COOLING SYSTEM

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present invention claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Application No. 2018-204126 filed on Oct. 30, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cooling system.

2. BACKGROUND

In a cooling system mounted on a compression refrigerator or the like, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor is radiated by the radiator.

Conventionally, a radiator, a cooling fan, and a compressor are disposed on the same line in a machine room of a refrigerator/freezer. The radiator is installed upstream of the cooling fan. The compressor is provided downstream of the cooling fan.

Conventionally, the compressor and the centrifugal fan are disposed in the machine room of the refrigerator. The condenser is installed in front of the machine room, and communicates with the spiral casing of the centrifugal fan through a duct. The centrifugal fan blows wind sucked from the condenser side to the compressor. The intake direction and the exhaust direction of the centrifugal fan are parallel to the installation face of the compressor.

When space-saving is implemented for the machine room, the storage space of the refrigerator becomes wider. However, in order to save space in the machine room, it is necessary to reduce the size of the fan. However, there is a possibility that the cooling efficiency of the radiator and the compressor may decrease due to a decrease in the airflow amount of the fan.

SUMMARY

A cooling system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure includes a radiator, a compressor that compresses a refrigerant to send the refrigerant to the radiator, and a blower that sends out an airflow suctioned from an intake port that is directed to one of a first direction from an exhaust port to one of a second direction by a rotation of an impeller around a rotation axis extending in the first direction. The first direction is parallel or substantially parallel to a direction normal to an installation surface on which the compressor is installed. The second direction is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The radiator is disposed in the first direction relative to the blower, and the compressor is disposed in the second direction relative to the radiator and the blower.

The above and other elements, features, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the example embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a cooling system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure when viewed from the other of the second direction.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a cooling system according to an example first modification of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a cooling system according to an example second modification of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a cooling system according to an example third modification of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling system according to an example third modification of the present disclosure when viewed from the other of the second direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments are described below with reference to the drawings.

In the present specification, in a cooling system 100, a direction parallel to the direction normal to a fourth inner face 41d, which will be an installation face of a compressor 2 described later, is referred to as a “first direction D1”. Also, two directions in a plane orthogonal to the first direction D1 are referred to as a “second direction D2” and a “third direction D3”. The first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 are orthogonal to each other.

Of the first direction D1, the direction from an intake port 32a of a blower 3 to be described later to a radiator 1 to be described later is referred to as “one of the first direction D1a”, and the direction from the radiator 1 to the intake port 32a of the blower 3 is referred to as “the other of the first direction D1b”.

Of the second direction D2, the direction from the blower 3 to the compressor 2 is referred to as “one of the second direction D2a”, and the direction from the compressor 2 to the blower 3 is referred to as “the other of the second direction D2b”.

Of the third direction D3, the direction from the radiator 1 to a third inner face 41c of an accommodation chamber 41 to be described later is referred to as one of the third direction D3a″, and the direction from the radiator 1 to a second inner face 41b of the accommodation chamber 41 is referred to as “the other of the third direction D3b”.

In a blower 3, the direction parallel to a rotation axis RA is referred to as an “axial direction”. The direction orthogonal to the axial direction is referred to as a “radial direction”. Of the radial direction, a direction approaching the rotation axis RA is referred to as “inward”, and a direction away from the rotation axis RA is referred to as “outward”.

In this specification, in the positional relationship between one and the other among azimuth, line, or surface, “parallel” includes not only a state where they never cross but also a state where they are substantially parallel. Further, “orthogonal” and “perpendicular” include not only a state where they intersect each other at 90 degrees, but also a state where they are substantially orthogonal and a state where they are substantially perpendicular. That is, “parallel”, “orthogonal”, and “perpendicular” include a state where there is an angle shift in the positional relationship between them without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

In addition, when one intersects the other among azimuth, line, or surface, and the angle formed by them is not 90 degrees, it is expressed that they intersect at an acute angle. This expression is synonymous with the fact that they intersect at an obtuse angle from a geometric point of view.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the cooling system 100 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cooling system 100 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure when viewed from the other of the second direction D2b. In FIG. 1, an imaginary plane Pa1 indicated by a broken line is parallel to the first direction D1 and the third direction D3. Further, in FIG. 1, a cabinet 4 is shown in a transparent manner for easy understanding of the structure. FIG. 2 also shows a cross section of the cooling system 100 when viewing the other of the second direction D2b. In FIG. 2, the space between the radiator 1 and the compressor 2 in the second direction D2 is imaginarily cut by the plane Pa1. Further, in FIG. 2, the compressor 2 is indicated by a broken line, and a partition 5 described later is shown in a transparent manner in order to facilitate understanding of the structure.

The cooling system 100 according to the example embodiment is part of a cooling cycle unit mounted on, for example, a refrigerator. However, the use of the cooling system 100 is not limited to this example. The cooling system 100 includes the radiator 1, the compressor 2, the blower 3, the cabinet 4, and the partition 5.

The radiator 1 releases the heat of a refrigerant 11 flowing inside the radiator 1 to the surrounding air, and in particular releases it to the airflow suctioned into the blower 3. As the refrigerant 11, for example, alternative chlorofluorocarbon, isobutane, or the like is used. As described above, the cooling system 100 includes the radiator 1.

The compressor 2 compresses the refrigerant 11 and sends it to the radiator 1. As described above, the cooling system 100 includes the compressor 2.

The blower 3 includes a motor (not shown), an impeller 31, and a housing 32. The motor rotation drives the impeller 31. The impeller 31 has a plurality of blades (reference numeral omitted) that can rotate around the rotation axis RA. The housing accommodates the motor and impeller 31 in its inside. The housing 32 has the intake port 32a and an exhaust port 32b. The intake port 32a is provided on one side face of the housing 32 in the first direction D1, and is directed to the one of the first direction D1a. The exhaust port 32b is provided on the side face of the housing 32 in the radial direction, and is directed to the one of the second direction D2a. The blower 3 is a centrifugal fan in the present example embodiment, but is not limited to this example, and may be a blower having a pressure ratio larger than that of the centrifugal fan. The pressure ratio is the ratio of the maximum pressure of air that can be exhausted at the exhaust port 32b to the pressure of air taken in at the intake port 32a.

The blower 3 sends, by the rotation by the impeller 31 around the rotation axis RA extending in the first direction D1, the airflow suctioned from the intake port 32a directed to the one of the first direction D1a out from the exhaust port 32b directed to the one of the second direction D2a. As described above, the cooling system 100 includes the blower 3. In the present example embodiment, the first direction D1 is parallel to the direction normal to the installation face on which the compressor 2 is installed. Further, the second direction D2 is orthogonal to the first direction D1.

The cabinet 4 is part of a main body cabinet of a refrigerator, for example. The cabinet 4 has the accommodation chamber 41 and a vent 42.

The accommodation chamber 41 is a machine room of a refrigerator, for example. The accommodation chamber 41 accommodates the radiator 1, the compressor 2, and the blower 3. As described above, the cabinet 4 has the accommodation chamber 41, and the cooling system 100 includes the cabinet 4.

The shape of the accommodation chamber 41 is a rectangular parallelepiped shape in the present example embodiment. The accommodation chamber 41 is surrounded by the six inner faces composed of a first inner face 41a, the second inner face 41b, the third inner face 41c, the fourth inner face 41d, a fifth inner face 41e, and a sixth inner face 41f. The cabinet 4 includes the first inner face 41a, the second inner face 41b, the third inner face 41c, the fourth inner face 41d, the fifth inner face 41e, and the sixth inner face 41f. The first inner face 41a is an inner face directed to the other of the first direction D1b. The second inner face 41b is an inner face directed to the one of the third direction D3a. The third inner face 41c is an inner face directed to the other of the third direction D3b. The fourth inner face 41d is an inner face directed to the one of the first direction D1a. The fifth inner face 41e is an inner face directed to the other of the second direction D2b. The sixth inner face 41f is an inner face directed to the one of the second direction D2a.

The vent 42 is provided in the fifth inner face 41e of the accommodation chamber 41. The vent 42 penetrates the cabinet in the second direction D2. The accommodation chamber 41 communicates with the outside of the cabinet 4 through the vent 42. In the present example embodiment, in the second direction D2, the vent 42 faces the exhaust port 32b of the blower 3 with the compressor 2 interposed therebetween. Therefore, the airflow discharged from the exhaust port 32b and cooling the compressor 2 easily flows out of the cabinet 4 through the vent 42. In the present example embodiment, another vent (reference numeral omitted) similar to the vent 42 is provided on the third inner face 41c. However, the inner face on which other vents are provided is not limited to this example. The other vent can be provided on at least one of the inner faces of the accommodation chamber 41 other than the fifth inner face 41e.

The partition 5 partitions the accommodation chamber 41 in the second direction D2. In the present example embodiment, the partition 5 has a plate shape extending in the first direction D1 and the third direction D3. In the accommodation chamber 41, the compressor 2 is disposed in the space in the one of the second direction D2a relative to the partition 5. Further, the radiator 1 and the blower 3 are disposed in the space in the other of the second direction D2b relative to the partition 5.

In particular, in the second direction D2, the partition 5 partitions at least part of a space between the radiator 1 and the compressor 2. The cooling system 100 includes the partition 5 as described above. The partition 5 includes a plate-like panel 51 that intersects the second direction D2. In the present example embodiment, the panel 51 is orthogonal to the second direction D2. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this example, and the panel 51 may intersect the second direction D2 at an acute angle.

The partition 5 overlaps with the radiator 1 when viewed from the other of the second direction D2b. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 2, the partition 5 overlaps with the entire radiator 1 when viewed from the other of the second direction D2b. In the present example embodiment, the panel 51 overlaps with the entire radiator 1 when viewed from the second direction D2. Since the panel 51 overlaps with the entire radiator 1, it is possible to prevent the airflow blown from the blower 3 to the compressor 2 from flowing to the surroundings of the radiator 1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the airflow that has cooled the compressor 2 from returning to the surroundings of the radiator 1. Therefore, the blower 3 can cool the radiator 1 more efficiently.

The panel 51 has an opening 51a. The opening 51a penetrates the panel 51 in the second direction D2. The opening 51a communicates with the exhaust port 32b. Therefore, the inside of the housing 32 of the blower 3 is connected via the opening 51a and the exhaust port 32b with the space where the compressor 2 in the one of the second direction D2a relative to the panel 51 in the accommodation chamber 41 is disposed. Therefore, the airflow sent out from the exhaust port 32b flows toward the one of the second direction D2a through the opening 51a.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the panel 51 is provided between the blower 3 and the inner face of the accommodation chamber 41 in a direction orthogonal to the second direction D2. More specifically, the panel 51 is provided between the blower 3 and the first inner face 41a, of the accommodation chamber 41, that is directed to the other of the first direction D1b. In the present example embodiment, part of the panel 51 is provided between the housing 32 of the blower 3 and the first inner face 41a of the accommodation chamber 41. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the example of the present example embodiment, and the entire panel 51 may be provided between the blower 3 and the first inner face 41a. Preferably, as in the present example embodiment, part of the panel 51 is further provided between the housing 32 of the blower 3 and the second inner face 41b and the third inner face 41c of the accommodation chamber 41. In addition, when there is a gap between the housing 32 of the blower 3 and the fourth inner face 41d near the exhaust port 32b, preferably, another part of the panel 51 is provided between the two. By providing the panel 51 between the blower 3 and the inner face 41a of the accommodation chamber 41, it is possible to prevent the airflow that has cooled the compressor 2 from returning to the surroundings of the radiator 1 and to the intake port 32a of the blower 3. Therefore, the blower 3 can cool the radiator 1 and the compressor 2 more efficiently.

In addition, in the direction orthogonal to the second direction D2, the end of the plate-like panel 51 is directly connected to at least one of the blower 3 and the inner face of the accommodation chamber 41.

More specifically, the end of the panel 51 in the first direction D1 is preferably directly connected to at least one of the first inner face 41a and the end of the blower 3 in the one of the first direction D1a.

For example, the end of the panel 51 in the one of the first direction D1a is preferably directly connected to the first inner face 41a as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the airflow that has cooled the compressor 2 from passing between the panel 51 and the first inner face 41a in the first direction D1, and returning to the surroundings of the radiator 1 and to the intake port 32a.

Further, in the opening 51a, the end of the panel 51 in the one of the first direction D1a is preferably directly connected to the housing 32 of the blower 3 near the exhaust port 32b as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the airflow that has cooled the compressor 2 from passing between the opening 51a of the panel 51 and the exhaust port 32b of the blower 3 in the first direction D1, and returning to the surroundings of the radiator 1 and to the intake port 32a.

Further, the end of the panel 51 in the third direction D3 orthogonal to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 is preferably directly connected to at least one of the second inner face 41b, of the accommodation chamber 41, that is directed to the one of the third direction D3a, the third inner face 41c, of the accommodation chamber 41, that is directed to the other of the third direction D3b, and the end of the blower 3 in the third direction D3.

For example, the end of the panel 51 in the one of the third direction D3a is preferably directly connected to the third inner face 41c as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the airflow that has cooled the compressor 2 from passing between the panel 51 and the third inner face 41c in the third direction D3, and returning to the surroundings of the radiator 1 and to the intake port 32a.

Further, the end of the panel 51 in the other of the third direction D3b is preferably directly connected to the second inner face 41b as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the airflow that has cooled the compressor 2 from passing between the panel 51 and the second inner face 41b in the third direction D3, and returning to the surroundings of the radiator 1 and to the intake port 32a.

Further, in the opening 51a, the end of the panel 51 in the one of the third direction D3a and the end of the panel 51 in the other of the third direction D3b is preferably directly connected to the housing 32 of the blower 3 near the exhaust port 32b as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the airflow that has cooled the compressor 2 from passing between the opening 51a of the panel 51 and the exhaust port 32b of the blower 3 in the third direction D3, and returning to the surroundings of the radiator 1 and to the intake port 32a.

In addition, when there is a gap between the housing 32 of the blower 3 and the fourth inner face 41d near the exhaust port 32b, preferably, the end of the panel 51 in the first direction D1 is directly connected to at least one of the fourth inner face 41d and the end of the blower 3 in the other of the first direction D1b.

For example, between the housing 32 and the fourth inner face 41d, the end of the panel 51 in the other of the first direction D1b is preferably directly connected to the fourth inner face 41d as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the airflow that has cooled the compressor 2 from passing between the panel 51 and the fourth inner face 41d in the first direction D1, and returning to the surroundings of the radiator 1 and to the intake port 32a.

Further, between the housing 32 and the fourth inner face 41d, the end of the panel 51 in the other of the first direction D1b in the opening 51a is preferably directly connected to the housing 32 of the blower 3 near the exhaust port 32b as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the airflow that has cooled the compressor 2 from passing between the panel 51 and the blower 3 in the first direction D1, and returning to the surroundings of the radiator 1 and to the intake port 32a.

Next, the arrangement of the radiator 1, the compressor 2, and the blower 3 in the accommodation chamber 41 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the present example embodiment, the first inner face 41a of the accommodation chamber 41 is a ceiling face, of the accommodation chamber 41, that is directed vertically downward. The fourth inner face 41d is the bottom face, of the accommodation chamber 41, that is directed vertically upward, and is orthogonal to the vertical direction. The compressor 2 is installed on the fourth inner face 41d. That is, in the present example embodiment, the fourth inner face 41d is an installation face of the compressor 2 and is parallel to the horizontal plane. The definitions of these faces are definitions for use in the description in the present specification, and do not indicate the faces when incorporated in an actual device.

In the present example embodiment, the fourth inner face 41d is orthogonal to the rotation axis RA of the blower 3. That is, in this example embodiment, the blower 3 is placed horizontally on a horizontal plane. The rotation axis RA is parallel to the vertical direction. The blower 3 sucks air from vertically above and sends out the airflow in a direction parallel to the horizontal plane.

The radiator 1 is disposed in the one of the first direction D1a relative to the blower 3. In the present example embodiment, the radiator 1 is disposed vertically above the blower 3. Preferably, the radiator 1 faces the intake port 32a of the blower 3 in the first direction D1, and overlaps with the intake port 32a when viewed from the first direction D1. More preferably, the radiator 1 overlaps with the entire intake port 32a when viewed from the first direction D1. The compressor 2 is disposed in the one of the second direction D2a relative to the radiator 1 and the blower 3. Preferably, the compressor 2 faces the exhaust port 32b of the blower 3 in the second direction D2, and overlaps with the intake port 32a when viewed from the second direction D2. More preferably, when viewed from the second direction D2, one of the compressor 2 and the exhaust port 32b overlaps with the entire of the other. Further, the blower 3 is disposed in the other of the first direction D1b relative to the radiator 1, and is disposed in the other of the second direction D2b relative to the compressor 2.

By disposing the radiator 1 vertically above the blower 3 and disposing the compressor 2 in the one of the second direction D2a relative to the radiator 1 and the blower 3, the blower 3 that sucks an airflow from the one of the first direction D1a and sends out the airflow to the one of the second direction D2a and the radiator 1 and the compressor 2 cooled by the blower 3 can be disposed in a compact manner. Therefore, the width of the cooling system 100 in the first direction D1 can be further reduced without requiring downsizing of the blower 3. Therefore, the space of the cooling system 100 can be saved without reducing the amount of air blown by the blower 3.

Further, a distance Dh in the first direction D1 between the end of the radiator 1 in the one of the first direction D1a and the end of the blower 3 in the other of the first direction D1b is preferably equal to or less than the width Wh of the compressor 2 in the first direction D1 as shown in FIG. 2. The width Wh is a width in the first direction D1 from the fourth inner face 41d to the end of the compressor 2 in the one of the first direction D1a. By setting Dh≤Wh, it is possible to prevent the width of the cooling system 100 in the first direction D1 from becoming longer than the width when considering the size of the compressor 2. Therefore, space of the cooling system 100 can be more reliably saved.

Next, a first modification of the example embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, a configuration different from that of the above example embodiment will be described. Moreover, components which are similar to those in the above example embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the cooling system 100 according to the first exemplary modification of the present disclosure. In FIG. 3, the cabinet 4 is shown in a transparent manner for easy understanding of the structure. In FIG. 3, the directions of the one of the first direction D1a and the other of the first direction D1b is opposite to those of FIG. 1. That is, in FIG. 3, the one of the first direction D1a is directed downward in the drawing, and the other of the first direction D1b is directed upward in the drawing.

In the first modification, the one of the first direction D1a is directed vertically downward, and the other of the first direction D1b is directed vertically upward. The first inner face 41a of the accommodation chamber 41 is the bottom face, of the accommodation chamber 41, that is directed vertically upward, and is orthogonal to the vertical direction. The fourth inner face 41d is a ceiling face, of the accommodation chamber 41, that is directed vertically downward. The compressor 2 is installed on the first inner face 41a. That is, in the first modification, the first inner face 41a is an installation face of the compressor 2 and is parallel to the horizontal plane. The definitions of these faces are definitions for use in the description in the present specification, and do not indicate the faces when incorporated in an actual device.

In the first modification, the radiator 1 is disposed vertically below the blower 3. The compressor 2 is disposed in the one of the second direction D2a relative to the radiator 1 and the blower 3. Further, the blower 3 sucks air from vertically below and sends out the airflow in a direction parallel to the horizontal plane.

By disposing the radiator 1 vertically below the blower 3 and disposing the compressor 2 in the one of the second direction D2a relative to the radiator 1 and the blower 3, the blower 3 that suck an airflow from vertically below and sends out the airflow in a direction parallel to the horizontal plane, and the radiator 1 and the compressor 2 cooled by the blower 3 can be disposed in a compact manner. Therefore, the width of the cooling system 100 in the first direction D1 can be further reduced without requiring downsizing of the blower 3. Therefore, the space of the cooling system 100 can be saved without reducing the amount of air blown by the blower 3.

Next, a second modification of the example embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, a configuration different from that of the above example embodiment and the first modification will be described. Moreover, components which are similar to those in the above example embodiments and the first modification are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the cooling system 100 according to the second exemplary modification of the present disclosure. In FIG. 4, the cabinet 4 is shown in a transparent manner for easy understanding of the structure. In FIG. 4, the directions of the one of the first direction D1a and the other of the first direction D1b are the same as those of FIG. 1. In other words, in FIG. 4, the one of the first direction D1a is directed upward in the drawing, and the other of the first direction D1b is directed downward in the drawing.

In the second modification, the one of the first direction D1a is directed vertically upward, and the other of the first direction D1b is directed vertically downward. The first inner face 41a of the accommodation chamber 41 is a ceiling face, of the accommodation chamber 41, that is directed vertically downward. The fourth inner face 41d is the bottom face, of the accommodation chamber 41, that is directed vertically upward, and is orthogonal to the vertical direction. The compressor 2 is installed on the fourth inner face 41d. That is, in the second modification, the fourth inner face 41d is an installation face of the compressor 2 and is parallel to the horizontal plane. The definitions of these faces are definitions for use in the description in the present specification, and do not indicate the faces when incorporated in an actual device.

In the second modification, the partition 5 further includes a connection member 52. The connection member 52 can be, for example, made of a cushioning material such as sponge, or an elastic material such as rubber.

The connection member 52 is connected to the end of the panel 51 in a direction orthogonal to the second direction D2, and at least one of the inner face, of the accommodation chamber 41, that is directed to a direction orthogonal to the second direction D2 and the end of the blower 3 in a direction orthogonal to the second direction D2.

In particular, in the second modification, preferably, the end of the panel 51 in the first direction D1 is indirectly connected to at least one of the first inner face 41a and the end of the blower 3 in the one of the first direction D1a. For example, the end of the panel 51 in the first direction D1 is connected to at least one of the above via the connection member 52 as shown in FIG. 4.

Further, the end of the panel 51 in the third direction D3 orthogonal to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 is preferably indirectly connected to at least one of the second inner face 41b, of the accommodation chamber 41, that is directed to the one of the third direction D3a, the third inner face 41c, of the accommodation chamber 41, that is directed to the other of the third direction D3b, and the end of the blower 3 in the third direction D3. For example, the end of the panel 51 in the third direction D3 is connected to at least one of the above via the connection member 52 as shown in FIG. 4.

For example, the end of the panel 51 in the one of the first direction D1a is preferably indirectly connected to the first inner face 41a. That is, the end of the panel 51 in the one of the first direction D1a is connected to the first inner face 41a via the connection member 52 as shown in FIG. 4.

Further, for example, the end of the panel 51 in the other of the first direction D1b is indirectly connected to the fourth inner face 41d. That is, the end of the panel 51 in the other of the first direction D1b is connected to the fourth inner face 41d via the connection member 52 as shown in FIG. 4.

Further, for example, the end of the panel 51 in the one of the third direction D3a is indirectly connected to the third inner face 41c. That is, the end of the panel 51 in the one of the third direction D3a is connected to the third inner face 41c via the connection member 52 as shown in FIG. 4.

Further, for example, the end of the panel 51 in the other of the third direction D3b is indirectly connected to the second inner face 41b. That is, the end of the panel 51 in the other of the third direction D3b is connected to the second inner face 41b via the connection member 52 as shown in FIG. 4.

The opening 51a of the panel 51 is preferably indirectly connected to the exhaust port 32b of the blower 3. For example, the opening 51a of the panel 51 is connected to the exhaust port 32b of the blower 3 via the connection member 52 as shown in FIG. 4.

In this way, by connecting the panel 51 to the inner face, of the accommodation chamber 41, that is directed to the direction orthogonal to the second direction D2 via the connection member 52, the panel 51 can be easily attached to the inside of the accommodation chamber 41. Further, it is possible to more reliably prevent the airflow that has cooled the compressor 2 from passing between the panel 51 and the inner face of the accommodation chamber 41, and returning to the surroundings of the radiator 1 and to the intake port 32a.

Furthermore, it is easy to connect the opening 51a of the panel 51 to the exhaust port 32b of the blower 3. In addition, it is possible to more reliably prevent the airflow that has cooled the compressor 2 from passing between the opening 51a of the panel 51 and the exhaust port 32b of the blower 3, and, returning to the surroundings of the radiator 1 and to the intake port 32a.

Next, a third modification of the example embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, a configurations different from that of the above example embodiment, the first modification, and the second modification will be described. Moreover, components which are similar to those in the above example embodiment, the first modification, and the second modification are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the cooling system 100 according to the third exemplary modification of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cooling system 100 according to the third exemplary modification of the present disclosure when viewed from the other of the second direction D2b. In FIG. 5, an imaginary plane Pa2 indicated by a broken line is parallel to the first direction D1 and the third direction D3. Further, in FIG. 5, the cabinet 4 is shown in a transparent manner for easy understanding of the structure. In addition, FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the cooling system 100 when viewing the other of the second direction D2b. In FIG. 6, the space between the radiator 1 and the compressor 2 in the second direction D2 is imaginarily cut by a plane Pa2. Further, in FIG. 6, the compressor 2 is indicated by a broken line, and a wall portion 43 and the partition 5, which will be described later, are shown in a transparent manner for easy understanding of the structure. In FIG. 5, the directions of the one of the first direction D1a and the other of the first direction D1b are the same as those of FIG. 1. That is, in FIG. 5, the one of the first direction D1a is directed upward in the drawing, and the other of the first direction D1b is directed downward in the drawing. Further, the arrangement of the radiator 1, the compressor 2, and the blower 3 in the accommodation chamber in the third modification is the same as that in the above example embodiment and the second modification.

In the third modification, part of the cabinet 4 protruding from the first inner face 41a of the accommodation chamber 41 when viewed from the other of the second direction D2b overlaps with the radiator 1, and preferably overlaps with the entire radiator 1.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the cabinet 4 further includes the wall portion 43 provided between the partition 5 and the first inner face 41a. The wall portion 43 protrudes from the first inner face 41a in the one of the second direction D2a relative to the radiator 1 and in the other of the second direction D2b relative to the compressor 2. The wall portion 43 extends in a direction intersecting the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. In the third modification, the wall portion 43 protrudes from the first inner face 41a to the other of the first direction D1b. Furthermore, the wall portion 43 extends in the third direction D3. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this example, and the wall portion 43 may extend in a direction intersecting with the third direction D3 at an acute angle.

In the second direction D2, the accommodation chamber 41 is partitioned by the wall portion 43 and the partition 5. In the third modification, the wall portion 43 partitions part of the space between the radiator 1 and the compressor 2, and the partition 5 partitions the remaining part the space between the radiator 1 and the compressor 2. In the accommodation chamber 41, the compressor 2 is disposed in the space in the one of the second direction D2a relative to the wall portion 43 and the partition 5. Furthermore, the radiator 1 and the blower 3 are disposed in the space in the other of the second direction D2b relative to the wall portion 43 and the partition 5.

The wall portion 43 overlaps with the radiator 1 when viewed from the other of the second direction D2b. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 6, the wall portion 43 overlaps with the entire radiator 1 when viewed from the other of the second direction D2b. Since the wall portion 43 overlaps with the entire radiator 1, it is possible to prevent the airflow blown from the blower 3 to the compressor 2 from flowing to the surroundings of the radiator 1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the airflow that has cooled the compressor 2 from returning to the surroundings of the radiator 1. Therefore, the blower 3 can cool the radiator 1 more efficiently.

Preferably, as shown in FIG. 6, the end of the wall portion 43 in the one of the third direction D3a is connected to the third inner face 41c, and the end of the wall portion 43 in the other of the third direction D3b is connected to the second inner face 41b. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the airflow that has cooled the compressor 2 from passing between the wall portion 43 and the inner faces 41b and 41c, of the accommodation chamber 41, that is directed to the third direction D3 in the first direction D1, and returning to the surroundings of the radiator 1 and to the intake port 32a.

In addition, the partition 5 is provided in the other of the first direction D1b relative to the wall portion 43. In the third modification, the panel 51 is provided. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 6, the end of the wall portion 43 in the other of the first direction D1b is directly or indirectly connected to the end of the partition 5 in the one of the first direction D1a. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the airflow that has cooled the compressor 2 from passing between the wall portion 43 and the partition 5 in the first direction D1, and returning to the surroundings of the radiator 1 and to the intake port 32a.

In the example embodiment and the modification described above, the compressor 2 is installed on the bottom face of the accommodation chamber 41 that is parallel to the horizontal plane and directed vertically upward. Specifically, in the above example embodiment, the second modification, and the third modification, the compressor 2 is installed on the fourth inner face 41d that is parallel to the horizontal plane and directed vertically upward. In the first modification, the compressor 2 is installed on the first inner face 41a that is parallel to the horizontal plane and directed vertically upward. However, the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, and the compressor 2 may be installed on the inner face other than the first inner face 41a and the fourth inner face 41d in the accommodation chamber 41. However, even in this case, the relative positional relationship among the radiator 1, the compressor 2, and the blower 3 is maintained. Such a positional relationship can be easily understood by replacing the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3. For example, when the compressor 2 is installed on the inner face 41b or 42c directed to the third direction D3 in the accommodation chamber 41, “the first direction D1” in the above example embodiments and the modifications is read as the third direction D3, and “the third direction D3” in the above example embodiments and the modifications is read as the first direction D1. In this case, the second direction D2 need not be replaced. Even with such modifications, the same effects as those of the above example embodiments and the modifications can be obtained.

The present disclosure is useful, for example, in a system in which a blower cools a radiator and a compressor.

While example embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure, therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims.

COOLING SYSTEM

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CPC

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