Outdoor unit and refrigeration cycle device provided with said outdoor unit

Abstract

This outdoor unit comprises: a heat exchanger provided with a plurality of heat transfer pipes extending in a vertical direction, a communication part via which lower ends of adjacent heat transfer pipes among the plurality of heat transfer pipes communicate with each other, and fins provided in a region above a first position separated upward from the lower ends of the plurality of heat transfer pipes; and a lower cover provided with a body part, at least two connection parts protruding downward from the lower end of the body part, and an opening provided between the at least two connection parts. The lower cover is disposed facing a region between the communication part and the first position, and the opening is disposed at a position facing a space below the communication part.

Description

Outdoor unit and refrigeration cycle device equipped with the outdoor unit

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an outdoor unit and a refrigeration cycle apparatus including the outdoor unit.

[0002] Conventionally, refrigeration cycle devices using fin-and-tube heat exchangers with headers have been known. The fin-and-tube heat exchangers with headers have a plurality of heat transfer tubes connected to the headers and a plurality of fins in contact with the heat transfer tubes. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of such a heat exchanger, which functions as a condenser and includes a pair of headers arranged in parallel and spaced apart from each other, a number of heat exchange tubes arranged in parallel and connected to the headers at both ends, and fins arranged in the air flow gaps between adjacent tubes.

[0003] Special Publication No. 02-045945

[0004] In general, heat exchangers, including the heat exchanger of Patent Document 1, have regions at both ends between adjacent heat transfer tubes where no fins are arranged. For example, in the heat exchanger described in Patent Document 1, the header and fins are spaced apart, resulting in regions where no fins are arranged between adjacent heat transfer tubes. Furthermore, when the ends of straight heat transfer tubes are connected by a U-shaped pipe, regions where no fins are arranged can also be formed in this U-shaped pipe. Such regions where no fins are arranged at the ends of the heat transfer tubes can serve as air passages through which air, a heat transfer medium, passes. However, when air flows through the regions at the ends of the heat transfer tubes where no fins are arranged, the amount of air flowing around the fins of the heat exchanger is reduced, thereby reducing the heat transfer performance of the heat exchanger.

[0005] On the other hand, in a heat exchanger, drain water may be generated due to heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat medium and flow downward, so it is desirable that the lower end of the heat exchanger be structured to discharge the drain water.

[0006] The present disclosure is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an outdoor unit and a refrigeration cycle device equipped with the outdoor unit that can reduce the amount of air passing through the area where fins are not located on the lower end side of the heat exchanger and can discharge drain water from the lower end side of the heat exchanger.

[0007] The outdoor unit of the present disclosure comprises a heat exchanger having a plurality of heat transfer tubes extending in the vertical direction, a communication portion that connects the lower ends of adjacent heat transfer tubes among the plurality of heat transfer tubes, and fins provided in an area above a first position spaced upward from the lower ends of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, a main body portion, and a lower cover having at least two connection portions that protrude downward from the lower end of the main body portion and an opening provided between the at least two connection portions, the lower cover being positioned opposite the area between the communication portion and the first position, and the opening being positioned opposite the space below the communication portion.

[0008] In addition, the refrigeration cycle device according to the present disclosure includes the above-mentioned outdoor unit, a compressor provided inside the housing of the outdoor unit, an expansion section, and a load side heat exchanger, and the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit, the compressor, the expansion section, and the load side heat exchanger are connected by refrigerant piping.

[0009] In the outdoor unit according to the present disclosure, the lower cover is provided facing the region between the lower ends of the heat transfer tubes of the heat exchanger and the first position. Therefore, the air supplied to the heat exchanger as a heat medium is blocked by the lower cover, making it difficult for it to pass through the region below the first position. The lower cover also has an opening. Therefore, drain water can be discharged through the opening in the lower cover. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, the amount of air passing through the region where the fins are not located at the lower end of the heat exchanger can be reduced, and drain water can be discharged from the lower end of the heat exchanger.

[0010] 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of a refrigeration cycle device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an outdoor unit according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a front view of a heat source side heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a front view of a heat source side heat exchanger and a cover according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a lower cover according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a front view of a heat source side heat exchanger and a cover according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a lower cover according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 8 is a front view of a heat source side heat exchanger according to Embodiment 3.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the outdoor unit 101 and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same reference numerals denote the same or equivalent parts, and this is common throughout the specification. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below. In addition, the dimensional relationships between the components in the following drawings, including FIG. 1, may differ from the actual relationships. In addition, in the following description, terms indicating directions will be used as appropriate to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure. Examples of terms indicating directions include "up," "down," "right," "left," "front," and "rear."

[0012] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of a refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1. The refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 is, for example, an air conditioning apparatus that conditions air in a space to be air-conditioned. As shown in FIG. 1 , the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 includes an outdoor unit 101 and an indoor unit 102. The outdoor unit 101 includes a compressor 1, a heat source-side heat exchanger 2, an expansion section 3 as a pressure reducing device, and a heat source-side blower 6. The indoor unit 102 includes a load-side heat exchanger 4 and a load-side blower 7. The compressor 1, the heat source-side heat exchanger 2, the expansion section 3, and the load-side heat exchanger 4 are connected by refrigerant piping 5, through which refrigerant flows. Note that, although the present embodiment illustrates a case in which the expansion section 3 is provided in the outdoor unit 101, the expansion section 3 may also be provided in the indoor unit 102. The refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 may also include a configuration in which multiple indoor units are arranged in parallel.

[0013] The compressor 1 draws in a refrigerant in a low-temperature, low-pressure state, compresses the drawn-in refrigerant, and discharges it as a refrigerant in a high-temperature, high-pressure state. The compressor 1 is, for example, a capacity-controllable inverter compressor. The heat-source-side heat exchanger 2 exchanges heat between, for example, outdoor air and the refrigerant. The heat-source-side heat exchanger 2 functions as a condenser during cooling operation. The heat-source-side blower 6 is a device that sends outdoor air to the heat-source-side heat exchanger 2. The expansion section 3 is a pressure-reducing valve or expansion valve that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant to expand it. The expansion section 3 is, for example, an electronic expansion valve whose opening is adjustable.

[0014] The load-side heat exchanger 4 exchanges heat between, for example, indoor air and a refrigerant. The load-side heat exchanger 4 functions as an evaporator during cooling operation. The load-side blower 7 sends indoor air to the load-side heat exchanger 4.

[0015] (Cooling Operation) Next, the operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 will be described. In cooling operation, the refrigerant drawn into the compressor 1 is compressed by the compressor 1 and discharged in a high-temperature, high-pressure gas state. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 flows into the heat source heat exchanger 2, which functions as a condenser, where it exchanges heat with outdoor air sent by the heat source blower 6, condensing and liquefying. The condensed liquid refrigerant flows into the expansion section 3, where it expands and is decompressed to become a low-temperature, low-pressure, two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant. The two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant then flows into the load heat exchanger 4, which functions as an evaporator, where it exchanges heat with indoor air sent by the load blower 7, evaporating and gasifying. At this time, the indoor air is cooled, and cooling is performed in the room. The evaporated low-temperature, low-pressure gas refrigerant is drawn into the compressor 1.

[0016] Although the first embodiment illustrates the case where the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 is a cooling-only machine, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 may be a heating-only machine. The refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 may also have a flow path switching device. In this case, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 can switch between cooling operation and heating operation. The refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 is not limited to an air conditioning apparatus, and may also be a cooling apparatus that cools a refrigerated / freezer warehouse or a hot water supply apparatus that heats water in a tank.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the outdoor unit 101 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the outdoor unit 101 accommodates the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 and the heat source-side blower 6 inside a housing 11. Although not shown, the compressor 1 and the expansion section 3 are also accommodated inside the housing 11 of the outdoor unit 101.

[0018] In the present embodiment, a plurality of heat source-side heat exchangers 2 may be provided. Fig. 2 shows an example in which a first heat source-side heat exchanger 2a and a second heat source-side heat exchanger 2b are housed inside the housing 11. In Fig. 2, the first heat source-side heat exchanger 2a is housed on one of the four side surfaces inside the housing 11, and the second heat source-side heat exchanger 2b is housed on another of the four side surfaces inside the housing 11. In the present disclosure, the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 may be referred to as a heat exchanger.

[0019] 2 shows an example of a so-called vertical-blowing outdoor unit 101 in which the heat-source-side blower 6 is housed in the upper part of the housing 11. However, the location where the heat-source-side blower 6 is provided is not particularly limited. The outdoor unit may be a so-called horizontal-blowing outdoor unit in which the heat-source-side blower 6 is housed on the side of the housing 11.

[0020] 3 is a front view of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3 , the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 includes a plurality of heat transfer tubes 20 extending in the vertical direction, a communication portion 21a that connects the lower ends of adjacent heat transfer tubes 20, and fins 22 provided in a region above a first position 25 spaced upward from the lower ends of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 20. The region where the fins 22 are provided is a region between the first position 25 and a second position 26 spaced downward from the upper ends of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 20. The fins 22 are, for example, a plurality of corrugated fins formed in a wave shape between adjacent heat transfer tubes 20.

[0021] The communication portion 21 has a communication portion 21a provided at the lower portion of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 and a communication portion 21b provided at the upper portion. The lower ends of each of the multiple heat transfer tubes 20 are connected to the communication portion 21a, and the upper ends are connected to the communication portion 21b. The lower ends of adjacent heat transfer tubes 20 are connected to each other via the communication portion 21a, and the upper ends of adjacent heat transfer tubes 20 are connected to each other via the communication portion 21b. In the present disclosure, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the communication portion 21a and the communication portion 21b, they will be referred to as the communication portion 21.

[0022] In this embodiment, the communication part 21 is a header that distributes the refrigerant to the plurality of heat transfer tubes 20 or collects the refrigerant from the plurality of heat transfer tubes 20. The refrigerant flowing into the heat source side heat exchanger 2 is distributed in one header, flows inside the heat transfer tubes 20, and is collected in the other header before flowing out of the heat source side heat exchanger 2.

[0023] A first region AR1, where no fins 22 are provided, is formed between the communicating portion 21a, to which the lower ends of the heat transfer tubes 20 are connected, and the first position 25. A second region AR2, where no fins 22 are provided, is formed between the communicating portion 21b, to which the upper ends of the heat transfer tubes 20 are connected, and the second position 26. For example, if the fins 22 are corrugated fins and the communicating portion 21 is a header, the brazing material applied to connect the header and the heat transfer tubes 20 during the manufacture of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 may flow toward the corrugated fins due to capillary action. If the brazing material flows toward the corrugated fins, the brazing material will be insufficient, leading to poor brazing. For this reason, in the first region AR1 and the second region AR2, no fins 22 are provided between adjacent heat transfer tubes 20, thereby suppressing the occurrence of capillary action.

[0024] Next, the cover 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 4 to Fig. 6. Fig. 4 is a front view of the heat source side heat exchanger 2 and the cover 30 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the heat source side heat exchanger 2 and the cover 30 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the lower cover 31 according to embodiment 1.

[0025] The outdoor unit 101 includes a cover 30 that is provided facing the heat source-side heat exchanger 2. The cover 30 has a lower cover 31 that is provided facing the lower part of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2, and an upper cover 32 that is provided facing the upper part of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2. In the present disclosure, the lower cover 31 and the upper cover 32 are referred to as the cover 30 unless there is a need to particularly distinguish between them. The material of the cover 30 is not particularly limited, and may be made of resin or metal. Furthermore, the lower cover 31 and the upper cover 32 may be made of different materials.

[0026] The lower cover 31 is disposed opposite the first area AR1 between the communication portion 21a of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 and the first position 25. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 4, when the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 and the lower cover 31 are viewed from the front, the first position 25 of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2, the first area AR1, and the communication portion 21a are covered by the lower cover 31 and cannot be seen. The main body 31a of the lower cover 31 faces the first position 25 of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2, the first area AR1, and the communication portion 21a, and an opening 31c (described later) faces the space below the communication portion 21a.

[0027] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the lower cover 31 is provided on a first member 41. The first member 41 is a member extending in the vertical direction that is provided inside the housing 11 of the outdoor unit 101 or that constitutes part of the housing 11. The shape of the first member 41 is not particularly limited. For example, the first member 41 may be columnar or plate-shaped. The first member 41 is arranged with a space in the width direction of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2. The heat source-side heat exchanger 2 is arranged between a pair of heat source-side heat exchangers 2. In the present disclosure, the left-right direction on the paper shown in Figures 4 and 5 is referred to as the width direction.

[0028] The lower cover 31 is provided in contact with a first surface 41a along the up-down direction of the first member 41. The first surface 41a is the surface facing the outside of the housing 11. The heat source-side heat exchanger 2 is disposed further inside the housing 11 than the first surface 41a of the first member 41. Therefore, a space is formed between the surface of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 facing the lower cover 31 and the surface of the lower cover 31 facing the heat source-side heat exchanger 2, and the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 and the lower cover 31 do not come into contact with each other.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 , the lower cover 31 includes a main body 31a, at least two connecting portions 31b protruding downward from the lower end of the main body 31a, and an opening 31c provided between the two connecting portions 31b. The connecting portions 31b are provided at both ends of the lower cover 31 in the width direction. The front and rear spaces of the lower cover 31 communicate with each other via the opening 31c between the connecting portions 31b. FIG. 6 shows an example in which the main body 31a and the connecting portions 31b have the same depth thickness. However, the main body 31a and the connecting portions 31b may have different depth thicknesses. In this disclosure, the direction from front to rear in FIG. 6 is referred to as the depth direction.

[0030] The structure in which the lower cover 31 is provided on the first member 41 is not particularly limited. For example, the lower cover 31 and the first member 41 may be integrally formed. Also, Figures 4 and 5 show an example in which the two connecting portions 31b are screwed to the first surface 41a of the first member 41, thereby connecting the lower cover 31 to the first member 41. The lower cover 31 can be removed from the first member 41 by unscrewing the screws. If the lower cover 31 is removable, maintenance of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 can be easily performed.

[0031] The upper cover 32 is disposed opposite the second area AR2 between the communication portion 21b of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 and the second position 26. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 4, when the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 and the upper cover 32 are viewed from the front, the second position 26 of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2, the second area AR2, and the communication portion 21b are covered by the upper cover 32 and cannot be seen.

[0032] 4 and 5 , the upper cover 32 is provided in contact with a second surface 41b that faces the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 along the up-down direction of the first member 41. The second surface 41b faces the inside of the housing 11 and is the surface on the far side of the paper in Fig. 4. The upper cover 32 is provided so that the surface that faces the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 does not come into contact with the heat source-side heat exchanger 2.

[0033] The structure in which the upper cover 32 is provided on the first member 41 is not particularly limited. For example, the upper cover 32 and the first member 41 may be integrally formed. Furthermore, although not shown, the upper cover 32 may be structured so that it is screwed to the second surface 41b of the first member 41 so that it can be removed. If the upper cover 32 is removable, maintenance of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 can be easily performed.

[0034] The upper cover 32 may be provided on the first surface 41 a of the first member 41, similarly to the lower cover 31. Although an example of the upper cover 32 having a rectangular plate shape is shown in Figures 4 and 5, the shape of the upper cover 32 is not particularly limited as long as it can cover the second area AR2.

[0035] The effects of the outdoor unit 101 according to the first embodiment are described below. The outdoor unit 101 according to the present embodiment includes a heat source-side heat exchanger 2 including a plurality of heat transfer tubes 20 extending in the vertical direction, a communication portion 21a that connects the lower ends of adjacent heat transfer tubes 20, and fins 22 provided in an area above a first position 25 that is spaced above the lower ends of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 20. The outdoor unit 101 also includes a main body 31a and a lower cover 31 that includes at least two connection portions 31b that protrude downward from the lower end of the main body 31a and an opening 31c provided between the at least two connection portions 31b. The lower cover 31 is disposed opposite the area between the communication portion 21a and the first position 25, and the opening 31c is disposed in a position that faces the space below the communication portion 21a. The area between the communication portion 21a and the first position 25 refers to the first area AR1.

[0036] The first area AR1 of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 according to this embodiment is not provided with fins 22. Therefore, the first area AR1 can serve as an air passage through which air supplied to the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 passes. The air is supplied to the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 as a heat medium that exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer tubes 20. If air were to pass through the first area AR1, the amount of air flowing around the fins 22 of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 would decrease, thereby reducing the heat transfer performance of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2. However, in this embodiment, the lower cover 31 is provided opposite the first area AR1. Therefore, the air supplied to the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 is blocked by the lower cover 31 and is less likely to flow into the first area AR1. This prevents a decrease in the heat transfer performance of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2.

[0037] The lower cover 31 also has an opening 31c, which is positioned opposite the space below the communication portion 21a. Therefore, even if drain water generated in the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 flows downward, it can be discharged through the opening 31c. Generally, when the outdoor air temperature of the outdoor unit is low and drain water accumulates below the heat source-side heat exchanger 2, the drain water may freeze and form ice caps. If the drain water is not drained for a long period of time, the ice caps may grow and cover the heat transfer tubes and fins. Covering the heat transfer tubes and fins with ice may not only reduce heat exchange performance but also cause malfunctions of the heat source-side heat exchanger, such as freeze-up of the heat transfer tubes. However, according to this embodiment, drain water can be discharged through the opening 31c of the lower cover 31, preventing drain water from accumulating below the heat source-side heat exchanger 2. This reduces the risk of ice caps forming below the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 and the risk of ice caps growing.

[0038] The outdoor unit 101 according to this embodiment also includes a pair of first members 41 that extend in the vertical direction and are arranged with a space in between in the width direction of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2. The heat source-side heat exchanger 2 is arranged between the pair of first members 41, and the connecting portion 31b of the lower cover 31 is connected to first surfaces 41a of the pair of first members 41 that are aligned in the vertical direction.

[0039] According to the above configuration, the lower cover 31 is connected to a pair of first members 41 arranged on the side surfaces of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2. Therefore, the lower cover 31 does not affect the space below the heat source-side heat exchanger 2. Therefore, the installation of the lower cover 31 does not cause drain water to accumulate in the space below the heat source-side heat exchanger 2. Furthermore, even if some member is arranged below the first members 41 and blocks the space below the heat source-side heat exchanger 2, drain water can be discharged through the opening 31c. This prevents drain water from accumulating below the heat source-side heat exchanger 2. This reduces the risk of ice formation below the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 and the risk of ice growth.

[0040] In addition, the outdoor unit 101 according to this embodiment is provided with an upper cover 32 which is provided in a region between the upper ends of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 20 and a second position 26 spaced downward from the upper ends, and which is located opposite the region AR2 where the fins 22 are not provided.

[0041] Like the first area AR1, the second area AR2 of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 according to this embodiment does not have fins 22. Therefore, the second area AR2 can serve as an air passage through which air supplied to the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 passes. If air were to pass through the second area AR2, the amount of air flowing around the fins 22 of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 would decrease, thereby reducing the heat transfer performance of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2. However, the upper cover 32 according to this embodiment is disposed opposite the second area AR2. Therefore, the air supplied to the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 is blocked by the upper cover 32, making it difficult for it to flow into the second area AR2. This prevents a decrease in the heat transfer performance of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2.

[0042] The refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 according to this embodiment includes an outdoor unit 101 according to this embodiment, a compressor 1 provided inside a housing 11 of the outdoor unit 101, an expansion section 3, and a load-side heat exchanger 4. The heat exchanger 2 of the outdoor unit 101, the compressor 1, the expansion section 3, and the load-side heat exchanger 4 are connected by refrigerant piping 5. The heat source-side heat exchanger 2 provided in the outdoor unit 101 of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 is prevented from deteriorating in heat transfer performance by a cover 30, and drain water can be discharged from the lower end side. Therefore, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 can prevent performance degradation and malfunctions.

[0043] Embodiment 2 An outdoor unit 101 according to embodiment 2 will be described below. In this embodiment, differences from embodiment 1 will be mainly described. The differences between this embodiment and embodiment 1 are the member to which the cover 30 is connected and the shape of the lower cover 31. The other configurations are the same as those in embodiment 1, so descriptions will be omitted.

[0044] The shape of the lower cover 31 and the members to which the cover 30 according to this embodiment is connected will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 9. Figure 7 is a front view of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 and the cover 30 according to embodiment 2. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the lower cover 31 according to embodiment 2. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the lower cover 31 according to embodiment 2. Figure 9 is a side view of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2, the lower cover 31, and the second member 42, but the heat transfer tubes 20 of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 are not shown.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 7 , the lower cover 31 is provided on the second member 42. The second member 42 is a horizontally extending member provided inside the housing 11 of the outdoor unit 101. The shape of the second member 42 is not particularly limited. For example, the second member 42 may be columnar or plate-shaped. Specifically, the second member 42 may be the bottom plate of the housing 11 (see FIG. 2 ) or a support plate that supports the heat exchanger 2 from below. The second member 42 is disposed below the communicating portion 21 a of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 with a space between it and the communicating portion 21 a. Although not shown, the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 may have legs that are disposed so as to come into contact with the second member 42.

[0046] The lower cover 31 is provided such that the connecting portion 31b is in contact with a first surface 42a along the up-down direction of the second member 42. The first surface 42a is the surface facing the outside of the housing 11 (see FIG. 2 ). A space is formed between the surface of the heat-source-side heat exchanger 2 facing the lower cover 31 and the surface of the lower cover 31 facing the heat-source-side heat exchanger 2, so that the heat-source-side heat exchanger 2 and the lower cover 31 do not come into contact with each other.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 8 , the lower cover 31 has a main body portion 31a and a connecting portion 31b with different depth thicknesses. The connecting portion 31b is thinner than the main body portion 31a. The connecting portion 31b of the lower cover 31 is connected to the second member 42, and the main body portion 31a does not contact the second member 42. As shown in FIG. 9 , the first surface 42a of the second member 42 contacts the surface extending in the vertical direction of the connecting portion 31b. A space SP1 is formed between the lower end of the main body portion 31a and the upper end of the second member 42, above the connection point between the connecting portion 31b and the first surface 42a of the second member 42. Because the connecting portion 31b, which is thinner than the main body portion 31a, is connected to the second member 42, the space SP1 can be formed.

[0048] As in the first embodiment, the upper cover 32 may be connected to any location other than the second area AR2 between the communication portion 21b of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 and the second position 26. For example, the upper cover 32 may be connected to a horizontally extending member (not shown) that is located above the communication portion 21b of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 with a space between it and the communication portion 21b.

[0049] The effects of the outdoor unit 101 according to Embodiment 2 are described below. The outdoor unit 101 according to this embodiment includes a second member 42 extending horizontally and disposed below the communication portion 21a of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 with a space between it and the communication portion 21a. The connection portion 31b of the lower cover 31 is connected to a first surface 42a of the second member 42 that is aligned in the up-down direction.

[0050] In the above configuration, the lower cover 31 is connected to the second member 42 provided below the heat source-side heat exchanger 2, and the opening 31c of the lower cover 31 is positioned opposite the space below the heat source-side heat exchanger 2. Therefore, drain water can be discharged from the below of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 through the opening 31c.

[0051] Furthermore, in the lower cover 31 according to this embodiment, the thickness of the connection portion 31b is thinner than the thickness of the main body portion 31a in the depth direction of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2. Furthermore, a space SP1 is formed between the lower end of the main body portion 31a and the upper end of the second member 42, above the connection point between the connection portion 31b and the first surface 42a of the second member 42.

[0052] In the above configuration, because the second member 42 is provided below the heat-source-side heat exchanger 2, there is a risk that drain water will accumulate at the connection between the second member 42 and the connection portion 31b. However, a space SP1 is formed between the connection portion and the main body 31a, ensuring a space between the connection portion and the heat-source-side heat exchanger 2. Therefore, even if drain water accumulating at the connection portion between the second member 42 and the connection portion 31b freezes and becomes root ice, the root ice grows in the space SP1, thereby reducing the possibility that the root ice will reach the heat-source-side heat exchanger 2. This reduces the risk that the heat transfer tubes 20 and fins 22 will be covered with ice, reducing heat exchange performance or causing malfunctions in the heat-source-side heat exchanger 2, such as freezing punctures of the heat transfer tubes 20.

[0053] Furthermore, since the connection points between the lower cover 31 and the second member 42 are unlikely to reduce the heat transfer performance of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 or cause malfunctions, the number of connection points between the lower cover 31 and the second member 42 can be increased. Increasing the number of connection points increases the force that secures the lower cover 31 to the second member 42. For example, if the lower cover 31 is large in the horizontal direction to match the horizontal size of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2, it is necessary to increase the number of connection points to improve the force that secures the lower cover 31 to the second member 42. In such a case, providing three or more connection portions 31b on the lower cover 31 increases the number of connection points with the second member 42.

[0054] Embodiment 3 An outdoor unit 101 according to embodiment 3 will be described below. In this embodiment, differences from embodiment 1 will be mainly described. This embodiment differs from embodiment 1 in the configuration of the communication section 21. Other configurations are the same as those in embodiment 1, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0055] The configuration of the communication portion 21 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10 . Fig. 10 is a front view of the heat source-side heat exchanger 2 according to embodiment 3. As shown in Fig. 10 , the communication portion 21b is a plurality of U-shaped tubes. The upper ends of two adjacent heat transfer tubes 20 are connected to one U-shaped tube. A second region AR2 in which fins 22 are not provided is formed between the plurality of U-shaped tubes and the second position 26. Specifically, the fins 22 are not provided in the region inside the U-shape of each U-shaped tube, the region between adjacent U-shaped tubes, or the region between the portion where the upper end of the heat transfer tube 20 connects to the U-shaped tube and the second position 26.

[0056] In this embodiment, at least one of the communicating portion 21 a and the communicating portion 21 b may be a U-shaped tube. While Fig. 10 shows an example in which the communicating portion 21 b is a U-shaped tube, the communicating portion 21 a may be a plurality of U-shaped tubes. Alternatively, a single pipe may be bent into a U shape to form a U-shaped communicating portion 21 between two heat transfer tubes 20.

[0057] In the outdoor unit 101 according to this embodiment, even if the communication portion 21a is a U-shaped tube that connects two adjacent heat transfer tubes 20 among the plurality of heat transfer tubes 20, the same effect as that of the outdoor unit 101 according to embodiment 1 can be obtained.

[0058] The above-described first to third embodiments should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above description, but is defined by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the scope of the claims and all modifications within the scope of the claims.

[0059] 1 Compressor, 2 Heat source side heat exchanger, 2a First heat source side heat exchanger, 2b Second heat source side heat exchanger, 3 Expansion section, 4 Load side heat exchanger, 5 Refrigerant piping, 6 Heat source side blower, 7 Load side blower, 11 Housing, 20 Heat transfer tube, 21 Communication section, 21a Communication section, 21b Communication section, 22 Fin, 25 First position, 26 Second position, 30 Cover, 31 Lower cover, 31a Main body section, 31b Connection section, 31c Opening, 32 Upper cover, 41 First member, 41a First surface, 41b Second surface, 42 Second member, 42a First surface, 100 Refrigeration cycle device, 101 Outdoor unit, 102 Indoor unit, AR1 First region, AR2 Second region, SP1 Space.

Claims

1. An outdoor unit comprising: a heat exchanger including a plurality of heat transfer tubes extending in a vertical direction; a communication portion connecting lower ends of adjacent heat transfer tubes among the plurality of heat transfer tubes; and a fin provided in a region above a first position spaced upward from the lower ends of the plurality of heat transfer tubes; and a lower cover including: a main body; and at least two connection portions protruding downward from the lower end of the main body; and an opening provided between the at least two connection portions, the lower cover being positioned opposite the region between the communication portion and the first position, and the opening being positioned opposite a space below the communication portion.

2. An outdoor unit as described in claim 1, comprising a pair of first members extending in the vertical direction and arranged with a space in the width direction of the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger being arranged between the pair of first members, and the connection portion of the lower cover being connected to first faces of the pair of first members that are aligned in the vertical direction.

3. An outdoor unit as described in claim 1, further comprising a second member extending horizontally and positioned below the communication portion of the heat exchanger with a space between the second member and the communication portion, and the connection portion of the lower cover is connected to a first surface of the second member that is aligned in the up-down direction.

4. An outdoor unit as described in claim 3, wherein, in the depth direction of the heat exchanger, the thickness of the connection portion of the lower cover is thinner than the thickness of the main body portion of the lower cover, and a space is formed between the lower end of the main body portion and the upper end of the second member above the connection point between the connection portion and the first surface of the second member.

5. The outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communication portion is a header that distributes refrigerant to the plurality of heat transfer tubes or that collects refrigerant from the plurality of heat transfer tubes.

6. The outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communication portion is a U-shaped tube that connects two adjacent heat transfer tubes among the plurality of heat transfer tubes.

7. An outdoor unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an upper cover provided in a region between the upper ends of the plurality of heat transfer tubes and a second position spaced downward from the upper ends, the upper cover being provided in a position opposite to the region where the fins are not provided.

8. A refrigeration cycle device comprising: an outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7; a compressor provided inside a housing of the outdoor unit; an expansion section; and a load side heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit, the compressor, the expansion section, and the load side heat exchanger are connected by refrigerant piping.

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