Outdoor unit of an air conditioning system

Abstract

In an air conditioning system where the outdoor unit is composed of multiple units, this reduces the workload involved in connecting the refrigerant piping of the multiple units. [Solution] The outdoor unit of the air conditioner comprises a power supply unit, a heat exchanger, a blower, a compressor, a group of components including a power supply unit, a heat exchanger, a blower, and a compressor, a first unit 4 including a first housing 40a housing the power supply unit and the compressor, and a second unit 5 including a second housing 50a housing the heat exchanger and the blower. The first unit and the second unit include lower coupling parts 40b, 50b and upper coupling parts 40c, 50c for coupling with the other unit at vertically separated positions. The pair of lower coupling parts and the pair of upper coupling parts in the first unit and the second unit have a pair of protruding parts 40d and an engaging part. The protruding parts are located in one of the first unit and the second unit and project toward the other unit, and the engaging part is located in the other unit and engages with the pair of protruding parts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an outdoor unit of an air conditioner.

Background Art

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, in an air conditioner including an indoor unit and an outdoor unit that exchanges heat between the refrigerant passing through the indoor unit and the outside air, there is known an outdoor unit configured by combining a plurality of units.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the outdoor unit of the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, when combining the units, it is necessary to connect the refrigerant pipes included in each unit. At this time, if the relative positions of the units, which are heavy objects, are not properly determined, the work burden of connecting the refrigerant pipes increases.

[0005] Therefore, an object of this disclosure is to reduce the work burden of connecting the refrigerant pipes of a plurality of units in an air conditioner in which an outdoor unit is configured by combining a plurality of units.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, an outdoor unit of an air conditioner in one aspect of the present disclosure includes a group of components including a power supply unit supplied with power from an external source, a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between air and a refrigerant, a blower for blowing air toward the heat exchanger, and a compressor for compressing the refrigerant; a first unit including a first housing that houses the power supply unit and the compressor from the group of components; and a second unit including a second housing that houses the heat exchanger and the blower from the group of components, and which can be coupled to and separated from the first unit. The first unit and the second unit include a lower connecting portion and an upper connecting portion for connecting with the other unit at vertically separated positions, and the pair of the lower connecting portions and the pair of the upper connecting portions in the first unit and the second unit have a pair of protruding portions and engaging portions, the protruding portions are located on one of the first unit and the second unit and protrude toward the other unit, and the engaging portions are located on the other unit and engage with the pair of protruding portions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, in an air conditioning system in which an outdoor unit is composed of a combination of multiple units, the workload of connecting the refrigerant piping of the multiple units can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the outdoor unit with the first and second units from Figure 1 combined. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an external perspective view of the first unit shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an external perspective view of the second unit in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the upper joint portion shown in Figures 3 and 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the lower joint portion in Figures 3 and 4. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the bonding process of the upper and lower joints in Figures 3 and 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment) Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioning system 1 according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the outdoor unit 3 in a state in which the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 of Figure 1 are combined. As shown in Figure 1, the air conditioning system 1 includes an indoor unit 2, an outdoor unit 3, and a plurality of refrigerant pipes RP1 to RP4 connecting the indoor unit 2 and the outdoor unit 3. The air conditioning system 1 is driven (operated) in one of a plurality of modes, including cooling mode, heating mode, and dehumidification mode. The outdoor unit 3 comprises a first unit 4 and a second unit 5 as a plurality of units.

[0010] As shown in Figure 2 and in Figures 3 and 4 described later, the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 are configured to be connectable and detachable from each other. The outdoor unit 3 is driven, for example, when the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 are connected (hereinafter also referred to simply as the connected state). By making the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 detachable, the air conditioning system 1 can arrange the outdoor unit 3 well even if the outdoor unit 3 becomes larger or heavier, or if there are space constraints.

[0011] The indoor unit 2 comprises an indoor heat exchanger 20 that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and indoor air, and a blower 21 that blows indoor air toward the heat exchanger 20. The blower 21 has a fan 23 and a fan motor M1 that rotates the fan 23. The indoor unit 2 may further include a temperature sensor S for detecting the indoor temperature, and an operating unit 22 for the user to perform operations such as turning the air conditioner 1 on and off or switching operating modes.

[0012] The outdoor unit 3 comprises an outdoor heat exchanger 30 that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the outside air, a compressor 31 that compresses the refrigerant, a pressure reducing device 32 that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant, and a blower 33 that blows outside air toward the heat exchanger 30. The pressure reducing device 32 includes, for example, a pressure reducing valve. The blower 33 has a fan 38 and a fan motor M2 that rotates the fan 38. The refrigerant circulates through a plurality of refrigerant pipes RP1 to RP4 between the heat exchanger 20, the heat exchanger 30, the compressor 31, and the pressure reducing device 32.

[0013] The outdoor unit 3 further includes an expansion valve V0 for expanding the refrigerant and a switching valve V1 for switching the direction of refrigerant flow. The switching valve V1 is, for example, a four-way valve. The outdoor unit 3 is further equipped with various valve devices and strainers as appropriate. For example, refrigerant piping RP1 connects the heat exchanger 20 and the pressure reducing device 32. Refrigerant piping RP2 connects the pressure reducing device 32 and the heat exchanger 30. Refrigerant piping RP3 connects the heat exchanger 20 and the switching valve V1. Refrigerant piping RP4 connects the heat exchanger 30 and the switching valve V1.

[0014] Some of the piping included in the refrigerant piping RP1 to RP4 is connected between the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 by multiple couplers. For example, the first unit 4 includes couplers CP3 and CP4, and the second unit 5 includes couplers CP1 and CP2.

[0015] The piping that makes up refrigerant piping RP2 is connected by couplers CP1 and CP3, and the piping that makes up refrigerant piping RP4 is connected by couplers CP2 and CP4. For example, couplers CP1 and CP3 and couplers CP2 and CP4 are connected in the vertical direction.

[0016] Furthermore, the outdoor unit 3 of this embodiment includes a predetermined group of components 35. The group of components 35 includes a compressor 31, a heat exchanger 30, and a blower 33. The first unit 4 includes a first housing 40a that houses the compressor 31 from the group of components 35 and a power supply unit 34, which will be described later.

[0017] The second unit 5 includes a second housing 50a that houses the heat exchanger 30 and the blower 33 among the component group 35. The first housing 40a and the second housing 50a may house the remaining components of the component group 35. As an example, the first housing 40a houses the decompression device 32, the expansion valve V0, and the switching valve V1.

[0018] Also, among the first unit 4 and the second unit 5, the internal volume of the unit with a larger weight may be smaller than the internal volume of the unit with a smaller weight. The first unit 4 of the present embodiment has a larger weight and a smaller internal volume than the second unit 5.

[0019] The component group 35 further includes a plurality of electrical components E. The electrical components E housed in the second housing 50a include the fan motor M2. The electrical components E housed in the first housing 40a include the compressor 31. The first unit 4 may include a power line PL to which power is supplied from the outside. In this case, the electrical components E housed in the first housing 40a may include a power supply device (switchboard) 34 that is supplied with power from the outside and supplies power to each of the electrical components E housed in the first housing 40a and the second housing 50a. In the outdoor unit 3, the power supplied from the outside to the power line PL is supplied to each electrical component E via the power supply device 34. The power supply device 34 may have a control unit that controls each electrical component E.

[0020] FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the first unit 4 in FIG. 1. In FIG. 3, the inside of the first housing 40a is partially shown. FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the second unit 5 in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 each include a lower coupling portion BC and an upper coupling portion TC that are spaced apart in the vertical direction and coupled to the other unit.

[0021] The pair of lower connectors BC and the pair of upper connectors TC in the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 each have a pair of protruding parts PP and an engaging part EP. The protruding part PP is located on one of the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 and protrudes toward the other unit. The engaging part EP is located on the other of the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 and engages with the pair of protruding parts PP. The lower connectors BC and the upper connectors TC also serve as a positioning structure for the first unit 4 and the second unit 5.

[0022] Specifically, the first unit 4 includes a lower joint 40b which is the lower joint BC and an upper joint 40c which is the upper joint TC. The second unit 5 includes a lower joint 50b which is the lower joint BC and an upper joint 50c which is the upper joint TC.

[0023] As an example, the upper coupling portion 40c of the first unit 4 in this embodiment has a pair of protrusions 40d, which are protrusions PP. The upper coupling portion 50c of the second unit 5 has a pair of engaging portions 50d, which are engaging portions EP. The lower coupling portion 40b of the first unit 4 has a protrusion 40e, which are protrusions PP. The lower coupling portion 50b of the second unit 5 has a pair of engaging portions 50e, which are engaging portions EP. Each of the pair of protrusions 40d, the pair of engaging portions 50d, and the pair of engaging portions 50e are arranged to be spaced apart in the front-rear direction.

[0024] Furthermore, the protruding portion 40e of the lower connecting portion 40b in this embodiment has a shaft portion 40f extending in one direction in the horizontal plane when the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 are connected, and at least one bracket 40g fixed to the first housing 40a and supporting the shaft portion 40f. In this case, the engaging portion 50e of the lower connecting portion 50b may have a pivot portion 50f fixed to the second housing 50a that pivotally supports the shaft portion 40f so as to be rotatable around an axis X extending in one direction. For example, a pair of pivot portions 50f having a pair of engaging portions 50e pivotally support a single shaft portion 40f. The cross-section of the shaft portion 40f in the direction of axis X may be circular or non-circular.

[0025] The engaging portion 50e may further have a guide portion 50g that is positioned to contact the shaft portion 40f and guides the shaft portion 40f to the pivot portion 50f. The guide portion 50g regulates the relative position between the shaft portion 40f and the pivot portion 50f.

[0026] As another example, the projection 40d of the upper coupling portion 40c has an extended portion 40h that extends downward. As a result, the projection 40d is formed in a claw shape. As yet another example, the engaging portion 50d of the upper coupling portion 50c has an engaging hole 50h into which the extended portion 40h is inserted. As the shaft portion 40f of the lower coupling portion 40b is guided by the guide portion 50g of the lower coupling portion 50b, the extended portion 40h is inserted into the engaging hole 50h.

[0027] Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the upper connecting portions 40c and 50c in Figures 3 and 4. Figure 5 shows a pair of protruding portions 40d and engagement holes 50h, and their surrounding structure. As shown in Figure 5, the upper connecting portion 50c of the second unit 5 has an internal space 50l in which an extended portion 40h inserted through the engagement hole 50h is guided downward and accommodated. The extended portion 40h engages with the wall surface 50m by coming into contact with the wall surface 50m that defines the internal space 50l.

[0028] Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the lower connecting portions 40b and 50b in Figures 3 and 4. Figure 6 shows a single engaging portion 50e and its surrounding structure. Figure 6 shows a cross-section of the shaft portion 40f in a direction perpendicular to the axis X. As shown in Figure 6, the second unit 5 includes a recess 50i that accommodates the protruding portion 40e of the lower connecting portion 40b in the first unit 4 when connected. The guide portion 50g of the lower connecting portion 50b is located inside the recess 50i.

[0029] Furthermore, the guide portion 50g includes, as an example, an inclined guide surface 50j that contacts the shaft portion 40f in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, and a vertical guide surface 50k that extends downward in a continuous manner with the inclined guide surface 50j. The pair of inclined guide surfaces 50j in the pair of engaging portions 50e are positioned symmetrically in the direction of the axis X of the shaft portion 40f when it is coupled. Similarly, the pair of vertical guide surfaces 50k in the pair of engaging portions 50e are positioned symmetrically in the direction of the axis X of the shaft portion 40f when it is coupled.

[0030] The first unit 4 becomes pivotable around the axis X of the shaft portion 40f when the shaft portion 40f is positioned between a pair of vertical guide surfaces 50k. This makes it easier for the protrusion 40d of the upper coupling portion 40c to be inserted into the engaging portion 50d.

[0031] Figure 7 shows the bonding process of the upper bonding parts 40c, 50c and the lower bonding parts 40b, 50b as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The left side of Figure 7 schematically shows the state of the bonding parts 40b, 50b, 40c, 50c before bonding. The right side of Figure 7 schematically shows the state of the bonding parts 40b, 50b, 40c, 50c after bonding.

[0032] When installing the outdoor unit 3, the worker first places the second unit 5 on the installation surface. Then, as shown on the left side of Figure 7, the worker positions the shaft portion 40f between a pair of inclined guide surfaces 50j or a pair of vertical guide surfaces 50k. At this time, the worker moves the first unit 4 relative to the second unit 5 so that the shaft portion 40f swings around the axis X. This allows the worker to align the protruding portion 40d of the upper coupling portion 40c with the engagement hole 50h of the upper coupling portion 50c in the left-right direction.

[0033] During this alignment process, since the protrusion 40d and the engagement hole 50h are exposed above the units 4 and 5, the worker can easily align the units 4 and 5 by visually confirming the relative positions of the protrusion 40d and the engagement hole 50h, even when connecting the first unit 4 to the second unit 5 which has been installed earlier.

[0034] Subsequently, as shown on the right side of Figure 7, as the shaft portion 40f is positioned between the pair of vertical guide surfaces 50k and moves downward, the protruding portion 40d of the upper coupling portion 40c is inserted into the engagement hole 50h in the correct orientation. The pair of vertical guide surfaces 50k are positioned such that the couplers CP1 to CP4 are aligned when the shaft portion 40f is guided between the pair of vertical guide surfaces 50k.

[0035] The first unit 4 may include a guide pin 40i positioned near couplers CP1 and CP2 and extending vertically, and the second unit 5 may include a pin hole 50n positioned near couplers CP3 and CP4 into which the guide pin 40i is inserted (see Figures 3 and 4). In this case, the insertion of the guide pin 40i into the pin hole 50n ensures that the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 are properly aligned around couplers CP1 to CP4. Alternatively, either the first unit 4 or the second unit 5 may include a guide pin, while the other includes a pin hole.

[0036] Next, the operation of the air conditioning system 1 will be described. In heating mode, the refrigerant is vaporized in the heat exchanger 30 through heat exchange with the outside air. The vaporized refrigerant is sent to the compressor 31 via the refrigerant piping RP4, expansion valve V0, and switching valve V1. The compressor 31 compresses and discharges the vaporized refrigerant. The refrigerant that has passed through the compressor 31 is sent to the heat exchanger 20 via the switching valve V1 and refrigerant piping RP3. The heat exchanger 20 exchanges heat between the vaporized refrigerant and the indoor air. The blower 21 blows air that has been heated by heat exchange with the refrigerant in the heat exchanger 20 into the room. As a result of this heat exchange, the refrigerant liquefies. The liquefied refrigerant is sent to the pressure reducing device 32 via the refrigerant piping RP1. The refrigerant is reduced in pressure by the pressure reducing device 32 and becomes a two-phase gas-liquid state. The refrigerant that has passed through the pressure reducing device 32 returns to the heat exchanger 30 via the refrigerant piping RP2.

[0037] In cooling or dehumidifying mode, the refrigerant is liquefied in the heat exchanger 30 through heat exchange with the outside air. The liquefied refrigerant is sent to the pressure reducing device 32 via the refrigerant piping RP2. The pressure reducing device 32 reduces the pressure of the liquefied refrigerant. The refrigerant that has passed through the pressure reducing device 32 is sent to the heat exchanger 20 via the refrigerant piping RP1. The heat exchanger 20 exchanges heat between the liquefied refrigerant and the indoor air. The blower 21 blows the air that has been cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant in the heat exchanger 20 into the room. As a result of this heat exchange, the refrigerant vaporizes. The vaporized refrigerant is sent to the compressor 31 via the refrigerant piping RP3 and the switching valve V1. The compressor 31 compresses the vaporized refrigerant. The refrigerant that has passed through the compressor 31 returns to the heat exchanger 30 via the switching valve V1, the expansion valve V0, and the refrigerant piping RP4.

[0038] As described above, the outdoor unit 3 comprises a first unit 4 including a first housing 40a housing a power supply unit 34 and a compressor 31 from the component group 35, and a second unit 5 including a second housing 50a housing a heat exchanger 30 and a blower 33 from the component group 35, and which can be connected to and separated from the first unit 4. The first unit 4 and the second unit 5 include a lower connecting portion BC and an upper connecting portion TC for connecting to the other unit at vertically separated positions. The pair of lower connecting portions BC and the pair of upper connecting portions TC in the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 have a pair of protruding portions PP and an engaging portion EP. The protruding portion PP is located in one of the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 and protrudes toward the other unit, and the engaging portion EP is located in the other unit and engages with the pair of protruding portions PP.

[0039] With the above configuration, the pair of protruding parts PP and engaging parts EP can be engaged with each other, making it easier to align the first unit 4 and the second unit 5. Furthermore, by engaging the pair of protruding parts PP and engaging parts EP at the lower connecting part BC and the upper connecting part TC, which are spaced apart in the vertical direction, the vertical alignment of the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 can be properly achieved.

[0040] This allows for the proper and quick connection of each refrigerant pipe, for example, when connecting the refrigerant piping of the first unit 4 to the refrigerant piping of the second unit 5. In this case, even when inserting the connection port of the refrigerant piping of the second unit 5 (for example, the connection ports of couplers CP1 and CP2) into the connection port of the refrigerant piping of the first unit 4 (for example, the connection ports of couplers CP3 and CP4), each refrigerant pipe can be properly aligned. As a result, in an air conditioning system 1 in which the outdoor unit 3 is composed of a combination of two units 4 and 5, the workload of connecting the refrigerant piping of the two units 4 and 5 can be reduced.

[0041] As another example, the protruding portion 40e of the lower connecting portion 40b has an axial portion 40f that extends in one direction in the horizontal plane when the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 are connected, and the engaging portion of the lower connecting portion 50b has a pivot portion 50f that pivotally supports the axial portion 40f so as to be rotatable around an axis X that extends in one direction.

[0042] With this configuration, the pivot portion 50f of the lower coupling portion 40b of the first unit 4 pivots the pivot portion 40f of the lower coupling portion 40b, and by rotating the first unit 4 around the axis X of the pivot portion 40f relative to the second unit 5, the two units 4 and 5 can be easily aligned. Therefore, the workload for combining the two units 4 and 5 can be further reduced.

[0043] As another example, the engaging portion 50e of the lower connecting portion 50b further has a guide portion 50g which is positioned to be in contact with the shaft portion 40f and guides the shaft portion 40f to the pivot portion 50f. With this configuration, the two units 4 and 5 can be aligned more easily by having the shaft portion 40f guided by the guide portion 50g.

[0044] As another example, the protruding portion 40d of the upper connecting portion 40c has an extended portion 40h that extends downward, the engaging portion 50d of the upper connecting portion 50c has an engaging hole 50h into which the extended portion 40h is inserted, and as the shaft portion 40f of the lower connecting portion 40b is guided by the guide portion 50g of the lower connecting portion 50b, the extended portion 40h is inserted into the engaging hole 50h.

[0045] According to the above configuration, in the two lower connecting parts 40b, 50b, as the shaft portion 40f is guided by the guide portion 50g of the lower connecting part 50b, in the two upper connecting parts 40c, 50c, the extended portion 40h of the protruding portion 40d is inserted into the engagement hole 50h of the engaging portion 50d, thereby making it easier to align the two units 4, 5 at different positions in the vertical direction.

[0046] Furthermore, in the unit of the air conditioning system 1 of this embodiment, which is either the first unit 4 or the second unit 5, the lower coupling portion BC has either a protruding portion PP that protrudes toward the other unit, or an engaging portion EP that is paired with the protruding portion PP and engages with the protruding portion PP. Also, in the said unit, the upper coupling portion TC has either a protruding portion PP that protrudes toward the other unit, or an engaging portion EP that is paired with the protruding portion PP and engages with the protruding portion PP.

[0047] (Note) The above description of embodiments discloses the following technologies. [Technology 1] Outdoor unit of an air conditioning system, comprising: a power supply unit supplied with power from an external source; a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between air and a refrigerant; a blower for blowing air toward the heat exchanger; and a compressor for compressing the refrigerant; a first unit including a first housing housing the power supply unit and the compressor from the group of components; and a second unit including a second housing housing the heat exchanger and the blower from the group of components, which is connectable to and detachable from the first unit, wherein the first unit and the second unit include a lower connecting portion and an upper connecting portion for connecting to the other unit at vertically separated positions, and the pair of the lower connecting portions and the pair of the upper connecting portions in the first unit and the second unit have a pair of protruding portions and engaging portions, the protruding portions are located in one of the first unit and the second unit and protrude toward the other unit, and the engaging portions are located in the other unit and engage with the pair of protruding portions.

[0048] According to the above configuration, by engaging the paired protrusions and engaging parts with each other, the alignment of the first unit and the second unit can be easily performed. Furthermore, by engaging the paired protrusions and engaging parts at the lower and upper connecting parts, which are spaced apart in the vertical direction, the vertical alignment of the first unit and the second unit can be properly performed.

[0049] This allows for proper and quick connection of each refrigerant pipe, for example, when connecting the refrigerant piping of the first unit to the refrigerant piping of the second unit. In this case, even when inserting the connection port of the refrigerant piping of the second unit into the connection port of the refrigerant piping of the first unit, each refrigerant pipe can be properly aligned. As a result, in an air conditioning system in which the outdoor unit is composed of a combination of multiple units, the workload of connecting the refrigerant piping of multiple units can be reduced.

[0050] [Technology 2] The protruding portion of the lower connecting portion has an axial portion that extends in one direction in the horizontal plane when the first unit and the second unit are connected. The outdoor unit of an air conditioning system according to Technical 1, wherein the engaging portion of the lower connecting portion has a support portion that pivotally supports the shaft portion so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in one direction.

[0051] According to the above configuration, the two units can be aligned by rotating one unit around the axis while the pivot portion of the lower joint of the other unit pivots the axis portion of the lower joint of the other unit. Therefore, the workload for combining the two units can be further reduced.

[0052] [Technology 3] The outdoor unit of an air conditioning system according to Technical Reference 2, wherein the engaging portion of the lower connecting portion further has a guide portion that guides the shaft portion to the shaft support portion.

[0053] According to the above configuration, by having the shaft portion guide the guide portion, the two units can be aligned more easily.

[0054] [Technology 4] The protruding portion of the upper connecting portion has an extended portion that extends downward, The engagement portion of the upper connecting portion has an engagement hole into which the extended portion is inserted. The outdoor unit of an air conditioning device according to Technical 3, wherein the shaft portion of the lower joint is guided by the guide portion of the lower joint, and the extended portion is inserted into the engagement hole.

[0055] According to the above configuration, in the two lower connecting parts, as the shaft portion is guided by the guide portion of the lower connecting part, in the two upper connecting parts, the extended portion of the protruding part is inserted into the engagement hole of the engaging part, making it easier to align the two units at different positions in the vertical direction.

[0056] [Technology 5] An air conditioning system equipped with an outdoor unit as described in one of the technologies 1 to 4.

[0057] [Technology 6] A unit of an air conditioning system comprising: a power supply unit supplied with power from an external source; a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between air and a refrigerant; a blower for blowing air toward the heat exchanger; a compressor for compressing the refrigerant; a first unit including a first housing housing the power supply unit and the compressor from the group of components; and a second unit including a second housing housing the heat exchanger and the blower from the group of components, which is connectable to and detachable from the first unit, wherein the first unit and the second unit are connected to each other at vertically separated positions, and the unit is one of the first unit and the second unit of the air conditioning system, the unit comprising an outdoor unit including a lower connecting part and an upper connecting part for connecting to the other unit, The lower connecting portion has either a protruding portion that projects toward the other unit, or an engaging portion that is paired with the protruding portion and engages with the protruding portion. The upper connecting portion has either a protruding portion that projects toward the other unit, or an engaging portion that is paired with the protruding portion and engages with the protruding portion. An air conditioning unit.

[0058] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and the configuration can be modified, added to, or deleted without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. In the pair of lower coupling portions BC and the pair of upper coupling portions TC included in the first unit 4 and the second unit 5, the pair of protruding portions PP and engaging portions EP may be provided on either the first unit 4 or the second unit 5 to the extent that they can be coupled together. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] TC upper joint BC lower joint X axis 1. Air conditioning system 3 Outdoor unit 4. Unit 1 5. Unit 2 30 Outdoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger) 31 Compressor 33 Blower 35 component groups 40a First enclosure 40b Lower joint of the first unit 40c Upper joint of the first unit 40d, 40e Protrusions of the first unit 40f shaft part 40h extension part 50a Second enclosure 50b Lower joint of the second unit 50c Upper joint of the second unit 50d, 50e Engaging part of the second unit 50f shaft support part 50g Guide section 50h Engagement hole 50i recess

Claims

1. A group of components including a power supply unit supplied with power from an external source, a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between air and a refrigerant, a blower for blowing air toward the heat exchanger, and a compressor for compressing the refrigerant, A first unit including a first housing that houses the power supply and the compressor from the aforementioned group of components, The system includes a second housing that houses the heat exchanger and the blower among the aforementioned group of components, and the second unit is connectable to and detachable from the first unit. The first unit and the second unit include a lower connecting portion and an upper connecting portion for connecting with the other unit at vertically separated positions. The pair of lower connecting portions and the pair of upper connecting portions in the first unit and the second unit each have a pair of protruding portions and engaging portions. The aforementioned protrusion is positioned on one of the first unit and the second unit and protrudes toward the other unit. The engaging portion is located on the other unit and engages with the pair of protruding portions, in the outdoor unit of an air conditioning system.

2. The protruding portion of the lower connecting part has an axial portion that extends in one direction in the horizontal plane when the first unit and the second unit are connected. The outdoor unit of an air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion of the lower connecting portion has a support portion that pivotally supports the shaft portion so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in one direction.

3. The outdoor unit of an air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein the engaging portion of the lower connecting portion further has a guide portion that guides the shaft portion to the shaft support portion.

4. The protruding portion of the upper connecting portion has an extended portion that extends downward, The engagement portion of the upper connecting portion has an engagement hole into which the extended portion is inserted. The outdoor unit of an air conditioning system according to claim 3, wherein the axial portion of the lower joint is guided by the guide portion of the lower joint, and the extended portion is inserted into the engagement hole.

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

6. A unit of an air conditioning system comprising: a power supply unit supplied with power from an external source; a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between air and a refrigerant; a blower for blowing air toward the heat exchanger; a compressor for compressing the refrigerant; a first unit including a first housing that houses the power supply unit and the compressor from the group of components; and a second unit including a second housing that houses the heat exchanger and the blower from the group of components, and which is connectable to and detachable from the first unit, wherein the first unit and the second unit are either the first unit or the second unit of an air conditioning system, the air conditioning system comprising an outdoor unit including a lower connecting part and an upper connecting part for connecting to the other unit at vertically separated positions, The lower connecting portion has either a protruding portion that projects toward the other unit, or an engaging portion that is paired with the protruding portion and engages with the protruding portion. The upper connecting portion has either a protruding portion that projects toward the other unit, or an engaging portion that is paired with the protruding portion and engages with the protruding portion. An air conditioning unit.

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