JP6818905B2 - Refrigeration cycle equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigeration cycle device that suppresses a decrease in operating efficiency due to unnecessary defrosting operation.

In the refrigeration cycle device, when frost adheres to the heat exchanger that functions as an evaporator, the heat exchange capacity of the heat exchanger is reduced. For this reason, the refrigeration cycle device performs a defrosting operation to melt the frost adhering to the evaporator when a specified amount or more of frost adheres to the evaporator, for example, by flowing a high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the evaporator. There is a need to do. Conventionally, the refrigeration cycle device predicts the amount of frost on the evaporator based on the detection values of the temperature sensor attached to the evaporator and the temperature sensor that detects the outside air temperature, and starts the defrosting operation. ..

However, in the case of the configuration in which the defrosting operation is started based on the detection value of the temperature sensor as described above, the defrosting operation may be started even though the evaporator is not actually frosted. Therefore, there is a problem that the operating efficiency of the refrigeration cycle device is lowered.

Therefore, a conventional refrigeration cycle device provided with a sensor capable of directly detecting frost adhering to the evaporator has also been proposed (see Patent Document 1). Specifically, the evaporator of the refrigeration cycle apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a sensor provided on a side plate so as to be separated from the fin by a specified distance. This sensor has an electrode portion and has a structure in which the resistance value decreases when frost touches the electrode. The evaporator of the refrigeration cycle apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which when frost touches the electrode portion and the resistance value of the sensor becomes small, the evaporator is regarded as having a predetermined amount or more of frost and the defrosting operation is started. It has become.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-74546

The evaporator of the refrigeration cycle apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a sensor capable of directly detecting frost adhering to the evaporator, thereby suppressing a decrease in operating efficiency due to unnecessary defrosting operation. However, the fins of the heat exchanger are often deformed during assembly and transportation of the heat exchanger. Therefore, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when the peripheral portion of the sensor in the fin is deformed to the sensor side, the electrode portion of the sensor is located even though the amount of frost on the evaporator is smaller than the specified amount. The frost touches the surface and the defrosting operation is started. Therefore, the refrigeration cycle apparatus described in Patent Document 1 still has a problem that it cannot sufficiently suppress a decrease in operating efficiency due to unnecessary defrosting operation.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a refrigeration cycle apparatus capable of suppressing a decrease in operating efficiency due to unnecessary defrosting operation as compared with the conventional case.

The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the present invention is provided so as to face a plurality of fins arranged laterally at a predetermined interval and a first fin which is the outermost fin among the plurality of fins. A heat exchanger that has a side plate and functions as an evaporator, a sensor that is provided on the side plate at a specified distance from the first fin and directly detects frost adhering to the first fin. A fin deformation regulating member provided between the side plate and the first fin, fixed to the side plate, and restricting the portion of the first fin facing the sensor from deforming toward the sensor. It has.

The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the present invention can directly detect frost adhering to a heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator by a sensor. Therefore, the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the present invention can prevent the defrosting operation from being started even though the evaporator is not actually frosted. Here, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the present invention, the fin deformation regulating member regulates that the portion of the first fin facing the sensor is deformed toward the sensor side. Therefore, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the present invention, even though the amount of frost on the heat exchanger functioning as the evaporator is less than the specified amount, the sensor is touched by frost and the defrosting operation is started. It can also be suppressed. Therefore, the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the present invention can suppress a decrease in operating efficiency due to unnecessary defrosting operation as compared with the conventional case.

It is a refrigerant circuit diagram which shows an example of the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the outdoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the outdoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged view of the main part of the outdoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged view of the main part of the outdoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the surface which faces the fin in the sensor provided in the outdoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the defrosting operation of the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the fin deformation regulation member which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows another example of the fin deformation regulation member which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, an example of the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the case where the refrigeration cycle device according to the present invention is used as an air conditioner is taken as an example, in other words, the case where the heat exchanger according to the present invention is used as an outdoor heat exchanger is taken as an example. An example of the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

Embodiment.
FIG. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram showing an example of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the flow of the refrigerant during the cooling operation is indicated by a broken line arrow, and the flow of the refrigerant during the heating operation is indicated by a solid line arrow. First, the schematic configuration of the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 includes a compressor 2, an indoor heat exchanger 3, an indoor fan 6, an expansion device 4, an outdoor heat exchanger 10, and an outdoor fan 7. The compressor 2, the indoor heat exchanger 3, the expansion device 4, and the outdoor heat exchanger 10 are connected by a refrigerant pipe to form a refrigerant circuit.

The compressor 2 compresses the refrigerant. The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 2 is discharged and sent to the indoor heat exchanger 3. The compressor 2 can be composed of, for example, a rotary compressor, a scroll compressor, a screw compressor, a reciprocating compressor, or the like.

The indoor heat exchanger 3 functions as a condenser during the heating operation. The indoor heat exchanger 3 includes, for example, a fin-and-tube heat exchanger, a microchannel heat exchanger, a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, a heat pipe heat exchanger, a double-tube heat exchanger, or a plate heat exchanger. It can be composed of vessels and the like.

The expansion device 4 expands the refrigerant flowing out of the indoor heat exchanger 3 to reduce the pressure. The expansion device 4 may be composed of, for example, an electric expansion valve whose flow rate of the refrigerant can be adjusted. As the expansion device 4, not only an electric expansion valve but also a mechanical expansion valve using a diaphragm as a pressure receiving portion, a capillary tube, or the like can be applied.

The outdoor heat exchanger 10 functions as an evaporator during the heating operation. In the present embodiment, the outdoor heat exchanger 10 is composed of fin-and-tube heat exchangers. As will be described later, the outdoor heat exchanger 10 is housed in the housing 110 of the outdoor unit 100. Further, the outdoor heat exchanger 10 is provided with a sensor 20 and a temperature sensor 30. The sensor 20 is a sensor whose resistance value changes when frost adheres to it. The sensor 20 is electrically connected to the control device 50. Then, the control device 50 uses the resistance value of the sensor 20 to determine the start of the defrosting operation for removing the frost adhering to the outdoor heat exchanger 10. Further, the temperature sensor 30 is a sensor provided in the heat transfer tube 13 of the outdoor heat exchanger 10 as described later and detects the temperature of the heat transfer tube 13. In other words, the temperature sensor 30 is a sensor that indirectly detects the temperature of the refrigerant flowing in the heat transfer tube 13. The temperature sensor 30 is electrically connected to the control device 50. Then, the control device 50 uses the detection value of the temperature sensor 30 for determining the end of the defrosting operation.

The indoor fan 6 is provided in the vicinity of the indoor heat exchanger 3 and supplies indoor air, which is a heat exchange fluid, to the indoor heat exchanger 3.
The outdoor fan 7 is provided in the vicinity of the outdoor heat exchanger 10 and supplies outdoor air, which is a heat exchange fluid, to the outdoor heat exchanger 10.

Further, the air conditioner 1 is provided with a flow path switching device 5 provided on the discharge side of the compressor 2 in order to enable a cooling operation in addition to the heating operation. The flow path switching device 5 is, for example, a four-way valve or the like. The flow path switching device 5 switches the connection destination of the discharge port of the compressor 2 to the indoor heat exchanger 3 or the outdoor heat exchanger 10. That is, the flow path switching device 5 switches the flow of the refrigerant between the heating operation and the cooling operation. Specifically, the flow path switching device 5 switches so as to connect the discharge port of the compressor 2 and the indoor heat exchanger 3 and connect the suction port of the compressor 2 and the outdoor heat exchanger 10 during the heating operation. Be done. Further, the flow path switching device 5 is switched so as to connect the discharge port of the compressor 2 and the outdoor heat exchanger 10 and connect the suction port of the compressor 2 and the indoor heat exchanger 3 during the cooling operation. .. That is, during the cooling operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 10 functions as a condenser, and the indoor heat exchanger 3 functions as an evaporator.

Here, the outdoor heat exchanger 10 functions as an evaporator during the heating operation in a low outside air temperature state. Therefore, during the heating operation, moisture in the air may frost on the outdoor heat exchanger 10. For this reason, in an air conditioner or the like capable of a heating operation, a defrosting operation for removing frost adhering to the outdoor heat exchanger during the heating operation is usually performed.

In the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment, when the defrosting operation is started, the flow path of the flow path switching device 5 is switched to the flow path during the cooling operation. As a result, the flow path between the discharge port of the compressor 2 and the outdoor heat exchanger 10 is opened, and the high-temperature refrigerant is supplied from the compressor 2 to the outdoor heat exchanger 10. Then, the frost adhering to the outdoor heat exchanger 10 is melted by the high temperature refrigerant supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 10. The configuration for supplying the high-temperature refrigerant from the compressor 2 to the outdoor heat exchanger 10 is not limited to this configuration. For example, using a bypass refrigerant pipe that connects the discharge port of the compressor 2 and the outdoor heat exchanger 10 and an opening / closing device that opens and closes the flow path of the bypass refrigerant pipe, the compressor 2 sends the outdoor heat exchanger 10 to a high temperature. A defrosting operation for supplying a refrigerant is also conventionally known. Of course, a high-temperature refrigerant may be supplied from the compressor 2 to the outdoor heat exchanger 10 by using such a bypass pipe and a switchgear.

Further, the air conditioner 1 includes each configuration of the air conditioner 1 (frequency of compressor 2, opening degree of expansion device 4, flow path of flow path switching device 5, rotation speed of indoor fan 6, rotation of outdoor fan 7). A control device 50 for controlling (number, etc.) is provided. As will be described later, the control device 50 also controls the defrosting operation of the outdoor heat exchanger 10.

The control device 50 is composed of dedicated hardware or a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a program stored in a memory. The CPU is also referred to as a central processing unit, a processing unit, an arithmetic unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a processor.

When the control device 50 is dedicated hardware, the control device 50 may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field-programmable gate array), or a combination thereof. Applicable. Each of the functional units realized by the control device 50 may be realized by individual hardware, or each functional unit may be realized by one hardware.

When the control device 50 is a CPU, each function executed by the control device 50 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. Software and firmware are written as programs and stored in memory. The CPU realizes each function of the control device 50 by reading and executing a program stored in the memory. Here, the memory is a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM.

Some of the functions of the control device 50 may be realized by dedicated hardware, and some may be realized by software or firmware. In the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment, as will be described later, a part of the control device 50 is configured as a control board 55, and the control board 55 is housed in the outdoor unit 100.

The control device 50 according to the present embodiment includes a determination unit 51, a control unit 52, and a storage unit 53 as functional units.

The determination unit 51 is a function unit that determines whether or not to start the defrosting operation during the heating operation. The determination unit 51 determines that the defrosting operation is started when the resistance value R of the sensor 20 becomes equal to or less than the threshold value Ra. In addition, the determination unit 51 also determines whether or not to end the defrosting operation during the defrosting operation. The method for determining whether or not the determination unit 51 ends the defrosting operation is not particularly limited, and a known method may be used. For example, when the air conditioner 1 is provided with the temperature sensor 30 as in the present embodiment, the determination unit 51 ends the defrosting operation when the detection value T of the temperature sensor 30 becomes the threshold value Ta or more. You may judge. In other words, the determination unit 51 may end the defrosting operation when the temperature of the heat transfer tube 13 of the outdoor heat exchanger 10 becomes equal to or higher than the threshold value Ta. Further, for example, the determination unit 51 may determine that the defrosting operation is completed when the defrosting operation time exceeds the specified time. In this case, the temperature sensor 30 does not need to be provided in the air conditioner 1.

The control unit 52 operates and stops the compressor 2, the operating frequency of the compressor 2, and the expansion device 4 based on the detected values of the sensors of the air conditioner 1, a command from a remote controller (not shown), and the like. Opening / closing, opening degree when the expansion device 4 is opened, flow path of the flow path switching device 5, operation and stop of the indoor fan 6, rotation speed when the indoor fan 6 is operating, operation and stop of the outdoor fan 7, outdoor fan It controls the number of rotations and the like during operation of 7.

The storage unit 53 stores a comparison value used for comparison with the detected values of the sensors of the air conditioner 1, information necessary for operating the air conditioner 1, and the like. That is, the above-mentioned threshold value Ra and threshold value Ta are stored in the storage unit 53.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The outdoor unit 100 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 110. The inside of the housing 110 is divided into a blower room 101 and an electrical component room 102. The outdoor heat exchanger 10 and the outdoor fan 7 are housed in the blower room 101. Further, the electrical component room 102 houses a control board 55 that forms a part of the control device 50.

Specifically, a suction port, which is an opening, is formed on the side surface of the housing 110. The suction port is formed at a position communicating with the blower chamber 101. The outdoor heat exchanger 10 is housed in the blower chamber 101 facing the suction port. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the housing 110 is formed with two suction ports 111 and 112 as suction ports. The suction port 111 and the suction port 112 are formed on adjacent side surface portions. Therefore, the outdoor heat exchanger 10 according to the present embodiment is formed in a substantially L-shape in a plan view. In addition, an outlet 113, which is an opening, is also formed on the side surface of the housing 110. The air outlet 113 is formed at a position communicating with the blower chamber 101. The outdoor fan 7 is housed in the blower room 101 facing the air outlet 113. That is, when the outdoor fan 7 rotates in the housing 110, the outdoor air that exchanges heat with the outdoor heat exchanger 10 is sucked into the housing 110 from the suction port 111 and the suction port 112. Further, the outdoor air that has exchanged heat with the outdoor heat exchanger 10 is blown out from the outlet 113 to the outside of the housing 110.

As described above, the outdoor heat exchanger 10 is provided with a sensor 20 and a temperature sensor 30. The sensor 20 and the temperature sensor 30 are electrically connected to the control board 55 housed in the electrical component room 102.

4 and 5 are enlarged views of a main part of the outdoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a surface facing the fins in the sensor provided in the outdoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, FIGS. 4 and 5 are views of the outdoor heat exchanger 10 where the portion arranged in the portion A of FIG. 2 is observed from the suction port 111 side. Further, FIG. 4 shows a state in which the frost 200 does not adhere to the outdoor heat exchanger 10. FIG. 5 shows a state in which frost 200 is attached to the outdoor heat exchanger 10. Note that FIGS. 4 and 5 also show a top panel 114 that constitutes a top surface portion of the housing 110. Further, FIG. 6 shows the surface of the sensor 20 facing the fin 11. Further, FIG. 6A shows a state in which the frost 200 is not attached to the sensor 20. FIG. 6B shows a state in which frost 200 is attached to the sensor 20.

The outdoor heat exchanger 10 includes a plurality of fins 11 arranged in the lateral direction at predetermined intervals. In the following, among the plurality of fins 11, the outermost fin 11 in the parallel arrangement direction of these fins 11 will be referred to as a first fin 11a. When the first fin 11a is defined in this way, the outdoor heat exchanger 10 includes a side plate 12 provided so as to face the first fin 11a. Further, the outdoor heat exchanger 10 also includes a heat transfer tube 13 penetrating each of the fins 11 in the parallel direction of the fins 11. The heat transfer tube 13 is provided with a temperature sensor 30.

As described above, the outdoor heat exchanger 10 is provided with the sensor 20. The sensor 20 is provided on the side plate 12 at a predetermined distance from the first fin 11a. In the present embodiment, the surface of the sensor 20 facing the first fin 11a is separated from the first fin 11a by several mm. A positive electrode 21 and a negative electrode 22 are provided as electrode portions on the surface of the sensor 20 facing the first fin 11a. The positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 have, for example, a comb shape.

As shown in FIG. 6A, when the frost 200 does not adhere to the surface of the sensor 20 facing the first fin 11a, there is no conduction between the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22. Therefore, the resistance value between the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 becomes infinite. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the frost 200 adheres so as to straddle the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22, the frost 200 conducts electricity between the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22. Therefore, when the frost 200 adheres so as to straddle the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22, the resistance value between the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 is the frost 200 on the surface of the sensor 20 facing the first fin 11a. Will be reduced compared to the state where frost is not attached.

Here, compared to the case where the individual frost 200 adheres to the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22, the case where the water 201 in which the frost 200 is melted adheres to the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 is the case where the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 It becomes easy to conduct between the negative electrodes 22. In other words, compared to the case where the individual frost 200 adheres to the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22, the case where the water 201 in which the frost 200 is melted adheres to the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 is the positive electrode 21. The resistance value between the negative electrodes 22 tends to decrease. Therefore, the sensor 20 according to the present embodiment includes a heater for heating the sensor 20. Therefore, when the frost 200 adheres to the surface of the sensor 20 facing the first fin 11a, the frost 200 melts to become water 201, and the water 201 adheres to the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22. As a result, it is possible to more reliably detect that the frost 200 has adhered to the surface of the sensor 20 facing the first fin 11a.

The sensor 20 may have a configuration that can directly detect the frost adhering to the first fin 11a, and is not limited to a configuration in which the resistance value decreases due to the adhesion of the frost. The sensor 20 may have a configuration capable of detecting moisture, for example.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the defrosting operation of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.
When the control unit 52 starts the heating operation in step S1, the determination unit 51 compares the resistance value R of the sensor 20 with the threshold value Ra stored in the storage unit 53 in step S2. As shown by "No" in step S2, when the resistance value R of the sensor 20 is larger than the threshold value Ra, the determination unit 51 determines that the defrosting operation is not started. Further, as shown by "Yes" in step S2, when the resistance value R of the sensor 20 is equal to or less than the threshold value Ra, the determination unit 51 determines that the defrosting operation is started.

When it is determined in step S2 that the defrosting operation is started, in step S3, the control unit 52 switches the flow path of the flow path switching device 5 to the flow path during the cooling operation, and starts the defrosting operation. As a result, the high-temperature refrigerant is supplied from the compressor 2 to the outdoor heat exchanger 10. Then, the frost adhering to the outdoor heat exchanger 10 is melted by the high temperature refrigerant supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 10. After step S3, in step S4, the determination unit 51 compares the detected value T of the temperature sensor 30 with the threshold value Ta stored in the storage unit 53. As shown by "No" in step S4, when the detection value T of the temperature sensor 30 is smaller than the threshold value Ta, the determination unit 51 determines that the defrosting operation is not completed. Further, as shown by "Yes" in step S4, when the detection value T of the temperature sensor 30 is equal to or higher than the threshold value Ta, the determination unit 51 determines that the defrosting operation is completed.

When it is determined in step S4 that the defrosting operation is completed, in step S5, the control unit 52 switches the flow path of the flow path switching device 5 to the flow path during the heating operation, and restarts the heating operation. After that, the process returns to step S2. The steps from step S2 to step S5 described above are repeated until the heating operation is completed.

In this way, by directly detecting the frost 200 adhering to the outdoor heat exchanger 10 that functions as an evaporator by the sensor 20, even though the frost 200 is not actually adhering to the outdoor heat exchanger 10, it is removed. It is possible to suppress the start of the frost operation and prevent the operation efficiency of the air conditioner 1 from being lowered.

Here, the fins of the heat exchanger are often deformed during assembly and transportation of the heat exchanger. Therefore, in the outdoor heat exchanger 10 according to the present embodiment, when the peripheral portion of the sensor 20 in the first fin 11a is deformed to the sensor 20 side, the amount of frost on the outdoor heat exchanger 10 is small. Instead, the frost 200 touches the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 of the sensor 20, and the defrosting operation is started. That is, the operation efficiency of the air conditioner 1 is lowered due to the useless defrosting operation. Therefore, the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment includes a fin deformation regulating member 60 that regulates the portion of the first fin 11a facing the sensor 20 from being deformed toward the sensor 20.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a fin deformation regulating member according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a view of the fin deformation regulating member 60 observed from the suction port 111 side. Hereinafter, the details of the fin deformation regulating member 60 will be described with reference to FIG. 8 and FIGS. 4 and 5 described above.

The fin deformation regulating member 60 includes a main body portion 61 provided between the side plate 12 and the first fin 11a. The main body 61 is fixed to the side plate 12. Further, the main body 61 is provided so as to surround the periphery of the sensor 20 in order to prevent the portion of the first fin 11a facing the sensor 20 from being deformed toward the sensor 20. Further, the length of the first fin 11a and the side plate 12 in the main body 61 in the parallel direction is the same as the distance between the first fin 11a and the side plate 12, or the distance between the first fin 11a and the side plate 12 is the same. It is slightly shorter than the distance between them. The length of the first fin 11a and the side plate 12 in the parallel direction is the length in the lateral direction in FIGS. 4 and 5.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, the main body portion 61 includes two plate members 62 and two connecting members 63. One of the plate members 62 is arranged above the sensor 20. The other side of the plate member 62 is arranged below the sensor 20. The plate member 62 of 2 is connected by two connecting members 63. The configuration of the main body 61 is not limited to the configuration of FIG. For example, each of the plate members 62 may be a plurality of columnar members. Further, for example, the number of connecting members 63 may be changed. That is, the configuration of the main body 61 is arbitrary as long as it can be regulated that the portion of the first fin 11a facing the sensor 20 is deformed toward the sensor 20.

By providing the main body 61 between the side plate 12 and the first fin 11a, when the portion of the first fin 11a facing the sensor 20 tries to be deformed toward the sensor 20, it comes into contact with the main body 61. As a result, it is possible to regulate that the portion of the first fin 11a facing the sensor 20 is deformed toward the sensor 20. Therefore, even though the amount of frost on the outdoor heat exchanger 10 is small, it is possible to prevent the frost 200 from coming into contact with the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 of the sensor 20 and starting the defrosting operation. That is, it is possible to prevent the operating efficiency of the air conditioner 1 from being lowered due to the useless defrosting operation.

By the way, it is conceivable that the peripheral portion of the sensor 20 in the first fin 11a is deformed to the side opposite to the sensor 20. When the first fin 11a is deformed in this way, the frost 200 does not come into contact with the positive electrode 21 and the negative electrode 22 of the sensor 20, despite the large amount of frost adhering to the outdoor heat exchanger 10. In other words, even though the amount of frost formed on the outdoor heat exchanger 10 is the amount at which the defrosting operation should be started, the defrosting operation is not started. Therefore, when the first fin 11a is deformed in this way, the start of the defrosting operation is delayed, and the heat exchange capacity of the outdoor heat exchanger 10 during the heating operation is lowered.

However, the fin deformation regulating member 60 according to the present embodiment includes a claw 64 that sandwiches the first fin 11a. Since the main body 61 is fixed to the side plate 12 and the claw 64 sandwiches the first fin 11a, the peripheral portion of the sensor 20 in the first fin 11a is subjected to a load that deforms to the side opposite to the sensor 20. However, it cannot be deformed to the opposite side of the sensor 20. Therefore, the fin deformation regulating member 60 according to the present embodiment can also regulate that the peripheral portion of the sensor 20 in the first fin 11a is deformed to the side opposite to the sensor 20. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the heat exchange capacity of the outdoor heat exchanger 10 from being lowered during the heating operation.

As described above, the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment includes an outdoor heat exchanger 10 that functions as an evaporator. The outdoor heat exchanger 10 faces a plurality of fins 11 arranged laterally at a predetermined interval and a first fin 11a which is the outermost fin 11 among the plurality of fins 11. It has a side plate 12 provided in the above. Further, the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment is provided on the side plate 12 at a predetermined distance from the first fin 11a, and includes a sensor 20 that directly detects the frost 200 adhering to the first fin 11a. Further, the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment is provided between the side plate 12 and the first fin 11a and fixed to the side plate 12, and the portion of the first fin 11a facing the sensor 20 is the sensor 20. A fin deformation regulating member 60 for restricting deformation to the side is provided.

The air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment regulates that the portion of the first fin 11a facing the sensor 20 is deformed toward the sensor 20. Therefore, in the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment, although the amount of frost on the outdoor heat exchanger 10 is less than the specified amount, the frost 200 touches the sensor 20 and starts the defrosting operation. It can be suppressed. Therefore, the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment can suppress a decrease in operating efficiency due to unnecessary defrosting operation as compared with the conventional case.

As described above, the sensor 20 according to the present embodiment includes a heater for heating the sensor 20. When the sensor 20 has a heater in this way, the heat of the heater may be transferred to the first fin 11a via the fin deformation regulating member 60. When the heat of the heater is transferred to the first fin 11a, the heat exchange performance of the outdoor heat exchanger 10 deteriorates by the amount of heat generated by the heater during the heating operation. Therefore, when the sensor 20 has a heater, the thermal conductivity of the fin deformation regulating member 60 is preferably small. Here, as a result of diligent studies by the inventors based on thermal conductivity, moldability, cost, etc., it was found that it is preferable to form the fin deformation regulating member 60 from plastic. Therefore, the fin deformation regulating member 60 is preferably 0.3 W / mK or less. For example, the fin deformation regulating member 60 is preferably made of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene or the like.

Further, the fin deformation regulating member 60 may be configured as follows in consideration of the case where the outdoor unit 100 is installed in an environment where water easily enters the outdoor unit 100, such as a place where it is easily exposed to rain. ..

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing another example of the fin deformation regulating member according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a view of the fin deformation regulating member 60 observed from the suction port 111 side.
The fin deformation regulating member 60 shown in FIG. 9 includes a shielding portion 65 arranged between the suction port 111 and the sensor 20. In other words, the shielding portion 65 shields between the suction port 111 and the sensor 20. The shielding portion 65 is, for example, a plate member that covers the opening on the suction port 111 side of the main body portion 61. Since the fin deformation regulating member 60 includes the shielding portion 65, even when moisture such as rain enters the outdoor unit 100, it is possible to prevent the moisture from adhering to the sensor 20. Therefore, when the fin deformation regulating member 60 includes the shielding portion 65, it is possible to prevent erroneous recognition that the moisture such as rain adhering to the sensor 20 is frost 200, and the defrosting operation is erroneously started. Can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the present invention has been described by taking as an example an air conditioner 1 using the heat exchanger according to the present invention as the outdoor heat exchanger 10. However, the refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the air conditioner. For example, the present invention can be applied to various refrigeration cycle devices having a heat exchanger that functions as an evaporator, such as a hot water storage device and a refrigerator.

1 Air conditioner, 2 Compressor, 3 Indoor heat exchanger, 4 Expansion device, 5 Flow path switching device, 6 Indoor fan, 7 Outdoor fan, 10 Outdoor heat exchanger, 11 fin, 11a 1st fin, 12 Side plate , 13 heat transfer tube, 20 sensor, 21 plus electrode, 22 minus electrode, 30 temperature sensor, 50 control device, 51 judgment unit, 52 control unit, 53 storage unit, 55 control board, 60 fin deformation control member, 61 main body, 62 Plate member, 63 Connection member, 64 Claws, 65 Shielding part, 100 Outdoor unit, 101 Blower room, 102 Electrical section, 110 Housing, 111 Suction port, 112 Suction port, 113 Air outlet, 114 Top panel, 200 Frost , 201 water.

Claims (5)

It has a plurality of fins arranged at a predetermined interval in the lateral direction, and a side plate provided so as to face the first fin, which is the outermost fin among the plurality of fins. A heat exchanger that functions as an evaporator and
A sensor provided on the side plate at a specified distance from the first fin and directly detecting frost adhering to the first fin.
A fin deformation regulating member provided between the side plate and the first fin, fixed to the side plate, and restricting deformation of the portion of the first fin facing the sensor to the sensor side.
Refrigeration cycle device equipped with. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fin deformation regulating member includes a claw that sandwiches the first fin. The sensor comprises a heater that heats the sensor.
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fin deformation regulating member has a thermal conductivity of 0.3 W / mK or less. With a housing with an opening
The heat exchanger is housed in the housing so as to face the opening.
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fin deformation regulating member includes a shielding portion arranged between the opening and the sensor. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sensor is a sensor whose resistance value decreases when frost adhering to the first fin adheres.

Images