EP2933573A1

EP2933573A1 - Heat source unit for refrigeration apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP2933573A1
Application number: EP13869493.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Keigo TAKEMOTO; Youichi Ohnuma
Original assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2012-12-26
Filing date: 2013-11-05
Publication date: 2015-10-21
Also published as: CN104884869B; CN104884869A; WO2014103515A1; JP2014126275A; JP5533999B1; EP2933573A4

Abstract

It is an object of the present invention to provide a valve capable of enhancing workability in joining thereto a joint member. An outdoor unit (13) connected to an indoor unit (12) includes a lateral surface bulging part (53) and a stop valve (20). The lateral surface bulging part (53) is formed on a case sidewall portion (412) oriented along a vertical plane and outwardly bulges from the case sidewall part (412). The stop valve (20) has a fixing portion (25) and a fourth cylindrical part (24) to which a communication conduit (14) extending from the indoor unit (12) is joined, and is fixed to the lateral surface bulging part (53) through the fixing portion (25) such that a center axis C2 of the fourth cylindrical part (24) tilts with respect to the vertical plane whereby the fourth cylindrical part (24) gradually separates from the vertical plane toward the tip end thereof.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a heat source unit for a refrigeration apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Patent Literature 1 (Japan Laid-open Patent Application Publication No. H10-9717 ) discloses a valve for opening and closing a channel. In the valve of Patent Literature 1, a valve passage into which a valve member is inserted, a first passage, a second passage and a third passage are communicated in the valve interior. The respective passages are disposed such that the valve passage and the third passage are located on a common axis, the first passage and the second passage are located on a common axis, and the respective axes intersect in crisscross. Additionally, the third passage, continuing to the valve passage on the common axis, has a fixing portion on the tip end thereof, and the valve can be fixed to a fixed surface of a mating member through the fixing portion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The fixed surface of the mating member is normally arranged upright along a vertical direction. When the valve of Patent Literature 1 is fixed to the fixed surface of the mating member through the fixing portion, the first and second passages are configured to be disposed along the fixed surface of the mating member. With the construction, in joining other joint members to the tips of the first and second passages, the joint works are required to be performed along the fixed surface of the mating member oriented along the vertical direction, and this deteriorates workability.
In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a valve whereby workability can be enhanced in joining a joint member thereto.

A heat source unit for a refrigeration apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is a heat source unit for a refrigeration apparatus that is connected to a usage unit, and includes a lateral surface bulging part and a stop valve. The lateral surface bulging part is formed on and outwardly bulges from a lateral surface portion of a casing that is oriented along a vertical plane. The stop valve has a fixing portion and a cylindrical joint part to which a communication conduit extending from the usage unit is joined, and is fixed to the lateral surface bulging part through the fixing portion such that a center axis of the cylindrical joint part tilts with respect to the vertical plane whereby the cylindrical joint part gradually separates from the vertical plane toward a tip end thereof.
With the construction, in joining the communication conduit to the cylindrical joint part, the joint work is enabled away from the vertically arranged surface (vertical plane) of the casing, and the vertically arranged surface of the casing is unlikely to obstruct the joint work. Consequently, workability can be enhanced in the joint work.
A heat source unit for a refrigeration apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention relates to the heat source unit for a refrigeration apparatus according to the first aspect, and wherein the fixing portion of the stop valve has a fixing surface to be faced to the lateral surface bulging part. The center axis of the cylindrical joint part tilts with respect to the fixing surface.
With the construction, a space can be reliably produced between the cylindrical joint part and the vertically arranged surface of the casing, and workability can be enhanced in joining the communication conduit to the cylindrical joint part.
A heat source unit for a refrigeration apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention relates to the heat source unit for a refrigeration apparatus according to the first aspect, and wherein the fixing portion of the stop valve has a fixing surface to be faced to the lateral surface bulging part. The lateral surface bulging part has a fixed surface to be faced to the fixing surface. The center axis of the cylindrical joint part is arranged in parallel to the fixing surface and the fixed surface tilts with respect to the vertical plane.
With the construction, a space can be reliably produced between the cylindrical joint part and the vertically arranged surface of the casing, and workability can be enhanced in joining the communication conduit to the cylindrical joint part.

In the heat source unit for a refrigeration apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, workability can be enhanced in a joint work.
In the heat source unit for a refrigeration apparatus according to either of the second and third aspects of the present invention, a space can be reliably produced between the cylindrical joint part and the vertically arranged surface of the casing, and workability can be enhanced in joining the communication conduit to the cylindrical joint part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an external view of an air conditioning apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an outdoor unit 13 from which a case sidewall portion 412 and a stop valve cover 16 are detached.
FIG. 3 is an external view of a stop valve mount plate 50.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a condition that a stop valve 20 of a first design is mounted to a lateral surface bulging part 53.
FIG. 5 is a front view of the stop valve 20 of the first design and the lateral surface bulging part 53 seen from a direction of arrow in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the stop valve 20 of the first design taken along cutaway plane I in FIG. 4.
FIG. 7 is a front view of the stop valve 20 of a second design and the lateral surface bulging part 53.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the stop valve 20 of the second design taken along cutaway plane I-I in FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present invention will be hereinafter explained with reference to drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiment is a specific example of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

(1) Entire Construction

FIG. 1 is an external view of an air conditioning apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioning apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 is divided into and composed of an indoor unit 12 mounted to a wall surface of an indoor space or so forth and an outdoor unit 13 installed in an outdoor space. The air conditioning apparatus 100 is capable of performing a cooling operation, a heating operation and so forth for the indoor space.
The indoor unit 12 accommodates an indoor heat exchanger (not shown in the drawings) and so forth in the interior thereof, whereas the outdoor unit 13 accommodates an outdoor heat exchanger (not shown in the drawings), a compressor (not shown in the drawings) and so forth in the interior thereof. Additionally, the indoor heat exchanger of the indoor unit 12 and the outdoor heat exchanger of the outdoor unit 13 are connected through a communication conduit 14. It should be noted that the communication conduit 14 includes a gas refrigerant communication conduit 14a to be attached to a gas refrigerant stop valve 20a and a liquid refrigerant communication conduit 14b to be attached to a liquid refrigerant stop valve 20b (see FIG. 2).

(2) Construction of Outdoor Unit

Next, a construction of the outdoor unit 13 according to the present embodiment will be explained with FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the outdoor unit 13 from which a case sidewall portion 412 and a stop valve cover 16 are detached. The outdoor unit 13 includes the outdoor heat exchanger (not shown in the drawings), the compressor (not shown in the drawings), an outdoor fan (not shown in the drawings), an electric component unit 45 and so forth in the interior thereof, and includes a casing 41 and the stop valve cover 16 so as to enclose those components. Additionally, the outdoor unit 13 includes a stop valve mount plate 50 for attaching a stop valve 20. The casing 41, the stop valve cover 16 and the stop valve mount plate 50 will be hereinafter explained. It should be noted that in the following explanation, expressions for indicating directions such as "up", "down", "left", "right" and "vertical" will be used on an as-needed basis, and these expressions indicate respective directions in a normal use condition of the outdoor unit 13 mounted in the outdoor space as shown in FIG. 1.

(2-1) Casing 41

The casing 41 has a roughly cuboid shape, and is made of sheet metal and resin. As shown in FIG. 2, the casing 41 includes a case body 411 and the case sidewall portion 412. The interior of the casing 41 is divided into a machine compartment and a ventilation compartment through a partition plate. The compressor and the electric component unit 45 are mounted in the machine compartment, whereas the outdoor heat exchanger and the outdoor fan are mounted in the ventilation compartment.
The case body 411 is a member for covering the compressor and the outdoor heat exchanger mounted in the interior of the casing 41, and as shown in FIG. 2, a blow-out port 411 a and an intake port (not shown in the drawings) are bored therein. When sucked into the interior of the case body 411 from the outside of the outdoor unit 13 through the intake port, air is configured to be fed to the blow-out port 411 a. It should be noted that the blow-out port 411 a and the intake port are both bored in a ventilation compartment side part of the casing 41. The case sidewall portion 412 is disposed on the machine compartment side of the case body 411, has a roughly flat shape, and is vertically disposed with respect to the bottom part of the casing 41. Openings 413 and 414 are bored in the case sidewall portion 412 in order to expose therethrough a variety of cables connected to the electric component unit 45 and the communication conduit 14 connected to the outdoor heat exchanger through the stop valve 20. Put differently, the opening 413 is bored in a part of the case sidewall portion 412 designed to be near the electric component unit 45, whereas the opening 414 is bored in another part of the case sidewall portion 412 designed to be near the stop valve 20 (the gas refrigerant stop valve 20a, the liquid refrigerant stop valve 20b). The stop valve 20 will be described below.

(2-2) Stop Valve Cover 16

The stop valve cover 16 is a cover to be attached to the case sidewall portion 412 in order to cover the openings 413 and 414. The stop valve 20 protrudes through the opening 414 of the casing 41. Hence, a part of the stop valve cover 16, designed to overlap with the opening 414, has a protruding shape.

(2-3) Stop Valve Mount Plate 50

The stop valve mount plate 50 will be explained with FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 3 is an external view of the stop valve mount plate 50. The stop valve mount plate 50 has a lateral surface part 51 and a lateral surface bulging part 53. The lateral surface part 51 has a flat plate shape and is configured to be disposed roughly along a vertical plane (vertically arranged surface) of the case sidewall portion 412 of the casing 41 in a condition that the stop valve mount plate 50 is mounted to the casing 41. Additionally, the lateral surface part 51 has a vertically elongated shape along the vertical plane of the case sidewall portion 412.
The lateral surface bulging part 53 is formed in the roughly middle part of the lateral surface part 51 so as to outwardly protrude therefrom. The lateral surface bulging part 53 has a fixed surface 53a on the apex thereof, and the stop valve 20 is attached thereto. Additionally, the lateral surface bulging part 53 has a trapezoidal cross-section, and the cross-sectional width is narrowed toward the fixed surface 53a from the lateral surface part 51 set as the bottom side of the trapezoidal cross-section. The fixed surface 53a has a flat plate shape and is configured to be disposed roughly along the vertical plane of the case sidewall portion 412 in the condition that the stop valve mount plate 50 is mounted to the casing 41. The fixed surface 53a has attachment holes 52a-1 and 52a-2 bored for attaching the gas refrigerant stop valve 20a to the fixed surface 53a and attachment holes 52b-1 and 52b-2 bored for attaching the liquid refrigerant stop valve 20b to the fixed surface 53a.
Moreover, cutouts 55a and 55b are cut into one of the vertically elongated sides of the lateral surface part 51 so as to reach the fixed surface 53a of the lateral surface bulging part 53. The cutouts 55a and 55b are respectively installation parts for installing the gas refrigerant stop valve 20a and the liquid refrigerant stop valve 20b onto the fixed surface 53a.
The lateral surface part 51 has recesses 57a-1 and 57a-2 and a screw hole 57b in the lower region thereof. The stop valve mount plate 50 is attached to the casing 41 such that the recesses 57a-1 and 57a-2 are fitted to the bottom part of the casing 41, and is then fixed to the bottom part of the casing 41 by a screw that penetrates the screw hole 57b.

(3) Stop Valve

Next, using FIGS. 4 to 7, the shape of the stop valve 20 will be explained by exemplifying the gas refrigerant stop valve 20a. In the present embodiment, the shape of the stop valve 20 will be hereinafter explained by exemplifying the gas refrigerant stop valve 20a, although it is applicable to both of the gas refrigerant stop valve 20a and the liquid refrigerant stop valve 20b. It should be noted that in the following explanation, the gas refrigerant stop valve 20a will be referred to as the stop valve 20 unless otherwise specifically stated.
As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and so forth, the stop valve 20 is attached to the lateral surface bulging part 53 of the stop valve mount plate 50. As shown in FIG. 4 and so forth, the stop valve 20 has a cylindrical body, composed of a first cylindrical part 21 and a second cylindrical part 22, and a cylindrical joint part that is formed so as to be branched from the cylindrical body and is composed of a fourth cylindrical part 24 and so forth. The cylindrical body has a fixing portion 25 composed of protrusive fixing parts 25a and 25b on the bottom part thereof. The stop valve 20 is attached to the lateral surface bulging part 53 through the protrusive fixing parts 25a and 25b. As shown in FIG. 2, the fixed surface 53a of the lateral surface bulging part 53 is herein arranged roughly along the vertical plane (vertically arranged surface) of the case sidewall portion 412 in the condition that the stop valve mount plate 50 is mounted to the casing 41. Therefore, when the stop valve 20 is mounted to the stop valve mount plate 50, the cylindrical joint part composed of the fourth cylindrical part 24 and so forth extends adjacently to the lateral surface bulging part 53. Another joint member can be joined to the cylindrical joint part. However, in joining another joint member to the cylindrical joint part, the joint work is required to be performed along the fixed surface 53a of the lateral surface bulging part 53, and this deteriorates workability. In view of the above, the present embodiment provides designs whereby workability can be enhanced in joining a joint member to the stop valve 20. The following are exemplified as the designs: a first design (FIGS. 4 to 6) that the center axis C1 of the cylindrical body is arranged so as to tilt with respect to the fixed surface 53a of the lateral surface bulging part 53; and a second design (FIGS. 7 and 8) that the fixed surface 53a of the lateral surface bulging part 53 tilts with respect to the vertical plane of the case sidewall portion 412 and the stop valve 20 is attached to the fixed surface 53a.
The first and second designs will be hereinafter respectively explained.

(3-1) First Design

(a) External Construction of First Design

First, an external construction of the stop valve 20 of the first design and the lateral surface bulging part 53 will be hereinafter explained with FIGS. 4 to 6. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a condition that the stop valve 20 of the first design is mounted to the lateral surface bulging part 53. FIG. 5 is a front view of the stop valve 20 of the first design and the lateral surface bulging part 53 seen from a direction of arrow in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the stop valve 20 of the first design taken along cutaway plane I in FIG. 4.
The stop valve 20 of the first design has the first cylindrical part 21, the second cylindrical part 22, a third cylindrical part 23 and the fourth cylindrical part 24. Additionally, a valve cap 70 is attached to the tip end of the first cylindrical part 21; a valve core cap 85 is attached to the tip end of the third cylindrical part 23; and a nut 88 such as a flare nut is attached to the tip end of the fourth cylindrical part 24. When another joint member such as the communication conduit 14 is joined to the tip end of the fourth cylindrical part 24, the nut 88 is configured to be detached therefrom. Each of the first to fourth cylindrical parts 21 to 24 has a roughly cylindrical shape and has a through hole in the interior thereof. One ends of the first to fourth cylindrical parts 21 to 24 join such that the inner peripheral surfaces of the through holes continue to each other. The first and second cylindrical parts 21 and 22 compose the cylindrical body, and their center axes C1 are arranged roughly coaxial to each other. The center axes C2 of the third and fourth cylindrical parts 23 and 24 are arranged roughly coaxial to each other, and the center axes C1 and C2 are arranged roughly orthogonal to each other.
The fixing portion 25 is mounted to the bottom of the second cylindrical part 22 so as to continue to the second cylindrical part 22. The fixing portion 25 is composed of the protrusive fixing parts 25a and 25b that protrude from the second cylindrical part 22. The protrusive fixing parts 25a and 25b are mounted in symmetric positions with reference to the outer side surface of the second cylindrical part 22. The protrusive fixing part 25a has a fastening hole 25a-1, and likewise, the protrusive fixing part 25b also has a fastening hole 25b-1 (not shown in the drawings). The stop valve 20 is attached to the stop valve mount plate 50 by inserting and fastening screws into the fastening holes 25a-1 and 25b-1 of the protrusive fixing parts 25a and 25b and the attachment holes 52a-1 and 52a-2 (see FIG. 3) of the stop valve mount plate 50. Therefore, fixing surfaces 25c of the protrusive fixing parts 25a and 25b of the stop valve 20 and the fixed surface 53a of the lateral surface bulging part 53 are fixed so as to be faced to each other.
In the stop valve 20 of the first design, the protrusive fixing parts 25a and 25b are obliquely mounted to the second cylindrical part 22. It should be noted that the thickness of the protrusive fixing part 25a, 25b is constant. When the protrusive fixing parts 25a and 25b are mounted to the fixed surface 53a of the lateral surface bulging part 53, the center axis C1 of the cylindrical body composed of the first and second cylindrical parts 21 and 22 tilts with respect to the fixed surface 53a of the lateral surface bulging part 53. More specifically, the center axes C1 of the first and second cylindrical parts 21 and 22 tilt with respect to a conceptual center axis C53a arranged orthogonally to the fixed surface 53a. The fixing surfaces 25c of the protrusive fixing parts 25a and 25b and the fixed surface 53a of the lateral surface bulging part 53 are herein arranged on the same plane. Thus, the protrusive fixing parts 25a and 25b can be interpreted as being mounted to the outer side surface of the second cylindrical part 22 such that the center axis C53a, intersecting with the fixing surfaces 25c of the protrusive fixing parts 25a and 25b, tilts with respect to the center axes C1 of the first and second cylindrical parts 21 and 22.
The fourth cylindrical part 24, to which the communication conduit 14 is joined, herein extends so as to form an angle of roughly 90 degrees with respect to the first and second cylindrical parts 21 and 22. Thus, the center axis C2 tilts with respect to the fixed surface 53a such that the tip end of the fourth cylindrical part 24 separates from the fixed surface 53a of the lateral surface bulging part 53. The fixed surface 53a of the lateral surface bulging part 53 is herein arranged roughly along the plane of the lateral surface part 51, and accordingly, is arranged roughly along the vertical plane of the case sidewall portion 412. Therefore, the center axis C2 of the fourth cylindrical part 24 tilts with respect to the vertical plane of the case sidewall portion 412. With the construction, the tip end of the fourth cylindrical part 24 tilts so as to separate from the vertical plane of the case sidewall portion 412, and a space can be reliably produced between the fourth cylindrical part 24 and the vertical plane of the case sidewall portion 412. Hence, in joining the communication conduit 14 to the fourth cylindrical part 24, the joint work can be performed away from the vertically arranged surface of the case sidewall portion 412, and the vertically arranged surface of the case sidewall portion 412 is unlikely to obstruct the joint work. As a result, workability can be enhanced in the joint work.

(b) Cross-sectional Construction of First Design

Next, a cross-sectional construction of the stop valve 20 of the first design will be explained mainly with FIG. 6.
The stop valve 20 of the first design includes a body 80, a valve member 82, the valve cap 70, a valve core 84, the valve core cap 85 and the nut 88 (not shown in the drawings). The body 80 has the first cylindrical part 21, the second cylindrical part 22, the third cylindrical part 23 and the fourth cylindrical part 24. Each of the cylindrical parts 21 to 24 has a roughly cylindrical shape and has a through hole in the interior thereof, and one ends of the cylindrical parts 21 to 24 join such that the inner peripheral surfaces of the through holes continue to each other. The first cylindrical part 21 has an operating port 115 on the other end thereof, and a wrench is inserted therein for moving the valve member 82. The second cylindrical part 22 has a second joint port 112 on the other end thereof, and an internal conduit inside the outdoor unit is joined thereto. The third cylindrical part 23 has a service port 114 on the other end thereof, and a hose from a vacuum pump (not shown in the drawings) or so forth is joined thereto. The fourth cylindrical part 24 has the fourth joint port 111 on the other end thereof, and the communication conduit 14 or so forth is joined thereto.
Moreover, the fixing portion 25 is continuously formed on the other end of the second cylindrical part 22 in order to fix the stop valve 20 to the lateral surface bulging part 53. The fixing portion 25 is composed of the protrusive fixing parts 25a and 25b, and as shown in FIG. 6, the protrusive fixing parts 25a and 25b are obliquely mounted to the outer side surface of the second cylindrical part 22. Therefore, when the protrusive fixing parts 25a and 25b are mounted to the fixed surface 53a of the lateral surface bulging part 53, the center axis C2 tilts with respect to the fixed surface 53a such that the tip end of the fourth cylindrical part 24 separates from the fixed surface 53a of the lateral surface bulging part 53, and a space can be reliably produced between the fourth cylindrical part 24 and the vertical plane of the case sidewall portion 412. Consequently, workability can be enhanced in joining the communication conduit 14 to the fourth cylindrical part 24.
Moreover, a diameter D1 of the fourth cylindrical part 24 is larger than a diameter D2 of the third cylindrical part 23 (D1>D2). Therefore, in joining another joint member such as the communication conduit 14 to the fourth cylindrical part 24, the fixed surface 53a of the lateral surface bulging part 53 and the vertically arranged surface of the case sidewall portion 412 are likely to obstruct the joint work. However, as described above, the fourth cylindrical part 24 gradually separates from the fixed surface 53a and the vertically arranged surface of the case sidewall portion 412 toward the tip end thereof. Hence, a space is reliably produced between the tip end of the fourth cylindrical part 24 and the vertically arranged surface of the case sidewall portion 412, and the vertically arranged surface of the case sidewall portion 412 is unlikely to obstruct the joint work. On the other hand, the third cylindrical part 23 has a relatively small diameter. Hence, in joining another joint member to the third cylindrical part 23, the fixed surface 53a and the vertically arranged surface of the case sidewall portion 412 are unlikely to obstruct the joint work. Especially in the stop valve 20 of the first design, the center axes C2 of the fourth and third cylindrical parts 24 and 23 are coaxially arranged, and simultaneously, the tip end of the fourth cylindrical part 24 tilts so as to separate from the fixed surface 53a of the lateral surface bulging part 53 and the case sidewall portion 412. Therefore, the tip end of the third cylindrical part 23 tilts so as to get closer to the fixed surface 53a. However, the diameter of the third cylindrical part 23 is relatively small. Hence, a certain amount of space can be reliably produced between the third cylindrical part 23 and both of the fixed surface 53a and the case sidewall portion 412. Consequently, in joining another joint member to the third cylindrical part 23, the fixed surface 53a and the case sidewall portion 412 are unlikely to obstruct the joint work.
The first and second cylindrical parts 21 and 22, composing the cylindrical body, are disposed in linear alignment while the center axes C1 thereof are coaxially arranged. The third and fourth cylindrical parts 23 and 24 form an angle of roughly 90 degrees with respect to the center axes C2 of the first and second cylindrical parts 21 and 22.
The fourth cylindrical part 24 has a first refrigerant channel 95a in the interior thereof, whereas the second cylindrical part 22 has a second refrigerant channel 95b in the interior thereof. Additionally, the third cylindrical part 23 has a valve core passage 93 in the interior thereof, whereas the first cylindrical part 21 has a valve passage 94 in the interior thereof. The first refrigerant channel 95a, the second refrigerant channel 95b, the valve core passage 93 and the valve passage 94 are radially disposed about an intermediate channel 95c in four directions, and communicate with the intermediate channel 95c. Moreover, the first refrigerant channel 95a and the valve core passage 93 are coaxially disposed through the intermediate passage 95c, whereas the second refrigerant channel 95b and the valve passage 94 are coaxially disposed through the intermediate channel 95c. Thus, the refrigerant channel 95 has L-shapes bending at angles of 90 degrees in the intermediate part thereof. The valve core passage 93 is disposed so as to form an angle of roughly 90 degrees with respect to the second refrigerant channel 95b.
It should be noted that the valve core passage 93 is plugged by the valve core 84 whereas the valve passage 94 is plugged by the valve member 82, and hence, the first refrigerant channel 95a, the intermediate channel 95c and the second refrigerant channel 95b form a refrigerant channel 95 through which refrigerant flows. In the following explanation, among directions arranged in parallel to an axis passing through the second refrigerant channel 95b and the valve passage 94, a direction oriented from the valve passage 94 to the second refrigerant channel 95b will be referred to as a first direction (see arrow A1 in FIG. 6), whereas a direction oriented from the second refrigerant channel 95b to the valve passage 94 will be referred to as a second direction (an opposite direction to arrow A1 in FIG. 6). A valve seat 81 is mounted in a boundary between the intermediate channel 95c and the second refrigerant channel 95b, and the tip end of the valve member 82 is configured to be contacted thereto or separated therefrom. The valve seat 81 has a tapered shape such that the diameter thereof increases in the second direction.
The valve member 82 has a roughly columnar shape and is disposed in the valve passage 94 of the first cylindrical part 21 so as to be axially movable. The tip end of the valve member 82 is faced to the intermediate channel 95c, and has a tapered shape such that the diameter thereof decreases in the first direction. Additionally, the valve member 82 has a hex socket (not shown in the drawings) on the rear end thereof, and a hex key is designed to be inserted therein. The valve member 82 can be axially moved when rotated together with the hex key.
In an opened condition that the refrigerant channel 95 is opened as shown in FIG. 6, the tip end of the valve member 82 is configured to slightly protrude from the valve passage 94 to the intermediate channel 95c. In the condition, the tip end of the valve member 82 and the second refrigerant channel 95b separate from each other, and thus, the intermediate channel 95c is unblocked. By contrast, in a closed condition that the refrigerant channel 95 is closed, the tip end of the valve member 82 is contacted to valve seat 81. In the condition, the tip end of the valve member 82 and the second refrigerant channel 95b adjoin without any gap, and the intermediate channel 95c is blocked. In closing the stop valve 20, the tip end of the valve member 82 is contacted to the valve seat 81 by moving the valve member 82 in the first direction, whereby the first refrigerant channel 95a and the second refrigerant channel 95b are blocked from each other. By contrast, in opening the stop valve 20, the tip end of the valve member 82 is separated from the valve seat 81 by moving the valve member 82 in the second direction, whereby the first refrigerant channel 95a and the second refrigerant channel 95b are communicated to each other. It should be noted that the valve member 82 has an annular groove 82a on the outer periphery thereof, and an O-ring 83 is externally fitted to the groove 82a. With the construction, the inner peripheral surface of the valve passage 94 and the outer peripheral surface of the valve member 82 are sealed from each other, and the refrigerant is thereby prevented from leaking to the outside.
The valve cap 70 is normally attached to the other end of the first cylindrical part 21, and closes the operating port 115. When the stop valve 20 is opened or closed, the valve cap 70 is configured to be detached from the other end of the first cylindrical part 21. It should be noted that the valve cap 70 and the body 80 are sealed from each other by a seal member.
The valve core 84 is inserted into the valve core passage 93, and plugs the valve core passage 93. When the hose from the vacuum pump is joined to the valve core 84, the valve core 84 is opened and air purging is performed for the interior of the communication conduit 14 joined to the fourth joint port 111 through the service port 114 and the fourth joint port 111.
The valve core cap 85 is normally attached to the other end of the third cylindrical part 23, and closes the service port 114. When air purging is performed for the interior of the communication conduit 14, the valve core cap 85 is configured to be detached from the other end of the third cylindrical part 23. It should be noted that threads 118 on the inner periphery of the valve core cap 85 and threads 117 on the outer periphery of the third cylindrical part 23 are sealed from each other.
A nut (not shown in the drawings) has threads on the inner periphery thereof such that the threads are screwed onto threads 116 formed on the outer periphery of the fourth joint port 111, and joins the fourth joint port 111 and the communication conduit 14.

(3-2) Second Design

(a) External Construction of Second Design

Next, external constructions of the stop valve 20 of the second design and the lateral surface bulging part 53 will be hereinafter explained with FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a front view of the stop valve 20 of the second design and the lateral surface bulging part 53. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the stop valve 20 of the second design taken along cutaway plane I-I in FIG. 7.
In the stop valve 20 of the second design, each of the first to fourth cylindrical parts 21 to 24 has a roughly cylindrical shape and has a through hole in the interior thereof. One ends of the first to fourth cylindrical parts 21 to 24 join such that the inner peripheral surfaces of the through holes continue to each other. The first and second cylindrical parts 21 and 22 compose the cylindrical body, and the center axes C1 thereof are arranged roughly coaxial to each other. The center axes C2 of the third and fourth cylindrical parts 23 and 24 are arranged roughly coaxial to each other, and are arranged roughly orthogonal to the center axes C1 of the first and second cylindrical parts 21 and 22. It should be noted that the valve cap 70 is attached to the tip end of the first cylindrical part 21; the valve core cap 85 is attached to the tip end of the third cylindrical part 23; and the nut 88 such as a flare nut is attached to the tip end of the fourth cylindrical part 24. When another joint member such as the communication conduit 14 is joined to the tip end of the fourth cylindrical part 24, the nut 88 is configured to be detached therefrom.
The fixing portion 25 is mounted to the bottom of the second cylindrical part 22 so as to continue to the second cylindrical part 22. Similarly to the stop valve 20 of the first design, the fixing portion 25 is composed of the protrusive fixing parts 25a and 25b. In the stop valve 20 of the second design, the protrusive fixing parts 25a and 25b are mounted to the second cylindrical part 22 so as to be arranged roughly orthogonal thereto. It should be noted that the thickness of the protrusive fixing part 25a and 25b is constant. Put differently, the fixing surfaces 25c of the protrusive fixing parts 25a and 25b are arranged roughly orthogonal to the center axes C1 of the first and second cylindrical parts 21 and 22.
In the second design, the fixed surface 53a of the lateral surface bulging part 53 tilts with respect to a vertical plane of the lateral surface part 51, and hence, tilts with respect to the vertical plane of the case sidewall portion 412. Put differently, in FIG. 7, one height H1 of the lateral surface bulging part 53 is larger than the other height H2 of the lateral surface bulging part 53 (H1>H2) with reference to the vertical plane of the lateral surface part 51. The protrusive fixing parts 25a and 25b of the stop valve 20 are attached to thus tilting fixed surface 53a of the lateral surface bulging part 53, such that the fourth cylindrical part 24 is disposed on the height H1 side above the fixed surface 53a whereas the third cylindrical part 23 is disposed on the height H2 side above the fixed surface 53a. Herein, the center axis C2 of the fourth cylindrical part 24 tilts with respect to the vertical plane of the lateral surface part 51, whereby the fourth cylindrical part 24 tilts so as to gradually separate from the vertical plane of the lateral surface 51 toward the tip end thereof. Therefore, a space can be reliably produced between the fourth cylindrical part 24 and the vertical plane of the lateral surface part 51, i.e., between the fourth cylindrical part 24 and the vertical plane of the case sidewall portion 412. With the construction, in joining the communication conduit 14 to the fourth cylindrical part 24, the joint work is enabled away from the vertically arranged surface of the case sidewall portion 412, and the vertically arranged surface of the case sidewall portion 412 is unlikely to obstruct the joint work. As a result, workability can be enhanced in the joint work.

(b) Cross-sectional Construction of Second Design

Next, a cross-sectional construction of the second design will be explained mainly with FIG. 8. The stop valve 20 of the second design is different from that of the first design only regarding the construction of the fixing portion 25. Put differently, the fixing surfaces 25c of the protrusive fixing parts 25a and 25b are formed in a direction along the third and fourth cylindrical parts 23 and 24, i.e., a direction along the center axes C2 (see FIG. 7). The other constituent elements are the same as those of the stop valve 20 of the first design, and hence, explanation thereof will not be hereinafter described.

(4) Features

(4-1)

The outdoor unit 13 connected to the indoor unit 12 includes the lateral surface bulging part 53 and the stop valve 20. The lateral surface bulging part 53 is formed on the case sidewall portion 412 along a vertical plane, and outwardly bulges from the case sidewall portion 412. The stop valve 20 has the fixing portion 25 and the fourth cylindrical part 24 to which the communication conduit 14 extending from the indoor unit 12 is joined, and is fixed to the lateral surface bulging part 53 through the fixing portion 25 such that the center axis C2 of the fourth cylindrical part 24 tilts with respect to the vertical plane whereby the fourth cylindrical part 24 gradually separates from the vertical plane toward the tip end thereof.
In the aforementioned construction, in the condition that the stop valve 20 is fixed to the lateral surface bulging part 53, the center axis of the fourth cylindrical part 24 to which the communication conduit 14 is joined tilts with respect to the vertical plane of the case sidewall part 412 of the outdoor unit 13. Put differently, the tip end of the fourth cylindrical part 24 tilts so as to separate from the vertical plane of the case sidewall portion 412, and thus, a space can be reliably produced between the fourth cylindrical part 24 and the vertical plane of the case sidewall portion 412. With the construction, in joining the communication conduit 14 to the fourth cylindrical part 24, the joint work is enabled away from the vertically arranged surface of the case sidewall portion 412, and the vertically arranged surface of the case sidewall portion 412 is unlikely to obstruct the joint work. Consequently, workability can be enhanced in the joint work.

(4-2)

The fixing portion 25 of the stop valve 20 has the fixing surfaces 25c faced to the lateral surface bulging part 53. The center axis C2 of the fourth cylindrical part 24 tilts with respect to the fixing surfaces 25c. Therefore, when the fixing surfaces 25c of the stop valve 20 are fixed to the lateral surface bulging part 53 of the casing 41, the center axis of the fourth cylindrical part 24 tilts with respect to the vertical plane of the case sidewall portion 412. A space can be reliably produced between the fourth cylindrical part 24 and the vertical plane of the case sidewall portion 412. Consequently, workability can be enhanced in the joint work.

(4-3)

The fixing portion 25 of the stop valve 20 has the fixing surfaces 25c faced to the lateral surface bulging part 53. The lateral surface bulging part 53 has the fixed surface 53a faced to the fixing surfaces 25c. The center axis of the fourth cylindrical part 24 is arranged in parallel to the fixing surfaces 25c, and the fixed surface 53a tilts with respect to the vertical plane.
In the aforementioned construction, the center axis C2 of the fourth cylindrical part 24 is arranged in parallel to the fixing surfaces 25c of the stop valve 20, whereas the fixed surface 53a of the lateral surface bulging part 53, to which the fixing surfaces 25c are fixed, tilts with respect to the vertical plane of the case sidewall portion 412. Therefore, when the fixing surfaces 25c of the stop valve 20 are fixed to the fixed surface 53a of the lateral surface bulging part 53 of the casing 41, the center axis of the fourth cylindrical part 24 tilts with respect to the vertical plane of the case sidewall portion 412. With the construction, a space can be reliably produced between the fourth cylindrical part 24 and the vertical plane of the case sidewall portion 412. Consequently, workability can be enhanced in joining the communication conduit 14 to the fourth cylindrical part 24.

(5) Modifications

(5-1) Modification 1A

The aforementioned embodiment has been explained by exemplifying the gas refrigerant stop valve 20a having three refrigerant channels. However, the present invention is also applicable to the liquid refrigerant stop valve 20b having two refrigerant channels. Unlike the gas refrigerant stop valve 20a, the liquid refrigerant stop valve 20b does not have the third cylindrical part 23 in which the service port 114 is formed.
When the first design is applied to the liquid refrigerant stop valve 20b, the center axis C1 of the cylindrical body composed of the first and second cylindrical parts 21 and 22 tilts with respect to the fixed surface 53a of the lateral surface bulging part 53. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the protrusive fixing parts 25a and 25b are herein obliquely mounted to the second cylindrical part 22, and hence, the center axis C2 tilts such that the tip end of the fourth cylindrical part 24, located on the same side as the fourth joint port 111 to which the communication conduit 14 or so forth is joined, separates from the fixed surface 53a of the lateral surface bulging part 53.
When the second design is applied to the liquid refrigerant stop valve 20b, the fixing portion 25 of the liquid refrigerant stop valve 20b is attached to the fixed surface 53a of the lateral surface bulging part 53 such that the fourth cylindrical part 24 is disposed on the height H1 side above the fixed surface 53a that tilts as shown in FIG. 7. In the construction, the center axis C2 of the fourth cylindrical part 24 tilts with respect to the vertical plane of the lateral surface part 51, i.e., the vertical plane of the case sidewall portion 412, whereby the fourth cylindrical part 24 tilts so as to gradually separate from the vertical plane of the case sidewall portion 412 toward the tip end thereof.
Based on the above, the liquid refrigerant stop valve 20b can also achieve advantageous effects similar to those achieved by the gas refrigerant stop valve 20a of the present embodiment.

(5-2) Modification 1B

In the aforementioned embodiment, the lateral surface part 51 and the lateral surface bulging part 53 have vertically elongated shapes in the condition that the stop valve mount plate 50 is mounted to the casing 41. However, no limitation is imposed on the shape of the stop valve mount plate 50. For example, the lateral surface part 51 and the lateral surface bulging part 53 may have horizontally elongated shapes in accordance with the positions of the gas refrigerant stop valve 20a and the liquid refrigerant stop valve 20b.

(5-3) Modification 1C

The aforementioned embodiment has disclosed the construction for reliably producing a space between the tip end of the fourth cylindrical part 24 and the vertical plane of the case sidewall portion 412 in joining the communication conduit 14 to the fourth cylindrical part 24. However, another joint member except for the communication conduit 14 may be joined to the fourth cylindrical part 24. Even in this construction, workability can be enhanced in joining another joint member to the fourth cylindrical part 24 by reliably producing a space between the tip end of the fourth cylindrical part 24 and the vertical plane of the case sidewall portion 412.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is applicable to stop valves for air conditioning apparatuses.

REFERENCE SIGS LIST

14: Communication conduit
20: Stop valve
20a: Gas refrigerant stop valve
20b: Liquid refrigerant stop valve
21: First cylindrical part
22: Second cylindrical part
23: Third cylindrical part
24: Fourth cylindrical part
25: Fixing portion
25a: Protrusive fixing part
25b: Protrusive fixing part
25c: Fixing surface
30: Joint member
41: Casing
50: Stop valve mount plate
51: Lateral surface part
53: Lateral surface bulging part
53a: Fixed surface
70: Valve cap
80: Body
81: Valve seat
82: Valve member
84: Valve core
85: Valve core cap
93: Valve core passage
94: Valve passage
95: Refrigerant channel
95a: First refrigerant channel
95b: Second refrigerant channel
95c: Intermediate channel
111: Fourth joint port
112: Second joint port
115: Operating port
411: Case body
412: Case sidewall portion

CITATION LIST

PATENT LITERATURE

PTL 1: Japan Laid-open Patent Application Publication No. H10-9717

Claims

A heat source unit for a refrigeration apparatus being connected to a usage unit (12), comprising:
a lateral surface bulging part (53) being formed on and outwardly bulging from a lateral surface portion (412) of a casing, the lateral surface portion (412) being oriented along a vertical plane; and

a stop valve (20) having a fixing portion (25) and a cylindrical joint part (24) to which a communication conduit (14) extending from the usage unit is joined, the stop valve being fixed to the lateral surface bulging part through the fixing portion such that a center axis (C2) of the cylindrical joint part tilts with respect to the vertical plane whereby the cylindrical joint part gradually separates from the vertical plane toward a tip end thereof.
The heat source unit for a refrigeration apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein
the fixing portion of the stop valve has a fixing surface (25c) to be faced to the lateral surface bulging part, and
the center axis of the cylindrical joint part tilts with respect to the fixing surface.
The heat source unit for a refrigeration apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein
the fixing portion of the stop valve has a fixing surface (25c) to be faced to the lateral surface bulging part,
the lateral surface bulging part has a fixed surface (53a) to be faced to the fixing surface, and
the center axis of the cylindrical joint part is arranged in parallel to the fixing surface, and the fixed surface tilts with respect to the vertical plane.