Soundproof member

A foldable, box-shaped soundproof member for compressors addresses the complexity of terminal portion obstruction by providing efficient noise suppression and easy access for maintenance.

EP4650676A1Pending Publication Date: 2025-11-19PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
View PDF 5 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
EP2025171244
Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-05-13
Filing Date
2025-04-17
Publication Date
2025-11-19

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional soundproofing methods for compressors are complicated by the presence of terminal portions, which obstruct complete coverage and require complex wiring exposure during maintenance.

Method used

A soundproof member with a main body formed in an approximately box shape, covering the protruding terminal portion of the compressor, made from a rubber sheet with fibers, and featuring a foldable design for easy installation and removal.

Benefits of technology

The soundproof member effectively suppresses compressor noise while allowing easy access to the terminal portion for wiring, enhancing work efficiency and maintaining effective sound insulation.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure IMGAF001_ABST
    Figure IMGAF001_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a soundproof member that can perform soundproofing of a compressor with a simple configuration. The soundproof member in the present disclosure is a soundproof member that performs soundproofing of a compressor, the soundproof member including a main body provided on a side surface of the compressor, the main body being formed in an approximately box shape to cover each protruding surface of a box shaped terminal portion protruding from the side surface of the compressor. In this way, the terminal portion can be easily covered by the soundproof member, and noise at the time of driving of the compressor can be suppressed.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a soundproof member.Description of the Related Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-055455 discloses an outdoor unit including a case with a bottom plate, the case being partially made of metal, a compressor that compresses a refrigerant, the compressor being provided inside the case, an outdoor heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outside air, the outdoor heat exchanger being provided inside the case, and an electric heating device provided on an upper surface of the bottom plate.

[0003] The present disclosure provides a soundproof member that can perform soundproofing of a compressor with a simple configuration.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The soundproof member in the present disclosure is a soundproof member that performs soundproofing of a compressor, the soundproof member including a main body provided on a side surface of the compressor, the main body being formed in an approximately box shape to cover each protruding surface of a box shaped terminal portion protruding from the side surface of the compressor.

[0005] According to the present disclosure, the terminal portion can be easily covered by the soundproof member, and noise at the time of driving of the compressor can be suppressed.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a refrigeration circuit diagram of a heating medium circulation device relating to Embodiment 1; Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the heating medium circulation device in Embodiment 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a bottom plate and a compressor in Embodiment 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view seen from a front side of a soundproof member in Embodiment 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view seen from a rear side of the soundproof member in Embodiment 1; Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a usage state of the soundproof member in Embodiment 1; and Figure 7 is a development view of the soundproof member in Embodiment 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(Underlying knowledge of the present disclosure)

[0007] At the time when the inventors arrived at the idea of the present disclosure, there was technology in which a compressor is installed on a bottom plate of a case, in an outdoor unit using a refrigeration cycle.

[0008] However, in conventional technology, noise generated at the time when driving the compressor is problematic.

[0009] Here, generally, a terminal portion for performing wiring with respect to the compressor is provided on the compressor. The terminal portion is provided protruding from the side surface of the compressor.

[0010] Accordingly, even if the periphery of the compressor is covered by a soundproof material, the terminal portion will become an obstacle, and a soundproof process cannot be suitably performed for the compressor. Moreover, since it is necessary to perform wiring work to the terminal portion, it will be necessary to expose the terminal portion by removing the soundproof material at the time of work. At this time, the inventors have discovered a problem in which, if performing a soundproof process of the entire compressor, work to expose the terminal portion becomes extremely complicated, and in order to solve this problem, the inventors have arrived at constituting the subject of the present disclosure.

[0011] The present disclosure provides a soundproof member that can perform soundproofing of a compressor with a simple configuration.

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described in detail, while referring to the figures. However, there may be cases where a detailed description more than necessary is omitted. For example, there may be cases where a detailed description of already well-known matters or overlapping descriptions for substantially the same configurations are omitted. This is in order for the following description to avoid redundant descriptions more than necessary, and for the following description to facilitate understanding of a person skilled in the art.

[0013] Note that, the attached figures and following descriptions are presented in order for a person skilled in the art to sufficiently understand the present disclosure, and as a result of this, the attached figures and following descriptions are not intended to limit the subject of the description of the patent claims.(Embodiment 1)

[0014] Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 will be described, by using the figures.[1-1. Configuration][1-1-1. Configuration of the heating medium circulation device]

[0015] Figure 1 is a refrigeration circuit diagram of a heating medium circulation device relating to Embodiment 1.

[0016] In the present embodiment, the heating medium circulation device 1 is an outdoor unit of a heat pump type hot water supply heater. A hot water supply heater is a device that performs heating of an indoor space, by having a heating medium (for example, water) flow in a heat exchanger of an indoor unit, the heating medium having been heated by a refrigeration cycle of the heating medium circulation device 1. The hot water supply heater of the present embodiment can perform a cooling operation by having the heating medium cooled by the refrigeration cycle flow in the indoor unit. In Figure 1, the flow of the refrigerant and the flow of the heating medium at the time of a cooling operation of the hot water heater are shown by arrows.

[0017] A compressor 2 is provided in the heating medium circulation device 1. The compressor 2 is a device that sucks in a refrigerant and compresses and discharges the refrigerant. In the heating medium circulation device 1, a flow path switching mechanism 3 is connected to a discharge side and a suction side of the compressor 2. The flow path switching mechanism 3 switches an inflow destination of the refrigerant discharged to the compressor 2 between an air heat exchanger 4 as a heat source side heat exchanger and a water heat exchanger 10 as a utilization side heat exchanger, thereby causing the heat exchangers 4, 10 of an inflow destination to function as condensers. Moreover, the flow path switching mechanism 3 causes the refrigerant passing through an evaporator of each of the heat exchangers 4, 10 to be sucked into the compressor 2. The flow path switching mechanism 3 is, for example, a four-way valve.

[0018] The air heat exchanger 4 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerant on the inside and outside air. The air heat exchanger 4 is, for example, a fin tube type heat exchanger. A blower 5 is provided in the heating medium circulation device 1, the blower 5 causing the outside air to flow in the air heat exchanger 4. In the present embodiment, the blower 5 is an axial fan.

[0019] The water heat exchanger 10 is a plate type heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerant flowing on the inside and a heating medium. The heating medium heated or cooled by the water heat exchanger 10 air-conditions an indoor space while the heating medium circulates between the heating medium circulation device 1 and the indoor unit.

[0020] The air heat exchanger 4 and the water heat exchanger 10 are connected via an expansion valve 6. There is a receiver tank 15 between the water heat exchanger 10 and the expansion valve 6, the receiver tank 15 storing a low temperature and high pressure refrigerant in a liquid state cooled by the condenser (refer to Figure 2). The expansion valve 6 is a valve that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant flowing from the condenser via the receiver tank 15 to set this refrigerant as a gas-liquid two phase state refrigerant and causes the refrigerant to flow into the evaporator of each of the heat exchangers 4, 10. In the present embodiment, the degree of opening of the expansion valve 6 can be adjusted by an electronic control, and the flow amount of refrigerant is adjusted by having the degree of opening changed.

[0021] A circulation pump 16 and a valve 16a are provided on an inlet side of the water heat exchanger 10, the valve 16a being connectable with a water pipe on the outside.

[0022] A gas-liquid separator 17 is provided on a lower flow side of the water heat exchanger 10, the gas-liquid separator 17 removing refrigerant or air from the heating medium. A valve 18a is provided, on an outlet side of the gas-liquid separator 17, the valve 18a being connectable via an outlet side water pipe 18 with a water pipe on the outside of the heating medium circulation device 1. Moreover, a flow rate sensor 19 is provided in the outlet side water pipe 18, the flow rate sensor 19 measuring a flow rate of the heating medium.[1-1-2. Configuration of the heating medium circulation device]

[0023] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the heating medium circulation device. Within the figure, reference symbol X shows the left of the heating medium circulation device 1, reference symbol Y shows the front of the heating medium circulation device 1, and reference symbol Z shows above.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, a blower chamber 7 and a machine chamber 8 are formed on the inside of the heating medium circulation device 1, the blower chamber 7 being a space partitioned on the left side of a partition plate 9 and the machine chamber 8 being a space partitioned on the right side of the partition plate 9. The partition plate 9 is formed of a plate metal, and the partition plate 9 is provided at an posture roughly perpendicular to the left-right direction.

[0025] The air heat exchanger 4 and the blower 5 are provided in the blower chamber 7. The air heat exchanger 4 is provided on a right side surface and a rear surface of the blower chamber 7. The blower 5 sucks in outside air via the air heat exchanger 4 by blowing out air inside the heating medium circulation device 1 toward the front, thereby causing the outside air and the refrigerant inside the air heat exchanger 4 to exchange heat. In the present embodiment, while a heating medium circulation device 1 having two of the blowers 5 provided vertically in a row in the blower chamber 7 has been described as an example, there is no particular limitation to the number of blowers 5 of the heating medium circulation device 1.

[0026] The compressor 2, the flow path switching mechanism 3, the expansion valve 6, the receiver tank 15, the water heat exchanger 10, and the gas-liquid separator 17 are provided in the machine chamber 8. The compressor 2 is placed on a bottom plate 1a of the heating medium circulation device 1 via legs made of rubber. The flow path switching mechanism 3 is disposed above the compressor 2. The water heat exchanger 10 is provided at a position separated above from the bottom plate 1a, via a support member 8a formed by a metal plate.[1-1-3. Configuration of the soundproof structure]

[0027] Next, a soundproof configuration of the compressor will be described.

[0028] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the bottom plate and the compressor in Embodiment 1.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, a terminal portion 20 is provided on the side surface of the compressor 2 with an approximately cylindrical shape, the terminal portion 20 protruding in an approximately square shape.

[0030] The terminal portion 20 has an external shape of a box shape, and the terminal portion 20 is provided so as to protrude from the side surface of the compressor 2. A connection terminal (not illustrated) for connecting power wires, signal wires or the like to the compressor 2 is provided, for example, on the inside of the terminal portion 20. A removal portion 21 with an approximately cylindrical shape, for removing the connected wires is provided on the bottom surface of the terminal portion 20. A lid body 22 for closing the terminal portion 20 is attached by a bolt 23 or the like on the front surface of the terminal portion 20.

[0031] A soundproof sheet 30 is wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the compressor 2.

[0032] The soundproof sheet 30 is formed of a material that affixes together fibers on one surface side of a rubber sheet, for example. The length of the soundproof sheet 30 is formed to be longer than the external peripheral length of the compressor 2. A notch portion 31 with a quadrangle shape is formed on both end sides of the soundproof sheet 30.

[0033] The soundproof sheet 30 is wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the compressor 2, and the soundproof sheet 30 is overlapped in a state where the notch portion 31 is positioned on the terminal portion 20. In this state, the soundproof sheet 30 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the compressor 2, by restraining both end portions of the soundproof sheet 30 with a restraining member 32 such as tape.

[0034] Moreover, a soundproof member 33 is provided on the terminal portion 20, the soundproof member 40 covering the terminal portion 20.

[0035] Figure 4 is a perspective view seen from a front side of the soundproof member in Embodiment 1. Figure 5 is a perspective view seen from a rear side of the soundproof member in Embodiment 1. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a usage state of the soundproof member in Embodiment 1. Figure 7 is a development view of the soundproof member in Embodiment 1.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5, the soundproof member 40 includes a main body 41 formed from a surface plate 42, side surface plates 43 connected to both sides of the surface plate 42, an upper surface plate 44 connected to an upper edge of the surface plate 42, and a bottom surface plate 45 connected to a lower edge of the surface plate 42.

[0037] The surface plate 42 has a square shape, and the surface plate 42 has an external shape that is slightly larger than the external shape of the terminal portion 20 so that the surface plate 42 can cover the front surface of the terminal portion 20.

[0038] Each of the side surface plates 43 has a vertical dimension slightly larger than the vertical dimension of the surface plate 42, and vertical end portions of each of the side surface plates 43 have a shape that protrudes slightly more than the vertical end portions of the surface plate 42.

[0039] The upper surface plate 44 has dimensions that can cover the upper surface of the terminal portion 20. The upper surface plate 44 has a depth dimension that is shorter than the depth dimension of each of the side surface plates 43. Moreover, a flange portion 44a erected upward is formed on both end portions of the upper surface plate 44.

[0040] The bottom surface plate 45 has dimensions that can cover the lower surface of the terminal portion 20. The bottom surface plate 45 has a depth dimension that is shorter than the depth dimension of each of the side surface plates 43. Moreover, a flange portion 45a erected downward is formed on both end portions of the bottom surface plate 45.

[0041] Moreover, a notch portion 46 with an approximately U shape is formed on the bottom surface plate 45.

[0042] As shown in Figure 6, the surface plate 42, the side surface plates 43, the upper surface plate 44, and the bottom surface plate 45 constituting the main body 41 are formed from one sheet, and a notch 47 is formed on each corner portion of the boundaries between the surface plate 42, the side surface plates 43, the upper surface plate 44, and the bottom surface plate 45, the notches 47 each having a square shape. By providing these notches 47, folding work of the surface plate 42, the side surface plates 43, the upper surface plate 44, and the bottom surface plate 45 can be easily performed.

[0043] The main body 41, similar to the soundproof sheet 30, for example, is made of a material that affixes together fibers on one surface side of a rubber sheet, for example.

[0044] The main body 41 is formed in an approximately box shape such as shown in Figure 3, by folding the main body 41 at the boundary portions of the surface plate 42, the side surface plates 43, the upper surface plate 44, and the bottom surface plate 45, and thereafter sewing each joint edge.

[0045] In more detail, the main body 41 is formed in an approximately box shape, by sewing the upper edge of each of the side surface plates 43 and the flange portion 44a of the upper surface plate 44, and sewing the lower edge of each of the side surface plates 43 and the flange portion 45a of the bottom surface plate 45. In this state, an insertion piece 48 is formed on a rear portion of both side surface plates 43, the insertion piece 48 being longer than a rear end of the upper surface plate 44 and a rear end of the bottom surface plate 45.[1-2. Action]

[0046] Next, the action of Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0047] First, the soundproof sheet 30 is wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the compressor 2, and the notch portion 31 is overlapped in a state where the notch portion 31 is positioned on the terminal portion 20. In this state, the soundproof sheet 30 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the compressor 2, by restraining both end portions of the soundproof sheet 30 by the restraining member 32.

[0048] Afterwards, the soundproof member 40 is fixed to the soundproof sheet 30, by mounting the soundproof member 40 so as to cover the terminal portion 20, and inserting the insertion piece 48 of each of the side surface plates 43 to the inside of the notch portion 31 of the soundproof sheet 30. At this time, the removal portion 21 of the terminal portion 20 is positioned on the inside of the notch portion 46 of the bottom surface plate 45.

[0049] In this state, by driving the compressor 2, at the time of a cooling operation, as shown in Figure 1, the flow path switching mechanism 3 causes the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 to flow to the air heat exchanger 4 to dissipate heat. The refrigerant that radiates heat in the air heat exchanger 4 liquifies to pass through the expansion valve 6, and this refrigerant becomes a gas-liquid two phase state refrigerant to flow into the water heat exchanger 10.

[0050] The gas-liquid two phase state refrigerant flowing into the water heat exchanger 10 absorbs heat from the heating medium flowing in the water heat exchanger 10 to evaporate, and this refrigerant becomes a gas refrigerant to return to the compressor 2.

[0051] On the other hand, the heating medium that exchanges heat in the water heat exchanger 10 cools an indoor space, by causing water to circulate between the indoor unit and the water heat exchanger 10 while cooling the water, in accordance with the driving of the circulation pump 16.

[0052] In this case, since the compressor 2 is covered by the soundproof sheet 30 and the soundproof member 40, noise generated from the compressor 2 is absorbed into fibers that constitute the soundproof member 40, and as a result of this, noise of the compressor 2 can be suppressed.[1-3. Effect or the like]

[0053] In this way, a soundproof member 40 of the present embodiment includes a main body 41 provided on a side surface of a compressor 2, the main body 41 being formed in an approximately box shape to cover each protruding surface of a box shaped terminal portion 20 protruding from the side surface of the compressor 2.

[0054] In this way, the terminal portion 20 can be easily covered by the soundproof member 40, and noise at the time of driving of the compressor 2 can be suppressed.

[0055] Moreover, in the soundproof member 40 of the present embodiment, the main body 41 is formed from a surface plate 42, two side surface plates 43, an upper surface plate 44, and a bottom surface plate 45, and the main body 41 is formed in the approximately box shape by folding and sewing one sheet that includes the surface plate 42, the two side surface plates 43, the upper surface plate 44, and the bottom surface plate 45.

[0056] In this way, the main body 41 formed from a surface plate 42, two side surface plates 43, an upper surface plate 44, and a bottom surface plate 45 can be easily formed from one sheet. Also, each surface of the terminal portion 20 can be surely covered by the surface plate 42, the two side surface plates 43, the upper surface plate 44, and the bottom surface plate 45.

[0057] Moreover, in the soundproof member 40 of the present embodiment, the main body 41 is made of a material affixing together a rubber sheet and fibers.

[0058] In this way, by absorbing noise generated by the driving of the compressor 2, by fibers of the main body 41, noise of the compressor 2 can be suppressed.

[0059] Moreover, in the soundproof member 40 of the present embodiment, a soundproof sheet 30 is included on an outer periphery of the compressor 2, the soundproof sheet 30 covering the compressor 2 other than at the terminal portion 20, and the side surface plates 43 each include an insertion piece 48 inserted to the inside of the soundproof sheet 30.

[0060] In this way, by inserting an insertion piece 48 provided on each of the side surface plates 43 to the inside of the soundproof sheet 30, the soundproof member 40 can be easily fixed, and removal of the soundproof member 40 becomes easy. Accordingly, in the case where wiring work of the terminal portion 20 is performed, since the soundproof member 40 can be easily removed, a work efficiency can increase.(Other embodiments)

[0061] As described above, Embodiment 1 has been described as an exemplification of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the technology in the present disclosure can be applied to embodiments that perform modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions or the like. Moreover, it is possible to form new embodiments, by combining each of the constituent elements described in Embodiment 1.(Additional Remarks)

[0062] The following technologies are disclosed by the above-stated descriptions of the embodiment.

[0063] (Technology 1) A soundproof member that performs soundproofing of a compressor, the soundproof member including a main body provided on a side surface of the compressor, the main body being formed in an approximately box shape to cover each protruding surface of a box shaped terminal portion protruding from the side surface of the compressor.

[0064] According to this configuration, the terminal portion can be easily covered by the soundproof member, and noise at the time of driving of the compressor can be suppressed.

[0065] (Technology 2) The soundproof member described in Technology 1, in which the main body is formed from a surface plate, two side surface plates, an upper surface plate, and a bottom surface plate, and the main body is formed in the approximately box shape by folding and sewing one sheet that includes the surface plate, the two side surface plates, the upper surface plate, and the bottom surface plate.

[0066] According to this configuration, the main body formed from a surface plate, two side surface plates, an upper surface plate, and a bottom surface plate can be easily formed from one sheet. Also, each surface of the terminal portion can be surely covered by the surface plate, the two side surface plates, the upper surface plate, and the bottom surface plate.

[0067] (Technology 3) The soundproof member described in Technology 1 or Technology 2, in which the main body is made of a material affixing together a rubber sheet and fibers.

[0068] According to this configuration, by absorbing noise generated by the driving of the compressor, by fibers of the main body, noise of the compressor can be suppressed.

[0069] (Technology 4) The soundproof member described in Technology 2 or Technology 3, in which a soundproof sheet is included on an outer periphery of the compressor, the soundproof sheet covering the compressor other than at the terminal portion, and the side surface plates each include an insertion piece inserted to the inside of the soundproof sheet.

[0070] According to this configuration, by inserting an insertion piece provided on each of the side surface plates to the inside of the soundproof sheet, the soundproof member can be easily fixed, and removal of the soundproof member becomes easy. Accordingly, in the case where wiring work of the terminal portion is performed, since the soundproof member can be easily removed, a work efficiency can increase.

[0071] The present disclosure can be suitably used as a soundproof member that can perform soundproofing of a compressor with a simple configuration.Reference Signs List

[0072] 1heating medium circulation device 1abottom plate 2compressor 3flow path switching mechanism 4air heat exchanger 5blower 6expansion valve 7blower chamber 8machine chamber 8asupport member 9partition plate 10water heat exchanger 15receiver tank 16circulation pump 16avalve 17gas-liquid separator 18outlet side water pipe 18avalve 19flow rate sensor 20terminal portion 21removal portion 22lid body 23bolt 30soundproof sheet 31notch portion 32restraining member 40soundproof member 41main body 42surface plate 43side surface plate 44upper surface plate 44aflange portion 45bottom surface plate 45aflange portion 46notch portion 47notch 48insertion piece

Examples

embodiment 1

(Embodiment 1)

[0014]Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 will be described, by using the figures.

[1-1. Configuration]

[1-1-1. Configuration of the heating medium circulation device]

[0015]Figure 1 is a refrigeration circuit diagram of a heating medium circulation device relating to Embodiment 1.

[0016]In the present embodiment, the heating medium circulation device 1 is an outdoor unit of a heat pump type hot water supply heater. A hot water supply heater is a device that performs heating of an indoor space, by having a heating medium (for example, water) flow in a heat exchanger of an indoor unit, the heating medium having been heated by a refrigeration cycle of the heating medium circulation device 1. The hot water supply heater of the present embodiment can perform a cooling operation by having the heating medium cooled by the refrigeration cycle flow in the indoor unit. In Figure 1, the flow of the refrigerant and the flow of the heating medium at the time of a cooling operation of the hot wa...

Claims

1. A soundproof member (40) that performs soundproofing of a compressor (2), the soundproof member characterized by comprising: a main body (41) provided on a side surface of the compressor, the main body being formed in an approximately box shape to cover each protruding surface of a box shaped terminal portion (20) protruding from the side surface of the compressor.

2. The soundproof member according to claim 1, wherein the main body is formed from a surface plate (42), two side surface plates (43), an upper surface plate (44), and a bottom surface plate (45), and the main body is formed in the approximately box shape by folding and sewing one sheet that includes the surface plate, the two side surface plates, the upper surface plate, and the bottom surface plate.

3. The soundproof member according to claim 2, wherein the main body is made of a material affixing together a rubber sheet and fibers.

4. The soundproof member according to claim 2, wherein a soundproof sheet (30) is included on an outer periphery of the compressor, the soundproof sheet covering the compressor other than at the terminal portion, and the side surface plates each include an insertion piece (48) inserted to inside of the soundproof sheet.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Outdoor unit and air conditioner

    JP2015055455A

  • JP1976126408U

  • Terminal cover for compressor

    JP2006161703A

  • Noise insulation cover

    JP2016121623A

  • Compressor and air conditioner having the same

    US20150132164A1