Refrigeration cycle device

Abstract

The present invention provides a refrigeration cycle device formed from a plurality of refrigeration cycle modules connected together. The refrigeration cycle modules each comprise refrigeration cycle components, including a water heat exchanger, and an electrical component box. The water heat exchanger has a water channel and a refrigerant channel, and causes heat to be exchanged between water flowing through the water channel and a refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant channel. The electrical component box internally accommodates electrical components that control operations by the refrigeration cycle components. The refrigeration cycle device comprises water piping that connects the water heat exchangers of adjacent refrigeration cycle modules in the connection direction to join the water channels between the water heat exchangers. The electrical component box has a piping section defined by the contour thereof for installing the water piping.

Description

Refrigeration Cycle Equipment

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a refrigeration cycle device.

[0002] A refrigeration cycle device is a device equipped with various components (refrigeration cycle components) that constitute a refrigeration cycle. Examples of refrigeration cycle devices include air conditioners, refrigerators, and heat pump water heaters that generate cold or hot water and use the generated cold or hot water for heating, cooling, refrigeration, hot water supply, etc.

[0003] These refrigeration cycle devices are configured so that multiple modules can be connected depending on the required capacity. Each module has, as its main components, a water heat exchanger and an electrical component box housed within a housing. The water heat exchanger exchanges heat between the refrigerant and water (heat medium). The electrical component box houses various electrical components that control the operation of the compressor and other refrigeration cycle components. For example, one of the water heat exchanger and the electrical component box is located at one end of the module housing in the longitudinal direction, and the other at the other end of the longitudinal direction.

[0004] When multiple modules are connected in the longitudinal direction of the housing, the water heat exchangers of adjacent modules must be connected with water piping. Furthermore, the electrical component box of one of the adjacent modules is located between the water heat exchangers of both modules in the longitudinal direction of the housing. Therefore, the water piping connecting the water heat exchangers of adjacent modules must be routed near the electrical component box located between them.

[0005] Because cold or hot water flows through the water pipes, a temperature difference may occur between the water pipes and the electrical component box. This temperature difference may cause condensation in the electrical component box or an excessive temperature rise. Therefore, it is necessary to install the water pipes near the electrical component box, taking into consideration such condensation and temperature rise. In this case, it is necessary to consider that the electrical component box and water pipes are placed in a limited space within the housing of each module, and also that the volume of the electrical component box cannot be smaller than the volume of the group of electrical components housed therein.

[0006] Patent No. 7158590

[0007] The present invention has been made based on this, and its purpose is to provide a refrigeration cycle device in which multiple modules are connected together, which suppresses the occurrence of condensation and excessive temperature rise in the electrical component boxes and allows the electrical component boxes and water piping to be appropriately arranged in the limited space within the housing of each module.

[0008] According to an embodiment, the refrigeration cycle device is configured by connecting a plurality of refrigeration cycle modules. The refrigeration cycle module includes a refrigeration cycle component including a water heat exchanger and an electrical component box. The water heat exchanger has a water flow path and a refrigerant flow path, and performs heat exchange between water flowing through the water flow path and refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path. The electrical component box houses electrical components that control the operation of the refrigeration cycle components. The refrigeration cycle device includes water piping that connects the water heat exchangers of the refrigeration cycle modules adjacent in the connection direction and communicates the water flow paths of the water heat exchangers. The electrical component box has a piping section defined by its outer casing and through which the water piping is routed.

[0009] 1 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing the configuration of the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the first embodiment, viewed from the direction of arrow A12 in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram schematically showing a refrigeration cycle of the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an electrical unit of the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the first embodiment, viewed from the direction of the arrow A14 in FIG. 1 . FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an example of vertically piping water pipes in a piping space of the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an electrical unit of a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a second embodiment, viewed from the front (front in the second direction) of a machine room. FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing an example of a thermal insulation structure in which, in addition to the thermal insulation material shown in FIG. 6 , the inside of the piping space (first surface portion and second surface portion) is covered with a thermal insulation material. FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing an example of a thermal insulation structure in which, in addition to the thermal insulation material shown in FIG. 6 , a portion of the water piping passing through the piping space is wrapped with a thermal insulation material. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an electrical unit according to a third embodiment, viewed from the front (front in the second direction) of a machine room.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating the configuration of a refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view schematically illustrating the configuration of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, as viewed from the direction of arrow A12 in FIG. 1. In the following description, a first direction X, a second direction Y, and a third direction Z are defined as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. These directions X, Y, and Z are perpendicular to one another. As an example, the first direction X is the width direction, the second direction Y is the depth direction, and the third direction Z is the height direction (vertical direction). However, these directions do not necessarily have to coincide with the directions in the state in which the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 is actually installed.

[0011] 1 and 2 show an example of the configuration of an air-cooled heat pump chilling unit capable of operating in a cooling mode and a heating mode as an example of a refrigeration cycle apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 1 , the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 is configured by connecting multiple refrigeration cycle modules (hereinafter simply referred to as modules) 11 and 12. In the illustrated example, a first module 11 and a second module 12 are connected in a second direction Y. That is, the second direction Y corresponds to the connection direction of the two modules 11 and 12. The number of modules constituting the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 is not particularly limited and may be three or more. The first module 11 and the second module 12 have the same basic configuration. Therefore, in the following description, the same reference numerals will be used for equivalent components in each of the modules 11 and 12.

[0012] The modules 11 and 12 each include an air heat exchange chamber 101 and a machine chamber 102. In the third direction Z, which is the height direction, the air heat exchange chamber 101 is disposed on the upper side and the machine chamber 102 is disposed on the lower side. The air heat exchange chamber 101 includes two sets of air heat exchange sections 22 as main elements. Each of the air heat exchange sections 22 includes a pair of air heat exchangers 29 a and 29 b and a fan 30.

[0013] 1 and 2, the air heat exchangers 29a, 29b are arranged opposite each other at a distance in a first direction X, which is the width direction of the air heat exchange chamber 101, and are inclined so as to move away from each other upward in a third direction Z, which is the height direction.

[0014] Furthermore, both end portions of the air heat exchangers 29 a, 29 b in the second direction Y are bent along the first direction X so as to face each other. The gap between the both end portions of the air heat exchangers 29 a, 29 b is blocked by a pair of shielding plates 151, 151. The cylindrical space surrounded by the air heat exchangers 29 a, 29 b and the shielding plates 151, 151 defines an exhaust passage extending in the vertical direction.

[0015] The fan 30 includes, for example, a fan motor that rotates an impeller and a fan cover that surrounds the impeller. The fan motor is supported on a fan base that straddles the upper ends of the pair of air heat exchangers 29 a, 29 b. The fan cover has a cylindrical exhaust port that faces the impeller.

[0016] When the fan 30 is driven, the air around the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 passes through the air heat exchangers 29 a and 29 b and is drawn into the exhaust passage. The air drawn into the exhaust passage is sucked up toward the exhaust port and discharged from the exhaust port toward above the air heat exchangers 29 a and 29 b.

[0017] The machine room 102 includes, as its main elements, a housing 2, a first refrigeration cycle unit 3, a second refrigeration cycle unit 4, a water circuit 5, and an electrical unit 6. Here, Fig. 1 shows only the frame 7 of the housing 2, with panels (not shown) covering the front, back, right side, and left side of the housing 2 removed. The front and back are surfaces that can be seen from the front and back in the second direction Y, respectively, and the right side and left side are surfaces that can be seen from both sides in the first direction X, respectively. The panels shield the interior of the machine room 102 from the outside.

[0018] The housing 2 is installed on a horizontal installation surface G, such as the roof of a building. The housing 2 is formed in the shape of an elongated hollow box whose depth dimension (dimension along the second direction Y) is greater than its width dimension (dimension along the first direction X).

[0019] The housing 2 includes a frame 7. The frame 7 is composed of a lower frame 71, an upper frame 72, and multiple vertical bars 73. The lower frame 71 and the upper frame 72 are shaped like a long, narrow rectangle extending in the depth direction of the housing 2. The length of the lower frame 71 along the depth direction of the housing 2 is approximately the same as the length of the upper frame 72 along the depth direction of the housing 2. Furthermore, the length of the upper frame 72 along the width direction of the housing 2 is shorter than the length of the lower frame 71 along the width direction of the housing 2.

[0020] 1, the vertical bars 73 are arranged at both ends and approximately the middle in the depth direction of the housing 2. The vertical bars 73 facing each other in the width direction of the housing 2 are inclined so as to approach each other as they move from the lower frame 71 toward the upper frame 72.

[0021] Therefore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, when the housing 2 is viewed from the front and back in the second direction Y, the frame 7 is formed in a tapered shape such that the dimension along the width direction of the housing 2 gradually narrows from the lower frame 71 to the upper frame 72.

[0022] The lower frame 71 has a bottom plate 74. The bottom plate 74, together with a plurality of panels (not shown) that cover the areas surrounded by the lower frame 71, the upper frame 72, and the plurality of vertical bars 73, defines a machine room 102 inside the housing 2. The bottom plate 74 forms the bottom of the machine room 102. The machine room 102 extends over the entire length of the housing 2 in the depth direction.

[0023] The first refrigeration cycle unit 3 constitutes a refrigeration cycle (refrigerant circuit) corresponding to one of the two sets of air heat exchange sections 22, 22 in the air heat exchange chamber 101. On the other hand, the second refrigeration cycle unit 4 constitutes a refrigeration cycle (refrigerant circuit) corresponding to the other of the two sets of air heat exchange sections 22, 22. The refrigeration cycles constituted by these refrigeration cycle units 3, 4 are independent of each other.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating the refrigeration cycle of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the first refrigeration cycle unit 3 of the first module 11 includes a first refrigerant circuit RA. Meanwhile, the second refrigeration cycle unit 4 of the first module 11 includes a second refrigerant circuit RB. As described above, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, the first module 11 is connected to the second module 12. Like the first module 11, the first refrigeration cycle unit 3 of the second module 12 includes a third refrigerant circuit RC. Meanwhile, the second refrigeration cycle unit 4 of the second module 12 includes a fourth refrigerant circuit RD. That is, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 is configured such that the first module 11 and the second module 12 are connected to each other and include four mutually independent refrigerant circuits RA, RB, RC, and RD.

[0025] The first to fourth refrigerant circuits RA, RB, RC, and RD are independent from one another, but share a common basic circuit configuration. Therefore, the following description will focus on the first refrigerant circuit RA provided in the first refrigeration cycle unit 3 in the machine room 102 of the first module 11, and the second to fourth refrigerant circuits RB, RC, and RD will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings and will not be described again.

[0026] 3, the first refrigerant circuit RA includes, as main elements, a variable capacity hermetic compressor (hereinafter simply referred to as the compressor) 20, a four-way valve 21, an air heat exchanger 22, a pair of expansion valves 23a, 23b, a receiver 24, a water heat exchanger 25, and a gas-liquid separator 26. These elements are examples of refrigeration cycle components that make up the refrigeration cycle, and are connected via a circulation circuit 27 through which the refrigerant circulates.

[0027] Specifically, the discharge port of the compressor 20 is connected to a first port 21a of the four-way valve 21. A second port 21b of the four-way valve 21 is connected in parallel to the inlets of a pair of air heat exchangers 29a, 29b of the air heat exchange section 22. The outlets of the air heat exchangers 29a, 29b are connected to a third port 21c of the four-way valve 21 via expansion valves 23a, 23b, a receiver 24, and a water heat exchanger 25. A fourth port 21d of the four-way valve 21 is connected to the suction side of the compressor 20 via a gas-liquid separator 26.

[0028] 3 , the water heat exchanger 25 includes a first refrigerant flow path 25a, a second refrigerant flow path 25b, and a water flow path 25c. The first refrigerant flow path 25a of the water heat exchanger 25 is connected to the receiver 24 of the refrigerant circuit (first refrigerant circuit RA) of the first refrigeration cycle unit 3 of the first module 11 and the third port 21c of the four-way valve 21. On the other hand, the second refrigerant flow path 25b of the water heat exchanger 25 is connected to the receiver 24 of the refrigerant circuit (second refrigerant circuit RB) of the second refrigeration cycle unit 4 of the first module 11 and the third port 21c of the four-way valve 21. In this way, in the first module 11, the first refrigerant circuit RA of the first refrigeration cycle unit 3 and the second refrigerant circuit RB of the second refrigeration cycle unit 4 share one water heat exchanger 25.

[0029] Similarly, in the second module 12, the refrigerant circuit (third refrigerant circuit RC) of the first refrigeration cycle unit 3 and the refrigerant circuit (fourth refrigerant circuit RD) of the second refrigeration cycle unit 4 share one water heat exchanger 25. That is, in the examples shown in Figures 1 and 3, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 is equipped with two water heat exchangers 25.

[0030] 1 and 3 , various elements of the first module 11 and the second module 12, excluding the four air heat exchange units 22, are housed in a machine room 102. In the first module 11, the first refrigeration cycle unit 3 and the second refrigeration cycle unit 4, in other words, the first refrigerant circuit RA and the second refrigerant circuit RB, are disposed in the rear half of the depth direction of the machine room 102 when, for example, the housing 2 is viewed in plan from above in the vertical direction (third direction Z). In contrast, in the first module 11, the electrical unit 6 is disposed in the front half of the depth direction of the machine room 102 when, for example, the housing 2 is viewed in plan from above in the vertical direction (third direction Z).

[0031] Similarly, in the second module 12, the first refrigeration cycle unit 3 and the second refrigeration cycle unit 4, in other words the third refrigerant circuit RC and the fourth refrigerant circuit RD, are disposed in the rear half of the depth direction of the machine room 102 when the housing 2 is viewed in plan from above in the vertical direction (third direction Z). In contrast, in the second module 12, the electrical unit 6 is disposed in the front half of the depth direction of the machine room 102 when the housing 2 is viewed in plan from above in the vertical direction (third direction Z).

[0032] In this embodiment, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 is configured by connecting a first module 11 and a second module 12. Therefore, in the depth direction of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1, that is, in the second direction Y which is the connecting direction of the modules 11 and 12, the electrical unit 6 of the second module 12 is sandwiched between the refrigeration cycle units 3 and 4 of the first module 11 and the refrigeration cycle units 3 and 4 of the second module 12. Specifically, the electrical unit 6 of the first module 11 is sandwiched between the water heat exchanger 25 constituting the refrigerant circuits RA and RB of the first module 11 and the water heat exchanger 25 constituting the refrigerant circuits RC and RD of the second module 12.

[0033] 1 to 3 , the water heat exchangers 25 of the first module 11 and the second module 12 have a square box shape and stand upright in the height direction of the machine room 102 (third direction Z) from a bottom plate 74 that corresponds to the bottom of the machine room 102. These water heat exchangers 25 have a water inlet 28 a and a water outlet 28 b. In the illustrated example, the water inlet 28 a and the water outlet 28 b are located on the left side of the water heat exchanger 25 when the housing 2 is viewed from the front (forward in the second direction Y, to the right in FIG. 1 ).

[0034] The water inlet 28a is connected to the upstream end of the water flow path 25c at the upper end of the left side of the water heat exchanger 25. The water outlet 28b is connected to the downstream end of the water flow path 25c at the lower end of the left side of the water heat exchanger 25. Therefore, the water that flows into the water flow path 25c from the water inlet 28a flows downward in the vertical direction (third direction Z) through the water flow path 25c.

[0035] 1 to 3 , the water circuit 5 is housed in the machine room 102 together with the first refrigeration cycle unit 3 and the second refrigeration cycle unit 4. The water circuit 5 includes, as main elements, a pump device (for example, a variable capacity centrifugal pump) 45 and water piping 46. In this embodiment, as an example, the water piping 46 is made up of first to fourth water piping 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3 , the first water pipe 46a of the water circuit 5 is connected to the suction port 51 of the pump device 45. A strainer 56 is connected to the rear end of the first water pipe 46a. The rear end of the first water pipe 46a and the strainer 56 protrude from the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1, specifically, from the rear end of the machine room 102 of the first module 11 in the depth direction (second direction Y). The strainer 56 is connected to a water outlet on the utilization equipment side, such as an air conditioner, via accessories such as various valves and flexible joints and on-site piping laid on the installation surface G. That is, water (heat medium) returned from the utilization equipment flows through the first water pipe 46a.

[0037] The second water pipe 46b connects the discharge port 52 of the pump device 45 and the water inlet 28a of the water heat exchanger 25 corresponding to the first module 11. The second water pipe 46b is laid horizontally in the depth direction of the machine room 102.

[0038] The third water piping 46c connects in series between the water outlet 28b of the water heat exchanger 25 corresponding to the first module 11 and the water inlet 28a of the water heat exchanger 25 corresponding to the second module 12. In other words, the third water piping 46c connects in series the water flow path 25c of one water heat exchanger 25 shared by the first refrigerant circuit RA and the second refrigerant circuit RB of the first module 11 and the water flow path 25c of another water heat exchanger 25 shared by the third refrigerant circuit RC and the fourth refrigerant circuit RD of the second module 12.

[0039] The fourth water pipe 46d is connected to the water outlet 28b of the water heat exchanger 25 corresponding to the second module 12. A discharge pipe 58 having a check valve 57 is connected to the rear end of the fourth water pipe 46d. The rear end of the discharge pipe 58 protrudes from the rear end of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1, specifically, the machine room 102 of the first module 11, in the depth direction (second direction Y). Furthermore, the check valve 57 is connected to a water inlet on the utilization equipment side, such as an air conditioner, via accessories such as various valves and flexible joints and other on-site piping laid on the installation surface G. That is, water (heat medium) supplied to the utilization equipment flows through the fourth water pipe 46d.

[0040] As a result, water, which is a heat medium, circulates between the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 and a utilization device such as an air conditioner. A specific operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 at this time will be described.

[0041] When the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 starts operating in the cooling mode, the four-way valves 21 of the refrigerant circuits RA, RB of the first module 11 and the refrigerant circuits RC, RD of the second module 12 are switched so that the first port 21a is connected to the second port 21b and the third port 21c is connected to the fourth port 21d, as shown by solid lines in Figure 3.

[0042] Furthermore, high-temperature, high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant is discharged from the compressors 20 of the first to fourth refrigerant circuits RA, RB, RC, and RD to the circulation circuit 27. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant discharged from the compressors 20 is guided to the air heat exchangers 29a and 29b via the four-way valve 21.

[0043] The gas-phase refrigerant guided to the air heat exchangers 29a, 29b condenses through heat exchange with the air passing through the air heat exchangers 29a, 29b, and changes into high-pressure liquid-phase refrigerant. The high-pressure liquid-phase refrigerant is reduced in pressure as it passes through the expansion valves 23a, 23b, and changes into intermediate-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is guided to the water heat exchanger 25 via the receiver 24.

[0044] In this embodiment, the first refrigerant circuit RA and the second refrigerant circuit RB share one water heat exchanger 25, and the third refrigerant circuit RC and the fourth refrigerant circuit RD share another water heat exchanger 25. Therefore, in the first refrigerant circuit RA and the second refrigerant circuit RB, intermediate-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant is guided to the first refrigerant flow path 25a and the second refrigerant flow path 25b of the water heat exchanger 25, respectively, and exchanges heat with water flowing through the water flow path 25c.

[0045] As a result, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant flow path 25a and the second refrigerant flow path 25b evaporates and absorbs heat from the water in the water flow path 25c, changing into a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant due to the latent heat of evaporation. The water in the water flow path 25c becomes cold water by absorbing the latent heat.

[0046] The water flow path 25c of the water heat exchanger 25 shared by the first refrigerant circuit RA and the second refrigerant circuit RB is connected in series to the water flow path 25c of another water heat exchanger 25 shared by the third refrigerant circuit RC and the fourth refrigerant circuit RD via a third water pipe 46c.

[0047] Therefore, the water cooled in the water heat exchanger 25 shared by the first refrigerant circuit RA and the second refrigerant circuit RB passes through the water flow path 25c of another water heat exchanger 25 shared by the third refrigerant circuit RC and the fourth refrigerant circuit RD, and is cooled again by heat exchange with the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant flow path 25a and the second refrigerant flow path 25b of that water heat exchanger 25. The water cooled in two stages is supplied to the utilization equipment side from the fourth water pipe 46d via the on-site pipe.

[0048] The low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has passed through each water heat exchanger 25 is guided via the four-way valve 21 to the gas-liquid separator 26, where it is separated into liquid-phase refrigerant and gas-phase refrigerant. The gas-phase refrigerant separated from the liquid-phase refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 20, and is discharged from the compressor 20 into the circulation circuit 27 as high-temperature, high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant again.

[0049] On the other hand, when the refrigeration cycle device 1 starts operating in the heating mode, the four-way valves 21 of the first to fourth refrigerant circuits RA, RB, RC, and RD are switched so that the first port 21a is connected to the third port 21c and the second port 21b is connected to the fourth port 21d, as shown by the dashed lines in Figure 3.

[0050] In the heating mode, high-temperature, high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant compressed by the compressor 20 is guided to the water heat exchanger 25 via the four-way valve 21. Even in the heating mode, the water flow path 25c of the water heat exchanger 25 shared by the first refrigerant circuit RA and the second refrigerant circuit RB is connected in series with the water flow paths 25c of the other water heat exchangers 25 shared by the third refrigerant circuit RC and the fourth refrigerant circuit RD, so that the water flowing through the water flow path 25c is heated in two stages by heat exchange with the gas-phase refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant flow path 25a and the second refrigerant flow path 25b. The water heated by receiving heat from the gas-phase refrigerant is supplied to the utilization equipment from the fourth water pipe 46d via on-site piping.

[0051] The high-pressure liquid-phase refrigerant that has passed through the water heat exchanger 25 changes into an intermediate-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant while passing through the receiver 24 and the expansion valves 23a, 23b, and is then guided to the air heat exchangers 29a, 29b. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant guided to the air heat exchangers 29a, 29b evaporates due to heat exchange with the air passing through the air heat exchangers 29a, 29b, and changes into a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant.

[0052] The low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant that has passed through the air heat exchangers 29a, 29b is guided via the four-way valve 21 to the gas-liquid separator 26, where it is separated into liquid-phase refrigerant and gas-phase refrigerant. The gas-phase refrigerant separated from the liquid-phase refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 20, and is discharged from the compressor 20 into the circulation circuit 27 as high-temperature, high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant again.

[0053] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the electrical unit 6 at a location indicated by arrow A14 in Fig. 1, viewed from the direction of the arrow. In this embodiment, the electrical units 6 of the first module 11 and the second module 12 each have the schematic configuration shown in Fig. 4.

[0054] The electrical unit 6 is configured by housing various electrical components (hereinafter referred to as the electrical component group) 61 for controlling the operation of the refrigeration cycle components in an electrical component box 62. The electrical component group 61 includes, for example, multiple control boards for controlling the voltage and frequency applied to the compressor 20, multiple power modules such as inverters and converters, multiple smoothing capacitors, multiple reactors for power factor correction, multiple filter boards, multiple terminal blocks, multiple electromagnetic contactors, operation components such as buttons and switches, a display panel, a communication module, memory, and storage devices. The space created inside the electrical component box 62 when the electrical component group 61 is housed functions as a space for cooling (heat dissipation) the electrical component group 61. The electrical component box 62 houses the electrical component group 61 with almost no extra space except for the space for cooling (heat dissipation). The electrical component box 62 occupies the interior of the machine chamber 102 over substantially the entire width direction (first direction X) and height direction (third direction Z) of the housing 2 of the machine chamber 102.

[0055] The electrical component box 62 is a three-dimensional structure whose outer casing is defined by sheet metal such as iron and whose interior is closed. The electrical component box 62 has a piping section 63 that is defined by the outer casing and that routes the water piping 46. The piping section 63 is a space (hereinafter referred to as a piping space 63) that is defined by the outer casing of the electrical component box 62.

[0056] In the example shown in FIGS. 1 , 2 , and 4 , the electrical component box 62 has a piping space 63 for the third water pipe 46 c and the fourth water pipe 46 d. In the illustrated example, the piping space 63 is a cutout in the electrical component box 62. The piping space 63 is located at one end of the lower portion of the electrical component box 62 in the width direction. The lower portion of the electrical component box 62 is the lower portion in the vertical direction (third direction Z). The width direction (first direction X) of the electrical component box 62 is perpendicular to the coupling direction (second direction Y) of the modules 11, 12. Specifically, when the housing 2 is viewed from the front (forward in the second direction Y, right in FIG. 1 ), the electrical component box 62 has a cutout at the lower left corner, and the cutout has a piping space 63. That is, the electrical component box 62 has an outer shape in which the cutout straddles the water pipe 46 in the width direction (first direction X). In the piping space 63, the electrical component box 62 is open in the first to third directions X, Y, and Z.

[0057] The piping space 63 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped space defined by two surfaces 64 and 65. In other words, the two surfaces 64 and 65 face the piping space 63 and define the piping space 63. These surfaces 64 and 65 serve as partitions between the piping space 63, i.e., the outside of the electrical component box 62, and the inside (interior) of the electrical component box 62. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 , the first surface 64, which is one of the two surfaces 64 and 65, is located above in the vertical direction (third direction Z) and is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane (plane defined by the first direction X and the second direction Y). In contrast, the second surface 65, which is the other surface, is located at one end in the width direction (first direction X) and is substantially parallel to the vertical plane (plane defined by the second direction Y and the third direction Z). The first surface 64 defines the upper surface of the cutout that forms the piping space 63, and the second surface 65 defines the side surface of the cutout.

[0058] However, the piping space 63 may be a notch as shown in the example, or may be, for example, a tunnel or through hole provided in the electrical component box 62, as long as it is a space capable of piping the water piping 46, specifically the third water piping 46c and the fourth water piping 46d.

[0059] Furthermore, a space located above or to the side of the piping space 63 within the electrical component box 62 may be used as a space for cooling (dissipating heat) the electrical component group 61. That is, by providing a piping vicinity space 70 in the interior space of the electrical component box 62 near the water piping 46 and the piping space 63 and providing a ventilation path for cooling the electrical component group 61, the cooling effect of the electrical component group 61 can be ensured, the volumetric efficiency of the electrical component box 62 can be improved, and condensation on the electrical component group 61 can be prevented. Furthermore, heat generated in the electrical component group 61 can be prevented from being transmitted to the water piping 46, and water at a stable temperature can be supplied to the user side. Here, the piping vicinity space 70 may be an air passage formed using a part of a pedestal, frame part, sheet metal part, or the like for fixing each electrical component in the electrical component group 61.

[0060] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, in the piping space 63, the third water pipe 46c and the fourth water pipe 46d of the water pipes 46 are arranged side by side, that is, lined up along the width direction (first direction X) of the housing 2.

[0061] Although not shown, in the machine chamber 102, heat exhaust paths and heat sinks for dissipating heat from the group of electric components 61, such as a control board and a power module, extend in the height direction (third direction Z) approximately in the center of the electric component box 62. Therefore, by arranging the third water pipe 46c and the fourth water pipe 46d side by side in the piping space 63, the piping space 63 can be secured in the electric component box 62 without interfering with the arrangement of the heat exhaust paths and heat sinks extending in the height direction. As a result, even when the electric component box 62 occupies the interior of the machine chamber 102 over approximately the entire length in the width direction (first direction X) and height direction (third direction Z) of the housing 2 of the machine chamber 102, a relatively large piping space 63 can be easily secured in the electric component box 62.

[0062] The arrangement of the third water pipe 46c and the fourth water pipe 46d in the piping space 63 is not limited to being arranged side by side. For example, as shown in Fig. 5 , the third water pipe 46c and the fourth water pipe 46d may be arranged vertically, that is, lined up along the height direction of the housing 2 (third direction Z), in the piping space 63.

[0063] By arranging the third water pipe 46c and the fourth water pipe 46d in a vertical arrangement, a relatively large space can be secured in the electrical component box 62 on the side opposite the piping space 63 in the width direction (first direction X) of the housing 2. As a result, the secured space can be effectively used as a storage space for the electrical component group 61 in the electrical component box 62, for example.

[0064] As described above, according to this embodiment, the piping space 63 is disposed at one end of the lower part of the electrical component box 62 in the width direction, and the electrical component box 62 is disposed so as to straddle the third water pipe 46c and the fourth water pipe 46d in the piping space 63. Therefore, the electrical component box 62 and the water pipes 46c, 46d can be appropriately disposed in the limited space of the machine chamber 102 of the modules 11, 12. Furthermore, even if condensation occurs in these water pipes 46c, 46d, the condensed water does not drip onto the electrical component box 62, preventing water from seeping into the electrical component box 62. In addition, a situation in which the inside of the electrical component box 62 becomes condensed due to dripping condensed water can be avoided.

[0065] That is, even if cold water or hot water flows through the third water pipe 46c and the fourth water pipe 46d, causing a temperature difference between the third water pipe 46c and the fourth water pipe 46d and the electrical component box 62, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of condensation and an excessive temperature rise in the electrical component box 62. Embodiments that more effectively suppress the occurrence of such condensation and an excessive temperature rise will be described below as a second embodiment and a third embodiment.

[0066] The basic configurations of the refrigeration cycle apparatuses according to the second and third embodiments are similar to that of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 3. The refrigeration cycles of the refrigeration cycle apparatuses according to the second and third embodiments are as shown in the circuit diagram of the refrigeration cycle of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 3. Therefore, the configurations of the refrigeration cycle apparatuses according to the second and third embodiments will be described with reference to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 3 and the electrical unit 6 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 4, respectively, and the same reference numerals will be used where appropriate.

[0067] Second Embodiment Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an electrical unit 6 according to this embodiment as viewed from the front of the machine room 102 (forward in the second direction Y, or to the right in Fig. 1 ). As in the first embodiment, the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to this embodiment is configured by connecting a first module 11 and a second module 12, and the electrical units 6 of each of these modules 11 and 12 each have the schematic configuration shown in Fig. 6.

[0068] The electrical unit 6 is configured such that various electrical components (electrical component group 61) for controlling the operation of the refrigeration cycle components are housed in an electrical component box 62a. As shown in FIG. 6 , the electrical component box 62a according to this embodiment has a thermal insulation structure in a portion facing the piping space 63, which is a cutout. In the illustrated example, the electrical component box 62a has the outer sides of a first surface 64 and a second surface 65 each covered with a thermal insulation material 66. The outer sides of the two surfaces 64, 65 face the interior of the electrical component box 62a, i.e., the piping space 63, rather than the housing space for the electrical component group 61. The material of the thermal insulation material 66 is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include expanded polystyrene (expanded polystyrene) and urethane foam.

[0069] In the example shown in Fig. 6, the outside of the first surface portion 64 and the second surface portion 65 is covered with a thermal insulating material 66. However, instead of or in addition to this, the inside of the first surface portion 64 and the second surface portion 65 may be covered with a thermal insulating material equivalent to the thermal insulating material 66, or a thermal insulating structure may be used in which a thermal insulating material equivalent to the thermal insulating material 66 is wrapped around at least the portions of the third water pipe 46c and the fourth water pipe 46d that pass through the piping space 63. Fig. 7 shows an example of a thermal insulating structure in which, in addition to the thermal insulating material 66, the inside of the first surface portion 64 and the second surface portion 65 is covered with a thermal insulating material 661. Fig. 8 shows an example of a thermal insulating structure in which, in addition to the thermal insulating material 66, a thermal insulating material 662 is wrapped around the portions of the third water pipe 46c and the fourth water pipe 46d that pass through the piping space 63.

[0070] The heat insulating structure is not limited to the heat insulating materials 66, 661, 662 shown in Figures 6 to 8. Next, another example of the heat insulating structure will be described as a third embodiment.

[0071] 9 is a schematic diagram showing an electrical unit 6 according to this embodiment as viewed from the front of the machine room 102 (the front side in the second direction Y, or the right side in FIG. 1 ). As in the first embodiment, the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to this embodiment is configured by connecting a first module 11 and a second module 12, and the electrical units 6 of each of these modules 11 and 12 each have the schematic configuration shown in FIG.

[0072] 9 , an electrical component box 62b according to this embodiment has a heat-insulating structure in which both a first surface 64 and a second surface 65 have a double-layer structure consisting of an outer wall and an inner wall. In the illustrated example, the first surface 64 includes a first wall 64a corresponding to the outer wall and a second wall 64b corresponding to the inner wall. The second surface 65 includes a first wall 65a corresponding to the outer wall and a second wall 65b corresponding to the inner wall.

[0073] The first wall portion 64a and the second wall portion 64b of the first surface portion 64 face each other at a predetermined distance along a horizontal plane (a plane defined by the first direction X and the second direction Y). The first wall portion 65a and the second wall portion 65b of the second surface portion 65 face each other at a predetermined distance along a vertical plane (a plane defined by the second direction Y and the third direction Z). In the illustrated example, the opposing distance between the first wall portion 64a and the second wall portion 64b is equal to the opposing distance between the first wall portion 65a and the second wall portion 65b. The first wall portions 64a and 65a are integrally continuous, and the second wall portions 64b and 65b are integrally continuous.

[0074] As a result, continuous gaps 67 are formed between the first wall portion 64a and the second wall portion 64b and between the first wall portion 65a and the second wall portion 65b. That is, the first wall portions 64a, 65a and the second wall portions 64b, 65b face each other with gaps 67 interposed therebetween. The gaps 67 are closed by side surfaces 68 and a bottom surface 69 of the electrical component box 62b. The side surface 68 is the left side surface when the electrical component box 62b is viewed from the front (forward in the second direction Y, to the right in FIG. 1 ). The bottom surface 69 is the lower surface in the vertical direction (third direction Z) when the electrical component box 62b is viewed from the front.

[0075] Therefore, at the location where the piping space 63 of the electrical component box 62b is arranged, a gap (closed space) 67 is interposed between the outside of the electrical component box 62b (piping space 63) and the inside of the electrical component box 62b (accommodating space for the electrical component group 61). This allows air insulation to be achieved between the outside of the electrical component box 62b (piping space 63) and the inside of the electrical component box 62b (accommodating space for the electrical component group 61). In this case, the air filling the gap 67 serves as a thermal insulator. Instead of such air insulation, a thermally insulated structure can be achieved in which a thermal insulator equivalent to the thermal insulator 66 according to the second embodiment is embedded in the gap 67.

[0076] As described above, according to the second and third embodiments, the electrical component boxes 62a, 62b have a thermally insulated structure, thereby providing thermal insulation between the outside of the electrical component boxes 62a, 62b and the inside of the electrical component boxes 62a, 62b. That is, the piping space 63 and the space housing the electrical component group 61 can be effectively insulated. Therefore, for example, when the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 is operated in a cooling mode, even if a temperature difference occurs between the water pipe 46 (specifically, the fourth water pipe 46d) through which cold water flows and the electrical component group 61 housed in the electrical component boxes 62a, 62b, condensation in the electrical component boxes 62a, 62b can be prevented. Furthermore, for example, when the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 is operated in a heating mode, even if hot water flows through the water pipe 46 (specifically, the fourth water pipe 46d), an excessive rise in the temperature of the electrical component group 61 in the electrical component boxes 62a, 62b due to heat radiation from the water pipe 46 can be prevented.

[0077] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims.

[0078] REFRIGERATION CYCLE DEVICE (AIR-COOLED HEAT PUMP CHILLING UNIT), 2, HOUSING, 3, FIRST REFRIGERATION CYCLE UNIT, 4, SECOND REFRIGERATION CYCLE UNIT, 5, WATER CIRCUIT, 6, ELECTRICAL UNIT, 7, FRAME, 11, 12, MODULE, 20, HERMETIC COMPONENT, 21, 4-WAY VALVE, 21a, 1ST PORT, 21b, 2ND PORT, 21c, 3RD PORT, 21d, 4TH PORT, 2 2...air heat exchange section, 23a, 23b...expansion valve, 24...receiver, 25...water heat exchanger, 25a...first refrigerant flow path, 25b...second refrigerant flow path, 25c...water flow path, 26...gas-liquid separator, 27...circulation circuit, 28a...water inlet, 28b...water outlet, 29a, 29b...air heat exchanger, 30...fan, 45...pump device, 46...water piping, 46a...first water piping, 46b...second water piping, 4 6c...Third water pipe, 46d...Fourth water pipe, 56...Strainer, 57...Check valve, 58...Discharge pipe, 61...Electrical component group, 62, 62a, 62b...Electrical component box, 63...Piping section (piping space), 64...Face portion (first face portion), 64a, 65a...First wall portion (outer wall), 64b, 65b...Second wall portion (inner wall), 65...Face portion (second face portion), 66, 661, 662...Insulation material, 67...gap, 68...side portion, 69...bottom portion, 70...space near piping section, 71...lower frame, 72...upper frame, 73...vertical bar, 74...bottom plate, 101...air heat exchange chamber, 102...machine room, 151...shield, G...installation surface, RA...first refrigerant circuit, RB...second refrigerant circuit, RC...third refrigerant circuit, RD...fourth refrigerant circuit, X...first direction, Y...second direction, Z...third direction.

Claims

1. A refrigeration cycle module including a refrigeration cycle component having a water flow path and a refrigerant flow path and performing heat exchange between water flowing through the water flow path and refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow path, and an electric component box housing an electric component for controlling the operation of the refrigeration cycle component therein, wherein a plurality of the refrigeration cycle modules are connected, a water pipe is provided for connecting the water heat exchangers of the refrigeration cycle modules adjacent to each other in the connection direction and communicating the water flow paths of the water heat exchangers, and the electric component box has a piping portion defined by its outer shell for piping the water pipe. A refrigeration cycle apparatus.

2. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the piping portion is a space located at a lower part in the vertical direction of the electric component box and at one end in a direction orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the connection direction.

3. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the electric component box has a heat insulation structure at a location facing the space.

4. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the outer side of the surface portion facing the space and defining the space of the electric component box is covered with a heat insulating material.

5. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the surface portion facing the space and defining the space of the electric component box has a double structure formed by an outer wall and an inner wall in two layers.