JP3131440B2 - Outdoor unit of air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an electric power source for heat exchange air for cooling electric components housed in an electric component box. The present invention relates to an improvement in a discharge guide structure to the outside of a parts box and a structure for preventing water droplets from entering an electric parts box.

(Conventional technology) An outdoor unit of an air conditioner includes a refrigeration cycle unit such as a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor blower and a support pedestal, and other blowing systems in the unit body, and controls and drives the unit. An electric parts box in which electric parts are put together is arranged.

In this kind of outdoor unit, most of the electric components contained in the electric component box generate heat when energized and emit heat to the surroundings. If the heat radiated from the electric components is confined in the electric component box as it is, the temperature in the box rises extremely, and each electric component is adversely affected by heat.

For this reason, external air is introduced into the electrical component box as heat exchange air for cooling, exchanges heat with the electrical components, and the heat exchange air that has absorbed heat and rises in temperature is quickly discharged out of the electrical component box. Is desirable.

Therefore, the electrical component box must be provided with an introduction opening for guiding heat exchange air into the box and a discharge opening for guiding the heat exchange air out of the box after heat exchange.

In addition, most of the outdoor units are often disposed outdoors without a dedicated cover (eave), and in the case of rainy weather, water droplets enter the unit main body.
The outdoor blower, outdoor heat exchanger, and the like arranged here do not affect the operation even if some water droplets are applied, but if water droplets are applied to the electric component box, adverse effects may occur in some cases. .

That is, since the introduction opening and the discharge opening for conducting heat exchange air are opened in this electric component box, water droplets easily penetrate and wet the electric components if the positions are incorrectly selected. If power is being supplied, there is a risk of a short circuit accident.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a main part of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner is configured as shown in FIGS. That is, 1 is a unit main body composed of a back plate 1a, a side plate 1b, a ceiling plate 1c, and a front plate, a bottom plate (not shown), and the like. An outdoor heat exchanger 2 is arranged along the back plate 1a of the unit body 1,
Further, a compressor (not shown) is provided. The outdoor heat exchanger 2 and the compressor constitute a refrigeration cycle device.
At the front of the outdoor heat exchanger 2, an outdoor blower 4 supported by a support base 3 is arranged, and these constitute an air blowing system. An electric component box 5 is arranged alongside the outdoor blower 4.

The electric component box 5 is located at the upper part on the front side of the unit main body 1 and has a predetermined gap with the side plate 1b of the unit main body 1. The electric component box 5 also has a gap at the end of the outdoor heat exchanger 2 and is partitioned by a partition plate 6 provided therebetween. Although the front and top surfaces are open, the ceiling plate 1c and the unillustrated front plate constituting the unit main body 1 close these openings. An introduction opening 7 for introducing heat exchange air is provided on a side portion facing the side plate 1b. An electric component, for example, a PC board 8 is attached to the rear wall surface. Further, a large number of unillustrated electrical components are accommodated in the electrical component box 5.

A heat sink 9 is provided on the adjacent side surface, which is a side portion of the outdoor blower 4, and also serves as a side plate of the electric component box 5. The heat sink 9 is made of a material having an excellent heat exchange rate, such as an aluminum material. This configuration is composed of a substrate 9a that is vertically erected and has an inner surface on which an electrical component 8a having high heat dissipation such as a G-Tr is attached, and one end of which is integrally provided on the outer surface side of the substrate 9a. And the radiation fins 9b. The other ends of the radiating fins 9b are parallel to each other at a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction,
Each of them protrudes vertically toward the outdoor blower 4.

A waterproof plate 10 is mounted on the upper end of the heat sink 9 and is located below the upper edge of the electric component box 5. The distal end of the waterproof plate 10 protrudes from the distal end edge of the heat radiation fins 9b, and forms a roof for the heat sink 9. Such a part of the heat sink 9 and the waterproof plate 10
The heat sink cover 11 is provided so as to cover the heat sink. The width of the heat sink cover 11 is substantially the same as the width of the heat sink 9 and the waterproof plate 10, and the openings 11 a on both sides are fitted into the heat sink 9 and the waterproof plate 10. This upper surface portion 11b has a gap with the waterproof plate 10,
An outlet opening 12 is formed. Side 11c of outdoor blower 4 side
Is the fin of the heat sink 9 and the leading edge of the waterproof plate 10
A discharge opening 13 is formed in the space at the lower end with a gap from the leading edge of 9b.

Then, the outdoor blower 4 is driven in association with the refrigeration cycle operation, and heat exchange air, which is external air, is guided to the outdoor heat exchanger 2 to perform heat exchange. The flow of the wind is such that the rear side of the outdoor blower 4 has a low pressure. Side and corresponds to the wind suction side,
The front side is the outlet side. The outdoor heat exchanger 2 is located on the wind suction side of the outdoor blower 4. In addition, with the driving of the outdoor blower 4, the external air is
And a part thereof is introduced into the box 5 through the introduction opening 7 of the electric component box 5, and cools the internal electric components 8, 8a and the like. The heat exchange air whose temperature has been increased by cooling them is, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG.
, And the heat is radiated from the radiating fins 9b through the substrate 9a. Then, the electric component box 5 is guided to the blow-out opening 12 formed by the waterproof plate 10 at the upper end of the heat sink 9 and the heat sink cover 11, further circulates along the heat sink cover 11, and from the discharge opening 13 at the lower end. It is discharged outside.

Also, if a strong wind enters the unit main body from the outlet of the outdoor blower 4 while the refrigeration cycle operation is stopped, the fan 4a is affected by the wind and may rotate in a direction opposite to the rotating direction during energization. is there. In rainy weather, for example, water drops (raindrops) also enter the wind and adhere to the fan 4a. When the influence of the wind is great, the water droplets adhering to the fan 4a are scattered especially by the rotation of the fan 4a as shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. try to. However, since the waterproof plate 10 protrudes from the upper end of the heat sink 9, the water droplets are rebounded to the discharge opening 13 side to prevent intrusion.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in such a configuration of the electric component box 5, the position of the heat sink cover 11 is located on a side portion of the fin 4a of the outdoor blower 4, and is not necessarily located on this low pressure side. . For this reason, the heat exchange air discharged from the blow-out opening 12 is guided so as to be forcedly curved to the rear side, which is the low-pressure side of the outdoor blower 4, as shown in FIG.

However, a plurality of radiation fins
Are protruded along the vertical direction at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction, so that these protruding directions are different from the direction in which the heat-converted air is discharged. Some of the heat exchange air is not guided to the low pressure side of the outdoor blower 4 and may be stagnated in the electric component box 5 due to the influence of the heat exchange air.
The cooling efficiency with respect to, for example, becomes low, which leads to the occurrence of adverse thermal effects.

Also, while the refrigeration cycle is stopped, the fan
When water droplets attached to 4a are scattered under the influence of wind, and a part of the water enters the heat sink cover 11 from the discharge opening 13,
Since the radiating fins 9b of the heat sink 9 are parallel to the front-rear direction and protrude in the vertical direction, the structure is such that water droplets are easily guided along the fins 9b.

As described above, the waterproof plate 10 is provided on the upper end of the heat sink 9, and most of the water droplets are rebounded here. However, a part of the water droplet is reflected from the contact surface between the upper end of the heat sink 9 and the waterproof plate 10. Alternatively, it may penetrate through the fitting surface between the heat sink cover 11 and the heat sink 9 and the waterproof plate 10 to wet the inside of the box 5. If the amount increases, it will lead to an electric leakage accident of the electric components 8, 8a and the like.

Further, in the above structure, the waterproof plate 10 and the box-shaped heat sink cover 11 are required, and the number of components is large, and therefore, there is a problem in the incorporation and cost.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims at simplifying the configuration of the electric component box, making smooth conduction of heat exchange air, and improving cooling efficiency for electric components. It is an object of the present invention to provide an outdoor unit of an air conditioner in which safety has been improved by preventing the penetration of water into the inside of the air conditioner.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means and Actions for Solving the Problems) That is, the present invention is a unit main body in which an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor blower, and the like are arranged, and accommodates electric components in side portions of the outdoor blower. An electric component box is arranged, a substrate vertically erected on the side adjacent to the outdoor blower of the electric component box, and the substrates are parallel to each other at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction and horizontally toward the outdoor blower. A heat sink having a plurality of heat dissipating fins integrally projecting therefrom is disposed, and heat exchange air that cools electric components in the electric component box is provided in a space between one end of the heat sink and the inner surface of the electric component box. Is formed between the radiating fins of the heat sink, and at a portion opposed to the low-pressure side which is the rear side of the fan of the outdoor blower, and a side cutout of the radiating fin and the electric component box. And a discharge guide portion, and guides the heat exchange air guided between the heat radiation fins of the heat sink from the blow-out guide portion to the outside of the electric component box from the discharge guide portion and to the low-pressure side of the outdoor blower. An outdoor unit of an air conditioner, characterized in that:

By setting the shape of the blow-out guide and the discharge guide in the electric component box and the position setting of the discharge guide with respect to the outdoor blower, the heat exchange air guided into the electric component box is smoothly discharged to the outside, and the outdoor blower is also provided. Immediately to the low pressure side of By setting the shape of the heat radiation fins of the heat sink, the waterproofing is ensured and the penetration of water into the electric component box is prevented.

(Example) Hereinafter, one example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The outdoor unit of the air conditioner is a rectangular thin housing as shown in FIG. 4, and a unit body 20 constituting this housing is mounted on, for example, blocks 21. Is installed along. On the front side,
An outlet 23 for heat exchange air is provided. Packed valves 24, 24 are formed in the side surfaces, and connected to refrigerant tubes 25, 25 covered with a heat insulating material that communicate with an indoor unit (not shown). A drain hose 26 for discharging drain water generated in a heat exchanger of the indoor unit is exposed from a middle part of the heat insulating material covering the refrigerant pipes 25, 25, and an open end thereof is close to the installation surface. Facing each other. Further, the power cord 27 electrically connected to the electric components and the power supply unit of the indoor unit is exposed from the middle part, and extends into an electric component box (not shown) provided in the unit main body 20.

On the other hand, a horizontal confirmation gauge 28 is written on each of the surfaces forming the vertical surfaces of the unit body 20. The horizontal confirmation gauge 28 is an upper reference position mark 28a whose upper portion is marked by a relatively short vertical line, and a relatively short vertical line opposed to a lower portion thereof, and a lower side of this vertical line. A lower reference position mark 28b which is a square line penetrating the center.

As shown in FIG. 5, after the installation of the unit main body 20 is completed, a gauge having a weight 30 provided at the lower end of the thread 29 is prepared, and the upper end of the thread 29 is aligned with the upper reference position mark 28a. If the weight 30 or the thread 29 in the vicinity of the weight 30 matches the vertical line of the lower reference position mark 28b, it can be confirmed that the installation is such that the horizontality of the unit main body 20 on that surface is accurate. If the weight 30 or the thread 29 near the weight 30 is within the range of the square line of the lower reference position mark 28b, it is recognized as the allowable range of the horizontality. If it is outside the range of the square line,
Naturally, the levelness is out of the permissible range, and it is necessary to insert a spacer or the like between the unit body 20 and the block 21 to make adjustments so as to obtain the correct levelness.

For example, the horizontal level of the unit main body 20 can be checked by the horizontal check gauge 28 on the long surface on which the outlet 23 is provided, and the shortness on the short surface on which the packed valves 24, 24 are provided. Unit body 20 with horizontal check gauge 28
You can check the horizontality of the front and back direction. In other words, at least one long-side and one end-face horizontal confirmation gauge 28, 2
8 may be used.

By providing the above-described level checking gauge 28 in this manner, the level can be checked very easily and adjustment can be made. As a result, there is no increase in noise and vibration during the actual operation, and condensed water generated in the outdoor heat exchanger (not shown) during the heating operation and drainage during the defrosting can be smoothly performed particularly during the heating operation.

The main parts in the unit main body 20 are as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Back plate 20a of unit body 20
An outdoor heat exchanger 31 is arranged along the line, and a compressor (not shown) is further arranged. The outdoor heat exchanger 31 and the compressor constitute a refrigeration cycle device.

At the front of the outdoor heat exchanger 31, an outdoor blower 33 supported by a support base 32 is arranged, and these constitute an air blowing system.

An electric component box 34 is arranged alongside the outdoor blower 33. The electric component box 34 is located at an upper part on the front side of the unit main body 20, and has a predetermined space from the side plate 20b. There is also a gap at the side end of the outdoor heat exchanger 31 and is partitioned by a partition plate 35 therebetween. The front and top surfaces are open, but the front plate and ceiling plate (not shown) constituting the unit main body 20 close these openings as in the conventional case.

An introduction opening 36 for introducing heat exchange air is provided on a side surface of the electric component box 34. An electric component, for example, a PC board 37a is attached along the rear wall surface. Inside, a number of electric components (not shown) are accommodated. A heat sink 38 is provided on the adjacent side surface which is a side portion of the outdoor blower 33, and also serves as a side plate of the electric component box 34. The heat sink 38 is, for example, an aluminum material or the like.
A material having an excellent heat exchange rate is used. This is composed of a substrate 38a that stands upright in the vertical direction, and a plurality of radiation fins 38b that are integrally provided on the outer surface side of the substrate 38a.

On the inner surface of the substrate 38a, an electrical component 37b having a high heat dissipation property such as a G-Tr is directly attached. The other ends of the radiating fins 38b project toward the outdoor blower 33, are parallel to each other with a predetermined interval in the vertical direction, and extend in the horizontal direction. Top radiation fin
38b is formed to protrude extremely longer than the protruding length of the other radiation fins 38b. The protruding lengths of the radiation fins 38b at the lowermost portion and the upper portion in the vicinity thereof are formed so as to be gradually shorter than the projection lengths of most of the other radiation fins 38b.

A part of the electric component box 34 is a heat sink such as this.
38 heat dissipating fins 38b cover the protruding ends. To explain,
The side plate 34a on the front side of the electric component box 34 has a predetermined gap with one end of the heat sink 38. A blow-out guide 39 is formed in the space between the side plate 34a of the electric component box 34 and the end on the heat sink 38 side.

The side plate 34b on the outdoor blower 33 side of the electric component box 34 is
The uppermost radiation fin 38b is in contact with the leading edge of the radiation fin 38b, and the lower edge is located at substantially the same position as the lowermost radiation fin 38b.
The side plate 34b is bent from one side end of the heat sink 38 to a position covering a part of the width direction of the heat sink 38, which faces the center of the fan 33a of the outdoor blower 33 or more than the width center or the tip of the fan 33a or more. Position to do

A part of the partition plate 35 which also serves as the rear side of the electric component box 34 extends obliquely at the side end on the back side of the heat sink 38, so that the edge of the partition plate 35 and the side plate A side cutout portion is formed between the end portion 34b and the discharge guide portion 40. The discharge guide 40 is located at a position facing the low pressure side, which is the back side of the fan 33a.

And, with the refrigeration cycle operation, the outdoor blower
33 is driven and heat exchange air, which is external air, is guided to the outdoor heat exchanger 31 to perform heat exchange. As the flow of the wind, the back side of the outdoor blower 33 is the low pressure side and corresponds to the wind suction side,
The front side is the outlet side. The outdoor heat exchanger 31 is located on the wind suction side of the outdoor blower 33.

Also, with the driving of the outdoor blower 33, the external air is guided into the unit body 20, and a part of the air is introduced into the box 34 through the introduction opening 36 of the electric component box 34, and the internal electric components 37
Cool a, 37b, etc. A part of the heat exchange air whose temperature has been increased by cooling them contacts the heat sink 38 and assists the heat radiation from the heat radiation fins 38b through the substrate 38a. Then, it is guided to the blow-out guide portion 39 formed by one end of the heat sink 38 and the side plate 34a of the electric component box 34, and flows along the heat radiation fins 38b of the heat sink 38,
Heat exchange with each other. The heat exchange air whose temperature has further increased
The radiation fins 38b exposed from the side plate 34b and the discharge guide portion 40
From the electrical component box 34.

The position where the discharge guide portion 40 is provided is a portion opposed to the low pressure side which is the rear side of the fan 33a of the outdoor blower 33, so that the electric components 37a,
Heat exchange air that has cooled 37b etc.
4. When discharged outside, it is immediately sucked into the fan 33a and is blown. Therefore, the heat exchange air conducts very smoothly without stagnation in the electric component box 34, and the electric components 37a,
37b is cooled and discharged out of the box 34.

Further, in the heat dissipating fins 38b of the heat sink 38, since the direction of the gap and the direction of conduction of the heat exchange air coincide with each other, the heat exchange air is smoothly guided, and the heat exchange efficiency is good.

Further, for example, while the refrigeration cycle is stopped, water droplets may enter the unit main body 20 from the outlet 23 due to the wind and adhere to the fan 33a. Further, when the fan 33a is rotated by the influence of the wind due to the reverse rotation to that during energization, the attached water droplets are scattered around. However,
In the electric component box 34, a side plate 34b is provided on a side portion of the fan 33a to cover a part of the heat sink 38, so that water droplets splash back as shown by a broken arrow to enter the electric component box 34. To block.

Even if the water droplets scattered by the fan 33a fall on the discharge guide portion 40, the radiating fins 38b which are exposed here extend in the horizontal direction and are provided integrally with the substrate 38a. 38 itself prevents water droplets from penetrating into the box 34 and actively dissipates the radiation fins 38b.
From outside.

In particular, the radiation fins 38b at the top are the other radiation fins 38b ...
Since the projections are larger than the projections, they receive water droplets scattered at the upper end of the heat sink 38 and directly drop them outside. In this way, even if water droplets scatter from the fan 33a due to the influence of the wind, it is possible to reliably prevent infiltration and penetration into the electric component box 34.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the heat sink disposed on the side of the electric component box adjacent to the outdoor blower is composed of a substrate and a plurality of radiating fins formed in a horizontal direction in parallel with the vertical direction. A discharge guide portion is formed in a space between one side end of the heat sink and the inner surface of the electric component box, and a discharge guide portion is formed at a portion opposed to the low pressure side of the fan of the outdoor blower. The heat exchange air guided between the heat radiation fins of the heat sink is guided from the discharge guide to the outside of the electric component box and further guided to the low pressure side of the outdoor blower, so it is guided into the electric component box. The cooled heat exchange air cools the electric parts and is discharged very smoothly to the outside, so that the cooling efficiency can be improved. In addition, even if the fan of the outdoor blower scatters water droplets, the above-described radiation fins and the electric component box shape prevent entry into the box, thereby improving safety.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 to 5 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, and FIG. 2 is a main part in a perspective direction different from that of FIG. 3 is a plan view of the outdoor unit, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the exterior of the outdoor unit, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view for inspecting the installation horizontality, and FIG. 6 to FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a main part of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part in a different perspective direction from FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a front view of the example. . 31 ... outdoor heat exchanger, 33 ... outdoor blower, 20 ... unit body, 37a, 37b ... electric parts, 34 ... electric parts box, 38a
... board, 38b ... radiation fin, 38 ... heat sink, 3
9… Blow-out guide, 40 …… Discharge guide.

Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F24F 5/00

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A unit main body in which an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor blower and the like are arranged, an electric component box arranged on a side portion of the outdoor blower to accommodate electric components, and an electric component box adjacent to the outdoor blower A heat sink comprising: a substrate disposed on the surface side and vertically erected; and a plurality of radiating fins protruding integrally with the outer surface side of the substrate and formed laterally at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction. A gap is formed between one side end of the heat sink in the left-right direction and the inside of the side plate of the electric component box, and the side plate is bent so as to cover the outer periphery of the heat sink fin on one side. A blow-out guide for guiding heat exchange air, which has cooled the electric components in the electric component box, between the fins from one end of the heat sink fins; and an outdoor blower for the outer peripheral surface of the heat sink fins on the other end. The side plate notch of the electric component box is formed so as to communicate with the low pressure side of the electric component box, and the heat exchange air guided between the radiation fins from the blow-out guide portion is guided to the low pressure side of the outdoor blower outside the electric component box. An outdoor unit for an air conditioner, comprising: a discharge guide section.