JP2000161717A - Outdoor unit of air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an outdoor unit of air conditioner in which the fins of a heat sink can be cooled effectively. SOLUTION: An outdoor unit is sectioned into a compressor chamber 1b disposed with a compressor 8 and a heat exchanger chamber 1a disposed with a heat exchanger 7 and a fan 9 by means of a baffle plate 6 standing on the bottom plate 1c. An electric part box 17 is disposed above the baffle plate 6 across the compressor chamber 1b and the heat exchanger chamber 1a and a power module unit 14 in the electric part box 17 is fixed with a heat sink 16 having fins 16b exposed into the heat exchanger chamber 1a. In such an outdoor unit of air conditioner, an air duct 18 communicating between the compressor chamber 1b and the heat exchanger chamber 1a is provided along one side wall 17a on the outside of the electric part box 17 and the air duct 18 terminates in the vicinity of the fins 16b on the heat exchanger chamber 1a side.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an outdoor unit of an air conditioner for performing heat exchange with outside air.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The construction of an outdoor unit of a general air conditioner will be described. FIG. 13 is an external view of the outdoor unit.
A lattice-shaped fan guard 3 is provided on a front panel 2 of the main body 1 and communicates with the outside. Reference numeral 4 denotes a leg for setting the main body 1 on the ground. In addition, a power supply line, a control line, and a refrigerant pipe are introduced into a side surface of the main body 1, and 5 is a refrigerant on-off valve.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the outdoor unit, and FIG. 15 is a view of the internal configuration viewed from above. The inside of the main body 1 is divided by a partition plate 6 extending vertically from the bottom plate 1c into a heat exchanger room 1a in which a heat exchanger 7 is provided and a compressor room 1b in which a compressor 8 is provided.

In the heat exchanger chamber 1a, in addition to the heat exchanger 7, a blower fan 9 and a fan motor 10 for driving the blower fan 9
(See FIG. 5), a motor support 11 for supporting the blower fan 9 and the fan motor 10 is provided. Also,
Reference numeral 12 in the compressor room 1b denotes a reactor.

[0005] An electrical component box 47 is disposed above the heat exchanger chamber 1a and the compressor chamber 1b so as to straddle both chambers 1a and 1b. The electrical component box 47 is provided with a control plate 13 for controlling the outdoor unit and a power module unit 14.
Reference numeral 15 denotes a terminal plate for drawing a power supply line and a control line from outside the outdoor unit 1.

A heat sink 16 is formed on the power module unit 14. The base 16a of the heat sink 16 is attached to the bottom of the electrical component box 47,
The power module unit 14 is fixed to the upper surface of the base 16a. Fins 16b are provided on the lower surface of the base 16a.
The fins 16b are exposed from the electrical component box 47 into the heat exchanger room 1a.

The power module unit 14 generates heat during operation due to an internal current. The generated heat is transmitted to the fins 16 b via the base 16 a of the heat sink 16 and is radiated. Since the power module unit 14 is inferior in heat resistance, the fin 16b is cooled and radiated by the airflow generated by the blower fan 9.

However, the amount of air flow of the air flow generated by the blower fan 9 is relatively small, and the amount of airflow is particularly small near the blower fan 9. Therefore, it is difficult to effectively cool the fins 16b. Therefore, a configuration for cooling the fins 16b is provided in the conventional outdoor unit.

A configuration for cooling the fins 16b in the conventional outdoor unit will be described below. FIG. 16 shows a cross section taken along the line XX in FIG. As shown in the figure, an opening 47 a is formed near the heat sink 16 on the bottom surface of the electrical component box 47. In this opening 47a, a side wall 47b of the electrical component box 47 extends downward to form a ventilation path 48 communicating from the opening 47a to the heat exchanger chamber 1a.

As shown in FIG. 14, the side wall 47b of the electrical component box 47 is partially lowered in the compressor room 1b, and the electrical component box 47 communicates with the compressor room 1b. When the blower fan 9 operates in this configuration, an air flow A is generated from the compressor room 1b, passing through the electrical component box 47, and passing through the ventilation passage 48 to the heat exchanger room 1a. As shown in FIG. 16, the fin 16b is cooled by the air flow A.

Another configuration for cooling the fins 16b is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-26372. According to this, a rib-shaped air guide is formed on the surface of the partition plate on the side of the heat exchanger room, or a ventilation path is provided along the partition plate on the side of the heat exchanger room, thereby passing through the heat exchanger room. The airflow is guided to the fins of the heat sink.

[0012]

However, the configuration for cooling the fins 16b has the following disadvantages. That is, in the case of the conventional configuration shown in FIGS.
The air sent out to the power module unit 14 and the base 16 a
Is higher than the outside air due to the radiant heat of the air.

Further, since the opening 47a is provided near the heat sink 16, the turbulence of the air flow at that portion is large and the air flow to the heat exchanger chamber 1a is small. Therefore,
The fins 16b cannot be cooled sufficiently.

Further, in the configuration of the ventilation path 48 shown in FIG. 16, the splash of raindrops by the blower fan 9 can enter the electrical component box 47, which may adversely affect the electrical system.

In the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 10-26372, in the cooling operation, the temperature of the air flow guided to the fins of the heat sink by the heat released by the heat exchanger is higher than that of the outside air. In addition, since the airflow generated by suction by the blower fan is used, even if a large amount of airflow is sent to the fins by providing a wind guide or ventilation path on the partition plate on the heat exchanger room side, Since there is almost no difference in pressure between the air body or the ventilation passage and the heat exchanger room, the amount of air passing through the fins does not increase. Therefore, the fins cannot be cooled sufficiently.

If the cooling of the fins 16b is not sufficient as described above, the power module unit 14 cannot completely release the generated heat, causing a failure. Therefore, as a result, it is necessary to limit the capacity of the power module unit 14 or to increase the size of the heat sink 16 so as to increase the heat radiation amount.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an outdoor unit of an air conditioner capable of effectively cooling fins of a heat sink by utilizing an air flow generated by a suction force of a blowing fan. The purpose is to provide.

[0018]

In order to achieve the above object, an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1 exchanges heat with a compressor room provided with a compressor by a partition plate erected on a bottom plate. And a heat exchanger room provided with a blower fan,
An electrical component box is arranged above the partition plate so as to straddle the compressor room and the heat exchanger room, and a heat sink having fins exposed in the heat exchanger room is attached to the electrical components in the electrical component box. In the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, an air passage communicating from the compressor room to the heat exchanger room is provided along one side wall outside the electric component box, and the heat exchanger room of the air passage is provided. The end on the side is located near the fin.

In the outdoor unit having the above structure, when the blower fan operates, the air in the compressor room is sent to the heat exchanger room through the ventilation path by the suction force. Since the end of the ventilation path on the heat exchanger chamber side is located near the fin, the fin is cooled by the blown air flow.

Further, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 2 is
A partition plate erected on the bottom plate is divided into a compressor room provided with a compressor and a heat exchanger room provided with a heat exchanger and a blower fan. An air conditioner in which an electrical component box communicating with the compressor room is provided so as to straddle the device room, and a heat sink having fins exposed in the heat exchanger chamber is attached to electrical components in the electrical component box. In the outdoor unit of (1), a ventilation path is formed in the electrical component box by a side wall of the electrical component box and a wind guide wall facing the side wall, and the ventilation path communicates with the heat exchanger room from within the electrical component box. The end on the heat exchanger chamber side is located near the fin.

In the outdoor unit having the above structure, when the blower fan operates, the air in the compressor room flows into the electrical component box by the suction force, and the air is sent to the heat exchanger room through the ventilation passage. Since the end of the ventilation path on the heat exchanger chamber side is located near the fin, the fin is cooled by the blown air flow.

Further, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 3 is:
The height of the wind guide wall is lower than the side wall of the electrical component box. Thereby, the resistance of the air flowing into the narrow ventilation path can be reduced.

The outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 4 is
The outdoor unit according to claim 2 or 3, wherein ribs extending in a substantially vertical direction are provided on both side walls in the ventilation path. As a result, even if the raindrops scattered by the rotation of the blower fan enter the ventilation path, they do not penetrate further into the rear side by the ribs.

The outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 5 is as follows:
The outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an end of the fin is located inside the ventilation path at an end of the ventilation path on the heat exchanger chamber side. Thus, the airflow blown out from the end of the ventilation passage flows between the fins along the fins.

Further, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 6 is as follows.
The outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a bottom surface of the ventilation path is inclined so as to become lower as it goes to the heat exchanger room. according to this,
Even if raindrops are scattered by the rotation of the blower fan and enter the ventilation path, they flow down to the heat exchanger room side due to the inclined bottom surface.

Further, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 7 is:
A partition plate erected on the bottom plate is divided into a compressor room provided with a compressor and a heat exchanger room provided with a heat exchanger and a blower fan. An electrical component box is disposed so as to straddle the equipment room, and an electrical component in the electrical component box is provided with a heat sink having fins exposed in the heat exchanger room. An air passage communicating the outside of the unit and the heat exchanger room is provided, and an end of the air passage on the outside of the outdoor unit is located in a concave portion provided at an upper end of the heat exchanger, and a side of the heat exchanger room is provided. The end is located near the fin.

In the outdoor unit having the above structure, when the blower fan operates, the outside air is sent to the heat exchanger room by the suction force. Since the end of the ventilation path on the heat exchanger chamber side is located near the fin, the fin is cooled by the blown air flow.

Further, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 8 is:
The outdoor unit according to claim 7, wherein a wall is bent in a substantially Z-shape at an end of the ventilation passage on the heat exchanger room side. The bent portion prevents raindrops from entering the ventilation path.

[0029]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Members having the same configurations as those of the prior art shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

First, a first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the outdoor unit of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a view of the configuration seen from above. In this outdoor unit, a ventilation path 18 is provided along the side wall 17 a of the electrical component box 17 on the side where the heat exchanger 7 is located outside the electrical component box 17.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the electrical component box 17. The ventilation passage 18 extends from the compressor room 1b and goes under the electrical component box 17 to reach the heat exchanger room 1a. This ventilation path 1
The fin 16b partially enters the end 18a of the heat exchanger chamber 8 on the side of the heat exchanger chamber 1a.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. As shown in the figure, the wall at the end 18a of the ventilation path 18 extends in the direction of the fin 16b as compared with the configuration of the prior art (see FIG. 16), so that the end of the fin 16 is located in the ventilation path 18. ing. The lower end surface of the side wall 17 a of the electrical component box 17 is configured not to be lower than the lower surface of the base 16. Thus, the opening at the end 18a of the ventilation path 18 is not blocked by the side wall 17a, and the amount of ventilation is maintained.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line Y--Y in FIG. The bottom surface 18b of the ventilation passage 18 is inclined so as to become lower toward the heat exchanger room 1a.

In the outdoor unit having the above configuration, the blower fan 9
Operates, the air in the compressor chamber 1b is sent to the heat exchanger chamber 1a through the ventilation passage 18 by the suction force (air flow A in FIGS. 1 and 2). And, as shown in FIG.
Since the wall extends in the direction of the fin 16b at the end 18a of the ventilation passage 18, the airflow A reaching the end 18a flows between the fins 16b along the fin 16b. Thereby, the fins 16b are cooled.

In this embodiment, the air flow sent from the ventilation passage 18 does not pass through the electrical component box 17 as in the prior art, so that the air flow remains at substantially the same temperature as the outside air. Ventilation path 1
Since the wall extends in the direction of the fin 16b at the end 18a of the air flow 8, the air flow A flows along the fin 16b.
Therefore, the fins 16b can be effectively cooled.

Further, since the bottom surface 18b of the ventilation path 18 is inclined, even if raindrops are scattered by the rotation of the blower fan 9 and enter the ventilation path 18, the raindrops flow down to the heat exchanger room 1a. Therefore, the raindrop does not enter the compressor room 1b or the electrical component box 17, and there is no possibility that an accident occurs in the electrical system.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the internal configuration of the outdoor unit of the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration as viewed from above. In the electrical component box 27, a baffle wall 19a facing the one side wall 27a is provided, thereby forming a ventilation path 19 communicating from the electrical component box 27 to the heat exchanger room 1a.

The wind guide wall 19a is a side wall 27a of the electrical component box 27.
It is configured lower. Further, ribs 19b extending in the vertical direction are formed on both side walls 27a, 19a in the ventilation path 19. The ribs 19b are connected to the side walls 27a, 1
It may be integral with 91 or may be fixed here as a separate member.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the electrical component box 27,
This corresponds to FIG. 4 of the embodiment. Like the ventilation path 18 (see FIG. 3) of the first embodiment, the ventilation path 19 wraps around the lower side of the electrical component box 27, and the end 19c reaches the heat exchanger chamber 1a. The end of the fin 16 b is located in the ventilation path 19. Also, the lower end surface of the air guide wall 19a is not lower than the lower surface of the base 16a of the heat sink 16,
The opening of the end 19c of the ventilation path 19 is configured so as not to be blocked by the wind guide wall 19a.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the electrical component box 27,
This corresponds to FIG. 5 of the embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the bottom surface 19d of the ventilation passage 19 is inclined so as to become lower toward the heat exchanger room 1a.

In the outdoor unit having the above structure, when the blower fan 9 operates, the air in the compressor room 1b flows into the electrical component box 27 by the suction force, and passes through the ventilation passage 19 to the heat exchanger room 1.
It is sent to the side a (air flow A in FIGS. 6 and 7). Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the airflow A reaching the end 19c on the side of the heat exchanger chamber 1a is supplied to the fin 16b in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
Flows along.

In this embodiment, by providing the air guide wall 19a, the air in the compressor room 1b can be guided to the heat exchanger room 1a without receiving the radiant heat of the heat sink 16 and the power module unit 14. . Therefore, the fin 16b
Can be effectively cooled. In addition, the wind guide wall 19a
Is made lower than the side wall 27a of the electrical component box 27, the resistance of the airflow passing through the ventilation path 19 is reduced, and the air permeability of the upper part of the electrical component box 27 is ensured to prevent heat buildup. .

Further, in addition to the inclined bottom surface 19d of the ventilation passage 19 as in the first embodiment, the rib 19b is provided in this embodiment, so that the ventilation passage 19 is further increased.
The structure is such that raindrops do not penetrate into the back side of the.

Next, a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the outdoor unit of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the outside of the main body 1 and the heat exchanger room 1a
And a duct 20 that communicates with. FIG. 11 shows FIG.
It is sectional drawing in the XX arrow part in.

The duct 20 has one end 20a located at the upper end of the heat exchanger 7 and the other end 20b located near the fin 16b below the electrical component box 37 in the heat exchanger chamber 1a. I do. A duct 20 is provided on the rear wall 1d of the main body 1.
The outside air intake 1e is formed in the vicinity of the end 20a. Further, the lower end of the duct 20 at the end 20a is bent at the tip (bent portion 20c).

On the other hand, at the end 20b on the side of the heat exchanger chamber 1a, the wall extends in the direction of the fin 16b as in the first embodiment, and the end of the fin 16b is located inside the duct 20. Have been.

FIG. 12 is a view of the duct 20 viewed from the end 20a. As shown in the figure, a part of the fin 71 at the upper end of the heat exchanger 7 is cut away to form a recess,
The end 20a of the duct 20 is located there. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the fin 71 immediately below the end portion 20a is cut off so that the upper end becomes higher toward the inside of the main body 1. Here, the fins 71 are cut off, but they may be bent down.

As described above, since the concave portion is provided in the heat exchanger 7 and the end 20a of the duct 20 is located, the duct 20 can be provided in the same size as the conventional main body 1.
Further, since the end 20a of the duct 20 is provided at the end of the heat exchanger 7, the performance of the heat exchanger 7 is hardly affected.

In the outdoor unit having the above structure, when the blower fan 9 is operated, the outside air is sent from the outside air inlet 1e to the heat exchanger room 1a through the duct 20 by the suction force (FIG. 1).
0, air flow A). Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the air flow A that has reached the end portion 20b on the side of the heat exchanger chamber 1a flows along the fins 16b as in the first embodiment, and the fins 16b
Is cooled. Note that, in the present embodiment, the duct 20 is configured such that the air flow passage resistance is reduced, and a large amount of outside air can be sent to the fins 16b.

In this embodiment, the outside air is directly supplied to the fins 16b.
Can be effectively cooled. Also, when raindrops enter the duct 20, the duct 20
However, since the cross section becomes small, the amount of ventilation decreases, but the bent portion 20c is formed at the end portion 20a, so that the raindrop does not penetrate deep into the duct 20.

[0051]

As described above, in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner of the present invention, the fins are effectively cooled so that the heat of the power module unit is sufficiently released.
Therefore, it is not necessary to limit the capacity of the power module unit, so that the performance of the air conditioner can be improved. In addition, if the power module unit has the same capacity as the conventional one, the heat sink can be downsized. As a result, the device body can be downsized.

Further, since there is no possibility that raindrops scattered by the blower fan enter the electric system, the outdoor unit is safe and has few troubles.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of a first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the internal configuration according to the first embodiment as viewed from above.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an electrical component box according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along a line YY in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of a second embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view of the internal configuration according to the second embodiment as viewed from above.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an electrical component box according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of an electrical component box according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of a third embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a duct portion according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a duct end according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an external perspective view of an outdoor unit of a general air conditioner.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of a conventional outdoor unit.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of an internal configuration of a conventional outdoor unit viewed from above.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a main part of a conventional outdoor unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 1a Heat exchanger room 1b Compressor room 1c Bottom plate 6 Partition plate 7 Heat exchanger 8 Compressor 9 Blow fan 13 Control plate 14 Power module unit 16 Heat sink 16a Base 16b Fin 17 Electric component box 17a Side wall 18 Ventilation path

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A partition plate erected on a bottom plate is divided into a compressor room provided with a compressor and a heat exchanger room provided with a heat exchanger and a blower fan. An electrical component box is provided so as to straddle the compressor room and the heat exchanger room, and a heat sink having a fin exposed in the heat exchanger room is attached to an electrical component in the electrical component box. In the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, a ventilation path communicating from the compressor room to the heat exchanger room is provided along one side wall outside the electrical component box,
The outdoor unit of an air conditioner, wherein an end of the ventilation path on the heat exchanger room side is located near the fin. 2. A partition plate erected on a bottom plate is divided into a compressor room provided with a compressor and a heat exchanger room provided with a heat exchanger and a blower fan. An electrical component box communicating with the compressor chamber is provided so as to straddle the compressor chamber and the heat exchanger chamber, and fins exposed in the heat exchanger chamber are provided in electrical components in the electrical component box. An outdoor unit of an air conditioner to which a heat sink having: is attached, wherein a ventilation path is formed in the electrical component box by a side wall of the electrical component box and a baffle wall facing the sidewall. An outdoor unit of an air conditioner, wherein: is connected to the heat exchanger chamber from inside the electrical component box, and an end on the heat exchanger chamber side is located near the fin. 3. The outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein a height of the wind guide wall is lower than a side wall of the electrical component box. 4. The outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein ribs extending in a substantially vertical direction are provided on both side walls in the ventilation path. 5. The air flow path according to claim 1, wherein an end of the fin is located inside the air flow path at an end of the air flow path on the heat exchanger chamber side. An outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to item 1. 6. The outdoor of an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of the ventilation path is inclined so as to become lower toward the heat exchanger room. Machine. 7. A partition plate erected on a bottom plate is divided into a compressor room provided with a compressor and a heat exchanger room provided with a heat exchanger and a blower fan. An electrical component box is provided so as to straddle the compressor room and the heat exchanger room, and a heat sink having a fin exposed in the heat exchanger room is attached to an electrical component in the electrical component box. In the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, an air passage communicating the outside of the outdoor unit and the heat exchanger room is provided, and an end of the air passage outside the outdoor unit is provided at an upper end of the heat exchanger. An outdoor unit of an air conditioner, wherein the outdoor unit is located in a provided recess, and an end on the heat exchanger chamber side is located near the fin. 8. The outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein a wall is bent in a substantially Z-shape at an end of the ventilation path on the heat exchanger room side.