Air conditioning device

Abstract

To efficiently cool an electric component while restraining occurrence of condensation in a casing.SOLUTION: An air conditioner comprises: a casing; a partition plate partitioning the inside of the casing into a heat exchanger chamber and a machine chamber; a heat exchanger arranged in the heat exchanger chamber; a heat exchanger fan for making air flow inside and outside the heat exchanger chamber; a compressor arranged in the machine chamber; an electric component arranged in the machine chamber, and for controlling the compressor; an electric component box housing the electric component; a low-temperature component arranged in the machine chamber, provided in a portion of a refrigeration cycle including the heat exchanger, and having a lower temperature than that of the electric component; and a circulation fan for generating a flow of air circulating in the machine chamber and passing through the electric component box via the low-temperature component.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to air conditioning systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Air conditioners are equipped with electrical components that control the operation of a compressor that compresses a refrigerant. The electrical components include heat-generating components such as inverters that generate heat when the compressor is operated. For this reason, airflow generated by a fan is used to suppress the temperature rise of the heat-generating components.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which electrical components housed in a casing of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner are cooled by outside air taken in from outside the casing. The casing has an outside air intake port and an exhaust port. In the configuration of Patent Document 1, outside air is taken into the casing through the outside air intake port by operating a fan for cooling a condenser housed in the casing. The outside air taken into the casing in this manner is cooled as it passes near an accumulator provided in the casing, and after cooling the electrical components, is discharged to the outside of the casing through the exhaust port. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5879533 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the air conditioner configuration described in Patent Document 1, the electrical components are cooled by outside air taken in from outside the casing, so if the outside air temperature is very high, the electrical components may not be cooled sufficiently. Furthermore, if the outside air taken in from outside the casing has high humidity, condensation may occur on the surfaces of the electrical components, and the resulting water droplets may cause malfunctions in the electrical components.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an air conditioning device that can efficiently cool electrical components while suppressing the occurrence of condensation inside the casing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the air conditioning device according to the present disclosure includes a casing, a partition plate, a heat exchanger, a heat exchanger fan, a compressor, electrical components, an electrical component box, low-temperature parts, and a circulation fan. The partition plate divides the interior of the casing into a heat exchange chamber and a machine chamber. The heat exchanger is disposed in the heat exchange chamber. The heat exchanger fan circulates air inside and outside the heat exchange chamber. The compressor is disposed in the machine chamber. The electrical components are disposed in the machine chamber and control the compressor. The electrical component box houses the electrical components. The low-temperature parts are disposed in the machine chamber. The low-temperature parts are provided in a part of a refrigeration cycle including the heat exchanger and are at a lower temperature than the electrical components. The circulation fan generates a flow of air that circulates within the machine chamber and passes through the low-temperature parts before passing through the electrical component box. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the air conditioning device of the present disclosure, it is possible to efficiently cool electrical components while suppressing the occurrence of condensation inside the casing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a system diagram of an air conditioning device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an air conditioning device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] First Embodiment An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIGS. (Air conditioning system configuration) As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 according to this embodiment includes an outdoor unit 2A and an indoor unit (not shown).

[0011] The outdoor unit 2A includes a casing 20A, a compressor 4, a four-way valve 5, a water heat exchanger 6, a receiver (low-temperature component) 7, expansion valves 8A and 8B, an air heat exchanger 9, an accumulator (low-temperature component) 10, a heat exchanger fan 11, a pump 12, an electrical box 13A, and a circulation fan 30 (see Figures 2 and 3). The compressor 4, the four-way valve 5, the water heat exchanger 6, the receiver 7, the expansion valves 8A and 8B, the air heat exchanger 9, and the accumulator 10 are connected by refrigerant piping 3 that forms a refrigerant flow path. The refrigerant piping 3 constitutes a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration cycle.

[0012] (Casing) FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 2, the casing 20A is formed in the shape of, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped box. The casing 20A forms an accommodation space that accommodates the compressor 4, the four-way valve 5, the water heat exchanger 6, the receiver 7, the expansion valves 8A and 8B, the air heat exchanger 9, the accumulator 10, the pump 12, the electrical equipment box 13A, and the circulation fan 30. Note that Fig. 2 only illustrates the compressor 4, the water heat exchanger 6, the receiver 7, the accumulator 10, the electrical equipment box 13A, the electrical equipment 14, and the circulation fan 30 as components of the refrigeration cycle arranged in the machine room R2, and does not illustrate the other components.

[0013] (Divider) The casing 20A has a partition plate 25A. The partition plate 25A divides the interior of the casing 20A into a heat exchange chamber R1 and a machine chamber R2. In this embodiment, the partition plate 25A is provided in the middle of the casing 20A in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the partition plate 25A extends horizontally. The partition plate 25A divides the interior of the casing 20A into an upper heat exchange chamber R1 and a lower machine chamber R2. An air heat exchanger 9 is housed in the heat exchange chamber R1 of the casing 20A.

[0014] (Heat exchanger fan) The heat exchanger fan 11 is provided on the upper part of the casing 20A. In the present disclosure, a plurality of (four) heat exchanger fans 11 are arranged above the air heat exchanger 9. The heat exchanger fans 11 circulate air inside and outside the heat exchange chamber R1. The air heat exchanger 9 exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outside air introduced by the blowing of the heat exchanger fans 11.

[0015] (mechanical room) The compressor 4, four-way valve 5, water heat exchanger 6, receiver 7, expansion valves 8A and 8B, accumulator 10, pump 12, electrical box 13A, and circulation fan 30 are housed in the machine room R2. Note that multiple sets of the compressor 4, four-way valve 5, receiver 7, expansion valves 8A and 8B, and accumulator 10 may be provided in parallel in the machine room R2.

[0016] (Compressor) The compressor 4 compresses the refrigerant and supplies the compressed high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant to the refrigerant circuit. The compressor 4 has an internal motor (not shown). The motor of the compressor 4 is driven by an inverter. For example, the motor of the compressor 4 rotates at a speed corresponding to the output frequency of the inverter, and the compressor 4 supplies the refrigerant circuit with a discharge amount corresponding to the rotation speed of the motor.

[0017] (water heat exchanger) The water heat exchanger 6 exchanges heat between the water pumped by the pump 12 and the refrigerant. (receiver) Receiver 7 is connected between expansion valve 8A and expansion valve 8B in the direction of refrigerant flow. Receiver 7 stores liquid refrigerant condensed in the condenser (air heat exchanger 9 or water heat exchanger 6). Expansion valve 8A expands and reduces the pressure of the liquid refrigerant from air heat exchanger 9, which serves as a condenser, changing it into low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant. Expansion valve 8B also expands and reduces the pressure of the liquid refrigerant from water heat exchanger 6, which serves as a condenser, changing it into low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant.

[0018] (accumulator) The accumulator 10 is connected upstream of the compressor 4 in the refrigerant flow direction. The accumulator 10 separates the refrigerant in a gas-liquid mixed state that was not completely gasified in the evaporator (the water heat exchanger 6 or the air heat exchanger 9) into gas and liquid, and prevents the liquid refrigerant from flowing into the compressor 4.

[0019] (four-way valve) The four-way valve 5 changes the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant piping 3, switching the operating state of the air conditioner 1 between heating operation and cooling (or defrosting) operation. Control of the open / close state of the four-way valve 5 and adjustment of the operating temperature are performed by electrical components 14 housed in an electrical equipment box 13A. During heating operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 4 flows through the water heat exchanger 6, expansion valve 8B, receiver 7, expansion valve 8A, air heat exchanger 9, and accumulator 10 in this order. At this time, the water heat exchanger 6 functions as a condenser, and the air heat exchanger 9 functions as an evaporator. Hot water heated in the water heat exchanger 6 is supplied to the outside via water piping 18.

[0020] On the other hand, during cooling (defrosting) operation, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 4 flows in the following order: air heat exchanger 9, expansion valve 8A, receiver 7, expansion valve 8B, water heat exchanger 6, and accumulator 10. The air heat exchanger 9 functions as a condenser, and the water heat exchanger 6 functions as an evaporator. The cold water cooled in the water heat exchanger 6 is supplied to the outside via water piping 18.

[0021] (Electrical box) The electrical equipment box 13A is box-shaped and houses the electrical equipment 14. The electrical equipment 14 has a control circuit, a power supply circuit, etc. The electrical equipment 14 controls the operations of the compressor 4 and the four-way valve 5.

[0022] (Equipment layout inside the machine room) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the compressor 4, four-way valve 5, water heat exchanger 6, receiver 7, expansion valves 8A and 8B, accumulator 10, pump 12, and electrical box 13A are arranged in the following order from one horizontal side to the other horizontal side within the machinery room R2: water heat exchanger 6, compressor 4, receiver 7, accumulator 10, and electrical box 13A. That is, in this embodiment, the electrical box 13A is located at the farthest horizontal side within the machinery room R2. The water heat exchanger 6 is located at the farthest horizontal side within the machinery room R2 and is located at the farthest position from the electrical box 13A within the machinery room R2. The receiver 7 and accumulator 10 are located closer to the electrical box 13A than the compressor 4. The temperature of the refrigerant in the receiver 7 and the accumulator 10 is lower than the temperature of the refrigerant in the compressor 4 (and the water heat exchanger 6). Furthermore, the temperature of the refrigerant in the receiver 7 and the accumulator 10 is lower than the temperature of the electrical components 14 that rises as the electrical components 14 in the electrical box 13A operate. In other words, in this embodiment, the receiver 7 and the accumulator 10 are low-temperature components that are lower in temperature than the electrical components 14. Furthermore, the temperature of the refrigerant in the accumulator 10 is lower than the temperature of the refrigerant in the receiver 7. In this embodiment, the accumulator 10 is disposed closer to the electrical box 13A than the receiver 7 is.

[0023] The electrical equipment box 13A is configured to be able to introduce an air flow generated by a circulation fan 30, which will be described later. The electrical equipment box 13A has an inlet portion 13a and an outlet portion 13b. (Introduction) The introduction section 13a introduces the airflow generated by the circulation fan 30 from inside the machine room R2 into the electrical box 13A. In this embodiment, the introduction section 13a opens to one side in the horizontal direction. The introduction section 13a is provided in a position facing the receiver 7 and accumulator 10, which are low-temperature components. No other members are provided between the introduction section 13a and the receiver 7 and accumulator 10, which are low-temperature components.

[0024] (Discharge section) The exhaust section 13b exhausts the air introduced into the electrical box 13A from the introduction section 13a into the machine room R2. The exhaust section 13b opens in a direction different from that of the introduction section 13a. In this embodiment, the exhaust section 13b opens upward. Note that the exhaust section 13b may open not only upward but also in another direction, such as the other horizontal direction.

[0025] (Circulation fan) The circulation fan 30 generates a flow of air circulating within the machine room R2. The circulation fan 30 generates a flow of air that passes through the receiver 7 and accumulator 10, which are low-temperature components, and then passes through the electrical box 13A. In this embodiment, the circulation fan 30 is illustrated as being disposed between the inlet 13a and the receiver 7 and accumulator 10. The location of the circulation fan 30 is not limited to between the inlet 13a and the receiver 7 and accumulator 10. For example, the circulation fan 30 may be disposed in the internal space of the electrical box 13A, closer to the inlet 13a than the outlet 13b, closer to the outlet 13b than the inlet 13a, or intermediate between the inlet 13a and the outlet 13b. The circulation fan 30 may also be disposed in the inlet 13a or the outlet 13b. Although the example has been given in which the circulation fan 30 is provided slightly outside the electrical box 13A relative to the inlet 13a, the circulation fan 30 may also be provided slightly outside the electrical box 13A relative to the outlet 13b. Furthermore, the circulation fan 30 is not limited to being provided in one location, but may be provided in multiple locations among the above. The circulation fan 30 is always operating while the air conditioner 1 is operating. When the circulation fan 30 is operating, an air flow is generated that circulates within the machine room R2 and passes through the low-temperature components before passing through the electrical box 13A.

[0026] (Explanation of operation) Next, the operation of the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment will be described. When the air conditioner 1 is operated, a current flows through the circuit, and the electrical components 14 in the electrical box 13A generate heat due to the internal resistance and other factors. Meanwhile, the circulation fan 30 operates. As a result, the air flow generated by the circulation fan 30 and circulating in the machine room R2 is introduced into the electrical box 13A through the introduction portion 13a. Moreover, the air flow generated by the circulation fan 30 flows around the receiver 7 and accumulator 10, which are low-temperature components, before being introduced into the electrical box 13A through the introduction portion 13a. Therefore, the air introduced into the electrical box 13A has a lower temperature than the electrical components 14 that are operating. This cools the electrical components 14 in the electrical box 13A. After cooling the electrical components 14, the air is discharged from the discharge port 13b into the machinery chamber R2, flows around the receiver 7 and the accumulator 10 again, and is then introduced into the electrical equipment box 13A. In other words, the air circulates inside the machinery chamber R2 without passing outside the casing 20A. The moisture in the air condenses when it comes into contact with the receiver 7 and the accumulator 10, reducing the absolute humidity of the air circulating in the machinery chamber R2.

[0027] (Action and effect) In the first embodiment, the air conditioner 1 includes a circulation fan 30 that generates a flow of air that circulates within the machinery chamber R2 and passes through the low-temperature components before passing through the electrical box 13A. This causes the air flow generated by the circulation fan 30 to be sent into the electrical box 13A. The air sent into the electrical box 13A is cooled by passing through the low-temperature components. This prevents the temperature of the electrical components 14 housed in the electrical box 13A from rising. Furthermore, the circulation fan 30 circulates the air flow within the machinery chamber R2 without drawing in air from outside the machinery chamber R2. This prevents high-temperature air from being drawn into the machinery chamber R2 even when the outside air temperature is high, and allows the low-temperature components to efficiently cool the air to be drawn into the electrical box 13A. Furthermore, even when the outside air humidity is high, this prevents high-temperature air from being drawn into the machinery chamber R2, thereby preventing an increase in humidity within the casing 20A. As a result, the occurrence of condensation inside the casing 20A can be suppressed, and the electrical components 14 can be cooled efficiently.

[0028] In the first embodiment, the introduction portion 13a of the electrical box 13A is provided at a position facing the low-temperature components, so that the air cooled by passing through the low-temperature components can be smoothly introduced into the electrical box 13A.

[0029] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the discharge portion 13b opens upward. The air that has passed through the low-temperature components and is then cooled and sent into electrical box 13A increases in temperature by cooling electrical components 14. Since the air with increased temperature rises inside electrical box 13A, by opening exhaust portion 13b upward, the air that has passed through electrical components 14 inside electrical box 13A can be efficiently exhausted from electrical box 13A into machine room R2.

[0030] In the first embodiment, the low-temperature components are disposed closer to the introduction section 13a than the compressor 4, so that the air cooled through the low-temperature components can be efficiently sent into the electrical box 13A. Therefore, the electrical components 14 in the electrical box 13A can be efficiently cooled.

[0031] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the low-temperature parts are the accumulator 10 and the receiver 7 that constitute the refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle is at a low temperature in the accumulator 10 and receiver 7 that make up the refrigeration cycle. Therefore, by using the accumulator 10 and receiver 7 as low-temperature members, the low-temperature air that has passed through the accumulator 10 and receiver 7 can be sent into the electrical box 13A. This allows the electrical components 14 in the electrical box 13A to be efficiently cooled. Furthermore, because the air flows sequentially from the receiver 7 to the accumulator 10, which is at a lower temperature than the receiver 7, the air can be efficiently cooled before being introduced into the introduction portion 13a.

[0032] In the first embodiment, the electrical box 13A is arranged horizontally with respect to the low-temperature components. This allows the air generated by the circulation fan 30 and flowing horizontally in the machine room R2 to be cooled by the low-temperature components and then sent to the electrical box 13A.

[0033] The first embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. It should be noted that various changes and modifications can be made to the above configuration without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, the layout and dimensions of the electrical components 14 described with reference to FIG. 3 are merely examples and can be changed as appropriate depending on the design and specifications. For example, the configuration of the refrigeration cycle is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG.

[0034] Second Embodiment FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4 , the casing 20B of the outdoor unit 2B of the air conditioner 1 of the second embodiment has a partition plate 25B. The partition plate 25B of the second embodiment is located in the horizontal middle of the casing 20B and extends vertically. The partition plate 25B divides the interior space of the casing 20B into two horizontally aligned spaces. The partition plate 25B of the second embodiment is a flat plate extending vertically. The partition plate 25B divides the interior space of the casing 20B into a heat exchange chamber R1 on the first horizontal side and a machine chamber R2 on the second horizontal side. Note that FIG. 4 only illustrates the compressor 4, receiver 7, accumulator 10, electrical box 13B, electrical components 14, and circulation fan 30 as components of the refrigeration cycle disposed in the machine chamber R2; other components are not shown.

[0035] In the outdoor unit 2B of the second embodiment, the electrical box 13B is disposed above the receiver 7 and accumulator 10, which are low-temperature components. The inlet portion 13a of the electrical box 13B of the second embodiment is provided so as to open downward. The inlet portion 13a is provided at a position facing the receiver 7 and accumulator 10, which are low-temperature components. No other members are provided between the inlet portion 13a and the receiver 7 and accumulator 10, which are low-temperature components. The outlet portion 13b of the electrical box 13B of the second embodiment is provided so as to open upward.

[0036] The circulation fan 30 generates a flow of air that circulates within the machine room R2 and passes through the low-temperature components before passing through the electrical box 13B. In this second embodiment, the circulation fan 30 is disposed in a position closer to the inlet 13a than the outlet 13b within the interior space of the electrical box 13B. The location of the circulation fan 30 is not limited to the above. For example, the circulation fan 30 may be disposed in a position closer to the outlet 13b than the inlet 13a within the interior space of the electrical box 13B, or in a position intermediate between the inlet 13a and the outlet 13b. The circulation fan 30 may also be disposed in the inlet 13a or the outlet 13b. The circulation fan 30 may also be disposed slightly outside the electrical box 13B relative to the inlet 13a or the outlet 13b. The circulation fan 30 may also be disposed in more than one location.

[0037] (Action and effect) In the second embodiment, the air conditioner 1 includes a circulation fan 30 that generates a flow of air that circulates in the machine room R2 and passes through the low-temperature components before passing through the electrical equipment box 13B. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the electrical equipment 14 can be efficiently cooled while suppressing condensation in the casing 20B.

[0038] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the electrical box 13B is disposed above the receiver 7 and the accumulator 10, which are low-temperature components. As a result, the air cooled after passing through the low-temperature components increases in temperature by cooling the electrical components 14 in the electrical box 13B. This makes it easier for an upward air current to be generated from around the low-temperature components toward the electrical components 14 in the electrical box 13B, which are disposed above the low-temperature components. This allows air to flow efficiently from around the low-temperature components toward the interior of the electrical box 13B.

[0039] Third Embodiment FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5 , the casing 20C of the outdoor unit 2C of the air conditioner 1 of the third embodiment has a partition plate 25C. The partition plate 25C of the third embodiment is located in the horizontal middle of the casing 20C and extends vertically. The partition plate 25C divides the interior space of the casing 20C into two horizontally aligned spaces. Like the partition plate 25B of the second embodiment, the partition plate 25C of the third embodiment is a flat plate extending vertically. The partition plate 25C divides the interior space of the casing 20C into a heat exchange chamber R1 on the first horizontal side and a machine chamber R2 on the second horizontal side. Note that FIG. 5 does not show the components of the refrigeration cycle disposed in the machine chamber R2, except for the electrical box 13B, the electrical components 14, the circulation fan 30, and the refrigerant piping 3 as low-temperature components.

[0040] In the outdoor unit 2C of the third embodiment, the electrical box 13C is disposed above the refrigerant piping 3, which is a low-temperature component. The inlet portion 13a of the electrical box 13C of the third embodiment is provided so as to open downward. The inlet portion 13a is provided at a position facing the refrigerant piping (low-temperature component) 3, which is a low-temperature component. No other components are provided between the inlet portion 13a and the refrigerant piping 3, which is also a low-temperature component. Here, it is preferable that the portion of the refrigerant piping 3 that constitutes the refrigeration cycle, where the refrigerant is at a lower temperature than the electrical components 14, be made the low-temperature component. In the third embodiment, it is preferable that the region of the refrigerant piping 3 between the condenser and the expansion valves 8A, 8B be disposed at a position facing the inlet portion 13a.

[0041] (Action and effect) In the third embodiment, the air conditioner 1 includes a circulation fan 30 that generates a flow of air that circulates within the machine room R2, passes through the low-temperature components, and then passes through the electrical equipment box 13C. As a result, similar to the second embodiment, the electrical equipment 14 can be efficiently cooled while suppressing condensation within the casing 20C.

[0042] In the third embodiment, the low-temperature component is the refrigerant pipe 3 through which the refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle flows. As a result, the portion of the refrigerant pipe 3 constituting the refrigeration cycle where the refrigerant is at a temperature lower than that of the electrical components 14 can be used as the low-temperature component, and low-temperature air cooled by the refrigerant pipe 3 can be sent into the electrical box 13C. As a result, the electrical components 14 in the electrical box 13C can be efficiently cooled.

[0043] (Other embodiments) The above describes in detail the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like are also included within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure. In the third embodiment, the heat exchange chamber R1 and the machine chamber R2 are divided into a first side and a second side in the horizontal direction by the partition plate 25C, but this is not limited to this. As in the first embodiment, the partition plate may divide the heat exchange chamber R1 and the machine chamber R2 into upper and lower sides. Moreover, the refrigerant pipe 3 shown in the third embodiment may be combined with the first and second embodiments and provided as a low-temperature part. Furthermore, in the above first and second embodiments, the accumulator 10 and the receiver 7 are described as being arranged in order as low-temperature components, but only one of the accumulator 10 and the receiver 7 may be arranged opposite the introduction portion 13a.

[0044] <Additional Notes> The air conditioner 1 described in each embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0045] (1) The air conditioner 1 according to the first aspect includes casings 20A to 20C, partition plates 25A to 25C that divide the interior of the casings 20A to 20C into a heat exchange chamber R1 and a machine chamber R2, an air heat exchanger 9 arranged in the heat exchange chamber R1, a heat exchanger fan 11 that circulates air inside and outside the heat exchange chamber R1, a compressor 4 arranged in the machine chamber R2, electrical equipment 14 arranged in the machine chamber R2 and controlling the compressor 4, electrical equipment boxes 13A to 13C that house the electrical equipment 14, low-temperature components 7, 10, and 3 arranged in the machine chamber R2 and provided in part of a refrigeration cycle including the air heat exchanger 9 and having a lower temperature than the electrical equipment 14, and a circulation fan 30 that generates a flow of air that circulates within the machine chamber R2 and passes through the low-temperature components 7, 10, and 3 before passing through the electrical equipment boxes 13A to 13C.

[0046] This air conditioner 1 includes a circulation fan 30 that generates a flow of air that circulates within the machine room R2 and passes through the low-temperature components 7, 10, and 3 before passing through the electrical boxes 13A to 13C. As a result, the air flow generated by the circulation fan 30 is sent into the electrical boxes 13A to 13C. The air sent into the electrical boxes 13A to 13C is cooled by passing through the low-temperature components 7, 10, and 3. This prevents the temperature of the electrical components 14 housed in the electrical boxes 13A to 13C from rising. Furthermore, the circulation fan 30 circulates the air flow within the machine room R2 without drawing in air from outside the machine room R2. As a result, even when the outside air temperature is high, high-temperature air is not drawn into the machine room R2, and the low-temperature components 7, 10, and 3 can efficiently cool the air sent into the electrical boxes 13A to 13C. Furthermore, even when the outside air humidity is high, high temperature air is not taken into the machine room R2 from the outside, so an increase in humidity inside the casings 20A to 20C is suppressed. As a result, the occurrence of condensation inside the casings 20A to 20C can be suppressed, and the electrical components 14 can be cooled efficiently.

[0047] (2) The air conditioner 1 according to the second aspect is the air conditioner 1 of (1), wherein the electrical boxes 13A to 13C are provided at a position opposite the low-temperature components 7, 10, and 3 and have an inlet section 13a that introduces the air that has passed through the low-temperature components 7, 10, and 3 into the electrical boxes 13A to 13C, and an outlet section 13b that discharges the air in the electrical boxes 13A to 13C into the machine room R2.

[0048] As a result, the introduction portions 13a of the electrical boxes 13A to 13C are provided at positions facing the low-temperature components 7, 10, and 3, so that the air cooled by passing through the low-temperature components 7, 10, and 3 can be smoothly introduced into the electrical boxes 13A to 13C.

[0049] (3) The air conditioner 1 according to a third aspect is the air conditioner 1 of (2), in which the discharge portion 13b opens upward.

[0050] As a result, the air that has been cooled through the low-temperature components 7, 10, and 3 and sent into the electrical boxes 13A to 13C increases in temperature by cooling the electrical components 14. Since the air with an increased temperature rises inside the electrical boxes 13A to 13C, by opening the exhaust portion 13b upward, the air that has passed through the electrical components 14 inside the electrical boxes 13A to 13C can be efficiently exhausted from inside the electrical boxes 13A to 13C into the machine room R2.

[0051] (4) The air conditioner 1 according to a fourth aspect is the air conditioner 1 according to (2) or (3), in which the low-temperature components 7, 10, 3 are arranged at a position closer to the introduction part 13a than the compressor 4.

[0052] As a result, the low-temperature components 7, 10, and 3 are disposed closer to the introduction section 13a than the compressor 4, and the air cooled through the low-temperature components 7, 10, and 3 can be efficiently sent into the electrical equipment boxes 13A to 13C. Therefore, the electrical equipment 14 in the electrical equipment boxes 13A to 13C can be efficiently cooled.

[0053] (5) The air conditioner 1 according to the fifth aspect is any one of the air conditioners 1 of (1) to (4), in which the low-temperature component is at least one of the accumulator 10 and the receiver 7 that constitute the refrigeration cycle.

[0054] As a result, the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle becomes low temperature in the accumulator 10 and receiver 7 that constitute the refrigeration cycle. Therefore, by using at least one of the accumulator 10 and the receiver 7 as a low-temperature member, low-temperature air that has passed through the accumulator 10 and the receiver 7 and has been cooled can be sent into the electrical equipment boxes 13A and 13B. This allows the electrical equipment 14 in the electrical equipment boxes 13A and 13B to be efficiently cooled.

[0055] (6) The air conditioner 1 according to a sixth aspect is the air conditioner 1 according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the low-temperature component is a refrigerant pipe 3 that circulates a refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle.

[0056] As a result, in the refrigerant pipe 3 constituting the refrigeration cycle, the portion where the refrigerant is at a temperature lower than that of the electrical components 14 is made a low-temperature member, and low-temperature air cooled by the refrigerant pipe 3 can be sent into the electrical component box 13C. This allows the electrical components 14 in the electrical component box 13C to be efficiently cooled.

[0057] (7) The air conditioner 1 according to a seventh aspect is the air conditioner 1 according to any one of (1) to (6), in which the electrical box 13A is arranged next to the low-temperature components 7 and 10 in the horizontal direction.

[0058] As a result, air generated by the circulation fan 30 and flowing horizontally in the machine room R2 can be cooled by the low-temperature components 7 and 10, and then sent to the electrical box 13A.

[0059] (8) The air conditioner 1 according to an eighth aspect is the air conditioner 1 according to any one of (1) to (6), in which the electrical equipment boxes 13B and 13C are arranged above the low-temperature components 7, 10, and 3.

[0060] As a result, the air cooled through the low-temperature components 7, 10, and 3 increases in temperature by cooling the electrical components 14 in the electrical boxes 13B and 13C. This tends to generate an upward air current from around the low-temperature components 7, 10, and 3 toward the electrical components 14 in the electrical boxes 13B and 13C arranged above the low-temperature components 7, 10, and 3. By arranging the electrical boxes 13B and 13C above the low-temperature components 7, 10, and 3, air can be efficiently circulated from around the low-temperature components 7, 10, and 3 toward the interior of the electrical boxes 13B and 13C. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1 Air conditioner 2A~2C outdoor unit 3 Refrigerant piping (low-temperature parts) 4 Compressor 5 Four-way valve 6 Water heat exchanger 7 Receiver (low temperature part) 8A, 8B Expansion valve 9. Air heat exchanger 10 Accumulator (low temperature component) 11 Heat exchanger fan 12 Pump 13A~13C Electrical box 13a Introduction 13b Discharge section 14 Electrical equipment 18 Water piping 20A~20C Casing 25A~25C Partition plate 30 Circulation fan R1 heat exchange room R2 Machine room

Claims

1. A casing; a partition plate that divides the inside of the casing into a heat exchange chamber and a machine chamber; a heat exchanger disposed in the heat exchange chamber; a heat exchanger fan for circulating air between the inside and outside of the heat exchange chamber; a compressor disposed in the machine room; an electrical component disposed in the machine room and controlling the compressor; an electrical equipment box that houses the electrical equipment; a low-temperature component disposed in the machine room, provided in a part of a refrigeration cycle including the heat exchanger, and having a lower temperature than the electrical component; a circulation fan that generates a flow of air that circulates in the machine room, passes through the low-temperature components, and then passes through the electrical box. Air conditioner.

2. The electrical box is an introduction section provided at a position facing the low-temperature component and configured to introduce the air that has passed through the low-temperature component into the electrical box; an exhaust section that exhausts the air in the electrical equipment box into the machine room. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 .

3. The discharge section is open upward.

3. The air conditioning system according to claim 2.

4. The low-temperature component is disposed closer to the introduction portion than the compressor.

4. The air conditioning system according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The low-temperature component is at least one of an accumulator and a receiver that constitute the refrigeration cycle.

3. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The low-temperature component is a refrigerant pipe that circulates the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle.

3. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The electrical box is arranged horizontally with respect to the low-temperature component.

3. The air conditioning system according to claim 2.

8. The electrical box is disposed above the low-temperature component.

3. The air conditioning system according to claim 2.

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