Unit cooler

Abstract

To provide a unit cooler which can inhibit fall of dew condensation water while reducing costs.SOLUTION: In a unit cooler, a first area and a second area are formed on an upper surface of a ceiling plate while sandwiching a folded line formed on the ceiling plate. The first area and the second area incline so that water droplets on the first area and the second area fall down to the folded line side. A hole penetrating through the ceiling plate is formed on the folded line.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a unit cooler. [Background technology]

[0002] A unit cooler for a refrigerated warehouse is configured to cool the air inside the refrigerated warehouse through a heat exchanger inside the housing, thereby cooling the indoor space of the refrigerated warehouse. In a refrigerated warehouse, the ambient temperature of the unit cooler is set higher than the internal temperature of the unit cooler, for example, around +10°C, so condensation may occur on the outer surface of the unit cooler, and the condensation may fall as droplets. Therefore, if the unit cooler is installed on the ceiling of the refrigerated warehouse, there is a risk that water droplets will fall below the unit cooler.

[0003] In response to this, Patent Document 1 discloses a unit cooler in which the entire case containing the heat exchanger, etc. is covered with an insulating layer made of foam material. With this unit cooler, the provision of the insulating layer makes it possible to make the temperature gradient between the inside and outside of the unit cooler gentler, thereby suppressing the occurrence of condensation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Publication No. 62-149776 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, since the unit cooler has a case with sides measuring several meters, covering the entire case with insulating material is costly, and covering the case with insulating material also increases the size of the unit cooler, which in turn increases the installation space required within the refrigerated warehouse.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a unit cooler that can suppress the fall of condensation water while keeping costs down. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the unit cooler of the present invention comprises: A unit cooler having a housing that houses a heat exchanger and a duct fan module, and a drain pan, the housing has a peripheral wall and a ceiling plate attached to an upper portion of the peripheral wall; a first region and a second region are formed on the upper surface of the ceiling board across a bending line formed in the ceiling board; the first region and the second region are inclined so that water droplets on the first region and the second region run down toward the folding line, A hole penetrating the ceiling panel is formed on the bending line. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a unit cooler that can suppress the dropping of condensed water while keeping costs down. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing an outline of a unit cooler according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the unit cooler of FIG. 1 taken along the line AA. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the ceiling panel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In this specification, "upward" and "downward" mean upward in the direction of gravitational acceleration (or anti-gravity direction) and downward in the direction of gravitational acceleration (or gravity direction), respectively. In addition, the drawings show outlines of each part and may not represent actual dimensions or proportions.

[0011] (Unit cooler configuration) Fig. 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing an outline of a unit cooler 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a side view of the unit cooler 10 of Fig. 1 taken along the line AA.

[0012] 1 and 2, the unit cooler 10 includes a housing 12 that defines a substantially rectangular parallelepiped space therein, a heat exchanger 20 disposed inside the housing 12, three duct fan modules 30 attached to the front wall 12a side of the space of the housing 12, and a drain pan 40 disposed below the housing 12. Each duct fan module 30 includes a motor 31 and a fan 32 driven by the motor 31. Note that the number of duct fan modules 30 may be three or more or less than three.

[0013] The housing 12 has side walls 12b and 12c installed at both ends in the longitudinal direction, a front wall 12c, a rear wall 12d, and a ceiling plate 12e, which are joined together by welding, etc. The side walls 12b and 12c, the front wall 12c, and the rear wall 12d are formed from flat plates made of metal (stainless steel, etc.), and these walls form surrounding walls to which the ceiling plate 12e is attached at the top.

[0014] The front wall 12a of the housing 12 has an opening through which air can be discharged from inside the housing 12 when the duct fan module 30 is operating. The rear wall 12d also has an opening through which outside air can be taken into the housing 12 when the duct fan module 30 is operating, and a filter 50 is disposed in the opening in the rear wall 12d to remove dust from the air. Note that the filter may be omitted.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the ceiling plate 12e, but the angle and dimensions are exaggerated more than in reality. The ceiling plate 12e can be formed, for example, by bending or press-forming a flat plate made of metal (such as stainless steel) in the shape of an isosceles trapezoid. More specifically, it is formed by bending a flat plate in the shape of an isosceles trapezoid with the upper side length of 2·B and the lower side length of 2·C (where B < C) along the bending line FL connecting the midpoint P1 of the upper side and the midpoint P2 of the lower side. For this reason, the ceiling plate 12e has a shape in which the flat left plate 12f and the right plate 12g are connected symmetrically with respect to the central bending line FL. The bending line FL is disposed at the center along the longitudinal direction of the housing 12 to which the ceiling plate 12e is assembled. A water-repellent coating may be applied to the surface of the ceiling plate 12e. Here, the upper surface of the left plate 12f constitutes the first region, and the upper surface of the right plate 12g constitutes the second region. In addition, linear concave portions (such as U-shaped grooves or V-shaped grooves) inclined toward the central portion may be formed over the entire ceiling plate 12e by press-forming. In this specification, for the sake of convenience, even the linear concave portions are referred to as the bending line FL. Also, although it is desirable to have one bending line FL as in this embodiment, a plurality of bending lines FL may be formed.

[0016] In the bent state, the widths W at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the ceiling plate 12e are equal to each other, and W < 2·B and W < 2·C. Therefore, the left plate 12f and the right plate 12g are inclined so as to face each other with the bending line FL as the lower end position. The inclination angle θ2 of the left plate 12f and the right plate 12g at the midpoint P2 is preferably, for example, 175 degrees to 178 degrees. When the inclination angle θ2 is close to 180 degrees, the flow of water droplets condensed on the left plate 12f and the right plate 12g deteriorates, or when the inclination angle θ2 is too small, the dimension in the height direction of the ceiling plate 12e increases, which may lead to an increase in the size of the unit cooler 10. However, the inclination angle θ2 is not limited to the above numerical values, and it is also optional to adopt other numerical values.

[0017] Also, since B < C, the bending line FL is inclined such that the midpoint P2 is located below the horizontal line (plane) passing through the midpoint P1. For this reason, both ends of the ceiling plate 12e are connected to the vicinity of the upper ends of the side walls 12b and 12c at different positions in the height direction. As in this embodiment, the ceiling panel 12e is preferably symmetrical about the bending line FL. However, if the symmetrical ceiling panel 12e is used in a unit cooler with a layout that prevents water droplets from falling into the space between the heat exchanger and the duct fan module, the ceiling panel may be asymmetrical.

[0018] The inclination angle θ1 (FIG. 1) of the bending line FL relative to the horizontal line is preferably, for example, 2 to 5 degrees. If the inclination angle θ1 is close to 0 degrees, the flow of water droplets along the bending line FL toward the longitudinal downward direction of the ceiling panel 12e will be poor, or if the inclination angle θ1 is too large, the height dimension of the ceiling panel 12e will increase, which may result in an increase in the size of the unit cooler 10. However, the inclination angle θ1 is not limited to the above-mentioned numerical value, and other numerical values ​​may also be used as desired.

[0019] The ceiling panel 12e may have a longitudinal length exceeding several meters, but its thickness is relatively thin, which may lead to distortion of the flat panel. According to this embodiment, by forming a bending line FL in the center of the ceiling panel 12e, the weight of the ceiling panel 12e can be reduced while increasing its rigidity and suppressing distortion, and the left panel 12f and the right panel 12g can maintain their shape inclined toward the bending line FL. This allows the inclination angles θ1 and θ2 to be set with high precision.

[0020] Drain holes 12h are formed through the ceiling panel 12e at a pitch of D=300 mm to 500 mm along the bending line FL. The drain holes 12h are elongated holes (including slits) or round holes along the bending line FL.

[0021] 1 and 2, heat exchanger 20 is arranged such that piping (not shown) passes through many fins and is folded back multiple times, allowing a refrigerant supplied from the outside via supply and discharge piping HP to pass through the piping. When cooled refrigerant is supplied from the outside via supply and discharge piping HP and passes through the piping of heat exchanger 20, heat is exchanged between the refrigerant and air passing between the fins of heat exchanger 20, thereby cooling the air.

[0022] 2, the bending line FL of the ceiling panel 12e is located above the space between the heat exchanger 20 and the duct fan module 30. It is preferable that there are no obstructing parts between the drain hole 12h on the bending line FL and the bottom wall 42 of the drain pan 40. In other words, it is preferable that when the drain hole 12h is projected vertically, the projected image is formed on the surface of the bottom wall 42. It is also possible to form a gap at the end below the folding line FL to allow water to drain downwards without providing the drain hole 12h, but for convenience in this specification, such a gap will also be referred to as a drain hole or hole.

[0023] Drain pan 40 is installed and connected downward to housing 12 via a connecting portion (not shown), and has a rectangular frame-shaped peripheral wall 41 and a bottom wall 42 joined around the entire periphery to the lower end of peripheral wall 41. As shown in Fig. 2, bottom wall 42 is inclined in the width direction of housing 12 with respect to the horizontal plane, specifically so that the rear wall 12d side is positioned lower than the front wall 12a side. Drain pan 40 also has a drain hole 43 on the rear wall 12d side, allowing water droplets that fall into drain pan 40 to be discharged to the outside via a drain pipe 44.

[0024] When the unit cooler 10 is viewed from above, the drain pan 40 extends outward beyond the housing 12. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 1, the peripheral wall 41 is formed to protrude outward beyond the left side wall 12b of the housing 12 by a distance F, and is also formed to protrude outward beyond the right side wall 12b by a distance G.

[0025] 2, peripheral wall 41 is formed to extend outward from front wall 12a of housing 12 by a distance H and from rear wall 12d by a distance I. Preferably, F = G = I, and more preferably, H > I. That is, the extension amount (distance H) of drain pan 40 from front wall 12a of housing 12 closest to duct fan module 30 is preferably greater than the extension amounts (distances F, G, I) of drain pan 40 from the other side walls 12b, 12c, and rear wall 12d. This is because duct fan module 30 is installed on front wall 12a, and water droplets running down the surface of front wall 12a may be blown outward by the wind from fan 32, and these droplets are caught by drain pan 40.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 2, the unit cooler 10 of this embodiment is installed on a ceiling CL of a large refrigerated warehouse or the like (indoor space) via a hanging device (not shown). The ceiling CL has an opening (not shown) through which the supply and discharge pipes HP are inserted, and may also include a heat insulating layer. When the housing 12 of the unit cooler 10 is attached to the ceiling CL, a triangular prism-shaped space SP is created between the ceiling CL and a ceiling plate 12e. The space SP ensures heat insulation.

[0027] (Unit cooler operation) Next, the operation of the unit cooler 10 will be described. In Fig. 1, during cooling operation of the unit cooler 10, the motor 31 of the duct fan module 30 rotates the fan 32. When the fan 32 rotates, air is drawn in through an opening in the rear wall 12d of the unit cooler 10, cooled as it passes through the heat exchanger 20, and then discharged to the outside of the unit cooler 10 through an opening in the front wall 12a (or the duct of the duct fan module 30), thereby cooling the external space.

[0028] Since the unit cooler 10 of this embodiment is used in an environment where the ambient temperature is 0° C. or higher, the inside of the unit cooler 10 becomes colder than the outside. This causes condensation to form on the outer surface of the housing 12.

[0029] When condensation occurs on the ceiling panel 12e, water droplets grow on the left and right panels 12f and 12g, and then gravity causes them to flow down toward the bending line FL and pass through the drain holes 12h. This prevents condensation from pooling on the ceiling panel 12e. Because the bending line FL, i.e., the drain holes 12h, is located above and between the heat exchanger 20 and the duct fan module 30, the water droplets that pass through the drain holes 12h fall onto the bottom wall 42 of the drain pan 40 without adhering to the heat exchanger 20 or the duct fan module 30. Condensed water that does not fall through the drain holes 12h travels from the end of the bending line FL along the outer surface of the side wall 12c and falls into the drain pan 40.

[0030] Furthermore, when condensation occurs on the outer surface of the housing 12, the resulting water droplets will slide down along the outer surface of the housing 12 due to the action of gravity, but because the drain pan 40 extends further outward than the housing 12 when the unit cooler 10 is viewed from above, the water droplets sliding down along the outer surface of the housing 12 can be collected by the drain pan 40 and prevented from dripping below the unit cooler 10. This eliminates the need to attach a foam material or the like to the housing 12 to prevent condensation, thereby reducing costs.

[0031] The collected condensed water flows downward along the inclined bottom wall 42 of the drain pan 40 and is discharged to the outside through the drain hole 43 and the drain pipe 44.

[0032] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, the unit cooler of this embodiment can be installed on the floor.

[0033] This specification includes the disclosure of the following inventions. (First aspect) A unit cooler having a housing that houses a heat exchanger and a duct fan module, and a drain pan, the housing has a peripheral wall and a ceiling plate attached to an upper portion of the peripheral wall; a first region and a second region are formed on the upper surface of the ceiling board across a bending line formed in the ceiling board; the first region and the second region are inclined so that water droplets on the first region and the second region run down toward the folding line, A hole penetrating the ceiling panel is formed on the bending line. A unit cooler characterized by:

[0034] (Second aspect) The first region and the second region have symmetrical shapes with respect to the bending line. The unit cooler of the first aspect is characterized by:

[0035] (Third aspect) The folding line extends along the longitudinal direction of the housing and is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. The unit cooler according to the first or second aspect, characterized in that:

[0036] (Fourth aspect) the bend line is located above the space between the heat exchanger and the duct fan module. The unit cooler according to any one of the first to third aspects, characterized in that:

[0037] (Fifth aspect) When the unit cooler is viewed from above, at least a portion of the drain pan protrudes outside the housing. The unit cooler according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, characterized in that:

[0038] (Sixth aspect) a protrusion amount of the drain pan that protrudes outward from the peripheral wall that is closer to the duct fan module is greater than a protrusion amount of the drain pan that protrudes outward from the other peripheral walls; A fifth aspect of the unit cooler is characterized by the following.

[0039] (Seventh aspect) When the housing is attached to a ceiling of an indoor space, a space is created between the ceiling board and the ceiling. The unit cooler according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, characterized in that: [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 10 Unit Cooler 12. Case 12e Ceiling Panel 12f left board 12g right plate 20 Heat exchanger 30 Ducted Fan Module 40 Drain pan CL Ceiling FL Fold line

Claims

1. A unit cooler having a housing that houses a heat exchanger and a duct fan module, and a drain pan, the housing has a peripheral wall and a ceiling plate attached to an upper portion of the peripheral wall; a first region and a second region are formed on an upper surface of the ceiling board across a bending line formed in the ceiling board; the first region and the second region are inclined so that water droplets on the first region and the second region run down toward the folding line, A hole penetrating the ceiling panel is formed on the bending line. A unit cooler characterized by:

2. the first region and the second region have symmetrical shapes with respect to the folding line; 2. The unit cooler according to claim 1.

3. The folding line extends along the longitudinal direction of the housing and is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane.

2. The unit cooler according to claim 1.

4. the bend line is located above the space between the heat exchanger and the duct fan module.

2. The unit cooler according to claim 1.

5. When the unit cooler is viewed from above, at least a portion of the drain pan protrudes outside the housing.

5. The unit cooler according to claim 1, wherein the cooling system is a cooling system.

6. a protrusion amount of the drain pan that protrudes outward from the peripheral wall that is closer to the duct fan module is greater than a protrusion amount of the drain pan that protrudes outward from the other peripheral walls; 6. The unit cooler according to claim 5.

7. When the housing is attached to a ceiling of an indoor space, a space is created between the ceiling board and the ceiling.

2. The unit cooler according to claim 1.

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