Heat source machine

Abstract

To provide a heat source machine that can suppress generation of "icicles" or an "ice block" in an air heat exchange part.SOLUTION: A heat source machine includes: an air heat exchange part for exchanging heat with air; and an icicle suppression part for suppressing generation of icicles in the air heat exchange part. The icicle suppression part includes an opposite part that is opposite to a corner part of the air heat exchange part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a heat source unit including an air heat exchanger that exchanges heat with air. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, the heat source unit disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an air heat exchanger that exchanges heat with air. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 012619 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the heat source machine, frost accumulates on the air heat exchanger when the air heat exchanger is operated as a cooler. Therefore, in the heat source machine, for example, a defrosting operation is performed to remove the frost that has adhered to the air heat exchanger. In the defrosting operation, for example, the air heat exchanger is operated as a heater, thereby melting and removing the frost that has adhered to the air heat exchanger.

[0005] However, if the defrost water generated by the defrosting operation remains in the air heat exchange section, the water will freeze again, causing so-called "icicles" or "ice blocks" to form below the air heat exchange section, which can cause problems such as blocking the gap between the air heat exchange section and the drain pan located below the air heat exchange section.

[0006] Therefore, this embodiment provides a heat source machine that can suppress the generation of "icicles" and "ice blocks" in the air heat exchange section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The heat source unit of this embodiment comprises an air heat exchange section that exchanges heat with air, and an icicle suppression section that suppresses the formation of icicles or ice blocks in the air heat exchange section, and the icicle suppression section has an opposing portion that faces a corner of the air heat exchange section. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a heat source unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a corner of an air heat exchanger and its surrounding area according to the present embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a baffle plate according to the present embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an icicle suppressing member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a water flow according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a corner of an air heat exchanger and its surrounding area according to a comparative example of the present embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the heat source machine will be described with reference to the drawings. The heat source machine 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is, for example, called a "chiller" and is configured as an air-cooled heat pump type chilling unit. The heat source machine 1 can generate hot water for heating a temperature control target (not shown). The heat source machine 1 can also generate cold water for cooling a temperature control target (not shown).

[0010] The heat source unit 1 includes an air heat exchanger 3 configured to be able to exchange heat with air blown by a blower fan 2. As is well known, the air heat exchanger 3 is configured by combining a plurality of fins with a refrigerant pipe.

[0011] The air heat exchanger 3 constitutes a well-known refrigeration cycle unit together with a compressor, an expansion valve, a water heat exchanger, an accumulator, a switching valve, and the like (not shown) provided in the machine unit 4. The operation mode of the refrigeration cycle unit can be switched between a heating mode and a cooling mode. The switching of the operation mode of the refrigeration cycle unit can be controlled by reversely switching the direction of refrigerant flow in the refrigerant pipe of the refrigeration cycle unit using a switching valve.

[0012] When the refrigeration cycle unit is switched to the heating mode, the air heat exchanger 3 operates as a cooler, and the water heat exchanger operating as a heater heats the heat medium, water, and supplies hot water to the temperature-controlled object. On the other hand, when the refrigeration cycle unit is switched to the cooling mode, the air heat exchanger 3 operates as a heater, and the water heat exchanger operating as a cooler cools the heat medium, water, and supplies cold water to the temperature-controlled object.

[0013] 2, the air heat exchange section 3 is supported from below by a baffle plate 5 provided on the upper part of the machine section 4. The baffle plate 5 is an example of a support section, and is made of, for example, a metal plate.

[0014] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the baffle plate 5 has a support portion 5a that supports the air heat exchange portion 3 and an extension portion 5b that extends from the end of the support portion 5a. The support portion 5a has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. Therefore, the air heat exchange portion 3 supported by the support portion 5a is arranged in a state inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. In addition, the support portion 5a is not in contact with the entire lower end of the air heat exchange portion 3, and is configured not to contact a predetermined range including the corner portion K of the air heat exchange portion 3. That is, there is a non-blocked area at the lower end of the air heat exchange portion 3 that is not blocked by the support portion 5a. Therefore, it is possible to ensure ventilation below the air heat exchange portion 3 through such a non-blocked area, and it is possible to ensure good drainage without impeding the flow of drain water from the air heat exchange portion 3 and defrost water described later.

[0015] The extension 5b has a base 5b1 and a tip 5b2. The base 5b1 extends obliquely downward from the end of the support 5a. The tip 5b2 is bent at a substantially right angle from the lower end of the base 5b1. The extension 5b also has a plurality of drainage holes 5b3 on the lower and upper sides of the tip 5b2.

[0016] 2, the tip portion 5b2 of the baffle plate 5 is a portion of the baffle plate 5 that faces the corner K of the air heat exchange section 3 from below. The tip portion 5b2 of the baffle plate 5 is spaced a predetermined distance D1 from the corner K of the air heat exchange section 3. The predetermined distance D1 can be appropriately changed within a range of, for example, 20 mm to 40 mm.

[0017] Incidentally, when the refrigeration cycle unit in the heat source machine 1 is driven in heating mode, the air heat exchanger 3 operates as a cooler, and frost accumulates on the air heat exchanger 3. For this reason, the heat source machine 1 is configured to be capable of executing a defrosting operation for melting and removing the frost adhering to the air heat exchanger 3. Note that the defrosting operation can be performed, for example, by driving the refrigeration cycle unit in the same manner as in the cooling mode to operate the air heat exchanger 3 as a heater. At that time, for example, the blower fan 2 is stopped, and no air is sent to the air heat exchanger 3.

[0018] Furthermore, for example, even if the refrigeration cycle unit is operated in heating mode and then subsequently in cooling mode, the frost that has adhered to the air heat exchange section 3 during heating mode will melt and generate water, that is, water that can become "icicles" or "ice blocks" just like defrosted water.

[0019] The water generated from the air heat exchange unit 3 in this way drips intensively from the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 because the air heat exchange unit 3 is arranged in an inclined state. Therefore, if water remains at the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3, the water will freeze again, causing the problem of the formation of so-called "icicles" or "ice blocks."

[0020] Therefore, the heat source machine 1 of the present disclosure is inventively designed to suppress the occurrence of such "icicles." Next, this point will be described in detail. That is, as illustrated in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the heat source machine 1 is provided with an icicle suppression member 100 below the corner K of the air heat exchanger 3. The icicle suppression member 100 is an example of an icicle suppression section, and is formed of, for example, a metal plate material.

[0021] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the icicle suppression member 100 integrally comprises a base portion 101, a facing portion 102, and an intermediate portion 103. The base portion 101 is firmly attached to the base portion 5b1 of the baffle plate 5 by, for example, welding. The facing portion 102 faces a corner portion K of the air heat exchange portion 3 from below. The intermediate portion 103 connects the base portion 101 and the facing portion 102 together.

[0022] The icicle suppressing member 100 also includes a plurality of drainage holes 104 on the lower and upper end sides of the middle portion 103 .

[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the facing portion 102 of the icicle suppressing member 100 is spaced from the corner K of the air heat exchanger 3 by a predetermined distance D2. The predetermined distance D2 can be appropriately changed within a range of, for example, 1 mm to 6 mm. The size of a typical water droplet is assumed to be, for example, 1 mm to 6 mm. Therefore, the predetermined distance D2 may be appropriately changed in consideration of the generally assumed size of a water droplet. The corner K of the air heat exchanger 3 may not exist as a single point, but may have a certain range. That is, the corner K can be defined as an area within a range that does not exceed the generally assumed size of a water droplet or a range that slightly exceeds it. Therefore, the corner K of the air heat exchanger 3 may have a predetermined distance, for example, within a range of about 1 mm to 6 mm or about 10 mm, from the lowest point of the inclined air heat exchanger 3, as illustrated by a sector-shaped area R in FIG. 2.

[0024] Furthermore, the opposing portions 102 of the icicle suppressing member 100 are inclined to form an acute angle A with respect to the vertical direction. More preferably, the acute angle A is set to an angle within a range of minus 60 degrees to plus 60 degrees with respect to the vertical direction, thereby making it possible to more efficiently drain water downward from the air heat exchange section 3.

[0025] According to the heat source unit 1 configured in this manner, for example, water generated from the air heat exchange unit 3 due to a defrosting operation or the like is concentrated at the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3. Then, the water that reaches the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 flows down to the opposing portion 102 of the icicle suppression member 100 that faces the corner K from below, as illustrated by the arrow F1 in FIG.

[0026] Here, as described above, the facing portion 102 of the icicle suppressing member 100 is present at a predetermined distance D2 from the corner K of the air heat exchanger 3. Therefore, not only the weight of the water but also the surface tension and capillary phenomenon of the water act, and water easily moves from the corner K of the air heat exchanger 3 to the facing portion 102. This makes it difficult for water to remain at the corner K of the air heat exchanger 3, and in turn makes it difficult for "icicles" or "ice blocks" to form at the corner K of the air heat exchanger 3. That is, the facing portion 102 is disposed below the air heat exchanger 3 and has a tip portion facing the corner of the air heat exchanger 3. When the facing portion 102 comes into contact with water droplets such as defrost water, it exhibits the function of promoting drainage by surface tension and capillary phenomenon.

[0027] 5, the water that has moved from the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 to the outer surface of the opposing portion 102 flows along the intermediate portion 103 that is inclined vertically downward and the base portion 101 that extends downward from the intermediate portion 103 as it moves away from the opposing portion 102, and reaches the extension portion 5b of the baffle plate 5. Also, the water that has moved from the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 to the inner surface of the opposing portion 102 passes through the drainage hole 104 and reaches the extension portion 5b of the baffle plate 5, as illustrated by the arrow F3 in FIG.

[0028] 5, the water that has reached the extension portion 5b of the baffle plate 5 passes through the drain hole 5b3 and flows into the drain pan 6 provided at the bottom of the baffle plate 5. The water that has flowed into the drain pan 6 is collected in a drain collection section (not shown) provided in the heat source unit 1, and then discharged to the outside of the heat source unit 1 from a discharge section (not shown) provided in the heat source unit 1.

[0029] According to the heat source unit 1 exemplified above, the icicle suppression member 100 has an opposing portion 102 that faces from below the corner K of the air heat exchange section 3. According to this configuration example, water can easily move from the corner K of the air heat exchange section 3 to the opposing portion 102, preventing water from remaining in the air heat exchange section 3 and, ultimately, preventing the formation of "icicles" or "ice blocks" in the air heat exchange section 3.

[0030] In addition, FIG. 6 illustrates a comparative example of a configuration having a metal plate Z that does not face the corner K. In the comparative example, the tip Za of the baffle plate Z does not face the corner K of the air heat exchange section 3. Here, a configuration is illustrated in which the tip Za of the baffle plate Z is 10 mm or more away from the corner K. As a result, water does not easily move from the corner K of the air heat exchange section 3 to the metal plate Z, and water is likely to remain in the corner K of the air heat exchange section 3. The water remaining in the corner K of the air heat exchange section 3 freezes again, causing "icicles T" or "ice blocks."

[0031] Furthermore, according to the heat source unit 1, the tip 5b2 of the baffle plate 5 facing the corner K of the air heat exchange section 3 is separated from the corner K of the air heat exchange section 3 by a predetermined distance D1. According to this configuration example, even if water drips from the corner K of the air heat exchange section 3 or from the facing section 102 of the icicle suppression member 100, it is possible to prevent the baffle plate 5 from getting wet by the water, particularly the tip 5b2 portion from getting wet. Furthermore, it is possible to reasonably secure a space for arranging the icicle suppression member 100 between the corner K of the air heat exchange section 3 and the tip 5b2 of the baffle plate 5.

[0032] Furthermore, according to the heat source unit 1, the facing portion 102 of the icicle suppression member 100 is separated from the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 by a predetermined distance D2. As described above, this predetermined distance D2 is set in consideration of the generally expected size of water droplets. This makes it possible to promote the movement of water from the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 to the facing portion 102 by utilizing not only the weight of the water but also the surface tension and capillary phenomenon of the water. This makes it possible to further suppress the retention of water at the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3, and ultimately to further suppress the generation of "icicles" and "ice blocks" at the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3.

[0033] Moreover, according to the heat source unit 1, the facing portion 102 of the icicle suppression member 100 is inclined at an acute angle A with respect to the vertical direction. According to this configuration example, the facing portion 102 is as close to vertical as possible, and water is more likely to flow downward at the facing portion 102. This can further promote the movement of water from the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3 through the facing portion 102. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the retention of water at the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3, and thus the generation of "icicles" or "ice blocks" at the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3. The facing portion 102 may be arranged in a state along the vertical direction, that is, vertically.

[0034] Furthermore, the heat source unit 1 is configured such that the air heat exchange unit 3 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane or the lower end of the air heat exchange unit 3 is inclined, and therefore water tends to concentrate and remain at the corner K, i.e., the lowest part of the air heat exchange unit 3. The present disclosure is suitable for such a configuration in which water tends to remain at the corner K of the air heat exchange unit 3. Note that the present disclosure is applicable not only to a configuration in which the air heat exchange unit 3 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane, but also to a configuration in which the air heat exchange unit 3 is not inclined relative to the horizontal plane, i.e., is horizontal.

[0035] This embodiment is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications and extensions can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the icicle suppression member 100 can be implemented by appropriately changing the shape and size of each part, as long as it has a configuration having an opposing part 102 that faces the corner part K of the air heat exchanger 3. Furthermore, the baffle plate 5 can be implemented by appropriately changing the shape and size of each part, as long as it is configured to support the air heat exchanger 3. Furthermore, the predetermined distances D1 and D2 can be implemented by appropriately changing their lengths. Specifically, the predetermined distances D1 and D2 can be implemented by appropriately changing their lengths, as long as the length relationship of "D1>D2" is maintained.

[0036] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented merely as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, etc. can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The present embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] In the drawings, 1 denotes a heat source unit, 3 denotes an air heat exchange section, 5 denotes a baffle plate (support section), 100 denotes an icicle suppression member (icicle suppression section), and 102 denotes an opposing section.

Claims

1. an air heat exchange section that exchanges heat with air; An icicle suppression unit that suppresses the generation of icicles in the air heat exchange unit; Equipped with The icicle suppression section is a heat source unit having an opposing section that faces a corner of the air heat exchange section.

2. Further comprising a support portion for supporting the air heat exchange portion, The heat source unit according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the support portion facing a corner of the air heat exchange portion is spaced a predetermined distance from the air heat exchange portion.

3. The heat source unit according to claim 1 , wherein the opposing portion is spaced a predetermined distance from a corner of the air heat exchange portion.

4. The heat source unit according to claim 1 , wherein the opposing portion is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the vertical direction.

5. The heat source unit according to claim 1 , wherein the air heat exchange portion is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane.

6. an air heat exchange section that exchanges heat with air; an opposing portion disposed below the air heat exchange portion and having a tip opposing a corner of the air heat exchange portion; A heat source machine equipped with the above.

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