Outdoor unit of an air conditioning system

Abstract

In an air conditioning system where the outdoor unit is composed of multiple units, the aim is to reduce the workload for installing the outdoor unit while ensuring waterproofing of the wiring connections between the multiple units. [Solution] The outdoor unit of the air conditioner comprises a group of components including a power supply unit supplied with power from the outside, a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between air and a refrigerant, a blower that blows air toward the heat exchanger, and a compressor that compresses the refrigerant; a first unit including a first housing that houses the power supply unit and the compressor from the group of components; a second unit including a second housing that houses the heat exchanger and the blower from the group of components, and which can be connected to and separated from the first unit; and a cover body that covers the top surface of the first housing and the top surface of the second housing together when the first unit and the second unit are connected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present 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 refrigerant sent from the indoor unit and 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 an outdoor unit as described in Patent Document 1, the wirings of each unit are electrically connected during installation. Here, when waterproof measures such as providing a waterproof cover at the connection part of the wiring are taken, new work at the installation site becomes necessary. Also, when waterproof measures are taken at the connection part of the wiring of the outdoor unit after installation, new work of disassembling a plurality of units that have been combined once becomes necessary. Therefore, the work burden for installing the outdoor unit while taking waterproof measures at the connection part of the wiring increases.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to reduce the work burden for installing an outdoor unit while taking waterproof measures at the connection parts of the wirings in a plurality of units in an air conditioner in which the 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 according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises: a power supply unit supplied with power from an external source; a group of components including 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; 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; and a cover body that covers the upper surface of the first housing and the upper surface of the second housing together when the first unit and the second unit are coupled. [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 for installing the outdoor unit can be reduced while ensuring waterproofing of the wiring connections between the multiple units. [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 an assembly diagram of the outdoor unit shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the bottom surface of the cover body shown in Figure 2. [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 Figures 3 and 4 described later, the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 are configured to be able to be connected and separated from each other. The outdoor unit 3 is driven, for example, when the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 are connected. By making the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 separable, 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 a cover body 6, 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.

[0013] The cover body 6 covers the upper surface 40d of the first housing 40a and the upper surface 50d of the second housing 50a together when the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 are joined. The pressure reducing device 32 includes, as an example, a pressure reducing valve. The blower 33 has a fan 38 and a fan motor M2 that rotates the fan 38. The fan motors M1 and M2 in this embodiment are electric motors. Refrigerant circulates through a plurality of refrigerant pipes RP1 to RP4 to the heat exchanger 20, the heat exchanger 30, the compressor 31, and the pressure reducing device 32.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] Also, among the first unit 4 and the second unit 5, the internal volume of the heavier unit may be smaller than the internal volume of the lighter unit. The first unit 4 of the present embodiment is heavier and has a smaller internal volume than the second unit 5.

[0020] The component group 35 further includes a plurality of electrical components E. The electrical component E housed in the second housing 50a includes the fan motor M2. The electrical component E housed in the first housing 40a includes the compressor 31. The first unit 4 may include a power line PL supplied with power from the outside. In this case, the electrical component 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 electrical component 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.

[0021] 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 include a coupling portion that can be detachably coupled to each other. As an example of this coupling portion, the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 include lower coupling portions 40b, 50b and upper coupling portions 40c, 50c that are spaced apart in the vertical direction. The structure of the coupling portion is not limited.

[0022] The first unit 4 includes a first connection 8 of electrical wiring that is electrically connected to an electrical component E in the first housing 40a. The second unit 5 includes a second connection 9 of electrical wiring that is electrically connected to the electrical component E in the second housing 50a and the first connection 8. When the first unit 4 is coupled with the second unit 5, the first connection 8 is electrically connected to the second connection 9.

[0023] Figure 5 is an assembly drawing of the outdoor unit 3 shown in Figure 1. For illustrative purposes, the sealing member 7 is shown with a dashed line in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 5, the cover body 6 has an upper surface 6a that extends horizontally. The upper surface 6a is waterproof, as it is free of holes and gaps through which water can enter. The upper surface 6a may have a textured surface to guide water adhering to the cover body 6 and promote drainage.

[0024] The outdoor unit 3 further includes a sealing member 7. The sealing member 7 is positioned between the upper surface 40d of the first housing 40a and the upper surface 50d of the second housing 50a and the lower surface 6b of the cover body 6, and surrounds a specific region Y that overlaps with the space between the first housing 40a and the second housing 50a (the gap between the first housing 40a and the second housing 50a) when viewed from above. When viewed from above, at least a portion of the wiring connection parts between the first housing 40a and the second housing 50a (for example, the first connection part 8 and the second connection part 9) are located in the specific region Y.

[0025] The sealing member 7 has waterproof properties that can prevent water from entering from the outside. The material of the sealing member 7 is not limited, but may include an elastomer such as EPT (ethylene propylene polymer) or rubber. As an example, the sealing member 7 is annular when viewed from above and below, and surrounds the entire circumference of a specific region Y.

[0026] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the lower surface 6b of the cover body 6 in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 6, the cover body 6 includes a main body portion 6c having an upper surface 6a and a lower surface 6b, and a side portion 6d having at least one through hole 6e and extending vertically to surround the main body portion 6c. The cover body 6 is attached to the units 4 and 5 by fastening it to the housings 40a and 50a, for example, by inserting a fastening member through the through hole 6e. The method of attaching the cover body 6 to the units 4 and 5 is not limited to this.

[0027] The sealing member 7 may be pre-attached to a predetermined position on the lower surface 6b of the cover body 6 before the cover body 6 is attached to the units 4 and 5. In this case, as the cover body 6 is attached to the units 4 and 5, the sealing member 7 is positioned between the upper surfaces 40d and 50d of the units 4 and 5 and the lower surface 6b of the cover body 6 to surround the perimeter of a specific area Y. Therefore, it is not necessary for the worker to separately attach the sealing member 7 to a predetermined position.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] As described above, the outdoor unit 3 includes a group of components 35, which includes a power supply device 34 supplied with power from the outside, a heat exchanger 30 for exchanging heat between air and refrigerant, a blower 33 for blowing air toward the heat exchanger 30, and a compressor 31 for compressing the refrigerant; a first unit 4, which includes a first housing 40a housing the power supply device 34 and the compressor 31 from the group of components 35; a second unit 5, which includes a second housing 50a housing the heat exchanger 30 and the blower 33 from the group of components 35 and is connectable to and detachable from the first unit 4; and a cover body 6 that covers the upper surface 40d of the first housing 40a and the upper surface 50d of the second housing 50a together when the first unit 4 and the second unit 5 are connected.

[0031] With the outdoor unit 3 configured as described above, the cover body 6 can provide waterproofing against water entering the wiring connection points between the first housing 40a and the second housing 50a (for example, the first connection point 8 and the second connection point 9) from the outside. Furthermore, since the cover body 6 can be placed on multiple combined units 4 and 5, even when waterproofing measures are taken at the wiring connection points between the first housing 40a and the second housing 50a of the outdoor unit 3 after installation, it is not necessary to disassemble the multiple combined units 4 and 5. Therefore, it is possible to avoid increasing the workload required to install the outdoor unit 3 while also providing waterproofing measures at the wiring connection points.

[0032] This makes it possible to reduce the workload for installing the outdoor unit 3 in an air conditioning system 1, in which the outdoor unit 3 is composed of a combination of multiple units 4 and 5, while also ensuring waterproofing of the wiring connections in the multiple units 4 and 5.

[0033] As another example, the outdoor unit 3 further includes a sealing member 7 positioned between the upper surface 40d of the first housing 40a and the upper surface 50d of the second housing 50a and the lower surface 6b of the cover body 6, and surrounding a specific region Y that overlaps with the space between the first housing 40a and the second housing 50a when viewed from above.

[0034] With the above configuration, the sealing member 7 can effectively prevent water from entering a specific area Y from the outside. Furthermore, since the sealing member 7 is placed between the upper surface 40d of the first housing 40a and the upper surface 50d of the second housing 50a and the lower surface 6b of the cover body 6, even when the sealing member 7 is placed at the wiring connection point between the first housing 40a and the second housing 50a in the outdoor unit 3 after installation, it is not necessary to disassemble the combined multiple units 4 and 5.

[0035] As another example, the first unit 4 and the second unit 5, when coupled together, include a first connection part 8 and a second connection part 9 as electrical connectors that are electrically connected to each other at a position overlapping with a specific region Y when viewed from above. With this configuration, the sealing member 7 can adequately prevent water from entering the electrical connectors that are electrically connected to each other at a position overlapping with a specific region Y when viewed from above. This allows for appropriate waterproofing of the electrical connections of the wiring.

[0036] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and its configuration and methods may be modified, added, combined, or deleted without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0037] (Note) The above description of embodiments discloses the following technologies. [Technology 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 second unit 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. An outdoor unit for an air conditioning system, comprising a cover body that collectively covers the upper surface of the first housing and the upper surface of the second housing when the first unit and the second unit are joined together.

[0038] With the above configuration, the cover provides waterproofing against water entering the wiring connection between the first and second enclosures from the outside. Furthermore, since the cover can be placed over multiple combined units, even when waterproofing the wiring connection between the first and second enclosures of the outdoor unit after installation, it is not necessary to disassemble the combined first and second units. Therefore, it is possible to avoid increasing the workload required to install the outdoor unit while waterproofing the wiring connection.

[0039] This makes it possible to reduce the workload involved in installing an outdoor unit in an air conditioning system where the outdoor unit is composed of a combination of multiple units, while also ensuring waterproofing at the wiring connections between the multiple units.

[0040] [Technology 2] The outdoor unit of the air conditioning system according to Technical 1, further comprising a sealing member disposed between the upper surface of the first housing and the upper surface of the second housing and the lower surface of the cover body, and surrounding the periphery of a specific area that overlaps with the space between the first housing and the second housing when viewed from the vertical direction.

[0041] With the above configuration, the sealing member can effectively prevent water from entering a specific area from the outside. Furthermore, since the sealing member is placed between the top surface of the first housing and the top surface of the second housing and the bottom surface of the cover body, even when placing the sealing member at the wiring connection point between the first housing and the second housing in the outdoor unit after installation, it is not necessary to disassemble the combined first and second units.

[0042] [Technology 3] The outdoor unit of an air conditioning system according to Technical 2, wherein the first unit and the second unit, when coupled together, include electrical connectors that are electrically connected to each other at a position that overlaps with the specific region when viewed from above.

[0043] With the above configuration, the sealing member can effectively prevent water from entering the electrical connectors that are electrically connected to each other at a position overlapping with the specific area when viewed from above or below. This allows for proper waterproofing of the electrical connections of the wiring.

[0044] [Technology 4] An air conditioning system equipped with an outdoor unit as described in one of the following technologies 1 to 3. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] Y specific area 1. Air conditioning system 3 Outdoor unit 4. Unit 1 5. Unit 2 6 Cover body 6b Lower surface of the cover 7. Sealing member 8. First connection part (electrical connector) 9. Second connection point (electrical connector) 30 Outdoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger) 31 Compressor 33 Blower 34 Power supply 35 component groups 40a First enclosure 40d Top view of the first enclosure 50a Second enclosure 50d Top view of the second enclosure

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 second unit 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. An outdoor unit for an air conditioning system, comprising a cover body that collectively covers the upper surface of the first housing and the upper surface of the second housing when the first unit and the second unit are connected.

2. The outdoor unit of an air conditioning system according to claim 1, further comprising a sealing member disposed between the upper surface of the first housing and the upper surface of the second housing and the lower surface of the cover body, and surrounding the periphery of a specific region that overlaps with the space between the first housing and the second housing when viewed from the vertical direction.

3. The outdoor unit of an air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein the first unit and the second unit, when coupled together, include electrical connectors that are electrically connected to each other at a position that overlaps with the specific region when viewed from above.

4. An air conditioning system comprising an outdoor unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

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