JP2014214948A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner capable of achieving space saving of an installation space of an indoor unit.SOLUTION: An air conditioner comprises: a plurality of indoor units 2 and 3 including machine rooms 2b and 3b, respectively; and a plurality of outdoor units 4 and 5. The plurality of indoor units 2 and 3 are stacked vertically so as to be arranged in a plurality of stages, respectively, and the machine rooms 2b and 3b of these indoor units 2 and 3 vertically communicate with each other. Fluid-side and gas-side pipe connection end portions 17 and 18 of the indoor units 2 and 3 connected to liquid-side and gas-side refrigerant connection pipes 19 and 20 of the outdoor units 4 and 5 are provided above the indoor unit 2 in an upper stage.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an air conditioner.

  In general, a data center or a server room accommodates information processing devices such as a server having various functions and a communication device for constructing a network.

  In these data centers and server rooms, in order to stably operate these information processing devices, an air conditioning system is provided in order to always maintain a temperature suitable for the device operation.

  As this type of conventional air conditioning system, for example, the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.

JP 2011-220665 A

  In the air conditioning system of Patent Document 1, the cooling unit 10 that is an indoor unit is configured by a plurality of dry coil units 12. Each dry coil unit 12 is provided with a heat exchanger, and a refrigerant supply port 14 and a refrigerant discharge port 15 of the heat exchanger 13 are provided so as to protrude from the side surface of the dry coil unit 12.

  For this reason, when a plurality of dry coil units 12 are arranged to form a cooling unit for an indoor unit, a space for connecting the refrigerant piping from the heat source portion 200 to the refrigerant supply port 14 and the refrigerant discharge port 15 is required. For this reason, the plurality of dolar coil units 12 cannot be arranged in close contact with each other, and the installation space for the entire cooling unit 10 of the indoor unit is large.

  Under such circumstances, there is a demand for an indoor unit that saves installation space.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that saves space for installing an indoor unit.

  An air conditioner according to an embodiment is an air conditioner having a plurality of indoor units each having a machine room and at least one outdoor unit, and the plurality of indoor units are vertically stacked to form a plurality of stages. Yes.

  In addition, the machine rooms of these indoor units communicate with each other in the vertical direction, and the pipe connection end of the indoor unit connected to the pipe of the outdoor unit is provided in the upper part of the uppermost indoor unit.

The schematic diagram which shows the whole structure of the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment. The front view by the side of the air blower outlet of the indoor unit shown in FIG. III-III sectional view taken on the line of FIG. IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. The perspective view when it sees from the air blower outlet side of the indoor unit apparatus shown in FIG. VI-VI sectional view taken on the line of FIG. The perspective view when it sees from the air inlet side of the indoor unit apparatus shown in FIG. The schematic diagram which shows the positional relationship of the 1st, 2nd drain pan, inclination board, etc. which are shown by FIG. The schematic diagram which mainly shows the positional relationship of the 1st-3rd drain pan. The plane sectional view of the indoor unit which shows the modification of the inner duct shown in FIG. The front view of the indoor unit which shows the modification of the indoor fan shown in FIG. The schematic diagram which shows the modification of the air conditioner shown in FIG. The schematic diagram which shows the other modification of the air conditioner shown in FIG. The schematic diagram which shows the state which installed multiple air conditioners shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same or an equivalent part in several drawing.

  Drawing 1 is a mimetic diagram showing the whole air conditioner composition concerning an embodiment, and omits illustration of a free cooling system (FC). The air conditioner 1 according to this embodiment is configured such that a refrigerant heat exchanger (indoor heat exchanger) of a refrigeration cycle in which refrigerant such as R410A circulates and a water heat exchanger of a free cooling system (FC) can be provided. Has been. First, the refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner will be described based on FIG.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 includes a plurality of units of the same shape and size, for example, two indoor units 2 and 3, and one or more units, for example, two outdoor units 4 and 5. It has. Here, the cooling rated (maximum) capacity of each of the indoor units 2 and 3 is 10 horsepower (28 kW), and the entire air conditioner 1 is 20 horsepower (56 kW).

  These two indoor units 2 and 3 are stacked in a plurality of stages in the vertical direction and fixed to each other to constitute one indoor unit device 6.

  Each of the indoor units 2 and 3 has a cubic frame structure (frame structure) 7 and 8 as will be described later, and a top plate 39 to be described later is provided at the upper end of the housing 7 of the upper indoor unit 2. Provided. Further, in each of these housings 7 and 8, ventilation chambers 2a and 3a for accommodating indoor heat exchangers 9 and 10, indoor fans 11 and 12 and machine rooms 2b and 3b for accommodating refrigerant pipes 13 and the like. Is forming. The machine rooms 2b and 3b are formed so that a pair of upper and lower indoor units 2 and 3 can communicate with each other in the vertical direction. The refrigerant pipe 13 includes a liquid side refrigerant pipe 13a connected to each of the indoor heat exchangers 9 and 10, and a gas side refrigerant pipe 13b.

That is, the liquid-side refrigerant pipe 13a is connected to the refrigerant inlets of the pair of upper and lower indoor heat exchangers 9 and 10 via branch pipes 13a ₁ and 13a ₂ that branch the tip part into two branches. These bifurcated branch pipes 13a ₁ and 13a ₂ are respectively provided with expansion valves 15 and 16 in the middle thereof. The expansion valves 15 and 16 are electronic expansion valves whose opening degree can be adjusted.

The gas-side refrigerant pipe 13b is also connected to the refrigerant outlets of the pair of upper and lower indoor heat exchangers 9 and 10 via branch pipes 13b ₁ and 13b ₂ that divide the tip part into two branches. That is, the two upper and lower indoor heat exchangers 9 and 10 are connected in parallel.

  And these liquid side and gas side refrigerant | coolant piping 13a, 13b are each extended from the upper end through-hole 14 of the top plate 39 of the top plate 39 of the uppermost indoor unit 2 to the outer side in FIG. Liquid-side and gas-side pipe connection ends 17 and 18 are formed at the ends, respectively. The liquid-side and gas-side pipe connection ends 17 and 18 do not have to be provided on the upper end of the upper indoor unit 2, and the upper stage is close to the upper end where a worker who performs the pipe connection work can reach. It may be inside the machine room 2b of the indoor unit 2.

  The liquid side pipe connection end portion 17 is connected to at least one liquid side refrigerant connection pipe 19 connected to each liquid side pipe connection portion of, for example, two refrigerant outdoor units 4 and 5.

  Further, gas side refrigerant connection pipes 20 connected to the gas side pipe connection parts of the refrigerant outdoor units 4 and 5 are connected to the gas side pipe connection ends 18 on the indoor units 2 and 3 side. That is, the two refrigerant outdoor units 4, 5 are also connected in parallel.

  Each outdoor unit 4, 5 is provided with at least a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor fan, etc. (not shown) in its housing, and the indoor heat exchangers 9, 10 of each indoor unit 2, 3 Are multi-connected.

  Next, a more specific configuration of the indoor unit device 6 will be described.

  In the present embodiment, a case where a water heat exchanger of a free cooling system (FC) is provided will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 9, the indoor unit device 6 is configured such that the casings 7 and 8 of the indoor units 2 and 3 have a rectangular parallelepiped frame structure (frame structure) using, for example, C-shaped and L-shaped steel. The air suction port 21 is formed on the back surface (upper end in FIG. 3) side of the housings 7 and 8, and the air outlet 22 is formed on the front surface (lower end in FIG. 3). The suction port 21 is formed so that the back sides of the indoor units 2 and 3 are opened almost entirely, and almost the entire back surfaces of the water heat exchangers 26 and 27 are exposed. The air outlet 22 is formed, for example, in a square shape by opening almost the entire front surface of the indoor units 2 and 3. In addition, a metal strip-shaped reinforcing plate 23 is fixed over almost the entire circumference of each side (four sides) of the outer periphery of the joint portion between the pair of upper and lower housings 7 and 8. Improvement of fixing strength is achieved.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the casings 7 and 8 are provided with inner ducts (ventilation passages) 24 and 25 having a substantially straight cylindrical shape made of sheet metal or the like in the ventilation chambers 2 a and 3 a. .

  Each of the inner ducts 24 and 25 is provided with the indoor heat exchangers 9 and 10 on the inlet 21 side, and the indoor fans 11 and 12 are provided on the outlet 22 side of the inner ducts 24 and 25, respectively. The suction port 21 and the air outlet 22 are opposed to each other and communicated with each other.

  Further, the inner ducts 24 and 25 are respectively configured so that the water heat exchangers 26 and 27 of the free cooling system can be additionally provided between the indoor heat exchangers 9 and 10 and the suction port 21 side. Yes.

  In the free cooling system, a pair of upper and lower water heat exchangers 26 and 27 are connected to each other by an unillustrated water inlet and water outlets connected to each other by an inlet side and an outlet side water pipe of a water pipe (not shown). The heat exchangers 26 and 27 are connected in parallel. These inlet and outlet water pipes extend upward of the machine room 2b, and as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the inlet side, as well as the liquid side and gas side pipe connecting ends 17 and 18 of the refrigerant pipe. Outlet piping connection ends 50 and 51 are formed. The inlet and outlet pipe connection ends 50 and 51 of these water pipes are connected to a water cooler such as a cooling tower via a connection water pipe (not shown). Although at least one cooling tower may be used, in the case of a plurality of, for example, two, the cooling towers are connected in parallel by a connection water pipe (not shown) as in the outdoor units 4 and 5. The flow rate of the cooling water passing through the water heat exchangers 26 and 27 is controlled by the opening degree of the electric two-way valve interposed in the middle of the water pipe and the rotation speed of the water circulation pump (both not shown). In addition, the capacity | capacitance of the water heat exchangers 26 and 27 is set so that the free cooling system can output the capacity | capacitance equivalent to the air_conditioner | coolant rated (maximum) capacity | capacitance by the refrigerating cycle.

  The inner ducts 24 and 25 are substantially rectangular tube-shaped ducts, and these heat passages connect the water heat exchangers 26 and 27, the indoor heat exchangers 9 and 10, and the indoor fans 11 and 12. It forms in the air flow path (ventilation path) of the cross section substantially the same as the width of the exchangers 9 and 10 and the water heat exchangers 26 and 27.

  The indoor fans 11 and 12 are configured, for example, by providing a motor such as a DC direct current fan motor integrally with a fan such as a propeller fan or a turbo fan. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, in this embodiment, a turbo fan is employed as the fan. The indoor fans 11 and 12 include a fan guard (not shown) that covers the outer surface of the fan, and a protective cover that covers and protects the outer surface of the fan motor is provided on the outer surface of the central portion of the fan guard.

  The indoor fans 11 and 12 are attached to attachment plates 24a and 25b provided in the inner ducts 24 and 25, respectively. The inner ducts 24, 25 are partitioned by the mounting plates 24 a, 25 b into a primary side (indoor heat exchanger side) and a secondary side (outlet 22 side) of the indoor fans 11, 12. As shown in FIG. 2, on the secondary side of the inner ducts 24 and 25, the flow path cross section is formed in a substantially square shape. The lateral dimensions of the primary and secondary sides of the inner ducts 24 and 25 are the same. The longitudinal dimensions of the inner ducts 24 and 25 are smaller on the primary side than on the secondary side by providing an inclined plate 34 (FIG. 8) to be described later on the lower surface of the primary side. And the longitudinal direction dimension Lh and the width direction dimension Lw of the secondary side flow-path cross section (blower 22) of the inner ducts 24 and 25 are 1000 mm, respectively. And the diameter D1 of the turbo fan of the indoor fans 11 and 12 is 500 mm. It is most preferable in terms of air blowing efficiency that the secondary side channel shape is square and the diameter D1 of the turbofan is approximately ½ of the channel cross-sectional dimension (Lh, Lw).

  FIG. 11 shows an indoor unit device 6 in which a propeller fan is adopted as the fans of the indoor fans 11 and 12. The secondary side channel cross-sectional dimensions Lh and Lw of the inner ducts 24 and 25 are the same at 1000 mm, but the diameter D2 of the propeller fan is 630 mm. Thus, when using a propeller fan, it is most preferable from the surface of ventilation efficiency that the diameter D2 of a propeller fan shall be about 3/5 of flow-path cross-sectional dimension (Lh, Lw).

  As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the machine chambers 2b and 3b are formed between one side surface of the inner ducts 24 and 25 and the outer side surface (the right side surface in FIG. 3) of the indoor units 2 and 3. . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the machine rooms 2b and 3b are formed so as to communicate with the pair of upper and lower indoor units 2 and 3 in the vertical direction. The refrigerant pipes 13 and the water pipes, and the main control shown in FIG. The board 28, the sub-control board 29, the expansion valves 15 and 16 interposed in the refrigerant pipe 13, and the like are accommodated.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the expansion valves 15 and 16 are disposed on the back side of the indoor units 2 and 3 or in the vicinity thereof, and can be easily accessed and maintained from the back side.

  Further, the main control board 28 shown in FIG. 5 is a control device that integrally controls the operation of the two indoor units 2 and 3, and is disposed, for example, in the machine room 2 b of the upper indoor unit 2. The sub control board 29 is a control device that is disposed in each of the machine chambers 2b and 3b of the indoor units 2 and 3, and controls the opening degree and the like of the expansion valves 15 and 16 according to a command from the control device of the outdoor unit. is there.

  The casing 8 of the lower indoor unit 3 is provided with a pair of left and right prism bases 30a and 30b having a predetermined height (thickness) on the outer surfaces of the bottom left and right ends thereof. The indoor unit device 6 is installed and fixed on a required installation surface via 30b, and a required gap is formed between this installation surface and the outer bottom surface of the lower indoor unit 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the indoor units 2 and 3 are located below the indoor heat exchangers 9 and 10 and the water heat exchangers 26 and 27 and below the inner ducts 24 and 25, respectively. On the downstream side (secondary side) of the indoor heat exchangers 9 and 10, a first drain pan 31 that receives drain generated in the indoor and water heat exchangers 9, 10, 26, and 27 is provided. The first drain pan 31 is provided with a water receiving port 32 communicating on the downstream side of the air flow with respect to the indoor heat exchangers 9 and 10 on the upper surface in FIG. 8, while a drain port 33 is provided below the first drain pan 31. ing. Although the drain port 33 is illustrated in a short tube shape in FIG. 8, it may be a simple drain port. The first drain pan 31 has the upper surface in FIG. 8 having the water receiving port 32 and the height of the drain port 33 on the primary side of the indoor fans 11 and 12 (secondary side of the indoor heat exchangers 9 and 10). Is set to a height that is sufficiently larger than the maximum differential pressure between the static pressure and the indoor static pressure.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent the drain from staying in the inner ducts 24 and 25 due to the static pressure drop by the indoor fans 11 and 12.

  Further, inclined plates 34 are provided on the bottom surfaces of the inner ducts 24 and 25 on the downstream side of the air flow of the indoor heat exchangers 9 and 10. The inclined plate 34 is formed with a required inclination angle that gradually decreases from the indoor fans 11, 12 side toward the indoor heat exchangers 9, 10, and receives the splash of drain from the indoor heat exchangers 9, 10, The water is guided to the water receiving port 32 of the first drain pan 31 and drained.

  As shown in FIG. 9, below the first drain pan 31, there are drains drained from the drain port 33 of the drain pan 31, the indoor heat exchangers 9 and 10, and the water heat exchangers 26 and 27. The second drain pans 35 for receiving the drains are provided. The second drain pan 35 has a drain water receiving side opening larger than the first drain pan 31 and has one end portion (left end portion in FIG. 9) slightly extended to the machine chambers 2b and 3b.

  Further, a third drain pan 36 is provided at the lower part of the machine room 2b of the lower indoor unit 3 to receive the drain dripping from the refrigerant pipes 13 and the like of the machine rooms 2b and 3b and to guide it into the second drain pan 35. Yes.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a short tubular external drain outlet 37 and a short tubular preliminary drain pipe 38 are arranged in parallel on the rear bottom outer surfaces of the machine rooms 2b and 3b of the indoor units 2 and 3, respectively. Yes.

  The external drain drain port portion 37 communicates the inner opening end with the inside of each second drain pan 35, and drains the drain in the second drain pan 35 from the external drain drain port portion 37 to the outside. For example, an external drain drain pipe (not shown) having a deodorizing trap is connected to the external drain drain port 37.

  The preliminary drain pipe 38 is arranged above the external drain drain port 37 and is not normally drained. However, even if the external drain drain port 37 is clogged, the drain in the second drain pan 35 is drained. The air-conditioning operation can be continued. By providing a sensor for detecting water in a connection pipe (not shown) connected to the preliminary drain pipe 38, it is possible to detect clogging of the external drain outlet 37.

  As described above, the top plate 39 is provided at the upper end of the upper indoor unit 2 shown in FIGS. A pair of left and right rope guides 40a and 40b for hooking a transportation rope (not shown) are provided on the upper and lower ends of the top plate 39 in the figure as viewed from the front. These rope guides 40a and 40b are made of, for example, a U-shaped steel, and are attached over almost the entire length from one front side end to the other rear side end of the top plate 39 with the U-shaped opening directed upward in the figure. .

  Therefore, when the heavy indoor unit device 6 is transported, the transporting rope is hung on the pair of left and right rope guides 40a and 40b, so that the rope being transported can be prevented from coming off.

  Moreover, since the rope guides 40a and 40b can reinforce the strength of the housing of the indoor unit device 6, it is possible to prevent or reduce the deformation and distortion of the indoor unit device 6 when the indoor unit device 6 is transported.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the indoor unit device 6 is configured so that the openings including the suction ports 21 and 21 on the back side of the pair of upper and lower indoor units 2 and 3 are almost entirely spaced with a predetermined interval. Each rear panel 41a, 41b made of sheet metal, for example, is configured to be attachable.

  These rear panels 41a and 41b have, for example, a small air-conditioning load, so that when one operation of the indoor units 2 and 3 is stopped or when the operation is stopped due to a failure, the one of the indoor units 2 and 3 is stopped. It is possible to prevent or reduce a short circuit in which the temperature-controlled air blown from the air outlet 22 is sucked into the air inlets 21 and 21 by closing the air inlet 21 by attaching to the rear surface of the air outlet.

  Each of the indoor units 2 and 3 is configured such that a pair of left and right sheet metal side panels 42a and 42b for closing the left and right side openings can be attached to the left and right side surfaces. Even when these side panels 42a and 42b are not attached, the air ducts are secured by the inner ducts 24 and 25 and the air conditioning operation is possible. Therefore, the side panels 42a and 42b need not be attached. In that case, cost reduction and weight reduction can be achieved. . When the side panels 42a and 42b are attached, the appearance can be improved.

  Furthermore, each indoor unit 2, 3 is configured to be able to attach a pair of upper and lower front panels 43 a, 43 b made of sheet metal that closes the front opening to the front side of the machine room 2 b, 3 b. . An operation unit 44 for operating the air conditioning operation is provided on the outer surface of the upper front panel 43a.

In the air conditioner 1 configured as described above, the operation is controlled in the following four operation modes based on the air conditioning load and the cooling water temperature of FC (free cooling).
(1) When the outside air temperature is low and the air conditioning load is small, only the FC is operated, and the refrigeration cycle is stopped. Since FC saves power, it uses FC as much as possible.
(2) When the air conditioning load is larger than the above (1) by a predetermined value, the compressor of the refrigeration cycle is operated with the minimum capacity, and the FC capacity is controlled variably. The FC capacity is controlled by controlling the opening of a two-way valve (not shown) and controlling the rotational speed of a water circulation pump.
(3) Furthermore, when the air conditioning load is larger than the above (2), the FC capacity is fixed to the maximum (for example, the opening of the two-way valve is fully opened (100%)) and the refrigeration cycle is compressed. Variable control of the machine's ability.
(4) When the outside air temperature is high, such as in midsummer, and the hot water of the FC is hot, when the FC is operated, it is not cooled but rather it is heated, and the FC is stopped and only the refrigeration cycle is operated. To do.

  Thus, according to the air conditioner 1, cooperative control of the refrigeration cycle and FC can be performed, and the operation of both systems can be controlled in an integrated manner in accordance with the air conditioning load. it can.

  And according to this air conditioner 1, since the two indoor units 2 and 3 are stacked in a vertical direction and formed in a plurality of stages, the indoor units 2 and 3 are installed rather than side by side. Space can be saved.

  Further, since the liquid side and gas side pipe connection ends 17 and 18 of the refrigeration cycle and the inlet side and outlet side pipe connection ends (not shown) of the FC system are provided on the upper end surface of the upper indoor unit 2, the server By providing the refrigerant system and FC system pipes using the ceiling space in the room or the like, it is possible to save the pipe connection space between the pipe connection ends 17 and 18. As a result, when a plurality of indoor unit devices 6 are installed side by side as shown in FIG. 14, the indoor unit devices 6 can be installed in close contact with each other, and the installation space can be saved. When the indoor unit device 6 is added or replaced, the piping does not get in the way, so that the indoor unit device 6 can be added and removed easily.

  Further, according to the air conditioner 1, since a plurality of indoor units 2 and 3 are connected in parallel to the outdoor units 4 and 5 and are so-called multi-connected, one of the indoor units 2 and 3 is connected. Even if the operation stops due to a failure, etc., the operation can be continued by the other party. For this reason, it is possible to prevent or reduce an information processing device such as an expensive server or communication device from being down due to a temperature rise.

  Furthermore, since the inner ducts 24 and 25 form an air flow path having substantially the same cross section as the horizontal widths of the indoor heat exchangers 9 and 10 and the water heat exchangers 26 and 27, pressure loss can be reduced. That is, the air sucked into the indoor units 2 and 3 from the suction port 21 is widened in the air flow path from the water heat exchangers 26 and 27 and the indoor heat exchangers 9 and 10 to the indoor fans 11 and 12. However, the inner ducts 24 and 25 maintain the width of the cross section of the air flow path substantially the same as the width of the indoor and water heat exchangers 9, 10, 26 and 27. Pressure loss can be reduced. For this reason, the power consumption of the indoor fans 11 and 12 can be saved.

  Further, a water receiving port 32 of the first drain pan 31 that receives the drain generated in the indoor heat exchangers 9 and 10 is provided at the lower part of the inner ducts 24 and 25 on the downstream side of the indoor heat exchangers 9 and 10. The height of the upper surface of the first drain pan 31 having the water port 32 in the figure and the drain port 33 is formed so as to be a negative pressure sufficiently lower than the maximum negative pressure on the primary side of the indoor fans 11 and 12. .

  For this reason, the drain in the first drain pan 31 can be forcibly drained from the drain port 33 into the second drain pan 35 due to the negative pressure difference. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the retention of drain on the inner bottom surfaces of the inner ducts 24 and 25. Further, the drain of the second drain pan 35 can be drained to the outside from the external drain drain port 37. Furthermore, even if this external drain drain port 37 is clogged, it can be drained to the outside by the preliminary drain pipe 38.

  Furthermore, since the inclined plate 34 is provided on the bottom surface of the inner ducts 24 and 25 on the downstream side of the air flow of the indoor heat exchangers 9 and 10, air is passed from the indoor and water heat exchangers 9, 10, 26, and 27. Splash-like drain scattered on the flow is received by the inclined plate 34, and the first drain pan 31 can be guided and drained by the downward inclined surface. This also makes it possible to reduce drainage accumulated on the inner bottom surfaces of the inner ducts 24 and 25.

  And, since free cooling (FC) water heat exchangers 26 and 27 can be added as appropriate, it is possible to install them side by side, compared to the case where an air conditioner using a refrigeration cycle and a water heat exchanger using FC are installed separately. The installation space can be saved and the cost can be reduced.

  FIG. 10 is a plan sectional view showing a modification of the indoor units 2 and 3. In this modification, a diameter-reduced portion 45 that is reduced in diameter to a required diameter is formed at the end of the inner ducts 24, 25 shown in FIG. 3 on the indoor fan 11, 12 side. This is the same configuration as the inner ducts 24 and 25 shown in FIG.

  According to the inner ducts 24 and 25 shown in FIG. 10, flat mounting plates 24a and 25a for attaching the indoor fans 11 and 12 to the inner ducts 24 and 25, and the inner ducts 24 and 25 on the mounting plates 24a and 25a side. Since the reduced diameter portion 45 can smoothly guide the air flow flowing into the corner formed by one end of the indoor fan 11, 12, the flow path resistance can be reduced. For this reason, the power consumption of the indoor fans 11 and 12 can be saved.

  FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a modification of the air conditioner 1. This modification is not a multi-connection in which the indoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 3 shown in FIG. 1 are connected in parallel, but a pair in which the indoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 3 are independently connected to the outdoor units 4 and 5, respectively. One connection is used. In this case, since the indoor units 2 and 3 are not connected in parallel, a branch pipe becomes unnecessary. Also, the outdoor units 4 and 5 are not outdoor units that support multi-connection, and cheaper outdoor units for one-to-one connection can be used.

  According to the air conditioner 1 shown in FIG. 12, further cost reduction can be achieved.

  In the machine rooms 2b and 3b, the case where the indoor units 2 and 3 are formed in a communication space that communicates in the vertical direction is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A partition plate for vertically partitioning the interior of 3b corresponding to the indoor units 2 and 3 is provided, and by providing a through-hole through which the refrigerant pipe 13 and the water pipe and the like penetrate the partition plate, the upper and lower machine chambers 2b and 3b are provided. May be communicated. Further, the required number of these communication holes may be formed by knockout holes.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of another modification of the air conditioner 1. In this modification, the liquid-side and gas-side pipe connecting portions 17 and 18 shown in FIG. 1 are provided on the lower surface of the lowermost indoor unit 3, and the other configuration is the indoor unit device 6 shown in FIG. It is the same composition as. Also in the air conditioner 1 shown in FIG. 13, the cost can be further reduced by saving the installation space.

  As mentioned above, although several embodiment of this invention was described, these embodiment is shown as an example and is not intending limiting the range of this invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the present invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Air conditioner, 2, 3 ... Indoor unit, 2b, 3b ... Machine room, 4, 5 ... Outdoor unit, 9, 10 ... Indoor heat exchanger, 11, 12 ... Indoor fan, 13 ... Refrigerant piping, 17 ... Liquid side pipe connection end, 18 ... Gas side pipe connection end, 24, 25 ... Inner duct (ventilation path), 26, 27 ... Water heat exchanger, 31 ... First drain pan, 32 ... Water inlet, 33 ... Drain port, 34 ... inclined plate, 35 ... second drain pan, 36 ... third drain pan, 37 ... external drain drain port portion, 39 ... top plate, 40a, 40b ... rope guide.

Claims (6)

In an air conditioner having a plurality of indoor units each having a machine room and at least one outdoor unit,
The plurality of indoor units are vertically stacked to form a plurality of stages, the machine rooms of these indoor units communicate with each other in the vertical direction, and the pipe connection end of the indoor unit connected to the pipe of the outdoor unit Is provided above the uppermost indoor unit. Each of the indoor units is provided with a heat exchanger, a fan for blowing air to the indoor unit, an air intake port and an air outlet for communicating with the air blower, and the heat exchangers The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioners are connected in parallel by piping in the machine room. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein each of the indoor units includes a first drain pan that receives drain from the heat exchanger. 4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein each of the indoor units includes a second drain pan that receives drain from the first drain pan and piping in the machine room. 5. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a top plate is provided at an upper end of the uppermost indoor unit, and a rope guide is formed on the top plate for hooking a transport rope. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein when the operation of the indoor unit is stopped, a panel for closing the air suction port can be attached.

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