Patent Application
20140202191
The present invention relates to an outdoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus, the outdoor unit including a drain water drainage hose connection socket (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “socket”) for connection of a drainage hose for drain water.
There have been recently developed air-conditioning-apparatus outdoor units each provided with a drainage device including a socket for connecting a body of the outdoor unit and a drainage hose to allow drain water generated in the outdoor unit to be drained out of the outdoor unit (refer to Patent Literature 1, for example).
[Patent Literature 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-64507 (FIG. 4, for example)
When such a socket disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is used in a cold climate area in the winter, drain water may freeze in a drainage hose connected to the socket. If drain water is additionally generated while the frozen drain water, or ice is left in the drainage hose, the ice would grow in a backflow direction, causing the ice to intrude into the outdoor unit eventually. If the ice intrudes into the outdoor unit and grows in the outdoor unit, the outdoor unit may be damaged, for example, outer parts of the outdoor unit may be deformed due to the weight of the ice and a heat exchanger disposed in the outdoor unit may be damaged. The use of such a socket for connection of a drain water drainage hose is therefore prohibited in cold climate areas.
In a typical air-conditioning-apparatus outdoor unit, a base plate of the outdoor unit has a drainage hole for drainage of drain water. In cases where the outdoor unit is mounted on a wall or is suspended from a ceiling or the like, a bird or another small animal may intrude into the outdoor unit through the hole and build a nest. Unfortunately, the nest would interfere with drainage of drain water. If the use of a socket is not prohibited, the socket may be disposed to close the hole of the base plate. Such a problem can be solved. In cold climate areas where the use of the socket is prohibited, the intrusion of birds and small animals cannot be prevented. Disadvantageously, there are no effective countermeasures.
To install the outdoor unit, typically, a drainage hose that functions as a drain water drainage path may be prepared by an installation worker. In cold climate areas, since the use of a socket is prohibited there, the installation worker may independently make, for example, a drainage-hose catch to achieve drainage in order to install the outdoor unit in a place that requires drainage, for example, above a passage through which people pass.
In such a case, a thick rubber tube may be used as a drainage hose so that drain water does not tend to freeze. In many cases, a vinyl chloride pipe having a diameter of φ32 or more may be used as a drainage hose. Assuming that a hose connection portion of the socket is connectable to only one of a rubber tube and a vinyl chloride pipe, if a drainage hose prepared by the installation worker is not connectable to the socket, the installation worker has to yet again prepare a connectable drainage hose. Unfortunately, ease of installation is reduced.
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described disadvantages and provides an air-conditioning-apparatus outdoor unit including a socket that can be used in cold climate areas.
This invention provides an outdoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus, the outdoor unit including a base plate having at least one hole and a socket attached to the base plate with a clearance provided between the socket and a lower surface of the base plate, the socket communicating with the hole to provide a first drainage path. The clearance is provided so as to function as a second drainage path that allows drain water from the hole to be guided out of the outdoor unit when the first drainage path is blocked.
In the outdoor unit according to the invention, if the first drainage path is blocked with frozen drain water, the clearance functions as the second drainage path. Advantageously, the outdoor unit can be used in cold climate areas.
Embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional relationship among components in
As illustrated in
Referring to
The compressor 6 is configured to suck a refrigerant, compress the refrigerant into a high-temperature high-pressure state, and discharge the resultant refrigerant through the refrigerant pipe 7 to a refrigerant circuit. The electric component 8 is configured to accommodate the components, such as the controller for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit 100, and supply power to the components.
The heat exchanger 1 is configured to exchange heat between outside air and the refrigerant, function as an evaporator in a heating operation, and function as a condenser in a cooling operation. The heat exchanger 1 includes heat transfer pipes through which the refrigerant is allowed to pass and fins for increasing the area of heat transfer between the refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer pipes and the outside air. The heat exchanger 1 includes a side flat portion 1a, a corner portion 1b, and a rear flat portion 1c and is accordingly L-shaped. Although the L-shaped heat exchanger 1 is illustrated, the heat exchanger 1 may be of a flat type or a U-shaped type that has bent end portions.
The propeller fan 2 is rotated and driven by the motor 3 and is configured to send air to the heat exchanger 1. The propeller fan 2 operates to allow the air to flow through the side flat portion 1a, the corner portion 1b, and the rear flat portion 1c of the heat exchanger 1 into the outdoor unit 100. The air passes through the propeller fan 2 and flows toward the front of the outdoor unit 100.
The motor 3 is connected through a rotary shaft to the propeller fan 2 and is configured to rotate and drive the propeller fan 2 in accordance with an instruction from the electric component 8. Furthermore, the motor 3 is supported by the motor support 4. The motor support 4 includes a pillar that extends vertically (in a direction indicated by arrows Z). An upper end of the motor support 4 is connected to upper part of the heat exchanger 1 and a lower end thereof is fastened to the base plate 12 by a bolt or the like.
The refrigerant sent from the indoor unit (not illustrated) is sucked into the compressor 6. The sucked refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 6 and is then discharged from the compressor 6. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 6 is sent through the refrigerant pipe 7 to the heat exchanger 1. The heat exchanger 1 is supplied with air by the propeller fan 2. For example, since the heat exchanger 1 functions as a condenser in the cooling operation, the refrigerant which has flowed into the heat exchanger 1 is cooled by the air from the propeller fan 2. The air passing through the heat exchanger 1 exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger 1, so that the air is heated.
The refrigerant cooled in the heat exchanger 1 is discharged from the heat exchanger 1 and is then sent to the pressure reducing device (not illustrated). The refrigerant is expanded and pressure-reduced by the pressure reducing device. The pressure-reduced refrigerant flows into the heat exchanger in the indoor unit. The refrigerant which has flowed into the heat exchanger in the indoor unit cools air supplied through an indoor fan (not illustrated). The cooled air is sent to an air-conditioned space, such as a room, thus achieving the cooling operation. The refrigerant which has cooled the air flows out of the heat exchanger in the indoor unit and is then again sucked into the compressor 6.
As illustrated in
The socket 50 is disposed in the back part of the base plate 12. Specifically, the socket 50 is attached to the hole 13 of the base plate 12, so that the socket 50 is disposed on the base plate 12. Since the base plate 12 has the single hole 13 as described above with reference to
The socket 50 includes the hose connection portion 51 to which a drainage hose is connected and a base plate connection portion 52 attached to the base plate 12. The socket 50 is made of resin, for example. Furthermore, the socket 50 and the hole 13 constitute a first drainage path.
The hose connection portion 51 is a hollow cylinder which has an inlet 51a and an outlet 51b and through which water flows. Specifically, the hose connection portion 51 includes a corrugated part 19 and a cylindrical straight part 20 which are connected in series as illustrated in
The corrugated part 19 includes a plurality of downwardly tapered sections and is therefore corrugated. When a rubber tube, serving as a drainage hose, is connected to the corrugated part 19, the rubber tube is easily fitted over the corrugated part 19 because a small lower end of each tapered section of the corrugated part 19 facilitates insertion of the rubber tube on the tapered sections. On the other hand, when the rubber tube is disconnected from the corrugated part 19, it is difficult to detach the rubber tube because a large upper end of each tapered section of the corrugated part 19 acts as a drag. The corrugated part 19 may include any number of tapered sections and each section may have any taper angle.
Hoses used in installation sites include rubber tubes and vinyl chloride pipes. In the use of a rubber tube as a drainage hose, the rubber tube may be fitted over the corrugated part 19 as described above. In the use of a vinyl chloride pipe as a drainage hose, the vinyl chloride pipe may be fitted over the cylindrical straight part 20. Accordingly, if an installation worker prepares either of the two types of hose, the hose can be connected to the socket 50. Thus, the ease of installation can be improved.
The cylindrical straight part 20 may be tapered from the outlet 51b to the inlet 51e. Thus, ease of insertion of a pipe to be connected can be improved.
Although the hose connection portion 51 illustrated in
Although the hose connection portion 51 illustrated in
Furthermore, as illustrated in
The base plate connection portion 52 includes an outer wall part 52a, lugs 14, and catches 17. The outer wall part 52a is hollow and defines an outer wall of the base plate connection portion 52. The outer wall part 52a is an isosceles trapezoid in side view such that the diameter of the outer wall part 52a is reduced toward the hose connection portion 51 (in other words, the diameter thereof is increased toward the base plate 12) as illustrated in
The lugs 14 each have a first end connected to an inner surface of the outer wall part 52a and a second end projecting toward the base plate 12. The lugs 14 are arranged at regular intervals around the inlet 51a. The second ends of the lugs 14 project beyond the second end of the outer wall part 52a. Specifically, while the socket 50 is attached to the base plate 12, the second end of the outer wall part 52a is not in contact with a lower surface of base-plate back part 15 of the base plate 12 but the second ends of the lugs 14 are in contact with the lower surface of the base-plate back part 15 of the base plate 12. Consequently, a clearance 16 can be provided between the lower surface of the base-plate back part 15 of the base plate 12 and the second end of the outer wall part 52a of the socket 50. This clearance 16 functions as a second drainage path.
Although each lug 14 is a single-piece flat plate and the lugs 14 are radially arranged in
Each of the catches 17 has a first end connected to the inner surface of the outer wall part 52a and a second end projecting toward the base plate 12. The catch 17 includes a support 17a and a protrusion 17b and is configured to fasten the socket 50 to the base plate 12 such that when the catch 17 is inserted into the hole 13, the protrusion 17b is engaged with a peripheral edge of the hole 13 inside the outdoor unit 100. Accordingly, the support 17a of the catch 17 is longer than the lug 14. The protrusion 17b protrudes outwardly from a free end of the support 17a.
Attachment of the socket 50 will be described in brief below. When parts of the supports 17a of the catches 17 are inserted together with the protrusions 17b into the hole 13, the protrusions 17b are pressed inward by the hole 13, so that the supports 17a are elastically deformed. After that, when pressure applied to the protrusions 17b by the hole 13 is released, the supports 17a are restored. At this time, the protrusions 17b are engaged with the peripheral edge of the hole 13 inside the outdoor unit 100. Thus, the socket 50 is attached to the base plate 12. It is only required that at least two catches 17 be arranged.
To attach the socket 50 to the base plate 12, upper ends (on an inflow side) of the lugs 14 are come into contact with an outer surface of the base plate 12 and the catches 17 are then engaged with an inner surface of the base plate 12, so that the socket 50 is stably fastened to the base plate 12. Arrangement of the upper ends (on the inflow side) of the lugs 14 under the protrusions 17b enables more stable fastening. In this arrangement, if the support 17a of each catch 17 has no elongated hole 17c, water would not be drained at a position (hereinafter, referred to as an “intersection”) in which the support 17a of the catch 17 intersects the corresponding lug 14, thus facilitating growth of ice. The support 17a therefore has the elongated hole 17c.
Specifically, each catch 17 straddles the lug 14 such that the lug 14 extends through the elongated hole 17c of the catch 17. Accordingly, if water is accumulated at the intersection, the water can be drained through the elongated hole 17c. Advantageously, ice does not tend to grow at the intersection.
The clearance 16 is intentionally provided so as to be greater than or equal to 5 mm by arranging the lugs 14 around the inlet 51a of the socket 50 and bringing the second ends of the lugs 14 into contact with the lower surface of the base-plate back part 15. If drain water freezes in a connected hose or the drain water drainage path in the socket 50 such that ice grows in the backflow direction, the clearance 16 allows drain water to flow out of the outdoor unit 100 before the ice intrudes into the outdoor unit 100. In other words, if the first drainage path is blocked with ice, the clearance 16 can function as the second drainage path such that drain water is continuously drained. Advantageously, the likelihood of the outdoor unit 100 being damaged due to frozen drain water can be significantly reduced.
The clearance 16 greater than or equal to 5 mm is provided as described above. As the clearance 16 is larger, the drainage is more effectively enhanced. Since the socket 50 has to be disposed in the placement space, however, the length or height of the socket 50 is preferably short as much as possible. Increasing the clearance 16 causes the length of the socket 50 to be increased. Considering the placement space for the socket 50 and the length of the hose connection portion 51, it is therefore preferred that the clearance 16 be up to 15 mm.
Upon fastening the socket 50 to the base plate 12, the second ends of the lugs 14 are in contact with the lower surface of the base-plate back part 15. Accordingly, at least two catches 17 enable the socket 50 to be stably attached to the base plate 12 with no inclination. The at least two catches 17 are preferably arranged so as to be opposed to each other.
Although a clearance is illustrated in FIG. 4 of Patent Literature 1 described as related art, this clearance illustrated in FIG. 4 of Patent Literature 1 is a very small clearance provided for engagement between a socket and a base plate and has a completely different function from the clearance 16 illustrated in
Furthermore, the socket 50 includes a rib 18 as illustrated in
A bird or another small animal can intrude into atypical related-art outdoor unit through a hole in a base plate of the outdoor unit and build a nest inside the outdoor unit, thus damaging the outdoor unit. This is a common occurrence. In normal climate areas, a drain water drainage hose connection socket can be attached to the base plate in order to close the hole, thereby considerably preventing the intrusion of a bird or another small animal into the outdoor unit. In cold climate areas, however, the use of the drain water drainage hose connection socket has been prohibited. Unfortunately, there have been no effective countermeasures against the intrusion of a bird or another small animal through the hole of the base plate under present circumstances.
The socket 50 includes the rib 18 disposed in the drain water drainage path such that the rib 18 extends across a cross-section of the drainage path, thus partly closing the hole 13 of the base plate 12. This eliminates an intrusion space for birds and small animals and therefore considerably prevents birds and small animals from building a nest in the outdoor unit 100. The rib 18 may have any shape and size and any number of ribs 18 may be arranged. The shape and size of the rib 18 and the number of ribs 18 may be determined on the basis of the diameter of the hole 13 and the sizes of birds and small animals likely to intrude. Furthermore, the rib 18 may be separate from the socket 50 and be attachable to the socket 50. The rib 18 may be made of any material.
As described above, since the outdoor unit 100 includes the socket 50 capable of providing the clearance 16 when attached to the base plate 12, the outdoor unit 100 can be used in cold climate areas. In addition, since the hose connection portion 51 of the socket 50 is configured such that any of a rubber tube and a vinyl chloride pipe can be fitted on the hose connection portion 51, the ease of installation can be improved.
In Embodiment 1, the base plate 12 has the single hole 13 and the single socket 50 is disposed. In Embodiment 2, a base plate 12 has a plurality of holes 13 and multiple sockets 50 are arranged as illustrated in
Like the outdoor unit 100 of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1, the outdoor unit 100A is provided with the sockets 50 capable of providing a clearance 16 when attached to the base plate 12, as described above. Accordingly, the outdoor unit 100A can be used in cold climate areas. Furthermore, since each socket 50 includes a hose connection portion 51 configured such that any of a rubber tube and a vinyl chloride pipe can be fitted on the hose connection portion 51, the ease of installation can be improved. In addition, since the multiple holes 13 are arranged, the certainty of preventing freezing is increased.
In Embodiment 3, a heater 21 is disposed on a base plate 12. Consequently, heat generated by the heater 21 is transferred to the base plate 12, thereby preventing drain water from freezing. Accordingly, the outdoor unit 100B achieves drainage through a hole 13 of the base plate 12, a socket 50, and a drainage hose in that order with high certainty.
Like the outdoor unit 100 of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1, the outdoor unit 100B includes the socket 50 capable of providing a clearance 16 when attached to the base plate 12, as described above. Accordingly, the outdoor unit 100B can be used in cold climate areas. Additionally, since the socket 50 includes a hose connection portion 51 configured such that any of a rubber tube and a vinyl chloride pipe can be fitted on the hose connection portion 51, the ease of installation can be improved. Furthermore, since the heater 21 is provided, the certainty of normal drainage is increased. Note that the heater 21 may be disposed in Embodiment 2.
1, heat exchanger; 1a, side flat portion; 1b, corner portion; 1c, rear flat portion; 2, propeller fan; 3, motor; 4, motor support; 5, air-sending device chamber; 6, compressor; 7, refrigerant pipe; 8, electric component; 9, machine chamber; 10, separator; 11, leg; 12, base plate; 13, hole; 14, lug; 15, base-plate back part; 16, clearance; 17, catch; 17a, support; 17b, protrusion; 17c, elongated hole; 18, rib; 19, corrugated part; 20, cylindrical straight part; 20a, cylindrical straight part; 21, heater; 31, top panel; 32, front panel; 33, side panel; 50, socket; 51, hose connection portion; 51a, inlet; 51b, outlet; 52, base plate connection portion; 52a, outer wall part; 100, outdoor unit; 100A, outdoor unit; 100B, outdoor unit; and 101, mount.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-007261 | Jan 2013 | JP | national |
| 2013-144549 | Jul 2013 | JP | national |
