Outdoor unit and heat pump system equipped therewith

Abstract

To provide an outdoor unit that can quickly discharge leaked refrigerant to the outside. [Solution] The outdoor unit comprises a housing having a base 4 at the bottom, a fan chamber formed inside the housing and above the base 4 and housing an outdoor fan, and a machine chamber formed inside the housing and above the base 4 and housing a compressor for compressing refrigerant. The base 4 has a drain hole 32 for discharging drain water generated in the fan chamber or machine chamber to the outside, and a refrigerant discharge hole 34 for discharging refrigerant leaked in the machine chamber to the outside, with the refrigerant discharge hole 34 having a larger area than the drain hole 32.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] ,

[0007] , ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an outdoor unit and a heat pump device including the same.

Background Art

[0002] R290, which is propane as a natural refrigerant, is being promoted for use as a refrigerant in heat pump devices because of its low GWP (Global Warming Potential). However, R290 is classified as a highly flammable refrigerant and there is a risk of ignition when it leaks.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, when a flammable refrigerant leaks into the machine room of an outdoor unit, an opening / closing mechanism is provided to open the machine room to ventilate with the outside.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in Patent Document 1, the installation of an opening / closing mechanism is required and the structure becomes complicated. Further, when the refrigerant leaks rapidly, the pressure in the machine room may increase due to the operation delay of the opening / closing mechanism, and there is a possibility that the flammable refrigerant may flow into the control box in the machine room. Since electrical equipment is housed in the control box, there is a risk of ignition.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an outdoor unit capable of quickly discharging the leaked refrigerant to the outside and a heat pump device including the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] An outdoor unit according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a housing having a base at the bottom, a fan chamber formed inside the housing and above the base and housing an outdoor fan, and a machine chamber formed inside the housing and above the base and housing a compressor for compressing refrigerant, wherein the base is provided with a drain hole for discharging drain water generated in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside, and a refrigerant discharge hole for discharging refrigerant leaked in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside, and the refrigerant discharge hole has less flow resistance than the drain hole.

[0008] A heat pump system according to one aspect of this disclosure comprises the above-mentioned outdoor unit and a heat utilization unit connected to the outdoor unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The refrigerant that has leaked inside the outdoor unit can be quickly discharged to the outside. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing an outdoor unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the outdoor unit. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a magnified vertical cross-sectional view of the area around the base of the outdoor unit. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the base of the outdoor unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] An embodiment relating to this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows the outdoor unit 1 used in a heat pump system. The outdoor unit 1 in Figure 1 is shown with the panel of the machine room 7 removed.

[0012] The outdoor unit 1 is connected to the indoor unit (heat utilization unit) via water piping (not shown). Water circulates between the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit through the water piping. As a result, the heat or cold generated by the outdoor unit 1 is sent to the indoor unit via the water piping, providing heat or cold to the room. Alternatively, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may be connected via refrigerant piping. In this case, an indoor heat exchanger through which refrigerant flows is installed in the indoor unit.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the outdoor unit 1 has a roughly rectangular prism-shaped housing 3. The bottom of the housing 3 is a sheet metal base 4. The base 4 has base legs 4a provided on each side along the longitudinal direction, and a roughly flat plate portion 4b provided between the upper ends of the base legs 4a on both sides. The flat plate portion 4b extends roughly horizontally, and various equipment is installed on top of it. The flat plate portion 4b has irregularities formed by press working (see Figure 4).

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the enclosure 3 contains a fan room 5 and a machine room 7 located above the base 4, separated to the left and right by a partition wall 9.

[0015] The fan chamber 5 is located on the left side in Figure 1. Inside the fan chamber 5 are an outdoor fan (not shown) and an outdoor heat exchanger 30 (see Figure 2). The outdoor heat exchanger 30 is bent into an L-shape so as to form the side and back of the fan chamber 5. Outside air drawn in by the outdoor fan exchanges heat with the refrigerant circulating in the outdoor heat exchanger 30. After heat exchange with the refrigerant, the outside air is discharged to the outside through the fan opening 11.

[0016] The machine room 7 is located on the right side in Figure 1. The machine room 7 is provided with a plate-shaped sub-base 13 on top of the base 4 (specifically, the flat plate portion 4b). The sub-base 13 is rectangular in shape when viewed from above and is large enough to cover almost the entire area below the machine room 7. However, a predetermined gap is formed around the four sides of the sub-base 13 between it and the side walls of the opposing housing 3.

[0017] Between the base 4 and the sub-base 13, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of sub-base support members 15 provided with vibration-isolating rubber (vibration-isolating members) are provided. The sub-base 13 is supported by the base 4 by each sub-base support member. FIG. 4 shows sub-base support member mounting holes 15a provided in the base 4 corresponding to each sub-base support member. As shown in the figure, six sub-base support member mounting holes 15a are provided. However, the number of sub-base support member mounting holes 15a and the sub-base support members attached thereto is not limited to six, and three or more are acceptable.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, in the machine room 7, above the sub-base 13, a compressor 17, a water-heat exchanger 19, a gas separator 21, a control box 23, etc. are provided.

[0019] The compressor 17 is, for example, a rotary compressor and compresses a refrigerant such as R290. As shown in FIG. 2, at the lower part of the compressor 17, compressor legs 17a provided with vibration-isolating rubber are provided. The compressor legs 17a are attached onto the sub-base 13. The vibration of the compressor 17 transmitted to the sub-base 13 is alleviated by the compressor legs 17a provided with vibration-isolating rubber. The sub-base 13 is not provided with unnecessary through-holes except for the holes for attaching devices such as the sub-base support members 15 and the compressor legs 17a. Therefore, basically, there are no through-holes in the sub-base after the devices are attached.

[0020] The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 17 is sent to the water-heat exchanger 19 or the outdoor heat exchanger 30 via a four-way valve (not shown).

[0021] The water-heat exchanger 19 exchanges heat between the refrigerant and water. The water that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant is separated from gas (such as air and refrigerant) by the gas separator 21 and then guided to the indoor unit through the water supply pipe 25. The water after exchanging heat with the indoor air in the indoor unit is returned to the water-heat exchanger 19 through the water return pipe 26. Thereby, the water circulates between the water-heat exchanger 19 and the indoor unit.

[0022] The control box 23 has a sealed structure that houses electrical devices such as capacitors and coils inside. Furthermore, a terminal block equipped with electrical terminals (electrical devices) that receive power supply from the outside is provided inside the control box 23.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the compressor 17, the water heat exchanger 19, and the gas separator 21 are shown in the same manner as in FIG. 1. An accumulator 28 is shown on the side of the compressor 17. Also, an outdoor heat exchanger 30 is shown on the right side of FIG. 2. The outdoor heat exchanger 30 is installed in the fan chamber 5 (see FIG. 1) as described above.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4, three drain holes 32 are provided in the base 4 at a position corresponding to the fan chamber 5. Note that the number of drain holes 32 is not limited to three, and it may be one, two, or four or more.

[0025] The drain holes 32 are circular and have a diameter of, for example, 20 mm. The drain holes 32 are provided on the lower surface 33, which is the lowest position of the flat plate portion 4b of the base 4. The lower surface 33 is continuously provided across the machine room 7. The lower surface 33 is inclined so that the drain holes 32 are downward. Thus, when condensed water adheres to devices such as the outdoor heat exchanger in the housing 3 and flows downward, the drain water can be discharged to the outside through the drain holes 32 along the lower surface 33.

[0026] One refrigerant discharge hole 34 is provided in the base 4 at a position corresponding to the machine room 7. Through the refrigerant discharge hole 34, the refrigerant leaked into the machine room 7 is discharged to the outside (atmosphere).

[0027] The refrigerant discharge hole 34 is located approximately in the center of the base 4 in the depth direction (short side direction). The refrigerant discharge hole 34 is, for example, circular in shape, with a diameter of 30 mm or more, preferably about 60 mm. That is, the area of ​​the refrigerant discharge hole 34 is larger than the area of ​​one drain hole 32, resulting in reduced flow resistance. Note that the shape of the refrigerant discharge hole 34 is not limited to circular; it may also be oval or other shapes. If the shape of the refrigerant discharge hole 34 is not circular, it is preferable that the hydraulic diameter be 30 mm or more.

[0028] The height at which the refrigerant discharge hole 34 is formed is higher than the height at which the drain hole 32 is formed. Specifically, the refrigerant discharge hole 34 is provided on the middle surface 37, which is higher than the lower surface 33 due to the stepped portion 36.

[0029] A sub-base 13 is located directly above the refrigerant discharge hole 34 (see, for example, Figure 3), and furthermore, the sub-base 13 does not have a through-hole formed in the region directly above the refrigerant discharge hole 34.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, a resin mesh 40 is provided at the refrigerant discharge hole 34 to prevent insects and other small animals from entering the inside of the housing 3 from the outside. Figure 4 shows the state with the mesh 40 removed.

[0031] In the outdoor unit 1 with the above configuration, if refrigerant leaks, the refrigerant will be discharged as follows. In the case of highly flammable refrigerants such as R290, if a leak occurs inside the outdoor unit 1, there is a control box 23 in the machine room 7, which could become a source of ignition. Therefore, it is necessary to quickly discharge the refrigerant to the outside of the outdoor unit 1. In particular, if the refrigerant leaks rapidly, the internal pressure inside the machine room 7 will rise sharply, and there is a risk that the refrigerant will enter the sealed control box 23. Therefore, it is necessary to immediately discharge the refrigerant to the outside.

[0032] Refrigerant may leak from the vibrating compressor 17 or from joints in the refrigerant piping connected to the compressor 17, which transmits vibrations. If refrigerant leaks into the machine room 7 from the compressor 17, etc., the gaseous refrigerant will flow downwards because it has a higher specific gravity than air. A sub-base 13 is provided below, but since the sub-base 13 does not have through holes, the refrigerant will flow further downwards through the gap between the periphery of the sub-base 13 and the side wall of the housing 3. The refrigerant that has flowed onto the flat plate portion 4b of the base 4 will then pass through the refrigerant discharge hole 34 and be discharged to the outside of the housing 3. The refrigerant discharge hole 34 has a larger area and lower flow resistance than the drain hole 32, so the refrigerant is preferentially discharged from the refrigerant discharge hole 34. Since the refrigerant is gaseous, it does not flow along the lower surface 33 and be guided to the drain hole 32, but rather flows out from the refrigerant discharge hole 34, which has low flow resistance. Furthermore, since the area of ​​the refrigerant discharge hole 34 is larger than that of the drain hole 32, the refrigerant is quickly discharged to the outside, so even if the refrigerant leaks rapidly, the pressure inside the machine room 7 will not rise sharply.

[0033] On the other hand, the drain water flows along the lower surface 33 and is guided to a drain hole 32 located below the refrigerant discharge hole 34, where it is discharged to the outside.

[0034] Regarding the noise generated from the compressor 17, since the sub-base 13 is interposed in between, the noise does not directly leak to the outside through the refrigerant discharge port 34.

[0035] The effects and advantages of this embodiment, as described above, are as follows. By making the area of ​​the refrigerant discharge hole 34 larger than that of the drain hole 32, the flow resistance is reduced, allowing the refrigerant to be preferentially discharged to the outside through the refrigerant discharge hole 34 in the event of a refrigerant leak. As a result, even if the control box 23 housing the electrical equipment is installed in the machine room 7, there is no risk of flammable refrigerant entering the control box 23.

[0036] By positioning the refrigerant discharge port 34 higher than the drain port 32, drain water can be preferentially directed to the drain port 32, which is located lower than the refrigerant discharge port 34. This minimizes the risk of unintentional drain water leakage from the refrigerant discharge port 34.

[0037] By providing a mesh 40 in the refrigerant discharge hole 34, it is possible to prevent small animals such as insects from entering the inside of the housing 3 from the outside.

[0038] Refrigerant is prone to leaking from the compressor 17 and its associated equipment in the machine room 7. Therefore, by providing a refrigerant discharge hole 34 at the bottom of the machine room 7, the refrigerant can be quickly discharged to the outside.

[0039] A sub-base support member 15 equipped with vibration-damping rubber is provided between the sub-base 13 and the base 4, and the compressor 17 is installed on the sub-base 13. This suppresses noise generated due to vibrations of the compressor 17, and by interposing the sub-base 13, it prevents noise originating from the compressor 17 from directly reaching the refrigerant discharge hole 34, thereby minimizing noise leakage to the outside of the housing 3.

[0040] A region without a through-hole was provided in the sub-base 13 directly above the refrigerant discharge hole 34. This prevents noise originating from the compressor 17 installed in the sub-base 13 from reaching the refrigerant discharge hole 34 via the shortest possible route.

[0041] The outdoor unit and the heat pump system equipped therewith described in each of the embodiments above can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0042] An outdoor unit (1) according to a first aspect of the present disclosure comprises a housing (3) having a base (4) at its bottom, a fan chamber (5) formed inside the housing and above the base and housing an outdoor fan, and a machine chamber (7) formed inside the housing and above the base and housing a compressor (17) for compressing refrigerant, wherein the base has a drain hole (32) for discharging drain water generated in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside, and a refrigerant discharge hole (34) for discharging refrigerant leaked in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside, and the refrigerant discharge hole has less flow resistance than the drain hole.

[0043] By making the area of ​​the refrigerant discharge port smaller than that of the drain port, the flow resistance can be reduced, allowing the refrigerant to be preferentially discharged to the outside through the refrigerant discharge port in the event of a refrigerant leak. For example, flammable refrigerants such as R290 are used as refrigerants. For example, flow resistance can be reduced by making the area of ​​the refrigerant discharge hole larger than that of the drain hole. If multiple drain holes are provided, the area of ​​one refrigerant discharge hole should be larger than the area of ​​one drain hole. For example, if the drain hole is circular with a diameter of 20 mm, the refrigerant discharge hole should be circular with a diameter of 30 mm or more. However, the shape of the refrigerant discharge hole is not limited to a circle; it may also be an oval or other shape. If the shape of the refrigerant discharge hole is not circular, it is preferable to have a hydraulic diameter of 30 mm or more.

[0044] In the outdoor unit according to a second aspect of this disclosure, the refrigerant is a flammable refrigerant as described in the first aspect, and the machine room is provided with a control box (23) for housing electrical equipment.

[0045] If flammable refrigerant enters a control box containing electrical equipment, there is a risk of fire. Therefore, it is effective to quickly discharge the leaked refrigerant through the aforementioned refrigerant discharge holes. Flammable refrigerants include mildly flammable refrigerants, weakly flammable refrigerants, and highly flammable refrigerants. This method is particularly effective when using highly flammable refrigerants such as R290, which uses propane.

[0046] In the outdoor unit according to the third aspect of this disclosure, the refrigerant discharge hole is located at a higher position than the drain hole, as described in the first or second aspect of this disclosure.

[0047] By positioning the refrigerant discharge port higher than the drain port, drain water can be preferentially directed to the drain port, which is located lower than the refrigerant discharge port. This minimizes the risk of unintentional drain water leakage from the refrigerant discharge port.

[0048] In the outdoor unit according to the fourth aspect of this disclosure, a mesh (40) is provided in the refrigerant discharge hole in any of the first to third aspects described above.

[0049] By installing a mesh over the refrigerant discharge port, it is possible to prevent insects and other small animals from entering the inside of the enclosure from the outside.

[0050] In the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the outdoor unit is provided in any of the first to fourth aspects described above, with the refrigerant discharge hole located at the bottom of the machine room.

[0051] Refrigerant is prone to leaking from the compressor and its associated equipment in the machine room. Therefore, a refrigerant discharge vent was installed at the bottom of the machine room to quickly discharge the refrigerant to the outside.

[0052] An outdoor unit according to the sixth aspect of this disclosure, in any of the first to fifth aspects described above, comprises a sub-base (13) provided above the base and on which the compressor is installed, and a vibration-damping member provided between the sub-base and the base to support the sub-base, wherein the refrigerant discharge hole is provided below the sub-base.

[0053] A vibration-damping member was installed between the sub-base and the base, and the compressor was mounted on the sub-base. This suppresses noise generated by compressor vibrations, and by interposing the sub-base, it prevents noise originating from the compressor from directly reaching the refrigerant discharge port, thereby minimizing noise leakage to the outside of the enclosure.

[0054] In the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the outdoor unit, in the sixth aspect described above, has a subbase having a region directly above the refrigerant discharge hole in which no through-hole is formed.

[0055] A region without through-holes was created directly above the refrigerant discharge port in the sub-base. This prevents noise originating from the compressor installed in the sub-base from reaching the refrigerant discharge port via the shortest possible route.

[0056] An outdoor unit according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure comprises a housing having a base at the bottom, a fan chamber formed inside the housing and above the base and housing an outdoor fan, and a machine chamber formed inside the housing and above the base and housing a compressor for compressing refrigerant, wherein the base has a drain hole for discharging drain water generated in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside, and a refrigerant discharge hole for discharging refrigerant leaked in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside, the refrigerant discharge hole has a smaller flow resistance than the drain hole and is located at a higher position than the drain hole.

[0057] An outdoor unit according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure comprises a housing having a base at the bottom, a fan chamber formed inside the housing and above the base and housing an outdoor fan, and a machine chamber formed inside the housing and above the base and housing a compressor for compressing refrigerant, wherein the base has a drain hole for discharging drain water generated in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside, and a refrigerant discharge hole for discharging refrigerant leaked in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside, the refrigerant discharge hole has a sub-base provided above the base and having a flow resistance smaller than that of the drain hole and on which the compressor is installed, and a vibration-damping member provided between the sub-base and the base and supporting the sub-base, the refrigerant discharge hole is provided below the sub-base.

[0058] A heat pump system according to a first aspect of this disclosure comprises an outdoor unit in any of the above-described aspects and a heat utilization unit connected to the outdoor unit.

[0059] The heat utilization unit connected to the outdoor unit can utilize the heat and / or cooling energy obtained from the heat pump system. Heat utilization equipment is typically an indoor unit installed inside a room. The outdoor unit and the heat utilization unit may be connected by refrigerant piping, or by water piping leading from the water heat exchanger installed in the outdoor unit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] 1 Outdoor unit 3 cabinets 4 bases 4a Base Legs 4b Flat plate part 5. Fan Room 7 Machine room 9 Partition wall 11 Fan opening 13 Sub-base 15 Subbase support member 15a Subbase support member mounting hole 17 Compressor 17a Compressor legs 19 Water heat exchanger 21 Gas Separator 23 Control Box 25 Water supply piping 26 Water return piping 28 Accumulator 30 Outdoor heat exchanger 32 Drain holes 33 Lower section 34 Refrigerant discharge hole 36 Step section 37 Middle surface 40 mesh

Claims

1. A housing having a base at the bottom, A fan chamber is formed inside the housing and above the base, and houses an outdoor fan. A machine room is formed inside the housing and above the base, and houses a compressor for compressing the refrigerant. Equipped with, The base is provided with a drain hole for discharging condensate water generated in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside, and a refrigerant discharge hole for discharging refrigerant leaked in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside. The refrigerant discharge hole is an outdoor unit with less flow resistance than the drain hole.

2. The refrigerant is a flammable refrigerant. The outdoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the machine room is provided with a control box for housing electrical equipment.

3. The outdoor unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the refrigerant discharge hole is provided at a higher position than the drain hole.

4. The outdoor unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a mesh is provided in the refrigerant discharge hole.

5. The outdoor unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the refrigerant discharge hole is provided in the lower part of the machine room.

6. A sub-base is provided above the aforementioned base and on which the compressor is installed, A vibration-damping member provided between the sub-base and the base to support the sub-base, Equipped with, The outdoor unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the refrigerant discharge hole is provided below the sub-base.

7. The outdoor unit according to claim 6, wherein the sub-base has a region directly above the refrigerant discharge hole in which no through-hole is formed.

8. A housing having a base at the bottom, A fan chamber is formed inside the housing and above the base, and houses an outdoor fan. A machine room is formed inside the housing and above the base, and houses a compressor for compressing the refrigerant. Equipped with, The base is provided with a drain hole for discharging condensate water generated in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside, and a refrigerant discharge hole for discharging refrigerant leaked in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside. The refrigerant discharge hole is provided in an outdoor unit that has less flow resistance than the drain hole and is located at a higher position than the drain hole.

9. A housing having a base at the bottom, A fan chamber is formed inside the housing and above the base, and houses an outdoor fan. A machine room is formed inside the housing and above the base, and houses a compressor for compressing the refrigerant. Equipped with, The base is provided with a drain hole for discharging condensate water generated in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside, and a refrigerant discharge hole for discharging refrigerant leaked in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside. The refrigerant discharge hole has a lower flow resistance than the drain hole. A sub-base is provided above the aforementioned base and on which the compressor is installed, A vibration-damping member provided between the sub-base and the base to support the sub-base, Equipped with, An outdoor unit having the refrigerant discharge hole located below the sub-base.

10. An outdoor unit according to claim 1 or 2, A heat utilization unit connected to the aforementioned outdoor unit, A heat pump device equipped with the following features.

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