Auxiliary Cooling Device for Condenser

Abstract

To reduce the overall size of an auxiliary cooling device for a condenser.SOLUTION: In an auxiliary cooling device 100 for a condenser that supplies water to a water retention material 2 arranged at the windward side of the condenser of an outdoor machine and lowers the temperature of air which is sucked into the condenser by latent heat which is generated when the water is vaporized by the water retention material 2, the auxiliary cooling device comprises: the rectangular water retention material 2; an upper structure 3 that is arranged at an upper end part 21 of the water retention material 2 and makes the water flow to the water retention material 2; a lower structure 4 that is arranged at a lower end part 22 of the water retention material 2 and makes the water fall from the water retention material 2; and a supply mechanism 5 for supplying the water to the upper structure 3 from the lower structure 4. The upper structure 3 has a sprinkler part 31 that is arranged above the water retention material 2 and sprinkles the water to the water retention material 2, and the lower structure 4 has a holding part for covering at least a part of the lower end part 22 of the water retention material 2 to hold the water retention material 2, and a storage part 43 arranged below the holding part to store the water which flows out of the water retention material 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an auxiliary cooling device for a condenser.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, water is supplied to a water retention material provided on the windward side of the condenser of an outdoor unit, and the temperature of the air sucked into the condenser is lowered by the latent heat when the water vaporizes in the water retention material. An auxiliary cooling device for a condenser has been considered.

[0003] This auxiliary cooling device for a condenser is composed of an upper case that holds the water retention material from above and a lower case that holds the water retention material from below. This auxiliary cooling device for a condenser supplies water from above the water retention material by the upper case, and the water that has flowed out from below the water retention material flows through a drain pipe connected to the lower case to a water recovery device. Then, the auxiliary cooling device for a condenser is configured to circulate the water by a pump so as to supply the water that has flowed into the water recovery device again from above the water retention material.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0005] However, in the above-described auxiliary cooling device for a condenser, since the water that flows out from below the water retention material flows from the lower case to the water recovery device via the drain pipe, the lower case and the water recovery device are provided separately. As a result, the entire device becomes larger in size, and it becomes difficult to install it in a small outdoor unit such as a household one.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and the main object thereof is to reduce the size of the entire auxiliary cooling device for a condenser.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] That is, the auxiliary cooling device for a condenser according to the present invention supplies water to a water retention material provided on the windward side of the condenser in an outdoor unit, and the latent heat when water vaporizes in the water retention material reduces the temperature of the air sucked into the condenser. The auxiliary cooling device for a condenser includes a rectangular water retention material, an upper structure provided at the upper end of the water retention material for flowing water to the water retention material, a lower structure provided at the lower end of the water retention material for collecting water from the water retention material, and a supply mechanism for supplying water from the lower structure to the upper structure. The upper structure is provided above the water retention material and has a water sprinkling portion for sprinkling water on the water retention material. The lower structure has a holding portion that covers at least a part of the lower end of the water retention material to hold the water retention material, and a storage portion provided below the holding portion for storing the water flowing out from the water retention material.

[0008] With such a configuration, the lower structure provided at the lower end of the water retention material includes a holding portion for holding the water retention material and a storage portion provided below the holding portion for storing the water flowing out from the water retention material. Therefore, the water flowing out from the holding portion is directly stored in the storage portion. As a result, the holding portion and the storage portion can be integrated, and the size of the auxiliary cooling device for the condenser can be reduced.

[0009] It is desirable that the holding portion has a placement surface on which the water retention material is placed and an opening that opens in the placement surface and allows the water flowing out from the water retention material to pass through to the storage portion.

[0010] With such a configuration, the water retention material can be held by placing it on the placement surface. Further, since the water flowing out from below the water retention material passes through the opening formed in the placement surface, the storage portion is provided on the opposite side of the placement surface, and the structure of the lower structure can be simplified.

[0011] It is preferable that the holding part is provided to face the side surfaces of the pair of water retention materials facing each other, and further includes a pressing member that presses the water retention material.

[0012] With such a configuration, the holding part covers at least a part of the lower end part of the water retention material, and the side surfaces of the water retention materials facing each other are pressed by the pressing member, so that the water retention material can be positioned and held with respect to the lower structure.

[0013] It is desirable that the water retention material includes a rectangular filter member and a water diffusion member attached to the upper surface of the filter member for spreading the water sprayed from the water spraying part over the upper surface of the filter member.

[0014] With such a configuration, since the water diffusion member is attached to the upper surface of the filter member, the water sprayed from the water spraying part will flow uniformly over the upper surface of the filter member. As a result, since the water flows uniformly through the filter member, the latent heat generated when the water vaporizes in the water retention material can be generated throughout the water retention material, and the temperature of the air sucked into the condenser can be efficiently reduced. In addition, since the water diffusion member is attached to the filter member, the water retention material can be easily assembled.

[0015] It is preferable that the upper structure further includes an upper case that covers the upper end part of the water retention material and houses the water spraying part.

[0016] With such a configuration, since the upper end part of the water retention material and the water spraying part are positioned by the upper case, the device can be easily assembled by attaching the upper case to the water retention material. In addition, since the water retention material and the upper case can be easily removed from the lower structure, the cleaning and inspection of the lower structure can be facilitated.

[0017] In order to make the upper case easy to carry, examples of the upper structure include those in which a handle is formed on the outside of the upper case.

[0018] The supply mechanism is provided in the storage section, and examples thereof include a supply pump that supplies the water in the storage section to the water spraying section, and a supply pipe that supplies the water from the supply pump to the water spraying section.

[0019] With such a configuration, since the supply pump can be provided in the storage section of the lower structure, the entire apparatus can be made smaller.

[0020] The supply mechanism further includes a connection joint that connects the supply pipe and the supply pump or the water spraying section. The connection joint preferably includes a plug provided at an end of the supply pipe, and a fixed socket provided on at least one of the supply pump or the water spraying section, and configured to fix the plug when the plug is inserted.

[0021] With such a configuration, since the supply pipe is configured to be detachable by the connection joint, the supply mechanism can be easily assembled and disassembled.

[0022] The auxiliary cooling device of the condenser preferably further includes a detachable fixing mechanism that detachably fixes the upper structure, the lower structure, or the water retaining material.

[0023] With such a configuration, since each structure or the water retaining material is detachably fixed, the assembly and disassembly of the apparatus can be facilitated.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] According to the present invention configured as described above, the entire auxiliary cooling device of the condenser can be miniaturized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an auxiliary cooling device for a condenser according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, for the sake of clarity, any of the following figures may be schematically drawn with appropriate omissions or exaggerations. The same reference numerals are given to the same components, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0027] <Basic Configuration of Auxiliary Cooling Device> As shown in FIG. 1, the auxiliary cooling device 100 for a condenser according to the present embodiment supplies water to a water retention material 2 provided on the leeward side of the condenser X1 of the outdoor unit X, and uses the latent heat generated when the water vaporizes in the water retention material 2 to lower the temperature of the air drawn into the condenser X1.

[0028] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the auxiliary cooling device 100 includes a water retention material 2 that is substantially rectangular in a front view, an upper structure 3 provided at the upper end 2a of the water retention material 2 for flowing water through the water retention material 2, a lower structure 4 provided at the lower end 2b of the water retention material 2 for collecting water from the water retention material 2, and a supply mechanism 5 for supplying water from the lower structure 4 to the upper structure 3.

[0029] The water retention material 2 includes a rectangular filter member 21 and a water diffusion member 22 attached to the upper surface of the filter member 21. The water diffusion member 22 distributes the water flowing from the upper structure 3 over the upper surface of the filter member 21. In the present embodiment, the water diffusion member 22 is attached over the entire upper surface of the filter member 21 and forms the upper end portion 2a of the water retention material 2.

[0030] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the peripheral portions of the upper end portion 2a and the lower end portion 2b of the water retention material 2 and a pair of opposing side surfaces of the water retention material 2 are protected by a protection member 23.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper structure 3 is provided above the water retention material 2 and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Further, the upper structure 3 includes a watering portion 31 that waters the water retention material 2 from above, and an upper case 32 that covers the upper end portion 2a of the water retention material 2 and houses the watering portion 31.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the watering portion 31 has a substantially straight pipe shape and is provided over the entire upper surface of the water retention material 2. Further, the watering portion 31 has a plurality of discharge ports 31a for watering the water retention material 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the plurality of discharge ports 31a open on the side opposite to the upper end portion 2a of the water retention material 2 and are configured to uniformly water the water retention material 2 from the plurality of discharge ports 31a. Note that the plurality of discharge ports 31a may open toward the upper end portion 2a of the water retention material 2.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper case 32 covers the entire upper surface of the watering portion 31 and the water retention material 2. The upper case 32 fixes and holds the watering portion 31. Further, a handle 321 is provided on the outside of the upper case 32.

[0034] And the lower structure 4 holds the lower end portion 2b of the water retention material 2 and collects the water from the water retention material 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower structure 4 is formed by a container C. Note that a supply valve 7 that opens to supply water when the water level in the container C drops is provided on the side wall of the container C.

[0035] Further, the lower structure 4 has a holding portion 41 that covers at least a part of the lower end portion 2b of the water retention material 2 and holds the water retention material 2, and a storage portion 43 that is provided below the holding portion 41 and stores the water that has flowed out from the water retention material 2.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, the container C forming the lower structure 4 is provided with a pressing member 411 that faces the side surfaces of a pair of water retention materials 2 facing each other and presses the water retention materials 2. In this embodiment, the pressing member 411 serves as the holding portion 41. Specifically, one end of the pressing member 411 is screwed to the side wall of the container C, and the other end fixes the water retention material 2. In this embodiment, the pressing member 411 is formed of an elastic member and fixes the water retention material 2 by pressing the protection member 23.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a flat mounting plate 42 is provided inside the container C. Specifically, the mounting plate 42 covers the lower end portion 2b of the water retention material 2 and forms a mounting surface 421 on which the water retention material 2 is mounted. In this embodiment, it is in contact with the lower surface of the protection member 23, and the entire lower end portion 2b of the water retention material 2 is mounted on the mounting surface 421. Note that at least a part of the water retention material 2 may be mounted on the mounting surface 421. Further, the mounting plate 42 is supported above the water surface by the support column S.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the mounting plate 42 is formed with an opening 422 that opens to the mounting surface 421 and allows the water that has flowed out from the water retention material 2 to pass through to the storage portion 43. In this embodiment, the opening 422 is a through hole that penetrates the mounting surface 421 and its opposing surface, and a plurality of through holes are formed in the mounting surface 421. Note that the number of through holes does not have to be plural.

[0039] The storage portion 43 is provided below the mounting plate 42 and stores the water that has passed through the opening 422. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the storage portion 43 refers to a storage space formed between the mounting plate 42 and the container C.

[0040] The supply mechanism 5 includes a supply pump 51 that supplies the water in the storage section 43 to the water spraying section 31, and a supply pipe 52 that supplies the water from the supply pump 51 to the water spraying section 31. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the supply pump 51 is provided inside the storage section 43, and its startup or stop is controlled by a supply mechanism control section (not shown).

[0041] The supply pipe 52 is connected to the supply pump 51 and the water spraying section 31 via a connection joint 53. The connection joint 53 has a plug 531 provided at the end of the supply pipe 52, and a fixed socket 532 provided on the discharge side of the supply pump 51 and the inlet side of the water spraying section 31, which fixes the plug 531 when the plug 531 is inserted. With this connection joint 53, the supply pipe 52 is configured to be detachable from the supply pump 51 and the water spraying section 31.

[0042] Furthermore, the auxiliary cooling device 100 includes a detachable fixing mechanism 6 that detachably fixes each structure and the water retention material 2. In the present embodiment, the detachable fixing mechanism 6 includes a fixing member 61 that is attached to the upper structure 3 and the lower structure 4 and fixes each structure and the water retention material 2, and a connecting member 62 that detachably connects the water retention material 2 and the fixing member 61. The connecting member 62 is, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener, with the male side of the hook-and-loop fastener provided on one of the fixing member 61 or the protective member 23, and the female side of the hook-and-loop fastener provided on the other.

[0043] <Replacement procedure of the water retention material 2> When water is supplied to the water retention material 2 and a certain period of time has elapsed, dust or the like adheres to the water retention material 2, and it becomes necessary to replace the water retention material 2. Hereinafter, the replacement procedure of the water retention material 2 attached to the auxiliary cooling device 100 will be described.

[0044] First, disconnect the supply pipe 52 from the supply pump 51 and the water spraying section 31. Specifically, remove the plug 531 provided on the supply pipe 52 from the fixed socket 532.

[0045] Next, the fixing between the lower structure 4 and the water retention material 2 is released. Specifically, the surface fastener connecting the lower structure 4 and the protection member 23 is peeled off, and the pressing member 411 and the protection member 23 are separated. As a result, the water retention material 2 can be removed from the lower structure 4 using the handle 321 provided on the upper structure 3.

[0046] Then, the upper structure 3 is removed from the water retention material 2. Specifically, the surface fastener connecting the upper structure 3 and the protection member 23 is peeled off. Then, using the handle 321, the upper structure 3 is removed from the water retention material 2.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, since the water retention material 2 is protected by the protection member 23, after being removed from the upper structure 3 and the lower structure 4, the water retention material 2 maintains its shape. The protection member 23 can be removed from the water retention material 2, and the filter member 21 of the water retention material 2 can be replaced.

[0048] <Effects of this Embodiment> According to the auxiliary cooling device 100 of this embodiment, the lower structure 4 provided at the lower end portion 2b of the water retention material 2 includes a holding portion 41 that holds the water retention material 2 and a storage portion 43 that is provided below the holding portion 41 and stores the water flowing out from the water retention material 2. Therefore, the holding portion 41 and the storage portion 43 can be integrated. As a result, the water flowing out from the holding portion 41 is directly stored in the storage portion 43, so that the auxiliary cooling device 100 of the condenser can be made smaller.

[0049] <Other Modified Embodiments> Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0050] In this embodiment, the mounting plate 42 was provided inside the container C, but the configuration of the mounting plate 42 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper wall of the container C may be used as the mounting plate 42. In this case, the upper surface of the container C becomes the mounting surface 421. Also, the mounting plate 42 may be provided so as to connect the opposing side walls of the container C.

[0051] In this embodiment, the detachable fixing mechanism 6 includes a fixing member 61 and a connecting member 62, but the configuration of the detachable fixing mechanism 6 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the detachable fixing mechanism 6 may connect and fix the upper structure 3 and the lower structure 4. In this case, the detachable fixing mechanism 6 is screwed to the upper structure 3 and the lower structure 4. By this detachable fixing mechanism 6, the upper structure 3 and the lower structure 4 are fixed.

[0052] In this embodiment, the connection joint 53 is provided at both ends of the supply pipe 52, but it may be provided at either one of the ends.

[0053] In this embodiment, the supply mechanism control unit may further include a remote controller that transmits a start signal or a stop signal of the supply pump 51. By the remote controller, the auxiliary cooling device 100 of the condenser can be remotely started or stopped.

[0054] In this embodiment, the auxiliary cooling device 100 includes a supply valve 7 that opens to supply water when the water level in the storage portion 43 drops, but it may be configured to provide a discharge port on the side wall of the storage portion 43 to purify the circulating water. By opening the discharge port, when the water level in the storage portion 43 exceeds a predetermined value, it will overflow. As the timing for opening the discharge port, a timer for measuring time may be provided, and the timer may be configured to open the discharge port at a predetermined time.

[0055] Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit thereof.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0056] 100 ··· Auxiliary cooling device for condenser 2 ··· Water retention material 21 ··· Filter member 22 ··· Water diffusion member 3 ··· Upper structure 31 ··· Water spraying portion 32 ··· Upper case 321 ··· Handle 4 ··· Lower structure 41 ··· Holding part 411 ··· Pressing member 421 ··· Placing surface 422 ··· Opening 43 ··· Storage part 5 ··· Supply mechanism 51 ··· Supply pump 52 ··· Supply pipe 53 ··· Connection joint 531 ··· Insertion plug 532 ··· Fixed socket 6 ··· Detachable fixing mechanism

Claims

1. An auxiliary cooling device for a condenser, which supplies water to a water retaining material provided on the windward side of the condenser of an outdoor unit, and reduces the temperature of the air sucked into the condenser by the latent heat when the water vaporizes in the water retaining material, comprising: the rectangular water retaining material; an upper structure provided at the upper end of the water retaining material for flowing water to the water retaining material; a lower structure provided at the lower end of the water retaining material, which is a container for collecting water from the water retaining material; a supply mechanism for supplying water from the lower structure to the upper structure; the upper structure is provided above the water retaining material and has a water sprinkling part for sprinkling water on the water retaining material; the lower structure is a holding part that covers at least a part of the lower end of the water retaining material and holds the water retaining material; a storage part provided with the supply mechanism for storing the water flowing out from the water retaining material; An auxiliary cooling device for a condenser, which has a flat mounting plate provided above the storage part inside the container and on which the water retaining material is placed.

2. The lower structure is An auxiliary cooling device for a condenser according to claim 1, which has an opening formed by opening in the mounting plate for allowing the water flowing out from the water retaining material to pass through to the storage part.

3. The auxiliary cooling device for a condenser according to claim 1, wherein the holding part is provided opposite to the side surfaces of a pair of the water retaining materials facing each other, and further includes a pressing member for pressing the water retaining material.

4. The water retaining material is a rectangular filter member; An auxiliary cooling device for a condenser according to claim 1, which includes a water diffusion member attached to the upper surface of the filter member for spreading the water sprinkled from the water sprinkling part over the upper surface of the filter member.

5. The upper structure is An auxiliary cooling device for a condenser according to claim 1, which further includes an upper case that covers the upper end of the water retaining material and houses the water sprinkling part.

6. The auxiliary cooling device for a condenser according to claim 5, wherein a handle is formed outside the upper case of the upper structure.

7. The supply mechanism is a supply pump provided in the storage part for supplying the water in the storage part to the water sprinkling part; An auxiliary cooling device for a condenser according to claim 1, which has a supply pipe for supplying the water from the supply pump to the water sprinkling part.

8. The supply mechanism further includes a connection joint for connecting the supply pipe to the supply pump or the water sprinkling part, the connection joint is a plug provided at the end of the supply pipe and The auxiliary cooling device for a condenser according to claim 7, comprising a fixing socket provided on at least one of the supply pump or the watering section, for fixing the insertion plug when the insertion plug is inserted.

9. The auxiliary cooling device for a condenser according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a detachable fixing mechanism for detachably fixing the upper structure, the lower structure, or the water retention material.

10. The detachable fixing mechanism is a fixing member attached to the upper structure and the lower structure, and a hook-and-loop fastener for detachably connecting the water retention material and the fixing member, wherein the male side of the hook-and-loop fastener is provided on one of the fixing member or the water retention material, and the female side of the hook-and-loop fastener is provided on the other of the fixing member or the water retention material. The auxiliary cooling device for a condenser according to claim 9.

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