JP2016523351A - Air conditioning outdoor unit - Google Patents

Abstract

An embodiment of an outdoor unit of an air conditioning system will be described. In some embodiments, the outdoor unit can be configured to have a generally flower-shaped outline. The top panel of the flower-shaped outdoor unit can be configured to have a generally hexagonal shape. The outdoor unit can be configured to have two coil support frames. The two coil support frames may be configured to support two coils generally facing each other. Each coil can be configured to have two coil sections arranged obliquely. A flower-shaped outdoor unit can help create a more evenly distributed air flow along the height of the capacitor coil. When multiple flower-shaped outdoor units are installed next to each other during operation, the flower-shaped outdoor unit provides a space that allows airflow to pass between two adjacent outdoor units. Can be provided.

Description

  Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) systems. More particularly, embodiments disclosed herein relate to outdoor units of air conditioning systems such as variable water flow air conditioning systems and variable refrigerant flow air conditioning systems.

  Air conditioning systems are generally configured to regulate the temperature of the interior space of a building. Some air conditioning systems can be configured to have an outdoor portion and an indoor portion. The outdoor part may be configured to accommodate a compressor, a condenser and / or a fan. The indoor portion is configured to accommodate a fan, an indoor cooling coil and / or a filter. Outdoor units can generally be placed on the roof of a building or on the ground surrounding the building.

  An embodiment of an outdoor unit of an air conditioning system will be described.

  The outdoor unit can be configured to have a generally flower-shaped outline. The housing of the outdoor unit may be configured to have a coil support frame configured to support a coil such as a capacitor coil. In some embodiments, the coils can be configured to generally face each other and spread outward from the lower panel of the outdoor unit to the upper panel.

  In some embodiments, each coil may be configured to have two coil sections that are oblique to each other in the longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, the top panel can be configured to have a hexagonal shape when viewed from above. In some embodiments, the coil sections can be configured such that the coil section of one coil corresponds to two adjacent sides of a hexagonal shape.

  A flower-shaped outdoor unit can help provide a more evenly distributed air flow through the coil. A flower-shaped outdoor unit can also help air flow between adjacent outdoor units when multiple outdoor units are placed next to each other. A flower-shaped outdoor unit can also help reduce the footprint of the outdoor unit.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an outdoor unit that can be connected to various indoor units. It is a side view of embodiment of an outdoor unit. It is an end view of embodiment of an outdoor unit. It is a top view of embodiment of an outdoor unit. It is a perspective view of embodiment of an outdoor unit. It is a top view of other embodiments of an outdoor unit. It is a top view of further another embodiment of an outdoor unit. It is a perspective view of an embodiment which has a plurality of outdoor units. FIG. 2 is a diagram of two different embodiments of an outdoor unit. FIG. 2 is a diagram of two different embodiments of an outdoor unit. It is a figure which shows the result of the numerical fluid dynamics modeling which compared the outdoor unit shown by FIG. 6A and 6B, respectively.

  The air conditioning system is generally configured to regulate the temperature of the indoor space. The air conditioning system can have various configurations. In one configuration, the air conditioning system may be configured to have an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. The outdoor unit can be configured to accommodate a compressor, a condenser, and / or a fan. The outdoor unit can be placed on the roof of the building or on the ground surrounding the building. The fan can be configured to circulate air passing through the condenser to facilitate heat exchange between the condenser and the environment.

  In the following description of exemplary embodiments, each embodiment of an outdoor unit of an air conditioning system is described. In some embodiments, the outdoor unit can be configured to have a generally flower-shaped outer contour that extends from the lower panel to the upper panel. The top panel of the outdoor unit can be configured to have a generally hexagonal shape when viewed from above. The outdoor unit can be configured to have a coil support frame. The coil support frame may be configured to support two coils generally facing each other. Each of the coils can be configured to have two sections that are obliquely arranged with respect to each other. The flower-shaped outdoor unit can help create a more evenly distributed air flow across the coil. When a plurality of flower-shaped outdoor units are arranged next to each other during operation, the flower-shaped outdoor unit can provide a space that allows an air flow to pass between the adjacent outdoor units.

  Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The accompanying drawings illustrate, by way of example, embodiments in which embodiments may be implemented. The dimensions mentioned in the description are exemplary and can take various values. It should be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing figures and embodiments and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the present application.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an air conditioning system that includes an outdoor unit 100 and an indoor unit (s) 150. The outdoor unit 100 typically includes an outdoor unit housing 110, a compressor 120, a coil (s) 130, and a fan (s) 140. Outdoor units are typically configured to compress a refrigerant in a vapor state and cool the compressed refrigerant to a liquid state. The liquid refrigerant then flows into the indoor unit (s) 150.

  The indoor unit (s) 150 can have a variety of configurations. Several configurations are shown in FIG. The indoor unit (s) can be a wall mounted unit 150a, a ceiling mounted unit 150b, and / or a ventilation duct 150c. The indoor unit (s) 150 is configured to facilitate heat exchange between indoor air and refrigerant.

  2A-2D, various views of an embodiment of the outdoor unit 200 are shown. FIG. 2A is a side view. According to the figure, the side view has a generally rectangular shape having a height H1 and a length L1. In one embodiment, the height H1 is about 1550 mm, for example, and the length L1 is about 1380 mm, for example. The outdoor unit 200 has a housing 210. The housing 210 is configured to have a coil support 212, and the coil support 212 is configured to have coil support frames 212L and 212R. The coil support frames 212L and 212R are configured to support one coil 230 (such as a capacitor coil), and the coil 230 is configured to have two coil sections, a first section 230a and a second section 230b. Is done. In some embodiments, the two coil sections, the first section 230a and the second section 230b, are configured to have substantially the same dimensions. The first compartment 230a and the second compartment 230b are in fluid communication with each other so that the refrigerant can flow between the first compartment 230a and the second compartment 230b. The coil 230 generally has a height H3. In one embodiment, the height H3 is about 1300 mm, for example. 2A shows only an image viewed from one side of the unit 200. FIG. The side opposite the side shown may have a configuration similar to that shown in FIG. 2A.

  The housing 210 has a fan guard (s) 213 located on its upper panel (217 shown in FIG. 2B). The housing 210 containing the fan guard (s) 213 has a height H2. In one embodiment, the height H2 is about 1700 mm.

  An end view of the outdoor unit 200 is shown in FIG. 2B. In order to show the interior space of the outdoor unit 200 more clearly, the end panel of the outdoor unit 200 has been removed. The housing 210 of the outdoor unit 200 can be configured to have a coil support 212.

  The housing 210 has a lower panel 215 and an upper panel 217. The lower panel 215 is configured to support several components of the outdoor unit 200, such as a compressor 220 located in the interior space of the outdoor unit 200. Upper panel 217 is configured to support fan guard (s) 213 and fan 240. Viewed from the wife, the lower panel 215 has a width W1, and the upper panel 217 has a width W2. The width W1 is generally smaller than the width W2. In one embodiment, the width W1 is about 800 mm and the width W2 is about 1040 mm.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the coil support 212 and the coil 230 generally extend vertically between the lower panel 215 and the upper panel 217, and in the vertical direction V1 from the lower panel 215 to the upper panel 217, respectively. Spread outward. The vertical direction V <b> 1 is perpendicular to the lower panel 215. These extended coil supports 212 may be provided with support surfaces S1 and S2 that support the coil 230, respectively. The support surfaces S1 and S2 extend from the lower panel 215 to the upper panel 217 in the vertical direction V1 and are inclined outward. The outwardly inclined support surfaces S1 and S2 have angles α1 and α2 with respect to the vertical direction V1. The angles α1 and α2 can be configured to be substantially the same. The angles α1 and α2 can be in the range of about 0-90 degrees. In some embodiments, preferably, the angles α1 and α2 can be between about 4 degrees and about 30 degrees. In one embodiment, the angles α1 and α2 are about 8 degrees. The expanded coil support 212 can help create a larger space between the fan 240 (and / or the fan guard 213) and the coil 230 in the region near the top panel 217 in addition to the coil 230.

  According to the computational fluid dynamics simulation, generally, as the angles α1 and α2 increase, the efficiency of the coil 230 can be improved accordingly. However, when the angles α1 and α2 increase, when a plurality of outdoor units 200 are used, adjacent outdoor units 200 need to be configured further away accordingly (for example configurations of a plurality of outdoor units). (See FIG. 5). In this preferred embodiment, in order to balance the efficiency of the coil 230 and the space between adjacent outdoor units 200 so that the efficiency of the coil 230 can be improved without sacrificing the installation area of the outdoor unit 200. The angles α1 and α2 are configured to be about 4 degrees to about 30 degrees.

  The top panel 217 may have holes (not shown) that generally match the size of the fan guard 213. The fan guard has a width W3. In one embodiment, the width W3 is about 610 mm.

  Referring to FIG. 2C, a top view of the outdoor unit 200 is shown. When viewed from above, the outdoor unit 200 typically has an upper panel 217 having a hexagonal shape. The outdoor unit 200 has two coils 230. The two coils 230 are generally configured to face each other. Each coil 230 is configured to have two sections, such as coil sections 230a and 230b. In the longitudinal direction defined by the length L1, the two coil sections 230a and 230b are generally oblique with respect to each other. In this document, the terms “slanted with respect to each other” and “disposed obliquely” generally refer to the longitudinal direction defined by the length L1, specifically from above. (For example, FIG. 2C) means that two adjacent coil sections (for example, 230a and 230b) are arranged so as to form a certain angle (that is, an angle β described later). The apex of the angle faces in the opposite direction to the internal space of the housing 210.

  As shown in FIG. 2C, the two coils 230 generally face each other. When the two coil sections of each of the two coils 230 (e.g., coil sections 230a and 230b for one of the coils 230) are obliquely arranged, the length L1 of the two opposing coils 230 is relative to the length L1. The vertical distance D2 increases toward the intermediate section of length L1.

  Each section of the coil 230 typically corresponds to one side of the upper contour having a hexagonal shape. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, each coil 230 corresponds to two adjacent sides of the hexagonal top profile. Coil sections 230a and 230b are supported by a support surface provided by coil support frames 212L and 212R of coil support 212. For example, the first compartment 230a and the second compartment 230b are respectively supported by the support surfaces S3 and S4 defined by the coil support frames 212L and 212R, respectively. As illustrated, the first compartment 230a and the second compartment 230b are arranged obliquely with respect to each other. The two support surfaces S3 and S4 form an angle β. The angle β can be in the range of 90-180 degrees. In some embodiments, preferably, the angle β can range from about 120 degrees to about 175 degrees. In one embodiment, angle β is, for example, about 172 degrees.

  According to the computational fluid dynamics simulation, in general, as the angle β decreases, the efficiency of the coil 230 can be improved accordingly. However, as the angle β decreases, when multiple outdoor units 200 are used, adjacent outdoor units 200 need to be configured far apart accordingly (see FIG. 5 for multiple outdoor unit configuration examples). reference). In this preferred embodiment, in order to balance the efficiency of the coil 230 and the space between the adjacent outdoor units 200 so that the efficiency of the coil 230 can be improved without sacrificing the installation area of the outdoor unit 200. In addition, the angle β is configured to be about 120 degrees to about 175 degrees.

  FIG. 2D shows a perspective view of the outdoor unit 200. As shown and as described above, the lower panel 215 is also configured to have a hexagonal shape, which is generally smaller than the hexagonal shaped upper panel 217. . The expanded coil support frame 212, coil 230, and / or hexagonal shaped upper and lower panels 217 and 215 form a flower-like outdoor unit 200 profile. One of the coil support frames 212 may form two coil support surfaces S3 and S4 defined by the support frames 212R and 212L, respectively. The coil support surfaces S3 and S4 are arranged obliquely with respect to each other. Each of the two coil support surfaces S3 and S4 supports one of the sections of the coil 230, eg, the first section 230a or the second section 230b, respectively. The first section 230a and the second section 230b are arranged obliquely with respect to each other. The two coils 230 enclose the interior space of the outdoor unit 200 configured to accommodate, for example, the compressor 220 and / or other components of the outdoor unit 200.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2D, the top panel 217 is configured to accommodate two fans 240. This is exemplary. The top panel can be configured to accommodate more or less than two fans. As shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the top panel 317 can be configured to accommodate three fans 340. In some embodiments, the top panel can be configured to accommodate only one fan.

  It should be understood that the top panel and coil configuration embodiments may be configured to accommodate a varying number of fans.

  The upper panel may be configured to have a shape other than a hexagonal shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the top panel 417 can be configured to have a generally octagonal shape. The coil support frame 412 can be configured to have a transition portion 418 between two diagonally arranged sections 412L and 412R.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in operation, a plurality of flower-shaped outdoor units of similar configuration, such as 500a, 500b, and 500c, can be placed in close proximity to each other. Coils 530a, 530b-1, 530b-2 and 530c are each configured to have two coil sections arranged diagonally, as shown, for example, in FIGS. A space may be provided between adjacent outdoor units, for example, 500a and 500b, due to the diagonally arranged coil sections of adjacent outdoor units, such as, for example, 530a and 530b-1.

  Furthermore, coils 530a, 530b-1, 530b-2 and 530c are inclined outward toward the upper ends of outdoor units 500a, 500b and 500c, respectively. This helps to expand the space between adjacent coils 530a, 530b-1, 530b-2 and 530c, specifically toward the lower ends of the outdoor units 500a, 500b and 500c.

  The coil sections that are obliquely arranged and inclined outward can help to widen the space between adjacent coils. This space can help facilitate the flow of air into the space between adjacent coils, as indicated by arrows a1 and a2. This can help improve the heat exchange efficiency of coils 530a, 530b-1, 530b-2 and 530c.

Experimental Data FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate a computational fluid dynamics modeling process for simulating the velocity of air flow through a coil along the height of an embodiment of outdoor units 600a and 600b. According to the figure, FIG. 6A shows a flower-shaped outdoor unit 600a configured to have a coil 630a that is obliquely arranged and spreads outward. FIG. 6B shows an outdoor unit 600b configured to have coils 630b arranged obliquely. However, the coil 630b does not generally spread outward like the coil 630a of FIG. 6A. The coil 630a of the outdoor unit 600a has a length L6. This length is substantially the same as the length L7 of the coil 630b of the outdoor unit 600b. Outdoor unit 600a has a lower end width W7a. This length is substantially the same as the lower end width W7b of the outdoor unit 600b. The outdoor unit 600a has an upper end width W8a. This length is longer than the upper end width W8b of the outdoor unit 600b. The reason why the width W8a is larger than the width W8b is due to the outwardly expanded coil 630. The components of the outdoor unit 600a and the outdoor unit 600b, such as the fan (s) and the compressor (s), are configured to have similar specifications.

  FIG. 6C shows the simulation air velocities along the height H7a of the outdoor unit 600a and the height H7b of the outdoor unit 600b. Since the coil 630a extends outward, the height H7a is generally shorter than the height H7b. In FIG. 6C, the horizontal axis is the average air velocity (meters per second, m / s). The vertical axis is the height of the evaluation position converted to a percentage of the height H7a or H7b.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, in the outdoor unit 600a, the minimum air velocity near the lower end is about 1 m / s, and the maximum air velocity near the upper end is about 2 m / s. The difference between the minimum air speed and the maximum air speed of the outdoor unit 600a is about 1 m / s. In comparison, the outdoor unit 600b has a minimum air velocity near its lower end of about 1 m / s and a maximum air velocity near its upper end of about 2.5 m / s. The difference between the minimum air speed and the maximum air speed is about 1.5 m / s, which is about 50% larger than the difference (1 m / s) of the outdoor unit 600a. Accordingly, outdoor unit 600a has an air velocity distributed more uniformly along its height H7a than the air velocity along the height H7b of outdoor unit 600b. The air velocity in the vicinity of the upper end of the outdoor unit 600a is lower than the air velocity in the outdoor unit 600b because the coil 630a spreading outwardly is between the fan and the coil near the upper end of the outdoor unit 600a. This can be attributed to the creation of a larger space than the space near the upper end of.

  Any embodiment 1-9 can be combined with any embodiment 10-17.

Aspect 1. A housing for an outdoor unit of an air conditioning system,
A lower panel and an upper panel;
A first coil support frame and a second coil support frame extending between the lower panel and the upper panel and extending vertically outward from the lower panel to the upper panel;
The first and second coil support frames together with the lower panel and the upper panel define two support surfaces, respectively, and the two support surfaces of each of the first and second coil support frames are , Housings that are oblique to each other in the longitudinal direction.
Aspect 2. The housing according to aspect 1, wherein the two support surfaces of each of the first and second coil support frames are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction and form an angle of less than 180 degrees in the longitudinal direction.
Aspect 3. The housing according to any one of aspects 1 and 2, wherein the first coil support frame and the second coil support frame extend outward by 4 to 30 degrees with respect to the vertical direction.
Aspect 4. The housing according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the first and second coil support frames are on both side surfaces of the housing.
Aspect 5 The housing according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the upper panel of the housing has a hexagonal shape.
Aspect 6 A housing according to aspect 5, wherein the two support surfaces of each of the first and second coil support frames occupy two adjacent sides of the hexagonal top panel.
Aspect 7. Aspects 1 to 6, wherein the lower panel of the housing has a hexagonal shape, and each of the first and second coil support frames occupies two sides of the hexagonal lower panel. Housing.
Aspect 8 The housing according to aspects 1-7, wherein the lower panel is configured to support a compressor, and the upper panel is configured to support a fan.
Aspect 9. The housing according to aspects 2 to 8, wherein the angle formed by the two supporting surfaces is 120 to 175 degrees.
Aspect 10 An outdoor unit of an air conditioning system,
A housing having a lower panel, an upper panel, a first coil support frame and a second coil support frame;
A first coil section and a second coil section supported by the first coil support frame;
A third coil section and a fourth coil section supported by the second coil support frame;
The first coil section and the second coil section are inclined with respect to each other in the longitudinal direction, and the third coil section and the fourth coil section are inclined with respect to each other in the longitudinal direction. An outdoor unit of an air conditioning system, wherein the first and second coil support frames extend vertically outward from the lower panel to the upper panel.
Aspect 11 The aspect 10 wherein the first coil section and the second coil section are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction, and the third coil section and the fourth coil section are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction. Outdoor unit of air conditioning system.
Aspect 12 The air conditioning according to aspects 10 to 11, wherein the first coil section and the second coil section, and the third coil section and the fourth coil section form an angle smaller than 180 degrees in the longitudinal direction. System outdoor unit.
Aspect 13 Aspects 10-12 wherein the upper panel of the housing has a hexagonal shape, and the first and second coil support frames each correspond to two adjacent sides of the hexagonal upper panel. Outdoor unit of air conditioning system.
Aspect 14. The air conditioning according to aspects 10 to 13, wherein the lower panel of the housing has a hexagonal shape, and the first and second coil support frames respectively correspond to two sides of the hexagonal lower panel. System outdoor unit.
Aspect 15 The outdoor unit of the air conditioning system according to aspects 10 to 14, wherein the lower panel is configured to support a compressor, and the upper panel is configured to support a fan.
Aspect 16. The outdoor unit of the air conditioning system according to aspects 12 to 16, wherein the angle formed by the first coil section and the second coil section is 120 to 175 degrees.
Aspect 17 The outdoor unit of an air conditioning system according to any one of aspects 10 to 16, wherein the first and second coil support frames extend outward by 4 to 30 degrees with respect to the vertical direction.

  With regard to the above description, it should be understood that changes may be made in details, particularly in terms of the materials used and the shape, size and placement of the parts, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The specification and illustrated embodiments are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the invention is intended to be indicated by the broad meaning of the claims. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Outdoor unit 110 Outdoor unit housing 120 Compressor 130 Coil 140 Fan 150 Indoor unit 150a Wall mounting unit 150b Ceiling mounting unit 150c Ventilation duct 200 Outdoor unit 210 Housing 212 Coil support 212L Coil support frame 212R Coil support frame 213 Fan guard 215 Lower panel 217 Upper panel 220 Compressor 230 Coil 230a First coil section 230b Second coil section 240 Fan 317 Upper panel 340 Fan 412 Coil support frame 412L Diagonally arranged section 412R Diagonally arranged section 417 Upper panel 418 Transition portion 500a Outdoor unit 500b Outdoor unit 500c Outdoor unit 530a Coil 530b-1 Coil 530b-2 Coil 530c Coil 600a Outdoor unit 600b Outdoor unit 630a Coil 630b Coil

Claims (17)

A housing for an outdoor unit of an air conditioning system,
A lower panel and an upper panel;
A first coil support frame and a second coil support frame extending between the lower panel and the upper panel and extending vertically outward from the lower panel to the upper panel;
The first coil support frame and the second coil support frame, together with the lower panel and the upper panel, define two support surfaces, respectively, the first coil support frame and the second coil support frame. A housing, wherein the two support surfaces of each of the frames are oblique to each other in the longitudinal direction.   The housing of claim 1, wherein the two support surfaces of each of the first and second coil support frames are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction and form an angle of less than 180 degrees in the longitudinal direction.   The housing of claim 1, wherein the first coil support frame and the second coil support frame extend outward by 4 to 30 degrees with respect to the vertical direction.   The housing of claim 1, wherein the first coil support frame and the second coil support frame are on opposite sides of the housing.   The housing of claim 1, wherein the upper panel of the housing has a hexagonal shape.   6. The two support surfaces of each of the first coil support frame and the second coil support frame occupy two adjacent sides of the upper panel that is in the shape of the hexagon. The housing described.   The lower panel of the housing has a hexagonal shape, and the first coil support frame and the second coil support frame each occupy two sides of the lower panel having the hexagonal shape. The housing according to claim 1.   The housing of claim 1, wherein the lower panel is configured to support a compressor and the upper panel is configured to support a fan.   The housing of claim 2, wherein the angle formed by the two support surfaces is between 120 degrees and 175 degrees. An outdoor unit of an air conditioning system,
A housing having a lower panel, an upper panel, a first coil support frame and a second coil support frame;
A first coil section and a second coil section supported by the first coil support frame;
A third coil section and a fourth coil section supported by the second coil support frame;
The first coil section and the second coil section are inclined with respect to each other in the longitudinal direction, and the third coil section and the fourth coil section are inclined with respect to each other in the longitudinal direction. An outdoor unit of an air conditioning system, wherein the first coil support frame and the second coil support frame extend vertically outward from the lower panel to the upper panel.   The first coil section and the second coil section are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction, and the third coil section and the fourth coil section are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction. Outdoor unit of the air conditioning system described.   The air conditioning system according to claim 10, wherein the first coil section and the second coil section, and the third coil section and the fourth coil section form an angle smaller than 180 degrees in the longitudinal direction. Outdoor unit.   The upper panel of the housing has a hexagonal shape, and the first coil support frame and the second coil support frame each correspond to two adjacent sides of the hexagonal top panel. Item 11. The outdoor unit of the air conditioning system according to Item 10.   The lower panel of the housing has a hexagonal shape, and the first coil support frame and the second coil support frame respectively correspond to two sides of the hexagonal lower panel. Outdoor unit of air conditioning system as described in   The outdoor unit of an air conditioning system according to claim 10, wherein the lower panel is configured to support a compressor, and the upper panel is configured to support a fan.   The outdoor unit of the air conditioning system according to claim 12, wherein the angle formed by the first coil section and the second coil section is 120 to 175 degrees. The outdoor unit of an air conditioning system according to claim 10, wherein the first coil support frame and the second coil support frame spread outward by 4 to 30 degrees with respect to the vertical direction.

Images