air conditioner

Abstract

To reduce a level of noise generated from an outdoor unit when outdoor air is discharged to an outdoor side in an air conditioner that supplies outdoor air from the outdoor unit to an indoor unit.SOLUTION: An outdoor unit includes: a casing 102 having an air suction port, an air exhaust port 102j and a connection port connected to an indoor unit; a ventilation conduit 56 connecting the connection port and the indoor unit; a flow passage extending from the air suction port and branched toward the air exhaust port 102j and the connection port; a first damper device disposed at a branch point of the flow passage and selectively distributing air flowing in the flow passage to either one of the air exhaust port 102j or the connection port; a fan disposed at a portion between the air suction port and the first damper device of the flow passage; an absorbing material disposed at a portion between the air suction port and the fan of the flow passage; a heater disposed at a portion between the air suction port and the absorbing material of the flow passage; and a protective cover 128 covering and protecting the ventilation conduit 56. The air exhaust port 102j is covered with the protective cover 128 and in communication with an inner space of the protective cover 128.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner. [Background technology]

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, there has been known an air conditioner configured with an indoor unit placed inside a room to be air-conditioned and an outdoor unit placed outside the room. This air conditioner is configured to supply humidified outdoor air or dehumidified outdoor air from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit. Specifically, the absorbent material rotates, and outdoor air heated by a heater passes through a portion of the absorbent material, while unheated outdoor air passes through the remaining portion of the absorbent material. Either the outdoor air heated by the heater (humidified outdoor air) or the unheated outdoor air (dehumidified outdoor air) is supplied to the indoor unit, and the other is discharged outside. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-314858 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the case of the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that noise will be generated from the outdoor unit when outdoor air that is not supplied indoors is discharged to the outside.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to reduce the level of noise generated from an outdoor unit when exhausting outdoor air to the outside of an air conditioner that supplies outdoor air from the outdoor unit to an indoor unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, An air conditioner having an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, The outdoor unit is a housing having an air intake port, an air exhaust port, and a connection port connected to the indoor unit; a ventilation duct connecting the connection port and the indoor unit; a flow path extending from the intake port and branching toward the exhaust port and the connection port; a first damper device disposed at a branch point of the flow path and configured to selectively distribute air flowing through the flow path to either the exhaust port or the connection port; a fan disposed in a portion of the flow path between the intake port and the first damper device; an absorbent material disposed in a portion of the flow path between the air intake port and the fan, through which outdoor air from the air intake port passes; a heater disposed in a portion of the flow path between the intake port and the absorbent material; a protective cover attached to the housing to cover and protect the ventilation duct; The air conditioner is provided in which the exhaust port is covered by the protective cover and communicates with an internal space of the protective cover. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, in an air conditioner that supplies outdoor air from an outdoor unit to an indoor unit, it is possible to reduce the level of noise generated from the outdoor unit when the outdoor air is discharged to the outside. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 2] Schematic diagram of ventilation system [Figure 3] Schematic diagram of the ventilation system during supply ventilation operation [Figure 4] Schematic diagram of the ventilation system during exhaust ventilation operation [Figure 5] Schematic diagram of ventilation system during humidification operation [Figure 6] Schematic diagram of ventilation system during dehumidification operation [Figure 7] Front perspective view of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner [Figure 8] Rear perspective view of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner [Figure 9] Front perspective view of the ventilation device [Figure 10] An exploded perspective view of the ventilation device with the top cover removed. [Figure 11] Top view of the ventilation system showing the internal structure [Figure 12] Schematic cross-sectional view of a ventilation system [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a top view of a portion of the ventilation device showing the second space; [Figure 14A] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the state of a plurality of damper devices provided in the second space during supply ventilation operation, humidification operation, or dehumidification operation. [Figure 14B] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the state of a plurality of damper devices provided in the second space during exhaust ventilation operation. [Figure 15A] 10A and 10B are top views showing the state of a damper device provided in a fan during the supply ventilation operation, the humidification operation, and the adsorption operation in the dehumidification operation. [Figure 15B] FIG. 15B is a top view showing the state of a damper device provided in a fan during the exhaust ventilation operation and the regeneration operation in the dehumidification operation. [Figure 16] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the damper of the damper device divides the second space during the supply ventilation operation, the humidification operation, and the dehumidification operation. [Figure 17] A perspective view of a portion of the outdoor unit with the protective cover removed DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention is an air conditioner having an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, wherein the outdoor unit comprises a housing having an intake port, an exhaust port, and a connection port connected to the indoor unit, a ventilation duct connecting the connection port to the indoor unit, a flow path extending from the intake port and branching toward the exhaust port and the connection port, a first damper device arranged at the branching point of the flow path and selectively directing air flowing through the flow path to either the exhaust port or the connection port, a fan arranged in a portion of the flow path between the intake port and the first damper device, an absorbent material arranged in a portion of the flow path between the intake port and the fan and through which outdoor air from the intake port passes, a heater arranged in a portion of the flow path between the intake port and the absorbent material, and a protective cover attached to the housing that covers and protects the ventilation duct, wherein the exhaust port is covered by the protective cover and is connected to the internal space of the protective cover.

[0010] According to this aspect, in an air conditioner that supplies outdoor air from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, it is possible to reduce the level of noise generated from the outdoor unit when the outdoor air is discharged to the outside.

[0011] For example, the exhaust port may be located in the upper part of the outdoor unit, and the protective cover may have an opening in the lower part through which the ventilation duct passes.

[0012] For example, the fan may be a sirocco fan including an impeller, a fan casing defining a fan chamber that houses the impeller, and a duct section that connects the fan chamber to the connection port. In this case, an outlet that communicates with the exhaust port is formed in a guide wall that is part of the duct section and extends from a tongue of the sirocco fan toward the connection port, and the first damper device includes a damper that rotates within the duct section to close the internal flow path of the duct section or block the outlet.

[0013] For example, the outlet may be located between the rotation center line of the damper and the tongue portion, and the damper may intersect the extension direction of the duct portion at a non-perpendicular angle and close the internal flow path of the duct portion while facing the outlet.

[0014] For example, the outdoor unit may include an exhaust ventilation flow path that connects a portion of the flow path between the connection port and the first damper device and a portion of the flow path between the absorbent material and the fan, and a second damper device that is disposed on the exhaust ventilation flow path and selectively opens and closes the exhaust ventilation flow path. In this case, the air conditioner may perform an intake ventilation operation in which the second damper device closes the exhaust ventilation flow path while the fan is rotating, thereby causing the first damper device to distribute the outdoor air that has flowed into the flow path through the intake port to the connection port, and a second damper device that closes the exhaust ventilation flow path while the fan is rotating. For ventilation An exhaust ventilation operation is performed in which the first damper device distributes the indoor air that has flowed into the flow path via the connection port and the exhaust ventilation flow path to the exhaust port by opening the flow path.

[0015] For example, the outdoor unit may further include a third damper device disposed in a portion of the flow path between the absorbent and the fan and configured to selectively open and close the flow path, and the exhaust ventilation flow path may be connected to the portion of the flow path between the fan and the absorbent. In this case, the third damper device opens the flow path during the supply ventilation operation, and closes the flow path during the exhaust ventilation operation.

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, an air conditioner 10 according to this embodiment has an indoor unit 20 arranged in a room Rin to be air-conditioned, and an outdoor unit 30 arranged in an outdoor room Rout.

[0019] The indoor unit 20 is provided with an indoor heat exchanger 22 that exchanges heat with the indoor air A1, and a fan 24 that draws the indoor air A1 into the indoor unit 20 and blows the indoor air A1 into the room Rin after heat exchange with the indoor heat exchanger 22.

[0020] The outdoor unit 30 is provided with an outdoor heat exchanger 32 that exchanges heat with outdoor air A2, and a fan 34 that draws the outdoor air A2 into the outdoor unit 30 and blows the outdoor air A2 out to the outdoor Rout after exchanging heat with the outdoor heat exchanger 32. The outdoor unit 30 is also provided with a compressor 36, an expansion valve 38, and a four-way valve 40 that execute a refrigeration cycle with the indoor heat exchanger 22 and the outdoor heat exchanger 32.

[0021] The indoor heat exchanger 22, the outdoor heat exchanger 32, the compressor 36, the expansion valve 38, and the four-way valve 40 are each connected by a refrigerant pipe through which a refrigerant flows. In cooling operation and dehumidification operation (weak cooling operation), the air conditioner 10 executes a refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant flows from the compressor 36 through the four-way valve 40, the outdoor heat exchanger 32, the expansion valve 38, and the indoor heat exchanger 22 in that order, before returning to the compressor 36. In heating operation, the air conditioner 10 executes a refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant flows from the compressor 36 through the four-way valve 40, the indoor heat exchanger 22, the expansion valve 38, and the outdoor heat exchanger 32 in that order, before returning to the compressor 36.

[0022] In addition to air conditioning operation using a refrigeration cycle, the air conditioner 10 also performs air conditioning operation in which outdoor air A3 is supplied to the room Rin and air conditioning operation in which indoor air A1 is exhausted to the outdoor Rout. To this end, the air conditioner 10 has a ventilation device 50. The ventilation device 50 is provided in the outdoor unit 30.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a ventilation system.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the ventilation device 50 includes an absorbent material 52 therein through which the outdoor air A3 and A4 pass.

[0025] The absorbent material 52 is a member through which air can pass and which collects moisture from the air passing through it or adds moisture to the air passing through it. In this embodiment, the absorbent material 52 is disk-shaped and rotates around a rotation center line C1 that passes through the center of the absorbent material 52. The absorbent material 52 is rotationally driven by a motor 54.

[0026] The absorbent 52 is preferably a polymeric adsorbent that adsorbs moisture in the air. The polymeric adsorbent is, for example, composed of cross-linked sodium polyacrylate. Compared to adsorbents such as silica gel and zeolite, the polymeric adsorbent absorbs a larger amount of moisture per volume, can desorb the moisture it holds at a low heating temperature, and can hold the moisture for a long period of time.

[0027] Inside the ventilation device 50, there are provided a first flow path P1 and a second flow path P2 through which outdoor air A3 and A4 flow, respectively, passing through an absorbent material 52. That is, the absorbent material 52 is arranged so that a portion thereof is located in the first flow path P1 and another portion thereof is located in the second flow path P2. Furthermore, when the absorbent material 52 is rotated by a motor 54, the portion of the absorbent material 53 located in one of the first and second flow paths P1 and P2 moves to the other. Furthermore, inside the ventilation device 50, there is provided a third flow path P3, both ends of which are connected to different portions of the first flow path P1.

[0028] The first flow path P1 is a flow path through which the outdoor air A3 flows toward the indoor unit 20. The outdoor air A3 flowing through the first flow path P1 is supplied into the indoor unit 20 via a ventilation duct 56.

[0029] In this embodiment, the first flow path P1 includes a plurality of branch flow paths P1a, P1b on the upstream side of the absorbent material 52. In this specification, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are used with respect to the flow of air.

[0030] The plurality of tributary channels P1a, P2a join together upstream of the absorbent material 52. The plurality of tributary channels P1a, P1b are provided with heaters 58, 60 that heat the outdoor air A3, respectively.

[0031] The heaters 58 and 60 may have the same heating capacity or different heating capacities. Furthermore, the heaters 58 and 60 are preferably PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heaters, which increase electrical resistance as current flows and the temperature rises, thereby preventing excessive increases in heating temperature. In the case of heaters using nichrome wire or carbon fiber, the heating temperature (surface temperature) continues to rise as current continues to flow, so the temperature must be monitored. In the case of a PTC heater, the heater itself adjusts the heating temperature within a certain temperature range, eliminating the need to monitor the heating temperature.

[0032] The first flow path P1 is provided with a fan 62 that generates a flow of outdoor air A3 toward the indoor unit 20. In the present embodiment, the fan 62 is arranged downstream of the absorbent material 52. When the fan 62 is operated, the outdoor air A3 flows into the first flow path P1 from the outdoor Rout and passes through the absorbent material 52.

[0033] The first flow path P1 is also provided with a damper device 64 for distributing the outdoor air A3 flowing through the first flow path P1 to the room Rin (i.e., the indoor unit 20) or the outdoor Rout. That is, the first flow path P1 branches toward the room Rin and the outdoor Rout, and the damper device 64 is disposed at the branching point. In the present embodiment, the damper device 64 is disposed downstream of the fan 62. The outdoor air A3 distributed to the indoor unit 20 by the damper device 64 enters the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation duct 56 and is blown out into the room Rin by the fan 24.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a damper device 66 different from the damper device 64 is provided in the first flow path P1. In this embodiment, the damper device 66 is disposed between the absorber 52 and the fan 62. As will be described in detail later, the damper device 66 is provided for exhaust ventilation, and selectively opens and closes the first flow path P1.

[0035] Furthermore, a third flow path P3 is connected to the first flow path P1. The third flow path P3, which will be described in detail later, is a flow path for exhaust ventilation, and connects a portion of the first flow path P1 between the fan 62 and the damper device 66 with a portion of the first flow path P1 downstream of the damper device 64. A damper device 68 is provided in the third flow path P3. The damper device 68, which will be described in detail later, is provided for exhaust ventilation and selectively opens and closes the third flow path P3.

[0036] The second flow path P2 is a flow path through which the outdoor air A4 flows. Unlike the outdoor air A3 flowing through the first flow path P1, the outdoor air A4 flowing through the second flow path P2 does not head toward the indoor unit 20. In other words, the second flow path P2 is a flow path independent from the first flow path P1. The outdoor air A4 flowing through the second flow path P2 passes through the absorbent material 52 and then flows out to the outdoor Rout.

[0037] A fan 70 that generates a flow of outdoor air A4 is provided in the second flow path P2. In the present embodiment, the fan 70 is disposed downstream of the absorbent material 52. When the fan 70 is operated, the outdoor air A4 flows from the outdoor Rout into the second flow path P2, passes through the absorbent material 52, and then flows out to the outdoor Rout.

[0038] The ventilation device 50 selectively performs ventilation operation, humidification operation, and dehumidification operation by selectively using the absorbent material 52 (motor 54), heaters 58 and 60, fan 62, damper devices 64, 66, and 68, and fan 70. The ventilation operation includes an air supply ventilation operation and an exhaust ventilation operation.

[0039] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the ventilation device during supply ventilation operation.

[0040] The supply ventilation operation is an air conditioning operation in which outdoor air A3 is supplied to the room Rin (i.e., the indoor unit 20). As shown in FIG. 3, during the supply ventilation operation, the motor 54 continues to rotate the absorbent material 52. The heaters 58 and 60 are in the OFF state and do not heat the outdoor air A3. The fan 62 is in the ON state, thereby causing the outdoor air A3 to flow through the first flow path P1. The damper device 64 distributes the outdoor air A3 in the first flow path P1 to the indoor unit 20. The damper device 66 is in the open state, thereby causing the outdoor air A3 to flow from the absorbent material 52 toward the fan 62. The damper device 68 is in the closed state, thereby preventing the outdoor air A3 from flowing through the third flow path P3. The fan 70 is in the OFF state, thereby preventing the flow of outdoor air A4 through the second flow path P2.

[0041] According to this supply ventilation operation, the outdoor air A3 flows into the first flow path P1 and passes through the absorbent material 52 without being heated by the heaters 58, 60. The outdoor air A3 that has passed through the absorbent material 52 is distributed to the indoor unit 20 by the damper device 64. The outdoor air A3 that has passed through the damper device 64 and reached the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation duct 56 is blown out into the room Rin by the fan 24. According to this supply ventilation operation, the outdoor air A3 is supplied as is to the room Rin, and the room Rin is supply ventilated.

[0042] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the ventilation system during exhaust ventilation operation.

[0043] The exhaust ventilation operation is an air conditioning operation in which the room air A1 is exhausted to the outdoor Rout. As shown in FIG. 4, during the exhaust ventilation operation, the motor 54 is in the OFF state, and the absorbent material 52 is not rotating. The heaters 58 and 60 are in the OFF state. The fan 62 is in the ON state, and the room air A1 passes through the ventilation duct 56 and the third flow path P3 and flows toward the fan 62. The damper device 64 distributes the room air A1 in the first flow path P1 to the outdoor Rout. The damper device 66 is in the closed state, and therefore the room air A1 does not flow toward the absorbent material 52. The damper device 68 is in the open state, and therefore the room air A1 flows toward the fan 62 via the third flow path P3. The fan 70 is in the OFF state, and therefore no flow of the room air A4 is generated in the second flow path P2.

[0044] In this exhaust ventilation operation, when the fan 62 is in the ON state, the room air A1 flows into the portion of the first flow path P1 between the absorbent 52 and the fan 62 via the ventilation conduit 56 and the third flow path P3. At this time, the damper device 66 is closed, so the room air A1 does not flow toward the absorbent 52. The room air A1 that has passed through the fan 62 is diverted to the outdoor air Rout by the damper device 64 and discharged to the outdoor air Rout. As a result, the room air Rin is exhausted and ventilated.

[0045] During the exhaust ventilation operation, the fan 62 can rotate in the same direction as during the supply ventilation operation due to the third flow path P3. As a result, a sirocco fan can be used as the fan 62.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the ventilation device during humidification operation.

[0047] The humidification operation is an air conditioning operation that humidifies the outdoor air A3 and supplies the humidified outdoor air A3 to the room Rin (i.e., the indoor unit 20). As shown in FIG. 5, during the humidification operation, the motor 54 continues to rotate the absorbent material 52. The heaters 58 and 60 are ON, heating the outdoor air A3. The fan 62 is ON, causing the outdoor air A3 to flow through the first flow path P1. The damper device 64 distributes the outdoor air A3 in the first flow path P1 to the indoor unit 20. The damper device 66 is open, causing the outdoor air A3 to flow from the absorbent material 52 toward the fan 62. The damper device 68 is closed, preventing the outdoor air A3 from flowing through the third flow path P3. The fan 70 is ON, causing the outdoor air A4 to flow through the second flow path P2.

[0048] In this humidification operation, the outdoor air A3 flows into the first flow path P1, is heated by the heaters 58, 60, and passes through the absorbent 52. At this time, the heated outdoor air A3 can remove a larger amount of moisture from the absorbent 52 than when the outdoor air A3 is not heated. As a result, the outdoor air A3 carries a larger amount of moisture. The outdoor air A3 that has passed through the absorbent 52 and carried a larger amount of moisture is distributed to the indoor unit 20 by the damper device 64. The outdoor air A3 that has passed through the damper device 64 and reached the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation duct 56 is blown into the room Rin by the fan 24. In this humidification operation, the outdoor air A3 carrying a larger amount of moisture is supplied to the room Rin, and the room Rin is humidified.

[0049] Note that one of the heaters 58, 60 may be turned off to reduce the amount of moisture that the outdoor air A3 removes from the absorbent material 52, that is, a weak humidification operation may be performed in which the amount of humidification of the room Rin is small.

[0050] As moisture is removed by the heated outdoor air A3, the water retention capacity of the absorbent 52 decreases, i.e., the absorbent 52 dries. When the absorbent 52 dries, the outdoor air A3 flowing through the first flow path P1 cannot remove moisture from the absorbent 52. To address this, the absorbent 52 removes moisture from the outdoor air A4 flowing through the second flow path P2. This keeps the water retention capacity of the absorbent 52 approximately constant, allowing the humidification operation to continue.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the ventilation device during dehumidification operation.

[0052] The dehumidifying operation is an air conditioning operation in which the outdoor air A3 is dehumidified and the dehumidified outdoor air A3 is supplied to the room Rin (i.e., the indoor unit 20). As shown in Fig. 6, in the dehumidifying operation, the adsorption operation and the regeneration operation are performed alternately.

[0053] The adsorption operation is an operation in which moisture contained in the outdoor air A3 is adsorbed onto the absorbent material 52, thereby dehumidifying the outdoor air A3. As shown in FIG. 6 , during the adsorption operation, the motor 54 continues to rotate the absorbent material 52. The heaters 58 and 60 are OFF, and the outdoor air A3 is not heated. The fan 62 is ON, and the outdoor air A3 flows through the first flow path P1. The damper device 64 distributes the outdoor air A3 in the first flow path P1 to the indoor unit 20. The damper device 66 is open, and the outdoor air A3 flows from the absorbent material 52 toward the fan 62. The damper device 68 is closed, and the outdoor air A3 does not flow through the third flow path P3. The fan 70 is OFF, and therefore no flow of outdoor air A4 occurs through the second flow path P2.

[0054] During this adsorption operation, the outdoor air A3 flows into the first flow path P1 and passes through the absorbent 52 without being heated by the heaters 58, 60. At this time, the moisture carried in the outdoor air A3 is adsorbed by the absorbent 52. This reduces the amount of moisture carried by the outdoor air A3, i.e., the outdoor air A3 is dried. The outdoor air A3 that has passed through the absorbent 52 and is then distributed to the indoor unit 20 by the damper device 64. The outdoor air A3 that has passed through the damper device 64 and reached the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation duct 56 is then blown into the room Rin by the fan 24. During this adsorption operation, the dried outdoor air A3 is supplied to the room Rin, and the room Rin is dehumidified.

[0055] As the adsorption operation continues, the amount of water held by the absorbent 52 continues to increase, resulting in a decrease in the absorbent 52's ability to adsorb the moisture contained in the outdoor air A3. In order to recover the adsorption ability, a regeneration operation is performed to regenerate the absorbent 52.

[0056] During regeneration operation, the motor 54 continues to rotate the absorbent material 52. The heaters 58 and 60 are ON, heating the outdoor air A3. The fan 62 is ON, causing the outdoor air A3 to flow through the first flow path P1. The damper device 64 distributes the outdoor air A3 in the first flow path P1 to the outdoor Rout rather than to the indoor unit 20. The damper device 66 is open, causing the outdoor air A3 to flow from the absorbent material 52 toward the fan 62. The damper device 68 is closed, causing the outdoor air A3 to not flow through the third flow path P3. The fan 70 is OFF, causing no flow of outdoor air A4 to occur in the second flow path P2.

[0057] According to this regeneration operation, the outdoor air A3 flows into the first flow path P1, is heated by the heaters 58, 60, and passes through the absorbent 52. At this time, the heated outdoor air A3 removes a large amount of moisture from the absorbent 52. As a result, the outdoor air A3 carries a large amount of moisture. At the same time, the water retention capacity of the absorbent 52 decreases, that is, the absorbent 52 dries and its adsorption capacity is regenerated. The outdoor air A3 that has passed through the absorbent 52 and carries a large amount of moisture is diverted by the damper device 64 to the outdoor Rout and discharged to the outdoor Rout. As a result, during the regeneration operation in the dehumidification operation, the outdoor air A3 carrying a large amount of moisture due to the regeneration of the absorbent 52 is not supplied to the indoor Rin.

[0058] By alternately performing the adsorption operation and the regeneration operation in this manner, the adsorption capacity of the absorbent material 52 is maintained, and the dehumidification operation can be carried out continuously.

[0059] The above-mentioned air conditioning operations using the refrigeration cycle (cooling operation, dehumidifying operation (weak cooling operation), heating operation) and the air conditioning operations using the ventilation device 50 (ventilation operation (supply ventilation operation, exhaust ventilation operation), humidifying operation, dehumidifying operation) can be performed separately or simultaneously. For example, if the dehumidifying operation using the refrigeration cycle and the dehumidifying operation using the ventilation device 50 are performed simultaneously, it is possible to dehumidify the room Rin while maintaining the room temperature constant.

[0060] The user selects the air conditioning operation to be performed by the air conditioner 10. For example, when the user performs a selection operation on the remote controller 72 shown in Figure 1, the air conditioner 10 performs the air conditioning operation corresponding to that operation.

[0061] Up to this point, we have given an overview of the configuration and operation of the air conditioner 10 according to this embodiment. From here on, we will explain the details of the configuration of the air conditioner 10 according to this embodiment.

[0062] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner. FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner. FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the ventilation device. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the ventilation device with the top cover removed. FIG. 11 is a top view of the ventilation device showing the internal structure. FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ventilation device. Note that the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system shown in the drawings is intended to facilitate understanding of the embodiment and does not limit the embodiment. The X-axis direction indicates the front-rear direction of the outdoor unit 30, the Y-axis direction indicates the left-right direction, and the Z-axis direction indicates the height direction. In addition, the top cover, inner cover, and heater cover are omitted from FIG. 11. FIG. 12 shows the state in which the supply ventilation operation shown in FIG. 3, the humidification operation shown in FIG. 5, and the adsorption operation in the dehumidification operation shown in FIG. 6 are being performed.

[0063] 7 and 8, in this embodiment, the ventilation device 50 forms the upper part of the outdoor unit 30. Specifically, the ventilation device 50 is provided on a housing 100 of the main body of the outdoor unit 30 that houses the outdoor heat exchanger 32, the fan 34, the compressor 36, the expansion valve 38, and the four-way valve 40.

[0064] 9 to 11, the ventilation device 50 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) of the outdoor unit 30, and includes a box-shaped housing 102 that is open at the top, and a top cover 104 that is attached to the top of the housing 102 to cover it. Components of the ventilation device 50, such as the absorbent material 52, are stored inside the housing 102.

[0065] 10 to 12, in this embodiment, the absorbent material 52 is disposed at the center in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) of the ventilation device 50. Components related to the first flow path P1 are disposed on one longitudinal side (right side) of the absorbent material 52, and components related to the second flow path P2 are disposed on the other longitudinal side (left side).

[0066] As shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of spaces S1 to S4 are substantially formed within the housing 102 of the ventilation device 50.

[0067] The first space S1 is a part of the first flow path P1, and is a space into which the outside air A3 first flows in. The first space S1 is substantially formed in the right and upper portions of the housing 102.

[0068] The second space S2 is a part of the first flow path P1, and is a space into which the outdoor air A3 in the first space S1 flows after passing through the absorbent material 52. The second space S2 is substantially formed in the right and lower portions of the housing 102.

[0069] The third space S3 is a part of the second flow path P2, and is a space into which the outside air A4 first flows. The third space S3 is substantially formed in the left and lower portions within the housing 102.

[0070] The fourth space S4 is a part of the second flow path P2, and is a space into which the outdoor air A4 in the third space S3 flows after passing through the absorbent material 52. The fourth space S4 is substantially formed in the left and upper portions of the housing 102.

[0071] The third and fourth spaces S3 and S4 are independent of the first and second spaces S1 and S2 (i.e., they are sealed) so that the outdoor air A3 inside the first and second spaces S1 and S2 does not move into the third and fourth spaces S3 and S4, and conversely, the outdoor air A4 inside the third and fourth spaces S3 and S4 does not move into the first and second spaces S1 and S2.

[0072] First, the components of the ventilation device 50 related to the second flow path P2, which has a simple configuration, will be described.

[0073] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, in relation to the second flow path P2 through which the outdoor air A4 flows, the housing 102 of the ventilation device 50 is provided with an intake port 102a, an intake port 102b, and an exhaust port 102c. That is, the second flow path P2 connects the intake ports 102a and 102b with the exhaust port 102c. The intake port 102a is formed in the center of the front wall 102d of the housing 102 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). The intake port 102b is formed in the center of the rear wall 102e of the housing 102 in the left-right direction. The exhaust port 102c is formed on the left side of the front wall 102d.

[0074] When the fan 70 is activated, the outdoor air A4 flows through the air intakes 102a and 102b into the third space S3 inside the housing 102. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12 , the outdoor air A4 flows into the third space S3 between the bottom plate 102f of the housing 102 and the lower end surface 52a of the absorbent material 52.

[0075] The outdoor air A4 in the third space S3 flows into the absorbent material 52 through the lower end surface 52a and flows out from the absorbent material 52 into the fourth space S4 through the upper end surface 52b. The fourth space S4 is defined by a partition plate 106 that separates the third space S3 from the fourth space S4, and an inner cover 108 that covers the partition plate 106.

[0076] The outdoor air A4 that passes through the absorbent material 52 and flows into the fourth space S4 is drawn into the fan 70. In this embodiment, the fan 70 is a sirocco fan that includes an impeller 70a that is housed in the fan chamber F1 and rotates about a rotation center line that extends in the height direction (Z-axis direction), and a motor 70b that rotates the impeller 70a. The motor 70b is disposed below the impeller 70a.

[0077] The fan chamber F1 of the fan 70 is defined by the bottom plate 102f of the housing 102, a scroll wall 102g that extends from the bottom plate 102f toward the partition plate 106 to surround the impeller 70a of the fan 70 and directs air that has passed through the impeller 70a toward the exhaust port 102c, and the partition plate 106. These components that define the fan chamber F1 constitute the fan casing 70c of the fan 70, which is a sirocco fan. The fan chamber F1 also communicates with the fourth space S4 via a through hole 106a formed in the partition plate 106. The through hole 106a is the air intake port of the fan 70, which is a sirocco fan, and the exhaust port 102c is the air outlet port.

[0078] As the impeller 70a rotates, the outdoor air A4 in the fourth space S4 is sucked into the fan chamber F1 through the through hole (air intake port) 106a in the partition plate 106, and is discharged to the outdoors Rout through the exhaust port (air outlet) 102c connected to the fan chamber F1.

[0079] The motor 70b of the fan 70 is housed in a recess formed in the bottom surface of the fan chamber F1, i.e., in a recess 102h formed in the bottom plate 102f of the housing 102. The recess 102h is covered with a motor cover 110.

[0080] Next, the components of the ventilation device 50 related to the first flow path P1 will be described.

[0081] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , in relation to the first flow path P1 through which the outdoor air A3 flows, the housing 102 of the ventilation device 50 is provided with an intake port 102i, an exhaust port 102j, and a connection port 102m that connects to the ventilation duct 56. That is, the first flow path P1 extends from the intake port 102i and branches toward the exhaust port 102j and the connection port 102m. The intake port 102i is formed on the right side of the rear wall 102e of the housing 102. The exhaust port 102j is provided in a right side wall 102k of the housing 102. The connection port 102m is formed in the right side wall 102k so as to be located rearward of the exhaust port 102j.

[0082] When the fan 62 is activated, the outdoor air A3 flows through the air intake 102i into the first space S1 in the housing 102, which is part of the first flow path P1. The outdoor air A3 that has flowed into the first space S1 passes through the heaters 58, 60 and flows above the upper end surface 52b of the absorbent material 52.

[0083] Specifically, the heaters 58, 60 are supported by a heater base member 112. The heater base member 112 includes a heater mounting portion 112a on which the heaters 58, 60 are mounted, and a cylindrical absorbent material housing portion 112b that houses the absorbent material 52 in a rotatable manner.

[0084] 11, the heaters 58, 60 are arranged in a V-shape on the heater mounting portion 112a of the heater base member 112. The outside air A3 that has passed through each of the heaters 58, 60 (i.e., the outside air A3 that has flowed through the branch flow paths P1a, P2b) joins together on the upper end surface 52b of the absorbent 52 housed in the absorbent housing portion 112b of the heater base member 112. The heaters 58, 60 are fin heaters equipped with a plurality of heating fins that transfer heat to the outside air A3 flowing through the branch flow paths P1a, P2a.

[0085] In the present embodiment, the disk-shaped absorber 52 is supported by a cylindrical absorber holder 114. The absorber holder 114 is supported by the housing 102 so as to be rotatable about a rotation center line C1 that extends in the height direction (Z-axis direction). External teeth 114a that engage with a pinion gear 116 attached to the motor 54 are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the absorber holder 114. The motor 54 drives the absorber 52 to rotate via this absorber holder 114.

[0086] In the present embodiment, the heaters 58, 60 and a portion of the upper end surface 52b of the absorbent 52 are covered by a heater cover 118 shown in Fig. 10. As a result, all of the outdoor air A3 that has passed through the heaters 58, 60 passes through the portion of the upper end surface 52b of the absorbent 52 that is covered by the heater cover 118. Note that the outdoor air A3 passes through the gap between the heater mounting portion 112a of the heater base member 112 and the heater cover 118, and then passes through the heaters 58, 60, as shown in Fig. 13.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 13, the outdoor air A3 heated by the heaters 58, 60 passes downward through the absorbent material 52 from the upper end surface 52b to the lower end surface 52a, and enters the second space S2, which is part of the first flow path P1.

[0088] Fig. 13 is a top view of a portion of the ventilation device showing the second space. Fig. 13 shows the state during the supply ventilation operation shown in Fig. 3, the humidification operation shown in Fig. 5, and the adsorption operation in the dehumidification operation shown in Fig. 6.

[0089] As shown in Fig. 13, a guide wall 102n extending in the height direction (Z-axis direction) is provided on the bottom plate 102f of the housing 102. As shown in Fig. 12, a partition plate 120 separating the first space S1 and the second space S2 is disposed on the top of this guide wall 102n. That is, the second space S2 is defined by the bottom plate 102f of the housing 102, the guide wall 102n, and the partition plate 120. Note that a seal member 122 that seals between the lower end surface 52a of the absorber 52 and the guide wall 102n is provided on a portion of the guide wall 102n located below the absorber 52. This seal member 122 restricts the movement of air from the second space S2 toward the third space S3 or in the opposite direction.

[0090] The second space S2, which is a part of the first flow path P1, communicates with a connection port 102m to which the ventilation conduit 56 is connected. Furthermore, damper devices 66 and 68 are provided in the second space S2.

[0091] The damper devices 66, 68 are configured with dampers 66a, 68a disposed within the second space S2 to divide the second space S2, shafts 66b, 68b provided on the dampers 66a, 68a, and motors 66c, 68c disposed outside the second space S2 to rotate the shafts 66b, 68b. In this embodiment, the dampers 66a, 68a are each provided in the housing 102 to be rotatable about a rotation center line extending in a direction perpendicular to the height direction (Z-axis direction). The motors 66c, 68c are housed and protected in motor boxes 66d, 68d provided outside the second space S2.

[0092] The second space S2 is divided into three regions: a region S2a on the absorber 52 side, a central region S2b, and a region S2c on the connection port 102m side by the dampers 66a and 68a of the damper devices 66 and 68. The region S2c corresponds to a part of the third flow path P3 shown in FIGS.

[0093] When the damper device 66 is in an open state, i.e., when the damper 66a does not separate the second space S2, air can pass between the regions S2a and S2b. On the other hand, when the damper device 66 is in a closed state, i.e., when the damper 66a separates the second space S2 between the regions S2a and S2b, air passage between the regions S2a and S2b is restricted.

[0094] When the damper device 68 is in an open state, i.e., when the damper 68a does not separate the second space S2, air can pass between the regions S2b and S2c. On the other hand, when the damper device 68 is in a closed state, i.e., when the damper 68a separates the second space S2 between the regions S2b and S2c, air passage between the regions S2b and S2c is restricted.

[0095] The central region S2b communicates with the fan chamber F2 of the fan 62. Specifically, as shown in Figures 10 and 12, in this embodiment, the fan 62 is a sirocco fan that includes an impeller 62a that is housed in the fan chamber F2 and rotates about a rotation center line that extends in the height direction (Z-axis direction), and a motor 62b that rotates the impeller 62a.

[0096] The fan chamber F2 of the fan 62 is defined by the partition plate 120, a scroll wall 120a extending upward from the partition plate 106 to surround the impeller 62a and directing air passing through the impeller 62a toward the connection port 102m, and a fan cover 124 mounted on the top of the scroll wall 120a and covering the impeller 62a. These components defining the fan chamber F2 constitute a fan casing 62c of the fan 62, which is a sirocco fan. The fan chamber F2 is also connected to the central region S2b of the second space S2 via a through-hole 120b formed in the partition plate 120. The through-hole 106a is the air inlet for the fan 62, which is a sirocco fan, and the connection port 102m is the air outlet. The motor 62b is mounted on the fan cover 124 and is protected by a motor cover 126 that covers the motor 62b.

[0097] Outdoor air A3 or room air A1 enters the fan chamber F2. Specifically, outdoor air A3 enters when the air conditioner 10 is performing the supply ventilation operation shown in Fig. 3, the humidification operation shown in Fig. 5, or the dehumidification operation shown in Fig. 6. Room air A1 enters when the air conditioner 10 is performing the exhaust ventilation operation shown in Fig. 4.

[0098] Fig. 14A is a perspective view showing the state of a plurality of damper devices provided in the second space during supply ventilation operation, humidification operation, or dehumidification operation. Fig. 14B is a perspective view showing the state of a plurality of damper devices provided in the second space during exhaust ventilation operation. Figs. 14A and 14B are perspective views viewed from diagonally above and in front.

[0099] 14A, during supply ventilation operation, humidification operation, or dehumidification operation, the outdoor air A3 flowing out from the lower end surface 52a of the absorbent 52 flows through the region S2a of the second space S2 and passes through the open damper 66a of the damper device 66. The outdoor air A3 passing through the damper 66a and flowing into the region S2b is drawn into the fan chamber F2 through the through-hole (air intake port) 120b located above the region S2b by the rotation of the impeller 62a of the fan 62. At this time, because the damper 68a of the damper device 68 is closed, the outdoor air A3 in the region S2b cannot enter the region S2c.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 14B, during exhaust ventilation operation, the rotation of the impeller 62a of the fan 62 causes room air A1 to flow into the region S2c of the second space S2 via the ventilation conduit 56 and the connection port 102m. The room air A1 that has flowed into the region S2c passes through the damper 68a of the damper device 68, which is in an open state, and flows into the region S2b. The rotation of the impeller 62a of the fan 62 causes the room air A1 that has flowed into the region S2b to be drawn into the fan chamber F2 via the through-hole (air intake port) 120b located above the region S2b. At this time, because the damper 66a of the damper device 66 is in a closed state, the outdoor air A2 in the region S2b cannot enter the region S2a.

[0101] The damper device 66, which divides the second space S2 into the regions S2a and S2b during the exhaust ventilation operation, allows the fan 62 to be made smaller. If the damper device 66 were not present, during the exhaust ventilation operation, the fan 62 would draw in the room air A1 through the ventilation duct 56 and the connection port 102m, while drawing in the outdoor air A3 through the intake port 102i and the absorbent material 52. In this case, to obtain sufficient exhaust ventilation capacity, it is necessary to increase the size of the fan 62 and improve its suction capacity.

[0102] The outdoor air A3 or room air A1 drawn into the fan chamber F2 of the fan 62 is distributed by the damper device 64 to the connection port 102m (i.e., the indoor unit 20) or the exhaust port 102j (i.e., the outdoor Rout). Specifically, when the air conditioner 10 is performing the supply ventilation operation shown in FIG. 3, the humidification operation shown in FIG. 5, or the adsorption operation in the dehumidification operation shown in FIG. 6, the outdoor air A3 is distributed to the connection port 102m. When the air conditioner 10 is performing the exhaust ventilation operation shown in FIG. 4, the room air A1 is distributed to the exhaust port 102j. When the air conditioner 10 is performing the regeneration operation in the dehumidification operation shown in FIG. 6, the outdoor air A3 is distributed to the exhaust port 102j.

[0103] 15A is a top view showing the state of a damper device provided in a fan during supply ventilation operation, humidification operation, and adsorption operation in dehumidification operation, and FIG. 15B is a top view showing the state of a damper device provided in a fan during exhaust ventilation operation and regeneration operation in dehumidification operation.

[0104] 15A and 15B, the damper device 64 includes a damper 64a that rotates about a rotation center line C2 that extends in the height direction (Z-axis direction), and a motor 64b (see FIG. 11) that rotates the damper 64a. As shown in FIG. 11, the motor 64b is provided on the fan cover 124.

[0105] 15A and 15B, in this embodiment, the fan 62 includes a linear duct portion 62d that connects the fan chamber F2 and the connection port 102m. In this embodiment, the duct portion 62d is configured by a partition plate 120, a guide wall 120c that extends in the height direction (Z-axis direction) from the partition plate 120 toward the fan cover 124, and the fan cover 124. The internal flow path of the duct portion 62d is included in the first flow path P1. The damper 64a of the damper device 64 rotates within the duct portion 62d.

[0106] In this embodiment, the duct portion 62d extends linearly toward the connection port 102m in a tangential direction DT of the impeller 62a of the fan 62. Note that the tangential direction here refers to the tangential direction of a circle centered on the rotational centerline of the impeller 62a. This allows the outdoor air A3 flowing from the fan chamber F2 toward the connection port 102m to pass through the connection port 102m and flow into the ventilation duct 56 with reduced pressure loss and without generating loud noise.

[0107] Further, a guide wall 120c, which is a part of the duct portion 62d and extends from the tongue portion 120d of the scroll wall 120a toward the connection port 102m, has an outlet 120e formed therein that communicates with the exhaust port 102j.

[0108] 15A, during the supply ventilation operation, the humidification operation, and the adsorption operation in the dehumidification operation, the damper 64a of the damper device 64 blocks the outlet 120e. This causes the outdoor air A3 in the fan chamber F2 to flow through the duct portion 62d toward the connection port 102m. That is, the damper 64a functions as part of the guide wall 120c extending from the tongue portion 120d to the connection port 102m. Therefore, the outlet 120e is located between the tongue portion 120d and the rotation center line C2 of the damper 64a.

[0109] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15B, during exhaust ventilation operation and regeneration operation in dehumidification operation, the damper 64a of the damper device 64 closes the internal flow path of the duct portion 62d while intersecting non-perpendicularly with the extension direction of the duct portion 62d (i.e., the tangential direction DT) and facing the outlet 120e. As a result, the room air A1 (during exhaust ventilation operation) and the outdoor air A3 (during regeneration operation) in the fan chamber F2 flow along the damper 64a, pass through the outlet 120e, and flow toward the exhaust port 102j. That is, the damper 64a functions as a guide plate that guides the air to the outlet 120e. As a result, pressure loss and turbulence are suppressed, and the resulting loud noise is suppressed, compared to when the damper 64a closes the internal flow path of the duct portion 62d while intersecting perpendicularly with the extension direction of the duct portion 62d.

[0110] Also, during exhaust ventilation operation, i.e., when the damper device 68 is open, as shown in Figure 15B, the damper 64a of the damper device 64 closes the internal flow path of the duct section 62d and the impeller 62a of the fan 62 rotates, causing indoor air A1 to flow into the fan chamber F2 of the fan 62 through the ventilation duct 56 and the second space S2 (see Figure 14B).

[0111] As for the damper device 68, during the supply ventilation operation, the humidification operation, and the dehumidification operation, the damper 68a of the damper device 68 divides the second space S2 into the region S2b and the region S2c, as described above. At this time, the region S2b becomes negative pressure, and the region S2c becomes positive pressure.

[0112] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the damper of the damper device divides the second space during the supply ventilation operation, the humidification operation, and the dehumidification operation.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 16, during the supply ventilation operation, humidification operation, and dehumidification operation, the damper 68a of the damper device 68 divides the second space S2 into the region S2b and the region S2c. The region S2b is under negative pressure (i.e., a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure) because the outdoor air A3 therein is sucked in by the fan 62 located above the region S2b. On the other hand, the region S2c is under positive pressure (i.e., a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure) because the region S2c is connected to the ventilation conduit 56 through which the outdoor air A3 blown out from the fan 62 flows. Therefore, the shaft 68b for rotating the damper 68a is provided on a surface 68e of the damper 68a facing the region S2b, which is under negative pressure. Thus, the shaft 68b passes through a through-hole 102p formed in a portion of the guide wall 102n that defines the region S2b, for connection to a motor 68c located outside the second space S2. The periphery of motor 68c (in the present embodiment, the inside of motor box 68d is at atmospheric pressure, so foreign matter does not move from negative pressure region S2b to the periphery of motor 68c at atmospheric pressure through through-hole 102p. As a result, motor 68c is protected from foreign matter.

[0114] In this embodiment, the outdoor air A3 or the indoor air A1 discharged from the exhaust port 102j flows into the protective cover 128 shown in FIGS.

[0115] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a part of the outdoor unit with the protective cover removed.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 17 and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the protective cover 128 is a cover that covers and protects the ventilation duct 56. The ventilation duct 56 extends downward from the connection port 102m of the ventilation device 50 and then extends diagonally upward and rearward toward the indoor unit 20. The protective cover 128 covers and protects the portion of the ventilation duct 56 that extends downward from the connection port 102m. To that end, as shown in FIG. 8, the protective cover 128 has an opening 128a at its lower part that opens rearward and through which the ventilation duct 56 passes. In the present embodiment, the opening 128a is notched. In the present embodiment, the protective cover 128 also covers and protects the connector 130 to which the refrigerant piping is connected.

[0117] Because the ventilation conduit 56 is connected to the connection port 102m formed in the right side wall 102k of the housing 102 of the ventilation device 50, the protective cover 128 is attached to the right side wall 102k of the housing 102 and the right side wall 100a of the housing 100 of the main body of the outdoor unit 30. As a result, the exhaust port 102j of the ventilation device 50 is covered by the protective cover 128 and communicates with the internal space thereof.

[0118] The protective cover 128 that covers the exhaust port 102j functions as a "muffler" that reduces the level of noise originating from the exhaust port 102j and leaking to the outside of the ventilation device 50. For example, the protective cover 128 reduces the noise generated by the fan 62 and leaking from the ventilation device 50 via the exhaust port 102j. Alternatively, for example, the protective cover 128 reduces the noise level of wind noise that is generated when the indoor air A1 or the outdoor air A3 passes through the exhaust port 102j during exhaust ventilation operation or regeneration operation in dehumidification operation.

[0119] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the exhaust port 102j is provided in the upper part of the outdoor unit 30 (strictly speaking, in the ventilation device 50 placed on the housing 100 of the main body of the outdoor unit 30). The opening 128a of the protective cover 128 that covers the exhaust port 102j is provided in the lower part. Therefore, the exhaust port 102j and the opening 128a are as far apart as possible in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the outdoor unit 30. As a result, the level of noise originating from the exhaust port 102j and leaking outside the ventilation device 50 is further reduced.

[0120] According to the present embodiment as described above, in an air conditioner that supplies outdoor air from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, the level of noise generated from the outdoor unit when the outdoor air is discharged to the outside can be reduced.

[0121] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the above-mentioned embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0122] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the air conditioner can perform two ventilation operations: an intake ventilation operation in which outdoor air is directly supplied to the room, and an exhaust ventilation operation in which indoor air is exhausted to the outside. However, the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the air conditioner may perform only the intake ventilation operation as the ventilation operation. In this case, the damper devices 66, 68 and the third flow path P3 can be omitted from the ventilation device 50.

[0123] In other words, an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is, in a broad sense, an air conditioner having an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, wherein the outdoor unit comprises a housing having an intake port, an exhaust port, and a connection port connected to the indoor unit, a ventilation duct connecting the connection port to the indoor unit, a flow path extending from the intake port and branching toward the exhaust port and the connection port, a first damper device arranged at the branching point of the flow path and selectively directing air flowing through the flow path to either the exhaust port or the connection port, a fan arranged in a portion of the flow path between the intake port and the first damper device, an absorbent material arranged in a portion of the flow path between the intake port and the fan and through which outdoor air from the intake port passes, a heater arranged in a portion of the flow path between the intake port and the absorbent material, and a protective cover attached to the housing that covers and protects the ventilation duct, and the exhaust port is covered by the protective cover and is connected to the internal space of the protective cover. [Industrial Applicability]

[0124] The present disclosure is applicable to any air conditioner having an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 56 Ventilation duct 102 Cabinet 102j exhaust port 128 Protective Cover

Claims

1. An air conditioner having an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, The outdoor unit is a housing having an air intake port, an air exhaust port, and a connection port connected to the indoor unit; a ventilation duct connecting the connection port and the indoor unit; a flow path extending from the intake port and branching toward the exhaust port and the connection port; a first damper device disposed at a branch point of the flow path and configured to selectively distribute air flowing through the flow path to either the exhaust port or the connection port; a fan disposed in a portion of the flow path between the intake port and the first damper device; an absorbent material disposed in a portion of the flow path between the air intake port and the fan, through which outdoor air from the air intake port passes; a heater disposed in a portion of the flow path between the intake port and the absorbent material; a protective cover attached to the housing to cover and protect the ventilation duct; the exhaust port is covered by the protective cover and communicates with an internal space of the protective cover; The fan is a sirocco fan including an impeller, a fan casing that defines a fan chamber that houses the impeller, and a duct portion that communicates the fan chamber with the connection port, an outlet communicating with the exhaust port is formed in a guide wall that is part of the duct portion and extends from a tongue portion of the fan, which is a sirocco fan, toward the connection port; an air conditioner, wherein the first damper device includes a damper that rotates within the duct portion to close the internal flow path of the duct portion or to block the outlet port.

2. The exhaust port is located at the top of the outdoor unit, The air conditioner according to claim 1 , wherein the protective cover has an opening at a lower portion through which the ventilation duct passes.

3. the outlet is located between a rotation center line of the damper and the tongue portion, The air conditioner according to claim 1 , wherein the damper closes the internal flow path of the duct portion in a state where the damper intersects the extension direction of the duct portion at a non-perpendicular angle and faces the outlet.

4. The outdoor unit is an exhaust ventilation flow path that connects a portion of the flow path between the connection port and the first damper device and a portion of the flow path between the absorber and the fan; a second damper device disposed on the exhaust ventilation passage and configured to selectively open and close the exhaust ventilation passage; an air supply ventilation operation in which the second damper device closes the exhaust ventilation flow path while the fan is rotating, and the first damper device distributes the outdoor air that has flowed into the flow path through the air intake port to the connection port; and 2. The air conditioner of claim 1, further comprising: an exhaust ventilation operation in which the second damper device opens the exhaust ventilation flow path while the fan is rotating, and the first damper device distributes the indoor air that has flowed into the flow path via the connection port and the exhaust ventilation flow path to the exhaust port.

5. The outdoor unit is a third damper device disposed in a portion of the flow path between the absorber and the fan, the third damper device selectively opening and closing the flow path; the exhaust ventilation channel connects to a portion of the channel between the fan and the absorber; During the air supply ventilation operation, the third damper device opens the flow path, The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the third damper device closes the flow path during the exhaust ventilation operation.

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