EP1989487B1

EP1989487B1 - Outdoor unit for air conditioners

Info

Publication number: EP1989487B1
Application number: EP07713465A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roberto Saccone; Oreste Bottaro
Original assignee: Olimpia Splendid SpA
Current assignee: Olimpia Splendid SpA
Priority date: 2006-02-28
Filing date: 2007-02-23
Publication date: 2010-02-17
Anticipated expiration: 2027-02-23
Also published as: CN101321991B; ITBS20060045A1; WO2007099571A1; DE602007004831D1; EP1989487A1; CN101321991A; RU2008135085A; ATE458171T1

Abstract

Outdoor unit (1) for air conditioners including a sup port frame (2) showing at least a front surface (3), a back surface (4), a lower surface (7) and an upper surface (8), exchange means (11) including first exchange means (lla) suitable to allow the inlet of an airflow (12) from the outer environment within the frame (2) and second exchange means (lib) for allowing the exit of the airflow (12) from the inside of said frame (2) to the outer environment, wherein the first and second exchange means are associated with the lower surface (7) and the upper surface (8), respectively, such that the airflow (12) is developed at least partly substantially parallel to the back surface (4), at least a first heat exchanger (9A) for a refrigerant housed in the frame (2), a blower (10) housed in the frame (2) and suitable for conveying the airflow (12) through the heat exchanger (9A) and electrical and refrigerant connecting means (15) with at least an internal unit. The outdoor unit (1) further shows a "V"-shaped-second heat exchanger (9B) with the first heat exchanger.

Description

The subject of the present invention is an outdoor unit for air conditioners and, in particular, an out-door unit for direct-expansion air conditioners or for the production of refrigerated water or for heat pumps, mainly intended for buildings for residential, commercial or industrial use.
In this text, reference is expressly made to air conditioners, also functioning as heat pump. However, the invention is also perfectly adaptable to water coolers, possibly functioning with heat pump as well.
Specifically, the invention is used in the field of self-contained air conditioners for installation, also known as fixed-type air-conditioning units, consisting of one or more internal units which are installed within a building, and of a "motor-condensing" outdoor unit, installed outside the building. Such structure divided in two or more units is known in the field as "split system".
In such conditioning plants, the internal unit essentially includes a first heat exchanger for a refrigerant, a first blower and an electric or electronic card for controlling the conditioner, housed within a first casing. On the heat exchanger, during the cooling, condensation water is generated, which is collected in a proper basin and removed on the exchanger itself or conveyed outside through a drainage pipe.
In the outdoor unit there are housed, in a second casing, a compressor, a second heat exchanger for the refrigerant and a second blower suitable for creating a forced ventilation through the second heat exchanger (see for example european patent EP-1443282-A ).
The first exchanger acts as a refrigerant evaporator during the cooling of the premises, while it acts as a condenser during the heat pump functioning and therefore during the heating of the premises. Of course, the second exchanger always works in the opposite mode of the first exchanger.
The outdoor unit and the internal unit are connected together through a double pipe for the conveyance of the refrigerant and a multiple electric connection.
The outdoor units for "split system"-type air conditioners presently used combine a series of important drawbacks.
First of all, they determine an important aesthetical impact on the buildings on which they are placed, above all in case of old or valuable palaces. This is due to the presence of showy grilles on the front side of the casing and the need of spacing the unit from the wall, in order to allow the air suctioning to the second heat exchanger. In fact, in the known outdoor units, the intake and the discharge of the air occur on the front surface and on the opposite one and, accordingly, the airflow is developed perpendicularly to the front surface itself. Because of this, the outdoor unit is often placed protruding on brackets anchored to the wall, still further compromising the beauty of the building and increasing the complexity of the mounting itself.
Moreover, grilles existing on the casing are showy and present the additional limit to get quickly dirty further worsening the visual impact.
The installation of the outdoor units of a known type is also limited by restrictions which are often set for avoiding the placing of equipments which disfigure the external aesthetical aspect of buildings.
An object of the present invention is to solve the problems found in the known art by proposing an outdoor unit for air conditioners which is free of the drawbacks described.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor unit for air conditioners which does not cause a negative aesthetical impact to buildings on which is placed, compromising the aesthetical harmony thereof.
A further object of the invention is to show an outdoor unit for air conditioners which is easy to assemble and to manage.
Finally, an object of the present invention is to propose an outdoor unit for air conditioners which is easy to carry out and with a limited cost.
These and other aims, which will better result during the following description are attained, according to the present invention, by an outdoor unit for air conditioners according to the appended claims.
It is now reported, by way of indicating and non limiting example, the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the invention shown in the enclosed drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a side section of an outdoor unit for air conditioners according to the invention;
figure 2 shows a front perspective view of the outdoor unit of figure 1;
figure 3 shows a back perspective view of the outdoor unit of figure 2;
figure 4 shows a side view of the outdoor unit of figure 1 installed according to a second embodiment;
figure 5 shows a perspective view of the outdoor unit of figure 2 associated with a wall according to a first embodiment;
figure 6 shows a perspective view of the outdoor unit of figure 4 associated with a wall;
figure 7 shows a further side section, drawn in scale, of an outdoor unit for air conditioners according to the invention;
figure 8 shows a side section, drawn in scale, of an embodiment variation of the outdoor unit for air conditioners according to the invention;
figure 9 shows a front section of the outdoor unit for air conditioners according to the invention; and
figures 10A and 10B show a front and perspective views, respectively, of unit 1 of Fig. 8.

The invention relates to an outdoor unit for air conditioners which is represented in the enclosed drawings with numeral 1.
For a greater readability in the following description and claims, reference is expressly made to an outdoor unit 1 for air conditioners. As already disclosed above, however, the inventive concept of the present invention is extended to an outdoor unit 1 of any device for the treatment of air and water, such as, for example, an air conditioner, a heat pump or a water cooler.
The outdoor unit 1 subject of the present invention includes:

a support frame 2 showing at least a front surface 3 and a back surface 4;
exchange means 11 with an outer environment for allowing the passage of an airflow 12 between such outer environment and the interior of the frame 2;
at least a heat exchanger 9 for a refrigerant housed within the frame 2;
at least a blower 10 housed in the frame 2 and suitable for conveying the airflow 12 through the heat exchanger 9 and
electrical and refrigerant means connection 15 with at least an internal unit.

As in the air conditioners of a known type, the outdoor unit 1 is connected with one or more internal units placed in the inner premises which one desires to treat (i.e., for example, cooling in case of air conditioners and heating in case of heat pumps). Also the interval units include at least a heat exchanger for the refrigerant and at least a blower, placed inside a relative frame. Advantageously, the internal units further include control means which can be both internal and external to the frame thereof.. Furthermore, the heat exchanger of internal units and the one of the outdoor.unit 1 always work in an opposite mode.
In particular, in case of an air conditioner or a water cooler, exchangers of internal units work as evaporators, while the one of the outdoor unit 1 works as a condenser and vice versa in case of a heat pump.
The outdoor unit 1 in object is characterized in that the airflow 12 within the frame 2 is developed at least partly substantially parallel to the back surface 4, differently from the known outdoor units in which the airflow is always substantially perpendicular to the back surface 4. Advantageously, the frame 2 further shows a first side surface 5, a second side surface 6, a lower surface 7 and an upper surface 8.
According to the invention, therefore, exchange means 11 are associated, at least partly, with such first 5 and/or second side surface 6 and/or lower surface 7 and/or upper surface 8.
Generally, as it is shown in the enclosed figures, the back surface 4 and the front one 3 are substantially opposite and substantially parallel therebetween and, at the same time, also the first 5 and the second side surface 6 and the lower surface 7 and the upper one 8 are analogously placed. However, the shapes of the frame 2 can be any one according to the relative functional features.
More particularly, exchange means 11 include first exchange means 11a suitable for allowing the inlet of the airflow 12 from the external environment within the frame 2 and second exchange means 11b suitable for allowing the exit of the airflow 12 from the inside of the frame 2 to the external environment (figure 1).
Always according to the invention, at least the first exchange means 11a or the second exchange means 11b, but preferably both of them, are associated at least partly with the lower surface 7 and the upper surface 8, such that the airflow 12 is always developed, within the frame 2, substantially parallel to the back surface 4.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, first exchange means 11a are associated with the lower surface 7 of the frame 2 and second exchange means 11b are associated with the upper one 8, or vice versa, such that the airflow 12, within the frame 2, is always developed substantially vertical. In a still more preferred embodiment, shown in the enclosed figures, first exchange means 11a are associated with the lower surface 7 and second exchange means 11b are associated with the upper one 8, such that the airflow 12 is always developed, within the frame 2, from the bottom upwards.
Accordingly, the back surface 4 is free of exchange means 11 and results substantially closed except for the connecting means 15 with the internal units, as shown in figure 3, and the front surface 3 results completely closed.
Advantageously, exchange means 11 include at least an opening 13 and at least a grille 14. Preferably, as it is shown in figure 1, second exchange means 11b include an opening 13 extending along the whole width of the upper surface 8 to which they are associated, covered by a grille 14 for avoiding the contact with foreign bodies and also filters, if any.
First exchange means 11a, not shown in detail in the enclosed figures, can advantageously have the same conformation of second exchange means 11b.
According to the invention, as the back surface 4 of the frame 2 is free of exchange means 11, the outdoor unit 1 can be associated with an external wall 17 of a. building through the frame 2 itself by means of the back surface 4 thereof.
According to a first embodiment variation, shown in figure 3, the outdoor unit 1 therefore includes means /3 16 for assembling the frame 2 to the external wall 17 of a building, preferably associated with the back surface 4 thereof. Mounting means 16 are characterized in that they allow the back surface 4 of the frame 2 to remain substantially adjacent to the external wall 17 of the building following to the mounting itself.
In particular, mounting means 16 preferably include at least a first engagement element 18 associated with said frame 2, preferably to the back surface 4 of the frame 2, and at least a second engagement element, associable with the external wall 17 of the building, suitable for co-operating with the first engagement element 18 for supporting the frame 2.
Preferably, as shown in figure 3, first engagement elements 18 include opening holes which form engagement seats for the second engagement elements represented by protruding elements. Advantageously, second engagement elements can be obtained on a metal bracket which can be associated with the external wall 17 of the building, for example by means of screws.
Mounting means 16 can also include damping means (not shown) for absorbing vibrations of the frame 2, for example generated on the frame by the action of the motor of the blower 10 and/or the compressor 45, if any.
An outdoor unit 1 according to the invention could also be associated with the external wall 17 of a building as the outdoor units of the known art, or it could also be abutted on balconies or terraces by spacer legs or be associated with the external wall 17 through staggered brackets. In this case, however, the important advantages given by the particular structure of the unit 1 itself would be lost.
A second embodiment variation, on the contrary, foresees the introduction, at least partly but preferably completely, as shown in Fig. 4 and 6, of the outdoor unit 1 in a seat 19 obtained in the external wall 17 of the building, as it can be seen from figures 4 and 6. Such seat 19, for example, can already be arranged during the construction of the building.
Preferably, the frame 2 is associated with such seat 19, in particular with its back wall 20, through the back surface 4 thereof by mounting means 16 above described.
In particular, the frame 2 must be associated with the seat 19 so as to allow the passage of the airflow 12 between the external environment and the interior thereof, through exchange means 11, in order to ensure the proper functioning and effectiveness. Accordingly, at least between the lower wall 22 of the seat 19 and the lower surface 7 of the frame 2 and between the upper wall 23 of the seat 19 and the upper surface 8 of the frame 2, a gap 21 defining a sufficient space for the passage of the airflow 12 between the outer environment and the interior of the frame 2 must be carried out. As it can be seen in figures 4 and 6, both the gap 21 under the frame 2 and the one above it are delimited from the outer environment by second grilles 24 having the main function of avoiding the inlet in the gaps 21 themselves of foreign bodies. Preferably, the vertical dimension in Fig. 4 of the gaps 21 is between 5 and 25 cm, more preferably between 10 and 15 cm.
Advantageously, the seat 19 can be closed relative to the outer environment through a front panel 25 such that the front surface 3 of the frame 2 is substantially approached to the internal surface of the panel 25. In this case, therefore, as it is shown in figure 6, secondary grilles 24 are preferably carried out on such panel 25.
Preferably, heat exchangers 9 are in a number of two, 9A and 9B, and are both placed within the frame 2, as shown in Fig. 1. They can be inclined and, preferably, "V"-shaped (figure 1). Furthermore, the vertex of such "V" is generally faced towards first exchange means 11a. Moreover, such vertex is advantageously placed downstream said exchange means 11A with reference to the general direction of the airflow 12.
The blower 10 is preferably of a centrifugal or tangential type. However, all kinds of blowers 10 allowing the development of the airflow 12 from the bottom upwards or vice versa can be employed, even if with lower performances. In particular, the use of a centrifugal or tangential blower 10 with respect to an axial one is preferred, as it allows to converge the airflow 12 more easily. Furthermore, the tangential blower, requiring a semi-scroll for its functioning (which envelops not more than half of the circumference of the blower, preferably about a third of the same), is more compact than the centrifugal blower, equipped with a complete scroll. The tangential blower is therefore preferred, above all in the configuration of unit 1 shown in Fig. 8, wherein the centrifugal blower would require a larger "V" and therefore greater encumbrances. It should be noted that the tangential blower, despite it notoriously produces low static and dynamic pressures, does not determine however low air flow rates of the unit 1 thanks to the low head loss obtained with the solution of the "V"-shaped exchangers according to the present invention, as shown in more detail below. The outdoor unit 1 can also include a compressor 45 housed in the frame 2 and operably associated with heat exchangers 9. Generally, the outdoor unit 1 is free of compressor when it forms part of a transferable or portable device.
The outdoor unit 1 of the present invention can be installed, both in the first installation variant (Fig. 5) and in the second one (Figs. 4 and 6), such that the airflow 12 is developed along a direction substantially horizontal or vertical with respect to the ground, depending on the specific installation requirements (available space, possible obstacles, presence of windows, etc.). In the first case ("horizontal" installation), the outdoor unit is mounted such that the lower surface 7 and the upper surface 8 are one on the horizontal line of the other relative to the ground. In other terms, the longitudinal axis 39 of the blower 10 is along a vertical line relative to the earth' s surface. In this first case of horizontal installation, in the second installation variant, gaps 21 (and grilles 24, if any) will be one on the horizontal line of the other and not on the vertical line, as shown in Fig. 4 and 6.
In a second case, which is not part of the invention ("vertical" installation), the outdoor unit is mounted such that the lower surface 7 and the upper surface 8 are one on the vertical line of the other relative to the earth's surface, namely the longitudinal axis 39 of the blower 10 is along a horizontal line relative to the earth's surface. In this second case of vertical installation, the outdoor unit 1 can be mounted upside down relative to what shown in Fig. 1, with the airflow entering from the top and exiting from the bottom. However, it is preferable to install the unit 1 such that the airflow is developed from the bottom upwards, so as to exploit the natural convective phenomenon during the summer functioning.
It is also possible, for particular problems, to install the unit 1 in any intermediate position to the two cases above described, namely in a slanting position.
From figures 1, 7 and 8 it is evident that the term "airflow 12 within said frame 2, always substantially parallel to the back surface 4" means that the air flow along all its path within the frame 2 is generally maintained (namely by omitting possible localized deviations of the flow from the general direction, such as for example in proximity of the fan 10 or more or less sharp obstacles), parallel to the surface 4 or however with an angle relative to the same lower than 45° (see the exiting zone of the air in Fig. 1).
The "V-shape" of heat exchangers according to the present invention and the use of a (preferably single) tangential or centrifugal blower housed substantially downstream within the frame 2, with reference to the general direction of the airflow 12, of both heat exchangers and suitable for conveying the airflow 12 through both the exchangers 9 allow to obtain high front exchange surfaces (front physical surface of the exchangers 9A and 9B) in a particularly compact layout. In particular, the dimensions of exchange means 11, still more particularly those of the air inlet means 11A, result particularly limited compared with the total exchange front surface. On the same airflow 12 through the unit 1, a wide exchange surface involves a speed reduction of the flow itself through the thickness of the exchangers and this in turn allows to reduce the thickness of the same while maintaining the desired exchange effectiveness. A more compact unit 1 is obtained, with a reduced content of material and therefore lighter and more economical to produce and to install. Furthermore, the slight thickness of the exchangers increases the effectiveness of the ventilation, as the head loss is reduced through the exchangers with the same flow rate, with the consequent reduction of the corrent drain of the ventilation motor which is proportional to both the flow rate and the circuit resistance.
In particular, the Applicant, following to studies and experimentations, has been able to find the optimal angle formed by the two exchangers 9A and 9B which allows to optimize the heat exchange by maintaining compact the unit 1. Such angle is preferably lower than 90°, more preferably lower than 60°, still more preferably lower than 40°. It is preferably greater than 10°, more preferably greater than 20°, still more preferably greater than 30°. A typical value is between 34° and 36°. In Fig. 7, drawn in scale, such angle is equal to 34°.
Furthermore, such angle preferably has a bisecting axis 31 forming an angle relative to the normal to the plane in which first exchange means 11a are placed, lower than 45°, more preferably lower than 30°, still more preferably lower than 20° are placed. In Fig. 7, such angle is equal to 0°.
The Applicant further believes that an alternative embodiment, wherein the two heat exchangers are replaced with a "U-shaped" heat-exchanger structure, with the concave part faced towards the lower surface 7, represents a valid alternative solution to the problem solved by the present invention. In particular, such conformation of heat exchangers additionally increases the exchange surface with the same available internal volume.
The outdoor unit 1 shown in Fig. 1 and 7 is based on a symmetrical arrangement of heat exchangers 9A and 9B, namely the bisecting axis 31 of the angle formed by the two exchangers (passing through the vertex of the "V") is perpendicular to the plane in which exchange means 11A (perpendicular to the aeration grille of the surface 7 or the filter 30) are placed. In other words, such bisecting line is parallel to the general direction of the airflow. Furthermore, the two exchangers have the same dimensions.
Fig. 8 shows in scale a further preferred example of an outdoor unit 1 according to the present invention, in which the two exchangers are placed with an asymmetrical arrangement. In particular, said bisecting axis 31 of the angle formed by the two exchangers is slightly sloped with respect to the perpendicular 36 to the plane in which the exchangers means 11A are substantially placed (which can be shown, depending on the constructive choices, with the plane of the opening of the inlet air, or with the plane of the grille or filter 30 placed therein or still with the plane of the lower surface 7). Preferably, the angle 37 formed between said bisecting axis and the perpendicular 36 is greater than 2°, still more preferably greater than 3°. The Applicant has established that the optimal angle 37 formed by said bisecting axis with the perpendicular is greater than 4°. Moreover, it is advantageously lower than 10°. In Fig. 8, such angle 37 is equal to 5°.
This allows, by differentiating the head losses in the two internal sections of the unit 1 corresponding with the two exchangers, respectively, to limit or cancel the differences of air flow rate on the two exchangers, otherwise induced by some installation typologies. In particular, when unit 1 is installed with the back part 4 abutted to a wall, a penalization of the portion of the suctioning airflow to the back exchanger 9A would occur. In fact, the portion of airflow 12 entering through the portion of the inlet means 11A placed in correspondence with the front exchanger 9B (therefore towards the front part of unit 1) is drawn both by the zone in front of said portion of the access means 11A and the zone projecting over the front surface 3 (the angle at the right bottom of Fig. 1). On the contrary, the portion of airflow 12 entering through the portion of the inlet means 11A placed in correspondence with the back exchanger 9A (therefore towards the back part of unit 1) is only drawn by the zone in front of the portion of inlet means 11A because of the presence of the wall on which the unit is installed. In order to compensate for such difference, the exchanger 9A closest to the back wall 4 is inclined to a greater extent (with respect to the direction of the airflow 12) relative to the exchanger 9B closest to the front wall 3. In other words, said bisecting axis 31 (and consequently said "V") is inclined towards the back surface 4 of unit 1.
For the same purpose of differentiating head losses, besides said inclination or, alternatively thereto, the two exchanges can have a different length or, preferably, height or both of them. For example, in case of installation of the unit 1 with the back part abutted to a wall, the back exchanger 9A can be designed with a total exchange surface greater than the front exchanger 9B, in addition to the possible asymmetrical inclination above described. By way of example, in Fig. 8 drawn in scale, the longer dimension of the two dimensions of the back exchanger 9A shown in figure is equal to 336 mm, while the corresponding one of the front exchanger 9B is equal to 315 mm. The third dimension of said exchangers, namely the "length" perpendicularly projecting from the plane of Fig. 8 is exemplarily the same.
Although in Fig. 7 exchangers 9A and 9B are symmetrically placed, it has to be intended that they can be, and preferably are asymmetrically arranged as above described with reference to Fig. 8. Unit 1 of Fig. 8 has been designed in order to further reduce, with respect to the unit 1 of Fig. 7, the encumbrance and/or the total weight, with the same exchange and energetic efficiency. For this purpose, the fan 10 (as shown broth in Fig. 1 and Fig. 8) is placed such that a substantial part thereof (at least 30%, preferably 50%) is upstream, with reference to the general direction of the airflow 12 (in Fig. 8 the vertical direction) of the upper edges 38 of the exchangers. Note how the position of the fan 10 in Fig. 7 is such that it is substantially completely downstream of the upper edges 38 of the exchangers. The Applicant has found that, although the portions of exchangers 9A and 9B close to the fan 10 cover a position which traditionally is covered respectively by the scroll and the "cut-off" (compare Fig. 7), there is however no penalization of the ventilation efficiency.
Furthermore, the profile of the scroll 32 for the exit of the air and the cut-off 33 has a more compact height relative to Fig. 7, a thing that improves the possibility of installation in narrow spaces. In particular, the end point of the scroll 32 downstream the flow (which in Fig. 8 is close to exchange means 11B) is not beyond the projection along the general direction of the flow 12 of the rotation axis 39 of the fan 10. Preferably, as shown in Fig. 8, it is on the vertical of the axis of rotation 39.
The depressed profile of the scroll and the "recoiled" position of the fan 10 allow a greater design flexibility of exchange means 11B. In fact, as it can be seen in the comparison of Fig. 7 and 8, the solution of Fig. 8 allows to engage, with the opening 13, a wider portion of the upper surface 8. In other words, exchange means 11B occupy about half of the dimension, horizontally shown in Fig. 8, of the surface 8. Among several advantages, this solution allows to enlarge the opening 13.
In Fig. 7 and 8, exchange means 11B (e.g. opening 13 and grille 14) are placed on the edge between the upper surface 8 and the front one 3, namely they engage both surfaces 3 and 8. This allows to further enlarge the opening 13 with respect to Fig. 1.
However, it has to be noted that although in Fig. 7, 8 and 10 exchange means 11B are placed on the edge between the upper surface 8 and the front one 3, it has to be intended that they can alternately be placed exclusively on the upper surface 8, as shown in Fig. 1.
Regarding this, it has to be pointed out that the depressed solution in Fig. 8 allows to reduce or annul the portion of the front surface 3 engaged by the grille 14 for the air discharge, while maintaining a sufficient opening 13. In this way it is possible to carry out a front surface 3 completely closed.
The grille 14 associated with exchange means for the air exit 11B can foresee one or more deviation fins 14 for directing the exiting flow so as to increase the installation flexibility. Such fins can be fixed, as shown in Fig. 7, or preferably orientated as shown in Fig. 8. For example, if the unit is installed with the upper part adjacent to a roof, the air outlet will be mainly directed towards the front part. If, on the contrary, there is a frontal obstacle (such as a green plant or a parapet), the exiting air can be directed towards the high part.
The unit 1 can further foresees one or more baffles 34A, 34B close to the inlet 11A for optimizing the distribution of the airflow which contacts the heat exchangers and optimizing in this way the heat exchange. In Fig. 7 and 8 a first 34A and a second 34B baffles for the air inlet are shown, placed in correspondence with the first and the second exchangers 9A and 9B, respectively, close to the exchange means 11A. Such "intercepting" means serve for conveying a part of the airflow towards the lower part of the exchanger, in order to optimize its distribution. If they are lacking, most of the air would be dynamically directed towards the higher part of the exchanger. Baffles shown in Fig. 7 and 8 are equally applicable to unit 1 shown in Fig. 1.
Unit 1 can foresee an air filter 30 in the inlet 11A, which can be removed for the cleaning. This greatly allows to preserve performances of heat exchangers over time. Such filter could be drawer-like extractable and will be placed in the lower part of the frame 2. Such filter 30 is developed along all the opening surface which allows the inlet of the air and which represents exchange means 11A. Such filter can be intended as forming the lower surface 7.
When the unit is vertically installed, as shown in Fig. 7 and 8, close to the vertex of the angle formed by heat exchangers 9A and 9B, a basin 35 for collecting the condensation water formed when the unit works as heat pump can be placed below such vertex.
With reference to Fig. 9, the outdoor unit 1 can allow the positioning of the motor 40 of the blower 10 also outside the section of heat exchangers. This allows to not hinder or alter the airflow towards the fan 10 and not penalize the heat exchange, besides protecting the motor 40 from atmospheric agents. Thanks to this cunning, the fan 10 will further have the same length of heat exchangers 9A and 9B.
With reference to the front and perspective view of unit 1 in Fig. 10A and 10B, the unit can have four or more pins 44, with an height between 5 and 20 cm, suitable for lifting the unit itself from the ground in case of installation on the ground, for the purpose of allowing the air suction. Optionally, the unit can show at one of the sides, a protrusion 50 having very reduced dimensions relative to those of unit 1 (the volume is about a tenth of that of the unit) and suitable for housing refrigerant and electric connections, so as to maintain the back surface 4 completely closed.
For the purpose of explaining the compactness reached by the device of the present invention in its embodiment shown in Fig. 8, the encumbrance dimensions of unit 1, omitting the protrusion 50 and the pins 44, are, with reference to the unit installed as per Fig. 10A and 10B: height without pins equal to 60 cm (which typically corresponds to the vertical dimension of Fig. 8), width without the protrusion 50 equal to about 88 cm and depth equal to about 25 cm (which typically corresponds to the horizontal dimension of Fig. 8).
The invention thus conceived is susceptible of several modification and changings, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept as defined in the appended claims. Indeed, all details are replaceable with other technically equivalent elements. The invention attains important advantages. First of all, the outdoor unit subject of the present invention, being completely closed both in the front part and in the back one, can be installed on external walls of a building without compromising the beauty and respecting the harmony and the architecture. In fact, the outdoor unit can be directly hung to the wall without the need of anchor brackets, remarkably reducing the protrusion with respect to the known outdoor units. This involves, furthermore, a simplification of the installation of the outdoor unit itself and the maintenance thereof.
Furthermore, the fact of being (substantially) free of aeration grilles on the front surface 3 solves the heating problems of the same, if any, when the front surface 3 of the outdoor unit is exposed to rays of sunlight, with the consequent deterioration of the exchange efficiency of the unit itself.
In the second embodiment variation, the outdoor unit can then be housed in a seat within the external wall of the building, without protrusions with respect to the external profile of the wall itself. Furthermore, when the front panel is present, it can be painted with the same colour of the wall of the building, integrating itself to a greater extent with the architecture thereof.
All the technical solutions employed in the present invention synergically contribute to carry out an outdoor unit particularly compact in one or more dimensions thereof, light and easy to manufacture and to install, while maintaining at the same time an optimal exchange efficiency and/or a low energetic consumption.
A further advantage is due to the complete containment of refrigerant or refrigerated water pipes within the frame with respect to the known outdoor units which do not allow this possibility.
Therefore, the invention makes possible or more probable the use of air conditioners or other devices for treating air or water in old or valuable buildings or subjected to a particular regulation in which the installation of known devices is not possible, increasing the comfort and the freedom of the users.

Claims

Outdoor unit (1) for air conditioners including:
- a support frame (2) showing at least a front surface (3), a back surface (4), a lower surface (7) and an upper surface (8);

- exchange means (11) with an outer environment for allowing the passage of an airflow (12) between such outer environment and the inside of said frame (2), said exchange means (11) including first exchange means (11a) suitable to allow the inlet of said airflow (12) from said outer environment within said frame (2) and second exchange means (11b) suitable for allowing the exit of said airflow (12) from the inside of said frame (2) to said outer environment;

- at least a first heat exchanger (9A) for a refrigerant housed in said frame (2);

- a blower (10) housed in said frame (2) and suitable for conveying said airflow (12) through said heat exchanger (9) and

- electrical and refrigerant connecting means (15) with at least an internal unit, characterized in that said first exchange means (11a) and said second exchange means (11b) are associated, at least partly, with said lower surface (7) and said upper surface (8), respectively, such that said airflow (12) within said frame (2) is developed at least partly substantially parallel to said back surface (4).
Outdoor unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it further includes a second heat exchanger (9B), wherein said first and second heat exchanger (9A, 9B) are housed within said frame (2) and arranged so as to form a "V" having the vertex faced towards said first exchange means (11a) and wherein said blower (10) is housed downstream, with reference to the direction of said airflow (12), of both said heat exchangers, and is suitable for conveying said airflow (12) through both said heat exchangers.
Outdoor unit (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said first (9A) and second (9B) heat exchangers are arranged so as to form an angle, corresponding with the vertex of said "V", lower than 90°.
Outdoor unit (1) according to claim 3 characterized in that said heat exchangers (9A, 9B) are arranged so as to form an angle; corresponding with the vertex of said "V", lower than 60°.
Outdoor unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said first (9A) and second (9B) heat exchangers (9A, 9B) are arranged so as to form an angle, corresponding with the vertex of said "V", having a bisecting axis (31) forming an angle with respect to the perpendicular to the plane in which there are said first exchange means (11a), lower than 45°.
Outdoor unit (1), according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said first (9A) and second (9B) heat exchangers are arranged so as to form an angle, corresponding with the vertex of said "V", having a bisecting axis (31) forming an angle, with respect to the perpendicular to the plane in which there are said first exchange means (11a), greater than 2°.
Outdoor unit (1) according to the preceding claim characterized in that said bisecting axis (31) is inclined towards the back surface (4).
Outdoor unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that said heat exchangers (9A, 9B) are arranged such that the upper edge (38) of each exchanger is parallel to the longitudinal axis (39) of said blower (10).
Outdoor unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it is installed such that said airflow is developed substantially vertical.
Outdoor unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said back surface (4) is free of said exchange means (11).
Outdoor unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said front surface (3) is completely closed.
Outdoor unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first exchange means (11a) include an opening and a grille as well, or a filter (30), extending on the opening.
Outdoor unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further includes means (16) for mounting said frame (2) to an external wall (17) of a building, such that said back surface (4) of said frame (2) is substantially adjacent to said external wall (17).
Outdoor unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said blower (10) is the only blower appointed for the generation of said airflow (12).
Outdoor unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first exchange means (11a) are on a plane arranged parallel to said lower surface (7).
Outdoor unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lower (7) and upper (8) surfaces are substantially parallel therebetween.
Outdoor unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said lower (7) and upper (8) surfaces are substantially opposite with respect to said frame (2) such that said airflow (12) within said frame (2) is always substantially developed parallel to said back surface (4).
Outdoor unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said frame (2) is substantially parallelepiped-shaped.
Outdoor unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said blower (10) is of a centrifugal or tangential type.
Outdoor unit (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said blower (10) is of a tangential type.
Air conditioner characterized in that it includes at least an outdoor unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.
Heat pump characterized in that it includes at least an outdoor unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 19.
Building having an external wall (17) in which a seat (19) is obtained, wherein the frame (2) of the outdoor unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims is introduce at least partly, wherein at least between a lower surface (22) of the seat (19) and said lower surface (7) of the frame (2) and between an upper surface (23) of the seat (19) and said upper surface (8) of the frame (2) a gap (21), is carried out defining a space sufficient for allowing the passage of said airflow (12) between the external environment and the interior of the frame (2) through said exchange means (11).