Heat source machine

Abstract

A heat source machine according to an embodiment is provided with: an air heat exchange unit that exchanges heat with air; and an icicle suppression part for suppressing the generation of icicles in the air heat exchange part, the icicle suppression part having an opposing part that opposes a corner part of the air heat exchange part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a heat source machine including an air heat exchange unit that exchanges heat with air. Background Art

[0002] For example, the heat source machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an air heat exchange unit that exchanges heat with air.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: WO 2019 / 012619 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, in the heat source machine, as the air heat exchange unit operates as a cooler, frost accumulates on the air heat exchange unit. Therefore, in the heat source machine, for example, a defrost operation is performed to remove the frost attached to the air heat exchange unit. In the defrost operation, for example, the air heat exchange unit operates as a heater, thereby melting and removing the frost attached to the air heat exchange unit.

[0008] However, when the defrost water generated by the defrost operation remains on the air heat exchange unit, the water freezes again, and so-called "icicles" and "ice blocks" are generated below the air heat exchange unit, and there are problems such as these "icicles" and "ice blocks" blocking between the air heat exchange unit and a drain pan located below the air heat exchange unit.

[0009] Therefore, the present embodiment provides a heat source machine capable of suppressing the generation of "icicles" and "ice blocks" in the air heat exchange unit.

[0010] Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] The heat source machine of the present embodiment includes: an air heat exchange unit heat source machine that exchanges heat with air; and an icicle suppression unit that suppresses the generation of icicles and ice blocks in the air heat exchange unit, and the icicle suppression unit has an opposing portion that opposes a corner portion of the air heat exchange unit. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] Figure 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the heat source machine of the present embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a corner portion of the air heat exchange unit of the present embodiment and its peripheral portion.

[0014] Figure 3This is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a baffle plate according to the present embodiment.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of an icicle suppression member according to the present embodiment.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a diagram schematically showing an example of the flow of water according to the present embodiment.

[0017] Figure 6 This is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a corner portion and its peripheral portion of an air heat exchange section of a comparative example according to the present embodiment. Detailed Embodiment

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a heat source machine will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 The exemplified heat source machine 1 is, for example, called a "chiller" or the like, and in this case, it is configured as an air-cooled heat pump type refrigeration unit. The heat source machine 1 can generate warm water for heating a temperature control object (not shown). In addition, the heat source machine 1 can generate cold water for cooling a temperature control object (not shown).

[0019] The heat source machine 1 includes an air heat exchange section 3 configured to be able to perform heat exchange with the air blown by the blower fan 2. As is well known, the air heat exchange section 3 is a configuration in which refrigerant pipes are combined on a plurality of fins.

[0020] The air heat exchange section 3 together with a compressor, an expansion valve, a water heat exchanger, an accumulator, a switching valve, etc. (not shown) provided in the machine section 4 constructs a well-known refrigeration cycle unit. The operation mode of the refrigeration cycle unit can be switched between a heating mode and a cooling mode. The switching of the operation mode of the refrigeration cycle unit can be controlled by switching the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipes of the refrigeration cycle unit to the reverse direction by using a switching valve.

[0021] When the refrigeration cycle unit is switched to the heating mode, the air heat exchange section 3 operates as a cooler. In contrast, the water heat exchanger operating as a heater heats the water as a heat medium and supplies warm water to the temperature control object. On the other hand, when the refrigeration cycle unit is switched to the cooling mode, the air heat exchange section 3 operates as a heater. In contrast, the water heat exchanger operating as a cooler cools the water as a heat medium and supplies cold water to the temperature control object.

[0022] As Figure 2 exemplified, the air heat exchange section 3 is supported from below by a baffle plate 5 provided in the upper part of the machine section 4. The baffle plate 5 is an example of a support portion and is made of, for example, a metal plate.

[0023] As Figure 3 shown in the figure, the baffle 5 has a supporting portion 5a that supports the air heat exchange portion 3 and an extending and protruding portion 5b that extends and protrudes from the end of the supporting portion 5a. The supporting portion 5a forms an inclined surface with respect to the horizontal plane. Therefore, the air heat exchange portion 3 supported by the supporting portion 5a is arranged in a state inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. In addition, the supporting portion 5a is configured not to contact the entire area of the lower end of the air heat exchange portion 3, but not to contact a specified range including the corner K of the air heat exchange portion 3. That is, there is an unenclosed area at the lower end of the air heat exchange portion 3 that is not enclosed by the supporting portion 5a. Therefore, the air permeability below the air heat exchange portion 3 can be ensured through such an unobstructed area. In addition, good drainage can be ensured without hindering the drainage from the air heat exchange portion 3 or the flow of the defrosting water described later.

[0024] The extending and protruding portion 5b includes a base portion 5b1 and a front end portion 5b2. The base portion 5b1 extends obliquely downward from the end of the supporting portion 5a. The front end portion 5b2 is bent at a substantially right angle from the lower end of the base portion 5b1. In addition, the extending and protruding portion 5b is provided with a plurality of drainage holes 5b3 on the lower end side and the upper end side of the front end portion 5b2.

[0025] As Figure 2 illustrated, the front end portion 5b2 of the baffle 5 becomes the portion that faces the corner K of the air heat exchange portion 3 from below in the baffle 5. The front end portion 5b2 of the baffle 5 is separated from the corner K of the air heat exchange portion 3 by a specified distance D1. The specified distance D1 can be appropriately changed, for example, within the range of 20 mm to 40 mm for implementation.

[0026] However, when the refrigeration cycle unit is driven in the heating mode in the heat source machine 1, the air heat exchange portion 3 operates as a cooler, so frost accumulates on the air heat exchange portion 3. Therefore, the heat source machine 1 is configured to be able to perform a defrosting operation to melt and remove the frost attached to the air heat exchange portion 3. In addition, the defrosting operation can be performed, for example, by driving the refrigeration cycle unit in the same manner as in the cooling mode to make the air heat exchange portion 3 operate as a heater. At this time, for example, the air supply fan 2 is set to a stopped state or the like, and air is not supplied to the air heat exchange portion 3.

[0027] In addition, for example, when the refrigeration cycle unit is driven in the cooling mode after being driven in the heating mode, the frost attached to the air heat exchange portion 3 during the heating mode melts to generate water, that is, water that can become "icicles" or "ice cubes" in the same way as defrosting water.

[0028] Thus, since the air heat exchange section 3 is arranged in an inclined state, the water generated from the air heat exchange section 3 drips concentratedly from its corner K. Therefore, when water remains at the corner K of the air heat exchange section 3, there is a problem that the water freezes again to generate so-called "icicles" and "ice cubes".

[0029] Therefore, in the heat source machine 1 of the present disclosure, innovative research has been carried out to suppress the generation of such "icicles" and the like. Next, this will be described in detail. That is, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 illustrated, the heat source machine 1 is provided with an icicle suppression member 100 below the corner K of the air heat exchange section 3. The icicle suppression member 100 is an example of an icicle suppression section and is composed of, for example, a metal plate.

[0030] As Figure 4 shown, the icicle suppression member 100 integrally includes a base portion 101, an opposing portion 102, and an intermediate portion 103. The base portion 101 is firmly attached to the base 5b1 of the baffle 5 by welding or the like, for example. The opposing portion 102 opposes the corner K of the air heat exchange section 3 from below. The intermediate portion 103 connects between the base portion 101 and the opposing portion 102.

[0031] In addition, the icicle suppression member 100 is provided with a plurality of drain holes 104 on the lower end side and the upper end side of the intermediate portion 103.

[0032] As Figure 2 illustrated, the opposing portion 102 of the icicle suppression member 100 is separated from the corner K of the air heat exchange section 3 by a specified distance D2. The specified distance D2 can be appropriately changed, for example, within the range of 1 mm to 6 mm. In addition, as the size of general water droplets, for example, 1 mm to 6 mm is assumed. Therefore, the specified distance D2 can be appropriately changed in consideration of the size of generally assumed water droplets. In addition, the corner K of the air heat exchange section 3 may exist not as a single point but have a certain range. That is, the corner K can be defined as an area within or slightly exceeding the range not exceeding the size of generally assumed water droplets. Therefore, the corner K of the air heat exchange section 3 can also be, for example, as Figure 2 illustrated by the fan-shaped region R in

[0033] In addition, the opposing portion 102 of the icicle suppression member 100 is inclined at an acute angle A with respect to the vertical direction. More preferably, by setting the acute angle A within the range of -60° to +60° with respect to the vertical direction, the drainage to the lower side of the air heat exchange section 3 can be made better.

[0034] According to the heat source machine 1 configured in this way, for example, water generated from the air heat exchange unit 3 through defrosting operation or the like is concentrated at the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3. Then, the water reaching the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 flows downward as shown by the arrow F1 in Figure 5 to the opposing portion 102 of the icicle suppression member 100 opposing the corner K.

[0035] Here, as described above, the opposing portion 102 of the icicle suppression member 100 is separated from the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 by a predetermined distance D2. Therefore, not only the self-weight of the water, but also the surface tension and capillary action of the water play a role, and the water easily moves from the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 to the opposing portion 102. As a result, the water is less likely to remain in the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3, and further, "icicles" and "ice blocks" are less likely to be generated at the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3. That is, the opposing portion 102 is disposed below the air heat exchange unit 3 and has a front end portion opposing the corner of the air heat exchange unit 3. When the opposing portion 102 comes into contact with water droplets such as defrosting water, it functions to promote drainage through surface tension and capillary action.

[0036] In addition, the water that moves from the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 to the outer side surface of the opposing portion 102 flows directly along the intermediate portion 103 that slopes downward vertically as it moves away from the opposing portion 102 and the base portion 101 that extends and protrudes downward compared to the intermediate portion 103, as exemplified by the arrow F2 in Figure 5 to reach the extended protruding portion 5b of the baffle 5. In addition, the water that moves from the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 to the inner side surface of the opposing portion 102 reaches the extended protruding portion 5b of the baffle 5 through the drain hole 104, as exemplified by the arrow F3 in Figure 5

[0037] Then, the water reaching the extended protruding portion 5b of the baffle 5 flows into the drain pan 6 provided at the lower portion of the baffle 5 through the drain hole 5b3, as exemplified by the arrow F4 in Figure 5

[0038] According to the heat source machine 1 exemplified above, the icicle suppression member 100 has an opposing portion 102 that opposes the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 from below. According to this configuration example, the water easily moves from the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 to the opposing portion 102, and the retention of water in the air heat exchange unit 3 can be suppressed, and further, the generation of "icicles" and "ice blocks" in the air heat exchange unit 3 can be suppressed.

[0039] In addition, in Figure 6 ​​In this case, a configuration in which the sheet metal Z that does not face the corner K is illustrated as a comparative example. In the configuration of the comparative example, the front end portion Za of the baffle Z does not face the corner K of the air heat exchange portion 3. Here, a configuration in which the front end portion Za of the baffle Z is separated from the corner K by 10 mm or more is illustrated. Therefore, it is a configuration in which water hardly moves from the corner K of the air heat exchange portion 3 to the sheet metal Z, and water easily remains at the corner K of the air heat exchange portion 3. The water remaining at the corner K of the air heat exchange portion 3 freezes again to generate an "icicle T" and "ice cubes".

[0040] In addition, according to the heat source machine 1, the front end portion 5b2 of the baffle 5 that faces the corner K of the air heat exchange portion 3 is separated from the corner K of the air heat exchange portion 3 by a specified distance D1. According to this configuration example, even if water drips from the corner K of the air heat exchange portion 3 or the facing portion 102 of the icicle suppression member 100, it is possible to suppress the baffle 5 from being wetted by the water, particularly the front end portion 5b2 portion. In addition, a space for arranging the icicle suppression member 100 can be reasonably ensured between the corner K of the air heat exchange portion 3 and the front end portion 5b2 of the baffle 5.

[0041] In addition, according to the heat source machine 1, the facing portion 102 of the icicle suppression member 100 is separated from the corner K of the air heat exchange portion 3 by a specified distance D2. Moreover, as described above, the specified distance D2 is set in consideration of the size of water droplets generally assumed. Thereby, not only by the self-weight of water, but also by the surface tension and capillary action of the water, it is possible to promote the movement of water from the corner K of the air heat exchange portion 3 to the facing portion 102. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the remaining of water at the corner K of the air heat exchange portion 3, and further suppress the generation of "icicles" and "ice cubes" at the corner K of the air heat exchange portion 3.

[0042] In addition, according to the heat source machine 1, the facing portion 102 of the icicle suppression member 100 is inclined at an acute angle A with respect to the vertical direction. According to this configuration example, the facing portion 102 becomes a state as close to vertical as possible, and water easily flows downward in the facing portion 102. Thereby, it is possible to further promote the movement of water from the corner K of the air heat exchange portion 3 via the facing portion 102. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the remaining of water at the corner K of the air heat exchange portion 3, and further suppress the generation of "icicles" and "ice cubes" at the corner K of the air heat exchange portion 3. In addition, the facing portion 102 may be arranged in a state along the vertical direction, that is, in a vertical state.

[0043] In addition, the heat source machine 1 is configured such that the air heat exchange unit 3 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane and the lower end of the air heat exchange unit 3 is inclined. Therefore, it is configured such that water easily accumulates and remains at its corner K, which is the lowest part in the air heat exchange unit 3. The present disclosure is applicable to such a configuration in which water easily remains at the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3. In addition, the present disclosure can be applied not only to a configuration in which the air heat exchange unit 3 is arranged in an inclined state with respect to the horizontal plane, but also to a configuration in which the air heat exchange unit 3 is arranged in a non-inclined state with respect to the horizontal plane, that is, a horizontal state.

[0044] The present embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes, expansions, etc. can be made without departing from the gist thereof. For example, as long as the icicle suppression member 100 has a facing portion 102 facing the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3, the shapes, sizes, etc. of each part can be appropriately changed and implemented. In addition, as long as the baffle 5 can support the air heat exchange unit 3, the shapes, sizes, etc. of each part can be appropriately changed and implemented. In addition, the specified distances D1 and D2 can be implemented by appropriately changing their lengths. Specifically, as long as the length relationship of "D1 > D2" is maintained for the specified distances D1 and D2, their lengths can be appropriately changed and implemented.

[0045] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these embodiments are merely presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, changes, etc. can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments, their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Claims

1. A heat source machine, comprising: an air heat exchange unit for exchanging heat with air; and an icicle suppression unit for suppressing the generation of icicles in the air heat exchange unit, The icicle suppression portion includes an opposing portion that opposes a corner portion of the air heat exchange portion.

2. The heat source machine according to claim 1, further comprising a support portion that supports the air heat exchange portion, A portion of the support portion that faces a corner portion of the air heat exchange portion is spaced a predetermined distance from the air heat exchange portion.

3. The heat source machine according to claim 1, The facing portion is separated from a corner portion of the air heat exchange portion by a predetermined distance.

4. The heat source machine according to claim 1, The facing portion is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the up-down direction.

5. The heat source machine according to claim 1, The air heat exchange portion is inclined relative to a horizontal plane.

6. A heat source machine, comprising: an air heat exchange unit for exchanging heat with air; and The opposing portion is disposed below the air heat exchange portion and has a front end opposing a corner portion of the air heat exchange portion.

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