Refrigeration cycle device
The refrigeration cycle device addresses the risk of flammable refrigerant accumulation and ignition by employing a larger discharge hole and mesh/waterproof structure to safely discharge leaked refrigerant, enhancing safety and preventing fires.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024023823
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-02-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-01
AI Technical Summary
Existing refrigeration cycle devices using flammable refrigerants lack a structure to safely manage and discharge leaked refrigerant, which can lead to ignition and fire risks due to the high concentration and tendency to accumulate in the machine chamber.
A refrigeration cycle device with a housing design featuring a refrigerant discharge hole that naturally discharges flammable refrigerant to the outside, having a larger cross-sectional area than other openings, and includes a mesh or waterproof structure to prevent accumulation and ignition, with a compressor and fan system to maintain atmospheric pressure and discharge flammable refrigerant.
The design effectively prevents the accumulation of flammable refrigerant in the machine chamber, reducing the risk of ignition and fire by ensuring safe discharge, even in power outages, and maintaining operational safety.
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Figure 2025127224000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigeration cycle device that uses a flammable refrigerant. [Background technology]
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigeration cycle device that uses a flammable refrigerant. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-170657 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigeration cycle device having a structure prepared for the event of a flammable refrigerant leak. [Means for solving the problem]
[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a housing having an internal space; a partition plate provided within the housing and dividing the internal space into an air blowing chamber and a machine chamber; a heat exchanger disposed in the air blowing chamber; a fan disposed in the air blowing chamber; a compressor disposed in the machine room and configured to compress and discharge a flammable refrigerant that is heavier than air, the housing includes a refrigerant discharge hole that communicates a lower portion of the machine chamber with the outside of the housing; In addition to the refrigerant discharge hole, a through hole or a gap that communicates the machine chamber with the outside of the housing is present in the housing, A refrigeration cycle device is provided in which the flow path cross-sectional area of the refrigerant discharge hole is larger than the flow path cross-sectional area of each of the through-holes other than the refrigerant discharge hole or the gap. [Effects of the Invention]
[0006] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a refrigeration cycle device having a structure prepared for the case where a flammable refrigerant leaks. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 2] Schematic perspective view of an outdoor unit in a refrigeration cycle device. [Figure 3] Schematic cross-sectional view of the outdoor unit [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a refrigerant discharge hole provided with a mesh structure. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a refrigerant discharge hole provided with a mesh structure according to another example. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a refrigerant discharge hole provided with an example of a water blocking structure; [Figure 7] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a refrigerant discharge hole provided with a water blocking structure according to another example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A refrigeration cycle device of one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a housing having an internal space, a partition plate provided within the housing that divides the internal space into an air blower chamber and a machine chamber, a heat exchanger arranged in the air blower chamber, a fan arranged in the air blower chamber, and a compressor arranged in the machine chamber that compresses and discharges a flammable refrigerant that is heavier than air, wherein the housing has a refrigerant discharge hole that connects the lower part of the machine chamber to the outside of the housing, and in addition to the refrigerant discharge hole, there is a through hole or gap in the housing that connects the machine chamber to the outside of the housing, and the flow path cross-sectional area of the refrigerant discharge hole is larger than the flow path cross-sectional area of each of the through holes or gaps other than the refrigerant discharge hole.
[0009] According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a refrigeration cycle device having a structure prepared for the case where a flammable refrigerant leaks.
[0010] For example, the coolant discharge hole may be provided in a portion of the bottom surface of the housing on the machine chamber side.
[0011] For example, it is preferable that the flow path cross-sectional area of the coolant discharge hole is larger than the sum of the flow path cross-sectional areas of the through holes or gaps other than the coolant discharge hole.
[0012] For example, if a drain discharge hole connecting the air blowing chamber to the outside of the housing is formed in the bottom surface of the housing on the air blowing chamber side, the opening position of the refrigerant discharge hole on the inside side of the housing may be higher than the opening position of the drain discharge hole on the inside side of the housing.
[0013] For example, if a drain groove is formed on the bottom surface of the housing, passing from the air blower chamber through under the partition plate to the machine chamber, the opening of the drain discharge hole may be formed inside the drain groove, and the opening of the refrigerant discharge hole may be formed outside the drain groove.
[0014] For example, it is preferable that the opening position of the refrigerant discharge hole is 15 mm or more higher than the opening position of the drain discharge hole.
[0015] For example, a mesh structure may be provided at the opening of the coolant discharge hole.
[0016] For example, a water blocking structure may be provided at the opening of the refrigerant discharge hole.
[0017] For example, a hose may be connected to the opening of the refrigerant discharge hole on the exterior side of the housing as the waterproof structure.
[0018] For example, the refrigeration cycle apparatus may further include an electrical box having a sealed structure disposed in the machine room.
[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a refrigeration cycle device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigeration cycle device 10 according to this embodiment is a so-called air conditioner, and the refrigeration cycle device 10 has an indoor unit 12 disposed indoors and an outdoor unit 14 disposed outdoors.
[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, the indoor unit 12 includes a housing 16 installed indoors, a heat exchanger 18 disposed within the housing 16 and exchanging heat with indoor air, and a cross-flow fan 20 that generates a flow of indoor air so that the indoor air passes through the heat exchanger 18. When the cross-flow fan 20 rotates, indoor air flows into the housing 16 and passes through the heat exchanger 18. The air that has passed through the heat exchanger 18 is blown out of the housing 16 into the room.
[0023] 1, the outdoor unit 14 includes a housing 22 installed outdoors, a heat exchanger 24 disposed within the housing 22 and exchanging heat with outdoor air, an axial flow fan 26 that generates a flow of outdoor air so that the outdoor air passes through the heat exchanger 24, and a compressor 28 that compresses and discharges the refrigerant passing through the heat exchangers 18 and 24. The heat exchanger 18, the heat exchanger 24, and the compressor 28 are connected via refrigerant piping 30. An expansion valve 32 that decompresses the refrigerant and a four-way valve 34 that changes the flow direction of the refrigerant are disposed on the refrigerant piping 30.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 1 , the interior space of the housing 22 of the outdoor unit 14 is divided into an air blower chamber R1 and a machine chamber R2 by a partition plate 36. The heat exchanger 24 and the axial fan 26 are disposed in the air blower chamber R1. The compressor 28, the expansion valve 32, and the four-way valve 34 are disposed in the machine chamber R2. When the axial fan 26 rotates, outside air flows into the air blower chamber R1 and passes through the heat exchanger 24. The outside air that has passed through the heat exchanger 24 is blown out of the housing 22. Unlike the air blower chamber R1 through which the outside air passes, the machine chamber R2 is generally sealed to the extent that foreign objects such as rainwater, insects, and small animals cannot enter from the outside.
[0025] During cooling operation, the refrigerant is discharged from the compressor 28, passes through the four-way valve 34, the heat exchanger 24 of the outdoor unit 14, the expansion valve 32, and the heat exchanger 18 of the indoor unit 12 in that order, and returns to the compressor 28. During heating operation, the refrigerant is discharged from the compressor 28, passes through the four-way valve 34, the heat exchanger 18 of the indoor unit 12, the expansion valve 32, and the heat exchanger 24 of the outdoor unit 14 in that order, and returns to the compressor 28. The four-way valve 34 switches the flow of refrigerant during cooling operation and the flow of refrigerant during heating operation.
[0026] Further features of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 will now be described. The features described below are necessary because the refrigeration cycle apparatus uses a flammable refrigerant that is heavier than air. For example, the refrigerant includes hydrocarbon-based refrigerants such as propane (R-290), isobutane (R-600a), and propylene (R-1270). Alternatively, the refrigerant may be a fluorine-based refrigerant such as HFO-1234yf or R-32. Alternatively, the refrigerant may be a mixture of these refrigerants. In this embodiment, a flammable refrigerant is used as the refrigerant. Flammable refrigerants include slightly flammable and highly flammable refrigerants. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a refrigerant with a specific gravity greater than that of air is used as the refrigerant.
[0027] Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the outdoor unit. Note that in Fig. 2, the axial fan 26, compressor 28, expansion valve 32, four-way valve 34, and refrigerant piping 30 are not shown.
[0028] 2, a refrigerant discharge hole 22b is formed in a bottom plate 22a that forms the bottom surface of the housing 22. Specifically, the refrigerant discharge hole 22b is formed in a portion of the bottom plate 22a on the machine room R2 side. The refrigerant discharge hole 22b is a through-hole that allows refrigerant leaking in the machine room R2, for example, refrigerant leaking from the compressor 28, to be naturally discharged to the outside of the housing 22. In other words, flammable refrigerant that leaks inside the machine room R2 and is heavier than air is naturally discharged below the housing 22 through the refrigerant discharge hole 22b. The housing 22 is installed on a reference installation surface, such as a balcony floor, via a stand 38, which provides a space between the housing 22 and the reference installation surface through which the flammable refrigerant can flow out.
[0029] Such coolant discharge holes 22b were devised based on a certain assumption made by the inventors.
[0030] The inventor's assumption will now be described in detail. First, if a flammable refrigerant leak occurs in the machine chamber R2, which is more sealed than the ventilation chamber R1, the flammable refrigerant will fill the machine chamber R2. When the flammable refrigerant fills the machine chamber R2 to a certain extent, the flammable refrigerant will essentially spray out through the through holes and gaps that directly connect the machine chamber R2 to the outside of the housing 22 and are inevitably present due to the structure and manufacturing. The "through holes and gaps" referred to here include, for example, gaps between the refrigerant pipes 30 and the through holes provided in the housing 22 through which the refrigerant pipes 30 pass, gaps between the bottom plate 22a and the side plate 22c that constitute the housing 22, gaps between the top plate 22d and the side plate 22c, and through-holes and gaps that may occur due to the structure and manufacturing, such as female threaded holes.
[0031] The flammable refrigerant continues to spray from these through-holes and gaps at a constant flow rate and a constant high concentration. If an ignition source is present near the gap, the sprayed flammable refrigerant at a high concentration may ignite and burn. If the flammable refrigerant continues to spray from the gap at a constant flow rate and the flammable refrigerant near the gap is maintained at a concentration suitable for ignition, the flammable refrigerant is likely to ignite.
[0032] Once the flammable refrigerant spraying out from the gap ignites, it continues to spray out from the gap, causing the flammable refrigerant to continue burning near the gap. In other words, like a gas burner, a flame continues to radiate from the gap. However, the flammable refrigerant that fills the machine room R2 does not spread because its concentration is too high (i.e., there is not enough oxygen for combustion).
[0033] If there is a flammable object (for example, clothes hanging out to dry on the balcony where the outdoor unit is installed) near the flames that continue to radiate from such gaps, the flames will eventually spread to the object and eventually cause a fire.
[0034] Based on this assumption, the inventors discovered the need to discharge flammable refrigerant leaking from the machine room R2 to the outside of the machine room R2 before the flammable refrigerant fills the machine room R2, and came up with the refrigerant discharge hole 22b for naturally discharging flammable refrigerant leaking from the machine room R2.
[0035] Note that "natural discharge" here does not refer to forced discharge using a fan or other device, but rather to discharge that takes advantage of the tendency of flammable refrigerant, which is heavier than air, to move downwards by gravity. If forced discharge is used using a fan or other device, if flammable refrigerant leaks in machine room R2 during a power outage caused by an earthquake or other event, the fan cannot be used due to the power outage, and the leaked flammable refrigerant may not be properly discharged outside the housing and may fill machine room R2.
[0036] 2 and 3 , refrigerant discharge hole 22b connects the lower part of machine chamber R2 to the outside of housing 22 so that flammable refrigerant that leaks from machine chamber R2 and is heavier than air can be naturally discharged. In this embodiment, refrigerant discharge hole 22b is provided in bottom plate 22a that constitutes the bottom surface of housing 22. That is, refrigerant discharge hole 22b connects the lower part of machine chamber R2 to the space below bottom plate 22a of housing 22. As a result, flammable refrigerant that leaks from machine chamber R2 moves downward within machine chamber R2 and then flows out of housing 22 via refrigerant discharge hole 22b in bottom plate 22a. As a result, the machine chamber R2 is prevented from being filled with flammable refrigerant, and high-concentration flammable refrigerant is prevented from being ejected through through-holes and gaps that connect machine chamber R2 to the outside of housing 22, other than refrigerant discharge hole 22b. Furthermore, such refrigerant discharge holes 22b allow flammable refrigerant leaking in the machine room R2 to be discharged downwards in the housing 22, where ignition sources are less likely to exist than in other locations.
[0037] It is desirable that the refrigerant discharge hole 22b be located below a location where flammable refrigerant leakage is anticipated, such as a U-bend in the heat exchanger 24 or a welded portion of an electric valve. This allows leaked flammable refrigerant to be discharged to the outside of the housing 22 via the refrigerant discharge hole 22b immediately after leakage. To more efficiently discharge the flammable refrigerant via the refrigerant discharge hole 22b, the housing 22 may be provided with an air supply hole that connects the upper part of the machine chamber R2 to the outside of the housing 22. In this case, the flammable refrigerant flows out of the machine chamber R2 via the refrigerant discharge hole 22b, while outside air flows into the machine chamber R2 via the air supply hole. As a result, the machine chamber R2 is maintained at substantially atmospheric pressure, and flammable refrigerant that leaks in the machine chamber R2 is smoothly discharged to the outside of the machine chamber R2 via the refrigerant discharge hole 22b.
[0038] Furthermore, in order to naturally discharge flammable refrigerant leaking from the machine chamber R2 to the outside of the housing 22 through the refrigerant discharge hole 22b, the flow path cross-sectional area of the refrigerant discharge hole 22b is larger than the flow path cross-sectional areas of the through holes and gaps that connect the machine chamber R2 to the outside of the housing 22 other than the refrigerant discharge hole 22b. That is, of the multiple flow paths through which the flammable refrigerant can pass that connect the machine chamber R2 to the outside of the housing 22, the flow path cross-sectional area of the refrigerant discharge hole 22b is the largest. This prevents the flammable refrigerant from spraying out from the through holes and gaps, and the flammable refrigerant is preferentially naturally discharged to the outside of the housing 22 through the refrigerant discharge hole 22b. That is, the refrigerant discharge hole 22b has a flow path cross-sectional area large enough to prevent the machine chamber R2 from being filled with flammable refrigerant. The flow path cross-sectional area of each of the through holes and gaps that communicate between the machine chamber R2 and the outside of the housing 22 other than the refrigerant discharge hole 22b can be calculated based on the design dimensions and tolerances.
[0039] Furthermore, the flow path cross-sectional area of refrigerant discharge hole 22b is preferably larger than the sum of the flow path cross-sectional areas of the through holes and gaps that communicate between machine chamber R2 other than refrigerant discharge hole 22b and the outside of housing 22. This more reliably prevents flammable refrigerant from spraying out from the through holes and gaps, and allows almost all of the flammable refrigerant to be naturally discharged to the outside of housing 22 through refrigerant discharge hole 22b.
[0040] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a drain groove 22e is provided in the bottom plate 22a of the housing 22. In the air blowing chamber R1, the drain groove 22e is located below the heat exchanger 24. The drain groove 22e extends from the air blowing chamber R1, passing below the partition plate 36, into the machine chamber R2. Furthermore, a drain discharge hole 22f that connects the air blowing chamber R1 to the outside of the housing 22 is provided in the portion of the drain groove 22e located in the air blowing chamber R1. The drain groove 22e and the drain discharge hole 22f allow liquid (i.e., water) that condenses on the surface of the heat exchanger 24 and drips onto the bottom plate 22a of the housing 22 to be discharged to the outside of the housing 22. Furthermore, liquid such as rainwater that has entered the air blowing chamber R1 through the intake and outlet ports that connect the air blowing chamber R1 to the outside of the housing 22 and through which outdoor air passes is discharged to the outside of the housing 22.
[0041] As shown in Fig. 3, the opening position of such drain discharge hole 22f on the inner side of housing 22 is lower than the opening position of refrigerant discharge hole 22b on the inner side of housing 22. In other words, the opening position of refrigerant discharge hole 22b is higher than the opening position of drain discharge hole 22f by a height difference H. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 2, refrigerant discharge hole 22b is formed outside drain groove 22e.
[0042] The reason why refrigerant discharge hole 22b is positioned higher inside housing 22 than drain discharge hole 22f is to prevent liquids such as rainwater and water condensed in heat exchanger 24 from being discharged to the outside of housing 22 through refrigerant discharge hole 22b. If a flammable refrigerant leak occurs in machine room R2 while liquid is being discharged through refrigerant discharge hole 22b, refrigerant discharge hole 22b may not be able to properly discharge the leaked flammable refrigerant to the outside of housing 22. Furthermore, if refrigerant discharge hole 22b is lower than drain discharge hole 22f, refrigerant discharge hole 22b may be blocked by dead leaves or debris carried by the drain, preventing the refrigerant from being discharged through refrigerant discharge hole 22b.
[0043] It is possible to allow flammable refrigerant leaking from the machine chamber R2 to flow into the air blower chamber R1 through the drain groove 22e and then discharge the flammable refrigerant in the air blower chamber R1 to the outside of the housing 22 through the drain discharge hole 22f. In this case, in order to allow the flammable refrigerant leaking from the machine chamber R2 to flow into the air blower chamber R1 through the drain groove 22e, it is necessary to increase the flow path cross-sectional area of the drain groove 22e (particularly the flow path cross-sectional area below the partition plate 36). However, if the flow path cross-sectional area of the drain groove 22e is increased, some of the outdoor air blown by the axial fan 26 will flow into the machine chamber R2 through the drain groove 22e. As a result, the heat exchange efficiency between the outdoor air and the heat exchanger 24 will decrease. Furthermore, if the refrigeration cycle apparatus 10 has been in use for a long period of time, dust and other particles may accumulate in the drain groove 22e. In this case, the effective flow path cross-sectional area of drain groove 22e is reduced, and there is a risk that flammable refrigerant leaking from machine chamber R2 may not be able to properly flow into blower chamber R1 via drain groove 22e. In consideration of these factors, flammable refrigerant leaking from machine chamber R2 is discharged to the outside of housing 22 via refrigerant discharge hole 22b that communicates between machine chamber R2 and the outside of housing 22, without passing through blower chamber R1.
[0044] In addition, there are cases where the outdoor unit 14 is installed on an installation reference surface that is tilted to an acceptable degree. Taking this case into consideration, the height difference H between the inner opening of the refrigerant discharge hole 22b and the inner opening of the drain discharge hole 22f is set to 15 mm or more.
[0045] As described above, the flow path cross-sectional area of the refrigerant discharge hole 22b is larger than the flow path cross-sectional area of each of the openings and gaps other than the refrigerant discharge hole 22b that communicate between the machine chamber R2 and the outside of the housing 22. Therefore, depending on the installation environment of the outdoor unit 14, there is a risk that foreign matter may enter the machine chamber R2 through the refrigerant discharge hole 22b.
[0046] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a refrigerant discharge hole provided with an example mesh structure, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a refrigerant discharge hole provided with another example mesh structure.
[0047] 4 and 5, mesh-like cover members 40, 42 are attached to refrigerant discharge hole 22b as a mesh structure to cover the opening in order to prevent insects, small animals, and other living creatures from entering machine room R2. Cover member 40 has a plurality of slot-shaped through-holes sized to allow flammable refrigerant leaking from machine room R2 to pass through but not allow insects, small animals, and other living creatures to pass through. Cover member 42 has a plurality of circular through-holes sized to allow flammable refrigerant to pass through but not allow living creatures to pass through. Cover members 40, 42 may be attached to either the inner opening or the outer opening of refrigerant discharge hole 22b.
[0048] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a refrigerant discharge hole provided with an example of a water blocking structure, and Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a refrigerant discharge hole provided with another example of a water blocking structure.
[0049] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, in this embodiment, refrigerant discharge hole 22b is provided in bottom plate 22a that forms the bottom surface of housing 22. Therefore, in rainy weather, rainwater that bounces off the ground reference surface may enter machine room R2 through refrigerant discharge hole 22b. Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, a waterproof cap 44 is provided on refrigerant discharge hole 22b so as to cover the opening of refrigerant discharge hole 22b at a distance from the opening. Also, as shown in Figure 7, a hose 46 is connected to the opening of refrigerant discharge hole 22b on the exterior side of housing 22 as a waterproof structure.
[0050] It is also possible to use the mesh structure (covering members 40, 42) shown in Figure 4 or 5 in combination with the waterproof structure (waterproof cap 44, hose 46) shown in Figure 6 or 7. For example, the covering member 40 shown in Figure 4 or the covering member 42 shown in Figure 5 may be used in combination with the hose 46 shown in Figure 7.
[0051] In this embodiment, the provision of refrigerant discharge hole 22b prevents a highly concentrated flammable refrigerant from being ejected from through holes and gaps other than refrigerant discharge hole 22b that connect machine chamber R2 to the outside of housing 22. This prevents the highly concentrated flammable refrigerant from being ignited by an ignition source outside housing 22. However, ignition sources can also exist within machine chamber R2. For example, a conductor portion through which current flows on a control board that controls compressor 28 could be a potential ignition source. To address this issue, electrical components that could be ignition sources, such as the control board in machine chamber R2, are housed in a sealed electrical box 48 within machine chamber R2, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0052] According to the present embodiment as described above, it is possible to provide a refrigeration cycle device that is prepared for the case where a flammable refrigerant leaks, i.e., has a structure that can suppress ignition of the leaked flammable refrigerant.
[0053] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the above-mentioned embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments.
[0054] For example, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, refrigerant discharge hole 22b is formed in the bottom surface (bottom plate 22a) of housing 22 and faces vertically. However, the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to this. Refrigerant discharge hole 22b may be formed in the side surface (side plate 22c) of housing 22 and face horizontally. Refrigerant discharge hole 22b only needs to communicate the lower part of machine chamber R2 with the outside of housing 22.
[0055] That is, a refrigeration cycle device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure broadly comprises a housing having an internal space, a partition plate provided within the housing that divides the internal space into an air blower chamber and a machine chamber, a heat exchanger arranged in the air blower chamber, a fan arranged in the air blower chamber, and a compressor arranged in the machine chamber that compresses and discharges a flammable refrigerant that is heavier than air, wherein the housing has a refrigerant discharge hole that connects the lower part of the machine chamber to the outside of the housing, and in addition to the refrigerant discharge hole, there is a through hole or gap in the housing that connects the machine chamber to the outside of the housing, and the flow path cross-sectional area of the refrigerant discharge hole is larger than the flow path cross-sectional area of each of the through holes or gaps other than the refrigerant discharge hole. [Industrial Applicability]
[0056] The present disclosure is applicable to a refrigeration cycle device that uses a flammable refrigerant that is heavier than air. [Explanation of symbols]
[0057] 22 Cabinet 22b Refrigerant drain hole 24 Heat exchanger 36 Partition R1 ventilation room R2 Machine room
Claims
1. a housing having an internal space; a partition plate provided within the housing and dividing the internal space into an air blowing chamber and a machine chamber; a heat exchanger disposed in the air blowing chamber; a fan disposed in the air blowing chamber; a compressor disposed in the machine room and configured to compress and discharge a flammable refrigerant that is heavier than air, the housing includes a refrigerant discharge hole that communicates a lower portion of the machine chamber with the outside of the housing; In addition to the refrigerant discharge hole, a through hole or a gap that communicates the machine chamber with the outside of the housing is present in the housing, A refrigeration cycle device, wherein a flow path cross-sectional area of the refrigerant discharge hole is larger than a flow path cross-sectional area of each of the through holes or the gaps other than the refrigerant discharge hole.
2. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 1 , wherein the refrigerant discharge hole is provided in a bottom surface of the housing on the machine chamber side.
3. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 1 , wherein a flow path cross-sectional area of the refrigerant discharge hole is larger than a sum of flow path cross-sectional areas of the through holes or the gaps other than the refrigerant discharge hole.
4. a drain discharge hole communicating the air blowing chamber with the outside of the housing is formed in a bottom surface of the housing on the air blowing chamber side; The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 1 , wherein an opening position of the refrigerant discharge hole on an inner side of the housing is higher than an opening position of the drain discharge hole on an inner side of the housing.
5. a drain groove is formed on the bottom surface of the housing, the drain groove passing from the air blowing chamber to the machine chamber, under the partition plate; The opening of the drain discharge hole is formed inside the drain groove, The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein an opening of the refrigerant discharge hole is formed outside the drain groove.
6. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 4 , wherein the opening position of the refrigerant discharge hole is 15 mm or more higher than the opening position of the drain discharge hole.
7. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 1 , wherein a mesh structure is provided at an opening of the refrigerant discharge hole.
8. The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 1 , wherein an opening of the refrigerant discharge hole is provided with a water blocking structure.
9. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein a hose is connected to an opening of the refrigerant discharge hole on an exterior side of the housing as the waterproof structure.
10. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an electrical equipment box of a sealed structure disposed in the machine room.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Air conditioner
JP2023170657A
Cited By
Outdoor unit and heat pump system equipped therewith
JP7841055B1
Outdoor unit and heat pump device provided with same
WO2026089044A1