Outdoor unit for air conditioning system

Abstract

To provide an outdoor unit for an air conditioning system for reducing workload in arranging the outdoor unit even when the size or the weight of the outdoor unit for the air conditioning system is increased, while enabling good arrangement also in a space having a small installation area or in a complicated or constrained space.SOLUTION: The outdoor unit for the air conditioning system includes: a first unit having a first casing storing part for housing part of components including a heat exchanger and an air fan out of a structural component group including a compressor for compressing refrigerant, the heat exchanger for making heat exchange of the refrigerant with outside air, and the air fan for blowing outside air to the heat exchanger; and a second unit having a second casing for housing the remaining component including the compressor of the structural component group. The first casing and the second casing are constructed to be freely joined to and separated from each other. The outdoor unit is driven both in a joined state in which the first casing and the second casing are joined to each other and in a separated state in which the first casing and the second casing are separated from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an outdoor unit for an air conditioner. [Background technology]

[0002] As described in Patent Documents 1 to 4, an air conditioner includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit that exchanges heat between the refrigerant sent from the indoor unit and outdoor air. The outdoor unit includes multiple components, such as a heat exchanger, a blower, and a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, and a housing that houses these components together. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-52365 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-288578 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-281202 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-217947 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Because outdoor units are relatively heavy, transporting them to the desired installation location when installing an air conditioning system requires a significant amount of work. Furthermore, because outdoor units are relatively large, it can be difficult to install them in spaces with limited installation area or in convoluted spaces. Furthermore, installing an outdoor unit in such a constrained space requires manual labor, which increases the workload. In recent years, outdoor units have tended to become larger and heavier, making these problems more pronounced.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to reduce the workload involved in placing an outdoor unit even when the outdoor unit of an air conditioning device becomes larger or heavier, and to enable the outdoor unit to be placed well in a space with a small installation area or a constrained space such as a complicated space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a first unit having a first housing that houses some components, including a compressor that compresses a refrigerant, a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outside air, and a blower that blows outside air toward the heat exchanger, among a group of components including the heat exchanger and the blower; and a second unit having a second housing that houses the remaining parts of the component group, including the compressor, wherein the first housing and the second housing are configured to be freely connectable and disconnectable to each other, and the unit can be driven in either a connected state in which the first housing and the second housing are connected, or a separated state in which the first housing and the second housing are separated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, even if the outdoor unit of an air conditioning device becomes larger or heavier, the workload involved in placing the outdoor unit can be reduced, and the outdoor unit can be placed well in a space with a small installation area or a constrained space such as a complicated space. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the outdoor unit in a combined state in which the first housing and the second housing of FIG. 1 are combined. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the outdoor unit in a separated state where the first housing and the second housing of FIG. 2 are separated. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning apparatus according to the second embodiment.

[0009] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the outdoor unit 3 in a combined state where the first housing 36 and the second housing 37 in Fig. 1 are combined. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the outdoor unit 3 in a separated state where the first housing 36 and the second housing 37 in Fig. 2 are separated.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 comprises an indoor unit 2, an outdoor unit 3, and multiple refrigerant pipes RP1 to RP4 connecting the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3. The air conditioner 1 is driven (operated) in one of multiple modes, including cooling mode, heating mode, and dehumidification mode. As will be described in detail below, the outdoor unit 3 comprises a first unit 4 and a second unit 5. A first housing 36 of the first unit 4 and a second housing 37 of the second unit 5 are configured to be freely connectable and detachable to each other. By allowing the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 to be arranged separately, the air conditioner 1 allows the outdoor unit 3 to be conveniently arranged even when the outdoor unit 3 is large or heavy or when space is limited.

[0011] The indoor unit 2 of this embodiment includes an indoor heat exchanger 20 that exchanges heat between a refrigerant and indoor air, and a blower 21 that blows indoor air toward the heat exchanger 20. The blower 21 has a fan 23 and a fan motor M1 that rotates the fan 23. The indoor unit 2 further includes a temperature sensor S that detects the indoor temperature, and an operation unit 22 that allows the user to turn the air conditioner 1 on and off, switch the operation mode, etc.

[0012] The outdoor unit 3 includes an outdoor heat exchanger 30 that exchanges heat between a refrigerant and outside air, a compressor 31 that compresses the refrigerant, a pressure reducing device 32 that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant, and a blower 33 that blows outside air toward the heat exchanger 30. The pressure reducing device 32 includes a pressure reducing valve, for example. The blower 33 has a fan 38 and a fan motor M2 that rotates the fan 38. In this embodiment, the fan motors M1 and M2 are electric motors. A refrigerant circulates through the heat exchanger 20, the heat exchanger 30, the compressor 31, and the pressure reducing device 32 via a plurality of refrigerant pipes RP1 to PR4.

[0013] The outdoor unit 3 further includes a switching valve V that switches the flow direction of the refrigerant flowing inside the outdoor unit 3. The switching valve V is, for example, a four-way valve. The outdoor unit 3 further includes various valve devices, strainers, etc. as appropriate. For example, a refrigerant pipe RP1 connects the heat exchanger 20 and the pressure reducing device 32. A refrigerant pipe RP2 connects the pressure reducing device 32 and the heat exchanger 30. A refrigerant pipe RP3 connects the heat exchanger 20 and the switching valve V. A refrigerant pipe RP4 connects the heat exchanger 30 and the switching valve V.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the outdoor unit 3 of this embodiment includes a first unit 4 having a first housing 36, a second unit 5 having a second housing 37 and configured to be freely connectable to and detachable from the first unit 4, and a predetermined component group 35. The component group 35 includes a compressor 31, a heat exchanger 30, and a blower 33. The first housing 36 houses some components 35A of the component group 35, including the heat exchanger 30 and the blower 33. The second housing 37 houses the remaining components 35B of the component group 35, including the compressor 31. In this embodiment, the internal volume of the heavier unit of the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 is smaller than the internal volume of the heavier unit. The second unit 5 of this embodiment is, for example, heavier and has a smaller internal volume than the first unit 4.

[0015] 2, at least one of the first housing 36 and the second housing 37 has an engaging portion 39 where one housing engages with the other housing. When the first housing 36 and the second housing 37 have a pair of engaging portions 39, the pair of engaging portions 39 is configured to include, for example, a groove portion provided in one of the first housing 36 and the second housing 37 and a protrusion portion provided in the other housing that fits into the groove portion and engages with the surface of the groove portion.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1 , the component group 35 of this embodiment includes a plurality of electric components E housed in each of a first housing 36 and a second housing 37. The electric components E housed in the first housing 36 include a compressor 31. The electric components E housed in the second housing 37 include a fan motor M2. As an example, the second unit 5 has a power line PL to which electric power is supplied from the outside. In this case, the electric components E housed in the first housing 36 include a power supply device 34 that supplies power to each of the electric components E housed in the first housing 36 and the second housing 37. In the outdoor unit 3, electric power supplied from the outside to the power line PL is supplied to each of the electric components E via the power supply device 34 of the second unit 5 and a connection circuit C, which will be described later.

[0017] The outdoor unit 3 can be driven in either a combined state in which the first housing 36 and the second housing 37 are combined (hereinafter also simply referred to as the combined state), or a separated state in which the first housing 36 and the second housing 37 are separated (hereinafter also simply referred to as the separated state). As shown in Fig. 3, in the separated state, the outdoor unit 3 has a connection circuit C that connects two or more components included in the component group 35 between the first housing 36 and the second housing 37.

[0018] The connection circuit C includes, for example, refrigerant pipes RP2 and RP4 and an electric circuit 40. The electric circuit 40 supplies power supplied to the power lines PL to an electric component E included in a part 35A of the component group 35. As shown in Fig. 2, the connection circuit C is omitted in the outdoor unit 3 in a coupled state. In this case, the two or more components are connected to each other directly or by a separate connection circuit housed in the first housing 36 and the second housing 37.

[0019] Next, the air conditioner 1 during operation will be described. In heating mode, the refrigerant exchanges heat with outside air in the heat exchanger 30 and vaporizes. The vaporized refrigerant is sent to the compressor 31 via the refrigerant pipe RP4 and the switching valve V. The compressor 31 compresses and discharges the vaporized refrigerant. The vaporized refrigerant is sent to the heat exchanger 20 via the switching valve V and the refrigerant pipe RP3. The heat exchanger 20 exchanges heat between the vaporized refrigerant and indoor air. The blower 21 blows the air that has been heated by heat exchange with the refrigerant in the heat exchanger 20 into the room. As a result of this heat exchange, the refrigerant is liquefied. The liquefied refrigerant is sent to the pressure reducing device 32 via the refrigerant pipe RP1. The refrigerant is decompressed by the pressure reducing device 32 and becomes a two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant. The two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant returns to the heat exchanger 30 via the refrigerant pipe RP2.

[0020] In the cooling mode or dehumidification mode, the refrigerant is liquefied through heat exchange with outside air in the heat exchanger 30. The liquefied refrigerant is sent to the pressure reducing device 32 via the refrigerant pipe RP2. The pressure reducing device 32 reduces the pressure of the liquefied refrigerant. The liquefied refrigerant is sent to the heat exchanger 20 via the refrigerant pipe RP1. The heat exchanger 20 exchanges heat between the liquefied refrigerant and the indoor air. The blower 21 blows the air that has been cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant in the heat exchanger 20 into the room. As a result of this heat exchange, the refrigerant is vaporized. The vaporized refrigerant is sent to the compressor 31 via the refrigerant pipe RP3 and the switching valve V. The compressor 31 compresses and discharges the vaporized refrigerant. The vaporized refrigerant returns to the heat exchanger 30 via the switching valve V and the refrigerant pipe RP4.

[0021] As described above, in this embodiment, some components 35A of the component group 35, including the heat exchanger 30 and the blower 33, are housed in the first housing 36. Furthermore, the remaining components 35B of the component group 35, including the compressor 31, are housed in the second housing 37. Furthermore, the first housing 36 and the second housing 37 are configured to be connectable and disconnectable to each other. Furthermore, the outdoor unit 3 can be driven in either a connected state in which the first housing 36 and the second housing 37 are connected, or a separated state in which the first housing 36 and the second housing 37 are separated.

[0022] According to the above configuration, for example, the outdoor unit 3 can be placed and the air conditioner 1 can be driven regardless of whether the first housing 36 and the second housing 37 are placed in a combined state or a separated state, depending on the arrangement space for the outdoor unit 3. Furthermore, in the separated state, the first housing 36 and the second housing 37 can be placed in spaces where the placement surfaces are at different height positions. Furthermore, because the first housing 36 and the second housing 37 can be transported and placed separately, the workload on the worker can be reduced.

[0023] Furthermore, the first housing 36 houses the heat exchanger 30 and the blower 33, and the second housing 37 houses the compressor 31. This allows the weight balance between the unit 4 having the first housing 36 and the unit 5 having the second housing 37 to be optimized so as not to be excessively unbalanced. Therefore, for example, even a small number of workers can install the outdoor unit 3 without excessive strain. Furthermore, for example, in an outdoor unit having a single housing, the problem of the outdoor unit's center of gravity becoming unstable due to relatively heavy components being positioned offset in the interior space of the housing can be avoided. Therefore, even if the outdoor unit 3 of the air conditioner 1 becomes larger or heavier, the workload required for installing the outdoor unit 3 can be reduced, and the outdoor unit 3 can be smoothly installed in a space with limited installation area, a complex space, or other restricted space.

[0024] Furthermore, the component group 35 of this embodiment includes a compressor 31 that compresses the refrigerant, and one of the first housing 36 and the second housing 37 houses the blower 33 and the heat exchanger 30, while the other houses the compressor 31. This allows multiple relatively heavy components to be distributed between the first housing 36 side and the second housing 37 side. This allows the unit 4 on the first housing 36 side and the unit 5 on the second housing 37 side to be transported and arranged efficiently.

[0025] Furthermore, the outdoor unit 3 of this embodiment is provided with a connection circuit C that connects two or more components included in the component group 35 between the first housing 36 and the second housing 37 when the outdoor unit 3 is in a separated state. Therefore, even in a separated state, the air conditioner 1 can be driven stably by supplying power, refrigerant, etc. from one of the two or more components to the other via the connection circuit C. This allows for greater freedom in the placement of the outdoor unit 3.

[0026] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second unit 5 has a power line PL to which power is supplied from the outside, and the connection circuit C includes an electric circuit 40 that supplies the power supplied to the power line PL to electric components E included in some components 35A of the first unit 4 of the component group 35. In the outdoor unit 3 of this embodiment, as an example, by using the electric circuit 40, the power supplied to the power line PL is supplied to electric components E included in both some components 35A and remaining components 35B of the component group 35. Therefore, power can be efficiently supplied to each electric component E via the power line PL and the electric circuit 40. Therefore, the outdoor unit 3 can be arranged efficiently.

[0027] The outdoor unit 3 of this embodiment also includes a first unit 4 in which some parts 35A of the component group 35 are housed in a first housing 36, and a second unit 5 in which the remaining parts 35B of the component group 35, excluding some parts 35A, are housed in a second housing 37, and the internal volume of the heavier unit of the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 is smaller than the internal volume of the heavier unit.

[0028] According to the above configuration, when the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 are arranged separately, even if the unit with a small internal volume of the first unit 4 or the second unit 5 is arranged with a large weight, the unit can be arranged stably. Furthermore, when the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 are arranged combined, the unit with a large internal volume can stably support the unit with a small internal volume. As a result, even if the unit with a small internal volume is heavy, the outdoor unit 3 can be arranged stably. The second embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0029] (Second embodiment) Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner 101 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, in the outdoor unit 3 of the air conditioner 101, the pressure reducing device 32 is arranged on the first unit 4 side and housed in the first housing 36. The heat exchanger 20 and the pressure reducing device 32 are connected via a plurality of refrigerant pipes RP1, RP2 and a refrigerant path 41 arranged in the second unit 5. As a modification of the second embodiment, the heat exchanger 20 and the pressure reducing device 32 may be directly connected via the refrigerant pipes RP1, RP2 without going through the second unit 5 (in other words, without using the refrigerant path 41).

[0030] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the configurations and methods thereof may be changed, added, combined, or deleted without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. While Fig. 3 shows a configuration in which at least one of the refrigerant pipes RP2 and RP4 and the electric circuit 40 are bundled together in the connection circuit C, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and for example, the electric circuit 40 may be arranged separately from the refrigerant pipes RP2 and RP4.

[0031] (Addendum) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques. [Technology 1] a first unit having a first housing that houses some components, including a compressor that compresses a refrigerant, a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outside air, and a blower that blows outside air toward the heat exchanger, out of a group of components that includes the heat exchanger and the blower; a second unit having a second housing that houses the remaining components including the compressor among the group of components, The first housing and the second housing are configured to be connectable and detachable to each other, The outdoor unit of the air conditioner is driven in either a combined state in which the first housing and the second housing are combined, or a separated state in which the first housing and the second housing are separated.

[0032] According to the outdoor unit having the above configuration, the first and second housings are configured to be connectable and disconnectable from each other. Therefore, the outdoor unit can be placed and used to drive an air conditioner, regardless of whether the first and second units are connected or disconnected, depending on the installation space of the outdoor unit. Furthermore, in the disconnected state, the first and second housings can be placed in spaces with different installation surface heights. Furthermore, because the first and second housings can be transported and installed separately, the workload of the worker can be reduced. Furthermore, the first housing houses the heat exchanger and the blower, and the second housing houses the compressor. This allows for optimal weight balance between the first and second units. Therefore, even a small number of workers can install the outdoor unit without excessive strain. Furthermore, for example, in an outdoor unit with a single housing, the problem of the outdoor unit's center of gravity becoming unstable due to relatively heavy components being positioned offset within the housing's internal space can be avoided. Therefore, even if the outdoor unit of the air conditioner becomes larger or heavier, the workload when arranging the outdoor unit is reduced, and the outdoor unit can be satisfactorily arranged in a space with a small installation area or a constrained space such as a complicated space.

[0033] [Technology 2] The outdoor unit according to Technology 1 further includes a connection circuit that connects two or more components included in the component group between the first housing and the second housing in the separated state.

[0034] With this configuration, even when the air conditioner is separated, power, refrigerant, etc. can be supplied from one of two or more components to the other via a connection circuit between the first and second housings to drive the air conditioner, thereby improving the flexibility of the outdoor unit placement.

[0035] [Technology 3] the part of the group of components includes an electrical component, the second unit has a power line to which power is supplied from an external source; The outdoor unit according to Technology 2, wherein the connection circuit includes an electrical circuit that supplies the power supplied to the power line to the electrical components included in the part of the first unit of the component group.

[0036] According to the above configuration, external power can be supplied to the electrical components contained in the first housing of the first unit via the power lines of the second unit, thereby enabling efficient placement of the outdoor unit.

[0037] [Technology 4] The outdoor unit according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the internal volume of the heavier of the first and second units is smaller than the internal volume of the heavier unit.

[0038] According to the above configuration, when the first unit and the second unit are arranged separately, even if the unit with a small internal volume of the first unit or the second unit is arranged with a large weight, the unit can be arranged stably. Also, when the first unit and the second unit are arranged combined, the unit with a large internal volume can stably support the unit with a small internal volume. As a result, the outdoor unit can be arranged stably even if the unit with a small internal volume is heavy.

[0039] [Technology 5] An air conditioner comprising the outdoor unit according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0040] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the configuration may be changed, added, or deleted without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. The electrical component E may be housed in only one of the first housing 36 and the second housing 37. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] C Connection circuit E. Electrical parts M Fan Motor PL power line 1, 101 Air conditioning equipment 2 Indoor unit 3 Outdoor unit 4 Unit 1 5 Unit 2 30 Outdoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger) 31 Compressor 33 Blower 35 component parts Part of the 35A component group 35B Remaining parts for components 36 First cabinet 37 Second cabinet 40 Electrical Circuits

Claims

1. a first unit having a first housing that houses some components including a compressor that compresses a refrigerant, a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outside air, and a blower that blows outside air toward the heat exchanger, among a group of components; and a second unit having a second housing that houses the remaining components including the compressor among the group of components, The first housing and the second housing are configured to be connectable and detachable to each other, An outdoor unit of an air conditioner that can be driven in either a combined state in which the first housing and the second housing are combined, or a separated state in which the first housing and the second housing are separated.

2. The outdoor unit according to claim 1 , further comprising a connection circuit that connects two or more components included in the component group between the first housing and the second housing in the separated state.

3. the part of the group of components includes an electrical component, the second unit has a power line to which power is supplied from an external source; The outdoor unit according to claim 2 , wherein the connection circuit includes an electric circuit that supplies the power supplied to the power line to the electric components included in the part of the component group that the first unit has.

4. The outdoor unit according to claim 1 , wherein an internal volume of the heavier of the first unit and the second unit is smaller than an internal volume of the heavier unit.

5. An air conditioning apparatus comprising the outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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