Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
AN OUTDOOR UNIT AND AN AIR CONDITIONER HAVING THE SAME
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001]
The present invention relates to an outdoor unit and an air
conditioner having the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002]
One type of air conditioners for conditioning air is a
separate-type one which includes: an outdoor unit installed
outdoors; an indoor unit installed indoors; and a refrigerant pipe
that connects the outdoor unit to the indoor unit. Many
separate-type air conditioners are, for example, installed in
buildings for business purposes, and perform cooling operation all
the year round.
[0003]
Since the outdoor unit of such a separate-type air conditioner
is installed outdoors, winter-time cooling operation of the outdoor
unit is more likely to become unstable when outside air temperature
is low. For example, when outside air temperature decreases, the
condensation temperature of the refrigerant in an outdoor heat
exchanger included in the outdoor unit becomes lower, and the
condensation pressure of the refrigerant therein accordingly
becomes lower, under the influence of wind which blows against the
outdoor unit. This resultantly leads to a decrease in the heat
exchange efficiency of the outdoor heat exchanger, and instability
of the cooling operation of the outdoor unit. This unstable
operation is highly likely to occur particularly when outside air
temperature is less than a threshold temperature (for example,
-5 C).
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[0004]
With this taken into consideration, a windbreak for
restricting airflow is usually provided to air inlets and outlets
of the outdoor unit in order to inhibit the decrease in the heat
exchange efficiency of the outdoor heat exchanger even when the
outside air temperature is less than the threshold temperature (for
example, -5 C) . The configuration in which the windbreak is
provided to the outdoor unit, however, means that the windbreak
always restricts the airflow. When, therefore, the outside air
temperature is not less than the threshold temperature (for example,
-5 C) , this configuration decreases the heat exchange efficiency
of the outdoor heat exchanger during cooling and heating operations.
[0005]
Against this background, there has been a proposal to provide
a wind deflector and an air outlet hood, which have a function of
deflecting airflow, to air inlets and an air outlet of the outdoor
unit for the purpose of inhibiting a decrease in the heat exchange
efficiency of the outdoor heat exchanger no matter what the outside
air temperature is (for example, see JP2013-533457A1) .
[0006]
Prior Art Document (s)
Patent Literature (s)
Patent Literature 1: JP2013-533457A1 (FIGS. 10 and 15A)
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[ 0 007 ]
It has however been demanded that the conventional air
conditioner disclosed in Patent Literature 1 could be less affected
by wind and snow as discussed below.
[ 0 00 8 ]
As is often the case with cold areas, mountainous areas and
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the like (hereinafter referred to as "cold areas and the like") ,
strong wind blows and relatively heavy snow falls in cold seasons
such as winter. In a case where the conventional air conditioner
disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is used in cold areas and the like,
there is high likelihood that strong wind blows against the outdoor
unit in windy days and snow piles up in the air inlets and air outlet
of the outdoor unit in snowy days.
[ 0009]
The outdoor unit is designed to adjust the amount of outside
air to be sucked into the outdoor unit (outside air suction amount)
by controlling the rotational speed of the built-in outdoor fan,
thus to stabilize the heat exchange efficiency of the outdoor heat
exchanger, and thereby to control the temperature of the air
conditioner as a whole.
[0010]
In a case where, however, strong wind blows against the outdoor
unit, a more-than-expected amount of external air (outside air) ,
which exceeds an adjusted amount expected from control of the
rotational speed of the outdoor fan, to enter the inside of the
outdoor unit. Furthermore, since snow piling up in the air inlets
and air outlet of the outdoor unit hinders suction of outside air,
there is likelihood that only an amount of outside air, which is
less than the adjusted amount expected from the control of the
rotational speed of the outdoor fan, is sucked into the outdoor unit.
[0011]
In these cases, therefore, the outdoor unit may have a problem
that: the adjustment of the outside air suction amount by the outdoor
fan is hindered; and in the outdoor heat exchanger, the condensation
temperature and condensation pressure of the refrigerant thus
decreases, and the heat exchange efficiency accordingly decreases.
This is highly likely to make the cooling operation of the outdoor
unit unstable, and to hinder the otherwise appropriate overall
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temperature control of the air conditioner. Against this
background, it has been demanded that the conventional air
conditioner disclosed in Patent Literature 1 could be less affected
by wind and snow as discussed below.
[0012]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems
and makes it an object thereof to provide an air conditioner which
is less affected by wind and snow.
[0013]
For the purpose of achieving the above object, the present
invention is an outdoor unit which includes: a cabinet in which at
least one air inlet and at least one air outlet are formed; a heat
exchanger arranged inside the cabinet; an air inlet hood that covers
the air inlet; and an air outlet hood that covers the air outlet.
The air inlet hood includes: a facing panel arranged facing the air
inlet; an upper surface panel arranged on an upper surface of a part
between the air inlet and the facing panel; and two side panels
arranged respectively on two side surfaces of the part between the
air inlet and the facing panel. A lower surface air intake hole
is provided to a lower surface of the part between the air inlet
and the facing panel. A side surface air intake hole is provided
to at least one of the two side panels. The present invention is
also an air conditioner having the outdoor unit.
The other components will be described later.
[0014]
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide
an air conditioner which is less affected by wind and snow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a diagram of an overall configuration of an air
conditioner according to an embodiment;
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FIG. 2 is a diagram of a refrigeration cycle configuration
of the air conditioner according to the embodiment;
FIG. 3A is a front view of an outdoor unit according to the
embodiment;
FIG. 3B is a left side view of the outdoor unit according to
the embodiment;
FIG. 3C is a rear view of the outdoor unit according to the
embodiment;
FIG. 4A is a front view of a cabinet of the outdoor unit
according to the embodiment;
FIG. 4B is a left side view of the cabinet of the outdoor unit
according to the embodiment;
FIG. 4C is a rear view of the cabinet of the outdoor unit
according to the embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an air inlet hood of the outdoor
unit according to the embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an air outlet hood of the outdoor
unit according to the embodiment;
FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams (1) for explaining how dampers
of the outdoor unit according to the embodiment work;
FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams (2) for explaining how the dampers
of the outdoor unit according to the embodiment work; and
FIG. 9 is a rear view of the outdoor unit to which air inlet
hoods of a modification are attached.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0016]
An embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred
to as an "embodiment") will be hereinafter described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that
each drawing is schematic sufficiently to make the present invention
fully understood. The present invention is not limited to shown
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examples alone. Components which are common or similar throughout
the drawings will be denoted by the same reference signs, and
descriptions for such components will be omitted.
[Embodiment]
[0017]
The embodiment intends to: provide an outdoor unit with the
following points taken into consideration; and an air conditioner
having the same.
[0018]
(1) The embodiment intends to provide: the outdoor unit which
is capable of excellently controlling an amount of outside air to
be sucked in by outdoor fans; and the air conditioner having the
same.
For example, the conventional air conditioner disclosed in
Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Patent Translation Publication No.
2013-533457) includes the wind deflector attached to the air inlets
of the outdoor unit, and an opening is provided to an upper surface
of the wind deflector, as shown in FIG. 10 of Patent Literature 1.
The conventional air conditioner, therefore, has a problem that when
snow falls, snow is likely to pile up on the opening of the wind
deflector, or snow is likely to go through the opening of the wind
deflector to adhere to the outdoor heat exchanger arranged inside
the wind deflector. When these occur, snow hinders the outdoor fan
from sucking external air (outside air) , and the amount of outside
air to be sucked in by the outdoor fan is accordingly less than the
adjusted amount which is expected from the control of the rotational
speed of the outdoor fan. Furthermore, the conventional air
conditioner disclosed in Patent Literature 1, for example, includes
no means for removing snow which piles up in the air outlet of the
air outlet hood. The conventional air conditioner, therefore, has
a problem that snow is likely to remain in the air outlet of the
air outlet hood. When this occurs, snow partially occludes the flow
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path of the outside air, and the amount of outside air to be sucked
in by the outdoor fan is less than the adjusted amount which is
expected from the control of the rotational speed of the outdoor
fan. With these taken into consideration, the present embodiment
intends to provide: the outdoor unit which is capable of excellently
controlling the amount of outside air to be sucked in by the outdoor
fan; and the air conditioner having the same.
[0019]
(2) The embodiment intends to provide: an outdoor unit with
smaller-sized hoods; and the air conditioner having the same.
For example, the conventional air conditioner disclosed in
Patent Literature 1 is provided, for example, with a wind
deflector-integrated air outlet hood which covers the air inlets
and the air outlet of the outdoor unit, as shown in FIG. 15A. This
makes it possible for the conventional air conditioner to obtain
anti-snow effect. Because of the configuration shown in FIG. 15A
in Patent Literature 1, the conventional air conditioner requires
an opening in a lower surface of the wind deflector to be larger
in size in order to prevent a decrease in the heat exchange efficiency
of the outdoor heat exchanger both in summer-time cooling operations
and in winter-time heating operations. This accordingly makes the
wind deflector-integrated air outlet hood larger in size. The
outdoor unit of the air conditioner having the configuration shown
in FIG. 15A in Patent Literature 1, therefore, is larger in size,
and needs to secure a wider place where to install the outdoor unit.
With these taken into consideration, the embodiment intends to
provide the outdoor unit with the smaller-sized hoods; and the air
conditioner having the same.
<Configuration of Air Conditioner>
[0020]
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, descriptions will be hereinbelow
provided for a configuration of the air conditioner according to
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the embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram of an overall configuration
of the air conditioner. FIG. 2 is a diagram of a refrigeration cycle
configuration of the air conditioner.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 includes: an outdoor
unit 2; an indoor unit 3; a refrigerant pipe 4 connecting the outdoor
unit 2 and the indoor unit 3. Multiple outdoor units 2 and multiple
indoor units 3 may be provided to the air conditioner 1. The air
conditioner 1 is capable of performing cooling operation and heating
operation because the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 3 form the
refrigeration cycle.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 2, the outdoor unit 2 includes: a compressor
5 for compressing refrigerant; a four-way valve 6 for reversing the
flow of the refrigerant between the cooling operation and the heating
operation; an outdoor heat exchanger 7 for making heat pass between
the refrigerant and outside air; an outdoor fan 8 for sending the
outside air to the outdoor heat exchanger 7; and an outdoor expansion
valve 9 for expanding the refrigerant by decompression.
[0023]
The indoor unit 3 includes: an indoor heat exchanger 10 for
making heat pass between the refrigerant and indoor air; an indoor
fan 11 for sending the indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger 10;
and an outdoor expansion valve 9 for expanding the refrigerant by
decompression.
[0024]
The outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 3 are connected by:
a gas refrigerant pipe 4a in which gaseous refrigerant (hereinafter
referred to simply as "gas refrigerant") flows; and a liquid
refrigerant pipe 4b in which liquefied refrigerant (hereinafter
referred to simply as "liquid refrigerant") flows. The outdoor unit
2 includes: a liquid check valve 15 provided to a part of the outdoor
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unit 2 to which the liquid refrigerant pipe 4b is connected; and
a gas check valve 16 provided to a part of the outdoor unit 2 to
which the gas refrigerant pipe 4a is connected.
[0025]
For the cooling operation, the air conditioner 1 works as
follows.
To begin with, in the outdoor unit 2, the compressor 5
compresses the gas refrigerant. Thus, the gas refrigerant becomes
high in temperature and in pressure. The compressor 5 discharges
the high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant to the four-way
valve 6. The four-way valve 6 makes the high-temperature
high-pressure gas refrigerant flow to the outdoor heat exchanger
7.
[ 0026]
After flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger 7, the
high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant exchanges heat with
the outside air which is sent by the outdoor fan 8. Thus, the
high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant is condensed into
the liquid refrigerant. The outdoor unit 2 makes the liquid
refrigerant flow to the indoor unit 3 via the liquid refrigerant
pipe 4b.
[0027]
In the indoor unit 3, the liquid refrigerant flows into an
indoor expansion valve 12. The indoor expansion valve 12 expands
the liquid refrigerant by decompressing the liquid refrigerant to
a predetermined pressure. Thus, the liquid refrigerant turns into
a low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant
which is a mixture of the gas refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant
flows from the indoor expansion valve 12 to the indoor heat exchanger
10.
[ 0028 ]
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After flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 10, the
low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant
exchanges heat with the indoor air which is sent by the indoor fan
11. Thus, the indoor air is cooled. Meanwhile, the gas-liquid
two-phase refrigerant evaporates into the gas refrigerant by heat
absorption. The indoor unit 3 discharges the cooled indoor air to
the inside of the room, and thereby cools the inside of the room.
In addition, the indoor unit 3 makes the gas refrigerant flow to
the outdoor unit 2 via the gas refrigerant pipe 4a. In the outdoor
unit 2, the four-way valve 6 makes the gas refrigerant flow to the
compressor 5.
Thereafter, the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 3 repeat
the same respective actions as discussed above.
[0029]
On the other hand, for the heating operation, the air
conditioner 1 works as follows.
To begin with, in the outdoor unit 2, the compressor 5
compresses the gas refrigerant. Thus, the gas refrigerant becomes
high in temperature and in pressure. The compressor 5 discharges
the high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant to the four-way
valve 6. The four-way valve 6 makes the high-temperature
high-pressure gas refrigerant flow to the indoor unit 3 via the gas
refrigerant pipe 4a. In other words, for the heating operation,
the four-way valve 6 makes the gas refrigerant flow in a direction
reverse to the direction in which the four-way valve 6 makes the
gas refrigerant flow for the cooling operation.
[0030]
In the indoor unit 3, the high-temperature high-pressure gas
refrigerant flows into the indoor heat exchanger 10. After flowing
into the indoor heat exchanger 10, the high-temperature
high-pressure gas refrigerant exchanges heat with the indoor air
which is sent by the indoor fan 11. Thus, the indoor air is heated.
CA 2999451 2018-03-27
Meanwhile, the high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant is
condensed into the liquid refrigerant by condensation. The indoor
unit 3 discharges the heated indoor air to the inside of the room,
and thereby heats the inside of the room. In addition, the indoor
unit 3 makes the liquid refrigerant flow to the outdoor unit 2 via
the liquid refrigerant pipe 4b.
[0031]
In the outdoor unit 2, the liquid refrigerant flows into the
outdoor expansion valve 9. The outdoor expansion valve 9 expands
the liquid refrigerant by decompressing the liquid refrigerant to
a predetermined pressure. Thus, the liquid refrigerant turns into
the low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant.
The low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant
flows from the outdoor expansion valve 9 to the outdoor heat
exchanger 7.
[0032]
After flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger 7, the
low-temperature low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant
exchanges heat with the outside air which is sent by the outdoor
fan 8. Thus, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant evaporates into
the gas refrigerant by heat absorption. The outdoor unit 2 makes
the gas refrigerant flow from the outdoor heat exchanger 7 to the
four-way valve 6. The four-way valve 6 makes the gas refrigerant
flow to the compressor 5.
Thereafter, the outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 3 repeat
the same respective actions as discussed above.
<Configuration of Outdoor Unit>
(Configuration of Outdoor Unit)
[0033]
Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, descriptions will be
hereinbelow provided for an overall configuration of the outdoor
unit 2. FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are a front view, a left side view and
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a rear view of the outdoor unit 2.
[0034]
As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 30, the outdoor unit 2 includes
a box-shaped cabinet 20, an air inlet hood 41, and an air outlet
hood 42.
The air inlet hood 41 is a member which covers an air inlet
31 (see FIGS. 4B and 40) which are provided to the cabinet 20.
The air outlet hood 42 is a member which covers air outlets
32 (see FIGS. 4A and 40) which are provided to the cabinet 20.
[0035]
In the embodiment, three air inlet hoods 41a, 41b, 41c and
a single air outlet hood 42 are attached to the cabinet 20. Detailed
configurations of the air inlet hoods 41a, 41b, 41c and the air outlet
hood 42 will be discussed later.
(Configuration of Cabinet)
[0036]
Referring to FIGS. 4A, 48 and 40, descriptions will be
hereinbelow provided for a configuration of the cabinet 20. FIGS.
4A, 4B and 40 are a front view, a left side view and a rear view
of the cabinet 20, respectively.
[0037]
As shown in FIGS. 4A and 40, in the embodiment, the cabinet
20 has a structure in which: a main body portion of the cabinet 20
is substantially shaped like a quadrangular prism which is wide in
the left-right direction; and two air outlets 32 project toward an
upper surface of the main body portion.
[0038]
The compressor 5, the four-way valve 6, the outdoor heat
exchanger 7 and the outdoor expansion valve 9 are arranged inside
the main body portion of the cabinet 20 (for each component, see
FIG. 2) .
Furthermore, the outdoor fan 8 is arranged inside each of the
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air outlets 32. Incidentally, in the embodiment, the number of air
outlets 32 is two. The number of air outlets 32, nevertheless, may
be changed depending on operation.
[0039]
A front panel 21, a left side panel 22a, a right side panel
22b, and a rear (back) panel 23 are arranged on the front surface,
the left side surface, the right side surface and the rear surface
of the cabinet 20.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 4A, the front panel 21 has a flat surface,
and the overall shape of the front panel 21 is rectangular.
As shown in FIG. 4B, the left side panel 22a has a structure
in which a rectangular air inlet 31a is formed in a rectangular flat
surface. Like the left side panel 22a of the cabinet 20, the right
side panel 22b has a structure in which, although not shown a
rectangular air inlet 31b is formed in a rectangular flat surface.
The structures of the left and right side panels 22a, 22b are
symmetrical with the front and rear (back) panels 21, 23 interposed
between the left and right side panels 22a, 22b. The left and right
side panels 22a, 22b have the same size.
As shown in FIG. 4C, the rear (back) panel 23 has a structure
in which a rectangular air inlet 31c is formed in a rectangular flat
surface.
[0041]
Thereinafter, when the left and right side panels 22a, 22b
are generically mentioned, each of them will be referred to as a
"side panel 22." Furthermore, when the air inlets 31a, 31b, 31c
are generically mentioned, each of them will be referred to as an
"air inlet 31."
[0042]
The outdoor heat exchanger 7 is arranged inside the cabinet
20. The outdoor heat exchanger 7 is exposed to the outside via the
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air inlets 31a, 31b, 31c.
[0043]
It should be noted that in the embodiment, the shapes of the
air inlets 31a, 31b, 31c are rectangular. The shapes of the air
inlets 31a, 31b, 31c, nevertheless, are not limited to rectangular,
and may be changed depending on operation.
[0044]
Moreover, in the embodiment, the number of air inlets 31 is
three: the air inlets 31a, 31b, 31c. The number of air inlets 31,
however, may be changed depending on operation. To put it
specifically, one of the air inlets 31 may not be provided to the
cabinet 20. One of the air inlets 31 may be divided into multiple
inlets. An additional air inlet 31 may be provided to the cabinet
20. For example, the number of air inlets 31 may be changed to two
by providing only the air inlets 31a, 31b, but no air inlet 31c,
to the cabinet 20. Otherwise, the number of air inlets 31 may be
changed to one by providing only the air inlet 31c, but neither of
the air inlets 31a, 31b, to the cabinet 20.
[0045]
An upper portion of the cabinet 20 has a structure in which
the two air outlets 32 project toward the flat upper surface of the
cabinet 20.
A lower portion of the cabinet 20 has a structure in which
part of the cabinet 20 touches the ground (see FIG. 3B) . This reduces
the contact area of the cabinet 20 with the ground, and makes the
cabinet 20 less likely to corrode.
[0046]
(Configuration of Air Inlet Hoods)
Referring to FIG. 5, descriptions will be hereinbelow provided
for the configuration of the air inlet hoods 41. FIG. 5 is a
perspective view of one air inlet hood 41 from diagonally below.
Here, the air inlet hood 41a to be attached to the left side panel
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22a (see FIGS. 3A, 3B and 30) will be cited as an example of the
air inlet hood 41, and the configuration of the air inlet hoods 41
will be discussed using the air inlet hood 41a.
[0047]
It should be noted that in the embodiment, the air inlet hood
41b (see FIGS. 3A and 3C) to be attached to the right side panel
22b (see FIGS. 3A and 30) has the same structure and size as the
air inlet hood 41a. Meanwhile, the air inlet hood 41c (see FIGS.
3B and 3C) to be attached to the rear (back) panel 23 has the same
structure as the air inlet hoods 41a, 41b, but is different from
the air inlet hoods 41a, 41b in that the transverse width of the
air inlet hood 41c is changed from the transverse width of the air
inlet hoods 41a, 41b in order to be fit for the air inlet 31c (see
FIG. 30) formed in the rear (back) panel 23.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 5, each air inlet hood 41 includes: a facing
panel 51 arranged facing the air inlet 31 (see FIG. 4B and 40); an
upper surface panel 53 arranged on an upper surface of a part between
the air inlet 31 (see FIG. 4B and 40) and the facing panel 51; and
two side panels 52a, 52b arranged respectively on two side surfaces
of the part between the air inlet 31 (see FIG. 4B and 40) and the
facing panel 51.
[0049]
The side panel 52a is a panel arranged on the right side of
the facing panel 51. Meanwhile, the side panel 52b is a panel
arranged on the left side of the facing panel 51. Thereinafter,
when the side panels 52a, 52b are generically mentioned, each of
them will be referred to as a "side panel 52."
[0050]
In each air inlet hood 41, a lower surface air intake hole
54 is provided to a lower surface of the part between the air inlet
31 (see FIG. 4B and 40) and the facing panel 51, and a side surface
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air intake hole 55 is provided to at least one of the two side panels
52a, 52b. In the shown example, as the side surface air intake hole
55, a side surface air intake hole 55a is provided to the side panel
52a, while as the side surface air intake hole 55, a side surface
air intake hole 55b is provided to the side panel 52b.
[0051]
It should be noted that the embodiment will be discussed on
the assumption that: the lower surface air intake hole 54 is made
of a single relatively large opening; and the side surface air intake
holes 55 (55a, 55b) are each made of multiple relatively small
openings. The side surface air intake holes 55 (55a, 55b) , however,
may be each made of a single relatively large opening.
[0052]
The upper surface panel 53 has a flat surface. The overall
shape of the upper surface panel 53 is rectangular. The upper
surface panel 53 is arranged in a way that makes an outer end portion
(an end portion farther from the cabinet 20) of the upper surface
panel 53 lower than an inner end portion (an end portion closer to
the cabinet 20) of the upper surface panel 53. Thus, the outer end
portion of the upper surface panel 53 is the lower end portion of
the upper surface panel 53, while the inner end portion of the upper
surface panel 53 is the upper end portion of the upper surface panel
53.
[0053]
Meanwhile, the facing panel 51 has a flat surface. The overall
shape of the facing panel 51 is rectangular. The facing panel 51
is arranged in a way that makes an outer end portion (an end portion
farther from the cabinet 20) of the facing panel 51 lower than an
inner end portion (an end portion closer to the cabinet 20) of the
facing panel 51. Thus, the outer end portion of the facing panel
51 is the lower end portion of the facing panel 51, while the inner
end portion of the facing panel 51 is the upper end portion of the
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facing panel 51. The inner end portion (the upper end portion) of
the facing panel 51 is connected to the outer end portion (the lower
end portion) of the upper surface panel 53. Since the surfaces of
the upper surface panel 53 and the facing panel 51 are flat, the
air inlet hood 41 makes it easy for snow to slide down the upper
surface panel 53 and the facing panel 51 when snow falls.
[0054]
The right end portions of the upper surface panel 53 and the
facing panel 51 are connected to the right side panel 52a. Meanwhile,
the left end portions of the upper surface panel 53 and the facing
panel 51 are connected to the left side panel 52b. In addition,
the two side panels 52a, 52b each have a shape which is fit for the
positions where the upper surface panel 53 and the facing panel 51
are arranged.
[0055]
The side surface air intake hole 55a which allows the outside
air to pass through to the inside of the air inlet hood 41 is formed
in the side panel 52a. Similarly, the side surface air intake hole
55b which allows the outside air to pass through to the inside of
the air inlet hood 41 is formed in the side panel 52b. In the shown
example, each of the side surface air intake holes 55a, 55b is made
of multiple relatively small openings which are elongated to extend
in the transverse direction. It is desirable that the side surface
air intake holes 55a, 55b be provided at mutually-symmetrical
positions on the two side surface panels 52a, 52b in order for the
side surface air intake holes 55a, 55b to allow wind blowing against
either side panel 52 to go out from the other side panel 52 after
passing the inside of the air inlet hood 41.
[0056]
A cover 56 which is downwardly opened is provided over each
of the side surface air intake holes 55a, 55b (to put it strictly,
each of the relatively small openings of which the side surface air
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intake holes 55a, 55b are made). This makes it possible for the
air inlet hood 41 to prevent snow from entering the inside of the
air inlet hood 41 through the side surface air intake holes 55a,
55b.
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 3C, each air inlet hood 41 has a shape in
which the lower end portions of the side panels 52 extend in the
substantially horizontal direction (in other words, the lower end
portions of the side panels 52 extend substantially vertically to
the cabinet 20 of the outdoor unit 2) . In addition, the lower surface
air intake hole 54 (see FIG. 5) is formed in the lower surface of
the each air inlet hood 41.
[0058]
The air inlet hoods 41 are arranged to cover the air inlets
31 (31a, 31b, 31c) formed in the side panels 22a, 22b and the rear
(back) panel 23. The lower end portions of the air inlet hoods 41,
respectively, cover the air inlets 31 (31a, 31b, 31c) at a
predetermined cover amount tl. It is desirable that the cover
amount tl is set at 10 mm or more (more preferably, 50 mm) in order
to efficiently inhibit wind from entering the inside of the cabinet
20.
[0059]
Furthermore, each air inlet hood 41 is arranged in a way that
forms a clearance t2 between the lower end portion of the air inlet
hood 41 and the ground. It is desirable that the clearance t2 be
set at a value (for example, approximately 40 mm) which makes it
efficiently possible to prevent wind from entering the inside of
the cabinet 20, and to take the outside air in an amount manageable
by control of the rotational speed of the outdoor fans 8 into the
cabinet 20.
[0060]
The outdoor unit 2 takes outside air into the cabinet 20
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through the clearances t2 (see white arrows Aal, Abl, Acl in FIG.
3C) by rotating the outdoor fans 8. In this occasion, the outside
air enters the insides of the air inlet hoods 41 via the lower surface
air intake holes 54 (see FIG. 5) and the side surface air intake
holes 55, and thereafter enters the inside of the cabinet 20 via
the air inlets 31 of the cabinet 20. After entering the inside of
the cabinet 20, the outside air moves toward the outdoor fans 8,
and is discharged to the inside of the air outlet hood 42 via the
air outlets 32 (see chain-lined arrows Aa2, Ab2, Ac2) . After
discharged to the inside of the air outlet hood 42, the outside air
is discharged to the outside of the air outlet hood 42 via an air
discharge hole 63 (see FIG. 3B) of the air outlet hood 42.
[0061]
(Configuration of Air Outlet Hood)
Referring to FIGS. 3B and 6, descriptions will be hereinbelow
provided for a configuration of the air outlet hood 42. FIG. 6 is
a perspective view of the air outlet hood 42 from diagonally below.
[00621
As shown in FIG. 3B, the air outlet hood 42 has a shape in
which the front end portion of the air outlet hood 42 projects further
forward than the front panel 21 of the cabinet 20. The front end
portion of the air outlet hood 42 is provided with the air discharge
hole 63 for expelling the outside air which is taken into the air
outlet hood 42.
[0063]
Furthermore, dampers 61 and a damper operator 62 are provided
inside the air outlet hood 42. The dampers 61 are arranged near
the air discharge hole 63, as well as are openable and closable.
The damper operator 62 is connected to the dampers 61, and operates
electrically. Furthermore, the air outlet hood 42 is provided with
an opening 64 arranged at a position which is within an operating
range of the dampers 61 and diagonally forward and downward from
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the dampers 61. The opening 64 is formed in order to discharge snow,
if accumulating near the air discharge hole 63 inside the air outlet
hood 42, to the outside of the air outlet hood 42.
[0064]
It should be noted that the outdoor unit 2 includes an outside
air temperature sensor SN and a control board 60 therein. The
control board 60 controls operations of the components, including
damper operator 62, of the outdoor unit 2.
[ 0065]
As shown in FIG. 6, the front end portion of the air outlet
hood 42 is provided with the above-discussed air discharge hole 63.
In addition, the lower portion of the air outlet hood 42 is provided
with: the above-discussed opening 64; and an opening 65. The
opening 65 is formed in order to take the outside air, which is
discharged from the cabinet 20, into the air outlet hood 42.
(Working of Dampers)
[0066]
Referring to FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A and 8B, descriptions will be
hereinbelow provided for how the dampers 61 provided inside the air
outlet hood 42 work. FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A and 8B are diagrams for
explaining how the dampers 61 work. FIG. 7A illustrates the dampers
61 which are about to start turning in the fully-closed direction,
while FIG. 7B illustrates the dampers 61 which completes the turn.
On the other hand, FIG. 8A illustrates the dampers 61 which are about
to start turning in the fully-opened direction, while FIG. 8B
illustrates the dampers 61 which completes the turn.
[0067]
The control board 60 outputs an instruction signal for turning
the dampers 61 in the fully-closed direction from a damper control
terminal (not shown) to the damper operator 62, for example, when
all the following conditions are satisfied: (a) the lowest
rotational speed of the outdoor fans 8, (b) the outside air
CA 2999451 2018-03-27
temperature lower than a threshold temperature (for example, -5 C) ,
and (c) the cooling operation mode. In response to the instruction
signal, the damper operator 62 turns the dampers 61 in the
fully-closed direction (see an arrow Al in FIG. 73) .
[0068]
As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, while turning in the fully-closed
direction, the dampers 61 scrape snow SW which piles up between the
air discharge hole 63 and the opening 64 after entering the inside
of the air outlet hood 42, and expels the scraped snow SW out of
the air outlet hood 42 through the opening 64.
[ 0069]
On the other hand, the control board 60 outputs an instruction
signal for turning the dampers 61 in the fully-opened direction from
the damper control terminal (not shown) to the damper operator 62,
when one of the following conditions are not satisfied: (a) the
lowest rotational speed of the outdoor fans 8, (b) the outside air
temperature lower than the threshold temperature (for example,
-5 C) , and (c) the cooling operation mode. In response to the
instruction signal, the damper operator 62 turns the dampers 61 in
the fully-opened direction (see an arrow A2 in FIG. 8B) .
[0070]
As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, while turning in the fully-opened
direction, the dampers 61 scrape snow SW which piles up between the
dampers 61 and the opening 64 after entering the inside of the air
outlet hood 42, and expels the scraped snow SW out of the air outlet
hood 42 through the opening 64.
<Working of Outdoor Unit as Whole)
[0071]
For the cooling and heating operations, the outdoor unit 2
works as follows.
The outdoor unit 2 takes outside air into the inside of the
cabinet 20 from the outside of the cabinet 20 through the air inlets
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31 (31a, 31b, 31c) by rotating the outdoor fans 8, and makes the
taken-in outside air pass through the outdoor heat exchanger 7.
While the taken-in outside air is passing through the outdoor heat
exchanger 7, the outdoor unit 2 exchanges heat between the outside
air and the high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant which
is supplied from the compressor 5. The outdoor unit 2 discharges
the outside air from the inside to outside of the cabinet 20 through
the air outlets 32.
[0072]
The rotational speed of the outdoor fans 8 is controlled by
the control board 60. Based on a rotational speed of the compressor
5 and a temperature value measured by the outside air temperature
sensor SN, the control board 60 controls the rotational speed of
the outdoor fans 8 in order to keep the pressure of the refrigerant
high enough to continue the cooling operation. As the outside air
temperature becomes lower, the rotational speed of the outdoor fans
8 becomes lower. When the outside air temperature becomes less than
the threshold temperature (for example, -5 C) , the rotational speed
of the outdoor fans 8 becomes lowest.
<Main Characteristics of Outdoor Unit>
[0073]
(1) The outdoor unit 2 includes the air inlet hoods 41 (41a,
41b, 41c) . From this configuration, the outdoor unit 2 can obtain
the following characteristics.
[0074]
(a) If the outdoor unit 2 included no air inlet hoods 41 (41a,
41b, 41c) , the outdoor heat exchanger 7 would be exposed to the
outside of the cabinet 20 through the air inlets 31 (31a, 31b, 31c) .
This configuration thus would allow a more-than-expected amount of
outside air, which exceeds the adjusted amount expected from the
control of the rotational speed of the outdoor fans 8, to enter the
inside of the cabinet 20 and blows against the outdoor heat exchanger
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7, when strong wind blows against the outdoor unit 2. This
configuration accordingly would decrease the condensation
temperature and pressure of the refrigerant in the outdoor heat
exchanger 7, and resultantly would decrease the heat exchange
efficiency of the outdoor heat exchanger 7.
[0075]
In contrast to this, in the embodiment, the outdoor unit 2
includes the air inlet hoods 41 (41a, 41b, 41c) . Because of this
configuration, the embodiment does not allow a more-than-expected
amount of outside air, which exceeds the adjusted amount expected
from the control of the rotational speed of the outdoor fans 8, to
enter the inside of the cabinet 20 and blows against the outdoor
heat exchanger 7, even when strong wind blows against the outdoor
unit 2. The embodiment is accordingly capable of inhibiting
decreases in the condensation temperature and pressure of the
refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger 7, and is resultantly
capable of inhibiting a decrease in the heat exchange efficiency
of the outdoor heat exchanger 7.
[0076]
The use of the thus-configured outdoor unit 2 makes it possible
for the air conditioner 1 to inhibit a more-than-expected amount
of outside air, which exceeds the adjusted amount expected from the
control of the rotational speed of the outdoor fans 8, from entering
the inside of the cabinet 20 of the outdoor unit 2, even when strong
wind blows against the outdoor unit 2 in cold seasons such as winter.
This makes it possible for the air conditioner 1 to secure adjustment
of the amount of outside air to be sucked in by the outdoor fans
8. The air conditioner 1 is thus capable of inhibiting decreases
in the condensation temperature and pressure of the refrigerant in
the outdoor heat exchanger 7, and is resultantly capable of
inhibiting a fluctuation in an amount of heat exchange by the outdoor
heat exchanger 7. The air conditioner 1 is accordingly capable of
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inhibiting a decrease in the heat exchange efficiency of the outdoor
=
heat exchanger 7, and is capable of realizing the preferable
temperature control of the air conditioner 1 as a whole. In addition,
the use of the air outlet hood 42 makes it possible for the air
conditioner 1 to secure the flow path of the air around the air
outlets 32, and to thereby eliminate influence of snowfall. The
air conditioner 1 is thus capable of improving the heat exchange
efficiency of the outdoor heat exchanger 7 even in the case where
the outside air temperature is low (for example, less than the
threshold temperature of -5 C) .
The air conditioner 1 is
accordingly capable of excellently performing the cooling operation
all the year around in cold areas and the like.
[0077]
(b) Furthermore, in each of the air inlet hoods 41 (41a, 41b,
41c) , the lower surface air intake hole 54 is provided to the lower
surface of the part between the air inlet 31 and the facing panel
51, and the side surface air intake hole 55 is provided to at least
one of the two side panels 52a, 52b. Thereby, the air inlet hoods
41 (41a, 41b, 41c) are each capable of allowing the outside air to
pass through the inside of the hood in an amount corresponding to
the sum of an opening area of the lower surface air intake hole 54
and an opening area (s) of the side surface air intake hole (s) 55.
In a case where there is a need to increase the amount of outside
air to be sucked in by the outdoor fans 8 in summer or the like,
the use of the air inlet hoods 41 (41a, 41b, 41c) makes it possible
for the air conditioner 1 to excellently meet the need. The air
conditioner 1 is accordingly capable of preventing the heat exchange
efficiency from being affected during winter-time heating
operations and summer-time cooling operations.
[0078]
(C) Moreover, in each of the air inlet hoods 41 (41a, 41b,
41c) , the opening area of the lower surface air intake hole 54 can
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be reduced by the opening area (s) of the side surface air intake
hole (s) 55. This makes it possible to construct each of the air
inlet hoods 41 (41a, 41b, 41c) in a relatively small size. The use
of the air inlet hoods 41 (41a, 41b, 41c) accordingly makes it
possible to achieve a reduction in the size of the outdoor unit 2
while allowing the outdoor unit 2 to secure the air intake area which
is needed to keep the heat exchange efficiency.
[0079]
It should be noted that each of the air inlet hoods 41 (41a,
41b, 41c) has the structure in which: no air intake hole is provided
to the facing panel 51 or the upper surface panel 53; and the air
intake hole (the side surface air intake hole 55) is provided to
the side panel (s) 52. Since there is high likelihood that strong
wind may blow against the facing panel 51 in cold seasons such as
winter, the purpose of the above structure is to inhibit influence
of the strong wind which blows against the facing panel 51. In other
words, even when strong wind blows against the outdoor unit 2 in
cold seasons such as winter, the structure is employed to inhibit
a more-than-expected amount of outside air, which exceeds the
adjusted amount expected from the control of the rotational speed
of the outdoor fans 8, from entering the inside of the cabinet 20
of the outdoor unit 2. Detailed descriptions will be hereinbelow
provided for why this structure works.
[0080]
If the air inlet hoods 41 (41a, 41b, 41c) each had, for example,
a structure in which air intake holes are respectively provided to
the facing panel 51 and the upper surface panel 53, there would be
likelihood that strong wind enters the inside of the cabinet 20
through the air intake holes and blows against the outdoor heat
exchanger 7 when the strong wind blows against the outdoor unit 2.
This would likely decrease the heat exchange efficiency of the
outdoor heat exchanger 7. This embodiment, therefore, aims to
CA 2999451 2018-03-27
inhibit the decrease in the heat exchange efficiency of the outdoor
heat exchanger 7. To this end, each of the air inlet hoods 41 (41a,
41b, 41c) has the structure in which: no air intake hole is provided
to the facing panel 51 or the upper surface panel 53; and the air
intake hole (the side surface air intake hole 55) is provided to
the side panel (s) 52. The outdoor unit 2 is thus capable of taking
outside air in an amount manageable by the control of the rotational
speed of the outdoor fans 8, into the cabinet 20. The outdoor unit
2 is thereby capable of managing the amount of heat exchange by the
outdoor heat exchanger 7, and is accordingly capable of achieving
an excellent temperature control of the air conditioner 1 as a whole.
[0081]
(2) The air outlet hood 42 includes the openable/closable
dampers 61, and the damper operator 62 connected to the dampers 61,
inside the air outlet hood 42. The air outlet hood 42 further
includes the opening 64 provided in the position which is within
the operating range of the dampers 61 and diagonally forward and
downward from the dampers 61 (outward and downward from the dampers
61) . The use of the air outlet hood 42 makes it possible for the
outdoor unit 2 to scrape snow SW, which piles up inside the air
discharge hole 63 of the air outlet hood 42, using the dampers 61,
and thereby to expel the snow SW out of the air outlet hood 42 through
the opening 64. In other words, in the outdoor unit 2, the means
for expelling snow which piles up inside the air discharge hole 63
of the air outlet hood 42 is formed from the dampers 61, the damper
operator 62 and the opening 64. The air conditioner 1 is thus capable
of securing the flow path of the air around the air outlets 32, and
is thereby capable of eliminating influence of snow. This, too,
makes it possible for the air conditioner 1 to excellently control
the amount of outside air to be sucked in by the outdoor fans 8.
The air conditioner 1 is accordingly capable of improving the heat
exchange efficiency of the outdoor heat exchanger 7 even when
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relatively heavy snow falls. The thus-configured air conditioner
1 can be excellently used in cold areas and the like.
[0082]
As discussed above, the air conditioner 1 according to the
embodiment can be less affected by wind and snow than ever.
[0083]
The present invention is not limited to the above-discussed
embodiment, but includes various modifications. For example, the
embodiment has been discusses in detail for the purpose of making
the embodiment easy to understand, and is not necessarily limited
to what includes all the discussed components. Furthermore, some
of the configurations included in the embodiment may be replaced
with other configuration(s). Otherwise, other configuration(s)
may be added to the configurations of the embodiment. Moreover,
other configuration(s) may be added to part of any one of the
configurations of the embodiment, or part of any one of the
configurations of the embodiment may be eliminated or replaced with
other configuration.
[0084]
For example, in the above-discussed embodiment, the air inlet
hoods 41 (41a, 41b, 41c) have the structure in which the covers 56
are provided over the side surface air intake holes 55. The air
inlet hoods 41 (41a, 41b, 41c), however, each have a structure in
which no covers 56 are provided over the side surface air intake
holes 55 (in other words, a structure in which only the side surface
air intake holes 55 are provided).
[0085]
For example, the air inlet hoods 41 (41a, 41b, 41c) each may
further have a configuration in which the side surface air intake
holes 55 (55a, 55b) are provided with louvers (not shown) which
operate to open and close. This configuration makes it possible
for the outdoor unit 2 to control the amount of outside air to be
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taken into the outdoor unit 2 from the outside of the outdoor unit
2 (the airflow rate) by changing the directions of the louvers (not
shown).
[0086]
Besides, in the embodiment, for example, the air inlet hoods
41 (41a, 41b, 41c) are attached to the outdoor unit 2 (see FIG. 3C).
Each air inlet hood 41 has the shape in which the lower end portions
of the side panels 52 extend in the substantially horizontal
direction (in other words, the lower end portions of the side panels
52 extend substantially vertically to the cabinet 20 of the outdoor
unit 2). Instead of the air inlet hoods 41, air inlet hoods 141
shown in FIG. 9 may be attached to the outdoor unit 2. FIG. 9 is
a rearview of the outdoor unit 2 to which air inlet hoods 141 (141a,
141b, 141c) of a modification are attached.
[0087]
As shown in FIG. 9, the air inlet hoods 141 (141a, 141b, 141c)
each have a shape in which the lower end portions of the side panels
52 incline in a way that makes the inner end parts (the end parts
closer to the cabinet 20) of the lower end portions lower than the
outer end parts (the end parts farther from the cabinet 20) of the
lower end portions. The air inlet hoods 141 (141a, 141b, 141c) are
respectively attached to the left side panel 22a, the right side
panel 22b and the rear (back) panel 23 of the cabinet 20. The air
inlet hoods 141a, 141b have the same structure and the same size.
Meanwhile, the air inlet hood 141c has the same structure as the
air inlet hoods 141a, 141b, but is different from the air inlet hoods
141a, 141b in that the transverse width of the air inlet hood 141c
is changed from the transverse width of the air inlet hoods 141a,
141b in order to be fit for the air inlet 31c formed in the rear
(back) panel 23 of the cabinet 20. Like the air inlet hoods 41
according to the above-discussed embodiment, the air inlet hoods
141 (141a, 141b, 141c) according to the modification can be made
28
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.
small in size, and is capable of obtaining the work and effect of
making it possible for the air conditioner 1 to perform the cooling
operation when the outside temperature is low.
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