Outdoor unit

Abstract

One non-limiting and exemplary embodiment provides an outdoor unit that has a simple structure and is capable of reducing the occurrence of an air gap in a lower header.SOLUTION: An outdoor unit according to the present disclosure includes a heat exchanger having a pair of headers extending in a horizontal direction and a heat transfer tube extending in a vertical direction and connecting the pair of headers, and a housing in which the heat exchanger is installed. A fillet portion by brazing is provided at a connection portion between the header and the heat transfer tube, the casing has a bottom surface along the lower header and an outer shell portion extending upward from an outer peripheral portion of the bottom surface and forming an opening through which the heat exchanger can be exposed to the outside, and a height of at least a part of the outer shell portion is formed at a height equal to or lower than a lower end of the fillet portion in the lower header.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a heat exchanger including a plurality of heat transfer tubes arranged in parallel at intervals, a distribution header connected to each tube section of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, and a plurality of fins provided in the air passage between adjacent heat transfer tubes. In Patent Document 1, the upper surface of the distribution header is provided with an inclined surface that slopes downward from the upwind side to the downwind side, making it easier for water droplets on the upper surface of the distribution header to drain outward. Patent Document 2 discloses a multi-flow heat exchanger in which headers are arranged horizontally and tubes are arranged vertically. In Patent Document 2, drainage plates are attached to the vicinity of the upper surface of the lower header of each tube to prevent water droplets flowing down from the top of the tubes from flowing down to the tube connection part of the lower header, thereby preventing early corrosion of the tube connection part. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6300915 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 5-52581 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides an outdoor unit that can suppress ice punctures in the lower header with a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The outdoor unit of the present disclosure is an outdoor unit comprising a heat exchanger having a pair of headers extending horizontally and heat transfer tubes extending vertically and connecting the pair of headers, and a housing in which the heat exchanger is installed, wherein a fillet portion is provided by brazing at the connection portion between the headers and the heat transfer tubes, and the housing has a bottom surface that conforms to the lower header, and an outer shell portion that extends upward from the outer periphery of the bottom surface to form an opening that allows the heat exchanger to be exposed to the outside, and the height of at least a portion of the outer shell portion is formed to be lower than the lower end of the fillet portion of the lower header.

[0006] The outdoor unit of the present disclosure is an outdoor unit comprising: a heat exchanger having a pair of headers extending horizontally and heat transfer tubes extending vertically and connecting the pair of headers; and a housing in which the heat exchanger is installed, wherein a fillet portion is provided by brazing at the connection portion between the headers and the heat transfer tubes, and the housing has a bottom surface that conforms to the lower headers and an outer casing that extends upward from the outer periphery of the bottom surface to form an opening that allows the heat exchanger to be exposed to the outside, and a drainage hole is formed in the outer casing, and the lower end of the drainage hole is positioned at a height below the lower end of the fillet portion of the lower header. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The present disclosure can provide an outdoor unit that can suppress ice punctures in the lower header with a simple structure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the outdoor unit housing and the outdoor heat exchanger as viewed from the left front of the outdoor unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the outdoor unit housing and the outdoor heat exchanger as viewed from the right rear of the outdoor unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the housing of the outdoor unit and the outdoor heat exchanger; [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a rear view showing the housing of the outdoor unit and the outdoor heat exchanger. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a right side view showing the housing of the outdoor unit and the outdoor heat exchanger. [Figure 7] Schematic diagram corresponding to the cross section along line VII-VII in Figure 5 [Figure 8] Schematic diagram corresponding to the cross section of line VIII-VIII in Figure 6 [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an outer shell portion near a heat exchanger exposure opening. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors arrived at the idea of ​​the present disclosure, in heat exchangers having a header and a heat transfer tube, a fillet was formed by brazing at the joint between the header and the heat transfer tube. It is known that this fillet has a gap called a void, and when water enters this void and freezes and melts repeatedly, stress caused by the accumulation and expansion of water deteriorates and breaks the area around the fillet, a phenomenon known as ice puncture, and there is a risk of refrigerant leakage. However, conventional technology does not provide any measures to deal with situations where a large amount of water is generated inside the outdoor unit due to external disturbances such as snowfall in winter, rain, or clogged drainage holes, and the outdoor unit's drainage speed cannot keep up.The inventor discovered a problem in which the lower part of the heat exchanger becomes submerged and water accumulates around the header and the fillet parts of the heat transfer tube, which can result in ice punctures, and in order to solve this problem, the inventor came up with the subject matter of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure provides an outdoor unit that can suppress ice punctures in the lower header with a simple structure.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of well-known matters or redundant description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0012] [1-1.Configuration] [1-1-1. Air Conditioning Equipment Configuration] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioner 1 in embodiment 1. Fig. 1 shows the configuration of the air conditioner 1 in schematic form. The air conditioner 1 includes an outdoor unit 10 and an indoor unit 20. The indoor unit 20 is connected to the outdoor unit 10 by a refrigerant pipe 2. The air conditioner 1 circulates refrigerant compressed by a compressor 11 between the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20, and conditions the room (the space to be conditioned) in which the indoor unit 20 is installed.

[0013] The outdoor unit 10 includes a compressor 11 that compresses a refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger 12, an outdoor fan 13, a switching valve 14, and an accumulator 15. The compressor 11 draws in the refrigerant from the inlet side, compresses it, and discharges it from the outlet side. The outdoor heat exchanger 12 exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the outdoor air in the outdoor unit 10.

[0014] The outdoor fan 13 sends air to the outdoor heat exchanger 12 . The switching valve 14 is configured by, for example, a four-way valve. The switching valve 14 switches the flow of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11 and the refrigerant returning to the compressor 11. The switching valve 14 switches the air conditioner 1 between a cooling operation mode and a heating operation mode. The accumulator 15 separates the refrigerant into liquid and gaseous refrigerants and stores the refrigerants.

[0015] The indoor unit 20 includes an indoor heat exchanger 21, an indoor fan 22, and an expansion valve 23. The indoor heat exchanger 21 exchanges heat between the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit 10 through the refrigerant pipe 2 and the indoor air. The indoor fan 22 sends air to the indoor heat exchanger 21. The indoor fan 22 corresponds to an example of a blower fan.

[0016] The expansion valve 23 reduces the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant and causes it to expand. The expansion valve 23 is configured so that its opening degree is adjustable. The opening degree of the expansion valve 23 is controlled by the control unit 30. The expansion valve 23 may be a valve whose opening degree is adjustable and which can shut off the refrigerant.

[0017] Refrigerant shutoff valves 3 that adjust the flow rate of refrigerant to the indoor unit 20 are provided on both sides of the indoor heat exchanger 21 of the indoor unit 20. The refrigerant shutoff valves 3 are configured as on-off valves such as motor-operated valves or solenoid valves. The refrigerant shutoff valves 3 are switchable between an open state, in which the refrigerant flows, and a closed state, in which the flow of refrigerant is blocked. The refrigerant shutoff valves 3 are configured so that their opening and closing can be controlled by the control unit 30. The refrigerant shutoff valve 3 is configured to be in a closed state when power is not supplied, i.e., during a power outage. The refrigerant shutoff valve 3 may be a valve that can be set to a state between the open state and the closed state, and the opening degree of the refrigerant shutoff valve 3 may be controlled by the control unit 30.

[0018] The air conditioning apparatus 1 includes a control unit 30. The control unit 30 is configured from an electronic circuit board. Alternatively, the control unit 30 may be a computer equipped with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage device such as a memory device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM (Random Access Memory), and the various functions of the air conditioning apparatus 1 may be realized by the processor executing a control program stored in the memory device or storage device.

[0019] The control unit 30 is electrically connected to an operation unit 31 that is configured with a remote control, an operation panel, or the like. The control unit 30 controls the operation of the compressor 11, the opening degree and opening / closing of the expansion valve 23, the flow path switching of the switching valve 14, the operation and stopping of the indoor fan 22, and the opening / closing of the refrigerant shutoff valve 3, etc.

[0020] The control unit 30 operates the switching valve 14 and the expansion valve 23 to switch the air conditioner 1 between heating operation and cooling operation. In addition, the control unit 30 controls the operating frequency and operation and / or stop of the compressor 11, and controls the outdoor fan 13 and the indoor fan 22, in accordance with the target temperature set by operating the operation unit 31, and air-conditions the space to be conditioned in accordance with the target temperature.

[0021] [1-1-2.Outdoor unit configuration] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the housing 40 of the outdoor unit 10 and the outdoor heat exchanger 12 as viewed from the left front of the outdoor unit 10. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the housing 40 of the outdoor unit 10 and the outdoor heat exchanger 12 as viewed from the right rear of the outdoor unit 10. The outdoor unit 10 includes a housing 40 having a generally rectangular parallelepiped appearance. In this embodiment, each part of the housing 40 is formed from a steel plate.

[0022] The housing 40 includes a bottom panel 41 that forms the bottom surface of the housing 40, a front panel 42 that is approximately L-shaped in plan view and that forms the front surface and the front right side of the housing 40, a side panel 43 that is approximately L-shaped in plan view and that forms the left side surface and the left rear side of the housing 40, and a top panel 44 that forms the top surface of the housing 40. The bottom panel 41, the front panel 42, the side panel 43, and the top panel 44 form a surrounding shape that forms a heat exchanger exposure opening (opening) 40a (see FIG. 3 ). Note that in the present embodiment, the front surface and the front right side of the housing 40 are formed by the integral front panel 42, but the front surface and the front right side may each be formed by a separate panel. Similarly, the left side surface and the left rear side of the housing 40 are formed by the integral side panel 43, but the left side surface and the left rear side may each be formed by a separate panel. In other words, the shapes of the front panel 42 and the side panel 43 are not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment and are arbitrary.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the housing 40 of the outdoor unit 10 and the outdoor heat exchanger 12. As shown in FIG. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the internal space of the housing 40 is divided into left and right sections by a partition plate 45 extending in the front-to-rear direction. The partition plate 45 is a plate-like member that has a thickness in the left-to-right direction and extends front-to-rear and up-to-down. The partition plate 45 extends from the front panel 42 to the left rear portion of the side panel 43 in the left portion of the internal space. The partition plate 45 defines a machine chamber 46 on the left side (one side in the left-to-right direction) and a fan chamber 47 on the right side (the other side in the left-to-right direction) inside the housing 40. The compressor 11 and the like are disposed in the machine room 46. The blower room 47 accommodates the outdoor fan 13 (see FIG. 1) and the outdoor heat exchanger 12.

[0024] A circular opening 42a is formed in the front panel 42 corresponding to the front of the blower chamber 47. The outdoor fan 13 (see FIG. 1) is attached to the opening 42a.

[0025] The outdoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger) 12 disposed in the blower chamber 47 is exposed to the outside through the heat exchanger exposure opening 40a. In this embodiment, the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is disposed in a substantially L-shape on the rear and side surfaces of the housing 40, as shown in FIG. 4. The outdoor heat exchanger 12 has a rear surface portion 12a disposed at the rear end of the housing 40 and a side surface portion 12b disposed at the right end of the housing 40. In this embodiment, the rear surface portion 12a and the side surface portion 12b have the same basic configuration, except for their different installation positions. Therefore, when there is no need to distinguish between the rear surface portion 12a and the side surface portion 12b, they will be described as the outdoor heat exchanger 12. In this embodiment, antifreeze heaters 16 are disposed opposite the lower ends of the rear surface portion 12a and the side surface portion 12b (see FIG. 4). The antifreeze heaters 16 prevent condensation water on the outdoor heat exchanger 12 from freezing.

[0026] Fig. 5 is a rear view showing the housing 40 of the outdoor unit 10 and the outdoor heat exchanger 12. Fig. 6 is a right side view showing the housing 40 of the outdoor unit 10 and the outdoor heat exchanger 12. The outdoor heat exchanger 12 has a pair of upper and lower headers 61, 62 extending horizontally. The headers 61, 62 are cylindrical. The headers 61, 62 are made of, for example, aluminum pipes with a circular cross section. The headers 61, 62 are configured to allow the refrigerant to pass through the interiors thereof.

[0027] The lower header 61 and the upper header 62 are connected by flat tubes 63, which are an example of heat transfer tubes extending in the vertical direction. The flat tubes 63 are formed, for example, from flat extruded aluminum members. A plurality of flat tubes 63 are provided. The flat tubes 63 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the headers 61, 62 at a predetermined interval so that their largest surfaces face each other. Corrugated fins, which are an example of fins, are fixed between adjacent flat tubes 63. In the drawing, corrugated fin installation sections 64, where corrugated fins are provided, are schematically shown as rectangular shapes between the flat tubes 63.

[0028] In this embodiment, a pipe-shaped piping connection portion 61a (see FIG. 4) is formed in the lower header 61. The piping connection portion 61a is connected to the refrigerant piping 2 (see FIG. 1) extending from the indoor heat exchanger 21. A pipe-shaped piping connection portion 62a (see FIG. 4) is formed in the upper header 62. The piping connection portion 62a is connected to the refrigerant piping 2 (see FIG. 1) extending from the switching valve 14. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the outdoor heat exchanger 12 functions as an evaporator during heating operation, the refrigerant flows in the order of the lower header 61, the flat tubes 63, and the upper header 62. Furthermore, when the outdoor heat exchanger 12 functions as a condenser during cooling operation, the refrigerant flows in the order of the upper header 62, the flat tubes 63, and the lower header 61.

[0029] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram corresponding to the cross section taken along line VII-VII in Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram corresponding to the cross section taken along line VIII-VIII in Fig. 6. The lower header 61 has a pipe insertion hole (not shown), and the flat tubes 63 are inserted into this pipe insertion hole and joined. The flat tubes 63 are joined by brazing. A fillet portion 65 is formed by brazing at the connection between the header 61 and the flat tube 63, i.e., on the header 61. The fillet portion 65 is formed in a predetermined range around the flat tube 63. This joins the lower header 61 and the flat tube 63 in a liquid-tight state. The upper header 62 is similarly formed with a fillet portion 65 .

[0030] [1-1-3. Detailed configuration of outdoor unit] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, the bottom panel 41 of this embodiment is saucer-shaped. Therefore, water tends to collect on the bottom panel 41. The bottom panel 41 has a rectangular plate-shaped bottom portion (bottom surface) 51 (see FIG. 4) and an outer shell portion 52 (see FIG. 4) formed on the outer periphery of the bottom portion 51 and extending upward. The outer shell portion 52 is wall-shaped. The outer shell portion 52 has a front outer shell portion 53, a rear outer shell portion 54, a left outer shell portion 55, and a right outer shell portion 56 corresponding to the front, rear, left, and right sides of the bottom panel 41. In this embodiment, the front outer shell portion 53, the rear outer shell portion 54, the left outer shell portion 55, and the right outer shell portion 56 are integrally continuous.

[0031] A bottom drain hole 51a is formed in the right rear portion of the bottom portion 51, penetrating in the vertical direction.

[0032] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the outer shell 52 in the vicinity of the heat exchanger exposure opening 40a. The rear outer shell 54 has a low outer shell lower portion 54a. In other words, the outer shell 52 is cut out in a flat U-shape from the top end downward. The upper end of the outer shell lower portion 54a has a bent portion 54b1 (see FIG. 7) bent toward the inside of the housing 40. The rear outer shell 54 has a high outer shell portion 54b formed by the portion other than the low outer shell portion 54a.

[0033] 7, in this embodiment, the height of the outer shell lower portion 54a is located lower than the lower end 65a of the fillet portion 65. Alternatively, the height of the outer shell lower portion 54a may be the same as the lower end 65a of the fillet portion 65. In the present embodiment, the height of the outer shell high portion 54b is located higher than the upper end 65b of the fillet portion 65. Alternatively, the height of the outer shell high portion 54b may be the same as the upper end 65b of the fillet portion 65.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, the horizontal length L1 of the outer shell lower portion 54a is more than half the length L2 of the contact surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 12. By making the length more than half the length L2, it is possible to easily maintain the drainage performance of the outer shell lower portion 54a. Furthermore, the outer shell higher portion 54b is provided with a fastening portion 54c (see FIG. 9). The rear surface 12a of the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is fastened and supported to the fastening portion 54c with a bolt (fastening member) (not shown). In other words, if the rear outer shell portion 54 were formed only with the outer shell lower portion 54a, there would be a risk that the size for the fastening portion 54c would not be sufficient. However, by providing the outer shell higher portion 54b, the fastening portion 54c for fastening components such as the outdoor heat exchanger 12 can be provided in the rear outer shell portion 54.

[0035] The right outer shell portion 56 has outer shell drainage holes 56a formed therethrough in the thickness direction. A plurality of the outer shell drainage holes 56a are formed at intervals in the horizontal direction. The lower ends of the outer shell drainage holes 56a are located below the lower ends 65a of the fillet portions 65 (see FIG. 8). Alternatively, the height of the outer shell drainage holes 56a may be the same as the lower ends 65a of the fillet portions 65. The right outer shell portion 56 is also provided with fastening portions 56c (see FIG. 9). The side surface portion 12b of the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is fastened and supported to the fastening portions 56c by bolts (fastening members) not shown.

[0036] [1-2. Operation] The operation of the air conditioner 1 configured as above will now be described.

[0037] [1-2-1. Air conditioning unit operation] In the air conditioning apparatus 1 of embodiment 1, during heating operation, the switching valve 14 switches the refrigerant to flow in the flow direction F1 (see Figure 1), and the refrigerant flows in the following order: compressor 11, switching valve 14, refrigerant shut-off valve 3, indoor heat exchanger 21, expansion valve 23, refrigerant shut-off valve 3, outdoor heat exchanger 12, switching valve 14, and then returns from switching valve 14 to compressor 11.

[0038] When the air conditioning device 1 is in cooling operation, the refrigerant is switched to flow in flow direction F2 (see Figure 1), and the refrigerant flows through the compressor 11, switching valve 14, outdoor heat exchanger 12, refrigerant shut-off valve 3, expansion valve 23, indoor heat exchanger 21, refrigerant shut-off valve 3, and switching valve 14 in that order, before returning from switching valve 14 to the compressor 11.

[0039] [1-2-2. Outdoor unit operation] During heating operation, the outdoor unit 10 of the first embodiment functions as an evaporator, and the refrigerant flows in the order of the lower header 61, the flat tubes 63, and the upper header 62. At this time, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the air surrounding the outdoor heat exchanger 12 and evaporates, and the area around the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is cooled. Furthermore, during cooling operation, the outdoor unit 10 of the first embodiment functions as a condenser, and the refrigerant flows through the upper header 62, the flat tubes 63, and the lower header 61 in this order. At this time, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the air around the outdoor heat exchanger 12 and condenses, and the area around the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is warmed.

[0040] Here, in the outdoor unit 10, the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is at a low temperature during heating operation, and moisture around the outdoor heat exchanger 12 condenses, easily producing condensed water. When this condensed water flows down the outdoor heat exchanger 12 and reaches the bottom portion 51 of the bottom panel 41, it can be drained to the outside of the outdoor unit 10 through the bottom drainage holes 51a.

[0041] However, for example, due to external disturbances such as snowfall in winter, rain, or clogging of the bottom drainage holes 51a, a large amount of water may build up inside the outdoor unit 10. In this case, the bottom drainage holes 51a may not be able to drain quickly enough, and the header 61 below the outdoor heat exchanger 12 may become submerged in water.

[0042] Here, the fillet portion 65 of the lower header 61 is formed by brazing, but it is known that due to differences in the degree of shrinkage of the brazing filler metal when it cools, gaps called voids are formed in the fillet portion 65. If water enters this gap and freezes in the void, the water in the void accumulates and expands, and a force due to the expansion acts on the fillet portion 65. Therefore, in the outdoor unit 10, the outdoor heat exchanger 12 functions as an evaporator during heating operation, and as the heating operation is started and stopped, the water in the void freezes and melts repeatedly, resulting in ice punctures and the risk of refrigerant leakage.

[0043] In contrast to this, in the present embodiment, even if the bottom drainage holes 51a alone are unable to drain enough water, water overflows from the outer shell lower portion 54a and the outer shell drainage holes 56a, so that the water inside the outdoor unit 10 can be drained to the outside before the fillet portion 65 is submerged. Therefore, even if a large amount of water is generated inside the outdoor unit 10, it is easy to prevent the water from freezing in the voids inside the fillet portion 65. Furthermore, the presence of outer shell 52 can prevent sand, dust, rainwater, and the like from entering inside casing 40 from the outside, such as the ground, and accumulating on bottom surface 51.

[0044] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the outdoor unit 10 is an outdoor unit 10 comprising an outdoor heat exchanger 12 having a pair of headers 61, 62 extending horizontally and a flat tube 63 extending vertically and connecting the pair of headers 61, 62, and a housing 40 in which the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is installed, and a fillet portion 65 is provided by brazing at the connection portion between the headers 61, 62 and the flat tube 63, and the housing 40 has a bottom surface portion 51 that follows the lower header 61, and an outer shell portion 52 that extends upward from the outer periphery of the bottom surface portion 51 and forms a heat exchanger exposure opening 40a that allows the outdoor heat exchanger 12 to be exposed to the outside, and the height of at least a portion of the outer shell portion 52 is formed to be lower than the lower end 65a of the fillet portion 65 in the lower header 61. With this configuration, even if water accumulates on the bottom surface portion 51, the water will overflow from the outer casing portion 52, which is at a height equal to or lower than the lower end 65a of the fillet portion 65 in the lower header 61. Therefore, water can be drained before the fillet portion 65 is submerged, and even if a situation arises in which a large amount of water may accumulate on the bottom surface portion 51, it is possible to easily prevent water from entering the voids in the fillet portion 65. Therefore, it is possible to provide an outdoor unit 10 that can prevent ice punctures in the lower header 61 with a simple structure that is limited by the height of the outer casing portion 52.

[0045] As in this embodiment, the outer shell 52 may be formed with outer shell drainage holes 56a. According to this configuration, the outer shell drainage holes 56a make it easier to drain water on the bottom surface 51, so that the fillet 65 is more reliably prevented from becoming infiltrated with water.

[0046] As in this embodiment, the outdoor unit 10 is an outdoor unit 10 comprising an outdoor heat exchanger 12 having a pair of headers 61, 62 extending horizontally and a flat tube 63 extending vertically and connecting the pair of headers 61, 62, and a housing 40 in which the outdoor heat exchanger 12 is installed, wherein a fillet portion 65 is provided by brazing at the connection portion between the headers 61, 62 and the flat tube 63, and the housing 40 has a bottom portion 51 that follows the lower header 61, and an outer shell portion 52 that extends upward from the outer periphery of the bottom portion 51 and forms a heat exchanger exposure opening 40a that allows the outdoor heat exchanger 12 to be exposed to the outside, and an outer shell portion drainage hole 56a is formed in the outer shell portion 52, and the position of the lower end of the outer shell portion drainage hole 56a may be located at a height below the lower end 65a of the fillet portion 65 in the lower header 61. With this configuration, even if water accumulates on the bottom surface portion 51, the water will overflow from the outer shell drainage holes 56a, which are at a height equal to or lower than the lower end 65a of the fillet portion 65 in the lower header 61. Therefore, water can be drained before the fillet portion 65 is immersed in water, and even if a situation arises in which a large amount of water may accumulate on the bottom surface portion 51, it is possible to easily prevent water from entering the voids in the fillet portion 65. Therefore, it is possible to provide an outdoor unit 10 that can prevent ice punctures in the lower header 61 with a simple structure in which the height of the outer shell drainage holes 56a of the outer shell 52 is the same.

[0047] As in this embodiment, a corrugated fin installation section 64 having a plurality of heat transfer tubes and corrugated fins provided between the plurality of heat transfer tubes is provided, and the heat transfer tubes may be flat tubes 63. According to this configuration, the width between the flat tubes 63 is constant, and air can be easily moved along the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the flat tubes 63, making it easier to efficiently exchange heat between the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 12 and the air.

[0048] As in the present embodiment, the cooling fan may include a plurality of flat tubes 63 and fins provided between the plurality of flat tubes 63, and the fins may be corrugated fins. This configuration facilitates efficient heat exchange between the refrigerant and air in the heat exchanger.

[0049] As in this embodiment, the lower header 61 of the pair of headers 61, 62 is provided with a piping connection portion 61a that functions as an inlet for the refrigerant, and the upper header 62 of the pair of headers 61, 62 is provided with a piping connection portion 62a that functions as an outlet for the refrigerant, and the outdoor heat exchanger 12 may function as an evaporator. According to this configuration, the refrigerant inlet side of the evaporator is prone to freezing at low temperatures, so the benefit of the lower header 61's effect of suppressing ice punctures can be more easily obtained.

[0050] As in this embodiment, an antifreeze heater 16 supported by the housing 40 may be provided. According to this configuration, the antifreeze heater 16 can easily prevent freezing around the outdoor heat exchanger 12, and ice punctures in the lower header 61 can be easily prevented.

[0051] As in this embodiment, the outer casing 52 comprises a low outer casing portion 54a whose height is equal to or less than the lower end 65a of the fillet portion 65, and a high outer casing portion 54b whose height is equal to or greater than the upper end 65b of the fillet portion 65, and the horizontal length L1 of the low outer casing portion 54a is more than half the length L2 of the contact surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 12, and the high outer casing portion 54b may be provided with at least one fastening portion 54c to which other components can be fastened. According to this configuration, the fastening portion 54c can be provided on the outer shell portion 52 at a height that allows water to be drained before it is immersed in the fillet portion 65.

[0052] As in this embodiment, at least a portion of the vertical end of the outer shell 52 may be bent inward of the housing 40 . According to this configuration, by reducing the height of the outer shell portion 52 and shortening the distance from the bottom surface portion 51, the outer shell portion 52 can be made less likely to bend.

[0053] (Other embodiments) As described above, the above-mentioned first embodiment has been described as an example disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in the above-mentioned first embodiment to create new embodiments. Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

[0054] In embodiment 1, a configuration was described in which both the outer shell lower portion 54a and the outer shell drainage hole 56a are provided in the outer shell 52, but a configuration in which only either the outer shell lower portion 54a or the outer shell drainage hole 56a is provided may also be used.

[0055] In the first embodiment, it is desirable to provide flat tubes 63 as heat transfer tubes, but circular tubes may also be used as heat transfer tubes.

[0056] In the first embodiment, it is desirable that the outdoor heat exchanger 12 be provided with the corrugated fin installation portion 64, but the fins do not have to be corrugated fins.

[0057] In the first embodiment, it is desirable that the outdoor unit 10 be provided with an anti-freeze heater 16, but the anti-freeze heater 16 is not essential.

[0058] In the first embodiment, the outdoor heat exchanger 12 has a pair of upper and lower headers 61, 62, and the lower header 61 and the upper header 62 are connected by flat tubes 63. The upper header 62 of the pair of headers 61, 62 is provided with a pipe connection 62a that functions as a refrigerant outlet. However, depending on the configuration of the outdoor heat exchanger 12, the upper header need not be provided with a refrigerant outlet. For example, when the outdoor heat exchanger is a single-row heat exchanger, the upper header may be configured to be folded back, or the lower header may be configured to be provided with a refrigerant inlet and an outlet. Furthermore, when the outdoor heat exchanger is a two-row heat exchanger, the upper header of the first row may be configured to be folded back to the upper header of the second row, and the refrigerant inlet may be provided in the lower header of the first row and the refrigerant outlet may be provided in the lower header of the second row.

[0059] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

[0060] (Addendum) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0061] (Technology 1) An outdoor unit comprising: a heat exchanger having a pair of headers extending horizontally and heat transfer tubes extending vertically and connecting the pair of headers; and a housing in which the heat exchanger is installed, wherein a fillet portion is provided by brazing at the connection portion between the headers and the heat transfer tubes; the housing has a bottom surface that fits along the lower headers; and an outer shell portion that extends upward from the outer periphery of the bottom surface and forms an opening that allows the heat exchanger to be exposed to the outside, and the height of at least a part of the outer shell portion is formed to be lower than the lower end of the fillet portion of the lower header. With this configuration, even if water accumulates on the bottom surface, it overflows from the outer shell portion of the lower header, which is at a height below the lower end of the fillet portion. Therefore, water can be drained before the fillet portion is submerged, and even if a large amount of water accumulates on the bottom surface, it is easy to prevent water from entering the voids in the fillet portion. Therefore, it is possible to provide an outdoor unit that can prevent ice punctures in the lower header with a simple structure that is based on the height of the outer shell portion.

[0062] (Technical feature 2) The outdoor unit according to Technical feature 1, wherein a drainage hole is formed in the outer casing. According to this configuration, the drainage holes make it easier for water on the bottom surface to drain, so that water is less likely to soak into the fillet portion more reliably.

[0063] (Technology 3) An outdoor unit comprising: a heat exchanger having a pair of headers extending horizontally and heat transfer tubes extending vertically and connecting the pair of headers; and a housing in which the heat exchanger is installed, wherein a fillet portion is provided by brazing at the connection portion between the headers and the heat transfer tubes; the housing has a bottom surface that fits along the lower headers; and an outer casing that extends upward from the outer periphery of the bottom surface and forms an opening that allows the heat exchanger to be exposed to the outside; and a drainage hole is formed in the outer casing, and the lower end of the drainage hole is positioned at a height that is lower than the lower end of the fillet portion of the lower header. With this configuration, even if water accumulates on the bottom surface, it overflows through the drainage holes in the lower header, which are located at a height equal to or lower than the bottom end of the fillet. Therefore, water can be drained before the fillet is submerged, and even if a large amount of water accumulates on the bottom surface, it is easy to prevent water from entering the voids in the fillet. Therefore, it is possible to provide an outdoor unit that can prevent ice punctures in the lower header with a simple structure that involves adjusting the height of the drainage holes in the outer shell.

[0064] (Technology 4) The outdoor unit according to any one of Technologies 1 to 3, comprising a plurality of the heat transfer tubes and fins provided between the plurality of the heat transfer tubes, wherein the heat transfer tubes are flat tubes. With this configuration, the width between the flat tubes is kept constant, and air can be easily moved along the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the flat tubes, making it easier to efficiently exchange heat between the refrigerant and air in the heat exchanger.

[0065] (Technical Aspect 5) The outdoor unit according to any one of Technical Aspects 1 to 4, comprising a plurality of the heat transfer tubes and fins provided between the plurality of the heat transfer tubes, wherein the fins are corrugated fins. This configuration facilitates efficient heat exchange between the refrigerant and air in the heat exchanger.

[0066] (Technical Aspect 6) The outdoor unit according to any one of Technical Aspects 1 to 5, wherein the lower one of the pair of headers is provided with a refrigerant inlet, and the heat exchanger functions as an evaporator. With this configuration, the refrigerant inlet side of the evaporator is prone to freezing at low temperatures, making it easier to benefit from the effect of suppressing ice punctures in the lower header.

[0067] (Technical Aspect 7) The outdoor unit according to any one of Technical Aspects 1 to 6, further comprising an antifreeze heater supported on the housing. With this configuration, the antifreeze heater can easily prevent freezing around the heat exchanger, and ice punctures in the lower header can be easily prevented.

[0068] (Technology 8) An outdoor unit according to any one of Technologies 1 to 7, wherein the outer casing comprises a lower outer casing portion whose height is equal to or lower than the lower end of the fillet portion, and a higher outer casing portion whose height is equal to or higher than the upper end of the fillet portion, the horizontal length of the lower outer casing portion being equal to or more than half the length of the contact surface of the heat exchanger in the longitudinal direction, and the higher outer casing portion is provided with at least one fastening portion to which other components are fastened. According to this configuration, the fastening portion can be provided on the outer shell at a height that allows water to be drained before it is immersed in the fillet portion.

[0069] (Technical Aspect 9) The outdoor unit according to any one of Technical Aspects 1 to 8, wherein at least a portion of the vertical end of the outer shell portion is bent inward of the housing. According to this configuration, by lowering the height of the outer shell and shortening the distance from the bottom surface, the outer shell can be made less likely to bend. [Industrial Applicability]

[0070] The present disclosure is applicable to outdoor units including a heat exchanger having a header and a heat transfer tube, specifically to outdoor units of commercial air conditioners installed in buildings or commercial facilities, and outdoor units of home air conditioners. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1. Air conditioning equipment 2 Refrigerant piping 3 Refrigerant shutoff valve 10 Outdoor unit 11 Compressor 12 Outdoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger) 12a Rear part 12b Side part 13 Outdoor fan 14 Switching valve 15 Accumulator 16 Anti-freeze heater 20 Indoor unit 21 Indoor heat exchanger 22 Indoor fan 23 Expansion valve 30 Control Unit 31 Operation section 40 cabinets 40a Heat exchanger exposure opening (opening) 41 Bottom Panel 42 Front Panel 42a aperture 43 Side Panel 44 Top panel 46 Machine room 47 Blower room 51 Bottom section (bottom surface) 51a Bottom drain hole 52 Outer wall 53 Front outer shell 54 Rear outer shell 54a Bottom of outer shell 54b Outer Wall High Part 54b1 Bent part 54c Fastening section 55 Left outer shell 56 Right outer shell 56a Outer shell drainage hole (drainage hole) 56c Fastening section 61 Lower Header 61a Piping connection (inlet) 62 Upper Header 62a Pipe connection (outlet) 63 Flat tube (heat transfer tube) 64 Corrugated fin installation section 65 Fillet 65a bottom end 65b top end F1 Distribution direction F2 Distribution direction L1 length L2 length

Claims

1. An outdoor unit comprising: a heat exchanger having a pair of headers extending horizontally and a heat transfer tube extending vertically and connecting the pair of headers; and a housing in which the heat exchanger is installed, a fillet portion formed by brazing is provided at a connection portion between the header and the heat transfer tube, the housing has a bottom surface that is aligned with the lower header, and an outer shell that extends upward from an outer periphery of the bottom surface and forms an opening that allows the heat exchanger to be exposed to the outside, The height of at least a part of the outer shell is formed to be equal to or lower than the lower end of the fillet portion of the lower header. outdoor unit.

2. The outer shell has a drainage hole formed therein. The outdoor unit according to claim 1 .

3. An outdoor unit comprising: a heat exchanger having a pair of headers extending horizontally and a heat transfer tube extending vertically and connecting the pair of headers; and a housing in which the heat exchanger is installed, a fillet portion formed by brazing is provided at a connection portion between the header and the heat transfer tube, the housing has a bottom surface that is aligned with the lower header, and an outer shell that extends upward from an outer periphery of the bottom surface and forms an opening that allows the heat exchanger to be exposed to the outside, The outer shell is formed with a drainage hole, The lower end of the drain hole is positioned at a height equal to or lower than the lower end of the fillet portion of the lower header. outdoor unit.

4. A plurality of the heat transfer tubes; fins provided between the plurality of heat transfer tubes; The heat transfer tube is a flat tube. The outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A plurality of the heat transfer tubes; fins provided between the plurality of heat transfer tubes; The fin is a corrugated fin. The outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The lower header of the pair of headers is provided with an inlet for a refrigerant, The heat exchanger functions as an evaporator The outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. A freeze prevention heater is provided, the heater being supported by the housing. The outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. the outer shell portion includes a low outer shell portion having a height equal to or lower than the lower end of the fillet portion, and a high outer shell portion having a height equal to or higher than the upper end of the fillet portion, The length of the lower part of the outer shell along the horizontal direction is equal to or greater than half the length of the contact surface of the heat exchanger in the longitudinal direction, The outer shell has at least one fastening portion at a high portion to which another component is fastened. The outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. At least a part of the vertical end of the outer shell is bent inward of the housing. The outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images