Air conditioner and outdoor unit thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to an air conditioner and an outdoor unit thereof. The outdoor unit comprises a shell, a first heat exchanger, a pipeline part and an electric appliance box. The first heat exchanger is located in the shell. The pipeline part is located in the shell and located on the lower side of the first heat exchanger. The pipeline part comprises a pipeline shell and a refrigerant connecting part arranged in the pipeline shell. Combustible refrigerants are arranged in the first heat exchanger and the refrigerant connecting part, and the refrigerant connecting part is configured to enable the combustible refrigerants to flow through the first heat exchanger in a controlled mode. The electric appliance box is located in the shell and located on the upper side of the pipeline part. According to the outdoor unit, combustible refrigerants leaked from the refrigerant connecting part can be prevented from making contact with the electric appliance box, and the effect of reducing potential safety hazards is achieved. And the density of combustible refrigerants leaked from the refrigerant connecting part near the electric appliance box can be reduced, the explosion limit range is prevented from being reached, and the effect of reducing potential safety hazards is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of air handling equipment, and particularly to an air conditioner and its outdoor unit. Background Art

[0002] To meet environmental protection requirements, the refrigerant of the air conditioner needs to be free of Freon-like molecules, such as R290, etc. At the current stage, the refrigerant free of Freon-like molecules is usually flammable and explosive.

[0003] The outdoor unit of the air conditioner is provided with a housing, and the heat exchanger, the refrigerant connection part and the electrical components are all installed in the housing. When the flammable refrigerant leaks, the flammable refrigerant diffuses in the housing and is likely to stay near the electrical components. When the electrical components generate a spark, it may cause accidents such as combustion and explosion, posing a safety hazard. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above problems, the present invention is proposed to provide an air conditioner and its outdoor unit that can overcome or at least partially solve the above problems, aiming to solve the problem that when the flammable refrigerant leaks, it is easy to diffuse in the housing and stay near the electrical components, causing a safety hazard.

[0005] Specifically, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0006] An outdoor unit of an air conditioner, comprising a housing, a first heat exchanger, a pipeline part and an electrical box.

[0007] The first heat exchanger is inside the housing.

[0008] The pipeline part is inside the housing and is located below the first heat exchanger. The pipeline part includes a pipeline housing and a refrigerant connection part arranged in the pipeline housing. The first heat exchanger and the refrigerant connection part contain a flammable refrigerant, and the refrigerant connection part is configured to enable the flammable refrigerant to flow through the first heat exchanger in a controlled manner.

[0009] The electrical box is inside the housing and is located above the pipeline part.

[0010] Optionally, the outdoor unit further includes a partition member, which is fixedly connected inside the housing and divides the space inside the housing into an upper space and a lower space arranged vertically.

[0011] The first heat exchanger and the electrical box are in the upper space.

[0012] The pipeline part is in the lower space.

[0013] Optionally, the distance between the bottom surface of the electrical box and the partition member is greater than 1 / 2 of the height of the upper space.

[0014] Optionally, the partition member is horizontally arranged.

[0015] The partition member is a water receiving tray.

[0016] Optionally, the first heat exchanger is an air-cooled heat exchanger.

[0017] The outdoor unit further includes a heat exchange fan and a heat exchange port for connecting the upper space and the outside of the housing, and the heat exchange fan is located at the heat exchange port.

[0018] Optionally, the outdoor unit further includes a second heat exchanger, and the refrigerant connection portion is configured to circulate the flammable refrigerant between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger in a controlled manner.

[0019] The second heat exchanger is a water-cooled heat exchanger, and the second heat exchanger is located in the lower space.

[0020] Optionally, the pipeline portion is provided with diffusion holes communicating with the outside of the housing, and the diffusion holes are located at the bottom or side wall of the pipeline portion.

[0021] Optionally, the outdoor unit further includes an exhaust fan, and the exhaust fan is configured to discharge the gas in the pipeline housing through the diffusion holes.

[0022] Optionally, the exhaust fan is located in the pipeline housing and is driven by low voltage.

[0023] Optionally, the outdoor unit further includes a flammable refrigerant detector, and the flammable refrigerant detector is arranged in the pipeline housing and is located at the bottom of the pipeline housing.

[0024] On the other hand, the present invention also provides an air conditioner, which includes an indoor unit and the above-mentioned outdoor unit.

[0025] In the outdoor unit of the air conditioner of the present invention, by separately arranging the refrigerant connection portion that prompts the flammable refrigerant to flow through the first heat exchanger in a controlled manner in the pipeline housing, when the flammable refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant connection portion, the flammable refrigerant is restricted in the pipeline housing and will not diffuse in the entire housing space. It can prevent the flammable refrigerant leaked from the refrigerant connection portion from contacting the electrical box, achieving the effect of reducing potential safety hazards.

[0026] On the other hand, by arranging the electrical box on the upper side of the pipeline portion, even if the flammable refrigerant in the pipeline portion diffuses into the housing space, since the specific gravity of the flammable refrigerant is greater than that of air, the flammable refrigerant will deposit at the bottom of the housing space and is not easily diffused to the height of the electrical box. It can reduce the density of the flammable refrigerant leaked from the refrigerant connection portion near the electrical box and prevent reaching the explosion limit range, achieving the effect of reducing potential safety hazards.

[0027] Further, in the outdoor unit of the present invention, by providing a partition member that divides the space inside the housing into an upper space and a lower space, the electrical box is arranged in the upper space, and the pipeline part is arranged in the lower space, which can further prevent the combustible refrigerant leaked from the refrigerant connection part from contacting the electrical box, achieving the effect of further reducing potential safety hazards.

[0028] Further, in the outdoor unit of the present invention, by providing a heat exchange fan and a heat exchange port in the upper space, when a combustible refrigerant leaks from the first heat exchanger, the combustible refrigerant can be quickly discharged from the housing through the heat exchange fan and the heat exchanger, preventing the combustible refrigerant leaked from the first heat exchanger from staying and accumulating near the electrical box, achieving the effect of reducing potential safety hazards.

[0029] Further, in the outdoor unit of the present invention, the distance between the bottom surface of the electrical box and the partition member is greater than 1 / 2 of the height of the upper space, that is, the electrical box is located above the central plane of the upper space. When a combustible refrigerant leaks from the first heat exchanger, the combustible refrigerant will deposit at the bottom of the housing space and is not easily diffused to the height of the electrical box. It can reduce the density of the combustible refrigerant leaked from the first heat exchanger near the electrical box, preventing it from reaching the explosion limit range, achieving the effect of reducing potential safety hazards.

[0030] Therefore, from the following detailed description of the specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will more clearly understand the above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Some specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in an exemplary but not restrictive manner. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar components or parts. Those skilled in the art should understand that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an outdoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of an outdoor unit according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of an outdoor unit according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 4 is a schematic front view of an outdoor unit according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS:

[0037] 100, housing; 200, first heat exchanger;

[0038] 300, Pipeline section; 310, Pipeline housing; 320, Refrigerant connection section; 321, Refrigerant pipeline; 322, Compressor; 323, Four-way valve; 324, Throttling device; 330, Diffusion hole; 340, Exhaust fan;

[0039] 400, Electric control box; 500, Partition member; 510, Upper space; 520, Lower space; 610, Heat exchange fan; 620, Heat exchange opening;

[0040] 700, Second heat exchanger; 710, Second side inlet; 720, Second side outlet; 800, Combustible refrigerant detector. Detailed implementation manners

[0041] The following will refer to Figures 1 to 4 to describe the air conditioner and its outdoor unit according to the embodiments of the present invention. Among them, the orientation or positional relationship indicated by "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "lateral", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation to the present invention.

[0042] The terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features, that is, include one or more of such features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "a plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined. When a certain feature "includes or contains" a certain or certain features it covers, unless otherwise specifically described, this indicates that other features are not excluded and other features may be further included.

[0043] Unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "arranged", "installed", "connected", "coupled", "fixed", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and may be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly limited. Those of ordinary skill in the art should be able to understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention according to specific circumstances.

[0044] In addition, in the description of this embodiment, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features not being in direct contact but being in contact through additional features therebetween. That is, in the description of this embodiment, the first feature being "above", "over", and "on top of" the second feature includes the first feature being directly above and diagonally above the second feature, or merely indicates that the first feature has a higher horizontal height than the second feature. The first feature being "below", "beneath", or "under" the second feature may be that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or merely indicates that the first feature has a lower horizontal height than the second feature.

[0045] In the description of this embodiment, the description referring to terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "schematic embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic descriptions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0046] Traditional refrigerants contain Freon-like molecules, such as R22, whose chemical composition is chlorodifluoromethane. It does not burn, does not explode, has very low toxicity, and has a relatively high safety level. However, it will deplete the ozone layer, so it is not suitable for long-term use and will soon be completely phased out.

[0047] Refrigerants without Freon-like molecules, such as R290, whose chemical composition is propane, have very low toxicity. R290 does not deplete the ozone layer and has a very small promoting effect on global warming. R290 belongs to natural organic matter, can be directly obtained from liquefied petroleum gas, and has a low price. R290 has good thermal performance, a large latent heat of vaporization, a small refrigerant charge in the system, and the exhaust gas temperature under the same working conditions can be 20°C lower than that of R22, which is beneficial to extending the service life of the compressor. The above advantages make R290 a better choice for replacing R22 currently and in the future.

[0048] However, R290 is flammable and has a lower safety level than R22. The explosion limit of R290 is 2.1%-10.0%, and the explosion point is relatively low. How to prevent the refrigerant without Freon-like molecules from burning or exploding and reduce potential safety hazards has always been an urgent problem in this field.

[0049] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of an outdoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to Figure 1 and in combination with Figures 2 - 4 An embodiment of the present invention provides an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, including a housing 100, a first heat exchanger 200, a pipeline part 300, and an electrical box 400.

[0050] The first heat exchanger 200 is disposed within the housing 100.

[0051] The pipeline section 300 is disposed within the housing 100 and below the first heat exchanger 200. The pipeline section 300 includes a pipeline housing 310 and a refrigerant connection section 320 disposed within the pipeline housing 310. The first heat exchanger 200 and the refrigerant connection section 320 contain a flammable refrigerant, and the refrigerant connection section 320 is configured to enable the flammable refrigerant to flow through the first heat exchanger 200 in a controlled manner.

[0052] The electrical control box 400 is disposed within the housing 100 and above the pipeline section 300.

[0053] In this embodiment, the air conditioner is a split-type air conditioner. The first heat exchanger 200 is disposed on the outdoor side and is used to obtain heat or cold from the outdoor side. The second heat exchanger 700 can be disposed on the outdoor side or on the indoor side. The flammable refrigerant circulates between the first heat exchanger 200 and the second heat exchanger 700 and is used to transfer the heat or cold obtained by the first heat exchanger 200 into the second heat exchanger 700.

[0054] The heat or cold on the outdoor side can come from ambient air, or from floor heating, groundwater, district heating, solar energy, or from energy storage devices, as long as it can perform heat exchange with the flammable refrigerant in the first heat exchanger.

[0055] When the second heat exchanger 700 is disposed on the indoor side, the flammable refrigerant can directly transfer the heat or cold of the first heat exchanger 200 to the interior.

[0056] When the second heat exchanger 700 is disposed on the outdoor side, the air conditioner can be a central air conditioning system. The flammable refrigerant can transfer the heat or cold of the first heat exchanger 200 to the second heat exchanger 700, and then a second working fluid can transfer the heat or cold of the second heat exchanger 700 to the equipment on the indoor side. The second working fluid can be air, water, oil, etc., and the equipment on the indoor side can be a third heat exchanger, etc.

[0057] Exemplarily, the first heat exchanger 200 is a condenser and can absorb the cold from ambient air, the second heat exchanger 700 is an evaporator, and the second heat exchanger 700 is disposed on the indoor side.

[0058] The refrigerant connection section 320 can include a refrigerant pipeline 321, a compressor 322, a four-way valve 323, a throttling device 324, etc., for promoting heat exchange of the flammable refrigerant within the first heat exchanger 200 and the second heat exchanger 700. The refrigerant connection section 320 can also include a gas-liquid separator, a liquid storage tank, etc.

[0059] For an outdoor unit with the second heat exchanger 700 installed on the indoor side, the positions where combustible refrigerant may leak are mainly the first heat exchanger 200 and the refrigerant connection part 320. Since there are many valves, pipe joints, etc. in the refrigerant connection part 320, combustible refrigerant is more likely to leak in the refrigerant connection part 320, and then diffuse and stay near the electrical components, forming a safety hazard.

[0060] In this embodiment, to solve the above problems, a pipeline housing 310 is provided, and the components in the refrigerant connection part 320 that are prone to leakage are arranged inside the pipeline housing 310. When combustible refrigerant leaks in the refrigerant connection part 320, the combustible refrigerant is confined within the pipeline housing 310 and will not diffuse throughout the space of the housing 100. It can prevent the combustible refrigerant leaked from the refrigerant connection part 320 from contacting the electrical box 400, achieving the effect of reducing safety hazards.

[0061] On the other hand, the specific gravity of molecules without freon is usually greater than that of air, and under the action of gravity, it will deposit at the bottom of the space. For example, the specific gravity of R290 is about 1.5 times that of air. By arranging the electrical box 400 above the pipeline part 300, even if the combustible refrigerant in the pipeline part 300 diffuses into the space of the housing 100, the combustible refrigerant will deposit at the bottom of the space of the housing 100 and is not easily diffused to the height of the electrical box 400. It can reduce the density of the combustible refrigerant leaked from the refrigerant connection part 320 near the electrical box 400 and prevent it from reaching the explosion limit range, achieving the effect of reducing safety hazards.

[0062] In some embodiments of the outdoor unit of the present invention, as Figures 1 - 3 shown, the outdoor unit further includes a partition member 500, the partition member 500 is fixedly connected inside the housing 100, and divides the space inside the housing 100 into an upper space 510 and a lower space 520 arranged vertically.

[0063] The first heat exchanger 200 and the electrical box 400 are located in the upper space 510. The pipeline part 300 is located in the lower space 520.

[0064] In this embodiment, the space inside the housing 100 is divided into an upper space 510 and a lower space 520 by the partition member 500. The upper space 510 and the lower space 520 can be relatively sealed or can be limitedly communicated.

[0065] The partition member 500 can be a partition board, a water receiving tray, etc. The partition member 500 can be arranged horizontally or can be arranged slightly inclined, which is not limited here. The partition member 500 itself can be in a flat shape or can be in a curved shape, and can be set according to actual needs.

[0066] By providing the partition member 500, the upper space 510 and the lower space 520 are relatively partitioned or in limited communication. In this way, when a combustible refrigerant leaks from the pipeline section 300, the combustible refrigerant will be in the lower space 520 and cannot or is not easily diffused into the upper space 510 in a large amount, preventing the combustible refrigerant leaked from the refrigerant connection section 320 from contacting the electrical box 400, achieving the effect of reducing potential safety hazards.

[0067] On the other hand, since the specific gravity of the combustible refrigerant is relatively large, it can further limit the upward penetration of the combustible refrigerant through the partition member 500 into the upper space 510.

[0068] In some embodiments of the outdoor unit of the present invention, as Figure 4 shown, the distance H1 between the bottom surface of the electrical box 400 and the partition member 500 is greater than 1 / 2 of the height H2 of the upper space 510.

[0069] In this embodiment, the electrical box 400 is above the central plane in the height direction of the upper space 510. In this way, when a combustible refrigerant leaks from the first heat exchanger 200, under the action of gravity, the combustible refrigerant will deposit at the bottom of the upper space 510 and is not easily diffused to the height of the electrical box 400. It can reduce the density of the combustible refrigerant leaked from the first heat exchanger 200 near the electrical box 400 and prevent reaching the explosion limit range, achieving the effect of reducing potential safety hazards.

[0070] In this embodiment, the electrical box 400 can be vertically arranged or horizontally arranged, which is not limited here.

[0071] Preferably, the distance H1 between the bottom surface of the electrical box 400 and the partition member 500 is greater than 2 / 3 of the height H2 of the upper space 510, so as to further reduce the density of the combustible refrigerant leaked from the first heat exchanger 200 near the electrical box 400 and prevent reaching the explosion limit range, achieving the effect of reducing potential safety hazards.

[0072] Preferably, the electrical box 400 is horizontally arranged, and the upper end of the electrical box 400 is in contact with or in clearance fit with the top plate of the housing 100. On the one hand, it makes the electrical box 400 as much as possible at the upper end of the upper space 510, and on the other hand, it is convenient for the electrical box 400 to dissipate heat upward through the top plate of the housing 100.

[0073] In some embodiments of the outdoor unit of the present invention, as Figure 4 shown, the partition member 500 is horizontally arranged. The partition member 500 is a water receiving tray.

[0074] In this embodiment, there is no special partition member 500 for partitioning the upper and lower spaces in the housing 100, but the water receiving tray is used as the partition member 500. It serves two purposes, which not only saves costs but also reduces space occupancy.

[0075] The water receiving tray is horizontally arranged as a whole and is located below the first heat exchanger 200 to accommodate the condensed water flowing down from the first heat exchanger 200.

[0076] It should be understood that the bottom of the water receiving tray can be inclined or conical at the bottom to facilitate the setting of a drain hole at the lowest point of the bottom.

[0077] In some embodiments of the outdoor unit of the present invention, as Figure 2 shown, the first heat exchanger 200 is an air-cooled heat exchanger.

[0078] The outdoor unit further includes a heat exchange fan 610 and a heat exchange port 620 for connecting the upper space 510 and the outside of the housing 100. The heat exchange fan 610 is located at the heat exchange port 620.

[0079] In this embodiment, the first heat exchanger 200 is an air-cooled heat exchanger, or a gas-liquid heat exchanger, which is used to absorb the heat or cold in the ambient air around the outdoor unit and transfer the heat or cold to the refrigerant. For example, plate heat exchangers, finned heat exchangers, etc.

[0080] The heat exchange port 620 is opened at the top of the upper space 510, or can also be arranged on the side wall of the upper space 510, which is not limited here. The heat exchange port 620 is used to introduce or discharge the ambient air outside the housing 100, so that the ambient air contacts the first heat exchanger 200 and exchanges heat.

[0081] The heat exchange fan 610 can be an axial flow fan, a centrifugal fan, etc., which is used to prompt the ambient air to quickly flow through the first heat exchanger 200, exchange heat, and then quickly blow out of the housing 100.

[0082] By arranging the heat exchange fan 610 and the heat exchange port 620 in the upper space 510, when a combustible refrigerant leaks from the first heat exchanger 200, the combustible refrigerant can quickly be discharged from the housing 100 through the heat exchange fan 610 and the heat exchanger, preventing the combustible refrigerant leaked from the first heat exchanger 200 from staying and accumulating near the electrical box 400, achieving the effect of reducing potential safety hazards.

[0083] In some embodiments of the outdoor unit of the present invention, as Figure 2 shown, the outdoor unit further includes a second heat exchanger 700, and the refrigerant connection part 320 is configured to make the combustible refrigerant circulate between the first heat exchanger 200 and the second heat exchanger 700 in a controlled manner.

[0084] The second heat exchanger 700 is a water-cooled heat exchanger, and the second heat exchanger 700 is located in the lower space 520.

[0085] In this embodiment, the air conditioner is a central air-conditioning system, and the second heat exchanger 700 is a water-cooled heat exchanger, or a liquid-liquid heat exchanger.

[0086] The second heat exchanger 700 is used to transfer the heat or cold in the combustible refrigerant to the second working medium, and the second working medium transfers it to the indoor-side equipment. The second heat exchanger 700 can be a plate heat exchanger, a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, a double-pipe heat exchanger, etc.

[0087] Exemplarily, the combustible refrigerant is on the first side of the second heat exchanger 700, and the second working medium is on the second side of the second heat exchanger 700. The second working medium flows into the second side of the second heat exchanger 700 from the second-side inlet 710. After exchanging heat with the combustible refrigerant on the first side, it flows out from the second-side outlet 720 and enters the indoor side.

[0088] The second heat exchanger 700 is located in the lower space 520 to block the heat transfer other than the combustible refrigerant between it and the first heat exchanger 200. Thus, when a leakage of the combustible refrigerant occurs in the second heat exchanger 700, the combustible refrigerant is confined in the lower space 520 and will not come into contact with the upper space 510 where it diffuses. It can prevent the combustible refrigerant leaked from the second heat exchanger 700 from contacting the electrical box 400, achieving the effect of reducing potential safety hazards.

[0089] In particular, by arranging the second heat exchanger 700 in the housing, all the combustible refrigerant is on the outdoor side and will not enter the indoor side. Thus, even if a leakage of the combustible refrigerant occurs and combustion or explosion takes place, it will only occur outdoors and will not affect the safety of indoor users.

[0090] In some embodiments of the outdoor unit of the present invention, as Figure 2 shown, the second heat exchanger 700 is a water-cooled heat exchanger and is located outside the pipeline housing 310.

[0091] Thus, it can avoid heat transfer other than the combustible refrigerant between the second heat exchanger 700 and the refrigerant connection part 320, preventing the heat exchange efficiency of the second heat exchanger 700 from being affected or the heat dissipation efficiency of the refrigerant connection part 320 from being affected.

[0092] In some embodiments of the outdoor unit of the present invention, as Figure 3 shown, the pipeline part 300 is provided with diffusion holes 330 communicating with the outside of the housing 100, and the diffusion holes 330 are on the bottom or side wall of the pipeline part 300.

[0093] The diffusion holes 330 are used to discharge the air in the pipeline housing 310. Especially when a leakage of the combustible refrigerant occurs at the refrigerant connection part 320, the combustible refrigerant can be discharged to the outside of the housing 100 to prevent it from staying in the pipeline housing 310 or in the housing 100.

[0094] The diffusion holes 330 are on the bottom or side wall of the pipeline part 300, which is convenient for timely discharging the relatively heavy combustible refrigerant to the outside of the housing 100.

[0095] It should be noted that some wall panels can be shared between the pipeline housing 310 and the housing 100, such as some side walls and bottom walls, and the diffusion holes 330 can be located on the shared wall panels.

[0096] Of course, the diffusion holes 330 can also be two connected holes located on the pipeline housing 310 and the housing 100.

[0097] On the other hand, components such as a compressor 322 are provided in the pipeline part 300, which will generate heat during operation. The diffusion holes 330 are also used to dissipate heat from the inside of the pipeline housing 310.

[0098] In some embodiments of the outdoor unit of the present invention, as Figure 3 shown, the outdoor unit further includes an exhaust fan 340, and the exhaust fan 340 is configured to discharge the gas in the pipeline housing 310 through the diffusion holes 330.

[0099] In this embodiment, the exhaust fan 340 is used to quickly discharge the air in the pipeline housing 310. Especially when a flammable refrigerant leaks at the refrigerant connection part 320, the flammable refrigerant can be quickly discharged outside the housing 100 to prevent it from staying in the pipeline housing 310 or in the housing 100.

[0100] In some embodiments of the outdoor unit of the present invention, as Figure 3 shown, the exhaust fan 340 is located inside the pipeline housing 310 and is driven by low-voltage electricity.

[0101] Compared with the upper space 510, the space inside the pipeline housing 310 is smaller, and an exhaust fan 340 with a smaller power can be used for exhausting air.

[0102] At the same time, by driving the exhaust fan 340 with low-voltage electricity, the probability of the exhaust fan 340 generating an electric spark during operation is relatively low. Even if a flammable refrigerant leaks at the refrigerant connection part 320, it will not cause combustion or explosion through the exhaust fan 340.

[0103] In some embodiments of the outdoor unit of the present invention, as Figure 3 shown, the outdoor unit further includes a flammable refrigerant detector 800, and the flammable refrigerant detector 800 is arranged inside the pipeline housing 310 and at the bottom of the pipeline housing 310.

[0104] The flammable refrigerant detector 800 is used to detect the concentration or content of the flammable refrigerant in the pipeline housing 310 to determine whether there is a leakage of the flammable refrigerant. If a leakage is detected, the exhaust fan 340 can be controlled to be turned on to quickly discharge the flammable refrigerant outside the housing 100 to prevent it from diffusing and staying in the pipeline housing 310 or the lower space 520, forming an installation hazard.

[0105] In this embodiment, since the combustible refrigerant has a relatively large specific gravity, when a leakage occurs, the concentration at the lower part is greater than that at the upper part. By arranging the combustible refrigerant detector 800 at the bottom of the pipeline housing 310, the leakage of the combustible refrigerant can be detected more sensitively or quickly.

[0106] In some embodiments of the air conditioner of the present invention, the air conditioner includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit according to any one of the above embodiments or a combination of embodiments.

[0107] The indoor unit and the outdoor unit are connected by lines and pipelines.

[0108] In some embodiments of the air conditioner of the present invention, the indoor unit may be provided with a second heat exchanger 700. The first heat exchanger 200 is used to obtain heat or cold from the outdoor ambient air. The refrigerant connection part 320 may include a refrigerant pipeline 321, a compressor 322, a four-way valve 323, a throttling device 324, etc., for promoting the circulation of the combustible refrigerant in the first heat exchanger 200 and the second heat exchanger 700.

[0109] The combustible refrigerant transfers the heat or cold obtained from the first heat exchanger 200 to the second heat exchanger 700, and the second heat exchanger 700 is used to supply the heat or cold to the indoor space.

[0110] In some embodiments of the air conditioner of the present invention, the outdoor unit may be provided with a first heat exchanger 200 and a second heat exchanger 700, and the indoor unit may be provided with a third heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger 200 is used to obtain heat or cold from the outdoor ambient air. The refrigerant connection part 320 may include a refrigerant pipeline 321, a compressor 322, a four-way valve 323, a throttling device 324, etc., for promoting the circulation of the combustible refrigerant in the first heat exchanger 200 and the second heat exchanger 700.

[0111] The combustible refrigerant transfers the heat or cold obtained from the first heat exchanger 200 to the second heat exchanger 700. The second heat exchanger 700 transfers the heat or cold to the second working medium, and the second working medium transfers the heat or cold to the third heat exchanger. The third heat exchanger is used to supply the heat or cold to the indoor space.

[0112] There are multiple exemplary embodiments of the present invention. However, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, many other variations or modifications that conform to the principles of the present invention can still be directly determined or derived based on the content disclosed in the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be understood and determined to cover all these other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. An outdoor unit of an air conditioner, characterized in that, Comprising: A housing; A first heat exchanger, which is disposed within the housing; A pipeline section, which is disposed within the housing and is located below the first heat exchanger; the pipeline section includes a pipeline housing and a refrigerant connection portion disposed within the pipeline housing; the first heat exchanger and the refrigerant connection portion contain a flammable refrigerant, and the refrigerant connection portion is configured to controllably flow the flammable refrigerant through the first heat exchanger; An electrical box, which is disposed within the housing and is located above the pipeline section.

2. The outdoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outdoor unit further includes a partition member, which is fixedly connected within the housing and divides the space within the housing into an upper space and a lower space arranged vertically; The first heat exchanger and the electrical box are located within the upper space; The pipeline section is located within the lower space.

3. The outdoor unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The distance between the bottom surface of the electrical box and the partition member is greater than 1 / 2 of the height of the upper space.

4. The outdoor unit according to claim 2, wherein The partition member is horizontally arranged; The partition member is a water receiving tray.

5. The outdoor unit according to claim 2, characterized in that The first heat exchanger is an air-cooled heat exchanger; The outdoor unit further includes a heat exchange fan and a heat exchange port for connecting the upper space and the exterior of the housing, and the heat exchange fan is located at the heat exchange port.

6. The outdoor unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The outdoor unit further includes a second heat exchanger, and the refrigerant connection portion is configured to controllably circulate the flammable refrigerant between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger; The second heat exchanger is a water-cooled heat exchanger, and the second heat exchanger is located within the lower space.

7. The outdoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pipeline section is provided with a diffusion hole communicating with the exterior of the housing, and the diffusion hole is located at the bottom or side wall of the pipeline section.

8. The outdoor unit according to claim 7, characterized in that, The outdoor unit further includes an exhaust fan, and the exhaust fan is configured to discharge the gas within the pipeline housing through the diffusion hole.

9. The outdoor unit according to claim 8, characterized in that, The exhaust fan is located within the pipeline housing and is driven by low voltage.

10. The outdoor unit according to claim 8, characterized in that, The outdoor unit further includes a flammable refrigerant detector, and the flammable refrigerant detector is disposed within the pipeline housing and is located at the bottom of the pipeline housing.

11. An air conditioner, characterized in that, Comprising an indoor unit and the outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1-10.

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