Outdoor unit and air conditioner

Abstract

To provide a highly-reliable outdoor unit and an air conditioner including the outdoor unit.SOLUTION: An outdoor unit 1A comprises: a housing 2 housing an outdoor heat exchanger 3, an outdoor fan 4, and an electrical component 5; and a partition member 6 partitioning the inside of the housing into a first chamber 21 housing the outdoor heat exchanger and the outdoor fan and a second chamber 22 housing the electrical component. A first opening 6A and a second opening 6B are formed in the partition member. The outdoor unit connects the first opening and the second opening, and further comprises a duct 7 laid out into the second chamber. A pressure differential is formed between the first opening and the second opening when the outdoor fan operates. The electrical component 5 is thermally connected to the duct 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an outdoor unit and an air conditioning apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] The outdoor unit of an air conditioner houses a control device that controls the compressor, etc. Conventionally, in order to increase the reliability of the outdoor unit, there has been known an outdoor unit that has a structure that dissipates heat generated in electrical components included in the control device that controls the compressor, etc., into the outdoor air.

[0003] JP 2017-19230 A discloses an outdoor unit for a refrigeration cycle device, in which a heat exchange chamber and a machine chamber are separated by a partition member within a housing, a gap is formed in the housing for taking in outside air into an electrical equipment box housed in the machine chamber, and the outdoor unit is equipped with a duct for directing the outside air taken in the electrical equipment box to the heat exchange chamber. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-19230 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The outdoor unit is provided to take in outside air into the electrical equipment box, so there is a risk that rainwater, dust, small animals, and the like may enter the machine room and the electrical equipment box of the outdoor unit, reducing the reliability of the outdoor unit.

[0006] A primary object of the present disclosure is to provide an outdoor unit that is more reliable than the above-mentioned outdoor unit, and an air conditioner equipped with the outdoor unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The outdoor unit according to the present disclosure is an outdoor unit for an air conditioner, and includes a housing that houses an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, and at least one electric component, and a partition member that divides the interior of the housing into a first chamber that houses the outdoor heat exchanger and the outdoor fan, and a second chamber that houses the at least one electric component. A first opening and a second opening are formed in the partition member. The outdoor unit further includes at least one duct that connects between the first opening and the second opening and passes through to the second chamber. A pressure difference is created between the first opening and the second opening when the outdoor fan is operating. The at least one electric component is thermally connected to the at least one duct. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The outdoor unit according to the present disclosure and the air conditioner including the outdoor unit have improved reliability compared to the above-mentioned outdoor unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner 101 according to Embodiment 1. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining an outdoor unit 1A according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a front view for illustrating an outdoor unit 1A according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is an end view perpendicular to the z-direction of the outdoor unit 1A shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is a perspective view of the first chamber 21 and the partition member 6 of the outdoor unit 1A shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, viewed from the front panel side. FIG. [Figure 6] 5 is a perspective view of a partition member 6 of the outdoor unit 1A shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, viewed from the outdoor heat exchanger side. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a duct 7 of the outdoor unit 1A according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8]8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining analysis conditions of a fluid analysis (CFD: Computational Fluid Dynamics) for the pressure distribution formed on the first surface 60S of the partition member 60. Fig. 8A is a diagram for explaining the position of the monitor in the z direction. Fig. 8B is a diagram for explaining the position of the monitor in the y direction. [Figure 9] 8C is a diagram showing the results of CFD analysis of the pressure distribution formed on the first surface 60S of the partition member 60 at the monitor positions shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. FIG. [Figure 10] 7 is a velocity vector diagram showing the results of a CFD analysis of the air flow in the duct 7 of the outdoor unit 1A shown in FIGS. 2 to 6. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partial enlarged view of region XI in FIG. [Figure 12] 4 is a perspective view of a partition member 6 of a first modified example of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1, viewed from the outdoor heat exchanger side. FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a perspective view of a partition member 6 and a wind receiving member 8 of a second modified example of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1, viewed from the outdoor heat exchanger side. FIG. [Figure 14] 14 is a diagram for explaining the partition member 6, the duct 7, and the wind receiving member 8 shown in FIG. 13. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 7B is a diagram showing the analysis results of pressure distribution on the monitor line M1 shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, analyzed using a CFD tool for an outdoor unit analysis model AC2 having a partition member with no openings and a wind-receiving member 8 provided on the monitor line M1 shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B. [Figure 16] 13 is an end view illustrating a connection portion between an electric component 5 and a duct 7 in a third modified example of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1. FIG. [Figure 17] 13 is an end view illustrating a connection portion between an electrical component 5 and a duct 7 in a fourth modified example of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1. FIG. [Figure 18] 13 is an end view illustrating a connection portion between an electrical component 5 and a duct 7 in a fifth modified example of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1. FIG. [Figure 19]FIG. 13 is an end view illustrating a duct 7 of a sixth modified example of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is an end view illustrating a duct 7 of a seventh modified example of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is an end view illustrating a duct 7 of an eighth modified example of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is an end view illustrating a duct 7 in a ninth modified example of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a partial enlarged view for illustrating a partition member 6 and a duct 7 of an outdoor unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 24] 10 is a partial enlarged view illustrating a partition member 6 and a duct 7 of a first modified example of the outdoor unit pertaining to embodiment 2. FIG. [Diagram 25] 10 is a partial enlarged view illustrating a partition member 6 and a duct 7 of a second modified example of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 2. FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a partial enlarged view for explaining a duct 7 and a refrigerant pipe 10 of an outdoor unit according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 27] 10 is a partially enlarged perspective view illustrating a duct 7 and a refrigerant pipe 10 of a first modified example of an outdoor unit according to Embodiment 3. FIG. [Figure 28] 13 is a partially enlarged perspective view illustrating a duct 7 and a refrigerant pipe 10 of a second modified example of the outdoor unit according to Embodiment 3. FIG. [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is an end view illustrating a partition member 6 and a duct 7 of an outdoor unit according to embodiment 4. [Diagram 30] FIG. 11 is an end view illustrating a duct 7 in a modified example of the outdoor unit according to embodiment 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will not be repeated.

[0011] <Air conditioner configuration> An air conditioner 101 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioner 101 includes a refrigerant circuit through which a refrigerant circulates. The refrigerant circuit includes a compressor 111, a flow path switching device 112, an outdoor heat exchanger 3, a throttling device 113, an indoor heat exchanger 114, and extension pipes 115 and 116.

[0012] The compressor 111, the flow path switching device 112, the outdoor heat exchanger 3, the throttling device 113, and the outdoor fan 4 are housed in an outdoor unit 1 that is arranged outside a room that is the subject of air conditioning by the air conditioner 101. The indoor heat exchanger 114 and the indoor fan (not shown) are housed in an indoor unit 120 that is arranged in a room that is the subject of air conditioning by the air conditioner 101. Extension pipes 115, 116 connect the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit 120.

[0013] The compressor 111 compresses the refrigerant, and is, for example, a rotary compressor, a scroll compressor, a screw compressor, or a reciprocating compressor.

[0014] The flow path switching device 112 switches the flow path of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit. The flow path switching device 112 switches between a first state (cooling operation state) in which the outdoor heat exchanger 3 acts as a condenser and the indoor heat exchanger 114 acts as an evaporator, and a second state (heating operation state) in which the outdoor heat exchanger 3 acts as an evaporator and the indoor heat exchanger 114 acts as a condenser. In Fig. 1, a solid arrow indicates the direction in which the refrigerant flows in the first state, and a dashed arrow indicates the direction in which the refrigerant flows in the second state. The flow path switching device 112 is, for example, a four-way valve or a six-way valve.

[0015] The outdoor heat exchanger 3 is provided to exchange heat between the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant circuit and outside air sent into the outdoor unit 1 by the outdoor fan 4. The outdoor heat exchanger 3 is, for example, a fin-and-tube type heat exchanger.

[0016] The expansion device 113 expands the refrigerant to reduce the pressure. The expansion device 113 is, for example, an electric expansion valve. Note that the expansion device 113 is not limited to an electric expansion valve, and may be a mechanical expansion valve using a diaphragm in a pressure receiving portion, a capillary tube, or the like.

[0017] The indoor heat exchanger 114 is provided to exchange heat between the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant circuit and indoor air sent into the indoor unit 120 by an indoor fan (not shown). The indoor heat exchanger 114 is, for example, a fin-and-tube type heat exchanger.

[0018] The extension pipe 115 connects the expansion device 113 and the indoor heat exchanger 114 in the refrigerant circuit. The extension pipe 116 connects the indoor heat exchanger 114 and the suction port of the compressor 111 in the refrigerant circuit.

[0019] The refrigerant circuit includes a first refrigerant flow path 117 connecting the outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the throttling device 113, a second refrigerant flow path 118 connecting the throttling device 113 and the extension piping 115, and a third refrigerant flow path 119 connecting between the suction port of the compressor 111 and the flow path switching device 112.

[0020] The air conditioner 101 further includes a control device 200 that controls the operation of at least one of the compressor 111, the flow path switching device 112, the outdoor heat exchanger 3, the expansion device 113, and the outdoor fan 4.

[0021] The control device 200 includes a processor 201 and a memory 202. The processor 201 is a computing entity that executes various programs. The memory 202 provides a storage area for storing program codes or various variables when the processor 201 executes various programs. The control device 200 is connected to, for example, each component of the air conditioning device 101 and various sensors that detect the state of each component, and controls each component based on the operating conditions set by the user via a remote control and the signals output from each sensor. The control device 200 controls, for example, the frequency of the compressor 111, the switching of the flow path switching device 112, the opening degree of the throttling device 113, and the rotation speed of the outdoor fan 4.

[0022] The air conditioner 101 may further include a power conversion device 300.

[0023] The air conditioner 101 may be an air conditioner installed in a property such as a building, or may be an air conditioner mounted on a mobile object such as an automobile.

[0024] Below, outdoor units 1A to 1E according to embodiments 1 to 5 will be described as configuration examples of the outdoor unit 1 according to the present embodiment with reference to Figs. 2 to 30. For ease of explanation, an x-direction, a y-direction, and a z-direction that are perpendicular to each other will be introduced below. The outdoor unit according to the present embodiment is used by being disposed such that the x-direction and the y-direction are aligned with the horizontal direction and the z-direction is aligned with the direction of gravity.

[0025] Embodiment 1 As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the outdoor unit 1A according to the first embodiment includes a housing 2, a partition member 6, and a duct .

[0026] The housing 2 houses the outdoor heat exchanger 3, the outdoor fan 4, and at least one electric component 5. The housing 2 is a box-shaped member including a front panel 2A, a back panel 2C, and side panels 2D and 2E. An exhaust port 2B is formed in the front panel 2A. The exhaust port 2B is configured as, for example, the front end portion of a bell mouth. An intake port is formed in the back panel 2C.

[0027] The outdoor heat exchanger 3 includes, for example, a first heat exchange section 3A arranged along the back panel 2C and a second heat exchange section 3B arranged along the back panel 2C. The outdoor heat exchanger 3 is arranged in an L-shape when viewed from the z direction.

[0028] The outdoor fan 4 is provided so as to form an outdoor air flow F1 from an air intake formed in the back panel 2C toward the bell mouth 2B. In FIG. 4, the outdoor air flow F1 is shown as a straight line, but in reality, the flow becomes turbulent depending on the configuration of the outdoor fan 4 and driving conditions such as the rotation speed. The outdoor fan 4 is configured as an axial flow fan such as a propeller fan. The outdoor fan 4 is disposed between the front panel 2A and the first heat exchange section 3A of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 in the x direction, and is disposed between the second heat exchange section 3B of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the partition member 6 in the y direction. The outdoor fan 4 is disposed so that its central axis of rotation is along the x direction.

[0029] The electric component 5 is thermally connected to a duct 7, which will be described later. The electric component 5 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the duct 7 by, for example, a highly thermally conductive adhesive (not shown). Note that a thermally conductive sheet-like member (thermal sheet) may be disposed between the electric component 5 and the duct 7, or grease may be applied.

[0030] The electric component 5 is, for example, a component of the control device 200. The electric component 5 is, for example, a component including at least one of a power semiconductor element, an electrolytic capacitor, and a power relay. The power semiconductor element is, for example, a switching element such as an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) and a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET). The semiconductor material of the power semiconductor element may include any wide band gap semiconductor material, and may include, for example, silicon (Si), silicon carbide (SiC), gallium nitride (GaN), or diamond.

[0031] The electric component 5 may be the power conversion device 300 of the air conditioning device 101 or a component thereof. The electric component 5 may be an electrical box that houses a plurality of electric components, or may be a power module in which a plurality of power semiconductor elements are integrated.

[0032] The partition member 6 divides the inside of the housing 2 into a first chamber 21 that houses the outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the outdoor fan 4, and a second chamber 22 that houses the electric components 5 and the like. The partition member 6 extends between the front panel 2A and the back panel 2C in the x direction, and is disposed between the side panels 2D and 2E in the y direction. The first chamber 21 and the second chamber 22 are each formed between the front panel 2A and the back panel 2C in the x direction, and are disposed side by side with each other in the y direction. The air intakes of the bell mouth 2B and the back panel 2C communicate only with the inside of the first chamber 21. The air intakes of the bell mouth 2B and the back panel 2C do not communicate with the inside of the second chamber 22.

[0033] The material constituting the partition member 6 is, for example, a metal material, but the material constituting the partition member 6 may also be a resin material.

[0034] Compressor 111 , flow path switching device 112 , expansion device 113 , and at least a portion of the refrigerant piping that constitutes first refrigerant flow path 117 and second refrigerant flow path 118 are housed in second chamber 22 .

[0035] The partition member 6 has a first surface 6S facing the first chamber 21 and a second surface facing the second chamber 22. The partition member 6 is formed with a first opening 6A and a second opening 6B penetrating between the first surface 6S and the second surface.

[0036] As shown in Figs. 4 to 7, the duct 7 has a first opening end 7A and a second opening end 7B connected to the partition member 6. Each of the first opening end 7A and the second opening end 7B is airtightly connected to the partition member 6. The first opening end 7A is connected to the first opening 6A of the partition member 6. The second opening end 7B is connected to the second opening 6B of the partition member 6. The inside of the duct 7 is in communication with the inside of the first chamber 21 via the first opening end 7A and the second opening end 7B. The duct 7 is connected to the inside of the second chamber 22.

[0037] The partition member 6 and the duct 7 are configured so that a pressure difference is created between the first opening 6A and the second opening 6B when the outdoor fan 4 is operating. The first opening 6A and the first opening end 7A are provided closer to the outdoor fan 4 than the second opening 6B and the second opening end 7B. When the outdoor fan 4 is operating, the pressure of the air in the first opening 6A becomes lower than the pressure of the air in the second opening 6B.

[0038] The first opening 6A and the first opening end 7A are disposed closer to the back panel 2C than the rear end of the bellmouth 2B in the x direction. The first opening 6A and the first opening end 7A are disposed closer to the front panel 2A than the rear ends of the blades of the outdoor fan 4 in the x direction, for example.

[0039] The second opening 6B and the second opening end 7B are disposed on the front panel 2A side of the first heat exchange section 3A of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 in the x direction. The second opening 6B and the second opening end 7B are disposed on the back panel 2C side of the rear ends of the blades of the outdoor fan 4 in the x direction, for example. The second opening 6B and the second opening end 7B are disposed with a gap on the back panel 2C side in the x direction with respect to the first opening 6A and the first opening end 7A, for example.

[0040] When viewed from the y direction, the first opening 6A, the second opening 6B, the first opening end 7A, and the second opening end 7B are disposed so as to overlap, for example, with the central axis of rotation of the outdoor fan 4. The second opening 6B and the second opening end 7B are formed at the same height as the first opening 6A and the first opening end 7A in the z direction, for example.

[0041] The relative positional relationship between the first opening 6A and the second opening 6B, and the relative positional relationship between the first opening end 7A and the second opening end 7B are not limited to the configurations shown in Figures 2 to 6. Details will be described later.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 7, the duct 7 further has a heat receiving portion 7C between the first opening end 7A and the second opening end 7B, which is thermally connected to the electric component 5. Inside the heat receiving portion 7C, a space is formed which is connected to each of the first opening end 7A and the second opening end 7B and can serve as a flow path for outside air. The heat receiving portion 7C is disposed in the second room. In the outdoor unit 1A, the heat receiving portion 7C is configured as a part of a tubular member which connects the first opening end 7A and the second opening end 7B. Preferably, the material which configures the duct 7 is a material having high thermal conductivity, for example, a metal material.

[0043] As described above, in the outdoor unit 1A shown in Figures 2 to 6 in which the first opening 6A and the second opening 6B of the partition member 6 are arranged at the same height as each other in the z direction, the first opening end 7A and the second opening end 7B of the duct 7 are also arranged at the same height as each other in the z direction, and the heat receiving portion 7C is arranged to extend in the horizontal direction.

[0044] The heat receiving portion 7C is disposed, for example, in the y direction, at a distance from the second surface of the partition member 6. The distance in the y direction between the heat receiving portion 7C and the partition member 6 is equal to or greater than the dimension (thickness) in the y direction of the electrical component 5. The distance in the y direction between the heat receiving portion 7C and the partition member 6 is greater than, for example, the dimension (thickness) in the y direction of the electrical component 5. The electrical component 5 is disposed, for example, between the partition member 6 and the heat receiving portion 7C in the y direction.

[0045] The opening area of ​​the second opening 6B is, for example, the same as the opening area of ​​the first opening 6A. The opening area of ​​the second opening end 7B is, for example, the same as the opening area of ​​the first opening end 7A. The opening area of ​​the first opening end 7A of the duct 7 is, for example, equal to or larger than the opening area of ​​the first opening 6A of the partition member 6. The opening area of ​​the second opening end 7B of the duct 7 is, for example, equal to or larger than the opening area of ​​the second opening 6B of the partition member 6. The opening area of ​​the first opening end 7A of the duct 7 may be smaller than the opening area of ​​the first opening 6A of the partition member 6. The opening area of ​​the second opening end 7B of the duct 7 may be smaller than the opening area of ​​the second opening 6B of the partition member 6.

[0046] The opening areas of the first opening end 7A and the second opening end 7B are, for example, the same as the flow path cross-sectional area in the heat receiving portion 7C. In each of the first opening 6A, the second opening 6B, the first opening end 7A, and the second opening end 7B, the opening width in the x direction is, for example, narrower than the opening width in the z direction.

[0047] The dimension (width) in the z direction of the heat receiving portion 7C is equal to or larger than the dimension (width) in the z direction of the electrical component 5, for example, wider than the width in the z direction of the electrical component 5. The dimension (length) in the x direction of the heat receiving portion 7C is equal to or larger than the dimension (width) in the x direction of the electrical component 5, for example, wider than the width in the x direction of the electrical component 5.

[0048] Next, the pressure difference formed between the first opening end 7A and the second opening end 7B when the outdoor fan 4 is in operation will be described with reference to Figures 8A, 8B, and 9. The inventors analyzed the pressure distribution on the first surface 60S of the partition member 60 facing the outdoor fan 4 side by CFD using an analytical model AC1 of an outdoor unit that differs from the outdoor unit 1A only in that the first opening 6A and the second opening 6B are not formed. Specifically, the change in pressure according to the position in the x direction was analyzed at each of five levels that are located immediately adjacent to the first surface 60S of the partition member 60 in the y direction and have different heights in the z direction.

[0049] 8A and 8B show the positions where pressure was monitored in this analysis (hereinafter referred to as monitor positions), and FIG. 9 shows the results of this analysis.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 8A, five straight lines M1 to M5 extending parallel to each other along the x direction were set as monitor positions. The area in which pressure was monitored in the x direction was set from the front end of the first heat exchange unit 3A of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 to the front panel 2A for each of the monitor lines M1 to M5.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 8B, the five monitor lines M1 to M5 are straight lines that extend along the first surface 60S in the y direction in the immediate vicinity of the first surface 60S and overlap each other when viewed from the z direction. The monitor line M1 is at the same height as the rotation center axis in the z direction. The monitor line M2 is set at a position 200 mm above the monitor line M1. The monitor line M2 is set at a position 400 mm above the monitor line M1. The monitor line M4 is set at a position 200 mm below the monitor line M1. The monitor line M5 is set at a position 400 mm below the monitor line M1.

[0052] Other analysis conditions included a rotation speed of the outdoor fan 4 of 700 rpm. The rotation of the outdoor fan 4 was performed using the MRF (Murti Reference Frame), and the turbulent flow model used was k-ωSST. The pressure loss dP [Pa] of the air passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 3 varies depending on the shape of the fins included in the outdoor heat exchanger 3, the fin pitch, and the diameter of the heat transfer tubes. The pressure loss dP [Pa] is calculated as dP=A×V, where V is the wind speed around the outdoor heat exchanger 3 and A and B are coefficients. B It is expressed as:

[0053] As shown in FIG. 9, as a result of the above analysis, pressure distribution according to the position in the x direction was confirmed on each of the monitor lines M1 to M5. On the monitor line M1, the pressure was maximum at point B close to the first heat exchange section 3A of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 in the x direction, the pressure decreased from point B toward the front panel 2A side, the pressure was minimum at point A before reaching the front panel 2A, and the pressure tended to increase from point A toward the front panel 2A side. The maximum pressure difference on the monitor line M1, that is, the pressure difference between points A and B in FIG. 9, was larger than the pressure differences on the other monitor lines M2 to M5. The pressure monitored on the monitor line M1 was lower than the pressure monitored on the monitor line M2 in most areas in the x direction, and lower than the pressure monitored on the other monitor lines M3 to M5 in the entire area in the x direction.

[0054] The minimum value of the pressure monitored on the monitor lines M1 to M5 was the pressure at point A on the monitor line M1. Point A was a position overlapping with the outdoor fan 4 when viewed from the y direction. More specifically, point A was a position overlapping with the center of the outdoor fan 4 in the x direction when viewed from the y direction. The maximum value of the pressure monitored on the monitor lines M1 to M5 was the pressure at point C on the monitor line M5. Point C was a position slightly away from the first heat exchange section 3A of the outdoor heat exchanger 3 toward the outdoor fan 4 in the x direction.

[0055] From the analysis results shown in Fig. 9, it was confirmed that if a duct 7 is provided to connect two points where a pressure difference is formed in at least one of the x-direction and the z-direction on the first surface 60S of the partition member 60, an air flow can be formed inside the duct 7. Furthermore, from the analysis results shown in Fig. 9, it was confirmed that since a relatively large pressure difference is formed between point A and point B, if a duct 7 is provided to connect these points, an air flow with a large flow rate (air volume) and a fast flow velocity (wind speed) can be formed inside the duct 7. Furthermore, from the analysis results shown in Fig. 9, it was expected that if a duct 7 is provided to connect point A and point C where the pressure difference is maximum, the flow rate (air volume) of the air flowing inside the duct 7 will be the largest and its flow velocity (wind speed) will be the fastest.

[0056] The outdoor unit 1A was designed based on the analysis results of Fig. 9. The first opening 6A shown in Figs. 4 to 6 is formed at point A in Fig. 9, and the second opening 6B shown in Figs. 4 to 6 is formed at point B in Fig. 9. The duct 7 shown in Fig. 7 is formed at a position overlapping with the monitor line M1 in Fig. 8A when viewed from the y direction.

[0057] The above analysis results were obtained under specified conditions for the various design conditions of the outdoor unit 1A, specifically, the shape and position of the outdoor fan 4, the pressure loss coefficient of the heat exchanger, the shape of the bell mouth 2B, the shape of the partition member 60, the distance in the x direction between the outdoor fan 4 and the bell mouth 2B, and the distance in the y direction between the outdoor fan 4 and the partition member 60. The analysis results of the pressure distribution change depending on the above conditions. Therefore, the duct 7 needs to be designed so that an analysis is performed according to the various design conditions of the outdoor unit 1A, and so that it connects two points where a relatively large pressure difference is expected to be formed based on the analysis results.

[0058] Next, with reference to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, the air flow formed in the duct 7 when the outdoor fan 4 is operating in the outdoor unit 1A shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 6 will be described. The inventors analyzed the air flow in the first chamber 21 and the duct 7 when the outdoor fan 4 is operating for the outdoor unit 1A shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 6 by CFD. Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 show velocity vector diagrams that are the results of this analysis.

[0059] 10 and 11, it was confirmed that an air flow from the second open end 7B to the first open end 7A was formed in the duct 7 of the outdoor unit 1A. In the analysis results, the maximum wind speed of the air in the duct 7 was 3 m / min, and the average wind speed was 1.7 m / min.

[0060] As described above, the outdoor unit 1A includes the duct 7 having the first opening end 7A and the second opening end 7B connected to the partition member 6, communicating with the first chamber 21 through the first opening end 7A and the second opening end 7B, and extending into the second chamber 22. A pressure difference is generated between the first opening end 7A and the second opening end 7B when the outdoor fan 4 is in operation. Therefore, an air flow is generated in the duct 7 due to the pressure difference, and heat generated in the electric component 5 thermally connected to the duct 7 is dissipated to the air flowing in the duct 7. The outdoor air used for dissipating heat from the electric component 5 is discharged to the outside of the outdoor unit 1A through the duct 7 that communicates only with the first chamber 21 and the first chamber 21 without passing through the second chamber 22. Therefore, according to the outdoor unit 1A, the heat generated in the electric component 5 can be efficiently dissipated to the outside air, suppressing the occurrence of failures in the electric component 5. As a result, the outdoor unit 1A has high reliability. Furthermore, according to the outdoor unit 1A, the heat generated in the electrical components 5 can be dissipated only by the outside air flowing through the duct 7 communicating with the first chamber 21. Therefore, the reliability of the outdoor unit 1A is further improved compared to conventional outdoor units that cool electrical components by the outside air taken into the machine chamber.

[0061] <Modification> Below, first to ninth modified examples of the outdoor unit 1A will be described with reference to Figures 12 to 22. The first to ninth modified examples described below can be combined with each other, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0062] In the outdoor unit 1A, the relative positional relationship between the first opening 6A and the second opening 6B can be selected arbitrarily as long as the above-mentioned pressure difference can be formed during operation of the outdoor fan 4. The duct 7 can be appropriately selected as an appropriate structure for connecting the first opening 6A and the second opening 6B according to the selected relative positional relationship between them.

[0063] The outdoor unit 1B shown in FIG. 12 differs from the outdoor unit 1A in that the second opening 6B of the partition member 6 is disposed at a distance from the first opening 6A in the z direction. The first opening 6A of the outdoor unit 1B is formed at point A in FIG. 9, similar to the first opening 6A of the outdoor unit 1A. On the other hand, the second opening 6B of the outdoor unit 1B is formed at point C in FIG. 9. The duct 7 of the outdoor unit 1B has a portion that is inclined with respect to the x direction. For example, the entire heat receiving portion 7C may be inclined with respect to the x direction, or only a portion of the heat receiving portion 7C other than the portion on which the electric component 5 is mounted may be inclined with respect to the x direction.

[0064] 13 and 14 differs from the outdoor unit 1A in that it further includes an air-receiving member 8. The air-receiving member 8 is disposed on the downwind side of the second opening end 7B in the air-blowing direction of the outdoor fan 4, and protrudes further into the first chamber 21 than the first surface 6S of the partition member 6. The shape and dimensions of the air-receiving member 8 are not particularly limited.

[0065] The wind receiving member 8 includes, for example, a rising portion 8A rising perpendicularly to the first surface 6S, and a folded portion 8B folded back from the rising portion 8A to the windward side in the air blowing direction of the outdoor fan 4. The dimension (width) of the wind receiving member 8 in the z direction is, for example, equal to the opening width in the z direction of the second opening 6B. The dimension (height) of the wind receiving member 8 in the y direction is, for example, greater than the opening width in the z direction of the second opening 6B. The dimension in the z direction of the folded portion 8B is, for example, equal to the dimension in the z direction of the rising portion 8A. The dimension in the x direction of the folded portion 8B is, for example, equal to or greater than the opening width in the x direction of the second opening 6B. The dimension in the x direction of the folded portion 8B is, for example, equal to or less than the dimension in the y direction of the rising portion 8A. When viewed from the z direction, the angle that the folded portion 8B forms with respect to the rising portion 8A is, for example, 90°.

[0066] FIG. 15 shows the results of a fluid analysis performed under the same conditions as those of the analytical model AC1 for an analytical model AC2 which differs from the analytical model AC1 only in that it includes the wind receiving member 8 shown in FIGS.

[0067] From the analysis results shown in FIG. 15, it was confirmed that the pressure in the area on the windward side of the wind-receiving member 8 in the analysis model AC2 was higher than the pressure in the corresponding area in the analysis model AC1. Furthermore, as a result of analyzing the air flow formed in the duct 7 of the outdoor unit 1C by CFD, the maximum wind speed of the air in the duct 7 was 3.3 m / min and the average wind speed was 2.3 m / min. Comparing with the analysis results for the outdoor unit 1A described above, it was confirmed that the wind speed in the duct 7 of the outdoor unit 1C was faster than the wind speed in the duct 7 of the outdoor unit 1A. According to the outdoor unit 1C, the heat dissipation efficiency of the electric components 5 can be further improved compared to the outdoor unit 1A.

[0068] In the outdoor unit 1A, the electric component 5 may be disposed at any position on the outer peripheral surface of the heat receiving portion 7C of the duct 7. As shown in Fig. 16, the electric component 5 may be disposed, for example, on a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the heat receiving portion 7C facing away from the partition member 6.

[0069] 17 and 18, in the outdoor unit 1A, the electric component 5 may be mounted on a printed circuit board 9. As shown in Fig. 17, a surface of the printed circuit board 9 opposite to a surface on which the electric component 5 is mounted may be thermally connected to an outer peripheral surface of the heat receiving portion 7C of the duct 7. As shown in Fig. 18, a surface of the electric component 5 opposite to a surface connected to the printed circuit board 9 may be thermally connected to an outer peripheral surface of the heat receiving portion 7C of the duct 7.

[0070] Incidentally, even when the electric component 5 is mounted on the printed circuit board 9, the electric component 5 and the printed circuit board 9 may be disposed between the partition member 6 and the duct 7 in the y direction.

[0071] The outdoor unit 1A may also include a plurality of electric components 5. In this case, each of the plurality of electric components 5 may be thermally connected to the duct 7. The plurality of electric components 5 may be arranged side by side in the x direction. Some of the plurality of electric components 5 may be arranged between the partition member 6 and the duct 7 in the y direction as shown in Fig. 4, and the remaining parts of the plurality of electric components 5 may be arranged on a part of the outer circumferential surface of the heat receiving section 7C facing away from the partition member 6 as shown in Figs. 16 to 18.

[0072] 19, in the outdoor unit 1A, the duct 7 may include a throttle portion 7D whose flow path cross-sectional area is smaller than the opening area of ​​each of the first opening end 7A and the second opening end 7B. The throttle portion 7D is configured as at least a part of the heat receiving portion 7C. In a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the throttle portion 7D, at least a part of the electric component 5 is disposed so as to overlap with the throttle portion 7D.

[0073] The duct 7 further includes a pair of remaining parts 7E that are arranged to sandwich the narrowed part 7D in the extending direction and have a larger flow path cross-sectional area than the narrowed part 7D. For example, the opening width W1 in the y direction of the narrowed part 7D is narrower than the opening width W2 in the y direction of each of the pair of remaining parts 7E. The opening width in the z direction of the narrowed part 7D is equal to the opening width in the z direction of each of the pair of remaining parts 7E. The dimensions in the y direction and the z direction of each of the narrowed part 7D and the remaining part 7E are not particularly limited as long as the above-mentioned relationship in the flow path cross-sectional area is realized. Each of the pair of remaining parts 7E has, for example, a part that is connected to each of the first opening end 7A and the second opening end 7B and extends along the y direction, and a part that is connected to the part and extends along the x direction.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 19, the throttling section 7D has, for example, a reduced diameter section in which the flow path cross-sectional area gradually decreases with increasing distance from the second opening end 7B, a straight pipe section in which the flow path cross-sectional area is smallest and constant, and an expanded diameter section in which the flow path cross-sectional area gradually increases toward the first opening end 7A.

[0075] 19, the throttle portion 7D is formed, for example, by one of a pair of inner circumferential surfaces 7D1, 7D2 of the duct 7 that face each other in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the throttle portion 7D protruding toward the other inner circumferential surface 7D1. The throttle portion 7D is formed, for example, by the inner circumferential surface 7D2 facing the electric component 5 of the pair of inner circumferential surfaces 7D1, 7D2 of the duct 7 that face each other in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the throttle portion 7D protruding toward the electric component 5.

[0076] 19, the air flow F2 in the duct 7 flows along the inner circumferential surface 7D1 in the narrowed portion 7D. This increases the amount of heat transferred from the electric component 5 to the air in the duct 7. In addition, since the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the narrowed portion 7D is smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the remaining portion 7E of the duct 7, the flow velocity (wind speed) in the narrowed portion 7D is faster than the flow velocity in the pair of remaining portions 7E according to the equation of continuity.

[0077] The outer peripheral surface of the narrowed portion 7D is recessed with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the remaining portion 7E, for example. The outer peripheral surface of the narrowed portion 7D may be configured to be flush with the outer peripheral surface of the remaining portion 7E. The narrowed portion 7D may be configured by fixing a convex member protruding with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the remaining portion 7E to the inner peripheral surface of the narrowed portion 7D.

[0078] 19, the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​each of the pair of remaining portions 7E is larger than, for example, the opening area of ​​each of the first opening end 7A and the second opening end 7B. Note that the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​each of the pair of remaining portions 7E may be the same as the opening area of ​​each of the first opening end 7A and the second opening end 7B.

[0079] Even when the duct 7 includes the narrowed portion 7D, the electric component 5 may be disposed on a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the heat receiving portion 7C facing away from the partition member 6. Moreover, even when the duct 7 includes the narrowed portion 7D, the electric component 5 may be mounted on the printed circuit board 9.

[0080] As shown in Fig. 20, each of the pair of remainders 7E may extend only along the y direction. The flow path cross-sectional area of ​​each of the pair of remainders 7E may be the same as the opening area of ​​each of the first opening end 7A and the second opening end 7B. The duct shown in Fig. 20 also includes a throttle portion 7D, similar to the duct 7 shown in Fig. 19, so that the flow velocity (wind speed) at the throttle portion 7D is higher than the flow velocity at the pair of remainders 7E according to the equation of continuity.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 21, the duct 7 may include an outer peripheral surface 7F thermally connected to the electric component 5, an inner peripheral surface 7G located on the opposite side to the outer peripheral surface 7F, and fins 7H protruding inward from the inner peripheral surface 7G. Preferably, the heat receiving portion 7C includes the fins 7H. The number of the fins 7H may be any number equal to or greater than one. In this way, the surface area of ​​the inner peripheral surface 7G of the duct 7 is increased, so that the amount of heat transferred to the air flowing through the duct 7 is increased, and the heat dissipation efficiency from the electric component 5 to the air is improved. The shape of the fins 7H is, for example, a pin shape. In this case, the multiple fins 7H are preferably arranged at intervals from each other in the z direction and the x direction. The shape of the fins 7H may be any shape, and may be, for example, a plate fin or a corrugated fin. In these cases, preferably, each of the multiple fins 7H extends along the x direction and is arranged at intervals from each other in the z direction.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 22, the duct 7 includes a heat receiving portion 7C thermally connected to the electric component 5, and a pipe portion 7I connecting the first opening end 7A and the second opening end 7B to the heat receiving portion 7C, and the material constituting the heat receiving portion 7C may be different from the material constituting the pipe portion 7I. From a different perspective, the heat receiving portion 7C may be configured as a member separate from the pipe portion 7I, which is a tubular member connecting the first opening end 7A and the second opening end 7B. The pipe portion 7I has a first connection portion 7IA extending between the heat receiving portion 7C and the first opening end 7A, a second connection portion 7IB extending between the heat receiving portion 7C and the second opening end 7B, and a third connection portion 7IC connecting between the first connection portion 7IA and the second connection portion 7IB. The heat receiving portion 7C is thermally connected to the outer circumferential surface of the third connection portion 7IC. The heat capacity of the heat receiving portion 7C is greater than the heat capacity of the third connection portion 7IC.

[0083] The material constituting the heat receiving portion 7C is a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the material constituting the pipe portion 7I, for example, a metal material. The material constituting the pipe portion 7I may be any material, for example, a resin material such as polyvinyl chloride. Preferably, the pipe portion 7I has higher flexibility than the heat receiving portion 7C. The flexibility of the pipe portion 7I may be realized by at least one of the material constituting the pipe portion 7I and the shape of the pipe portion 7I. The pipe portion 7I may have a bellows structure. According to such an outdoor unit 1A, the degree of freedom in positioning the duct 7 is increased, so that the dimensional tolerance can be relaxed or the ease of assembly can be improved. The pipe portion 7I may be a circular pipe or an elliptical pipe.

[0084] Embodiment 2 Unless otherwise specified, the outdoor unit according to embodiment 2 has the same configuration and functions and effects as those of embodiment 1. Therefore, the same configurations as those of embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

[0085] As shown in Fig. 23, in the outdoor unit according to embodiment 3, a third opening 6C is formed in the partition member 6. The third opening 6C only needs to be formed in a position where a pressure difference can be created at least between the third opening 6C and the first opening 6A when the outdoor fan 4 is in operation. When the first opening 6A is formed at point A in Fig. 9 and the second opening 6B is formed at point B in Fig. 9, the third opening 6C may be formed at point D in Fig. 9.

[0086] The duct 7 further has a third opening end 7J connected to the partition member 6. The third opening end 7J is airtightly connected to the partition member 6. The third opening end 7J is connected to a third opening 6C of the partition member 6. The duct 7 is in communication with the inside of the first chamber 21 via the first opening end 7A, the second opening end 7B, and the third opening end 7J.

[0087] The duct 7 includes a first pipe section 7I that connects between the first opening end 7A and the second opening end 7B, and a second pipe section 7K that branches off from the first pipe section 7I and connects between the first pipe section 7I and the third opening end 7J. The electric component 5 is thermally connected to a branched portion of the duct 7 from the first pipe section 7I to the second pipe section 7K. The electric component 5 is thermally connected to each of the first pipe section 7I and the second pipe section 7K via, for example, a heat receiving section 7C that is provided so as to cover the branched portion.

[0088] As described above, in the case where the first opening 6A is formed at point A in Fig. 9, the second opening 6B is formed at point B in Fig. 9, and the third opening 6C is formed at point D in Fig. 9, during operation of the outdoor fan 4, a pressure difference is generated between the first opening 6A and the second opening 6B, and a pressure difference is generated between the first opening 6A and the third opening 6C. As a result, air that has flowed from the second opening end 7B into the second connection part 7IB of the first pipe section 7I and air that has flowed from the third opening end 7J into the second pipe section 7K can flow out from the first opening end 7A into the first chamber 21 through the first connection part 7IA of the first pipe section 7I.

[0089] In the configuration shown in Fig. 23, the number of openings at the location where the pressure is relatively high is greater than the number of openings at the location where the pressure is relatively low, but the number of openings at the location where the pressure is relatively high may be the same as the number of openings at the location where the pressure is relatively low. For example, in consideration of the balance of the flow rates, the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the first connection portion 7IA of the first pipe portion 7I may be greater than the flow path cross-sectional areas of the second connection portion 7IB of the first pipe portion 7I and the second pipe portion 7K. Also, the duct 7 may have a plurality of first opening ends 7A, and the first pipe portion 7I may have a plurality of first connection portions 7IA connected in parallel to the second connection portion 7IB and the second pipe portion 7K.

[0090] <Modification> Below, a modification of the outdoor unit according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0091] The outdoor unit according to the second embodiment can also employ the above-described modified examples described for the outdoor unit according to the first embodiment.

[0092] Also in the outdoor unit according to embodiment 2, similarly to the outdoor unit according to embodiment 1, the relative positional relationship of the multiple openings formed in the partition member 6 can be selected arbitrarily as long as the above-mentioned pressure difference can be generated when the outdoor fan 4 is in operation. The duct 7 can be appropriately selected as an appropriate structure for connecting the multiple openings depending on the relative positional relationship between them.

[0093] The first modified example of the outdoor unit according to the second embodiment shown in FIG.

[0094] The duct 7 includes a first heat receiving portion 7C1 thermally connected to the first electric component 51, and a second heat receiving portion 7C2 thermally connected to the second electric component 52. The first pipe portion 7I of the duct 7 further includes a first connection portion 7IA connecting the first heat receiving portion 7C1 and the first opening end 7A, a second connection portion 7IB connecting the second heat receiving portion 7C2 and the second opening end 7B, a fourth connection portion 7ID connecting the first heat receiving portion 7C1 and the second heat receiving portion 7C2, a fifth connection portion 7IE connecting the first connection portion 7IA and the fourth connection portion 7ID, and a sixth connection portion 7IF connecting the second connection portion 7IB and the fourth connection portion 7ID.

[0095] The first heat receiving portion 7C1 is thermally connected to the outer peripheral surface of the fifth connection portion 7IE. The second heat receiving portion 7C2 is thermally connected to the outer peripheral surface of the sixth connection portion 7IF. The second pipe portion 7K of the duct 7 is branched off from, for example, the sixth connection portion 7IF.

[0096] As shown in Fig. 24, each of the fifth connection portion 7IE and the sixth connection portion 7IF may have a bent shape. Alternatively, each of the fifth connection portion 7IE and the sixth connection portion 7IF may have a shape that extends linearly.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 25, the outdoor unit of embodiment 2 may include a first duct 71 thermally connected to the first electrical component 51, and a second duct 72 thermally connected to the second electrical component 52.

[0098] The first duct 71 has a first opening end 7A, a second opening end 7B, a third opening end 7J, a first pipe section 7I, and a second pipe section 7K. The first pipe section 7I has a first connection portion 7IA extending between the first heat receiving section 7C1 and the first opening end 7A, a second connection portion 7IB extending between the first heat receiving section 7C1 and the second opening end 7B, and a third connection portion 7IC connecting the first connection portion 7IA and the second connection portion 7IB. The first heat receiving section 7C1 is thermally connected to the outer circumferential surface of the third connection portion 7IC.

[0099] The second duct 72 has a fourth opening end 7L, a fifth opening end 7M, and a third pipe section 7N. The third pipe section 7N has a seventh connection portion 7NL that spans between the second heat receiving section 7C2 and the fourth opening end 7L, an eighth connection portion 7NM that spans between the second heat receiving section 7C2 and the fifth opening end 7M, and a ninth connection portion 7NO that connects between the seventh connection portion 7NL and the eighth connection portion 7NM. The second heat receiving section 7C2 is thermally connected to the outer circumferential surface of the ninth connection portion 7NO.

[0100] The fourth opening end 7L is connected to the fourth opening 6D formed in the partition member 6. The fifth opening end 7M is connected to the fifth opening 6E formed in the partition member 6. The fourth opening 6D and the fourth opening end 7L are arranged at a distance from the first opening 6A and the first opening end 7A in the z direction, for example. The fifth opening 6E and the fifth opening end 7M are arranged at a distance from the second opening 6B and the second opening end 7B in the z direction, for example. The fourth opening 6D and the fifth opening 6E may be provided so that at least a pressure difference can be formed between them when the outdoor fan 4 is in operation.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 25, the outdoor unit according to the second embodiment may further include a connecting portion 73 that connects the first duct 71 and the second duct 72. The connecting portion 73 may connect any portion of the first duct 71 and the second duct 72. The connecting portion 73 connects, for example, the third connection portion 7IC of the first pipe portion 7I of the first duct 71 and the ninth connection portion 7NO of the third pipe portion 7N of the second duct 72. From a different perspective, the connecting portion 73 is provided between, for example, the first heat receiving portion 7C1 and the second heat receiving portion 7C2. Each of the fourth opening 6D and the fifth opening 6E is provided so that a pressure difference can be formed between the fourth opening 6D and the fifth opening 6E and the first opening 6A when the outdoor fan 4 is in operation. In this case, a portion of the air that flows from the fifth opening end 7M into the eighth connection portion 7NM of the third pipe portion 7N can flow through the coupling portion 73 and the first connection portion 7IA of the first pipe portion 7I and out from the first opening end 7A into the first chamber 21. The remainder of the air that flows from the fifth opening end 7M into the eighth connection portion 7NM of the third pipe portion 7N can flow through the seventh connection portion 7NL of the third pipe portion 7N and out from the fourth opening end 7L into the first chamber 21.

[0102] The outdoor unit according to the second embodiment does not necessarily have to include the connecting portion 73.

[0103] Embodiment 3 Unless otherwise specified, the outdoor unit according to embodiment 3 has the same configuration and functions and effects as those of embodiment 1. Therefore, the same configurations as those of embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

[0104] 26, in the outdoor unit 1D according to the third embodiment, the duct 7 has a heat radiating section 7O that is thermally connected to the refrigerant piping 10, and a heat receiving section 7C that is located closer to the first opening 6A than the heat radiating section 7O and is thermally connected to the electrical component 5. A refrigerant that is at a lower temperature than the electrical component 5 flows through the refrigerant piping 10. The heat receiving section 7C is provided so that air that has been cooled by heat exchange with the low-temperature refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant piping 10 flows into it.

[0105] The second chamber 22 contains a refrigerant flow path through which the refrigerant flows. The second chamber 22 includes, for example, a first refrigerant flow path 117, a second refrigerant flow path 118, and a third refrigerant flow path 119 shown in Fig. 1. The refrigerant pipe 10 is included in, for example, the first refrigerant flow path 117, the second refrigerant flow path 118, or the third refrigerant flow path 119.

[0106] FIG. 27 shows a configuration example of a connection between the heat radiating portion 7O and the refrigerant pipe 10. As shown in FIG. 27, the heat radiating portion 7O is provided in a second connection portion 7IB that connects between the second opening 6B and the heat receiving portion 7C. The heat radiating portion 7O is connected to the second opening 6B via a portion 7IB1 of the second connection portion 7IB, and is connected to the heat receiving portion 7C via a portion 7IB2 of the second connection portion 7IB. As a result, among the first opening 6A and the second opening 6B that are connected by the duct 7, the air that flows from the second opening 6B, which has a relatively high pressure when the outdoor fan 4 is in operation, to the portion 7IB1 of the second connection portion 7IB is cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe 10 in the heat radiating portion 7O. The air cooled in the heat dissipation portion 7O flows into the heat receiving portion 7C through the portion 7IB2 of the second connection portion 7IB, removes heat from the electrical components 5 and the heat receiving portion 7C, and then flows out into the first chamber 21 through the first connection portion 7IA and the first opening 6A.

[0107] An insertion hole 7P is formed in the heat dissipation portion 7O. The refrigerant pipe 10 is inserted through the insertion hole 7P. The insertion hole 7P is formed to extend in, for example, the z direction. The refrigerant pipe 10 extends along the z direction.

[0108] <Modification> Below, a modification of the outdoor unit according to the third embodiment will be described.

[0109] The outdoor unit according to the third embodiment may also employ the above-mentioned modified examples described for the outdoor unit according to the first embodiment and the above-mentioned modified examples described for the outdoor unit according to the second embodiment.

[0110] Also in the outdoor unit according to embodiment 3, similarly to outdoor unit 1A, the relative positional relationship of the multiple openings formed in partition member 6 can be selected arbitrarily as long as the above-mentioned pressure difference can be created when the outdoor fan 4 is in operation. The duct 7 can be appropriately selected as an appropriate structure for connecting the multiple openings, depending on the relative positional relationship between them.

[0111] 28, the heat dissipation unit 7O may have an inner wall 7Q thermally connected to the refrigerant pipe 10. The inner circumferential surface of the inner wall 7Q is in contact with, for example, the outer circumferential surface of the refrigerant pipe 10. A gap may be formed between the inner circumferential surface of the inner wall 7Q and the outer circumferential surface of the refrigerant pipe 10. In this case, the gap is preferably filled with a thermally conductive member such as heat dissipating grease.

[0112] The inner wall 7Q may have an outer circumferential surface exposed to the inside of the heat dissipation portion 7O and fins protruding from the outer circumferential surface.

[0113] The heat dissipation section 7O does not have to have an inner wall 7Q. The refrigerant pipes 10 may be configured as an integral member with the heat dissipation section 7O. In the heat dissipation section 7O, the refrigerant pipes 10 may have an outer peripheral surface exposed to the inside of the heat dissipation section 7O and fins protruding from the outer peripheral surface.

[0114] Embodiment 4 Unless otherwise specified, the outdoor unit according to embodiment 4 has the same configuration and functions and effects as those of the above-mentioned embodiment 1. Therefore, the same configurations as those of the above-mentioned embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

[0115] As shown in Fig. 29, in an outdoor unit 1E according to embodiment 4, a sixth opening 2F facing the outside of the housing 2 is formed in the housing 2. The sixth opening 2F is formed in, for example, the side panel 2E. Note that the sixth opening 2F may also be formed in the front panel 2A or the back panel 2C.

[0116] The duct 7 connects between a first opening 6A formed in the partition member 6 and a sixth opening 2F formed in the housing 2. The duct 7 has a first opening end 7A connected to the partition member 6 and a sixth opening end 7R connected to the housing 2. The first opening end 7A is airtightly connected to the partition member 6. The sixth opening end 7R is airtightly connected to the housing 2.

[0117] The first opening end 7A is connected to the first opening 6A of the partition member 6. The sixth opening end 7R is connected to the sixth opening 2F of the housing 2. The inside of the duct 7 is in communication with the inside of the first chamber 21 via the first opening end 7A, and is in communication with the outside of the outdoor unit 1E via the sixth opening end 7R.

[0118] The partition member 6 and the duct 7 are configured so that a pressure difference is formed between the first opening 6A and the sixth opening 2F when the outdoor fan 4 is operating. The pressure outside the outdoor unit 1F is approximately atmospheric pressure. In other words, the gauge pressure outside the outdoor unit 1F is approximately 0 Pa. In contrast, the pressure inside the first chamber 21 when the outdoor fan 4 is operating is lower than the pressure outside the outdoor unit 1F. Therefore, when the outdoor fan 4 is operating, the pressure of the air in the first opening 6A is lower than the pressure of the air in the sixth opening 2F, and an air flow F3 from the sixth opening end 7R to the first opening end 7A is formed in the duct 7. In the outdoor unit 1F, the air flowing through the duct 7 is air that has not exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 3.

[0119] In the outdoor unit 1F, when the air conditioner 101 is in the first state, the heat generated in the electrical components 5 can be dissipated to unheated air, rather than to air heated by heat exchange with high-temperature refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 3. Therefore, compared to the outdoor unit 1A, the heat dissipation efficiency of the electrical components 5 in the outdoor unit 1F is improved when the air conditioner 101 is in the first state.

[0120] <Modification> Below, a modification of the outdoor unit according to the fourth embodiment will be described.

[0121] The outdoor unit of embodiment 4 may also employ the above-mentioned modified examples described for the outdoor unit of embodiment 1, the above-mentioned modified examples described for the outdoor unit of embodiment 2, and the above-mentioned modified examples described for the outdoor unit of embodiment 3.

[0122] FIG. 30 shows a modified example in which the duct 7 of the outdoor unit 1F has a heat radiating portion 7O similar to the outdoor unit 1E according to the third embodiment.

[0123] Also, in the outdoor unit according to embodiment 4, the relative positional relationship between the opening formed in the partition member 6 and the opening formed in the housing 2 can be selected arbitrarily as long as the above-mentioned pressure difference can be generated when the outdoor fan 4 is in operation. The duct 7 can be appropriately selected as an appropriate structure for connecting a plurality of openings depending on the relative positional relationship between them.

[0124] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 1,1A,1B,1C,1D,1E,1F Outdoor unit, 2 housing, 2A front panel, 2B exhaust port, 2C back panel, 2D,2E side panel, 2F 6th opening, 3 outdoor heat exchanger, 3A 1st heat exchange section, 3B 2nd heat exchange section, 4 outdoor fan, 5 electrical parts, 6,60 partition member, 6A 1st opening, 6B 2nd opening, 6C 3rd opening, 6D 4th opening, 6E 5th opening, 6S,60S 1st surface, 7 duct, 7A 1st opening end, 7B 2nd opening end, 7C Heat receiving part, 7C1 1st heat receiving part, 7C2 2nd heat receiving part, 7D1,7D2,7G Inner surface, 7E Remainder, 7F Outer surface, 7H Fin, 7I Pipe part (1st pipe part), 7IA 1st connection part, 7IB 2nd connection part, 7IC 3rd connection part, 7ID 4th connection part, 7IE 5th connection part, 7IF 6th connection part, 7J 3rd opening end, 7K 2nd pipe part, 7L 4th opening end, 7M 5th opening end, 7N 3rd pipe part, 7NL 7th connection part, 7NM 8th connection part, 7NO 9th connection part, 7O heat dissipation part, 7P insertion hole, 7Q inner wall, 7R 6th opening end, 8 wind receiving member, 8A rising part, 8B folded part, 9 printed circuit board, 10 refrigerant piping, 21 1st chamber, 22 2nd chamber, 51 1st electric part, 52 2nd electric part, 71 1st duct, 72 2nd duct, 73 connection part, 101 air conditioning device, 111 compressor, 112 switching device, 113 throttling device, 114 indoor heat exchanger, 115, 116 Extension piping, 117, 118, 119 flow path, 120 indoor unit, 200 control device, 201 processor, 202 memory, 300 power conversion device.

Claims

1. An outdoor unit of an air conditioner, a housing that houses an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, and at least one electrical component; a partition member that divides the inside of the housing into a first chamber that houses the outdoor heat exchanger and the outdoor fan and a second chamber that houses the at least one electric component; The partition member has a first opening and a second opening, At least one duct is connected between the first opening and the second opening and extends into the second chamber, A pressure difference is generated between the first opening and the second opening when the outdoor fan is in operation, The at least one electrical component is thermally connected to the at least one duct.

2. When the outdoor fan is in operation, the pressure in the second opening is higher than the pressure in the first opening, The outdoor unit according to claim 1 , further comprising: a wind receiving member that is disposed on the downwind side of the second opening in the air blowing direction of the outdoor fan and that protrudes further toward the first room than the partition member.

3. the at least one duct includes a throttle portion having a flow path cross-sectional area smaller than an opening area of ​​each of the first opening and the second opening; The outdoor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrical component is disposed so as to overlap at least a portion of the tapered portion in a direction perpendicular to an extension direction of the tapered portion.

4. the throttle portion is formed by one of a pair of inner circumferential surfaces of the at least one duct facing each other in the perpendicular direction protruding toward the other of the pair of inner circumferential surfaces, The outdoor unit according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one electrical component is disposed on the one side or the other side.

5. The outdoor unit according to claim 4 , wherein the throttle portion is provided such that the flow path cross-sectional area gradually decreases with increasing distance from each of the first opening and the second opening.

6. 2. The outdoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one duct includes an outer circumferential surface that is thermally connected to the at least one electrical component, an inner circumferential surface that is located opposite the outer circumferential surface, and a fin that protrudes inward from the inner circumferential surface.

7. the at least one duct includes a heat receiving portion thermally connected to the at least one electric component, and a pipe portion connecting the first opening and the second opening to the heat receiving portion, The outdoor unit according to claim 1 , wherein a material constituting the heat receiving portion is different from a material constituting the pipe portion.

8. The outdoor unit according to claim 7 , wherein a thermal conductivity of a material constituting the heat receiving portion is higher than a thermal conductivity of a material constituting the pipe portion.

9. The outdoor unit according to claim 8 , wherein the pipe portion has a higher flexibility than the heat receiving portion.

10. The partition member further includes a third opening. the at least one duct includes a first connection portion that connects between the first opening and the second opening, and a second pipe portion that branches off from the first connection portion and connects between the first connection portion and the third opening, A pressure difference is generated between the first opening and the third opening when the outdoor fan is in operation, The outdoor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrical component is thermally connected to the first connection portion and the branched portion of the second pipe portion of the at least one duct.

11. the at least one electrical component is a plurality of electrical components; the plurality of electrical components include a first electrical component and a second electrical component; the at least one duct is a plurality of ducts; 2. The outdoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of ducts include a first duct thermally connected to the first electrical component, a second duct thermally connected to the second electrical component, and a connecting portion connecting the first duct and the second duct.

12. The second chamber accommodates a refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant flows, the refrigerant flow path includes a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant flows, the refrigerant having a lower temperature than the at least one electrical component; the outdoor heat exchanger is provided so as to exchange heat between the refrigerant and air sent by the outdoor fan, When the outdoor fan is in operation, the pressure in the second opening is higher than the pressure in the first opening, The outdoor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one duct has a heat dissipation portion thermally connected to the refrigerant piping, and a heat receiving portion located closer to the first opening than the heat dissipation portion and thermally connected to the at least one electrical component.

13. An outdoor unit of an air conditioner, a housing that houses an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, and at least one electrical component; a partition member that divides the inside of the housing into a first chamber that houses the outdoor heat exchanger and the outdoor fan and a second chamber that houses the at least one electric component; The partition member has a first opening formed therein, The housing has an opening facing the outside of the housing, At least one duct is provided between the first opening and the opening of the housing and extends into the second chamber; A pressure difference is generated between the first opening and the opening of the housing when the outdoor fan is in operation, The at least one electrical component is thermally connected to the at least one duct.

14. The second chamber accommodates a refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant flows, the refrigerant flow path includes a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant flows, the refrigerant having a lower temperature than the at least one electrical component; the outdoor heat exchanger is provided so as to exchange heat between the refrigerant and air sent by the outdoor fan, When the outdoor fan is in operation, the pressure in the opening of the housing is higher than the pressure in the first opening, The outdoor unit according to claim 13, wherein the at least one duct has a heat dissipation portion thermally connected to the refrigerant piping, and a heat receiving portion located closer to the first opening than the heat dissipation portion and thermally connected to the at least one electrical component.

15. An outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 14, an indoor unit that houses an indoor heat exchanger; and an extension pipe connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor unit.

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