WO2024053595A1

WO2024053595A1 - Air conditioning device

Info

Publication number: WO2024053595A1
Application number: PCT/JP2023/032197
Authority: WO
Inventors: 将牧角
Original assignee: ダイキン工業株式会社
Priority date: 2022-09-09
Filing date: 2023-09-04
Publication date: 2024-03-14
Also published as: JP2024039535A

Abstract

The objective of the present invention is to provide an arrangement mode of a silencer suitable for connection to an air supply duct that is routed in a serpentine manner. A silencer (70) comprises a silencer main body (700), a first connecting portion (701), and a second connecting portion (702). The first connecting portion (701) connects a first duct (61) and the silencer main body (700) at a first height position of an outdoor unit (3). The second connecting portion (702) connects the silencer main body (700) and a second duct (62) at a second height position lower than the first height position. The second connecting portion (702) or the second duct (62) includes a curved portion (62a) that is bent toward a rear surface side of the outdoor unit 3 while following a side surface of the outdoor unit (3). In a side view of the outdoor unit (3), the second connecting portion (702) is disposed closer to a front surface side of the outdoor unit (3) than the first connecting portion (701).

Description

air conditioner

It relates to an air conditioner in which air is conveyed between an outdoor unit and an indoor unit.

In recent years, air conditioners that supply outdoor air from an outdoor unit to an indoor unit via a cylindrical air passage have become widespread. For example, an air conditioner described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2022-60874) includes a ventilation device that supplies outdoor air into the room using a fan to ventilate the room. The ventilation system and indoor unit are connected by a ventilation hose. The ventilation system also has a humidification function and can supply humidified air indoors.

In such an air conditioner, when routing the air supply duct (ventilation hose) to the side of the outdoor unit, it is necessary to bundle the refrigerant piping from the closing valve and the air supply duct and route it to the indoor unit. At this time, in order to make it easier to bundle the air supply duct and the refrigerant pipe, it is necessary to route the air supply duct in a meandering manner so as to substantially follow the refrigerant pipe above the closing valve. In that case, it is necessary to route the air supply duct on the side of the outdoor unit so as to bring it closer to the front side of the outdoor unit and then fold it back toward the back side.

On the other hand, in order to reduce the sound propagating through the air supply duct, a muffler is sometimes installed in the air supply duct. Conventionally, silencers were placed in the straight part of the supply air duct routed vertically, so when the supply air duct is routed in a meandering manner as described above, the vertical straight part becomes smaller, and the size of the silencer is reduced. This limits the silencing effect.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a muffler arrangement suitable for connection to a meandering air supply duct as described above.

The air conditioner of the first aspect is an air conditioner in which outdoor air is supplied from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, and includes a fan, a first air path, a muffler, and a second air path. The first air path is a cylindrical air path through which air supplied by the fan passes. The muffler is arranged on the side surface of the outdoor unit while being connected to the first air path, and reduces the sound propagating through the first air path. The second air path is a cylindrical air path that guides the air that has flowed into the muffler from the first air path further downstream. The muffler has a muffler main body, a first connection part, and a second connection part. The first connection portion connects the first air path and the silencer main body at a first height position of the outdoor unit. The second connection portion connects the muffler main body and the second air path at a second height position lower than the first height position. The second connection portion or the second air path has a curved portion that is bent toward the back side of the outdoor unit while following the side surface of the outdoor unit. In a side view of the outdoor unit, the second connection part is arranged closer to the front of the outdoor unit than the first connection part.

In this air conditioner, the second air path is further folded back toward the back side on the downstream side of the silencer, making it easier to align the second air path with the refrigerant pipe connected to the shutoff valve, making it easier to install the product. At times, it becomes easier to bundle the second air path and the refrigerant piping. Furthermore, by arranging the second connection part closer to the front of the outdoor unit than the first connection part, the first connection part and the second connection part are shifted vertically and back and forth along the side surface of the outdoor unit. Therefore, inside the muffler main body, the path from the first connecting part to the second connecting part becomes longer, a larger volume of the muffler is ensured, and the sound muffling effect is enhanced.

The air conditioner according to the second aspect is the air conditioner according to the first aspect, in which the path from the first connection part to the second connection part is inclined downward toward the second connection part.

In this air conditioner, the first connection part and the second connection part are shifted vertically and back and forth along the side of the outdoor unit, so inside the silencer main body, from the first connection part to the second connection part. It is possible for the path to slope downwards towards the second connection. In this case, air is easily conveyed and the volume of the muffler increases.

The air conditioner according to the third aspect is the air conditioner according to the first aspect or the second aspect, and further includes a terminal board. The terminal board is provided on the side of the outdoor unit, and electrical wiring is connected to it. The first connection portion and the terminal board are spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction along the side surface of the outdoor unit.

In this air conditioner, the terminal board is horizontally separated from the first connection part, so even if humidified air leaks from the first connection part, it will not be easy for the humidified air to reach the terminal board. . As a result, short circuits due to condensation on the terminal board are prevented.

The air conditioner according to the fourth aspect is the air conditioner according to any one of the first to third aspects, and further includes a closing valve. The closing valve is provided on the side surface of the outdoor unit, and is connected to the refrigerant pipe. The second connection portion and the closing valve are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction along the side surface of the outdoor unit.

In this air conditioner, since the second connection part is vertically separated from the closing valve, the routing of the second air path connected to the second connection part is not obstructed by the closing valve, which improves workability. Good.

The air conditioner according to the fifth aspect is the air conditioner according to the fourth aspect, in which the second connection portion is located above the closing valve.

In this air conditioner, the second connection part is located above the closing valve, so that the second air passage connected to the second connecting part is routed around the outside of the closing valve. The length of the second air path can be shortened. Further, condensed water from the refrigerant pipe connected to the shutoff valve does not drip into the second connection portion.

The air conditioner according to the sixth aspect is the air conditioner according to any one of the first to third aspects, and further includes a closing valve. The closing valve is provided on the side surface of the outdoor unit, and is connected to the refrigerant pipe. The second air path extends along the refrigerant pipe connected to the closing valve on the downstream side of the curved portion in the supply air flow direction.

The air conditioner according to the seventh aspect is the air conditioner according to the sixth aspect, in which the angle formed by the refrigerant pipe and the straight pipe portion of the second air path adjacent to the refrigerant pipe is 20 degrees or less.

The air conditioner according to the eighth aspect is the air conditioner according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, in which the muffler main body has a top plate and a bottom plate. The first connection part is arranged on the top plate, and the second connection part is arranged on the bottom plate.

In this air conditioner, inside the muffler main body, the path from the first connecting part to the second connecting part becomes longer, and the internal volume of the muffler main body becomes larger, so that the muffling effect is enhanced.

FIG. 1 is an external view of an air conditioner according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a system diagram of a refrigerant circuit used in an air conditioner. It is an exploded perspective view showing the composition of an outdoor unit. It is a schematic block diagram of a humidification unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of air flowing through a moisture absorption rotor. It is a side view of the outdoor unit in which the silencer is arranged. It is a side view of the outdoor unit in which the muffler of the air conditioner according to a modification is arranged. 7 is a partial front view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to modification A. FIG. FIG. 8A is a right side view of the outdoor unit shown in FIG. 8A. 7 is a partial front view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to modification B. FIG. FIG. 9A is a right side view of the outdoor unit shown in FIG. 9A. 7 is a partial front view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to modification C. FIG. FIG. 10A is a right side view of the outdoor unit shown in FIG. 10A. 7 is a partial front view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to modification D. FIG. FIG. 11A is a right side view of the outdoor unit shown in FIG. 11A.

(1) Schematic configuration of air conditioner 1 FIG. 1 is an external view of air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, an air conditioner 1 includes an indoor unit 2 and an outdoor unit 3. The indoor unit 2 is attached to a wall or the like indoors, and the outdoor unit 3 is installed outdoors.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram of a refrigerant circuit used in the air conditioner 1, and for convenience of explanation, an outline of the air flow is added. In FIG. 2, the indoor unit 2 has an indoor heat exchanger 11, and the outdoor unit 3 has an outdoor heat exchanger 24. Each heat exchanger and

refrigerant pipes

31 and 32 connecting these heat exchangers constitute a refrigerant circuit.

(1-1) Indoor unit 2
The indoor heat exchanger 11 of the indoor unit 2 includes a heat exchanger tube and a plurality of fins. The heat exchanger tube is folded back multiple times at both longitudinal ends. A heat exchanger tube is inserted through the fins. The indoor heat exchanger 11 exchanges heat with the air it comes into contact with.

In addition, the indoor unit 2 further includes a cross-flow fan 12 and an indoor fan motor 13 that rotationally drives the cross-flow fan 12. The cross flow fan 12 has a cylindrical shape, and has a large number of blades provided on its peripheral surface. The crossflow fan 12 generates airflow in a direction intersecting the rotation axis. The cross flow fan 12 sucks indoor air into the indoor unit 2, exchanges heat with the indoor heat exchanger 11, and then blows the air indoors.

(1-2) Outdoor unit 3
The outdoor unit 3 has an air-conditioned outdoor unit 5, a humidifying unit 4, and an air supply/exhaust path including a muffler 70. A supply/exhaust hose 6 is provided between the outdoor unit 3 and the indoor unit 2. The supply/exhaust hose 6 is used when supplying outdoor air or humidified air from the humidifying unit 4 to the indoor unit 2 side, and when exhausting indoor air to the outdoors.

The supply/exhaust hose 6 includes a first duct 61 provided so as to straddle the inside and outside of the outdoor unit 3, a muffler 70 disposed on the side surface of the outdoor unit 3, and a second duct connecting the muffler 70 and the supply/exhaust hose 6. Together with the duct 62, it forms an air supply/exhaust path.

The muffler 70 is arranged on the side surface of the outdoor unit 3 while being connected to the first duct 61, as shown in FIG. The muffler 70 reduces the sound propagating through the first duct 61 or the sound propagating through the supply/exhaust hose 6 and the second duct 62.

(2) Configuration of air-conditioned outdoor unit 5 FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the outdoor unit 3. In FIGS. 1 and 3, the air conditioned outdoor unit 5 includes refrigerant circuit components and a casing 50 that houses the refrigerant circuit components.

(2-1) Casing 50
The casing 50 is formed of a front panel 51, a right side plate 52, a left side plate 53, and a metal bottom plate 54.

The front panel 51 is a resin member that covers the front of the outside air-conditioned room unit 5. The front panel 51 is disposed on the downstream side of the outdoor heat exchanger 24 in the flow direction of air passing through the outdoor heat exchanger 24 . The front panel 51 has an air outlet 51a. The air outlet 51a is a plurality of slit-shaped openings. The air that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger 24 is blown out from the inside of the air-conditioned outdoor unit 5 to the outside of the outdoor unit 3 through the outlet 51a. Further, a first bell mouth 56 and a partition plate 57 are attached to the rear of the front panel 51.

The right side plate 52 and the left side plate 53 are metal members that cover the sides of the unit 5 outside the air conditioned room. Here, the right side plate 52 is provided on the right side of the outdoor unit 3 when viewed from the front. The left side plate 53 is provided on the left side of the outdoor unit 3 when viewed from the front.

The right side plate 52 and the left side plate 53 are provided so as to be generally parallel to the direction in which air is blown out from the outlet 51a. Further, a cover 55 is attached to the right side plate 52. Cover 55 protects liquid shut-off valve 27 and gas shut-off valve 28.

(2-2) Refrigerant circuit components The casing 50 houses a compressor 21, a four-way switching valve 22, an accumulator 23, an outdoor heat exchanger 24, and an electric valve 25 as refrigerant circuit components. (See Figure 2). The compressor 21, the four-way switching valve 22, the accumulator 23, and the electric valve 25 are arranged in the machine room between the partition plate 57 and the right side plate 52.

As shown in FIG. 2, the four-way switching valve 22 is connected to the discharge side of the compressor 21. The accumulator 23 is connected to the suction side of the compressor 21.

The outdoor heat exchanger 24 has a substantially L-shape in plan view. The outdoor heat exchanger 24 is arranged in front of a protective wire mesh (not shown) that covers the back surface of the air-conditioned outdoor unit 5.

One end of the electric valve 25 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 24, and the other end is connected to one end of the indoor heat exchanger 11 via the filter 26, the liquid shutoff valve 27, and the refrigerant pipe 32.

Furthermore, the four-way switching valve 22 is connected to the other end of the indoor heat exchanger 11 via a gas shutoff valve 28 and a refrigerant pipe 31. These

refrigerant pipes

31 and 32 together with the supply/exhaust hose 6 form a collective communication pipe 7.

The air conditioned outdoor unit 5 further includes a propeller fan 29. The propeller fan 29 is provided in the ventilation space between the partition plate 57 and the left side plate 53 in front of the outdoor heat exchanger 24 . The propeller fan 29 is rotationally driven by an outdoor fan motor 30. The propeller fan 29 brings the air taken into the air-conditioned outdoor unit 5 into contact with the outdoor heat exchanger 24, and then exhausts the air to the front of the front panel 51 from the air outlet 51a.

As shown in FIG. 3, the outside air-conditioned room unit 5 further includes an electrical component unit 58. The electrical component unit 58 is arranged at the upper part of the unit 5 outside the air-conditioned room. The electrical component unit 58 includes an electrical component box and a printed circuit board on which a CPU 81 (see FIG. 2) for controlling each part is mounted. A flameproof plate 59 is attached above the electrical component unit 58.

(3) Configuration of humidifying unit 4 The humidifying unit 4 has a humidifying function, an air supply function, and an exhaust function. As shown in FIG. 3, the humidifying unit 4 includes a housing 40, a moisture absorption rotor 41, a heater 42, an air supply/exhaust fan 43, a switching damper 44, a suction duct 45, a suction fan 46, a rotor drive motor 47, and a rotor drive gear 48. , and a heater support plate 49.

(3-1) Housing 40
The housing 40 covers the front, rear, and both sides of the humidifying unit 4. The upper part of the housing 40 is covered by a top plate 66.

The housing 40 is arranged so as to be in contact with the upper part of the unit 5 outside the air-conditioned room. The housing 40 has an adsorption outlet 40a on its front surface. The adsorption outlet 40a is a plurality of slit-shaped openings. The air is blown out to the outside of the outdoor unit 3 through the adsorption outlet 40a.

Further, on the back surface of the housing 40, an adsorption suction port 40b and an air supply/exhaust port 40c are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The adsorption suction port 40b is arranged on the left side when viewed from the front side, and the supply/exhaust port 40c is arranged on the right side.

Outdoor air is taken in through the suction suction port 40b and guided to the moisture absorption rotor 41. Moisture contained in the outdoor air is adsorbed by the moisture absorption rotor 41. Air sent to the indoor unit 2 or air exhausted from the indoor unit 2 to the outdoors passes through the air supply/exhaust port 40c.

The housing 40 has two left and right spaces inside. The moisture absorption rotor 41 and the like are housed in the space on the right, and the suction fan 46 and the like are housed in the space on the left. The space on the left side is called a suction fan storage space SP1.

Inside the housing 40, a moisture absorption rotor 41, a heater 42, an air supply/exhaust fan 43, a switching damper 44, a suction duct 45, and a suction fan 46 are arranged.

(3-2) Moisture absorption rotor 41
The moisture absorption rotor 41 is a ceramic rotor with a honeycomb structure having a disc shape, and allows air to easily pass therethrough. The moisture absorption rotor 41 has a large number of polygonal cylindrical portions in a cross section taken perpendicular to the rotation axis, and air passes through the cylindrical portions.

The main part of the moisture absorption rotor 41 is baked from an adsorbent such as zeolite, silica gel, or alumina. Adsorbents such as zeolite have the property of adsorbing moisture in the air with which they come into contact and releasing the adsorbed moisture when heated.

The moisture absorption rotor 41 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 40d provided on the housing 40 side. A gear is formed on the circumferential surface of the moisture absorption rotor 41 and meshes with a rotor drive gear 48 attached to a drive shaft of a rotor drive motor 47.

(3-3) Heater 42
The heater 42 is arranged to cover approximately half of the upper surface (the right half) of the moisture absorption rotor 41. A suction port and a discharge port are formed on the lower surface of the heater 42 . Air is sucked in through the suction port. The air heated by the heater 42 is discharged from the discharge port toward the moisture absorption rotor 41 side. This heater 42 is attached above the moisture absorption rotor 41 via a heater support plate 49.

(3-4) Supply/exhaust fan 43
The air supply/exhaust fan 43 is arranged on the side of the moisture absorption rotor 41. The air supply/exhaust fan 43 sends air taken in from outside to the indoor unit 2, or exhausts air taken in from the indoor unit 2 to the outside.

The supply/exhaust fan 43 switches between air supply operation and exhaust operation by switching the switching damper 44. When the air supply/exhaust fan 43 sends outdoor air to the indoor unit 2 , the air supply/exhaust fan 43 sends out air that has passed through the moisture absorption rotor 41 and descended from a predetermined portion of the moisture absorption rotor 41 to the first duct 61 .

The air supply/exhaust fan 43 and the indoor unit 2 are connected by an air supply/exhaust path composed of a first duct 61 , a muffler 70 , a second duct 62 , and an air supply/exhaust hose 6 . The air supply/exhaust fan 43 supplies air to the indoor unit 2 via the air supply/exhaust path.

When the air supply/exhaust fan 43 discharges indoor air to the outdoors, the air supply/exhaust fan 43 discharges the air sent from the first duct 61 to the outside from the air supply/exhaust port 40c provided on the back surface of the housing 40.

(3-5) Switching damper 44
The switching damper 44 is a rotary air flow path switching means disposed below the air supply/exhaust fan 43, and is switched between a first state and a second state.

In the first state, air blown from the air supply/exhaust fan 43 is supplied to the indoor unit 2 through the air supply/exhaust path. As a result, in the first state, air flows in the direction of the solid arrow A1 in FIG. 2, and humidified air or outdoor air is supplied to the indoor unit 2.

In the second state, air flows in the direction of the arrow indicated by the broken line arrow A2 in FIG. 2, and air from the indoor unit 2 is exhausted from the air supply/exhaust fan 43 to the outside through the air supply/exhaust port 40c.

(3-6) Adsorption duct 45
The suction duct 45 covers a portion of the upper surface of the moisture absorption rotor 41 where the heater 42 is not located. This suction duct 45, together with the second bell mouth 63, forms an air flow path leading from the upper surface of the left half of the moisture absorption rotor 41 to the upper part of the suction fan storage space SP1.

(3-7) Adsorption fan 46
The suction fan 46 is arranged in the suction fan storage space SP1. The suction fan 46 is a centrifugal fan. The suction fan 46 is rotated by a suction fan motor 65. The suction fan 46 sucks air from the opening 63a of the second bell mouth 63 disposed at the top, and generates an airflow that flows from the suction suction port 40b to the opening 63a via the moisture absorption rotor 41.

The adsorption fan 46 exhausts the dry air that has absorbed moisture while passing through the moisture absorption rotor 41 toward the front of the housing 40 from the adsorption outlet 40a. The second bell mouth 63 is provided in the upper part of the suction fan storage space SP1, and guides the air passing through the suction duct 45 to the suction fan 46.

(4) Operation of humidification unit 4 FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of humidification unit 4. Further, FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of air flowing through the moisture absorption rotor 41. As shown in FIG. 4 and 5, for convenience of explanation, the air passage from the suction suction port 40b to the suction fan 46 is the moisture absorption passage X, the air passage from the supply/exhaust port 40c to the heater 42 is the heat collection passage Y, and the air passage from the heater 42 to the heater 42 is the moisture absorption passage X. The air passage up to the air supply/exhaust fan 43 is called a humidification passage Z.

(4-1) Humidifying operation The humidifying unit 4 takes in outdoor air into the moisture absorption passage X through the suction suction port 40b by operating the suction fan 46. The air Ax flowing through the moisture absorption passage X passes through the first region Rx of the moisture absorption rotor 41 facing the moisture absorption passage X, and the moisture in the air Ax is absorbed into the first region Rx.

The air Ax passes through the suction fan 46 and is discharged from the suction fan storage space SP1 to the front of the outdoor unit 3 through the suction outlet 40a.

Furthermore, the humidifying unit 4 takes in outdoor air into the heat collection passageway Y from the air supply/exhaust port 40c by rotating the air supply/exhaust fan 43. After the air Ay flowing through the heat collecting passage Y passes through the second region Ry of the moisture absorption rotor 41 facing the heat collecting passage Y, it is heated by the heater 42 . The air Ay is heated by the heater 42 to become high temperature air Az and flows into the humidification passage Z. The high temperature air Az passes through the third region Rz of the moisture absorption rotor 41 facing the humidification passage Z and flows into the first duct 61.

When the air Ay flowing through the heat collection passage Y passes through the second region Ry of the moisture absorption rotor 41, it collects heat from the second region Ry and rises in temperature, and is then further heated by the heater 42 and becomes high temperature air Az. Become. The high temperature air Az flowing through the humidification passage Z absorbs moisture from the third region Rz of the moisture absorption rotor 41 when passing through the third region Rz.

As shown in FIG. 5, the moisture absorption rotor 41 rotates in the direction shown by arrow D and passes through the moisture absorption passage X, humidification passage Z, and heat extraction passage Y in this order. As a result, in the moisture absorption rotor 41, the first area Rx of the moisture absorption rotor 41 facing the moisture absorption passage X, the third area Rz of the moisture absorption rotor 41 facing the humidification passage Z, and the moisture absorption rotor 41 facing the heat extraction passage Y. The second region Ry of the second region Ry moves sequentially.

The moisture adsorbed by the moisture absorption rotor 41 from the air Ax in the moisture absorption path X is released by the high temperature air Az heated by the heater 42, and the high temperature air Az is humidified.

The air supply/exhaust fan 43 sends the air that has passed through the moisture absorption rotor 41 to the indoor unit 2 via the air supply/exhaust path. The air sent to the indoor unit 2 contains moisture that has been adsorbed by the moisture absorption rotor 41.

The air thus supplied from the humidifying unit 4 to the indoor unit 2 is blown into the room via the indoor heat exchanger 11.

(4-2) Ventilation operation By not operating the suction fan motor 65 or heater 42, the air conditioner 1 can only take in outdoor air and supply air to the indoor unit 2 without humidifying it. You can also do it. Moreover, the air conditioner 1 can also perform only exhaustion to send indoor air to the outdoors.

(5) Details of supply/exhaust route including muffler 70 The supply/exhaust route includes a first duct 61 , a muffler 70 , a second duct 62 , and a supply/exhaust hose 6 . The humidifying unit 4 and the indoor unit 2 are connected by an air supply/exhaust path, and the air supply/exhaust fan 43 supplies air to the indoor unit 2 via the air supply/exhaust path.

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the outdoor unit 3. In FIG. 6, for convenience of explanation, the cover 55 is indicated by an imaginary line (two-dot chain line), and the right side plate 52 can be seen through the cover 55. Furthermore, the humidifying unit 4 and its interior are also shown with virtual lines (two-dot chain lines). Furthermore, the silencer 70 shown in FIG. 6 is shown in a partially cutaway view so that the internal structure can be seen.

Furthermore, the "directions" used in the explanation follow the directions indicated by the arrows in the four directions of "top", "bottom", "front", and "back" in FIG. 6.

(5-1) First duct 61
The first duct 61 is a cylindrical air passage through which air supplied by the air supply/exhaust fan 43 flows. The first duct 61 has one end located inside the outdoor unit 3 and connected to a switching damper 44 arranged below the air supply/exhaust fan 43 .

In FIG. 6, the first duct 61 passes through the upper part of the right side plate 52 and at a position behind the virtual vertical center line C1 of the right side plate 52, is bent downward by approximately 90 degrees, and has the other end (terminus ) is facing downward.

A muffler 70 is connected to the terminal end of the first duct 61. Further, the first duct 61 is adjacent to the rear of the terminal board 60 in FIG. 6 .

(5-2) Silencer 70
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the silencer 70 is connected to the terminal end of a first duct 61 that protrudes from the right side plate 52 of the outdoor unit 3, and is housed between the right side plate 52 and the cover 55. There is.

When outdoor air is supplied from the outdoor unit 3 to the indoor unit 2, the muffler 70 reduces the sound propagating through the first duct 61. Moreover, when air is exhausted from the indoor unit 2 to the outdoor unit 3, the muffler 70 reduces the sound propagating through the second duct 62.

The muffler 70 includes a muffler main body 700, a first connecting portion 701, and a second connecting portion 702.

(5-2-1) Silencer body 700
The muffler main body 700 has a casing 700a that is a rectangular parallelepiped outer shell. The muffler main body 700 has a sound absorbing material 700b and a cavity 700c surrounded by the sound absorbing material 700b inside a casing 700a.

As the material for the sound absorbing material 700b, felt, urethane foam, etc. can be used. Since the cavity 700c is connected to the first duct 61, air sent to the indoor unit 2 or air sent from the indoor unit 2 passes through this cavity 700c.

In the air conditioner 1, the sound generated by the air supply/exhaust fan 43 is reduced by the muffler 70 connected to the first duct 61 of the outdoor unit 3 before being sent to the indoor unit 2. Therefore, in this air conditioner 1, the sound transmitted from the outdoor unit 3 to the indoor unit 2 is reduced.

A first connecting portion 701 projects vertically upward from the top plate 700d of the casing 700a. Further, a second connecting portion 702 projects vertically downward from the bottom plate 700e of the casing 700a.

(5-2-2) First connection part 701
As shown in FIG. 6, the first connecting portion 701 is located at the upper part of the right side plate 52 and is connected to the first duct 61. In FIG. 6, the first connecting portion 701 is located behind the virtual vertical center line C1 of the right side plate 52.

More specifically, in the outdoor unit 3, the side on which the front panel 51 (see FIG. 3) is arranged is referred to as the "front side", and the elongated portion of the approximately L-shaped outdoor heat exchanger 24 (see FIG. 3) is referred to as the "front side". The side where is arranged is referred to as the "back side", and the first connecting portion 701 is located closer to the back side than the center of the right side plate 52.

Further, the first connecting portion 701 is located behind the terminal board 60 and below the terminal board 60 in FIG. 6 . As described above, since the first connection part 701 is spaced apart from the terminal board 60, even if humidified air leaks from the first connection part 701, it is not easy for the humidified air to reach the terminal board 60. Therefore, short circuits due to dew condensation at the terminals 60a of the terminal board 60 are prevented.

(5-2-3) Second connection part 702
As shown in FIG. 6, the second connecting portion 702 is located at the lower part of the right side plate 52, and is connected to the second duct 62. In FIG. 6, the second connecting portion 702 is located forward of the virtual vertical center line C1 of the right side plate 52. Therefore, the second connection part 702 is closer to the front of the outdoor unit 3 than the first connection part 701 is. Further, in FIG. 6, the second connecting portion 702 is located above the liquid shut-off valve 27 and the gas shut-off valve 28.

With the above configuration, the silencer 70 can slope the internal path from the first connection part 701 to the second connection part 702 downward toward the second connection part, so that Compared to a silencer in which the path to the second connecting portion extends vertically downward toward the second connecting portion, the space between the first connecting portion 701 and the second connecting portion 702 can be expanded. Therefore, the volume of the muffler main body 700 can be increased, increasing the muffling effect.

(5-3) Second duct 62
The second duct 62 is a cylindrical air passage, and is connected to the second connection portion 702 of the muffler 70 . The second duct 62 guides the air that has flowed into the muffler 70 from the first duct 61 further downstream.

Further, the second connecting portion 702 is spaced apart above the liquid shut-off valve 27 and the gas shut-off valve 28 along the right side plate 52 of the outdoor unit 3. Therefore, a space is secured between the second connecting portion 702 and the liquid shutoff valve 27 and the gas shutoff valve 28 in which the second duct 62 is disposed.

Additionally, the second duct 62 has a curved portion 62a. The curved portion 62a is bent toward the back side of the outdoor unit 3 while along the right side plate 52 of the outdoor unit 3. The curved portion 62a allows the air supply/exhaust path to have a structure in which the second duct 62 is folded back toward the back side of the outdoor unit 3 on the downstream side of the muffler 70.

In this embodiment, the direction in which the second duct 62 extends from the curved portion 62a is along the direction in which the

refrigerant pipes

31 and 32 extend.

(5-4) Supply and exhaust hose 6
The supply/exhaust hose 6 is connected to the second duct 62 and allows air to be conveyed between the outdoor unit 3 and the indoor unit 2. When outdoor air is supplied from the outdoor unit 3 , the supply/exhaust hose 6 guides the outdoor air to the indoor unit 2 . Furthermore, when air is exhausted from the indoor unit 2 to the outdoor unit 3, the supply/exhaust hose 6 guides the air to the outdoor unit 3.

In this embodiment, the second duct 62 and the supply/exhaust hose 6 are provided as separate bodies, but the second duct 62 and the supply/exhaust hose 6 may be integrally formed.

As described above, the second duct 62 has a structure in which the second duct 62 is folded back toward the back side of the outdoor unit 3 on the downstream side of the muffler 70 due to the curved portion 62a. Therefore, it becomes easy to align the second duct 62 with the

refrigerant pipes

31 and 32 connected to the liquid shutoff valve 27 and the gas shutoff valve 28, and when installing the product, the second duct 62 and/or the supply/exhaust hose 6 and the

refrigerant pipe

31 , 32 becomes easier to bundle. In this embodiment, the angle formed by the

refrigerant pipes

31 and 32 and the straight pipe portion of the second duct 62 adjacent to the

refrigerant pipes

31 and 32 is 20 degrees or less.

(6) Modification In the embodiment described above, the second duct 62 has a curved portion 62a, and the second duct 62 extends from the curved portion 62a, but the configuration is not limited to this.

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the outdoor unit 3 of the air conditioner 1 according to the first modification. 7, the difference from the outdoor unit 3 shown in FIG. 6 is that a curved portion 702a is provided in the second connection portion 702, and the second duct 62 does not have a curved portion. The action and effect are the same as in the above embodiment.

(7) Features (7-1)
In the air conditioner 1, the second connecting portion 702 or the second duct 62 is further folded back toward the rear side on the downstream side of the muffler 70, so that the second duct 62 can be connected to the liquid shut-off valve 27 and the gas shut-off valve 28. The second duct 62 and the

refrigerant pipes

31, 32 can be easily bundled together when installing the product.

Furthermore, since the first connecting portion 701 and the second connecting portion 702 are shifted vertically and forwardly along the right side plate 52, the path from the first connecting portion 701 to the second connecting portion 702 inside the silencer main body 700 is becomes longer, the volume of the muffler 70 is secured larger, and the muffling effect is enhanced.

(7-2)
In the air conditioner 1, since the first connecting portion 701 and the second connecting portion 702 are shifted vertically and forwardly along the right side plate 52, inside the silencer main body 700, the first connecting portion 701 and the second connecting portion 702 are separated from each other. It is possible that the path leading to the portion 702 slopes downward toward the second connecting portion 702 . In this case, air is easily conveyed and the volume of the muffler 70 increases.

(7-3)
In the air conditioner 1, the terminal board 60 is spaced apart from the first connection part 701 in the horizontal direction, so even if humidified air leaks from the first connection part 701, the humidified air will reach the terminal board 60. It's not easy. As a result, short circuits due to dew condensation at the terminals 60a of the terminal board 60 are prevented.

(7-4)
In the air conditioner 1, since the second connecting portion 702 is vertically spaced apart from the liquid shut-off valve 27 and the gas shut-off valve 28, the second duct 62 connected to the second connecting portion 702 is routed through the liquid shut-off valve. 27 and the gas shutoff valve 28, and the workability is good.

(7-5)
In the air conditioner 1, the second connecting portion 702 is located above the liquid closing valve 27 and the gas closing valve 28, so that the second duct 62 connected to the second connecting portion 702 can close the liquid closing valve 27 and the gas closing valve 28. The length of the second duct 62 can be made shorter than when the second duct 62 is routed around the outside of the valve 28. Furthermore, condensed water from the

refrigerant pipes

31 and 32 connected to the liquid shutoff valve 27 and the gas shutoff valve 28 does not drip into the second connection portion 702 .

(7-6)
In the air conditioner 1, the liquid shutoff valve 27 and the gas shutoff valve 28 are provided on the right side plate 52 of the outdoor unit 3, and are connected to the

refrigerant pipes

31 and 32. The direction in which the second duct 62 extends from the curved portion 62a toward the indoor unit 2 is along the direction in which the

refrigerant pipes

31 and 32 extend.

(7-7)
In the air conditioner 1, the angle formed by the

refrigerant pipes

31, 32 and the straight pipe portion of the second duct 62 adjacent to the

refrigerant pipes

31, 32 is 20 degrees or less.

(7-8)
In the air conditioner 1, a muffler main body 700 of the muffler 70 has a top plate 700d and a bottom plate 700e. A first connecting portion 701 projects vertically upward from the top plate 700d, and a second connecting portion 702 projects vertically downward from the bottom plate 700e. Therefore, inside the muffler main body 700, the path from the first connecting part 701 to the second connecting part 702 becomes longer, and the internal volume of the muffler main body 700 becomes larger, so that the silencing effect is enhanced.

(8) Other Modifications In the above embodiments and modifications, the first connection portion 701 of the silencer 70 is located between the right side plate 52 of the outdoor unit 3 and the cover 55; It may be located inside the outdoor unit 3.

Hereinafter, three types of modification A, modification B, and modification C will be described with reference to the drawings. However, since the internal configuration of each silencer follows the internal configuration of the silencer of the above embodiment, the explanation will be omitted.

(8-1) Modification A
FIG. 8A is a partial front view of the outdoor unit 3 of the air conditioner 1 according to Modification A. Moreover, FIG. 8B is a right side view of the outdoor unit 3 shown in FIG. 8A.

In FIGS. 8A and 8B, the first connecting portion 701 at the upper end of the silencer 70 is connected to the first duct 61 inside the humidifying unit 4. After penetrating the side surface of the housing 40 of the humidifying unit 4, the muffler 70 extends vertically downward, progresses toward the front of the outdoor unit 3 and downward, and reaches the second connecting portion 702 at the lower end.

The second duct 62 is connected to the second connection portion 702. The second duct 62 has a curved portion 62a. Due to this curved portion 62a, the supply/exhaust path has a structure in which the second duct 62 is folded back toward the back side of the outdoor unit 3 on the downstream side of the muffler 70. Therefore, it becomes easy to align the second duct 62 with the

refrigerant pipes

refrigerant pipe

31 , 32 can be easily bundled.

(8-2) Modification B
9A is a partial front view of the outdoor unit 3 of the air conditioner 1 according to modification B. FIG. Moreover, FIG. 9B is a right side view of the outdoor unit 3 shown in FIG. 9A.

In FIGS. 9A and 9B, the muffler 70 includes a first muffler 71 and a second muffler 72. The first muffling section 71 includes a cylindrical first muffling section main body 710, a first upper connecting section 711, and a first lower connecting section 712.

A first upper connecting portion 711, which is the upper end of the first muffling portion 71, is connected to the first duct 61 inside the humidifying unit 4. After passing through the side surface of the housing 40 of the humidifying unit 4, the first muffling section 71 extends vertically downward and reaches the first lower connecting section 712, which is the lower end.

The second muffling section 72 includes a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped second muffling section main body 720, a second upper connecting section 721, and a second lower connecting section 722. The second upper connecting portion 721 and the second lower connecting portion 722 are arranged horizontally offset from each other along the right side plate 52 of the outdoor unit 3.

The second upper connection part 721, which is the upper end of the second muffling part 72, is connected to the first lower connection part 712 of the first muffling part 71.

The second duct 62 is connected to the second lower connecting part 722 which is the lower end of the second muffling part 72. The second duct 62 has a curved portion 62a. Due to this curved portion 62a, the supply/exhaust path has a structure in which the second duct 62 is folded back toward the back side of the outdoor unit 3 on the downstream side of the muffler 70.

Therefore, it becomes easy to align the second duct 62 with the

refrigerant pipes

refrigerant pipe

31 , 32 can be easily bundled.

(8-3) Modification C
FIG. 10A is a partial front view of the outdoor unit 3 of the air conditioner 1 according to Modification C. Moreover, FIG. 10B is a right side view of the outdoor unit 3 shown in FIG. 10A.

In FIGS. 10A and 10B, the muffler 70 includes a first muffler 71 and a second muffler 72. The first muffling section 71 and the second muffling section 72 are connected through an intermediate duct 73.

The first muffling section 71 includes a cylindrical first muffling section main body 710, a first upper connecting section 711, and a first lower connecting section 712. The first muffler 71 is entirely housed inside the outdoor unit 3.

A first upper connecting part 711, which is the upper end of the first muffling part 71, is connected to the first duct 61 inside the humidifying unit 4. The first muffling section 71 extends vertically downward and reaches the first lower connecting section 712 which is the lower end.

An intermediate duct 73 is connected to the first lower connection part 712. The intermediate duct 73 extends from the first lower connecting portion 712 toward the outside of the outdoor unit 3 and penetrates the right side plate 52 . The end of the intermediate duct 73 faces downward.

The second upper connecting part 721, which is the upper end of the second muffling part 72, is connected to the terminal end of the intermediate duct 73. The second duct 62 is connected to the second lower connecting portion 722 which is the lower end of the second muffling portion 72 .

The second duct 62 has a curved portion 62a. Due to this curved portion 62a, the supply/exhaust path has a structure in which the second duct 62 is folded back toward the back side of the outdoor unit 3 on the downstream side of the muffler 70.

Therefore, it becomes easy to align the second duct 62 with the

refrigerant pipes

refrigerant pipe

31 , 32 can be easily bundled.

(8-4) Modification D
Modifications A and B have a configuration in which the silencer 70 penetrates from the side surface of the housing 40 of the humidifying unit 4 to the inside and is connected to the first duct 61 inside the housing 40. It is not limited to. Here, a modification D based on modification B will be described.

FIG. 11A is a partial front view of the outdoor unit 3 of the air conditioner 1 according to Modification D. Moreover, FIG. 11B is a right side view of the outdoor unit 3 shown in FIG. 11A. In FIGS. 11A and 11B, the first duct 61 extends laterally inside the housing 40 of the humidifying unit 4, and its terminal end protrudes through the side surface of the housing 40.

The muffler 70 has a first muffler 71 and a second muffler 72. The first muffling section 71 includes a cylindrical first muffling section main body 710, a first upper connecting section 711, and a first lower connecting section 712.

The first upper connecting part 711, which is the upper end of the first muffling part 71, is connected to the first duct 61 on the outside of the side surface of the housing 40 of the humidifying unit 4. In other words, the first upper connecting portion 711 is connected to the first duct 61 at a height of the housing 40 of the humidifying unit 4 . The first muffling section 71 extends vertically downward along the side surface of the housing 40 of the humidifying unit 4, and reaches the first lower connecting section 712, which is the lower end.

The forms of the second muffling section 72 and the second duct 62 are the same as those of Modification B, so the description thereof will be omitted.

Although Modification D is based on Modification B, similar changes can be applied to Modification A as a base.

(8-5) Modification E
In Modifications A, B, and C, the connection part of the silencer 70 is connected to the first duct 61 in the vertical direction, but the configuration is not limited to this. The connecting portion may be connected to the first duct 61 in the horizontal direction.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as described in the claims.

1 Air conditioner 2 Indoor unit 3 Outdoor unit 27 Closing valve 28 Closing valve 31 Refrigerant piping 32 Refrigerant piping 43 Supply/exhaust fan (fan)
60 Terminal board 61 First duct (first air path)
62 Second duct (second air path)
62a Curved portion 70 Silencer 700 Silencer main body 700d Top plate 700e Bottom plate 701 First connection portion 702 Second connection portion 702a Curved portion

JP2022-60874A

Claims

An air conditioner in which outdoor air is supplied from an outdoor unit (3) to an indoor unit (2),
Fan (43) and
a cylindrical first air passage (61) through which air supplied by the fan (43) passes;
a muffler (70) arranged on a side surface of the outdoor unit (3) while being connected to the first air path (61), and reducing sound propagating through the first air path (61);
a cylindrical second air path (62) that guides air that has flowed into the muffler (70) from the first air path (61) further downstream;
Equipped with
The muffler (70) is
A silencer body (700),
a first connection part (701) that connects the first air path (61) and the muffler main body (700) at a first height position of the outdoor unit (3);
a second connecting portion (702) connecting the silencer main body (700) and the second air passage (62) at a second height position lower than the first height position;
has
The second connection portion (702) or the second air path (62) is a curved portion (62a) that is bent toward the back side of the outdoor unit (3) while following the side surface of the outdoor unit (3). has
In a side view of the outdoor unit (3), the second connection part (702) is arranged closer to the front of the outdoor unit (3) than the first connection part (701).
Air conditioner.
A path from the first connection part (701) to the second connection part (702) is inclined downward toward the second connection part (702).
The air conditioner according to claim 1.
further comprising a terminal board (60) provided on the side surface of the outdoor unit (3) to which electrical wiring is connected;
The first connection portion (701) and the terminal board (60) are horizontally spaced apart from each other along the side surface of the outdoor unit (3).
The air conditioner according to claim 1 or claim 2.
further comprising a closing valve (27, 28) provided on the side surface of the outdoor unit (3) and to which a refrigerant pipe is connected;
The second connecting portion (702) and the closing valve (27, 28) are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction along the side surface of the outdoor unit (3).
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The second connection part (702) is located above the closure valve (27, 28).
The air conditioner according to claim 4.
further comprising a closing valve (27, 28) provided on the side surface of the outdoor unit (3) and to which a refrigerant pipe is connected;
The second air passage (62) extends along the refrigerant pipe connected to the closing valve (27, 28) on the downstream side of the curved part (62a) in the supply air flow direction.
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The angle formed by the refrigerant pipe and the straight pipe portion of the second air path (62) adjacent to the refrigerant pipe is 20 degrees or less.
The air conditioner according to claim 6.
The muffler main body (700) has a top plate (700d) and a bottom plate (700e),
The first connection part (701) is arranged on the top plate (700d), and the second connection part (702) is arranged on the bottom plate (700e).
The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 7.