Electric box cooling structure, outdoor unit and air conditioner

Abstract

The utility model provides an electric appliance box cooling structure, outdoor unit and air conditioner, wherein the electric appliance box cooling structure comprises an electric appliance box and a cooling device, the cooling device is assembled outside the electric appliance box, the cooling device comprises a shell and a cooling assembly, the shell is provided with a diversion channel, and the cooling assembly is at least partially located in the diversion channel. The diversion channel is provided with an inlet and an outlet, the electrical box is provided with an air outlet and an air return port, the air outlet is communicated with the inlet, and the outlet is communicated to the air return port. According to the utility model, hot air formed by heat generated by components in the electric appliance box in the working process rises, enters the shell through the air outlet and becomes cold air after being cooled by the cooling assembly in the shell, and then at least part of the cold air drops and flows back into the electric appliance box through the air return port to form circulation. Therefore, continuous cooling of the electric appliance box is realized. As the whole cooling process is carried out outside the electric appliance box, no condensation is generated in the electric appliance box, and potential safety hazards of electricity utilization of the electric appliance box are caused.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of air conditioning, and in particular relates to a cooling structure of an electrical box, an outdoor unit and an air conditioner. Background Art

[0002] The components installed in the electrical box of mainstream air-conditioning products on the market generate a lot of heat, and the heat cannot be dissipated naturally. This will cause the temperature of the components to be too high, causing the air conditioner to run at a reduced frequency, thus failing to meet people's demand for cooling. Therefore, it is necessary to cool these components. The cooling concept in the prior art is to construct a refrigerant flow channel in the electrical box, so that the refrigerant cooled by the condenser flows through the refrigerant flow channel to cool the components. Although this method has a good cooling effect on the components, it has a major drawback, that is, the refrigerant is likely to cause condensation in the electrical box during the heat exchange process with the hot air in the electrical box, resulting in an electrical safety hazard in the electrical box. Utility Model Content

[0003] Therefore, the utility model provides a cooling structure for an electrical box, which can solve the technical problem that the method of using cooled refrigerant to flow through the flow channel in the electrical box to cool the components easily causes condensation in the electrical box, thereby causing electrical safety hazards in the electrical box.

[0004] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a cooling structure for an electrical box, including an electrical box and a cooling device, the cooling device being assembled on the outside of the electrical box, the cooling device including a shell and a cooling component, the shell having a guide channel, the cooling component being at least partially located in the guide channel, the guide channel having an inlet and an outlet, the electrical box having an air outlet and an air return port, the air outlet being connected to the inlet, the outlet being connected to the air return port, the hot air in the electrical box rising and entering the guide channel through the air outlet, the air cooled by the cooling component descending and at least partially flowing back to the electrical box through the return port to form a circulation.

[0005] In some embodiments, the shell includes a main body portion and a guide portion located on the main body portion, the guide portion extends to a side away from the main body portion, the guide portion covers the air outlet, the side of the guide portion facing the electrical box forms the inlet, and the end of the main body portion away from the guide portion forms the outlet.

[0006] In some embodiments, the space enclosed between the flow-guiding portion and the electrical box tends to increase in a direction from a side of the flow-guiding portion away from the main body portion to a side where the main body portion is located.

[0007] In some embodiments, the diversion portion is sealed and buckled on the electrical box.

[0008] In some embodiments, the air outlet is formed on the top of the electrical box.

[0009] In some embodiments, the position of the outlet is higher than the bottom of the electrical box, and the outlet is directed downwards towards the electrical box, and the return air port is formed at the bottom of the electrical box; and / or a fan is provided in the guide channel.

[0010] The utility model also provides an outdoor unit, comprising the aforementioned electrical box cooling structure.

[0011] In some embodiments, the outdoor unit further includes a condenser, the cooling component includes a heat exchange tube, the heat exchange tube is at least partially located in the guide channel, and the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser at least partially flows through the heat exchange tube.

[0012] In some embodiments, the cooling component further includes a plurality of heat exchange fins, each of the heat exchange fins is mounted on the heat exchange tube, and each of the heat exchange fins is located in the guide channel.

[0013] In some embodiments, each of the heat exchange fins has a downward pointed corner, a water receiving groove is formed on the shell, and the water receiving groove is located below each of the pointed corners; and / or a throttling element is provided on the flow path between the condenser and the heat exchange tube.

[0014] The utility model also provides an air conditioner, comprising the aforementioned outdoor unit.

[0015] The utility model provides an electrical box cooling structure, an outdoor unit, and an air conditioner, which have the following beneficial effects:

[0016] The present application assembles a cooling device on the outside of the electrical box, and the inlet of the cooling device shell is connected to the air outlet of the electrical box, and the outlet of the shell is connected to the return air port of the electrical box. Then, the hot air generated by the heat generated by the components in the electrical box during operation will rise and enter the housing of the cooling device through the air outlet of the electrical box. After being cooled by the cooling components in the shell, it becomes cold air. Then, at least part of the cold air descends and flows back into the electrical box through the return air port of the electrical box to form a cycle, thereby achieving continuous cooling of the electrical box. That is, the present application utilizes the principle that air rises when heated and falls when cooled to achieve air circulation between the electrical box and the cooling device, thereby achieving effective cooling of the components in the electrical box. Since the entire cooling process is carried out outside the electrical box, condensation will not be generated in the electrical box, which would cause electrical safety hazards in the electrical box. At the same time, compared with assembling a cooling device outside the electrical box and directly exchanging heat with the electrical box to cool the electrical box, the present application has a better cooling effect on the electrical box by allowing the hot air to flow out of the electrical box and be cooled by the cooling device and then allowing the cold air to flow back into the electrical box. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art can, without inventive effort, derive other implementation drawings based on the provided drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a cooling structure for an electrical appliance box according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an electrical box of an electrical box cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the cooling device of the cooling structure for the electrical box according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a partial schematic diagram of a cooling device of the electrical box cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a cooling component of a cooling device of a cooling structure for an electrical box according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of an outdoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of an outdoor unit with the cooling device removed from an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0025] The reference numerals indicate:

[0026] 1. Electrical box; 2. Shell; 21. Main body; 22. Diversion part; 23. Water tank; 3. Cooling component; 31. Heat exchange tube; 32. Heat exchange fin; 4. Inlet; 5. Outlet; 6. Air outlet; 7. Fan; 8. Return air port; 9. Condenser; 10. Throttling element; 11. Temperature sensor; 12. Gas-liquid separator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is actually only illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the present invention and its application or use. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] In the description of the present invention, it needs to be understood that the directions or positional relationships indicated by directional words such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "horizontal, vertical, vertical, horizontal" and "top, bottom" are usually based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise specified, these directional words do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction or be constructed and operated in a specific direction. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention; the directional words "inside and outside" refer to the inside and outside relative to the outline of each component itself.

[0029] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "above", "above", "on the upper surface of", "above", etc. may be used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature to other devices or features as shown in the figures. It should be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation described in the figures. For example, if the device in the drawings is inverted, the device described as "above other devices or structures" or "above other devices or structures" will be positioned as "below other devices or structures" or "below other devices or structures". Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below". The device can also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptions used here are interpreted accordingly.

[0030] In addition, it should be noted that the use of words such as "first" and "second" to limit components is only for the convenience of distinguishing the corresponding components. Unless otherwise stated, the above words have no special meaning and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0031] See also Figures 1 to 7 As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a cooling structure for an electrical box is provided, including an electrical box 1 and a cooling device, which is assembled on the outside of the electrical box 1. The cooling device includes a shell 2 and a cooling component 3, the shell 2 has a guide channel, the cooling component 3 is at least partially in the guide channel, the guide channel has an inlet 4 and an outlet 5, the electrical box 1 has an air outlet 6 and an air return port 8, the air outlet 6 is connected to the inlet 4, and the outlet 5 is connected to the air return port 8, the hot air in the electrical box 1 rises and enters the guide channel through the air outlet 6, the air cooled by the cooling component 3 descends and at least partially flows back to the electrical box 1 through the air return port 8 to form a circulation.

[0032] In this technical solution, the present application assembles a cooling device on the outside of the electrical box 1, and the inlet 4 of the housing 2 of the cooling device is connected to the air outlet 6 of the electrical box 1, and the outlet 5 of the housing 2 is connected to the return air port 8 of the electrical box 1. Then, the hot air generated by the components in the electrical box 1 during operation will rise and enter the housing 2 of the cooling device through the air outlet 6 of the electrical box 1. After being cooled by the cooling component 3 in the housing 2, it becomes cold air. Then, at least part of the cold air descends and flows back into the electrical box 1 through the return air port 8 of the electrical box 1 to form a cycle, thereby achieving continuous cooling of the electrical box 1. That is, the present application utilizes the principle that air rises when heated and falls when cooled to achieve air circulation between the electrical box 1 and the cooling device, thereby achieving effective cooling of the components in the electrical box 1. Since the entire cooling process is carried out outside the electrical box 1, condensation will not be generated in the electrical box 1, which would cause electrical safety hazards in the electrical box 1. At the same time, compared with assembling a cooling device outside the electrical box 1 and directly exchanging heat with the electrical box 1 to cool the electrical box 1, the present application has a better cooling effect on the electrical box 1 by allowing the hot air to flow out of the electrical box 1 and be cooled by the cooling device and then allowing the cold air to flow back into the electrical box 1.

[0033] See also Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the shell 2 includes a main body part 21 and a guide part 22 on the main body part 21. The guide part 22 extends to a side away from the main body part 21. The guide part 22 is covered by the air outlet 6. The side of the guide part 22 facing the electrical box 1 forms an inlet 4, and the end of the main body 21 away from the guide part 22 forms an outlet 5.

[0034] In this embodiment, the guide portion 22 can guide the hot air flowing out of the air outlet 6, so that the hot air can better enter the main body 21 and be cooled by the cooling component 3. At the same time, the guide portion 22 covering the air outlet 6 can also provide protection for the electrical box 1, preventing external water from entering the electrical box 1 through the air outlet 6, thereby providing a waterproof effect.

[0035] See also Figure 1 、 Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, the space enclosed between the guide portion 22 and the electrical box 1 increases from the side of the guide portion 22 away from the main body 21 to the side of the main body 21. This makes it easier for hot air to diffuse toward the side of the main body 21, thereby making it easier for the hot air to enter the main body 21 and be cooled by the cooling assembly 3. In other words, the design of the guide portion 22 has a better effect on guiding hot air.

[0036] As a specific embodiment, the sealing buckle of the guide portion 22 is mounted on the electrical box 1. This allows as much hot air as possible to enter the cooling device for cooling, thereby improving the cooling effect. Furthermore, the sealing buckle of the guide portion 22 mounted on the electrical box 1 ensures that the electrical box 1 is waterproof. Furthermore, when the electrical box cooling structure is applied to the outdoor unit of an air conditioner, the sealing buckle of the guide portion 22 mounted on the electrical box 1 can also prevent the hot air inside the electrical box 1 from freely dispersing outward and affecting the operation of other components.

[0037] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the air outlet 6 is formed at the top of the electrical box 1. Hot air tends to float upward due to its low density. This allows the hot air to escape more easily from the box and into the cooling device. It will be appreciated that when the air outlet 6 is formed at the top of the electrical box 1, the guide portion 22 is also sealed and fastened to the top of the electrical box 1.

[0038] See also Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the position of the outlet 5 of the housing 2 is higher than the bottom of the electrical box 1 , and the outlet 5 faces downward of the electrical box 1 , and the air return port 8 is formed at the bottom of the electrical box 1 .

[0039] In this technical solution, cold air has the characteristic of sinking due to its high density. After the hot air is cooled into cold air by the cooling component 3, it will flow downward along the outlet 5 of the shell 2. Since the outlet 5 of the shell 2 is located higher than the bottom of the electrical box 1, the cold air flowing out of the outlet 5 will also flow to the bottom of the electrical box 1. Because the hot air flows out of the electrical box 1, the internal pressure of the electrical box 1 is reduced. Therefore, when the cold air sinks to the bottom of the electrical box 1, it will be automatically sucked into the electrical box 1 through the return air port 8, filling the area with reduced pressure, thereby realizing air flow circulation and further realizing continuous cooling of the electrical box 1. It should be noted that the electrical box 1 also has a side opening, and cold air can also flow back into the electrical box 1 through the side opening.

[0040] See also Figure 4 As shown, a fan 7 is provided in the guide channel. When the fan 7 is started, the hot air flow can be accelerated, thereby accelerating the heat dissipation of the electrical box 1. Preferably, there are two fans 7, and the two fans 7 are distributed on the left and right sides of the guide channel, and the middle position is kept away to reduce the obstruction of the fan 7 to the flow of hot air. Furthermore, a temperature sensing package 11 can also be provided in the guide channel. The temperature sensing package 11 is connected to the main board. The temperature sensing package 11 is used to detect the temperature of the hot air. When the detected temperature is greater than or equal to the set temperature, the main board controls the fan 7 to start. In this way, the fan 7 can be turned on when it is most needed, thereby improving the efficiency of the fan 7. It should be noted that hot air rises due to its low density. The present application does not originally need to set up a separate fan 7 to realize the circulation of air between the electrical box 1 and the cooling device. The fan 7 is now set only to use the fan 7 to accelerate the flow of hot air when the temperature inside the electrical box 1 is high in order to prevent untimely heat dissipation.

[0041] The utility model also provides an outdoor unit, comprising the aforementioned electrical box cooling structure.

[0042] See also Figure 6 As shown, the outdoor unit further includes a condenser 9 , and the cooling component 3 includes a heat exchange tube 31 . The heat exchange tube 31 is at least partially located in the guide channel, and the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser 9 at least partially flows through the heat exchange tube 31 .

[0043] In this embodiment, the refrigerant dissipates heat through the condenser 9, becoming low-temperature refrigerant. A branch of the low-temperature refrigerant flows through the heat exchange tube 31, thereby cooling the hot air entering the housing 2. One end of the heat exchange tube 31 is connected to the outlet pipe of the condenser 9, and the other end is connected to the inlet pipe of the gas-liquid separator 12 of the outdoor unit. As will be appreciated, there is ample installation space between the electrical box 1 and the condenser 9, so the main components of the cooling device are located on the back of the electrical box 1.

[0044] See also Figures 3 to 5As shown, the cooling component 3 further includes a plurality of heat exchange fins 32 , each heat exchange fin 32 is sleeved on the heat exchange tube 31 , and each heat exchange fin 32 is located in the guide channel.

[0045] In this technical solution, the heat exchange tube 31 includes an inlet section, a U-shaped bend section, and an outlet section. Each heat exchange fin 32 is sleeved onto the U-shaped bend section. The heat exchange fins 32 are spaced apart and substantially cover the width of the guide channel. The heat exchange fins 32 increase the heat exchange area of the cooling assembly 3, thereby achieving a better cooling effect on the hot air.

[0046] See also Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, each heat exchange fin 32 has a downward-pointing corner. A water receiving groove 23 is formed on the housing 2, located below each corner. During heat exchange between hot air and the heat exchange tubes 31 and fins 32, the hot air is cooled, easily forming condensation on the fins 32. This condensation, guided by the sharp corners of the fins 32, drips into the water receiving groove 23, collecting the condensation and preventing it from dripping directly onto components below the cooling device. Finally, the condensation is drained to the chassis of the outdoor unit for proper disposal.

[0047] See also Figure 1 、 Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, a throttling element 10 is provided on the flow path between the condenser 9 and the heat exchange tube 31. The throttling element 10 can throttle the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser 9, thereby further cooling the refrigerant, allowing the refrigerant with a lower temperature to flow through the heat exchange tube 31, thereby better cooling the hot air entering the cooling device. The throttling element 10 can be a capillary tube or an electronic expansion valve. Preferably, the throttling element 10 is an electronic expansion valve, which not only can achieve precise control, but also can control the electronic expansion valve to close when the cooling device is not needed in winter. At this time, the refrigerant does not pass through the cooling device, which can reduce unnecessary losses and improve the energy efficiency of the air conditioner.

[0048] It should be noted that in the prior art, there is also a method of cooling the electrical box 1 by using aluminum fins + air cooling. Specifically, one end of the heat dissipation fin is close to the component that needs heat dissipation, and the other end is extended into the air duct of the air conditioner, and the air flow blown out by the fan is used to dissipate heat. The disadvantage of this method is that when the temperature is high in summer, the air flow temperature is also very high, and the heat dissipation effect is poor. However, the cooling device of the present application can be installed and used independently, that is, the electrical box 1 does not need to be provided with heat dissipation fins extending into the air duct. It mainly relies on the circulation of hot and cold air between the electrical box 1 and the cooling device to achieve heat dissipation of the entire machine, thereby improving the disadvantage of poor heat dissipation effect of air cooling during high temperatures in summer.

[0049] The utility model also provides an air conditioner, comprising the aforementioned outdoor unit.

[0050] It is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that, under the premise of no conflict, the advantageous technical features of the above-mentioned methods can be freely combined and superimposed.

[0051] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and variations can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, and such improvements and variations shall also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrical box cooling structure, characterized in that: The invention comprises an electrical box (1) and a cooling device, wherein the cooling device is assembled outside the electrical box (1), and the cooling device comprises a shell (2) and a cooling component (3). The shell (2) has a guide channel, and the cooling component (3) is at least partially located in the guide channel. The guide channel has an inlet (4) and an outlet (5). The electrical box (1) has an air outlet (6) and an air return port (8). The air outlet (6) is connected to the inlet (4), and the outlet (5) is connected to the air return port (8). Hot air in the electrical box (1) rises and enters the guide channel through the air outlet (6). The air cooled by the cooling component (3) descends and at least partially flows back to the electrical box (1) through the air return port (8) to form a cycle.

2. The electrical box cooling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing (2) comprises a main body (21) and a flow-guiding portion (22) located on the main body (21), wherein the flow-guiding portion (22) extends toward a side away from the main body (21), and the flow-guiding portion (22) is arranged to cover the air outlet (6). The side of the flow-guiding portion (22) facing the electrical box (1) forms the inlet (4), and the end of the main body (21) away from the flow-guiding portion (22) forms the outlet (5).

3. The electrical box cooling structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: In a direction from the side of the guide portion (22) away from the main body portion (21) to the side where the main body portion (21) is located, the space enclosed between the guide portion (22) and the electrical box (1) tends to increase.

4. The electrical box cooling structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The diversion part (22) is sealed and buckled on the electrical box (1).

5. The electrical box cooling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air outlet (6) is formed at the top of the electrical box (1).

6. The electrical box cooling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The position of the outlet (5) is higher than the bottom of the electrical box (1), and the outlet (5) faces downward of the electrical box (1); the air return port (8) is formed at the bottom of the electrical box (1); and / or a fan (7) is provided in the guide channel.

7. An outdoor unit, characterized in that: The cooling structure of the electrical box comprises the cooling structure of any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The outdoor unit according to claim 7, characterized in that: It also includes a condenser (9), the cooling component (3) includes a heat exchange tube (31), the heat exchange tube (31) is at least partially located in the guide channel, and the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser (9) at least partially flows through the heat exchange tube (31).

9. The outdoor unit according to claim 8, characterized in that The cooling component (3) further comprises a plurality of heat exchange fins (32), each of the heat exchange fins (32) being mounted on the heat exchange tube (31), and each of the heat exchange fins (32) being located in the guide channel.

10. The outdoor unit according to claim 9, wherein: Each of the heat exchange fins (32) has a downward pointed corner, a water receiving groove (23) is formed on the shell (2), and the water receiving groove (23) is located below each of the pointed corners; and / or a throttling element (10) is provided on the flow path between the condenser (9) and the heat exchange tube (31).

11. An air conditioner, comprising the outdoor unit according to any one of claims 7 to 10.

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