WO2024053322A1

WO2024053322A1 - Air conditioner

Info

Publication number: WO2024053322A1
Application number: PCT/JP2023/028995
Authority: WO
Inventors: 慶大寄; 司中居
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2022-09-05
Filing date: 2023-08-08
Publication date: 2024-03-14
Also published as: JP2024036117A

Abstract

This air conditioner has: a cross-flow fan (14); a heat exchanger that extends from the rear of the cross-flow fan (14) toward the front thereof so as to cover the cross-flow fan (14); a flow path formation member (18b) that is provided with a first surface (18u) demarcating a flow path for air that has passed through the heat exchanger; a first drain pan that is disposed below the front end of the heat exchanger; a second drain pan that is disposed below the rear end of the heat exchanger; and a first water-leading path (18h) that is provided to a second surface (18n) that is on the opposite side of the flow path formation member (18b) from the first surface (18u), the first water-leading path (18h) leading liquid within the second drain pan to the first drain pan. The first water-leading path (18h) is provided with a bottom surface that extends downward while extending away from the second surface (18n) of the flow path formation member (18b).

Description

air conditioner

The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner.

Patent Document 1 describes a cross-flow fan, a heat exchanger extending from the rear of the cross-flow fan toward the front so as to cover the cross-flow fan, and a heat exchanger disposed below the front end of the heat exchanger. An air conditioner is disclosed that has a first drain pan, a second drain pan disposed below the rear end of a heat exchanger, and a conduit that guides liquid in the second drain pan to the first drain pan. There is.

JP2017-20781A

In the case of the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1, the water conduit is a flow path forming member that defines a flow path for the air that has passed through the heat exchanger and includes a first surface facing the end surface of the cross flow fan. It is provided. Specifically, the water conduit is provided on the second surface of the channel forming member opposite to the first surface. The cold condensed water that has been condensed in the heat exchanger and dripped into the second drain pan flows along the second surface of the flow path forming member. Therefore, the flow path forming member is cooled, and moisture contained in the air flowing along the first surface of the flow path forming member may condense on the first surface. The condensed water may then be blown out of the air conditioner by the crossflow fan.

The present disclosure provides an air conditioner in which the occurrence of dew condensation on a surface defining a flow path for air that has passed through a heat exchanger is suppressed.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure,
cross flow fan,
a heat exchanger extending from the rear of the cross-flow fan toward the front so as to cover the cross-flow fan;
a flow path forming member having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first surface defining a flow path for air that has passed through the heat exchanger;
a first drain pan located below the front end of the heat exchanger;
a second drain pan located below the rear end of the heat exchanger;
A first water conduit provided on the second surface of the flow path forming member and guiding the liquid in the second drain pan to the first drain pan,
An air conditioner is provided in which the first water conduit includes a bottom surface that extends downward while separating from the second surface of the flow path forming member.

According to the present disclosure, in an air conditioner having a heat exchanger, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of dew condensation on the surface that defines the flow path of the air that has passed through the heat exchanger.

A schematic cross-sectional view of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure Perspective view of the internal structure of an air conditioner Exploded perspective view of the internal structure of an air conditioner An exploded perspective view of the internal structure of the air conditioner, seen from a different perspective from Figure 3. Perspective view of the base member seen from above the front with the crossflow fan and motor installed Perspective view of the base member seen from above the front with the crossflow fan and motor removed A cross-sectional view of the left water conduit in the base member along the line AA shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 A sectional view of the right water conduit in the base member along the line BB shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 Partial sectional view near the right headrace channel

An air conditioner according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a cross-flow fan, a heat exchanger extending from the rear of the cross-flow fan to the front so as to cover the cross-flow fan, and a first surface and a first surface. a flow path forming member having a second surface opposite to the first surface and defining a flow path for air passing through the heat exchanger by the first surface; a second drain pan disposed below the rear end of the heat exchanger; and a second drain pan provided on the second surface of the flow path forming member to guide the liquid in the second drain pan to the first drain pan. It has a first water conduit. The first water conduit includes a bottom surface that extends downward and away from the second surface of the flow path forming member.

According to this aspect, in an air conditioner having a heat exchanger, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of dew condensation on the surface that defines the flow path of the air that has passed through the heat exchanger.

For example, the air conditioner may further include a second water conduit provided on the second surface of the flow path forming member so as to be located below the first water conduit. In this case, the slope of the second headrace is greater than the slope of the first headrace.

For example, the second water conduit may include a bottom surface that extends downward while separating from the second surface of the flow path forming member.

For example, an air conditioner has a third water conduit provided on the second surface of the flow path forming member so as to be located above the first water conduit, and a refrigerant pipe located at the end of the heat exchanger. The water receiving member may further include a water receiving member disposed below a portion of the water receiving channel and slanting downward toward the third water conduit.

For example, the third water conduit may include a bottom surface that extends downward while separating from the second surface of the flow path forming member.

For example, the flow path forming member may be a side wall facing the end surface of the cross flow fan.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an air conditioner 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Moreover, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the internal structure of the air conditioner 10. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the internal structure of the air conditioner 10. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the internal structure of the air conditioner 10, seen from a different perspective from FIG. 3. Note that in FIGS. 1 to 4, only constituent elements related to the embodiment of the present disclosure are shown.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the air conditioner 10 according to the present embodiment includes a housing 12, a cross flow fan 14, and a heat exchanger 16 that exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing therein and the air. and a base member 18 that supports these.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cross flow fan 14 has a cylindrical shape and is rotatably supported by the base member 18 about a rotation center line C extending in the left-right direction of the air conditioner 10. ing. The cross flow fan 14 is rotationally driven by a motor 20.

As shown in FIG. 1, the heat exchanger 16 includes a rear end 16a located behind the cross-flow fan 14 and a front end 16b located in front of the cross-flow fan 14. Further, the heat exchanger 16 extends from the rear end 16a toward the front end 16b so as to cover the cross-flow fan 14 except for the lower part of the cross-flow fan 14. That is, the heat exchanger 16 is approximately "C" shaped when viewed from the left and right of the air conditioner 10.

Furthermore, the heat exchanger 16 is composed of a plurality of refrigerant pipes 16c and a plurality of fins 16d. The plurality of refrigerant pipes 16c are configured to extend in the left-right direction of the air conditioner 10 so that refrigerant flows through each of the refrigerant pipes 16c. The plurality of fins 16d are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction of the air conditioner 10, and each of the plurality of refrigerant pipes 16c passes through the plurality of fins 16d. In addition, in the drawings, the plurality of fins 16d are shown in a simplified manner, that is, the plurality of fins 16d are shown as one body. Further, the heat exchanger 16 is supported by the base member 18 via

end plates

16e and 16f provided at both ends in the left and right direction (see FIG. 2).

The base member 18 is a member that supports multiple components of the air conditioner 10, including the housing 12, the crossflow fan 14, and the heat exchanger 16. Furthermore, the base member 18 functions as a bracket when fixing the air conditioner 10 to, for example, a wall surface in a room.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the base member 18 faces the cross-flow fan 14 in the direction in which its rotation center line C extends (the left-right direction of the air conditioner 10), and is located at the end of the heat exchanger 16.

Inner side walls

18a and 18b are provided to support

plates

16e and 16f, respectively. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the base member 18 includes an outlet 18c located below the cross-flow fan 14, through which air A that has passed through the heat exchanger 16 is blown out. Further, the base member 18 includes a rear guider portion 18d located behind the cross flow fan 14 and guiding the air A that has passed through the heat exchanger 16 to the outlet 18c.

The

inner side walls

18a, 18b of the base member 18 and the rear guider portion 18d define a flow path for the air A that passes through the heat exchanger 16 and flows toward the outlet 18c. That is, the

inner side walls

18a, 18b and the rear guider portion 18d serve as a flow path forming member that forms a flow path for the air A. The inner side wall 18b has a first surface 18u, which is an inner surface, and a second surface 18n, which is an outer surface opposite to the first surface (see FIG. 9). The flow of air A is generated by rotation of crossflow fan 14 disposed between heat exchanger 16 and outlet 18c. Therefore, when the crossflow fan 14 rotates, air A is sucked into the housing 12 of the air conditioner 10, and the sucked air A passes through the heat exchanger 16 and exchanges heat with the refrigerant. The heat-exchanged air A is then blown out of the housing 12 of the air conditioner 10 through the outlet 18c.

The base member 18 also includes a first drain pan 18e and a second drain pan 18f, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4. The first drain pan 18e is located below the front end 16b of the heat exchanger 16. Further, the second drain pan 18f is located below the rear end 16a of the heat exchanger 16. In the case of this embodiment, the first drain pan 18e is located diagonally below and in front of the second drain pan 18f with the cross flow fan 14 in between.

During cooling operation or dehumidification operation of the air conditioner 10, dew condensation occurs on the surfaces of the plurality of refrigerant pipes 16c and the plurality of fins 16d of the heat exchanger 16. The condensed water drips into the first drain pan 18e and the second drain pan 18f. The condensed water accumulated in the first drain pan 18e is discharged to the outside of the air conditioner 10 via a drain tube (not shown) connected to the first drain pan 18e. The base member 18 is equipped with a water conduit that guides the condensed water (liquid) in the second drain pan 18f to the first drain pan 18e, and the condensed water accumulated in the second drain pan 18f is directed to the first drain pan 18e. Moving.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the base member as seen from the front and above with the crossflow fan and motor attached. Further, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the base member seen from the front and upper side with the cross flow fan and motor removed. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the left water conduit in the base member taken along line AA shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Furthermore, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the right water conduit in the base member along the line BB shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the right water conduit.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the case of the present embodiment, the condensed water W (thick broken line) in the second drain pan 18f is drained from the condensed water W (thick broken line) provided on the outside of both end surfaces of the cross flow fan 14 in the left and right direction. It flows into the first drain pan 18e via the

water conduits

18g, 18h, and 18i.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the water conduit 18g is provided on the left side of the cross flow fan 14. In the case of this embodiment, the water conduit 18g includes an inner side wall 18a (see FIGS. 5 and 6), an outer side wall 18j (see FIGS. 5 and 6) arranged at intervals on the outside thereof, and an inner side wall 18a (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The bottom plate portion 18k (see FIG. 7) constitutes a bottom surface extending from the outer surface of the outer side wall 18a toward the inner surface of the outer side wall 18j. The bottom plate portion 18k is inclined downward from the second drain pan 18f toward the first drain pan 18e. A part of the condensed water W in the second drain pan 18f moves to the first drain pan 18e by this water conduit 18g.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 8, and 9, the headrace 18h (first headrace) and the headrace 18i (second headrace) are located on the right side of the crossflow fan 14. It is provided.

In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, one of the water conduits 18h includes an inner side wall 18b, an outer side wall 18m disposed at an interval on the outside thereof, and an outer surface 18n of the inner side wall 18b. The bottom plate portion 18p extends toward the inner surface of the side wall 18m. The bottom plate portion 18p is slightly inclined downward from the second drain pan 18f toward the first drain pan 18e.

As shown in FIG. 9, the other water conduit 18i is defined by an inner side wall 18b, an outer side wall 18m, and a bottom plate portion 18q extending from an outer surface 18n of the inner side wall 18b toward an inner surface of the outer side wall 18m. has been done. The bottom plate portion 18q is inclined downward from the second drain pan 18f toward the first drain pan 18e.

As shown in FIG. 8, these

water conduits

18h and 18i are provided on the outer surface of the inner side wall 18b in line with each other in the vertical direction. A water conduit 18i is provided below the water conduit 18h. The slope of the lower headrace 18i is greater than the slope of the upper headrace 18h. That is, the lower headrace 18i is more inclined than the upper headrace 18h.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the bottom surface of the water conduit 18h, that is, the bottom plate portion 18p of the water conduit 18h extends downward while separating from the outer surface 18n of the inner side wall 18b, for reasons described later.

In addition, in the case of this embodiment, another water conduit (third water conduit) 18r is provided above the water conduit 18h. Another water conduit 18r, like the

other water conduits

18h and 18i, includes an inner side wall 18b, an outer side wall 18m, and a bottom plate portion extending from an outer surface 18n of the inner side wall 18b toward an inner surface of the outer side wall 18m. 18s. The bottom plate portion 18s is slightly inclined downward from the second drain pan 18f toward the first drain pan 18e. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the bottom plate portion 18s of the water conduit 18r also extends downward while separating from the outer surface 18n of the inner side wall 18b, similar to the bottom plate portion 18p of the water conduit 18h, although the reason will be described later. There is. Further, the base member 18 is provided with a water receiving portion 18t (water receiving member) that slopes downward toward the water conduit 18r.

Such another water conduit 18r, unlike the

other water conduits

18h and 18i, does not guide the condensed water W in the second drain pan 18f to the first drain pan 18e. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, above the bottom plate portion 18s and water receiving portion 18t of the water conduit 18r, there is a portion of the refrigerant pipe 16c that penetrates the right end plate 16e of the heat exchanger 16, that is, a heat exchanger. There is a part of the refrigerant pipe 16c located at the right end of the refrigerant pipe 16. Therefore, the dew condensation water generated on the surface of that portion drips onto the bottom plate portion 18s and the water receiving portion 18t. Another water conduit 18r guides the dropped condensed water to the first drain pan 18e.

These

water conduits

18h, 18i, and 18r suppress the occurrence of dew condensation on the inner surface 18u of the inner side wall 18b facing the right end surface 14a of the crossflow fan 14, as shown in FIG. This will be explained in detail.

Air A that has passed through the heat exchanger 16 flows along the inner surface 18u of the inner side wall 18b. On the other hand, cold condensed water W dripping from the heat exchanger 16 to the second drain pan 18f flows outside the inner side wall 18b on the opposite side. The inner side wall 18b is cooled by the cooled dew condensation water W. Due to the cooled inner side wall 18b, moisture contained in the air A flowing along the inner surface 18u of the inner side wall 18b may condense on the inner surface 18u. In this case, there is a possibility that the condensed water generated on the inner surface 18u is blown out by the crossflow fan 14 through the outlet 18c to the outside of the housing 12 of the air conditioner 10, for example, into the room.

The

water conduits

18h, 18i, and 18r are configured to suppress cooling of the inner side wall 18b by such cold condensed water.

Specifically, as described above and as shown in FIG. 9, the bottom surfaces of the

water conduits

18h and 18r, that is, the

bottom plate portions

18p and 18s that define the

water conduits

18h and 18r, extend from the outer surface 18n of the inner side wall 18b. It extends downward while moving apart. Therefore, most of the condensed water W flowing through the

water conduits

18h and 18r flows along the outer side wall 18m. Therefore, the contact area between the condensed water W and the outer surface 18n of the inner side wall 18b becomes smaller than when the

bottom plate parts

18p and 18s extend in the horizontal direction. Thereby, cooling of the inner side wall 18b by the cold condensed water W is suppressed. As a result, moisture contained in the air A flowing along the inner surface 18u of the inner side wall 18b is suppressed from condensing on the inner surface 18u.

In the case of this embodiment, unlike the other water guides 18h and 18r, the bottom plate portion 18q of the water guide channel 18i located below the water guide channel 18h extends downward while leaving the outer surface 18n of the inner side wall 18b. Not yet. Therefore, the contact area between the condensed water flowing through the water conduit 18i and the outer surface 18n of the inner side wall 18b is large. However, as shown in FIG. 8, the headrace 18i has a larger slope than the

other headraces

18h and 18r, so that the condensed water W flowing through the headrace 18i comes into contact with the outer surface 18n of the inner side wall 18b. Time is short. This large slope suppresses cooling of the inner side wall 18b by the condensed water W flowing through the water conduit 18i.

Note that the bottom surface of the water conduit 18i (i.e., the bottom plate part 18q) also extends downward while away from the outer surface 18n of the inner side wall 18b, similarly to the bottom surfaces of the

other water channels

18h and 18r (i.e., the

bottom plate parts

18p and 18s). It may be extended. This further suppresses moisture contained in the air A flowing along the inner surface 18u of the inner side wall 18b from condensing on the inner surface 18u.

Note that if the headrace 18h does not exist, a lot of dew condensation water will flow through the headrace 18i. In this case, even if the slope of the water conduit 18i is large, a large amount of condensed water W flows through the water conduit 18i, so that the inner side wall 18b is locally cooled significantly. Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, the condensed water W in the second drain pan 18f is divided into the

water conduits

18h and 18i and flows, thereby suppressing a large amount of condensed water W from flowing into the lower water conduit 18i. ing.

According to this embodiment as described above, in the air conditioner 10 having the heat exchanger 16, the occurrence of dew condensation on the inner surface 18u that defines the flow path of the air A that has passed through the heat exchanger 16 is suppressed. can do.

Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the above embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments.

For example, in the case of the embodiment described above, the bottom plate portion 18k of the left water conduit 18g shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 is not configured to extend downward while separating from the outer surface of the inner side wall 18a. This is because there is a low possibility that dew condensation will occur on the inner surface of the inner sidewall 18a. However, similar to the

bottom plate parts

18p and 18s of the

right water channels

18h and 18r, the bottom plate part 18k of the water channel 18g may also extend downward while leaving the outer surface of the inner side wall 18a. This further reduces the possibility of condensation forming on the inner surface of the inner sidewall 18a.

Furthermore, in the case of the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the water conduit 18h is provided on the inner side wall 18b facing the right end surface 14a of the cross flow fan 14. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this. That is, the water conduit according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided on the other surface of the air conditioner where one surface defines the flow path for the air that has passed through the heat exchanger.

In a broad sense, the present disclosure includes a cross-flow fan, a heat exchanger that extends from the back of the cross-flow fan to the front so as to cover the cross-flow fan, and a flow path for air that has passed through the heat exchanger. a first drain pan disposed below the front end of the heat exchanger; a second drain pan disposed below the rear end of the heat exchanger; a first water conduit provided on a second surface of the flow path forming member opposite to the first surface and which guides the liquid in the second drain pan to the first drain pan; The air conditioner includes a bottom surface in which the water channel extends downward away from the second surface of the flow path forming member.

The present disclosure is applicable to an air conditioner having a heat exchanger.

10 Air conditioner 12 Housing 14 Cross flow fan 14a Right end surface 16 Heat exchanger 16a Rear end 16b Front end 16c Refrigerant piping 16d Fins 16e, 16f End plate 18 Base member 18a Flow path forming member (inner side wall)
18b Channel forming member (inner side wall)
18c Air outlet 18d Rear guider part 18e First drain pan 18f Second drain pan 18g Headrace 18h First headrace 18i Second headrace 18j Outer side wall 18k Bottom plate part (bottom surface)
18n Second surface (outer surface)
18p Bottom plate part (bottom surface)
18q Bottom plate part 18r Headrace (third headrace)
18s Bottom plate part 18t Water receiver part 18u First surface (inner surface)
20 motor

Claims

cross flow fan,
a heat exchanger extending from the rear to the front of the cross-flow fan so as to cover the cross-flow fan;
a flow path forming member having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first surface defining a flow path for air that has passed through the heat exchanger;
a first drain pan located below the front end of the heat exchanger;
a second drain pan located below the rear end of the heat exchanger;
a first water conduit provided on the second surface of the flow path forming member and guiding the liquid in the second drain pan to the first drain pan;
The first water conduit includes a bottom surface extending downward while separating from the second surface of the flow path forming member.
Air conditioner.
further comprising a second water conduit provided on the second surface of the flow path forming member so as to be located below the first water conduit;
The slope of the second headrace is greater than the slope of the first headrace.
The air conditioner according to claim 1.
The second water conduit includes a bottom surface extending downward while separating from the second surface of the flow path forming member.
The air conditioner according to claim 2.
a third water conduit provided on the second surface of the flow path forming member so as to be located above the first water conduit;
further comprising a water receiving member disposed below a portion of the refrigerant piping located at the end of the heat exchanger and inclined downward toward the third water conduit;
The air conditioner according to claim 1.
The third water conduit includes a bottom surface extending downward while separating from the second surface of the flow path forming member.
The air conditioner according to claim 4.
The flow path forming member is a side wall facing an end surface of the cross flow fan.
The air conditioner according to claim 1.