JP2011117677A - Outdoor unit for air conditioning device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently cool electric components by a refrigerant flowing in a refrigerant circuit when refrigerant cooling technology is applied. <P>SOLUTION: This outdoor unit 11 for the air conditioning device 10 with the refrigerant circuit 18 in which the refrigerant is circulated, includes compressors 23A, 23B for compressing the refrigerant circulated in the refrigerant circuit 18, power substrates 35A, 35B for driving and controlling the compressors 23A, 23B, refrigerant jackets 37A, 37B disposed on every power substrates 35A, 35B for cooling power modules of the power substrates 35A, 35B by the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 18, and flow dividing pipes 21a, 21b and an electric valve 50 for adjusting the amount of the refrigerant supplied to each of the refrigerant jackets 37A, 37B corresponding to the power substrates 35A, 35B of the compressors 23A, 23B. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an outdoor unit for an air conditioner, and more particularly to a technique for cooling a power board for driving and controlling a compressor.

  Conventionally, in an outdoor unit for an air conditioner, a refrigerant cooling technology is used in which heat is exchanged between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe of the refrigerant circuit and the electric component to cool the electric component (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ). In the outdoor unit to which the refrigerant cooling technology is applied, since a single compressor is provided in a single outdoor unit, cooling is performed using a power board for driving control of the single compressor as a part to be cooled. It is targeted for.

JP 2008-101862 A

  However, some large air conditioners have a plurality of compressors in a single outdoor unit, and a power board corresponding to each compressor is required. Therefore, a mechanism for cooling the plurality of power boards with the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe as a part to be cooled (cooled part) is required, but the plurality of parts to be cooled are limited by the limited refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant pipe. Since cooling is performed, it is desired to cool the plurality of portions to be cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit more efficiently.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem, and when a refrigerant cooling technique is adopted for cooling the plurality of cooling target portions, the plurality of cooling target portions can be cooled more efficiently. The purpose is to.

The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is an outdoor unit (11) for an air conditioner (10) having a refrigerant circuit (18) through which refrigerant circulates,
A plurality of power boards (35A, 35B) with power elements;
Provided for each of the power boards (35A, 35B) in the branch pipes (21a, 21b) branched from the refrigerant pipe of the refrigerant circuit (18), and thermally connected to the refrigerant of the refrigerant circuit (18). Cooling units (37A, 37B) for cooling at least the power elements on the power boards (35A, 35B),
Provided in at least one of the flow dividing pipes (21a, 21b) and supplied from the flow dividing pipes (21a, 21b) to the respective cooling units (37A, 37B) corresponding to the power boards (35A, 35B). A refrigerant amount control mechanism (50) for adjusting the amount of the refrigerant;
A controller (205) for controlling the operation of the refrigerant amount control mechanism (50),
The control unit (205) causes the refrigerant amount control mechanism (50) to supply the cooling unit (37A, 37B) to the cooling unit (37A, 37B) according to the load state of each power element. Increase or decrease the amount.

  According to the present invention, when a plurality of compressors are provided and a power board and a cooling unit are provided for each compressor, the refrigerant adjustment mechanism is configured according to the operation or performance of each compressor. Since the amount of refrigerant supplied to each cooling unit corresponding to the power board of each compressor is adjusted, for example, the capacity performance of the compressor and the operation status of the compressor (the rotation speed of the compressor, the driving frequency, etc.) Depending on the operation or performance of this compressor, the refrigerant that is suitable for cooling the power elements of each power board according to the heat that is assumed to be actually generated by the power elements of each power board. An amount can be supplied to each cooling section. For this reason, when employ | adopting the said refrigerant | coolant cooling technique, it becomes possible to perform the cooling of the electrical component by the refrigerant | coolant which flows through a refrigerant circuit more efficiently.

The invention according to claim 2 is the outdoor unit (11) according to claim 1, wherein the load state of the power element is a thermal load state,
Further comprising a temperature detector (39A, 39B) for detecting the temperature of the power element provided on each of the power boards (35A, 35B),
The control unit (205) sends the refrigerant amount control mechanism (50) from the flow dividing pipe (21a, 21b) to the refrigerant amount control mechanism (50) according to the temperature of the power element detected by the temperature detection unit (39A, 39B). The amount of refrigerant supplied to the cooling units (37A, 37B) is increased or decreased.

  In the present invention, the control unit causes the refrigerant amount control mechanism to increase or decrease the amount of refrigerant to be supplied from the shunt pipe to the cooling unit according to the temperature of each power substrate detected by the temperature detection unit. Heat (thermal load condition) actually generated by the power element can be accurately detected as a temperature, and by using the detected temperature as a reference, there is no excess or deficiency suitable for cooling the power element of each power board. The amount of refrigerant can be supplied to each power board.

The invention according to claim 3 is the outdoor unit according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of compressors (23A, 23B) for compressing the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit (18),
The power elements provided on the power boards (35A, 35B) are for driving and controlling the compressors (23A, 23B),
The control unit (205) uses the operating load status of each compressor (23A, 23B) as the load status of the power element, and the refrigerant according to the operating load status of each compressor (23A, 23B) The amount control mechanism (50) increases or decreases the amount of refrigerant supplied from the flow dividing pipes (21a, 21b) to the cooling units (37A, 37B).

  The invention according to claim 4 is the outdoor unit (11) according to claim 3, wherein the control unit (205) is configured to output the power as the operation load status of each compressor (23A, 23B). Using the drive current value or drive voltage duty ratio of the element, and depending on the drive current value or drive voltage duty ratio of the power element, the coolant amount control mechanism (50) is supplied with the cooling from the shunt pipe (21a, 21b). The amount of refrigerant to be supplied to the sections (37A, 37B) is increased or decreased.

  In these inventions, the control unit increases or decreases the amount of refrigerant to be supplied to the cooling unit to each refrigerant amount control mechanism according to the operating load status of each compressor, thereby adjusting the operating load status of the compressor described above. Accordingly, it is possible to supply each power board with a sufficient amount of refrigerant suitable for the load situation actually generated in the power element of each power board.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the outdoor unit (11) according to claim 3, wherein the control unit (205) is configured as the operation load status of each of the compressors (23A, 23B). Using information on whether each compressor (23A, 23B) is in operation or not in operation, the refrigerant adjustment mechanism (50), the power corresponding to the compressor (23A, 23B) in operation The power board corresponding to the non-operating compressor (23A, 23B) by supplying a refrigerant from the flow dividing pipe (21a, 21b) to the cooling part (37A, 37B) of the board (35A, 35B) The refrigerant is not supplied from the flow dividing pipes (21a, 21b) to the cooling sections (37A, 37B) of (35A, 35B).

  According to this invention, the compressor is stopped by the control of the refrigerant adjustment mechanism by the control unit and the refrigerant is not sent to the power board having a small load, and the compressor is driven and the power board having a large load is driven. Therefore, a limited amount of refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit can be efficiently used for cooling the power board side with a large load.

  According to the present invention, when the refrigerant cooling technique is adopted, it is possible to more efficiently cool the electrical component with the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit.

It is a figure which shows the piping system of an air conditioning apparatus provided with an outdoor unit. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of an outdoor unit. It is a front view which shows the external appearance of an outdoor unit. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of an electrical component box. It is a left view of the electrical component box seen from the VI direction of FIG. It is a top view of an electrical component box. It is a front view of an electrical component box. It is the arrangement | positioning state which shows the accommodation condition of the power board in an electrical component box. It is a perspective view which shows the inside of the electrical component box in the state where the power module unit was attached. It is a front view which shows the inside of the electrical component box in the state where the power module unit was attached. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that each said electrical component board | substrate is arrange | positioned by the electrical component box. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the control system and main mechanism of an air conditioning apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the opening / closing operation | movement control of the motor operated valve by the outdoor side control part based on the detected temperature of a temperature detection part. It is a flowchart which shows other embodiment of the opening / closing operation | movement control of the motor operated valve by an outdoor side control part.

  Hereinafter, an outdoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a piping system of an air conditioner 10 including an outdoor unit 11. The air conditioner 10 is a heat pump type air conditioner capable of cooling operation and heating operation. The air conditioner 10 includes an outdoor unit 11 installed outside and an indoor unit 12 installed indoors.

  The outdoor unit 11 and the indoor unit 12 are connected via a first connection pipe 13 and a second connection pipe 14. The air conditioner 10 is provided with a refrigerant circuit 18 in which pipes including the connection pipes 13 and 14 are connected in a closed circuit shape. The refrigerant circuit 18 mainly includes an indoor heat exchanger 20, compressors 23A and 23B, an oil separator 24, an outdoor heat exchanger 25, an electronic expansion mechanism 261 and a pressure regulating valve 262 as an expansion mechanism 26, an accumulator 27, and four-way A switching valve 28 is provided. In the refrigerant circuit 18, a refrigerant is circulated to perform a vapor compression refrigeration cycle.

  In the indoor unit 12, the indoor heat exchanger 20 is a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and room air. As the indoor heat exchanger 20, for example, a cross fin type fin-and-tube heat exchanger or the like can be employed. An indoor fan (not shown) for blowing indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger 20 is provided in the vicinity of the indoor heat exchanger 20.

  The outdoor unit 11 is provided with compressors 23A and 23B, an oil separator 24, an outdoor heat exchanger 25, an expansion mechanism 26, a pressure adjustment valve 29, an accumulator 27, and a four-way switching valve 28. These are all housed in the casing 110 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

  The compressors 23A and 23B each have a suction port, a compression mechanism, and a discharge port. The refrigerant sucked from the suction port is compressed by the compression mechanism and discharged from the discharge port. As compressors 23A and 23B, various compressors, such as a scroll compressor, are employable, for example.

  The compressors 23A and 23B compress the low-pressure gas refrigerant until the pressure becomes equal to or higher than the critical pressure. The compressors 23A and 23B are connected in parallel to each other in the refrigerant circuit. The capacities of the compressors 23A and 23B may be the same, or one may have a larger capacity than the other. In the present embodiment, the case where the compressor 23B has a larger capacity than the compressor 23A will be described as an example. In the present embodiment, the compressors 23A and 23B are inverter-controlled compressors that are driven so that the capacity can be adjusted by changing the drive frequency in accordance with the required air conditioning capacity. The refrigerant that has passed through the indoor unit 12 is supplied to the compressors 23A and 23B by being divided by the flow divider 30.

  The oil separator 24 is provided on each discharge side of the compressors 23A and 23B. The oil separator 24 separates the lubricating oil from the mixed fluid composed of the lubricating oil and the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 23A or 23B. The separated refrigerant is sent to the four-way switching valve 28, and the lubricating oil is returned to the compressor 23A or 23B.

  Further, a pressure switch 280 is provided on each discharge side of the compressors 23A and 23B.

  A low pressure sensor 291 for detecting a refrigerant pressure in a low pressure state before compression by the compressors 23A and 23B is provided on the suction side of the compressors 23A and 23B and before the flow separation by the flow divider 30. On the other hand, a high-pressure sensor 292 that detects refrigerant pressure in a high-pressure state after being compressed by the compressors 23A and 23B is provided on a circuit portion on the discharge side of the compressors 23A and 23B and after the refrigerant is merged. .

  Note that a filter 203 and a check valve 204 are disposed at the main points of the refrigerant circuit 18 of the outdoor unit 11.

  The outdoor heat exchanger 25 exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air. For example, a cross fin type fin-and-tube heat exchanger or the like can be adopted. In the vicinity of the outdoor heat exchanger 25, a fan 31 that is a propeller fan, for example, for blowing outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger 25 is provided.

  The expansion mechanism 26 is disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger 25 and the indoor heat exchanger 20 in the refrigerant circuit 18, and expands the refrigerant that has flowed in to a predetermined pressure. As the expansion mechanism 26, for example, an electronic expansion mechanism 261 having a variable opening degree can be employed.

  One end of the expansion mechanism 26 is divided by the flow divider 32 and connected to the flow dividing pipes 21a and 21b, and the other end is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 25 side. The expansion mechanism 26 includes an electronic expansion mechanism 261 and a pressure adjustment valve 262. When the opening degree is changed, the electronic expansion mechanism 261 expands the refrigerant and changes the amount of the refrigerant passing through the refrigerant circuit 18 and reaching the indoor heat exchanger 20 and the compressors 23A and 23B.

  The pressure regulating valve 262 is provided in a bypass circuit 18a that bypasses the electronic expansion mechanism 261, and adjusts the amount of refrigerant that bypasses the electronic expansion mechanism 261 and reaches the indoor heat exchanger 20 and the compressors 23A and 23B. is there.

  The accumulator 27 separates the flowing refrigerant into gas and liquid, and is disposed between the suction ports of the compressors 23A and 23B and the four-way switching valve 28 in the refrigerant circuit 18. The gas refrigerant separated by the accumulator 27 is sucked into the compressors 23A and 23B.

  The four-way switching valve 28 is provided with first to fourth ports. The four-way switching valve 28 includes a first state (state indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1) in which the first port and the third port are communicated with each other and a second port and a fourth port, and the first port and the fourth port. Can be switched to a second state (state indicated by a broken line in FIG. 1) in which the second port and the third port are communicated simultaneously. The first port is connected to the discharge ports of 23A and 23B via the oil separator 24, the second port is connected to the suction ports of 23A and 23B via the accumulator 27, and the third port is connected to the outdoor It is connected to the heat exchanger 25 and the fourth port is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 20 via the first connection pipe 13.

  When the air conditioner 10 performs the cooling operation, the four-way switching valve 28 is switched to the first state, and when the heating operation is performed, the four-way switching valve 28 is switched to the second state.

  On the liquid side pipe 21 in the outdoor unit 11, on the second connection pipe 14 side of the expansion mechanism 26, branch pipes 21 a and 21 b in which the liquid side pipe 21 is divided by the flow divider 32 are formed. Yes. A refrigerant jacket (cooling part) 37A is connected to the diversion pipe 21a through a heat transfer plate 351A (not shown) so as to be able to exchange heat with the refrigerant flowing in the diversion pipe 21a. A refrigerant jacket (cooling part) 37B is connected to the refrigerant flowing in the flow dividing pipe 21b through a substantially heat transfer plate 351B so as to be able to exchange heat.

  The refrigerant jackets 37A and 37B cool the power elements constituting the power module. The refrigerant jacket 37A is attached to a power board 35A that drives and controls the compressor 23A. The refrigerant jacket 37B is attached to a power board 35B that drives and controls the compressor 23B.

  Each power element constituting a power module mounted on the power board 35A is mounted on the power board 35A, and a refrigerant jacket 37A is joined to each power element via the heat transfer plate 351A. . Similarly, a refrigerant jacket 37B is joined to each power element of the power board 35B via the heat transfer plate 351B.

  The diversion pipes 21 a and 21 b that have passed through the refrigerant jacket 37 </ b> A and the refrigerant jacket 37 </ b> B are joined and then connected to the second connection pipe 14.

  In FIG. 1, the branch pipes 21 a and 21 b to which the refrigerant jackets 37 </ b> A and 37 </ b> B are joined are provided in the liquid side pipe 21 between the indoor unit 12 and the expansion mechanism 26 in the refrigerant circuit 18. The refrigerant circuit 18 part to which 37A and 37B are joined is not limited to this.

  In the branch pipes 21a and 21b joined to the refrigerant jackets 37A and 37B, the refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 25 flows during the cooling operation, and in the heating operation, condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 20 and the refrigerant flows.

  The power board 35A is provided with a temperature detector 39A for detecting the temperature of each power element, and the power board 35B is provided with a temperature detector 39B for detecting the temperature of each power element. The temperature detection unit 39A and the temperature detection unit 39B are, for example, a thermistor.

  In the present embodiment, an electric valve (refrigerant amount control mechanism) 50 is provided in the branch pipe 21a which is one of the branch pipes 21a and 21b. The motor-operated valve 50 controls the amount of refrigerant supplied from the branch pipe 21a to one of the refrigerant jackets 37 by adjusting the opening / closing amount controlled to be opened / closed by an outdoor control unit 205 described later. In the present embodiment, the motor-operated valve 50 branches from the refrigerant circuit 18 into the two branch pipes 21a and 21b and varies the amount of refrigerant flowing through the one branch pipe 21a. The amount of refrigerant flowing through the flow dividing pipe 21b can also be varied.

  Based on FIG.2 and FIG.3, the mechanical structure and shape characteristic of the outdoor unit 11 are demonstrated. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the outdoor unit 11. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the appearance of the outdoor unit 11. In the following description, the XX direction in FIGS. 2 and 3 is referred to as the left-right direction, and the YY direction is referred to as the front-rear direction. In particular, the -X direction is leftward, the + X direction is rightward, the -Y direction is forward, + Y The direction is referred to as backward. Further, when looking at the + Y direction, the front view, when looking at the -Y direction, back view, when looking toward the + X direction, left side view, and when looking at the -X direction, right side view The vertical planes of the outdoor units 11 corresponding to the respective planes are referred to as a front side, a back side, a left side, and a right side. The same applies to FIGS. 4 to 12.

  The outdoor unit 11 of the air conditioner 10 includes the above-described compressors 23A and 23B, the oil separator 24, the outdoor heat exchanger 25, the accumulator 27, and the like in a casing 110 that has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped appearance as a whole. An electrical component box 200 that houses the power boards 35A and 35B is provided.

  The casing 110 is provided with bottom plates 110a1 and 110a2 and side plates 110b that are erected on the periphery of the bottom plates 110a1 and 110a2 and that form three vertical surfaces of the casing 110 that has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The front side surface portion of the casing 110 is provided with an opening 111, and the front side surface portion is maintained inside the outdoor unit 11 through the opening 111 and the electrical component box 200 is attached to the outdoor unit 11. Is possible. That is, the side surface portion on the front side of the casing 110 functions as a service surface that enables maintenance in the outdoor unit 11 and attachment of the electrical component box 200. A top plate 110c is installed between the upper ends of the side plates 110b.

  The bottom plates 110a1 and 110a2 function as a base on which heavy objects such as the compressors 23A and 23B and the outdoor heat exchanger 25 are installed. In each of the three side plates 110 b, a suction port 113 through which outdoor air is sucked by driving of the two fans 31 is opened substantially on the entire surface. The outdoor heat exchanger 25 includes three side plates 110b in order to efficiently exchange heat between the outdoor air (suction air) sucked from the suction port 113 and the refrigerant flowing inside the outdoor heat exchanger 25. It is arrange | positioned facing. The top plate 110 c has an air outlet 112 through which the conditioned air, which is the intake air after heat exchange by the outdoor heat exchanger 25, is blown out by driving the fan 31.

  A front panel (not shown) that covers the opening 111 is detachably attached to the opening 111. By removing the front panel, the inside of the outdoor unit 11 can be accessed. A support frame 115 that is a sheet metal member that extends linearly in the left-right direction and that is coupled to the front of the side plate 111 b located on the left and right of the opening 111 is provided at the upper end of the opening 111.

  In the liquid side pipe 21, the branch pipes 21 a and 21 b are routed to a position that avoids the electrical component box 200 that is accommodated in the outdoor unit 11. Thereby, a storage space for the electrical component box 200 is secured in the outdoor unit 11. The diversion pipes 21a and 21b are piped extending in the depth direction in the casing 110, and the diversion pipes 21a and 21b are arranged at positions facing the side plates 210c1 of the electrical component box 200 housed in the casing 110. Has been.

  The electrical component box 200 is disposed and installed in the casing 110 of the outdoor unit 11 at a position where a side plate 210c1 (see FIG. 6) constituting the left side surface thereof faces a part of the branch pipes 21a and 21b extending in the depth direction. .

  The structure of the electrical component box 200 and the arrangement state of the electrical components such as the power substrates 35A and 35B and the control substrates 310A, 310B, and 330 in the electrical component box 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the electrical component box 200. FIG. 5 is a left side view of the electrical component box 200 viewed from the VI direction of FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the electrical component box 200. FIG. 7 is a front view of the electrical component box 200. FIG. 8 is an arrangement state showing how the power board 35 is accommodated in the electrical component box 200. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the inside of the electrical component box 200 in a state where the power module unit 350 is attached. FIG. 10 is a front view showing the inside of the electrical component box 200 with the power module unit 350 attached. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which each of the electrical components is disposed in the electrical component box 200.

  The electrical component box 200 includes power boards 35A and 35B on which power modules for driving an inverter motor for controlling the compressor are mounted, and control boards 310A and 310B on which a drive control circuit for the fan 31 is formed (see FIG. 8 described later), In addition, an electrical board such as a control board 330 on which electrical equipment that controls operation of each operation mechanism of the outdoor unit 11 is mounted is accommodated in the casing unit 210 (see FIG. 11 described later), and the suction inlet 113 and the outlet 112 are provided. The electrical equipment is protected from rainwater and the like entering the interior of the outdoor unit 11 from the outside.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the casing portion 210 that defines the outer shape of the electrical component box 200 includes a bottom plate 210 a, side plates 210 c 1 to 210 c 4 that are suspended upward from the peripheral edge of the bottom plate 210 a except the front side, and these A top plate 210b installed between the upper ends of the side plates.

  The bottom plate 210a has a substantially pentagonal shape formed by cutting out a corner located on the right and rear of a rectangle that is long in the left-right direction in plan view. The top plate 210b has a plane shape substantially the same as that of the bottom plate 210a, and is located at a position overlapping the bottom plate 210a in plan view.

  The side plate 210c1 is suspended upward from a side portion located on the left side of the bottom plate 210a. The side plate 210c1 has two power board attachment parts (power board attachment parts) 212A and 212B to which the power boards 35A and 35B are attached (FIG. 8). The power board 35A is attached to the power board attachment part 212A, and the power board 35B is attached to the power board attachment part 212B.

  The side plate 210c2 is suspended upward from a side portion located on the right side of the bottom plate 210a. Since the bottom plate 210a has the above shape, the length of the side plate 210c2 in the front-rear direction is shorter than the length of the side plate 210c1 in the front-rear direction.

  The side plate 210c3 and the side plate 210c4 form the back surface of the casing part 210. The side plate 210c4 is suspended upward from a side portion located behind the bottom plate 210a. That is, one end of the side plate 210c4 is coupled to the side portion on the back side of the side plate 210c1, and the other end is coupled to the side portion on the back side of the side plate 210c3. The side plate 210c3 is vertically suspended from the side portion of the bottom plate 210a corresponding to the cut portion. That is, one end of the side plate 210c3 is coupled to the right end of the side plate 210c4, and the other end is extended in a direction approaching the front side and coupled to the rear side of the side plate 210c2.

  A panel 201 (see FIG. 2) is detachably mounted between a side portion on the front side of the side plate 210c1 and a side portion on the front side of the side plate 210c2.

  An upper engaging member 201 and a side engaging member 202, which are sheet metal members each bent into an L shape, are coupled to the casing portion 210. The upper engaging member 201 is formed so that the length in the left-right direction is substantially the same as the length of the side portion in front of the top plate 210b, and is coupled to the front of the top plate 210b. The upper engaging member 201 is coupled to the support frame 115 of the casing 110 of the outdoor unit 11 when the electrical component box 200 is disposed, thereby engaging the electrical component box 200 and the support frame 115.

  The side engaging member 202 is coupled to the lower part in front of the side plate 210c3. The side engaging member 202 is coupled to the side plate 110b located on the left side surface of the outdoor unit 11 when the electrical component box 200 is disposed. Thereby, the side engaging member 202 engages the electrical component box 200 and the side plate 110b of the casing 110 of the outdoor unit 11.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the power boards 35 </ b> A and 35 </ b> B are disposed on one power board support member 250 having a plate shape, thereby forming a power module unit 350. The power module unit 350 is attached to the inner wall F11 of the side plate 210c1.

  When the power module unit 350 is mounted on the inner wall F11 of the side plate 210c1, the power board 35A is set to face the power board mounting part 212A, and the power board 35B is set to a position where the power board mounting part 212B faces. Yes. That is, by attaching the power module unit 350 to the inner wall F11 of the side plate 210c1, the power board 35A is provided at a position facing the diversion pipe 21a through the opening 212a provided in the side plate 210c1, and the power board 35B is provided through the opening 212b. It is provided at a position facing the diversion pipe 21b. The power module is mounted on the power substrate support member 250 on the surface opposite to the surface on which the power substrates 35A and 35B are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the heat transfer plate 351A is attached to the inner wall F11 of the side plate 210c1 by screws or the like so as to cover the opening 212a. The heat transfer plate 351B is attached to the inner wall F11 by screws or the like so as to cover the opening 212B.

  The heat transfer plate 351A and the heat transfer plate 351B attached to the inner wall F11 are, for example, surface bonded to the power module. Since the flow dividing plate 21a is joined to the heat transfer plate 351A via the refrigerant jacket 37A, heat is exchanged between the power module and the refrigerant flowing through the flow dividing tube 21a. Since the branch pipe 21b is joined to the heat transfer plate 351B via the refrigerant jacket 37B, heat is exchanged between the power module and the refrigerant flowing through the branch pipe 21b. As a result, the power module, which is an electrical component having a large calorific value, is cooled. For example, although a power module may become high temperature of 100-120 degreeC, when the refrigerant | coolant in the position of the shunt pipes 21a and 21b of the refrigerant circuit 18 is low temperature (for example, 40-60 degreeC) rather than a power module. The power module is cooled by the heat exchange.

  The power board attachment portion 212A is provided with a positioning member 212a and the opening 208a. Similarly, the power board attachment portion 212B is provided with a positioning member 212b and the opening 208b. The openings 212a and 208b are provided to expose the heat transfer plates 351A and 351B from the side plate 210c1 to the side when the heat transfer plates 351A and 351B are attached to the inner wall F11 of the side plate 210c1.

  The positioning member 212a is provided at the four side edges of the opening 212a. The refrigerant jacket 37A is attached to the inner opening 212a surrounded by the positioning member 212a while being positioned by the positioning member 212a. As a result, the heat transfer plate 351A and the refrigerant jacket 37A are attached in close contact with each other. The refrigerant jacket 37A is fixed to the outer wall of the side plate 210c1 by screwing or the like. This configuration is the same for the positioning member 212b, the opening 212b, the refrigerant jacket 37B, and the heat transfer plate 351B.

  A fixing bracket 213 is provided in front of the inner wall F11 of the side plate 210c1. The fixing bracket 213 protrudes in front of the inner wall F11 of the side plate 210c1, extends in the vertical direction of the side plate 210c1, and matches the recess 251a of the engaging portion 251 of the power board support member 250. In this matched state, by inserting screws or the like into the holes 251b and 213b formed in the engaging portion 251 and the fixing bracket 213, the power module unit 350 is attached to the inner wall F11 as shown in FIGS. It is arranged.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, in addition to the power boards 35 </ b> A and 35 </ b> B, control boards 310 and 330 are stacked in the front-rear direction inside the electrical component box 200. That is, the control board 310 is used for controlling the drive of the fan 31, and is disposed on the inner wall surface side of the side plate 210c4. Next, the first support member 220 is disposed on the front side inside the electrical component box 200. The control board 330 is disposed further forward than the first support member 220 and inside the electrical component box 200 via the second support member 230. 4 and 7 show a state in which the control boards 310 and 330, the first support member 220, and the second support member 230 are attached to the electrical component box 200. FIG.

  Next, FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system and main mechanisms of the air conditioning apparatus 10.

  The outdoor unit 11 includes an outdoor control unit 205, compressor drive control circuits 350A and 350B, temperature detection units 39A and 39B, a high pressure sensor 292, a low pressure sensor 291, a fan drive mechanism 271, an expansion mechanism 26, and an electric valve. 50.

  The outdoor side control unit (control unit) 205 includes a microcomputer, a memory, and the like, and controls operation of each operation mechanism provided in the outdoor unit 11. The outdoor side control part 205 transmits / receives a control signal etc. via the transmission line 8 between the indoor side control parts 301 of the indoor unit 12, for example.

  The compressor drive control circuit 350A is provided on the power board 35A described above, and the compressor drive control circuit 350B is provided on the power board 35B described above. The compressor drive control circuits 350A and 350B are control circuits that drive and control the inverter-controlled compressors 23A and 23B. The compressor drive control circuits 350A and 350B change the drive frequencies (Hz) of the compressors 23A and 23B as appropriate, and drive the compressors 23A and 23B with variable operating capacities.

  The refrigerant pressure after compression by the high pressure sensor 292 and the compressors 23A and 23B is detected, and the detected high pressure value (value of the refrigerant pressure after compression by the compressors 23A and 23B) is output to the outdoor control unit 205.

  The low pressure sensor 291 is a sensor that detects the refrigerant pressure before compression by the compressors 23A and 23B, and outputs the detected low pressure value (value of the refrigerant pressure before compression by the compressors 23A and 23B) to the outdoor control unit 205. To do.

  As described above, the expansion mechanism 26 includes the electronic expansion mechanism 261 and the pressure adjustment valve 262, and these valves are controlled by the opening / closing or outdoor control unit 205.

  The operation of the fan drive mechanism 271 including a fan motor that is a drive source of the fan 31 (FIG. 1) that sends air to the outdoor heat exchanger 25 and a drive control circuit is controlled by the outdoor control unit 205.

  The temperature detector 39A detects the temperature of the power element on the power board 35A, and the temperature detector 39B detects the temperature of the power element on the power board 35B. The temperature detection units 39A and 39B output the detected temperature of the power element on the power board 35A or 35B to the outdoor control unit 205.

  Furthermore, the outdoor side control part 205 controls the opening / closing operation | movement of refrigerant | coolant piping by the motor operated valve 50 provided in the shunt pipe a. The outdoor side control unit 205 changes the closing degree of the refrigerant pipe by the motor operated valve 50 according to the temperature of the power element on the power boards 35A and 35B obtained from the temperature detection units 39A and 39B.

  The indoor unit 12 includes an indoor side control unit 301 that controls each operation mechanism of the indoor unit 12. The indoor side control unit 301 includes a microcomputer, a memory, and the like, and is connected to the outdoor side control unit 205 via the transmission line 8. The indoor side control unit 301 transmits and receives control signals to and from the outdoor side control unit 205.

  Next, the operation of the air-conditioning apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described taking the cooling operation as an example. When an operation start command is input by an operation of an operation unit (not shown) by the operator, the outdoor control unit 205 activates the compressors 23A and 23B via the compressor drive control circuits 350A and 350B. As a result, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressors 23A and 23B and is compressed until the pressure becomes equal to or higher than the critical pressure to become a high-pressure gas refrigerant. The outdoor control unit 205 also activates the fan 270 by the fan drive mechanism 271.

  Thereafter, the high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from each of the compressors 23A and 23B is merged and then subjected to heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger 25. Thereafter, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant cooled through the outdoor heat exchanger 25 is adjusted in flow rate and pressure by the expansion mechanism 26, and then divided into the flow dividing tubes 21 a and 21 b by the flow divider 32.

  The refrigerant flowing through the branch pipes 21a and 21b exchanges heat with the heat transfer plates 351A and 351B joined to the power modules of the power boards 35A and 35B via the refrigerant jackets 37A and 37B. In other words, the power modules of the power boards 35A and 35B are cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the branch pipes 21a and 21b via the heat transfer plates 351A and 351B.

  The refrigerant that has passed through the branch pipes 21a and 21b in contact with the refrigerant jackets 37A and 37B goes to the indoor heat exchanger 20 of the indoor unit 12 and exchanges heat with the indoor air. The refrigerant that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger 20 is again sucked into the compressors 23A and 23B and circulates in the refrigerant circuit 18.

  Next, the opening / closing operation control of the motor-operated valve 50 by the outdoor side controller 205 based on the temperature detected by the temperature detectors 39A and 39B will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the opening / closing operation control of the electric valve 50 by the outdoor side controller 205 based on the temperature detected by the temperature detectors 39A and 39B.

  While the air conditioner 10 is in operation, the temperature detector 39A detects the temperature of the power element on the power board 35A, and the temperature detector 39B detects the temperature of the power board 35B. The outdoor side controller 205 acquires the temperature of the power element on the power board 35A and the temperature of the power element on the power board 35B from the temperature detectors 39A and 39B (S1).

  The outdoor side controller 205 calculates the temperature ratio between the power boards 35A and 35B based on the acquired temperatures of the power boards 35A and 35B (S2). Furthermore, the outdoor side control part 205 calculates the opening degree of the motor operated valve 50 arrange | positioned from the calculated temperature ratio to the upstream of the refrigerant | coolant jacket 37A corresponding to the power board 35A (S3).

  The temperature of each of the power boards 35A and 35B is determined when the operation state of the compressor 23A or 23B to be controlled by each of the power boards 35A and 35B, that is, when the capacity of the power board 35A or 35B that is varied by inverter control is large. On the other hand, it becomes lower if the capacity is small. For this reason, the outdoor control unit 205 is electrically operated so that a large amount of refrigerant flows through the shunt pipe on the side of the power board where the capacity of the compressor is large and the temperature is high. The opening degree of the valve 50 is calculated. The outdoor side control part 205 controls the opening / closing operation | movement of the motor operated valve 50 according to this calculated opening degree (S4).

An example of a method for calculating the opening of the electric valve 50 will be described. When the temperature of the power board 35A is t ₁ ° C. and the temperature of the power board 35B is t ₂ ° C., the outdoor side controller 205 has a total temperature t ₀ ° C. (t ₁ ° C. + t ₂ ° C. = The ratio C (= t ₁ / t ₀ ) of the temperature (t ₁ ° C.) of the power board 35A to t ₀ ° C.) is calculated, and based on this, it is arranged upstream of the refrigerant jacket 37A corresponding to the power board 35A. The opening degree of the motor-operated valve 50 is calculated as an opening degree that is a ratio of C with respect to the fully opened state. That is, the opening degree of the motor-operated valve 50 is set by the outdoor control unit 205 so that the amount of each refrigerant flowing through the branch pipes 21a and 21b is equal to the temperature ratio between the power boards 35A and 35B.

  For example, when the temperature of the power board 35A is 80 ° C. and the temperature of the power board 35B is 120 ° C., the outdoor side control unit 205 has power for the total temperature (80 ° C. + 120 ° C. = 200 ° C.) of the power boards 35A and 35B. The ratio 80/200 = 0.4 of the temperature (80 ° C.) of the substrate 35A is calculated, and based on this, the opening degree of the motor-operated valve 50 is calculated as 40% opening degree when fully opened, and the branch pipes 21a, 21b are calculated. The degree of opening of the motor-operated valve 50 is set so that the amount of each refrigerant flowing through the power board 35A and 35B is 80 ° C.:120° C. = 4: 6.

  However, the opening degree calculation method of the electric valve 50 by the outdoor side control unit 205 based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection units 39A and 39B is not limited to this, and other methods can be used. For example, the outdoor control unit 205 has a storage table in which the opening degree of the motor-operated valve 50 associated with each combination of detected temperatures by the temperature detection units 39A and 39B is stored, and the temperature detection units 39A and 39B. For example, the opening degree of the motor-operated valve 50 may be calculated by reading the opening degree of the motor-operated valve 50 corresponding to each detected temperature from the storage table.

  In the present embodiment, the outdoor control unit 205 calculates the opening degree of the motor-operated valve 50 according to the detected temperatures of the power elements on the power boards 35A and 35B by the temperature detection units 39A and 39B. Instead of this, the outdoor side control unit 205 obtains information on the rotational speed (drive frequency) or torque of the compressors 23A and 23B based on signals sent from the power boards 35A and 35B, and the compressor You may make it calculate the opening degree of the motor operated valve 50 according to the rotation speed (drive frequency) or torque of 23A and 23B. In this case, the outdoor control unit 205 calculates the opening degree of the motor-operated valve 50 based on the rotation speed (drive frequency) or the torque ratio of the compressors 23A and 23B, or the rotation speed of the compressors 23A and 23B. (Driving frequency) or opening of the motor-operated valve 50 by reading out the motor-operated valve 50 opening corresponding to each rotation speed (driving frequency) from the storage table storing the opening of the motor-operated valve 50 associated with a combination of torques. Calculate the degree.

  Further, instead of calculating the opening degree of each motor-operated valve 50, (1) the outdoor control unit 205 drives the drive current value of an IGBT (insulated gate bipolar transistor) mounted as a power element on the power boards 35A and 35B. (Or drive voltage duty ratio) is acquired based on signals sent from the power boards 35A and 35B, and the motor-operated valve 50 according to the IGBT drive current value (or drive voltage duty ratio) of the compressors 23A and 23B. (2) The outdoor side controller 205 acquires the current value between the collectors and emitters of the IGBTs of the compressors 23A and 23B, and according to the current value between the collectors and emitters. The opening degree of the electric valve 50 may be calculated. In the case of (1), the outdoor side controller 205 determines the ratio of the drive current values of the IGBTs of the compressors 23A and 23B (or the drive current value calculated from the drive voltage duty ratio) or the IGBTs of the compressors 23A and 23B. Drive current value (or drive) of each IGBT from the storage table storing the opening degree of the motor-operated valve 50 associated with the combination of drive current values (combination of IGBT drive voltage duty ratios of the compressors 23A and 23B). The opening degree of the motor-operated valve 50 is calculated by reading the opening degree of the motor-operated valve 50 corresponding to the voltage duty ratio. In the case of (2), the outdoor side controller 205 calculates the opening degree of the motor-operated valve 50 based on the ratio of the current values between the collectors and emitters of the IGBTs of the compressors 23A and 23B.

  In addition, although the example in which IGBT is mounted on the power boards 35A and 35B as a power element has been described above, when another switching element is mounted as the power element, the outdoor control unit 205 What is necessary is just to acquire the electric current value which flows through a switching element, and just to calculate the opening degree of the motor operated valve 50 according to the said electric current value.

  Next, another embodiment of the opening / closing operation control of the electric valve 50 by the outdoor side control unit 205 will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the opening / closing operation control of the electric valve 50 by the outdoor side control unit 205.

  For example, in the air conditioner 10, it is set so that only one of the compressors 23B is driven as standard, and when the other compressor 23A becomes insufficient in capacity only by driving the compressor 23B, the compressor If it is set to be driven together with 23A, during operation of the air conditioner 10, the outdoor control unit 205 determines whether the compressor 23A is driven based on a signal sent from the power board 35A or Whether it is stopped is detected (S11).

  If the outdoor side control unit 205 detects that the compressor 23A is driven based on the signal (YES in S11), the outdoor side control unit 205 is disposed upstream of the refrigerant jacket 37A corresponding to the power board 35A. The operated motor operated valve 50 is operated in a fully opened state (S12). When the outdoor side control unit 205 detects that the compressor 23A is stopped based on the signal (NO in S11), the outdoor control unit 205 operates the motor-operated valve 50 in a fully closed state (S13).

  In the opening control of the motor-operated valve 50, the compressor 23A is stopped and the refrigerant that flows through the refrigerant circuit 18 is not sent to the power board 35A that generates a small amount of heat, and the compressor 23B is driven to generate a large amount of heat. Since all the refrigerant is sent to the large power board 35B, a limited amount of refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 18 can be efficiently used for cooling the power board 35B (power module) side having a large calorific value.

  Further, when the opening control of the electric valve 50 is employed, it is not always necessary to provide the electric valve 50 in the branch pipe 21a, and an electromagnetic valve that performs an opening / closing operation of full opening or full closing may be provided.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, although the compressor provided in the outdoor unit 11 is demonstrated as two units, it is not the meaning which limits the number of the compressors provided in the outdoor unit which concerns on this invention to two units. If it is an outdoor unit provided with a plurality of compressors, it is possible to apply the configuration and processing shown in the above embodiments.

  Further, the configuration and processing according to each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 14 are merely examples of the present invention, and the configuration and processing of the present invention are not limited to the contents described above.

  For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the power board 35A and the power board 35B, and the power elements mounted on these boards drive and control the compressors 23A and 23B. The refrigerant amount control of the refrigerant is not limited to this, and can be widely applied to a power board for controlling other mechanisms and a power element mounted on the power board.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Air conditioning apparatus 11 Outdoor unit 12 Indoor unit 18 Refrigerant circuit 20 Indoor heat exchanger 21a, 21b Split pipe 23A, 23B Compressor 25 Outdoor heat exchanger 26 Expansion mechanism 35A, 35B Power board 37A, 37B Refrigerant jacket 39A, 39B Temperature Detector 50 Motorized valve 212A, 212B Power board attachment part 301 Indoor side control part 310 Control board 350 Power module unit 350A, 350B Compressor drive control circuit 351A, 351B Heat transfer plate F11 Inner wall

Claims (5)

An outdoor unit (11) for an air conditioner (10) having a refrigerant circuit (18) through which refrigerant circulates,
A plurality of power boards (35A, 35B) with power elements;
Provided for each of the power boards (35A, 35B) in the branch pipes (21a, 21b) branched from the refrigerant pipe of the refrigerant circuit (18), and thermally connected to the refrigerant of the refrigerant circuit (18). Cooling units (37A, 37B) for cooling at least the power elements on the power boards (35A, 35B),
Provided in at least one of the flow dividing pipes (21a, 21b) and supplied from the flow dividing pipes (21a, 21b) to the respective cooling units (37A, 37B) corresponding to the power boards (35A, 35B). A refrigerant amount control mechanism (50) for adjusting the amount of the refrigerant;
A controller (205) for controlling the operation of the refrigerant amount control mechanism (50),
The control unit (205) causes the refrigerant amount control mechanism (50) to supply the cooling unit (37A, 37B) to the cooling unit (37A, 37B) according to the load state of each power element. Outdoor unit to increase or decrease the amount of (11). The load status of the power element is a thermal load status,
Further comprising a temperature detector (39A, 39B) for detecting the temperature of the power element provided on each of the power boards (35A, 35B),
The control unit (205) sends the refrigerant amount control mechanism (50) from the flow dividing pipe (21a, 21b) to the refrigerant amount control mechanism (50) according to the temperature of the power element detected by the temperature detection unit (39A, 39B). The outdoor unit (11) according to claim 1, wherein the amount of refrigerant supplied to the cooling unit (37A, 37B) is increased or decreased. A plurality of compressors (23A, 23B) for compressing the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit (18),
The power elements provided on the power boards (35A, 35B) are for driving and controlling the compressors (23A, 23B),
The control unit (205) uses the operating load status of each compressor (23A, 23B) as the load status of the power element, and the refrigerant according to the operating load status of each compressor (23A, 23B) The outdoor unit (11) according to claim 1, wherein the amount of refrigerant supplied to the cooling unit (37A, 37B) from the branch pipe (21a, 21b) is increased or decreased by the amount control mechanism (50).   The control unit (205) uses the driving current value or driving voltage duty ratio of the power element as the operating load status of each compressor (23A, 23B), and sets the driving current value or driving voltage duty ratio of the power element. The outdoor unit (11) according to claim 3, wherein the amount of refrigerant supplied to the cooling unit (37A, 37B) from the branch pipe (21a, 21b) is increased or decreased in response to the refrigerant amount control mechanism (50). .   The control unit (205) uses, as the operation load status of each compressor (23A, 23B), information indicating whether each compressor (23A, 23B) is operating or not operating, The flow dividing pipe (21a, 21b) with respect to the cooling part (37A, 37B) of the power board (35A, 35B) corresponding to the compressor (23A, 23B) in operation to the refrigerant adjustment mechanism (50) From the cooling pipes (37A, 37B) of the power boards (35A, 35B) corresponding to the compressors (23A, 23B) not operating, the flow dividing pipes (21a, 21b) The outdoor unit (11) according to claim 3, wherein the refrigerant is not supplied from the outdoor unit (11).

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