contained in the water passing through the heat storage tank, the water piping unit includes: a pump inflow pipe having one end connected to an inlet of the pump; a pump discharge pipe connecting an outlet of the pump and an inlet of the water flow path; a degasser inflow pipe connecting the outlet of the water flow path and the inlet of the degasser; one end part of the degasser discharge pipe is connected with the degasser outlet; the other end of the pump inflow pipe and the other end of the degasser discharge pipe may be connected to either one of the vertical plate and the bottom plate.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an outdoor unit of an air conditioner. Background Art

[0002] An air conditioner is a device that uses a refrigerant to cool or heat a room, and has a refrigerant circulation system consisting of a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator.

[0003] The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor and water exchange heat in a heat exchange device defined as a heat storage tank, thereby supplying warm water, and such an air conditioner is defined as a heat storage air conditioner (Air to Water heat pump). A heat storage air conditioner is a device that allows the refrigerant to absorb heat from the air through an evaporator, and after being converted into a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant by a compressor, the heat is re-dissipated through the water flowing into the heat storage tank. In other words, a heat storage air conditioner can be understood as a device that receives heat from the air, converts the received heat and the energy (compression heat) received from the compressor into a thermal energy form, and supplies it to water.

[0004] The heat storage air conditioner can be divided into an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit can accommodate a fan and a heat exchanger, and the outdoor unit can accommodate a fan, a heat exchanger, a compressor and a heat storage tank.

[0005] In the case of the outdoor unit of the conventional heat storage air conditioner including Korean Patent Publication No. 2022-0010865 (2022.01.27), a connector for connecting an inflow-side water pipe extending from a heating facility and connected to the heat storage tank and an outflow-side water pipe extending from the heat storage tank to the outside of the outdoor unit is provided on the side or back of the outdoor unit. Therefore, the inflow-side water pipe and the outflow-side water pipe are connected to the side or back of the outdoor unit.

[0006] Furthermore, since the inflow-side water pipe and the outflow-side water pipe connecting the connector and the heat storage tank are provided in the form of copper pipes, the degree of freedom in connecting the pipes is not high.

[0007] In contrast, in Europe, the trend is to prefer a structure in which the connection portion of the heating hot water pipe is set on the bottom surface rather than on the wall surface, that is, a structure in which the water pipe extends vertically from the bottom surface. Therefore, the outdoor unit of the prior art in which the water pipe connector is set on the side of the casing has the disadvantages of not only being difficult to connect the pipe but also being poor in appearance. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention is proposed to improve the above-mentioned problems.

[0009] The outdoor unit of the air conditioner of the embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose is characterized by comprising: a bottom plate formed with an inflow hole and an outflow hole; a compressor disposed on the bottom plate; a heat storage tank formed with a refrigerant flow path for the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and a water flow path for heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing along the refrigerant flow path; a water piping unit connected to the heat storage tank; a pump for supplying water to the heat storage tank; a vertical plate defining at least one of the side and back sides of the bottom plate and formed with an inflow hole and an outflow hole; and a deaerator for removing bubbles contained in the water passing through the heat storage tank; the water piping unit includes: a pump inlet pipe, one end of which is connected to the inlet of the pump; a pump outlet pipe, connecting the outlet of the pump with the inlet of the water flow path; a deaerator inlet pipe, connecting the outlet of the water flow path with the inlet of the deaerator; and a deaerator outlet pipe, one end of which is connected to the outlet of the deaerator; the other end of the pump inlet pipe and the other end of the deaerator outlet pipe can be connected to either side of the vertical plate and the bottom plate.

[0010] The outdoor unit of the air conditioner of the present invention further includes: an inflow connector connected to the other end of the pump inflow pipe; and an outflow connector connected to the other end of the deaerator discharge pipe.

[0011] It is characterized in that the inflow connector and the outflow connector are respectively installed on the inflow hole and the outflow hole of the bottom plate.

[0012] Alternatively, it is characterized in that the inflow connector and the outflow connector are respectively installed at the inflow hole and the outflow hole of the vertical plate.

[0013] The outdoor unit of the air conditioner of the present invention may further include a support plate standing upright at an edge of the bottom plate corresponding to the inner side of the vertical plate and supporting the inflow connector and the outflow connector.

[0014] It is characterized in that a mounting groove or a mounting hole for arranging the inflow connector and the outflow connector is formed on the support plate.

[0015] The pump inlet pipe and the degasser outlet pipe may include a flexible pipe, so that when one end of the pump inlet pipe and the degasser outlet pipe is respectively connected to the inlet of the pump and the outlet of the degasser, the other end can be selectively connected to either side of the vertical plate and the bottom plate.

[0016] It is characterized in that the shapes of the pump inlet pipe and the deaerator outlet pipe used when connected to the vertical plate are different from the shapes of the pump inlet pipe and the deaerator outlet pipe used when connected to the bottom plate.

[0017] The vertical plate includes at least one of a side cover forming a side of the outdoor unit and a back cover forming a back of the outdoor unit.

[0018] According to the outdoor unit of the air conditioner having the embodiment of the present invention constructed as described above, since the installation position of the water pipe connector can be selected on any side of the bottom portion and the side (including the back) of the outdoor unit casing, the heating or hot water water pipe can be easily connected to the pipe no matter where it extends through the floor or wall forming the indoor space, thereby having the advantage of facilitating the service work for installation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a front perspective view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a front perspective view of the outdoor unit with the heat storage tank removed.

[0021] Figure 3 It is a rear perspective view of the outdoor unit.

[0022] Figure 4 It is an enlarged perspective view of the outdoor unit showing the water pipe connection structure according to the first embodiment.

[0023] Figure 5 It is an enlarged perspective view of an outdoor unit showing a water pipe connection structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Hereinafter, the structure of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 This is a front perspective view of the outdoor unit with the heat storage tank removed. Figure 3 It is a rear perspective view of the outdoor unit.

[0026] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention includes: a base plate 11; a front plate 12, which is upright at the front end of the base plate 11; an orifice 13, which is combined with the front plate 12; a fan 15, which is arranged on the rear side of the orifice 13; and a heat exchanger 14, which is upright on the top surface of the base plate 11.

[0027] In detail, the outdoor unit 10 further includes a shielding member 16 erected on the top surface of the bottom plate 11 .

[0028] The shielding member 16 can be understood as a partition member that divides the upper space of the bottom plate 11 into a heat exchange space on the left and an electrical equipment space on the right. In addition, the heat exchanger 14 stands upright in the heat exchange space, bends and extends along the side end and rear end of the bottom plate 11, and defines the side and back sides of the heat exchange space.

[0029] One end of the front plate 12 may be combined with the front end of the heat exchanger 14 , and the other end may be combined with the front end of the shield 16 . The rear end of the shield 16 may be connected to the side end of the heat exchanger 14 .

[0030] The outdoor unit 10 may further include a compressor 19 standing on the top surface of the bottom plate 11 corresponding to the electrical component space, a heat storage tank 20 , and an operation box 17 provided in a space above the heat storage tank 20 .

[0031] The heat storage tank 20 may be arranged at a position separated from the compressor 19, and a flow path is provided inside the heat storage tank 20 so that the refrigerant and water can exchange heat without mixing. In addition, a refrigerant flow path and a water flow path are arranged inside the heat storage tank 20 in a manner that allows heat exchange, and heat is transferred from the refrigerant flowing along the refrigerant flow path to the water flowing along the water flow path. The refrigerant passing through the compressor 19 may flow into the heat storage tank 20 along the refrigerant piping. A water piping unit connected to the water flow path is connected to the heat storage tank 20, and the water piping unit will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] The refrigerant passing through the heat storage tank 20 is guided to the heat exchanger 14 along the refrigerant pipe. The refrigerant passing through the heat exchanger 14 is guided to the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit after passing through the expansion valve. The refrigerant passing through the outdoor unit returns to the compressor 19 after passing through the gas-liquid separator.

[0033] When the fan 15 rotates, external air flows into the outdoor unit 10 through short sides of the heat exchanger 14 forming a side surface of the outdoor unit 10 and long sides of the heat exchanger 14 forming a back surface of the outdoor unit 10 .

[0034] The air passing through the heat exchanger 14 flows from the back side to the front side of the fan 15 , and is discharged to the outside of the outdoor unit 10 after passing through the hole 13 .

[0035] A portion of the plurality of blades constituting the fan 15 is accommodated inside the hole 13 , so that the air forced to flow by the fan 15 passes through the entire hole 13 .

[0036] The outdoor unit 10 may further include: a heat dissipation pipe 18 extending from the operation box 17 to the heat exchange space; a top cover 21 defining the top surface of the outdoor unit 10; a rear cover 22 defining the back surface of the electrical installation space; a support plate 23 standing upright in front of the rear cover 22 and supporting a connector of the water distribution unit (described later); and a side plate 27 standing upright on the side end of the bottom plate 11.

[0037] The outdoor unit 10 may further include a pump 24 for supplying water to the heat storage tank 20 , and a deaerator 25 for removing air bubbles contained in the water passing through the heat storage tank 20 .

[0038] On the other hand, an inflow hole 221 and an outflow hole 222 are formed in the rear cover 22. The inflow hole 221 is coupled to an inflow connector 31, and the outflow hole 222 is coupled to an outflow connector 32.

[0039] Figure 4 It is an enlarged perspective view of the outdoor unit showing the water pipe connection structure according to the first embodiment.

[0040] Reference Figure 4 The bottom plate 11 may be formed with an inlet hole 111 and an outlet hole 112 .

[0041] Specifically, the heat storage tank 20 , the pump 24 , the deaerator 25 , and the water piping unit are disposed in the electrical equipment space corresponding to the lower side of the operation box 17 .

[0042] The water piping unit includes: a pump inlet pipe 33 connecting the inlet connector 31 and the inlet of the pump 24; a pump outlet pipe 34 connecting the outlet of the pump 24 and the inlet of the heat storage tank 20; a deaerator inlet pipe 35 connecting the outlet of the heat storage tank 20 and the inlet of the deaerator 25; and a deaerator outlet pipe 36 connecting the outlet of the deaerator 25 and the outflow connector 32.

[0043] The pipes constituting the water pipe unit include flexible pipes made of rubber or silicone material so as to be easily bent.

[0044] The inflow connector 31 and the outflow connector 32 penetrate the inflow hole 221 and the outflow hole 222 of the support plate 23 and the rear cover 22 to be exposed to the outside of the outdoor unit 10. In addition, both ends of the heating pipe arranged at the bottom of the installation space can be connected to the inflow connector 31 and the outflow connector 32.

[0045] Alternatively, an outlet of a water supply pipe extending from a water supply source or a water faucet is connected to the inflow connector 31 , and an inlet of a hot water pipe is connected to the outflow connector 32 , so that hot water can be supplied to a user.

[0046] An inflow connector placement portion 231 and an outflow connector placement portion 232 may be formed at the upper end of the support plate 23. The inflow connector 31 is installed in the inflow connector placement portion 231, and the outflow connector 32 is installed in the outflow connector placement portion 232. The inflow connector placement portion 231 and the outflow connector placement portion 232 may be provided in a hole form or a groove form.

[0047] Figure 5 It is an enlarged perspective view of an outdoor unit showing a water pipe connection structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Reference Figure 5 In the case where the connection ends of the heating pipe or the hot water pipe are formed on the floor rather than on the indoor wall, as shown in the figure, the inlet connector 31 and the outlet connector 32 can be connected to the inlet hole 111 and the outflow hole 112 formed on the bottom plate 11.

[0049] To this end, the pump inlet pipe 33 and the deaerator outlet pipe 36 are appropriately bent so that the inlet connector 31 and the outlet connector 32 face the bottom plate 11 .

[0050] The pump inlet pipe 33 and the deaerator outlet pipe 36 can be made of flexible pipes so as to be able to be bent, and a wall-mounted pipe kit and a floor-mounted pipe kit can be additionally provided so as to be able to use a kit that matches the position of the water piping connected to the inlet connector 31 and the outlet connector 32.

[0051] Specifically, the shapes of the pump inlet pipe 33 and the deaerator outlet pipe 36 constituting the wall surface installation pipe set may be made different from the shapes of the pump inlet pipe 33 and the deaerator outlet pipe 36 constituting the floor installation pipe set.

[0052] On the other hand, the inflow hole 221 and the outflow hole 222 may be formed in the side cover 27, whereby the support plate 23 may stand upright at the side end of the bottom plate 11. That is, the inflow connector 31 and the outflow connector 32 may be connected to any side of the bottom, side, and back of the outdoor unit 10. The side cover 27 and the rear cover 22 may be defined as vertical plates.

Claims

1. An outdoor unit of an air conditioner, characterized in that: include: A bottom plate formed with an inflow hole and an outflow hole; A compressor, disposed on the base plate; a heat storage tank having a refrigerant flow path and a water flow path formed therein, wherein the refrigerant flow path is for the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to flow, and the water flow path is for heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing along the refrigerant flow path; A water pipe unit connected to the heat storage tank; a pump for supplying water to the heat storage tank; a vertical plate defining at least one of the side and back sides of the bottom plate and formed with an inflow hole and an outflow hole; as well as a deaerator for removing air bubbles contained in water passing through the heat storage tank; The water piping unit comprises: A pump inlet pipe, one end of which is connected to the inlet of the pump; A pump discharge pipe connecting the outlet of the pump and the inlet of the water flow path; a degasser inlet pipe connecting the outlet of the water flow path and the inlet of the degasser; and A degasser discharge pipe, one end of which is connected to the outlet of the degasser; The other end of the pump inlet pipe and the other end of the degasser outlet pipe can be connected to any one side of the vertical plate and the bottom plate.

2. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: an inflow connector connected to the other end of the pump inflow pipe; The outflow connector is connected to the other end of the discharge tube of the degasser.

3. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inflow connector and the outflow connector are respectively mounted on the inflow hole and the outflow hole of the bottom plate.

4. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inflow connector and the outflow connector are respectively installed at the inflow hole and the outflow hole of the vertical plate.

5. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 4, characterized in that: A support plate is also included, which stands upright on an edge of the bottom plate corresponding to the inner side of the vertical plate and supports the inflow connector and the outflow connector.

6. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 5, characterized in that: The support plate is formed with mounting grooves or mounting holes for the inflow connector and the outflow connector to be mounted.

7. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pump inlet pipe and the degasser outlet pipe include flexible pipes, so that when one end of the pump inlet pipe and the degasser outlet pipe is respectively connected to the inlet of the pump and the outlet of the degasser, the other end can be selectively connected to either side of the vertical plate and the bottom plate.

8. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shapes of the pump inlet pipe and the deaerator outlet pipe used when connected to the vertical plate are different from those used when connected to the bottom plate.

9. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vertical plate includes at least one of a side cover forming a side of the outdoor unit and a back cover forming a back of the outdoor unit.