Outdoor unit and heat pump device provided with same

Abstract

Provided is an outdoor unit capable of quickly discharging a leaked refrigerant to the outside. This outdoor unit is provided with: a housing having a base (4) at a bottom part thereof; a fan chamber formed inside the housing and above the base (4), the fan chamber accommodating an outdoor fan; and a machine chamber formed inside the housing and above the base (4), the machine chamber accommodating a compressor that compresses a refrigerant. In the base (4), a drain hole (32) that discharges drain water generated in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside, and a refrigerant discharge hole (34) that discharges a refrigerant leaked in the machine chamber to the outside are formed. The refrigerant discharge hole (34) has an area larger than that of the drain hole (32).

Description

Outdoor unit and heat pump device equipped with the same

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an outdoor unit and a heat pump device equipped with the same.

[0002] R290, which is propane as a natural refrigerant, is being promoted for use as a refrigerant in heat pump devices because of its low GWP (global warming potential). However, R290 is classified as a highly flammable refrigerant and there is a risk of ignition when it leaks.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, when a flammable refrigerant leaks into the machine room of the outdoor unit, an opening and closing mechanism is provided that opens so that the inside of the machine room and the outside are ventilated.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-168986

[0005] However, in Patent Document 1, the installation of the opening and closing mechanism is required and the structure becomes complicated. Also, when the refrigerant leaks rapidly, the pressure in the machine room may increase due to the operation delay of the opening and closing mechanism, and there is a possibility that the flammable refrigerant may flow into the control box in the machine room. Since electrical equipment is housed in the control box, there is a risk of ignition.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an outdoor unit capable of quickly discharging the leaked refrigerant to the outside and a heat pump device equipped with the same.

[0007] The outdoor unit according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing having a base at the bottom, a fan chamber formed inside the housing and above the base for housing an outdoor fan, and a machine room formed inside the housing and above the base for housing a compressor that compresses refrigerant. The base has a drain hole for discharging drain water generated in the fan chamber or the machine room to the outside, and a refrigerant discharge hole for discharging refrigerant leaked in the fan chamber or the machine room to the outside. The flow path resistance of the refrigerant discharge hole is smaller than that of the drain hole.

[0008] The heat pump device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the above outdoor unit and a heat utilization machine connected to the outdoor unit.

[0009] The refrigerant that has leaked inside the outdoor unit can be quickly discharged to the outside.

[0010] This is a perspective view showing an outdoor unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the outdoor unit in Figure 1. This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the area around the base of the outdoor unit in Figure 2. This is a perspective view showing the base of the outdoor unit in Figure 1.

[0011] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows an outdoor unit 1 used in a heat pump system. The outdoor unit 1 in Figure 1 is shown with the panel of the machine room 7 removed.

[0012] The outdoor unit 1 is connected to the indoor unit (heat utilization unit) via water piping (not shown). Water circulates between the outdoor unit 1 and the indoor unit through the water piping. As a result, the heat or cold generated by the outdoor unit 1 is sent to the indoor unit via the water piping, providing heat or cold to the room. Alternatively, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may be connected via refrigerant piping. In this case, an indoor heat exchanger through which refrigerant flows is installed in the indoor unit.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the outdoor unit 1 has a roughly rectangular prism-shaped housing 3. The bottom of the housing 3 is a sheet metal base 4. The base 4 has base legs 4a provided on each side along the longitudinal direction, and a roughly flat plate portion 4b provided between the upper ends of the base legs 4a on both sides. The flat plate portion 4b extends roughly horizontally, and various devices are installed on top of it. The flat plate portion 4b has irregularities formed by press working (see Figure 4).

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the housing 3 contains a fan room 5 and a machine room 7 located above the base 4, separated to the left and right by a partition wall 9.

[0015] The fan chamber 5 is located on the left side in Figure 1. Inside the fan chamber 5 are an outdoor fan (not shown) and an outdoor heat exchanger 30 (see Figure 2). The outdoor heat exchanger 30 is bent into an L-shape so as to form the side and back of the fan chamber 5. The outside air drawn in by the outdoor fan exchanges heat with the refrigerant circulating in the outdoor heat exchanger 30. After exchanging heat with the refrigerant, the outside air is discharged to the outside through the fan opening 11.

[0016] The machine room 7 is located on the right side in Figure 1. The machine room 7 is provided with a plate-shaped sub-base 13 on top of the base 4 (specifically, the flat plate portion 4b). The sub-base 13 is rectangular in shape when viewed from above and is large enough to cover almost the entire area below the machine room 7. However, a predetermined gap is formed around the four sides of the sub-base 13 between it and the side walls of the opposing housing 3.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, multiple sub-base support members 15 equipped with vibration-damping rubber (vibration-damping members) are provided between the base 4 and the sub-base 13. Each sub-base support member supports the sub-base 13 relative to the base 4. Figure 4 shows the sub-base support member mounting holes 15a provided in the base 4 corresponding to each sub-base support member. As shown in the figure, there are six sub-base support member mounting holes 15a. However, the number of sub-base support member mounting holes 15a and the sub-base support members to which they are attached is not limited to six; three or more are acceptable.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the machine room 7 is equipped with a compressor 17, a water heat exchanger 19, a gas separator 21, a control box 23, and the like, above the sub-base 13.

[0019] The compressor 17 is, for example, a rotary compressor, which compresses a refrigerant such as R290. As shown in Figure 2, the lower part of the compressor 17 is provided with compressor legs 17a equipped with vibration-damping rubber. The compressor legs 17a are mounted on the sub-base 13. The compressor legs 17a equipped with vibration-damping rubber reduce the vibrations of the compressor 17 that are transmitted to the sub-base 13. The sub-base 13 does not have unnecessary through holes, except for holes for mounting equipment such as the sub-base support member 15 and the compressor legs 17a. Therefore, after the equipment is mounted, there are basically no through holes in the sub-base 13.

[0020] The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 17 is sent to the water heat exchanger 19 or the outdoor heat exchanger 30 via a four-way valve (not shown).

[0021] The water heat exchanger 19 exchanges heat between the refrigerant and water. After the water has exchanged heat with the refrigerant, the gas (such as air or refrigerant) is separated by the gas separator 21, and then the water is guided to the indoor unit through the water supply pipe 25. After the water has exchanged heat with the indoor air in the indoor unit, it is returned to the water heat exchanger 19 through the water return pipe 26. In this way, the water circulates between the water heat exchanger 19 and the indoor unit.

[0022] The control box 23 has a sealed structure that houses electrical equipment such as capacitors and coils inside. Furthermore, the control box 23 is equipped with a terminal block that has electrical terminals (electrical equipment) that receive power from the outside.

[0023] Figure 2 also shows the same compressor 17, water heat exchanger 19, and gas separator 21 as in Figure 1. An accumulator 28 is shown to the side of the compressor 17. An outdoor heat exchanger 30 is also shown on the right side of Figure 2. The outdoor heat exchanger 30 is installed in the fan room 5 (see Figure 1) as described above.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, the base 4 is provided with three drain holes 32 in a position corresponding to the fan chamber 5. Note that the number of drain holes 32 is not limited to three; there may be one, two, or four or more.

[0025] The drain hole 32 is circular in shape, with a diameter of, for example, 20 mm. The drain hole 32 is located on the lower surface 33, which is the lowest position on the flat plate portion 4b of the base 4. The lower surface 33 extends continuously across the machine room 7. The lower surface 33 is inclined so that the drain hole 32 faces downwards. This allows condensed water to flow downwards from equipment such as the outdoor heat exchanger inside the housing 3, and then be discharged to the outside through the drain hole 32 via the lower surface 33.

[0026] The base 4 is provided with a refrigerant discharge hole 34 at a position corresponding to the machine room 7. Through the refrigerant discharge hole 34, refrigerant that has leaked into the machine room 7 is discharged to the outside (atmosphere).

[0027] The refrigerant discharge hole 34 is located approximately in the center of the base 4 in the depth direction (short side direction). The refrigerant discharge hole 34 is, for example, circular in shape, with a diameter of 30 mm or more, preferably about 60 mm. That is, the area of ​​the refrigerant discharge hole 34 is larger than the area of ​​one drain hole 32, resulting in reduced flow resistance. Note that the shape of the refrigerant discharge hole 34 is not limited to circular; it may also be oval or other shapes. If the shape of the refrigerant discharge hole 34 is not circular, it is preferable to have a hydraulic diameter of 30 mm or more.

[0028] The height at which the refrigerant discharge hole 34 is formed is higher than the height at which the drain hole 32 is formed. Specifically, the refrigerant discharge hole 34 is provided on the middle surface 37, which is higher than the lower surface 33 due to the stepped portion 36.

[0029] A subbase 13 is located above (but not directly above) the refrigerant discharge hole 34 (see, for example, Figure 3), and furthermore, the subbase 13 does not have a through hole formed in the area directly above the refrigerant discharge hole 34.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, a resin mesh 40 is provided at the refrigerant discharge hole 34 to prevent small animals such as insects from entering the inside of the housing 3 from the outside. Figure 4 shows the state with the mesh 40 removed.

[0031] In the outdoor unit 1 with the above configuration, if refrigerant leaks, it will be discharged as follows. If the refrigerant is a highly flammable refrigerant such as R290 and leaks into the outdoor unit 1, there is a control box 23 in the machine room 7, which could become a source of ignition, so it is necessary to quickly discharge it to the outside of the outdoor unit 1. In particular, if the refrigerant leaks rapidly, the internal pressure in the machine room 7 will rise sharply, and there is a risk that the refrigerant will enter the sealed control box 23, so it is necessary to immediately discharge the refrigerant to the outside.

[0032] Refrigerant may leak from the vibrating compressor 17 or from joints in the refrigerant piping connected to the compressor 17, which transmits vibrations. If refrigerant leaks into the machine room 7 from the compressor 17, etc., the gaseous refrigerant will flow downwards because it has a higher specific gravity than air. A sub-base 13 is provided below, but since the sub-base 13 does not have through holes, the refrigerant will flow further downwards through the gap between the periphery of the sub-base 13 and the side wall of the housing 3. The refrigerant that has flowed onto the flat plate portion 4b of the base 4 will then pass through the refrigerant discharge hole 34 and be discharged to the outside of the housing 3. The refrigerant discharge hole 34 has a larger area and lower flow resistance than the drain hole 32, so the refrigerant is preferentially discharged from the refrigerant discharge hole 34. Since the refrigerant is gaseous, it does not flow along the lower surface 33 and be guided to the drain hole 32, but rather flows out from the refrigerant discharge hole 34, which has low flow resistance. Furthermore, since the area of ​​the refrigerant discharge hole 34 is larger than that of the drain hole 32, the refrigerant is quickly discharged to the outside, so even if the refrigerant leaks rapidly, the pressure inside the machine room 7 will not rise sharply.

[0033] On the other hand, the drain water flows along the lower surface 33 and is guided to a drain hole 32 located below the refrigerant discharge hole 34, where it is discharged to the outside.

[0034] Regarding the noise generated from the compressor 17, since the sub-base 13 is interposed in between, the noise does not directly leak to the outside through the refrigerant discharge hole 34.

[0035] The effects and advantages of this embodiment described above are as follows: By making the area of ​​the refrigerant discharge hole 34 larger than that of the drain hole 32, the flow resistance is reduced, so that if refrigerant leaks, the refrigerant can be preferentially discharged to the outside through the refrigerant discharge hole 34. As a result, even if the control box 23 housing the electrical equipment is installed in the machine room 7, there is no risk of flammable refrigerant entering the control box 23.

[0036] By positioning the refrigerant discharge hole 34 higher than the drain hole 32, drain water can be preferentially directed to the drain hole 32, which is located lower than the refrigerant discharge hole 34. This minimizes the risk of unintentional drain water leakage from the refrigerant discharge hole 34.

[0037] By providing a mesh 40 in the refrigerant discharge hole 34, it is possible to prevent small animals such as insects from entering the inside of the housing 3 from the outside.

[0038] Refrigerant is prone to leaking from the compressor 17 and its associated equipment in the machine room 7. Therefore, by providing a refrigerant discharge hole 34 at the bottom of the machine room 7, the refrigerant can be quickly discharged to the outside.

[0039] A sub-base support member 15 equipped with vibration-damping rubber is provided between the sub-base 13 and the base 4, and the compressor 17 is installed on the sub-base 13. This suppresses noise generated due to vibrations of the compressor 17, and by interposing the sub-base 13, it prevents noise originating from the compressor 17 from directly reaching the refrigerant discharge hole 34, thereby minimizing noise leakage to the outside of the housing 3.

[0040] A region is provided in the sub-base 13 where no through-hole is formed directly above the refrigerant discharge hole 34. This prevents noise originating from the compressor 17 installed in the sub-base 13 from reaching the refrigerant discharge hole 34 via the shortest possible route.

[0041] The outdoor unit and the heat pump system equipped therewith described in each of the embodiments above can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0042] An outdoor unit (1) according to a first aspect of the present disclosure comprises a housing (3) having a base (4) at its bottom, a fan chamber (5) formed inside the housing and above the base and housing an outdoor fan, and a machine chamber (7) formed inside the housing and above the base and housing a compressor (17) for compressing refrigerant, wherein the base is provided with a drain hole (32) for discharging drain water generated in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside, and a refrigerant discharge hole (34) for discharging refrigerant leaked in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside, and the refrigerant discharge hole has less flow resistance than the drain hole.

[0043] By making the area of the refrigerant discharge hole have a lower flow path resistance than that of the drain hole, when the refrigerant leaks, the refrigerant can be preferentially discharged to the outside from the refrigerant discharge hole. As the refrigerant, for example, a flammable refrigerant such as R290 is used. For example, the flow path resistance is reduced by making the area of the refrigerant discharge hole larger than that of the drain hole. When a plurality of drain holes are provided, the area of one refrigerant discharge hole is made larger than the area of one drain hole. For example, when the drain hole is a circular shape with a diameter of 20 mm, the refrigerant discharge hole is made into a circular shape with a diameter of 30 mm or more. However, the shape of the refrigerant discharge hole is not limited to a circular shape, and may be a shape such as an ellipse. When the shape of the refrigerant discharge hole is non-circular, it is preferable that the hydraulic diameter is 30 mm or more.

[0044] The outdoor unit according to the second aspect of the present disclosure is, in the first aspect, the refrigerant is a flammable refrigerant, and a control box (23) for housing electrical equipment is provided in the machine room.

[0045] Since there is a risk of ignition when a flammable refrigerant enters the control box that houses the electrical equipment, it is effective to quickly discharge the leaked refrigerant from the above-described refrigerant discharge hole. Flammable refrigerants include slightly flammable refrigerants, weakly flammable refrigerants, and strongly flammable refrigerants. In particular, it is effective when using a strongly flammable refrigerant such as R290 using propane.

[0046] The outdoor unit according to the third aspect of the present disclosure is, in the first aspect or the second aspect, the refrigerant discharge hole is provided at a position higher than the drain hole.

[0047] By providing the refrigerant discharge hole at a position higher than the drain hole, the drain water can be preferentially flowed to the drain hole located at a position lower than the refrigerant discharge hole. Thereby, it is possible to avoid, as much as possible, the outflow of drain water from the refrigerant discharge hole unintentionally.

[0048] The outdoor unit according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure is, in any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, a mesh (40) is provided in the refrigerant discharge hole.

[0049] By installing a mesh over the refrigerant discharge port, it is possible to prevent insects and other small animals from entering the inside of the enclosure from the outside.

[0050] In the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the outdoor unit is provided in any of the first to fourth aspects described above, with the refrigerant discharge hole located at the bottom of the machine room.

[0051] Refrigerant is prone to leaking from the compressor and its associated equipment in the machine room. Therefore, a refrigerant discharge vent was installed at the bottom of the machine room to quickly discharge the refrigerant to the outside.

[0052] An outdoor unit according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in any of the first to fifth aspects described above, comprises a sub-base (13) provided above the base and on which the compressor is installed, and a vibration-damping member provided between the sub-base and the base to support the sub-base, wherein the refrigerant discharge hole is provided below the sub-base.

[0053] A vibration-damping member was installed between the sub-base and the base, and the compressor was mounted on the sub-base. This suppresses noise generated by compressor vibrations, and by interposing the sub-base, it prevents noise originating from the compressor from directly reaching the refrigerant discharge port, thereby minimizing noise leakage to the outside of the enclosure.

[0054] In the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the outdoor unit, in the sixth aspect described above, has a subbase having a region directly above the refrigerant discharge hole in which no through-hole is formed.

[0055] A region without through-holes was created directly above the refrigerant discharge port in the sub-base. This prevents noise originating from the compressor installed in the sub-base from reaching the refrigerant discharge port via the shortest possible route.

[0056] An outdoor unit according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure comprises a housing having a base at the bottom, a fan chamber formed inside the housing and above the base and housing an outdoor fan, and a machine chamber formed inside the housing and above the base and housing a compressor for compressing refrigerant, wherein the base has a drain hole for discharging drain water generated in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside, and a refrigerant discharge hole for discharging refrigerant leaked in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside, the refrigerant discharge hole has a smaller flow resistance than the drain hole and is located at a higher position than the drain hole.

[0057] An outdoor unit according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure comprises a housing having a base at the bottom, a fan chamber formed inside the housing and above the base and housing an outdoor fan, and a machine chamber formed inside the housing and above the base and housing a compressor for compressing refrigerant, wherein the base has a drain hole for discharging drain water generated in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside, and a refrigerant discharge hole for discharging refrigerant leaked in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside, the refrigerant discharge hole comprises a sub-base provided above the base and having a flow resistance smaller than that of the drain hole and on which the compressor is installed, and a vibration-damping member provided between the sub-base and the base and supporting the sub-base, the refrigerant discharge hole is provided below the sub-base.

[0058] A heat pump system according to a first aspect of this disclosure comprises an outdoor unit in any of the above-described aspects and a heat utilization unit connected to the outdoor unit.

[0059] A heat utilization unit connected to the outdoor unit can utilize the heat and / or cooling energy obtained from the heat pump system. The heat utilization unit is typically an indoor unit installed inside the building. The connection between the outdoor unit and the heat utilization unit may be made by refrigerant piping, or by water piping leading from a water heat exchanger installed in the outdoor unit.

[0060] 1 Outdoor unit 3 Enclosure 4 Base 4a Base legs 4b Flat plate section 5 Fan room 7 Machine room 9 Partition wall 11 Fan opening 13 Subbase 15 Subbase support member 15a Subbase support member mounting hole 17 Compressor 17a Compressor legs 19 Water heat exchanger 21 Gas separator 23 Control box 25 Water supply piping 26 Water return piping 28 Accumulator 30 Outdoor heat exchanger 32 Drain hole 33 Lower surface 34 Refrigerant discharge hole 36 Step section 37 Middle surface 40 Mesh

Claims

1. An outdoor unit comprising: a housing having a base at the bottom; a fan chamber formed inside the housing and above the base and housing an outdoor fan; and a machine chamber formed inside the housing and above the base and housing a compressor for compressing refrigerant, wherein the base has a drain hole for discharging drain water generated in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside, and a refrigerant discharge hole for discharging refrigerant leaked in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside, and the refrigerant discharge hole has a flow resistance smaller than that of the drain hole.

2. The outdoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant is a flammable refrigerant, and the machine room is provided with a control box for housing electrical equipment.

3. The outdoor unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the refrigerant discharge hole is located at a higher position than the drain hole.

4. The outdoor unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a mesh is provided in the refrigerant discharge hole.

5. The outdoor unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the refrigerant discharge hole is provided in the lower part of the machine room.

6. An outdoor unit according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: a sub-base provided above the base and on which the compressor is installed; and a vibration-damping member provided between the sub-base and the base to support the sub-base, wherein the refrigerant discharge hole is provided below the sub-base.

7. The outdoor unit according to claim 6, wherein the subbase has a region directly above the refrigerant discharge hole in which no through-hole is formed.

8. An outdoor unit comprising: a housing having a base at the bottom; a fan chamber formed inside the housing and above the base for housing an outdoor fan; and a machine chamber formed inside the housing and above the base for housing a compressor for compressing refrigerant, wherein the base has a drain hole for discharging drain water generated in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside, and a refrigerant discharge hole for discharging refrigerant leaked in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside, and the refrigerant discharge hole has a smaller flow resistance than the drain hole and is located at a higher position than the drain hole.

9. An outdoor unit comprising: a housing having a base at the bottom; a fan chamber formed inside the housing and above the base and housing an outdoor fan; a machine chamber formed inside the housing and above the base and housing a compressor for compressing refrigerant, wherein the base has a drain hole for discharging drain water generated in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside, and a refrigerant discharge hole for discharging refrigerant leaked in the fan chamber or the machine chamber to the outside, wherein the flow resistance of the refrigerant discharge hole is smaller than that of the drain hole; a sub-base provided above the base and on which the compressor is installed; and a vibration-damping member provided between the sub-base and the base to support the sub-base, wherein the refrigerant discharge hole is provided below the sub-base.

10. A heat pump device comprising: an outdoor unit according to claim 1 or 2; and a heat utilization unit connected to the outdoor unit.

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