EP4650675A1

EP4650675A1 - Cover member for compressor

Info

Publication number: EP4650675A1
Application number: EP25174446.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Masaki Tomita; Masakazu Nomura; Yohei MATSUNAMI
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2024-05-13
Filing date: 2025-05-06
Publication date: 2025-11-19
Also published as: JP2025172602A

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a cover member for a compressor that can suppress infiltration of dew condensation water to a soundproof sheet of the compressor and can suppress deterioration of the soundproof sheet. The cover member in the present disclosure is a waterproof member that covers an upper surface of the compressor, and the cover member includes a main body with an approximately flat shape, in which the main body includes a hole portion through which a pipe is inserted, the pipe being connected to the compressor. In this way, by providing the cover member on an upper surface of the compressor, direct contact with the compressor, of dew condensation water dripping down from a refrigerant pipe positioned above the compressor can be suppressed with the cover.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a cover member for a compressor.

Description of the Related Art

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-055455 discloses an outdoor unit including a case with a bottom plate, the case being partially made of metal, a compressor that compresses a refrigerant, the compressor being provided inside the case, an outdoor heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outside air, the outdoor heat exchanger being provided inside the case, and an electric heating device provided on an upper surface of the bottom plate.
The present disclosure provides a cover member for a compressor that can suppress infiltration of dew condensation water to a soundproof sheet of the compressor and can suppress deterioration of the soundproof sheet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cover member for a compressor in the present disclosure is a waterproof member that covers an upper surface of the compressor, the cover member including a main body with an approximately flat shape, in which the main body includes a hole portion through which a pipe is inserted, the pipe being connected to the compressor.
According to the present disclosure, by providing the cover member on the upper surface of the compressor, direct contact with the compressor, of dew condensation water dripping down from a refrigerant pipe positioned above the compressor can be suppressed with the cover. Accordingly, dew condensation water infiltrating to the soundproof sheet can be suppressed, the soundproof sheet being disposed in the periphery of the compressor, and deterioration of the soundproof sheet can be suppressed.
Moreover, by providing a hole portion through which a pipe is inserted in the main body, the pipe being connected to the compressor, the cover member can be supported by the pipe. Accordingly, position displacement of the cover member can be suppressed, and the cover member can be retained at a predetermined position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a refrigeration circuit diagram of a heating medium circulation device relating to Embodiment 1;
Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the heating medium circulation device in Embodiment 1;
Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a part of the heating medium circulation device in Embodiment 1;
Figure 4 is a plan view showing a compressor portion of the heating medium circulation device in Embodiment 1; and
Figure 5 is a development view showing a cover member in Embodiment 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(Underlying knowledge of the present disclosure)

At the time when the inventors arrived at the idea of the present disclosure, there was technology in which a compressor is installed on a bottom plate of a case, in an outdoor unit using a refrigeration cycle.
Here, generally, since noise generated in the case when driving the compressor becomes a problem, suppressing noise of the compressor is performed by wrapping a soundproof sheet around the outer peripheral side of the compressor.
However, in conventional technology, when cooled refrigerant flows in a refrigerant pipe flows positioned above the compressor, dew condensation will occur on the refrigerant pipe, this dew condensation water may drip down to an upper portion of the compressor, or this dew condensation water may drip to a bottom plate that supports the compressor.
With respect to this case, the inventors discovered that, if dew condensation water dripping down onto the compressor infiltrates the soundproof sheet, or dew condensation water dripping down onto the bottom plate is sucked up from the bottom of the soundproof sheet, there is a possibility of causing deterioration of the soundproof sheet, causing damage of the soundproof sheet or the like, and in order to solve this problem, the inventors have arrived at constituting the subject of the present disclosure.
The present disclosure provides a cover member for a compressor that can suppress infiltration of dew condensation water to a soundproof sheet of the compressor and can suppress deterioration of the soundproof sheet.
Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described in detail, while referring to the figures. However, there may be cases where a detailed description more than necessary is omitted. For example, there may be cases where a detailed description of already well-known matters or overlapping descriptions for substantially the same configurations are omitted. This is in order for the following description to avoid redundant descriptions more than necessary, and for the following description to facilitate understanding of a person skilled in the art.
Note that, the attached figures and following descriptions are presented in order for a person skilled in the art to sufficiently understand the present disclosure, and as a result of this, the attached figures and following descriptions are not intended to limit the subject of the description of the patent claims.

(Embodiment 1)

Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 will be described, by using the figures.

[1-1. Configuration]

[1-1-1. Configuration of the heating medium circulation device]

Figure 1 is a refrigeration circuit diagram of a heating medium circulation device 1 relating to Embodiment 1.
In the present embodiment, the heating medium circulation device 1 is an outdoor unit of a heat pump type hot water supply heater. A hot water supply heater is a device that performs heating of an indoor space, by having a heating medium (for example, water) flow in a heat exchanger of an indoor unit, the heating medium having been heated by a refrigeration cycle of the heating medium circulation device 1. The hot water supply heater of the present embodiment can perform a cooling operation by having the heating medium cooled by the refrigeration cycle flow in the indoor unit. In Figure 1, the flow of the refrigerant and the flow of the heating medium at the time of a cooling operation of the hot water heater are shown by arrows.
A compressor 2 is provided in the heating medium circulation device 1. The compressor 2 is a device that sucks in a refrigerant and compresses and discharges the refrigerant. In the heating medium circulation device 1, a flow path switching mechanism 3 is connected to a discharge side and a suction side of the compressor 2. The flow path switching mechanism 3 switches an inflow destination of the refrigerant discharged to the compressor 2 between an air heat exchanger 4 as a heat source side heat exchanger and a water heat exchanger 10 as a utilization side heat exchanger, thereby causing the heat exchangers 4, 10 of an inflow destination to function as condensers. Moreover, the flow path switching mechanism 3 causes the refrigerant passing through an evaporator of each of the heat exchangers 4, 10 to be sucked into the compressor 2. The flow path switching mechanism 3 is, for example, a four-way valve.
The air heat exchanger 4 is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerant on the inside and outside air. The air heat exchanger 4 is, for example, a fin tube type heat exchanger. A blower 5 is provided in the heating medium circulation device 1, the blower 5 causing the outside air to flow in the air heat exchanger 4. In the present embodiment, the blower 5 is an axial fan.
The water heat exchanger 10 is a plate type heat exchanger that exchanges heat between refrigerant flowing on the inside and a heating medium. The heating medium heated or cooled by the water heat exchanger 10 air-conditions an indoor space while the heating medium circulates between the heating medium circulation device 1 and the indoor unit.
The air heat exchanger 4 and the water heat exchanger 10 are connected via an expansion valve 6. There is a receiver tank 15 between the water heat exchanger 10 and the expansion valve 6, the receiver tank 15 storing a low temperature and high pressure refrigerant in a liquid state cooled by the condenser (refer to Figure 2). The expansion valve 6 is a valve that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant flowing from the condenser via the receiver tank 15 to set this refrigerant as a gas-liquid two phase state refrigerant and causes the refrigerant to flow into the evaporator of each of the heat exchangers 4, 10. In the present embodiment, the degree of opening of the expansion valve 6 can be adjusted by an electronic control, and the flow amount of refrigerant is adjusted by having the degree of opening changed.
A circulation pump 16 and a valve 16a are provided on an inlet side of the water heat exchanger 10, the valve 16a being connectable with a water pipe on the outside.
A gas-liquid separator 17 is provided on a lower flow side of the water heat exchanger 10, the gas-liquid separator 17 removing refrigerant or air from the heating medium. A valve 18a is provided, on an outlet side of the gas-liquid separator 17, the valve 18a being connectable via an outlet side water pipe 18 with a water pipe on the outside of the heating medium circulation device 1. Moreover, a flow rate sensor 19 is provided in the outlet side water pipe 18, the flow rate sensor 19 measuring a flow rate of the heating medium.

[1-1-2. Configuration of the heating medium circulation device]

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the heating medium circulation device in Embodiment 1. Within the figure, reference symbol X shows the left of the heating medium circulation device 1, reference symbol Y shows the front of the heating medium circulation device 1, and reference symbol Z shows above.
Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a part of the heating medium circulation device in Embodiment 1. Figure 4 is a plan view showing a compressor portion of the heating medium circulation device in Embodiment 1.
As shown in Figure 2, a blower chamber 7 and a machine chamber 8 are formed on the inside of the heating medium circulation device 1, the blower chamber 7 being a space partitioned on the left side of a partition plate 9 and the machine chamber 8 being a space partitioned on the right side of the partition plate 9. The partition plate 9 is formed of a plate metal, and the partition plate 9 is provided at an posture roughly perpendicular to the left-right direction.
The air heat exchanger 4 and the blower 5 are provided in the blower chamber 7. The air heat exchanger 4 is provided on a right side surface and a rear surface of the blower chamber 7. The blower 5 sucks in outside air via the air heat exchanger 4 by blowing out air inside the heating medium circulation device 1 toward the front, thereby causing the outside air and the refrigerant inside the air heat exchanger 4 to exchange heat. In the present embodiment, while a heating medium circulation device 1 having two of the blowers 5 provided vertically in a row in the blower chamber 7 has been described as an example, there is no particular limitation to the number of blowers 5 of the heating medium circulation device 1.
The compressor 2, the flow path switching mechanism 3, the expansion valve 6, the receiver tank 15, the water heat exchanger 10, and the gas-liquid separator 17 are provided in the machine chamber 8. The compressor 2 is placed on a bottom plate 1a of the heating medium circulation device 1 via legs made of rubber. The flow path switching mechanism 3 is disposed above the compressor 2. The water heat exchanger 10 is provided at a position separated above from the bottom plate 1a, via a support member 8a formed by a metal plate.
Moreover, as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4, a refrigerant return pipe 2a and an injection pipe 2b are connected on the upper surface of the compressor 2. A refrigerant discharge pipe 2c is provided on the side surface of the compressor 2, the refrigerant discharge pipe 2c being connected to the side surface of the compressor 2, and the refrigerant discharge pipe 2c being routed along the outer peripheral surface of the compressor 2.
A terminal portion (not illustrated) is provided on the side surface of the compressor 2, the terminal portion protruding in an approximately quadrangle shape. A connection terminal (not illustrated) for connecting power wires, signal wires or the like to the compressor 2 is provided, for example, on the inside of the terminal portion.
A soundproof sheet 30 is wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the compressor 2.
The soundproof sheet 30 is formed of a material that affixes together fibers on one surface side of a rubber sheet, for example. The length of the soundproof sheet 30 is formed to be longer than the external peripheral length of the compressor 2. A notch portion 31 with a quadrangle shape is formed on both end sides of the soundproof sheet 30.
The soundproof sheet 30 is wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the compressor 2, and the soundproof sheet 30 is overlapped in a state where the notch portion 31 is positioned on the terminal portion. In this state, the soundproof sheet 30 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the compressor 2, by restraining both end portions of the soundproof sheet 30 with a restraining member 32 such as tape.
Moreover, a soundproof member 33 is provided on the terminal portion, the soundproof member 33 covering the terminal portion.
As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4, the soundproof member 33 is formed in a box shape so that the terminal portion can be covered.

[1-1-3. Configuration of the cover member]

A cover member 40 is provided on the upper portion of the compressor 2.
Figure 5 is a development view showing the cover member in Embodiment 1.
As shown in Figure 5, the cover member 40 includes a main body 41 with a flat plate shape, the main body 41 having an approximately quadrangle shape.
A notch 42 is formed on the main body 41, the notch 42 being from an outer edge of the main body 41 toward a center portion. The notch 42 is formed in a tapered shape with a width dimension becoming smaller toward the center portion.
A hole portion 43a with an approximately circular shape is formed on the inner side end of the notch 42. The refrigerant return pipe 2a connected to the compressor 2 is inserted through this hole portion 43a.
Moreover, a hole portion 43b through which the injection pipe 2b connected to the compressor 2 is inserted, a hole portion 43c through which the refrigerant discharge pipe 2c is inserted, and a hole portion 43d through which a sensor wire (not illustrated) is inserted are each formed on the main body 41.
A slit 44 is formed between the hole portion 43a through which the refrigerant return pipe 2a is inserted and the hole portion 43b through which the injection pipe 2b is inserted.
Moreover, a slit 44 is formed between an outer edge of the main body 41 and the hole portion 43c through which the refrigerant discharge pipe 2c is inserted, and a slit 44 is formed between an outer edge of the main body 41 and the hole portion 43d through which the sensor wire is inserted.
The main body 41 has a surface fastener 45 attached to one side edge of the notch 42, the surface fastener 45 extending from an outer edge of the main body 41 toward the center. Moreover, two surface fasteners 46, 46 are attached to the other side edge of the notch 42, the two surface fasteners 46, 46 being attached so as to protrude from the other side edge.
Also, by overlapping both side edges of the notch 42, and in this state, affixing together the surface fasteners 45, 46, the main body 41 can be retained in an approximately umbrella shape.
In the present embodiment, the external shape of the main body 41 is formed so as to be larger than the external shape of the soundproof sheet 30, in a state where the main body 41 is mounted on the compressor 2.

[1-2. Action]

Next, the action of Embodiment 1 will be described.
First, the refrigerant return pipe 2a is positioned in the hole portion 43a, by placing the cover member 40 over the compressor 2 from above and bringing the notch 42 into a state of insertion of the refrigerant return pipe 2a therein from the rear of the compressor 2.
To continue, the injection pipe 2b, the refrigerant discharge pipe 2c, and the sensor wire are positioned in the hole portions 43b, 43c, and 43d, respectively, via the slits 44.
Then, the main body 41 is fixed to the upper portion of the compressor 2, in a state where the main body 41 is retained in an approximately umbrella shape, by overlapping both side edges of the notch 42, and in this state, affixing together the surface fasteners 45, 46.
By forming such a configuration, even in the case where condensation occurs in the refrigerant pipe positioned above the compressor 2, and dew condensation water drips down from above the compressor 2, dew condensation water directly dripping down to the compressor 2 can be suppressed by the cover member 40.
Moreover, since the cover member 40 is formed in an umbrella shape, dew condensation water dripping down to the cover member 40 falls downward from an outer edge of the main body 41.
In addition, since the external shape of the main body 41 constituting the cover member 40 is formed to be larger than the external shape of the soundproof sheet 30, dew condensation water falling down from the outer edge of the cover member 40 does not drip down to the soundproof sheet 30, and the dew condensation water falls down to the bottom plate. Accordingly, since the dew condensation water falls down to the outside of the periphery of the compressor 2, the dew condensation water being sucked up from the bottom of the soundproof sheet 30 can be suppressed.
Also, by having the heating medium circulation device drive the compressor 2, at the time of a cooling operation, as shown in Figure 1, the flow path switching mechanism 3 causes the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 to flow to the air heat exchanger 4 to dissipate heat. The refrigerant that radiates heat in the air heat exchanger 4 liquifies to pass through the expansion valve 6, and this refrigerant becomes a gas-liquid two phase state refrigerant to flow into the water heat exchanger 10.
The gas-liquid two phase state refrigerant flowing into the water heat exchanger 10 absorbs heat from the heating medium flowing in the water heat exchanger 10 to evaporate, and this refrigerant becomes a gas refrigerant to return to the compressor 2.
On the other hand, the heating medium that exchanges heat in the water heat exchanger 10 cools an indoor space, by causing water to circulate between the indoor unit and the water heat exchanger 10 while cooling the water, in accordance with the driving of the circulation pump 16.
In this case, since the compressor 2 is covered by the soundproof sheet 30 and the soundproof member 33, noise generated from the compressor 2 is absorbed into fibers that constitute the soundproof member 33, and as a result of this, noise of the compressor 2 can be suppressed.

[1-3. Effect or the like]

As described above, the cover member 40 of the present embodiment includes a main body 41 with an approximately flat shape, and the main body 41 includes a hole portion 43a, 43b, 43c through which a pipe 2a, 2b, 2c is inserted, the pipe 2a, 2b, 2c being connected to the compressor 2.
In this way, by providing the cover member 40 on the upper surface of the compressor 2, direct contact with the compressor 2, of dew condensation water dripping down from a refrigerant pipe positioned above the compressor 2 can be suppressed with the cover member 40. Accordingly, dew condensation water infiltrating to the soundproof sheet 30 can be suppressed, the soundproof sheet 30 being disposed in the periphery of the compressor 2, and deterioration of the soundproof sheet 30 can be suppressed.
Moreover, by providing a hole portion 43a, 43b, 43c through which a pipe 2a, 2b, 2c is inserted in the main body 41, the pipe 2a, 2b, 2c being connected to the compressor 2, the cover member 40 can be supported by the pipe 2a, 2b, 2c. Accordingly, position displacement of the cover member 40 can be suppressed, and the cover member 40 can be retained at a predetermined position.
Moreover, in the cover member 40 of the present embodiment, a notch 42 is formed on the main body 41, the notch 42 being from an outer edge toward a center portion of the main body 41, and the main body 41 is retained in an approximately umbrella shape by overlapping and fixing both side edges of the notch 42.
In this way, since the cover member 40 can be retained in an approximately umbrella shape, in the case where dew condensation water from a refrigerant pipe positioned above the compressor 2 drips down on the cover member 40, the dew condensation water can be made to quickly drip down from an outer edge of the main body 41. Accordingly, dew condensation water infiltrating to the soundproof sheet 30 can be suppressed, the soundproof sheet 30 being disposed in the periphery of the compressor 2, and deterioration of the soundproof sheet 30 can be suppressed.
Moreover, in the cover member 40 of the present embodiment, the main body 41 has slits 44 formed therein, the slits 44 respectively communicating with the hole portion 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d from the outer edge or the notch 42 of the main body 41, and the pipe 2a, 2b, 2c is inserted through the hole portion 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d via the slit 44.
In this way, by providing the slit 44, the pipe 2a, 2b, 2c can be easily inserted into the hole portion 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d of the main body 41.
Moreover, in the cover member 40 of the present embodiment, the main body 41 has an external shape larger than an external shape of a soundproof member mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the compressor 2.
In this way, by forming the external shape of the main body 41 to be larger than the external shape of the soundproof sheet 30, dew condensation water falling down from an outer edge of the cover member 40 is not made to drip down to the soundproof sheet 30, and the dew condensation water can be made to fall down to the bottom plate. Accordingly, since dew condensation water falls down to the outside of the periphery of the compressor 2, the dew condensation water being sucked up from the bottom of the soundproof sheet 30 can be suppressed.

(Other embodiments)

As described above, Embodiment 1 has been described as an exemplification of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the technology in the present disclosure can be applied to embodiments that perform modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions or the like. Moreover, it is possible to form new embodiments, by combining each of the constituent elements described in Embodiment 1.

(Additional Remarks)

The following technologies are disclosed by the above-stated descriptions of the embodiment.
(Technology 1) A cover member for a compressor, the cover member being a waterproof member that covers an upper surface of the compressor, the cover member including a main body with an approximately flat shape, in which the main body includes a hole portion through which a pipe is inserted, the pipe being connected to the compressor.
According to this configuration, by providing the cover member on the upper surface of the compressor, direct contact with the compressor, of dew condensation water dripping down from a refrigerant pipe positioned above the compressor can be suppressed with the cover. Accordingly, dew condensation water infiltrating to the soundproof sheet can be suppressed, the soundproof sheet being disposed in the periphery of the compressor, and deterioration of the soundproof sheet can be suppressed.
Moreover, by providing a hole portion through which a pipe is inserted in the main body, the pipe being connected to the compressor, the cover member can be supported by the pipe. Accordingly, position displacement of the cover member can be suppressed, and the cover member can be retained at a predetermined position.
(Technology 2) The cover member described in Technology 1, in which a notch is formed on the main body, the notch being from an outer edge toward a center portion of the main body, and the main body is retained in an approximately umbrella shape by overlapping and fixing both side edges of the notch.
According to this configuration, since the cover member can be retained in an approximately umbrella shape, in the case where dew condensation water from a refrigerant pipe positioned above the compressor drips down on the cover member, the dew condensation water can be made to quickly drip down from an outer edge of the main body. Accordingly, dew condensation water infiltrating to the soundproof sheet can be suppressed, the soundproof sheet being disposed in the periphery of the compressor, and deterioration of the soundproof sheet can be suppressed.
(Technology 3) The cover member described in Technology 1 or Technology 2, in which a slit is formed on the main body, the slit communicating with the hole portion from the outer edge or the notch of the main body, and the pipe is inserted through the hole portion via the slit.
According to this configuration, by providing the slit, the pipe can be easily inserted into the hole portion of the main body.
(Technology 4) The cover member described in any one of Technology 1 to Technology 3, in which the main body has an external shape larger than an external shape of a soundproof member mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the compressor.
According to this configuration, by forming the external shape of the main body to be larger than the external shape of the soundproof sheet, dew condensation water falling down from an outer edge of the cover member is not made to drip down to the soundproof sheet, and the dew condensation water can be made to fall down to the bottom plate. Accordingly, since dew condensation water falls down to the outside of the periphery of the compressor, the dew condensation water being sucked up from the bottom of the soundproof sheet can be suppressed.
The present disclosure can be suitably used as a cover member for a compressor that can suppress infiltration of dew condensation water to a soundproof sheet of the compressor and can suppress deterioration of the soundproof sheet.

Reference Signs List

1: heating medium circulation device
1a: bottom plate
2: compressor
2a: refrigerant return pipe
2b: injection pipe
2c: refrigerant discharge pipe
3: flow path switching mechanism
4: air heat exchanger
5: blower
6: expansion valve
7: blower chamber
8: machine chamber
8a: support member
9: partition plate
10: water heat exchanger
15: receiver tank
16: circulation pump
17: gas-liquid separator
18: outlet side water pipe
30: soundproof sheet
31: notch portion
32: restraining member
33: soundproof member
40: cover member
41: main body
42: notch
43a: hole portion
43b: hole portion
43c: hole portion
43d: hole portion
44: slit
45: surface fastener
46: surface fastener

Claims

A cover member (40) for a compressor (2), the cover member being a waterproof member that covers an upper surface of the compressor, the cover member characterized by comprising:
a main body (41) with an approximately flat shape, wherein

the main body includes a hole portion (43a, 43b, 43c) through which a pipe (2a, 2b, 2c) is inserted, the pipe being connected to the compressor.
The cover member according to claim 1, wherein
a notch (42) is formed on the main body, the notch being from an outer edge toward a center portion of the main body, and

the main body is retained in an approximately umbrella shape by overlapping and fixing both side edges of the notch.
The cover member according to claim 1, wherein
a slit (44) is formed on the main body, the slit communicating with the hole portion from an outer edge or a notch (42) of the main body, and

the pipe is inserted through the hole portion via the slit.
The cover member according to claim 1, wherein
the main body has an external shape larger than an external shape of a soundproof sheet mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the compressor.