JP3576512B2 - Electronic circuit storage case, outdoor unit, and air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic circuit storage case having a housing for storing an electric circuit element and a radiating fin, and more particularly to an air conditioner including the electronic circuit storage case and providing a comfortable indoor environment by heating or cooling. is there.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An air conditioner is composed of two large components, an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. The indoor unit is provided with an indoor heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the indoor air and the refrigerant, and the outdoor unit is provided with an outdoor heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the outdoor air and the refrigerant. I have.
[0003]
Further, in addition to the heat exchanger, elements such as a compressor and an expansion valve are added to the indoor unit and the outdoor unit to form a refrigerant circuit. Refrigerant circulates through this circuit to achieve indoor cooling and heating.
[0004]
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the outdoor unit. As shown in FIG. 1, the outdoor unit 1 includes an outdoor heat exchanger 3, a propeller fan 4, a compressor 5, a control box (electronic circuit storage case) 6 for controlling the outdoor unit 1 and the like in a housing 2. Is provided. Various electronic circuit elements are housed in the housing 6a of the control box 6. One of the electronic circuit elements that plays a central role is the power transistor 7 shown in FIG. The power transistor 7 is mounted on the lower surface of a substrate 8 provided in the housing 6a.
[0005]
The power transistor 7 generates a large amount of heat when the outdoor unit 1 operates. In order to dissipate this heat, an opening is provided on the bottom surface of the housing 6a, and a radiation fin 9 for dissipating the heat of the power transistor 7 is attached to this opening. The heat radiating fins 9 are configured to include a base plate 10 that is in close contact with the lower surface of the power transistor 7 and a plurality of main heat radiating plates 11 erected on the base plate 10. The radiating fins 9 are provided near the propeller fan 4 having a good wind flow in order to facilitate the passage of air between the main radiating plates 11.
The radiating fins 9 absorb the heat of the power transistor 7 from the base plate 10, and cool the main radiating plate 11 to which the heat has been transmitted by the air passing between the main radiating plates 11, thereby radiating the heat of the power transistor 7. Do.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the outdoor unit 1 is installed outdoors and is easily affected by an impact from the outside, weather, fire, and the like. Therefore, it is desired to adopt a structure excellent in protection against these. In particular, various electric circuit elements for controlling each device in the outdoor unit 1 cause malfunction when they come into contact with water, and therefore, a structure for preventing rainwater from entering the control box 6 is desired. Therefore, the ends of the main heat radiating plates 11 at both ends of the heat radiating fins 9 are respectively brought into contact with the bottom surface of the housing 6a to close the opening of the housing 6a. This prevented rainwater from entering through the seam.
[0007]
However, the radiation fins 9 are apt to be exposed to rainwater splashed to the propeller fan 4. Therefore, there is a possibility that rainwater may enter the housing 6a from the joint between the housing 6a and the radiation fins 9 due to the deterioration of the seam 12 over time.
[0008]
Further, since the housing 6a of the control box 6 is made of a flammable member such as resin, when a fire or the like occurs near the outdoor unit 1, the housing 6a is deformed by the heat of the fire, or the fire is transferred. In such a case, combustion may occur, and as a result, a malfunction of various electronic circuit elements may be caused.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an electronic circuit storage case that does not easily malfunction due to the influence of weather, fire, and the like, and an outdoor unit and an air conditioner including the electronic circuit storage case. It is intended to be.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an electronic circuit storage case according to claim 1 is provided with a housing in which an electronic circuit element is stored and mounted on an opening formed in a bottom surface of the housing to release heat of the electronic circuit element. In the electronic circuit storage case having the heat radiation fins, a first convex portion is formed inside the housing so as to surround the opening.
In this electronic circuit storage case, the water that has entered through the opening of the housing is blocked by the first projection, so that various electronic circuit elements do not come into contact with water. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the electronic circuit element from malfunctioning.
[0011]
An electronic circuit storage case according to a second aspect is the electronic circuit storage case according to the first aspect, wherein a communication hole is formed in the housing between the opening and the first projection. And
In this electronic circuit storage case, the water blocked by the first projection is discharged from the communication hole and does not accumulate in the housing. Therefore, it is possible to further prevent the electronic circuit element from malfunctioning.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic circuit storage case according to the first or second aspect, a recess is formed along one of the openings in one of the housing and the heat radiation fin. Is characterized in that a convex portion to be fitted into the concave portion is formed on one of the other.
In this electronic circuit storage case, since the convex portion is fitted into the concave portion, the path of the water that tries to enter the housing is long and complicated. In addition, the water must travel upward from the bottom on the way between the concave portion and the convex portion. This reduces the amount of water that enters the housing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the electronic circuit element from malfunctioning.
[0013]
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided the electronic circuit storage case according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein a fire-resistant member is attached to an outer surface of the housing.
In this electronic circuit storage case, heat from a fire generated by a fire or the like is blocked by the refractory portion, and the electronic circuit storage case does not deform and burn. Therefore, the electronic circuit storage case can be protected from fire generated by fire or the like.
[0014]
The outdoor unit according to claim 5, wherein an outdoor heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between outdoor air and the refrigerant, a compressor that sends the refrigerant, a fan that blows the outdoor air, and any one of claims 1 to 4, Or the electronic circuit storage case according to claim 1.
In this outdoor unit, the electronic circuit storage case is excellent in protection against fire such as water intrusion and fire. Therefore, the outdoor unit can be operated stably.
[0015]
The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the indoor unit includes a fan for sucking room air from the suction port and blowing it out from the outlet, and an indoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the room air and the refrigerant. And an outdoor unit according to claim 5.
In this air conditioner, the outdoor unit is excellent in protection against external influences such as rainwater and fire. Therefore, the air conditioner can be operated stably.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the air conditioner. The air conditioner includes an indoor unit 20 and an outdoor unit 30. The indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30 are connected by a refrigerant pipe 20a through which the refrigerant flows, an electric wiring (not shown), and the like. Two refrigerant pipes 20a are provided, and the refrigerant flows from the indoor unit 20 to the outdoor unit 30 through one refrigerant pipe 20a, and flows from the outdoor unit 30 to the indoor unit 20 through the other refrigerant pipe 20a. .
[0017]
The indoor unit 20 has a base 21 and a front panel 22 integrally formed. Various devices such as a plate fin tube type indoor heat exchanger and a substantially cylindrical cross flow fan (fan) are provided in the base 21. These are not shown together. In addition, the base 21 is provided with a control unit 20b including various electric circuit elements for performing operation control and the like for the indoor unit 20. An installation plate 23 is provided behind the base 21 so that the indoor unit 20 can be installed on a wall surface or the like in the room.
[0018]
In the front panel 22, a suction grille 24 is formed as a suction port on each of the front surface and the upper surface. The indoor air is drawn into the indoor unit 20 from these directions by the suction grille 24. Incidentally, an air filter 25 is provided behind the suction grill 24, and functions to remove dust such as sucked air. An outlet 26 is provided below the front panel 22, and warmed or cooled air is blown out from the outlet 26. In addition, the suction and the blowing of the air are performed by the rotation of the cross flow fan.
[0019]
The outdoor unit 30 includes a housing 31, an outdoor heat exchanger 32, a propeller fan 33, a compressor 34, a control box (electronic circuit storage case) 35, and the like. The outdoor heat exchanger 32 is configured by a refrigerant pipe (not shown) provided with a number of corrugated fins around the periphery, and performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and outdoor air. The propeller fan 33 is provided in order to improve the heat exchange efficiency by generating wind flowing from the rear surface to the front surface in the housing 31 to always take in new air into the housing 31.
[0020]
Fingers 36 and 37 are respectively provided on the surface of the housing 31 where the outdoor heat exchanger 32 and the propeller fan 33 face the outside. The finger 36 is provided to prevent the corrugated fin from being damaged by an external impact. The finger 37 also protects the propeller fan 33 from external impact. The finger 37 also functions to prevent dust and the like contained in the outside air from being taken into the housing 31.
[0021]
The compressor 34 converts low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant into high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant and discharges the gas refrigerant, and plays a central role in components constituting a refrigerant circuit. Here, the refrigerant circuit means, in addition to the compressor 34, the indoor heat exchanger, the outdoor heat exchanger 32, the refrigerant pipe 20a, the expansion valve, and the four-way valve (the expansion valve and the four-way valve) for defining the flow direction of the refrigerant. Is a circuit that schematically circulates refrigerant between the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 30.
[0022]
The control box 35 controls the operation of the propeller fan 33, the compressor 34, and other various devices provided in the outdoor unit 30.
[0023]
In addition to the above, the outdoor unit 30 is provided with a pedestal 38 for supporting the housing 31 and avoiding the influence of external vibration and the like. The wall of the housing 31 close to the compressor 34 is provided with a removable panel 39 for performing maintenance or the like of the compressor 34.
[0024]
The operation of the air conditioner having the above configuration will be described for each of the heating operation and the cooling operation. First, during the heating operation, the refrigerant converted into a high-temperature and high-pressure gas by the compressor 34 is sent to a not-shown indoor heat exchanger in the indoor unit 20 through the refrigerant pipe 20a. In the indoor unit 20, heat is given to the room air taken in from the suction grill 24 by the cross flow fan from the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger. Thereby, warm air is blown out from the outlet 26 below the front panel 22. At the same time, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant is condensed and liquefied in the indoor heat exchanger, and becomes a high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant.
[0025]
The high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant is sent again to the outdoor heat exchanger 32 of the outdoor unit 30 through the refrigerant pipe 20a. In the outdoor unit 30, the high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 32 takes heat from fresh outdoor air taken into the housing 31 by the propeller fan 33. As a result, the high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant evaporates and becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant. This is sent to the compressor 34 again, and the above process is repeated.
[0026]
During the cooling operation, the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant circuit in a direction opposite to the above. That is, the refrigerant converted into a high-temperature and high-pressure gas by the compressor 34 is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 32 through the refrigerant pipe 20a, and gives heat to the outdoor air to be condensed and liquefied to become a liquid refrigerant. The high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant passes through an expansion valve (not shown) to become a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant, and is sent again to the indoor heat exchanger (not shown) through the refrigerant pipe 20a. The low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant here takes heat from room air to cool the room air, and the refrigerant itself evaporates and becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant. This is sent to the compressor 34 again, and the above process is repeated.
[0027]
These operations are controlled by the control unit 20a housed in the indoor unit 20 and the control box 35 housed in the outdoor unit 30 working together.
[0028]
Hereinafter, the characteristic portions of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the control box 35. The control box 35 includes a housing 40, various electric circuit elements housed in the housing 40, and radiating fins 42 for dissipating heat of the various electronic circuit elements.
The housing 40 is formed of resin, and has a box shape that is long in the lateral direction as shown in FIG. An opening 41 is formed in the bottom surface of the housing 40 along the width direction. A radiation fin 42 is attached to the opening 41.
[0029]
The heat dissipating fins 42 are made of aluminum, which has a large thermal diffusivity and is lightweight, and includes a base plate 42a and a plurality of main heat dissipating plates 42b erected on the base plate 42a with a gap therebetween. Have been.
The radiation fins 42 absorb heat generated from a power transistor (see FIG. 3), which is one of various electric circuit elements housed in the housing 40, and dissipate the heat to the outside. The heat from the radiating fins 42 is dissipated by the wind from the propeller fan 33, as shown by an arrow d in FIG. Prompted by passing through between 42b.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 3, a plate material (a fire-resistant member) obtained by sheet-metal processing a metal having excellent fire resistance is attached to an outer surface of the housing 40.
[0031]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the control box 35 along the width direction.
In the figure, reference numeral 40a denotes the above-described sheet metal, and reference numeral 43 denotes the above-described power transistor. As shown in FIG. 3, the base plate 42a of the radiation fin 42 is attached to the lower surface of the power transistor 43. The power transistor 43 is attached to a lower surface of a substrate 43a provided in the housing 40.
[0032]
A first projection 44 is formed inside the housing 40 so as to surround the opening 41. In the housing 40, a communication hole 45 is formed between the first protrusion 44 and the opening 41. A plurality of the communication holes 45 are provided around the opening 41.
Further, the housing 40 is formed with a second convex portion 46 protruding inward along the opening 41.
[0033]
The heat radiation fins 42 have recesses 47 formed in main heat radiation plates 42b located at both ends. Then, the second protrusion 46 of the housing 40 is fitted into the recess 47. As described above, by adopting a structure in which the convex portion 46 is fitted to the concave portion 47, the path followed by water before reaching the inside of the housing 40 is long and complicated. In addition, the concave portion 47 and the convex portion 46 have a joint surface A in the vertical direction.
[0034]
A hole 40b communicating with the communication hole 45 of the housing 40 is formed in the sheet metal 40a.
[0035]
According to the control box 35 having the above structure, the water that has entered through the opening 41 of the housing is blocked by the first convex portion 44, so that various electronic circuit elements do not come into contact with water. Therefore, it is possible to prevent various electronic circuit elements from malfunctioning.
[0036]
In addition, since the communication hole 45 is formed in the housing 40 between the opening 41 and the first protrusion 44, the water blocked by the first protrusion is used for the communication hole 45. And water does not accumulate in the housing 40. As a result, it is possible to prevent various electronic circuit elements from malfunctioning.
[0037]
Further, since the structure is such that the convex portion 46 is fitted into the concave portion 47, the path followed by water before reaching the inside of the housing 40 is long and complicated. In addition, the water that has entered between the concave portion 47 and the convex portion 46 must advance the bonding surface A upward from below before reaching the inside of the housing 40. As a result, the amount of water entering the housing 40 is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent various electronic circuit elements from malfunctioning.
[0038]
Furthermore, since the plate member 40a, which is a fire-resistant member, is attached to the outer surface of the housing 40, heat from a fire generated by a fire or the like is blocked by the plate member 40a, so that the control box 35 does not deform and burn. Therefore, the control box 35 is protected from a fire caused by a fire or the like.
[0039]
In addition, since the outdoor unit 30 and the air conditioner include the control box 35 having excellent protection against fire such as water intrusion and fire, stable operation is possible.
[0040]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. The configuration of the air conditioner is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the control box 35 according to the second embodiment. A recess 50 is formed in the housing 40 of the control box 35 along the opening 41. The end portion (convex portion) 51 of the main heat sink 42b is fitted into the concave portion 50. As described above, by adopting a structure in which the convex portion 51 is fitted to the concave portion 50, the path followed by water before reaching the inside of the housing 40 is long and complicated. In addition, the concave portion 50 and the convex end portion 51 have the joining surface B in the vertical direction.
In the present embodiment, the housing 40 is formed of a flame-retardant ABS resin containing a flame-retardant substance and having increased flame retardancy.
[0041]
According to the control box 35 of the second embodiment, the end portion 51 of the heat radiation fin 42 can be fitted to the concave portion 50 of the housing 40 without performing special processing on the heat radiation fin 42 side.
[0042]
Next, a control box 35 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The control box 35 is characterized in that the projections 52 of the radiation fins 42 projecting to the side are fitted into the recesses 53 of the housing 40.
According to this structure, the convex portion 52 and the concave portion 53 have two vertical joining surfaces C and D. This further reduces the amount of water that enters the housing 40.
[0043]
As another embodiment of the present invention, there is a control box 35 shown in FIG. The control box 35 is characterized in that an end (convex portion) 54 of the housing 40 is fitted into a concave portion 55 of the radiation fin 41 which is opened in the lateral direction. According to this structure, the concave portion 55 and the convex end portion 52 have the joining surface E in the vertical direction.
[0044]
The specific configuration of the air conditioner is not particularly limited to the above-described embodiment, and any form of the air conditioner including the indoor unit, the outdoor unit, and the electronic circuit storage case may be used. The present invention is also applicable to
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. According to the electronic circuit storage case of the first aspect, since the first convex portion is formed inside the housing so as to surround the opening, the water that has entered from the opening of the housing is the first convex portion. So that various electronic circuit elements do not come into contact with water. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the electronic circuit element from malfunctioning.
[0046]
According to the electronic circuit storage case of the second aspect, since the communication hole is formed in the housing between the opening and the first projection, the housing is closed by the first projection. Water is not discharged from the communication hole and remains in the housing. Therefore, it is possible to further prevent the electronic circuit element from malfunctioning.
[0047]
According to the electronic circuit storage case of the third aspect, since the convex portion formed on the other of the housing and the heat dissipating fin is fitted into the concave portion formed on either the housing or the heat dissipating fin. The path taken by water trying to enter the inside becomes long and complicated. This reduces the amount of water that enters the housing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the electronic circuit element from malfunctioning.
[0048]
According to the electronic circuit storage case of the fourth aspect, since the fire-resistant member is attached to the outer surface of the housing, heat from a fire or the like generated by a fire or the like is blocked by the fire-resistant member, and the electronic circuit storage case is closed. Does not deform and burn. Therefore, the electronic circuit storage case can be protected from fire generated by fire or the like.
[0049]
According to the outdoor unit according to the fifth aspect, since the electronic circuit storage case having excellent protection against intrusion of water and fire such as fire is provided, the outdoor unit can be operated stably.
[0050]
According to the air conditioner of the sixth aspect, since the air conditioner includes the outdoor unit excellent in protection against external influences such as rainwater and fire, it is possible to stably operate the air conditioner. Become.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an air conditioner.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a control box according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the control box for explaining the control box of the first embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a control box for explaining a control box according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a control box according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a control box according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the outdoor unit showing the configuration of the outdoor unit.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a conventional control box.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 20 indoor unit 24 suction port 26 outlet 30 outdoor unit 32 outdoor heat exchanger 33 propeller fan (fan)
34 Compressor 35 Control box (electronic circuit storage case)
40 Housing 40a Plate material (fire-resistant member)
41 Opening 42 Heat radiation fin 44 First convex 45 Communication hole 46 Second convex (convex)
47, 50, 53, 55 concave portions 51, 52, 54 convex portions

Claims (6)

In an electronic circuit storage case having a housing in which an electronic circuit element is stored and a radiating fin that is attached to an opening formed in a bottom surface of the housing and emits heat of the electronic circuit element,
An electronic circuit storage case, wherein a first projection is formed inside the housing so as to surround the opening. 2. The electronic circuit storage case according to claim 1, wherein a communication hole is formed in the housing between the opening and the first protrusion. 3. A concave portion is formed along the opening on one of the housing and the radiating fin, and a convex portion fitted to the concave portion is formed on the other of the housing and the radiating fin. The electronic circuit storage case according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The electronic circuit storage case according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a fire-resistant member is attached to an outer surface of the housing. An outdoor heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between outdoor air and a refrigerant, a compressor that sends out the refrigerant, and a fan that blows the outdoor air,
An outdoor unit comprising the electronic circuit storage case according to claim 1. An indoor unit having a fan for sucking room air from the suction port and blowing it out of the outlet, and an indoor heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between the room air and the refrigerant;
An air conditioner comprising: the outdoor unit according to claim 5.

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