Heat source machine

Abstract

A heat source machine according to the present embodiment comprises: an air heat exchanger that exchanges heat with air; a support part that supports the air heat exchanger; and a plurality of water receiving gutters that are provided below the support part and that receive water flowing down from the air heat exchanger. The plurality of water receiving gutters are disposed at different heights below the support part.

Description

heat source machine

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a heat source machine including an air heat exchanger that exchanges heat with air, and a water receiving trough that receives water flowing down from the air heat exchanger.

[0002] For example, the heat source machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an air heat exchanger that exchanges heat with air, and a drain pan that receives water that flows down from the air heat exchanger.

[0003] Patent No. 6409896

[0004] In the conventional heat source machine described above, the drain pan is formed by tilting the plate that supports the air heat exchanger, which poses a problem of reducing the space in the machine room below the plate due to the tilting of the plate that supports the air heat exchanger.

[0005] Therefore, this embodiment provides a heat source machine that is capable of receiving water flowing down from the air heat exchanger while suppressing a reduction in the space below the support part that supports the air heat exchanger.

[0006] The heat source machine of this embodiment comprises an air heat exchanger that exchanges heat with air, a support part that supports the air heat exchanger, and a plurality of water receiving gutters that are provided below the support part and that receive water flowing down from the air heat exchanger, and the plurality of water receiving gutters are arranged at different heights below the support part.

[0007] A perspective view schematically showing an example of the configuration of a heat source machine according to this embodiment. A view schematically showing an example of a case where multiple heat source machines according to this embodiment are arranged adjacent to each other. A perspective view schematically showing an example of a water channel configuration below a baffle plate according to this embodiment. A view schematically showing an example of a water channel configuration below a baffle plate according to this embodiment from one end side in the longitudinal direction of the heat source machine. A view schematically showing an example of a water channel configuration below a baffle plate according to this embodiment from the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the heat source machine. A view (part 1) schematically showing an example of a water channel configuration below a baffle plate according to another embodiment from one end side in the longitudinal direction of the heat source machine. A view (part 2) schematically showing an example of a water channel configuration below a baffle plate according to another embodiment from one end side in the longitudinal direction of the heat source machine.

[0008] An embodiment of a heat source machine will be described below with reference to the drawings. The heat source machine 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is, for example, what is called a "chiller," and in this case, is configured as an air-cooled heat pump chilling unit. The heat source machine 1 is capable of generating hot water for heating a temperature-controlled object (not shown). The heat source machine 1 is also capable of generating cold water for cooling a temperature-controlled object (not shown).

[0009] The heat source machine 1 includes a machine room-side housing 2 as a lower section constituting the lower portion of the heat source machine 1. The machine room-side housing 2 is formed in a generally rectangular shape with one direction along a horizontal plane being longer than the other direction perpendicular to the one direction. The machine room-side housing 2 forms a machine room therein and houses at least a compressor 3. The heat source machine 1 includes multiple compressors 3, in this case two compressors 3. The multiple compressors 3 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the machine room-side housing 2. The heat source machine 1 may be configured to include one compressor 3, or three or more compressors 3. The machine room-side housing 2 also houses an expansion valve, a water heat exchanger, an accumulator, a switching valve, etc., which are not shown.

[0010] The heat source unit 1 includes an air heat exchanger 4 as an upper section that constitutes the upper portion of the heat source unit 1. In other words, the upper section can be defined as an air heat exchanger-side housing that includes the air heat exchanger 4 and a blower fan 5, which will be described later. The heat source unit 1 includes multiple air heat exchangers 4, in this case two, depending on the number of compressors 3. The multiple air heat exchangers 4 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the machine room-side housing 2, similar to the compressors 3. Note that the heat source unit 1 may be configured to include one air heat exchanger 4 depending on the number of compressors 3, or may be configured to include three or more air heat exchangers 4.

[0011] The air heat exchangers 4 are each disposed at the top of the machine room-side housing 2. A blower fan 5 is provided above each air heat exchanger 4. Each air heat exchanger 4 is configured to be able to exchange heat with air blown by the blower fan 5. As is well known, the air heat exchanger 4 is configured by combining a plurality of fins with refrigerant piping 6. The refrigerant piping 6 will be described in detail later.

[0012] The air heat exchanger 4, together with the compressor 3 housed in the machine room housing 2, and an expansion valve, a water heat exchanger, an accumulator, a switching valve, and the like (not shown), constitute a well-known refrigeration cycle unit. The operation mode of the refrigeration cycle unit can be switched between a heating mode and a cooling mode. The switching of the operation mode of the refrigeration cycle unit can be controlled by using a switching valve to reverse the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe 6 that constitutes the refrigeration cycle unit.

[0013] When the refrigeration cycle unit is switched to the heating mode, the air heat exchanger 4 operates as a cooler, and the water heat exchanger operating as a heater heats the water as a heat medium, and hot water is supplied to the temperature-controlled object. On the other hand, when the refrigeration cycle unit is switched to the cooling mode, the air heat exchanger 4 operates as a heater, and the water heat exchanger operating as a cooler cools the water as a heat medium, and cold water is supplied to the temperature-controlled object.

[0014] The air heat exchanger 4 is made up of a combination of multiple air heat exchanger parts, in this case two air heat exchanger parts 4A and 4B. Both ends of the first air heat exchanger part 4A are bent to form an air heat exchange chamber inside the first air heat exchanger part 4A. Also, both ends of the second air heat exchanger part 4B are bent to form an air heat exchange chamber inside the second air heat exchanger part 4B.

[0015] The air heat exchanger 4 is supported from below by a baffle plate 7. The baffle plate 7 is an example of a support portion and is made of, for example, a metal plate. In the heat source unit 1, the baffle plate 7 is disposed between the machine room housing 2 and the air heat exchanger 4. The baffle plate 7 functions as a platform on which the air heat exchanger 4 is placed, and can also function as a drain pan that receives water from the air heat exchanger 4 side.

[0016] The upper surface of the baffle plate 7 is an inclined surface that slopes downward from the center of the baffle plate 7 toward the outside in the short direction of the heat source unit 1. The air heat exchanger 4 is mounted on the baffle plate 7 in an inclined state so that it narrows at the bottom and widens at the top. Here, the baffle plate 7 may be formed from a single plate on which both the first air heat exchanger forming part 4A and the second air heat exchanger forming part 4B are mounted. Alternatively, the baffle plate 7 may be formed by combining multiple plate materials, for example, a plate material on which the first air heat exchanger forming part 4A and a plate material on which the second air heat exchanger forming part 4B are mounted may be combined.

[0017] With the heat source unit 1 configured in this manner, even if multiple heat source units 1 are arranged adjacently, as illustrated in Fig. 2, for example, it is possible to ensure a space S between the air heat exchangers 4. Therefore, even if multiple heat source units 1 are arranged adjacently, it is possible to prevent air from being difficult to take in by the air heat exchangers 4 of each heat source unit 1. Furthermore, when installing multiple heat source units 1 adjacently, a worker can insert his / her fingers or tools into this space S, or the worker himself / herself can enter the space S to perform work such as fixing the heat source units 1, making it easy to install the heat source units 1.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 3 , a rectangular box-shaped waterproof structure 8 is provided on the baffle plate 7. The waterproof structure 8 is made of, for example, a metal plate. The waterproof structure 8 prevents water, one example of a liquid, from infiltrating from the upper air heat exchanger 4 into the lower machine room housing 2. Water that infiltrates into the machine room housing 2 from the air heat exchanger 4 side includes, for example, rainwater that has entered the air heat exchanger 4 from outside the machine, defrost water generated during defrosting operation of the air heat exchanger 4, and condensation water that forms on the surface of the refrigerant pipe 6. Note that, for ease of explanation, Fig. 3 shows a portion of the baffle plate 7 cut away.

[0019] The refrigerant piping 6 is supported on the side of the waterproof structure 8. The waterproof structure 8 allows the refrigerant piping 6 to pass between the machine room side housing 2 and the air heat exchanger 4. The refrigerant piping 6, together with the compressor 3, the air heat exchanger 4, an expansion valve, a water heat exchanger, an accumulator, a switching valve, and the like (not shown), constitute a refrigeration cycle.

[0020] The heat source machine 1 according to the present disclosure has a unique water channel configuration below the baffle plate 7. Next, this water channel configuration will be described in detail. That is, the heat source machine 1 has a plurality of longitudinal gutters 10, 11 below the baffle plate 7, in this case two. The heat source machine 1 also has a plurality of lateral gutters 12, 13 below the baffle plate 7, in this case two.

[0021] The longitudinal gutters 10, 11 are an example of water receiving gutters, and are capable of receiving water flowing down from the air heat exchanger 4. The longitudinal gutters 10, 11 both extend along the longitudinal direction of the heat source unit 1.

[0022] The transverse gutters 12, 13 are an example of connecting gutters, and connect the longitudinal gutters 10 and the longitudinal gutters 11. The transverse gutters 12, 13 can also receive water flowing down from the air heat exchanger 4. Both the transverse gutters 12, 13 extend along the transverse direction of the heat source unit 1.

[0023] The multiple longitudinal gutters 10, 11 and the multiple lateral gutters 12, 13 are arranged so as to avoid the portions of the refrigerant piping 6 that extend in the vertical direction and penetrate the baffle plate 7. In other words, the multiple longitudinal gutters 10, 11 and the multiple lateral gutters 12, 13 are arranged so as to form a rectangular frame that surrounds the portions of the refrigerant piping 6 that extend in the vertical direction and penetrate the baffle plate 7.

[0024] The longitudinal gutters 10, 11 are arranged at a predetermined interval from each other along the short side of the heat source unit 1. That is, the longitudinal gutters 10, 11 are arranged at a distance from each other so as to sandwich the portion of the refrigerant piping 6 that penetrates the baffle plate 7 and extends in the vertical direction from the short side of the heat source unit 1.

[0025] The transverse gutters 12, 13 are arranged at a predetermined interval from each other along the longitudinal direction of the heat source unit 1. That is, the transverse gutters 12, 13 are arranged at a distance from each other so as to sandwich the portion of the refrigerant piping 6 that penetrates the baffle plate 7 and extends in the vertical direction from the longitudinal direction of the heat source unit 1.

[0026] 4 and 5, the longitudinal gutter 10 is disposed so as to face mainly the lower part of the air heat exchanger part 4A of the air heat exchanger 4. On the other hand, the longitudinal gutter 11 is disposed so as to face mainly the lower part of the air heat exchanger part 4B of the air heat exchanger 4.

[0027] The longitudinal gutter 10 is formed in the shape of a thin plate that slopes downward from the outside to the inside in the short direction of the heat source unit 1. The longitudinal gutter 10 also has a rectangular notch 10a on the longitudinal gutter 11 side.

[0028] On the other hand, the longitudinal gutter 11 has a rectangular gutter main body 11a with an open top. The gutter main body 11a forms a flow path over substantially the entire longitudinal area of ​​the machine room housing 2. The bottom of the gutter main body 11a slopes downward from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal gutter 11 also has an auxiliary gutter portion 11b on the opposite side to the longitudinal gutter 10. The auxiliary gutter portion 11b slopes downward from the outside to the inside in the short direction of the heat source unit 1 and is connected to the gutter main body 11a.

[0029] The longitudinal gutters 10, 11 are disposed at different heights below the baffle plate 7. That is, the lowest end of the longitudinal gutter 10 is disposed at a higher position than the lowest end of the longitudinal gutter 11. Note that a portion of the longitudinal gutter 11, in this case the auxiliary gutter portion 11b, is disposed at a higher position than the lowest end of the longitudinal gutter 10. However, the entire longitudinal gutter 11 may be disposed at a lower position than the lowest end of the longitudinal gutter 10.

[0030] The longitudinal gutters 10, 11 are different in size. In this case, the dimension of the longitudinal gutter 10 in the short direction of the heat source unit 1 is longer than the dimension of the longitudinal gutter 11 in the short direction of the heat source unit 1. The dimension of the longitudinal gutter 10 in the short direction of the heat source unit 1 is longer than the dimension of the air heat exchanger forming part 4A in the short direction of the heat source unit 1. On the other hand, the dimension of the longitudinal gutter 11 in the short direction of the heat source unit 1 is shorter than the dimension of the air heat exchanger forming part 4B in the short direction of the heat source unit 1. The dimensions of the air heat exchanger forming part 4A and the air heat exchanger forming part 4B in the short direction of the heat source unit 1 are approximately the same.

[0031] The transverse gutters 12, 13 are disposed below the longitudinal gutter 10 in positions facing the cutout 10a. The transverse gutters 12, 13 are inclined downward from the longitudinal gutter 10 side toward the longitudinal gutter 11 side. The lower ends of the transverse gutters 12, 13 are connected to the gutter main body 11a of the longitudinal gutter 11.

[0032] Water dripping from the air heat exchanger 4, particularly the air heat exchanger forming part 4A, flows down the inclined surface of the baffle plate 7 and enters the longitudinal gutter 10 from the outside in the transverse direction of the heat source unit 1. The water that flows into the longitudinal gutter 10 then flows along the inclined surface of the longitudinal gutter 10 and into the transverse gutter 12, 13 through the cutout 10a. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the longitudinal gutter 10 has a wall 10b extending vertically at the end of the longitudinal gutter 11. Therefore, the water flowing down the longitudinal gutter 10 is guided by the wall 10b toward the cutout 10a and flows into the transverse gutter 12, 13 through the cutout 10a. The water that flows into the transverse gutter 12, 13 then flows along the inclined surface of the transverse gutter 12, 13 and into the longitudinal gutter 11.

[0033] Furthermore, water dripping from the air heat exchanger 4, particularly from the air heat exchanger forming part 4B, flows down the inclined surface of the baffle plate 7 and flows into the longitudinal gutter 11 from the outside in the short direction of the heat source unit 1 via the auxiliary gutter section 11b. That is, the water that has flowed in from the air heat exchanger 4 via the longitudinal gutter 10 and the short gutter sections 12 and 13, and the water that has flowed in directly from the air heat exchanger 4, are collected in the longitudinal gutter 11.

[0034] The water collected in the longitudinal gutter 11 is then discharged outside the machine through a drain hole 11c provided at the other end of the longitudinal gutter 11 in the longitudinal direction.

[0035] In the heat source unit 1 exemplified above, the two longitudinal gutters 10, 11 for receiving water flowing down from the air heat exchanger 4 are arranged at different heights below the baffle plate 7. This configuration example promotes the flow of water from the longitudinal gutters 10 to the longitudinal gutters 11, and realizes a waterway configuration for receiving water flowing down from the air heat exchanger 4 and efficiently discharging it outside the unit without changing the shape of the baffle plate 7 supporting the air heat exchanger 4. Furthermore, by locating one of the multiple longitudinal gutters 10, 11 at a higher position than the other, it is possible to at least avoid the erosion of the space below the baffle plate 7 by the gutter arranged at a higher position. Therefore, it is possible to realize a waterway configuration that can receive water flowing down from the air heat exchanger 4 while suppressing a reduction in the space below the baffle plate 7.

[0036] Moreover, the heat source unit 1 further includes lateral gutters 12, 13 that connect the two longitudinal gutters 10, 11. According to this configuration example, even if the two longitudinal gutters 10, 11 are arranged at different heights below the baffle plate 7, these longitudinal gutters 10, 11 can be connected by the lateral gutters 12, 13, and the flow of water between the longitudinal gutters 10 and the longitudinal gutters 11 that are located at different heights can be stabilized.

[0037] Furthermore, according to the heat source unit 1, the two longitudinal gutters 10, 11 and the two lateral gutters 12, 13 are arranged so as to avoid the portion of the refrigerant piping 6 that penetrates the baffle plate 7 and extends in the vertical direction. According to this configuration example, a waterway configuration for receiving water flowing down from the air heat exchanger 4 and efficiently discharging it outside the unit can be realized without affecting the arrangement of the refrigerant piping 6. In other words, a waterway configuration consisting of the two longitudinal gutters 10, 11 and the two lateral gutters 12, 13 can be easily realized without changing the position or shape of the refrigerant piping 6.

[0038] Furthermore, according to the heat source unit 1, the two longitudinal gutters 10, 11 are different in size, and in this case, the longitudinal gutter 11 located at a lower position is smaller than the longitudinal gutter 10 located at a higher position. In other words, by making the longitudinal gutter 11 located closer to the machine room in the machine room-side housing 2 smaller than the other longitudinal gutters 10, it is possible to further prevent the space inside the machine room from being reduced.

[0039] Furthermore, in the heat source unit 1, when the baffle plate 7 is constructed by combining multiple plate materials, it is advisable to increase the width in the short direction of the longitudinal gutter 10 that is placed at a higher position and to arrange it so that the joints between the multiple plate materials that form the baffle plate 7 are covered by the longitudinal gutter 10. In this way, even if there is no need to provide extra sealing or the like between the multiple plate materials that form the baffle plate 7, if water drips into the machine room from the gaps between the multiple plate materials that form the baffle plate 7, the water can be received and discharged by the longitudinal gutter 10.

[0040] The present embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and extensions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the height difference between the longitudinal gutters 10 and 11 can be appropriately changed. Furthermore, the size and shape of the longitudinal gutters 10, 11 can be appropriately changed.

[0041] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6 , the heat source unit 1 may be configured such that the longitudinal gutter 11 is larger than the longitudinal gutter 10. Here, because components of the mechanical system, such as the compressor 3, are placed on the bottom of the machine room, it is easy to ensure ample space in the upper region of the machine room. Therefore, even if the components placed in the machine room, such as the compressor 3 and the water heat exchanger, are small and there is ample space in the upper region of the machine room, even if the longitudinal gutter 11 is made larger, the longitudinal gutter 11 is unlikely to interfere with the components of the mechanical system in the machine room. Therefore, according to the heat source unit 1, the longitudinal gutter 11 can also be configured larger than the longitudinal gutter 10.

[0042] 7, the heat source unit 1 may be configured such that the length in the short direction of the longitudinal gutter 10 arranged at a higher position is shorter than that in the above-described embodiment, and more specifically, the longitudinal gutter 10 may be configured to be shorter than the longitudinal gutter 11. According to this configuration example, the space above the machine room can be further expanded, and for example, pipes such as the refrigerant pipe 6 and other components can be arranged while avoiding interference with the longitudinal gutter 10, 11. The configuration example shown in FIG. 7 is particularly suitable when a tall, large compressor 3, a water heat exchanger, etc. are provided.

[0043] In the above-described embodiment, the transverse gutterings 12, 13 are arranged at the same height. However, the heat source unit 1 may be configured so that the transverse gutterings 12, 13 are arranged at different heights. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the transverse gutterings 12, 13 have the same size and shape. However, the heat source unit 1 may be configured so that the transverse gutterings 12, 13 have different sizes, shapes, etc.

[0044] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented merely 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, modifications, etc. can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The present embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0045] In the drawings, 1 denotes a heat source unit, 4 denotes an air heat exchanger, 6 denotes refrigerant piping, 7 denotes a baffle plate (support portion), 10 and 11 denote longitudinal gutters (water receiving gutters), and 12 and 13 denote lateral gutters (connecting gutters).

Claims

1. A heat source machine comprising: an air heat exchanger that exchanges heat with air; a support part that supports the air heat exchanger; and a plurality of water receiving gutters that are provided below the support part and that receive water flowing down from the air heat exchanger, wherein the plurality of water receiving gutters are arranged at different heights below the support part.

2. The heat source machine according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting gutter that connects the plurality of water receiving gutters.

3. The heat source machine according to claim 2, further comprising refrigerant piping that constitutes a refrigeration cycle together with at least the air heat exchanger, and wherein the plurality of water receiving gutters and the connecting gutters are arranged to avoid the refrigerant piping.

4. The heat source machine according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of water receiving gutters are each different in size.

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