Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
  • F24F1/06—Separate outdoor units, e.g. outdoor unit to be linked to a separate room comprising a compressor and a heat exchanger
  • F24F1/20—Electric components for separate outdoor units
  • F24F1/22—Arrangement or mounting thereof

Definitions

• This disclosure relates to an outdoor unit and a refrigeration cycle device.
• Patent Document 1 discloses an electrical equipment unit in which a reactor is placed between two circuit boards whose surfaces face each other at an acute angle.
• the reactor may be located in a recessed portion of the electrical equipment unit.
• the reactor when the reactor needs to be replaced, it is necessary to remove other components (e.g., circuit boards) located around the reactor so as not to interfere with the reactor replacement work.
• other components e.g., circuit boards
• it may also be necessary to disconnect the lead wires.
• reactor replacement work in conventional electrical equipment units is complicated. This can increase the work time required for reactor replacement, lead wire reconnections can be incorrect after replacement, and there is a risk of damage to components around the reactor during the replacement work.
• one of the objectives of this disclosure is to provide an outdoor unit that is easy to maintain, and a refrigeration cycle device equipped with such an outdoor unit.
• an outdoor unit for a refrigeration cycle device comprising a housing and an electrical equipment unit housed in the housing, the electrical equipment unit having a first board, a board support member supporting the first board, a reactor connected to the first board via lead wires, and a reactor support member supporting the reactor, the reactor support member being detachably fixed to the board support member.
• One aspect of the refrigeration cycle device disclosed herein includes the outdoor unit described above and a circulation path section through which the refrigerant flows.
• This disclosure makes it possible to improve the maintainability of the outdoor unit of a refrigeration cycle device.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a general configuration of a refrigeration cycle device according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the outdoor unit according to the embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the outdoor unit according to the embodiment, with part of the housing omitted.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electrical equipment unit according to the embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first substrate support member according to the embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a reactor and a reactor support member according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the reactor and reactor support member according to the embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a reactor support member according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a general configuration of a refrigeration cycle device according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the outdoor unit according to the embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the outdoor unit according to the embodiment, with part of the housing omitted
• FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a step of assembling a reactor support member to a first substrate support member according to the embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electrical equipment unit according to the embodiment, as viewed from above.
• FIG. 10 is a plan view of an electrical equipment unit according to a modified example, as viewed from above.
• the drawings also show the X, Y, and Z axes as appropriate.
• the X axis indicates one horizontal direction.
• the Y axis indicates the other horizontal direction.
• the Z axis indicates the up-down direction.
• the horizontal direction along the X axis will be referred to as the "front-rear direction X”
• the horizontal direction along the Y axis will be referred to as the "left-right direction Y”
• the direction along the Z axis will be referred to as the "up-down direction Z.”
• the front-rear direction X, left-right direction Y, and up-down direction Z are perpendicular to one another.
• the side of the up-down direction Z toward which the arrow on the Z axis points (+Z) will be referred to as the upper side
• the side of the up-down direction Z opposite to the side toward which the arrow on the Z axis points (-Z) will be referred to as the lower side
• the side of the front-rear direction X toward which the arrow on the X axis points (+X) will be referred to as the front side
• the side of the front-rear direction X opposite to the side toward which the arrow on the X axis points (-X) will be referred to as the rear side.
• the left-right direction Y refers to the left-right direction when the outdoor unit in each of the following embodiments is viewed from the front (+X).
• the side of the left-right direction Y toward which the Y-axis arrow points (+Y) is the right side
• the side of the left-right direction Y opposite to the side toward which the Y-axis arrow points (-Y) is the left side.
• the left-right direction Y corresponds to the "first direction”
• the front-to-back direction X corresponds to the "second direction.”
• the right side (+Y) corresponds to the "first side”
• the front side (+X) corresponds to the "second side”
• the left side (-Y) corresponds to the "third side”
• the rear side (-X) corresponds to the "fourth side.”
• Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a general configuration of a refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 according to an embodiment.
• the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 is an air conditioner.
• the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 includes an outdoor unit 10, an indoor unit 20, and a circulation path 18.
• the outdoor unit 10 is disposed outdoors.
• the indoor unit 20 is disposed indoors.
• the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 are connected to each other by the circulation path 18 through which a refrigerant 19 circulates.
• the refrigeration cycle device 100 is capable of adjusting the temperature of the indoor air by exchanging heat between the refrigerant 19 flowing through the circulation path section 18 and the air in the room where the indoor unit 20 is located.
• the refrigerant 19 include fluorine-based refrigerants or hydrocarbon-based refrigerants with low global warming potential (GWP).
• GWP global warming potential
• the refrigerant 19 include a single refrigerant such as R1234yf, R1234ze, R32, or R290, or a mixture of two or more of these, or a mixture of any of these with another refrigerant.
• Examples of the refrigerant 19 include a mixed refrigerant containing R1132(E) or a mixed refrigerant containing R1123.
• refrigerant 19 examples include mixed refrigerants of R516A, R445A, R444A, R454C, R444B, R454A, R455A, R457A, R459B, R452B, R454B, R447B, R447A, R446A, and R459A.
• the outdoor unit 10 has a housing 11, a compressor 12, a heat exchanger 13, a flow control valve 14, a blower fan 15, a four-way valve 16, and an electrical equipment unit 17.
• the housing 11 houses the compressor 12, heat exchanger 13, flow control valve 14, blower fan 15, four-way valve 16, and electrical equipment unit 17.
• the compressor 12, heat exchanger 13, flow rate adjustment valve 14, and four-way valve 16 are provided in a portion of the circulation path 18 that is located inside the housing 11.
• the compressor 12, heat exchanger 13, flow rate adjustment valve 14, and four-way valve 16 are connected by a portion of the circulation path 18 that is located inside the housing 11.
• the four-way valve 16 is provided in a portion of the circulation path section 18 that is connected to the discharge side of the compressor 12.
• the four-way valve 16 can reverse the direction of the refrigerant 19 flowing within the circulation path section 18 by switching a portion of the path of the circulation path section 18.
• the path connected by the four-way valve 16 is the path shown by the solid line on the four-way valve 16 in Figure 1
• the refrigerant 19 flows within the circulation path section 18 in the direction shown by the solid arrow in Figure 1.
• the path connected by the four-way valve 16 is the path shown by the dashed line on the four-way valve 16 in Figure 1
• the refrigerant 19 flows within the circulation path section 18 in the direction shown by the dashed arrow in Figure 1.
• the indoor unit 20 has a housing 21, a heat exchanger 22, a blower fan 23, and a control device 24.
• the heat exchanger 22, the blower fan 23, and the control device 24 are housed inside the housing 21.
• the indoor unit 20 is capable of cooling operation, which cools the air in the room where the indoor unit 20 is located, and heating operation, which warms the air in the room where the indoor unit 20 is located.
• the refrigerant 19 flowing through the circulation path 18 flows in the direction shown by the solid arrow in Figure 1.
• the refrigerant 19 flowing through the circulation path 18 circulates through the compressor 12, the heat exchanger 13 of the outdoor unit 10, the flow control valve 14, and the heat exchanger 22 of the indoor unit 20 in that order before returning to the compressor 12.
• the heat exchanger 13 in the outdoor unit 10 functions as a condenser
• the heat exchanger 22 in the indoor unit 20 functions as an evaporator.
• the refrigerant 19 flowing within the circulation path 18 flows in the direction shown by the dashed line in Figure 1.
• the refrigerant 19 flowing within the circulation path 18 circulates through the compressor 12, the heat exchanger 22 of the indoor unit 20, the flow control valve 14, and the heat exchanger 13 of the outdoor unit 10, in that order, before returning to the compressor 12.
• the heat exchanger 13 in the outdoor unit 10 functions as an evaporator
• the heat exchanger 22 in the indoor unit 20 functions as a condenser.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the outdoor unit 10.
• Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the outdoor unit 10 with part of the housing 11 omitted. As shown in Fig. 3, the housing 11 is provided with a fan chamber 11F that houses the heat exchanger 13 and the blower fan 15, and a machine chamber 11M that houses the compressor 12, the electrical component unit 17, etc.
• a partition plate 11k is provided inside the housing 11.
• the partition plate 11k divides the interior space of the housing 11 into a fan chamber 11F and a machine chamber 11M.
• the partition plate 11k extends along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction Y. Therefore, the fan chamber 11F and the machine chamber 11M are arranged side by side in the left-right direction Y.
• the housing 11 of the outdoor unit 10 is a roughly rectangular box-shaped unit.
• the housing 11 has a top plate 11t that covers the internal space from above, a bottom plate 11s that covers the internal space from below, and side surfaces 11a that surround the internal space horizontally.
• the side surfaces 11a of the housing 11 include a first front panel 11b, a second front panel 11c, a third front panel 11d, a first side surface panel 11e, and a second side surface panel 11g.
• the first front panel 11b covers the front side (+X) of the fan chamber 11F.
• An opening 11h is provided in the first front panel 11b.
• the opening 11h penetrates the first front panel 11b in the front-to-rear direction X and opens to the front side.
• the opening 11h is a substantially circular hole in plan view.
• the opening 11h is covered by a grill (not shown) that is attached to the first front panel 11b.
• the second front panel 11c and the third front panel 11d are located in the front right corner of the housing 11.
• the second front panel 11c is located above the third front panel 11d.
• the second front panel 11c covers the front and part of the right side of the upper part of the machine room 11M.
• the third front panel 11d covers the front and part of the right side of the lower part of the machine room 11M.
• the first side panel 11e and the second side panel 11g are located at the right rear corner of the housing 11.
• the first side panel 11e is located above the second side panel 11g.
• the first side panel 11e covers the back surface of the upper part of the machine room 11M and part of the right side surface.
• the second side panel 11g covers the back surface of the lower part of the machine room 11M and part of the right side surface.
• the electrical equipment unit 17 is located above other components such as the compressor 12. Therefore, by removing the first side panel 11e, an operator can open the electrical equipment unit 17 to the right (+Y) and rear (-X) sides, allowing maintenance of the electrical equipment unit 17 from the right (+Y) and rear (-X) sides.
• the heat exchanger 13 is arranged along the back surface of the housing 11.
• a refrigerant flows inside the heat exchanger 13.
• the heat exchanger 13 is cooled by the blower fan 15.
• the blower fan 15 is located on the front side (+X) of the heat exchanger 13.
• the blower fan 15 is arranged inside the housing 11 facing the opening 11h.
• the blower fan 15 has rotors 15b that are rotated by a motor (not shown). When the rotors 15b rotate, air is drawn into the housing 11 through an air intake port located on the back surface of the housing 11. The air drawn into the housing 11 by the rotors 15b passes through the heat exchanger 13 and rotors 15b, and is blown out to the front of the housing 11 through the opening 11h.
• the electrical equipment unit 17 horizontally surrounds a portion of the circulation path portion 18 that extends upward from other components such as the compressor 12 in the machine room 11M.
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the electrical component unit 17.
• the electrical equipment unit 17 includes a first board 31, a second board 32, a heat sink 30, a first board support member (board support member) 40, a second board support member 49, a plurality of (three in this embodiment) reactors 50, a reactor support member 60, a plurality of (six in this embodiment) lead wires 79, and clips 70. Note that in Fig. 4, to avoid complexity, some components such as electronic components mounted on the first board 31 and the second board 32 are not shown.
• the first substrate 31 is a power supply substrate.
• the first substrate 31 has a first substrate main body 31a and a plurality of electronic components (not shown) mounted on the first substrate main body 31a.
• the first substrate main body 31a is plate-shaped and extends along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction Y. That is, the first substrate 31 extends along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction Y.
• Electronic components (not shown) are mounted on the surface of the first substrate main body 31a facing the right side (+Y).
• a lead wire 79 is connected to the surface of the first substrate main body 31a facing the right side (+Y).
• the surface of the first substrate main body 31a facing the left side (-Y) contacts the heat sink 30.
• the second board 32 is a control board.
• the second board 32 has a second board main body 32a and multiple electronic components (not shown) mounted on the second board main body 32a.
• the second board main body 32a is plate-shaped and extends along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction X. In other words, the second board 32 extends along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction X.
• Electronic components (not shown) are mounted on the surface of the second board main body 32a facing the front (+X).
• the heat sink 30 is located on the left side (-Y) of the first substrate 31 and extends along the first substrate 31.
• the right side (+Y) of the heat sink 30 is disposed in the machine chamber 11M, and the left side (-Y) of the heat sink 30 is disposed in the fan chamber 11F.
• the right side (+Y) of the heat sink 30 contacts the first substrate 31. This allows the heat sink 30 to absorb heat from the first substrate 31.
• a plurality of fins 30f are provided on the left side (-Y) of the heat sink 30.
• the fins 30f extend in the front-rear direction X and are aligned in the up-down direction Z.
• the fins 30f protrude into the fan chamber 11F inside the housing 11.
• the fins 30f are cooled by air flowing forward through the fan chamber 11F. This allows the heat sink 30 to dissipate heat absorbed from the first substrate 31 to the air in the fan chamber 11F.
• the first substrate support member 40 supports the first substrate 31 , the heat sink 30 , the second substrate support member 49 , and the reactor support member 60 .
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first substrate support member 40.
• the first substrate support member 40 is formed by bending a single plate material and has a first plate portion 41, a second plate portion 42, a third plate portion 47, a hooking claw portion 47a, two first fixing pieces 43, a support piece 44, an attachment piece 45, and three guide pieces 46.
• the first plate portion 41 is a generally rectangular flat plate extending along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction Y.
• the first plate portion 41 is located on the left side (-Y) of the first board 31. As shown in Figure 3, the first plate portion 41 is located above the partition plate 11k.
• the first plate portion 41 extends so as to connect the plate surface of the partition plate 11k upward. Together with the partition plate 11k, the first plate portion 41 divides the internal space of the housing 11 into a fan chamber 11F and a machine chamber 11M.
• a first opening 41h is provided in the first plate portion 41.
• the first opening 41h penetrates the first plate portion 41 in the left-right direction Y.
• the heat sink 30 is positioned to pass through the first opening 41h. As a result, the heat sink 30 covers the first opening 41h.
• the heat sink 30 also prevents air from the fan chamber 11F from flowing into the machine chamber 11M through the first opening 41h.
• the second plate portion 42 is a generally rectangular flat plate extending along a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction X.
• the left (-Y) end of the second plate portion 42 connects to the rear (-X) end of the first plate portion 41.
• the second plate portion 42 is formed by bending part of the plate material to the right (+Y) relative to the first plate portion 41.
• the second plate portion 42 is provided with a first locking portion 42a and a second locking portion 42b.
• the first locking portion 42a and the second locking portion 42b are formed by pressing the plate surface of the second plate portion 42.
• the first locking portion 42a and the second locking portion 42b are arranged side by side in the vertical direction.
• the first locking portion 42a is located above the second locking portion 42b.
• the first locking portion 42a has a first protrusion 42c and a first hole 42d.
• the first protrusion 42c protrudes in a stepped manner toward the front (+X) side relative to the second plate portion 42.
• the first protrusion 42c is rectangular when viewed from the front-to-rear direction X.
• the first hole 42d penetrates the second plate portion 42 in the front-to-rear direction X.
• the first hole 42d is L-shaped when viewed from the rear (-X) side.
• the first hole 42d has a portion that extends linearly in the left-right direction Y along the lower end of the first protrusion 42c, and a portion that extends linearly in the up-down direction Z along the right (+Y) end of the first protrusion 42c.
• the second locking portion 42b has a second protrusion 42e and a second hole 42g.
• the second protrusion 42e protrudes in a stepped manner toward the front (+X) side relative to the second plate portion 42.
• the second protrusion 42e is rectangular when viewed from the front-to-back direction X.
• the second hole 42g penetrates the second plate portion 42 in the front-to-back direction X.
• the second hole 42g is L-shaped rotated 180 degrees when viewed from the front (+X).
• the second hole 42g has a portion that extends linearly in the left-right direction Y along the upper end of the second protrusion 42e, and a portion that extends linearly in the up-down direction Z along the right (+Y) end of the second protrusion 42e.
• the shapes of the first locking portion 42a and the second locking portion 42b in this embodiment are merely examples. As will be described later, the first locking portion 42a and the second locking portion 42b temporarily secure the reactor support member 60 by inserting the locking pieces 64 of the reactor support member 60 into them, respectively.
• the shapes of the first locking portion 42a and the second locking portion 42b are not limited to those of this embodiment, as long as they are shapes that allow the reactor support member 60 to be temporarily secured by inserting the locking pieces 64 into them, respectively.
• the third plate portion 47 is a generally rectangular flat plate extending along a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction X.
• the left (-Y) end of the third plate portion 47 connects to the front (+X) end of the first plate portion 41.
• the third plate portion 47 faces the second plate portion 42 in the front-to-rear direction X.
• the third plate portion 47 is formed by bending part of a plate material to the right (+Y) relative to the first plate portion 41.
• the first fixed pieces 43 extend along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction Y.
• the rear (-X) ends of the two first fixed pieces 43 are connected to the right (+Y) ends of the second plate portion 42.
• the two first fixed pieces 43 are aligned in the up-down direction Z.
• the two first fixed pieces 43 are also arranged on the same plane. In this embodiment, the two first fixed pieces 43 are separated from each other in the up-down direction Z, but these may also be different parts of a single flat plate portion.
• the first fixed pieces 43 are formed by bending a portion of the plate material toward the front (+X) relative to the second plate portion 42.
• a screw hole 43h is provided in the first fixed piece 43. It is preferable that the screw hole 43h be burred along its inner edge, protruding to the left (-Y).
• the screw inserted into the screw hole 43h is a tapping screw. By inserting the tapping screw, a female thread is formed on the inner surface of the screw hole 43h.
• the support piece 44 extends along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction Y.
• the rear (-X) end of the support piece 44 connects to the right (+Y) end of the second plate portion 42.
• the support piece 44 is disposed between the two first fixed pieces 43 in the vertical direction Z.
• the support piece 44 is also disposed on the same plane as the two first fixed pieces 43. Note that in this embodiment, the support piece 44 and the two first fixed pieces 43 are separated from each other in the vertical direction Z, but these may also be different parts of a single flat plate portion.
• the support piece 44 is formed by bending a portion of the plate material toward the front (+X) relative to the second plate portion 42.
• a locking hole 44h is provided in the support piece 44.
• the locking hole 44h penetrates the support piece 44 in the left-right direction Y.
• the locking hole 44h is an elongated hole extending in the up-down direction Z.
• the shape of the locking hole 44h is not limited to this embodiment.
• the mounting piece 45 extends along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction Y.
• the front (+X) end of the mounting piece 45 connects to the right (+Y) end of the second plate portion 42.
• the mounting piece 45 is positioned above the two first fixing pieces 43, the support piece 44, and the three guide pieces 46.
• the mounting piece 45 is formed by bending a portion of the plate material toward the rear (-X) side relative to the second plate portion 42.
• a fixing hole 45h is provided in the mounting piece 45.
• the fixing hole 45h penetrates the mounting piece 45 in the left-right direction Y.
• a screw is inserted into the fixing hole 45h to screw the first board support member 40 to the heat exchanger 13.
• the three guide pieces 46 extend along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction Y.
• the front (+X) ends of the three guide pieces 46 are connected to the right (+Y) end of the second plate portion 42.
• the three guide pieces 46 are aligned in the up-down direction Z.
• Each of the three guide pieces 46 is also arranged on the same plane as the mounting piece 45.
• Two of the guide pieces 46 are arranged between the first fixed piece 43 and the support piece 44 in the up-down direction Z.
• One of the guide pieces 46 is arranged lower than the mounting piece 45, the two first fixed pieces 43, the support piece 44, and the other guide pieces 46.
• the guide piece 46 is formed by bending a portion of the plate material rearward (-X) relative to the second plate portion 42.
• the hooking claw portion 47a is provided on the lower end of the third plate portion 47.
• the hooking claw portion 47a protrudes downward.
• the hooking claw portion 47a is inserted into the hole portion 11j that opens at the upper end of the partition plate 11k shown in FIG. 3.
• the worker assembling the outdoor unit 10 screws the mounting piece 45 of the first board support member 40 to the right (+Y) end of the heat exchanger 13 with the first board support member 40 mounted on the upper side of the partition plate 11k. This secures the electrical component unit 17 to the heat exchanger 13.
• the second substrate support member 49 supports the second substrate 32.
• the second substrate support member 49 is formed by bending a single plate material.
• the second substrate support member 49 has a fourth plate portion 49a and a fifth plate portion 49b.
• the fourth plate portion 49a is a generally rectangular flat plate extending along a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction X.
• the fourth plate portion 49a is located on the front side (+X) of the second substrate 32.
• the second substrate 32 is fixed to the surface of the fourth plate portion 49a facing the rear side (-X).
• the fourth plate portion 49a faces the second plate portion 42 in the front-to-rear direction X. When viewed from the front-to-rear direction X, the fourth plate portion 49a overlaps the entire second plate portion 42.
• the surface of the second substrate body 32a facing the front (+X) is open to the front (+X), allowing workers performing maintenance, etc. to access the components (not shown) mounted on the second substrate body 32a from the front.
• the fifth plate portion 49b is a generally rectangular flat plate extending along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction Y.
• the front (+X) end of the fifth plate portion 49b connects to the right (+Y) end of the fourth plate portion 49a.
• Fig. 6 is a perspective view of three reactors 50 and a reactor support member 60 that supports these reactors 50.
• Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the reactors 50 and the reactor support member 60.
• Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the reactor support member 60 as seen obliquely from the rear.
• the electrical equipment unit 17 of this embodiment is provided with three reactors 50.
• the reactors 50 are connected to the first board 31 via lead wires 79.
• the three reactors 50 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction Z.
• the reactor 50 has a reactor body 51, a connection part 52 to which the lead wires 79 are connected, and a base part 53 that supports the reactor body 51 and the connection part 52.
• the reactor body 51 is constructed by wrapping copper wire around an iron core.
• the reactor body 51 functions as a reactor.
• the reactor 50 of this embodiment is provided with two connection parts 52. Different lead wires 79 are connected to the two connection parts 52.
• the two connection parts 52 are aligned in the vertical direction Z.
• the two connection parts 52 are also located on the right side (+Y) of the reactor main body 51.
• two through holes 53h are provided in the base portion 53.
• the through holes 53h penetrate the base portion 53 in the front-to-rear direction X.
• First screws 59 that secure the reactor 50 to the reactor support member 60 are inserted into the through holes 53h.
• the reactor support member 60 is formed by bending a single plate material.
• the reactor support member 60 supports the reactor 50 from the rear side (-X).
• the reactor support member 60 has a support plate portion 61, a second fixing piece 62, a connecting piece 63, a locking piece 64, and a claw portion 65.
• the support plate portion 61 is a generally rectangular flat plate extending along a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction X.
• the support plate portion 61 is provided with six screw holes 61h and one retaining hole 61j.
• the screw holes 61h and retaining hole 61j penetrate the support plate portion 61 in the front-to-rear direction X.
• the six screw holes 61h are aligned in the up-down direction Z near the center of the support plate portion 61 in the left-to-right direction Y.
• the retaining hole 61j is located at the upper end of the support plate portion 61.
• the reactor 50 is fixed to the front surface 61f of the support plate portion 61 by tightening the first screw 59 inserted into the through hole 53h of the reactor 50 into the screw hole 61h.
• the reactor 50 is fixed to the support plate portion 61 from the front side (+X) by the first screw 59.
• the screw hole 61h be burred along its inner edge, protruding rearward (-X).
• the first screw 59 inserted into the screw hole 61h is a tapping screw. Therefore, when the first screw 59 is inserted into the screw hole 61h, a female thread is formed on the inner surface.
• the second fixed piece 62 extends along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction Y.
• the front (+X) end of the second fixed piece 62 connects to the right (+Y) end of the support plate portion 61.
• the second fixed piece 62 is formed by bending part of the plate material toward the rear (-X) side relative to the support plate portion 61.
• the second fixed piece 62 has two through holes 62h and one opening 62k.
• the through holes 62h and opening 62k penetrate the second fixed piece 62 in the left-right direction Y.
• the through holes 62h are circular, and the opening 62k is rectangular.
• a second screw 69 is inserted into the through holes 62h.
• the second fixing piece 62 is located to the right (+Y) of the first fixing piece 43 and support piece 44 of the first substrate support member 40, and is arranged along the first fixing piece 43 and support piece 44.
• the through hole 62h of the second fixing piece 62 overlaps with the screw hole 43h of the first fixing piece 43 when viewed from the left-right direction Y.
• a second screw 69 inserted into the through hole 62h of the second fixing piece 62 is fastened into the screw hole 61h of the first fixing piece 43.
• the reactor support member 60 is screwed to the first substrate support member 40 from the right side (+Y).
• the opening 62k of the second fixed piece 62 overlaps with the support piece 44 when viewed from the left-right direction Y.
• the claw portion 65 is provided on the inner edge of the opening 62k.
• the claw portion 65 protrudes to the left (-Y) side relative to the second fixed piece 62.
• the claw portion 65 is a rectangular plate extending along a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction X.
• the claw portion 65 is located on the rear side (-X) of the support plate portion 61.
• the claw portion 65 is formed by bending the plate material to the left (-Y) side relative to the second fixed piece 62 when forming the opening 62k.
• the claw portion 65 is inserted into the locking hole 44h provided in the support piece 44. As a result, the inner edge of the locking hole 44h restricts the movement of the reactor support member 60 in the front-to-rear direction X and the up-to-down direction Z.
• the claw portion 65 and the locking hole 44h constitute the third provisional portion described below.
• connection piece 63 extends along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction Y.
• the front (+X) end of the connection piece 63 connects to the left (-Y) end of the support plate portion 61.
• the connection piece 63 is formed by bending part of the plate material toward the rear (-X) side relative to the support plate portion 61.
• the locking piece 64 extends along a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction X.
• the right (+Y) end of the locking piece 64 connects to the rear (-X) end of the connecting piece 63.
• the locking piece 64 is formed by bending part of the plate material to the left (-Y) relative to the connecting piece 63.
• the upper end of the locking piece 64 is referred to as the first locking piece 64a
• the lower end is referred to as the second locking piece 64b. That is, the reactor support member 60 has the first locking piece 64a and the second locking piece 64b.
• the first locking piece 64a and the second locking piece 64b are provided on the reactor support member 60 and extend along a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction X.
• the first locking piece 64a and the second locking piece 64b are each part of a single flat plate portion (locking piece 64), but the first locking piece 64a and the second locking piece 64b may also be separated from each other in the up-down direction Z.
• the first locking piece 64a is locked to the first locking portion 42a of the first substrate support member 40.
• the first locking piece 64a is inserted into the first hole 42d of the first locking portion 42a from the right side (+Y). That is, the upper (+Z) and left (-Y) corners of the first locking portion 42a are inserted into the first hole 42d.
• the first locking piece 64a is positioned on the rear side (-X) of the first protrusion 42c.
• the reactor support member 60 is restricted in its movement in the forward/backward direction X, upward (+Z), and leftward (-Y) movement by the first locking portion 42a.
• the second locking piece 64b is locked to the second locking portion 42b of the first substrate support member 40.
• the second locking piece 64b is inserted into the second hole 42g of the second locking portion 42b from the right side (+Y). That is, the lower (-Z) and left (-Y) corners of the second locking portion 42b are inserted into the second hole 42g.
• the second locking piece 64b is positioned on the rear side (-X) of the second protrusion 42e.
• the reactor support member 60 is restricted in its movement in the forward/backward direction X, downward (-Z), and leftward (-Y) movement by the second locking portion 42b.
• Figure 9 is an exploded oblique view showing the process of assembling the reactor support member 60 to the first substrate support member 40.
• Multiple reactors 50 are fixed to the reactor support member 60 in advance.
• the reactor support member 60 is assembled to the first substrate support member 40 from the right side (+Y).
• the worker performing the assembly inserts the first locking piece 64a and the second locking piece 64b of the reactor support member 60 into the first hole portion 42d and the second hole portion 42g of the first substrate support member 40, respectively.
• the worker also inserts the claw portion 65 of the reactor support member 60 into the locking hole 44h of the first substrate support member 40.
• the reactor support member 60 is temporarily fixed to the first substrate support member 40. This state is called the temporarily fixed state.
• the worker inserts the two second screws 69 into the through holes 62h of the first substrate support member 40 and then tightens them into the screw holes 43h of the reactor support member 60. This permanently fixes the reactor support member 60 to the first substrate support member 40.
• first temporary fixing structure 91 has a first locking portion 42a provided on the second plate portion 42 and a first locking piece 64a provided on the reactor support member 60.
• the second temporary fixing structure 92 has a second locking portion 42b provided on the second plate portion 42 and a second locking piece 64b provided on the reactor support member 60.
• the third temporary fixing structure 93 has a locking hole 44h provided in the first substrate support member 40 and a claw portion 65 provided on the reactor support member 60.
• the electrical equipment unit 17 has all of the first temporary fixing structure 91, second temporary fixing structure 92, and third temporary fixing structure 93 that temporarily fix the reactor support member 60 to the first board support member 40.
• the worker can fasten the reactor support member 60 to the first board support member 40 by tightening the second screw 69 without holding down the reactor support member 60.
• the first temporary fixing structure 91 primarily restricts movement of the reactor support member 60 in the forward/backward direction X, upward (+Z), and leftward (-Y) movement.
• the second temporary fixing structure 92 primarily restricts movement of the reactor support member 60 in the forward/backward direction X, downward (-Z), and leftward (-Y) movement.
• the third temporary fixing structure 93 primarily restricts movement of the reactor support member 60 in the forward/backward direction X and upward/downward direction Z.
• the electrical component unit 17 is able to temporarily fix the reactor support member 60 to the first substrate support member 40 by combining the movement of the reactor support member 60 restricted by the first temporary fixing structure 91, the second temporary fixing structure 92, and the third temporary fixing structure 93.
• the electrical component unit 17 of this embodiment has all of the first temporary fixing structure 91, the second temporary fixing structure 92, and the third temporary fixing structure 93, the position of the reactor support member 60 is more likely to be stable in the temporarily fixed state, improving the workability of the final fixing process of tightening the second screws 69.
• the reactor support member 60 can be sufficiently held by the first substrate support member 40 in the temporarily fixed state.
• FIG. 10 is a plan view of the electrical equipment unit 17 of this embodiment, viewed from above.
• the support plate portion 61 is arranged along the second plate portion 42.
• the support plate portion 61 and the second plate portion 42 face each other in the front-rear direction X with a space G interposed between them. That is, a space G is provided between the support plate portion 61 and the second plate portion 42 in the front-rear direction X.
• the second fixing piece 62 and the connecting piece 63 of the reactor support member 60 face each other in the left-right direction Y with the space G interposed therebetween.
• the space G is surrounded by the reactor support member 60 and the first board support member 40 in both the front-rear direction X and the left-right direction Y.
• the tip of the first screw 59 and the tip of the second screw 69 are arranged in the space G.
• the head of the first screw 59 and the head of the second screw 69 are arranged outside the space G.
• the six lead wires 79 are bundled together and extend from the connection portion (not shown) with the first substrate 31 to the rear side (-X), then extend in the left-right direction Y along the front side (+X) of the second plate portion 42 along the plate surface of the second plate portion 42, and are led to the upper side of the multiple reactors 50.
• Each lead wire 79 extends from the upper side to the lower side of the multiple reactors 50 and is connected to a connection portion 52 located on the right side (+Y) of the reactor main body 51.
• the clip 70 is attached to the reactor support member 60.
• the clip 70 is located above (+Z) the reactor 50.
• the clip 70 holds a plurality of (six in this embodiment) lead wires 79 extending in the left-right direction Y above the reactor 50.
• the clip 70 is made of an elastically deformable resin material.
• the clip 70 has a lead wire holding portion 70a, a shaft portion 70b, and an expansion portion 70c.
• the lead wire holding portion 70a is formed in a frame shape and holds a bundle of multiple lead wires 79.
• the lead wire holding portion 70a has an opening 70k that opens toward the front. The opening width of the opening 70k is smaller than the wire diameter of the lead wires 79.
• the shaft 70b extends rearward (-X) from the lead wire holding portion 70a.
• the shaft 70b extends in the front-to-rear direction X.
• the diameter of the shaft 70b is smaller than the diameter of the holding hole 61j of the reactor support member 60. Therefore, the clip 70 can rotate around the shaft 70b when the shaft 70b is inserted into the holding hole 61j.
• the expansion portion 70c is provided at the tip of the shaft portion 70b.
• the expansion portion 70c is larger than the diameter of the retaining hole 61j.
• the expansion portion 70c is elastically deformable radially inward. When the operator pushes the expansion portion 70c into the retaining hole 61j, the expansion portion 70c elastically deforms radially inward and is inserted into the retaining hole 61j. Furthermore, when the expansion portion 70c reaches the rear side (-X) of the retaining hole 61j, it is released from the load received from the retaining hole 61j and returns to its original size so that it is larger than the diameter of the retaining hole 61j. This prevents the clip 70 from coming off the retaining hole 61j.
• the worker accesses the electrical component unit 17 from the right side (+Y) and loosens the multiple second screws 69 to remove it from the first substrate support member 40 and the reactor support member 60.
• the reactor support member 60 enters a temporarily fixed state in which it is temporarily fixed to the first substrate support member 40 by the first temporary fixing structure 91, the second temporary fixing structure 92, and the third temporary fixing structure 93.
• the worker moves the reactor support member 60, which is temporarily fixed to the first substrate support member 40, to the right (+Y) and detaches the reactor support member 60 from the first substrate support member 40.
• the worker removes the reactor 50 from the reactor support member 60 and fixes a new reactor 50 to the reactor support member 60.
• the reactor support member 60 with the new reactor 50 fixed thereto is brought closer to the first substrate support member 40 from the right side (+Y). Furthermore, the reactor support member 60 is temporarily fixed to the first substrate support member 40 using the first temporary fixing structure 91, the second temporary fixing structure 92, and the third temporary fixing structure 93. Next, the reactor support member 60 is fixed to the first substrate support member 40 using the second screw 69. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the lead wire 79 is connected to the connection portion 52 of the reactor 50.
• the reactor 50 is fixed to the front side (+X) of the reactor support member 60. Therefore, if an operator attempts to remove only the reactor 50 from the electrical equipment unit 17, the operator must access the reactor 50 from the front side (+X) of the reactor 50.
• the second board 32 is located on the front side (+X) of the reactor 50. Therefore, if an operator attempts to remove only the reactor 50, the second board 32 must be removed as a preliminary step before removing the reactor 50. In this way, in the electrical equipment unit 17 arranged to efficiently utilize the internal space of the housing 11, the reactor 50 is located in a recessed position, making the replacement procedure complicated.
• the reactor support member 60 which supports multiple reactors 50, is detachably attached to the first board support member 40. Furthermore, the reactor support member 60 of this embodiment is fixed to the first board support member 40 from the right side (+Y). Therefore, even if other components are placed in the direction in which the reactor 50 is attached (the front side in this embodiment), the reactor 50 can be removed from the other direction (the right side in this embodiment), simplifying the procedure for replacing the reactor 50.
• the direction in which the reactor support member 60 is fixed to the first substrate support member 40 and the direction in which the reactor 50 is fixed to the reactor support member 60 are perpendicular to each other.
• these two directions do not necessarily have to be perpendicular as long as they are different directions.
• the side in which the reactor support member 60 is fixed to the first substrate support member 40 and the side in which the reactor 50 is fixed to the reactor support member 60 are opposite each other, these two directions may be the same. As an example of such a case, the modified example shown in Figure 11 will be described.
• ⁇ Modification> 11 is a plan view of a modified electrical equipment unit 117 seen from above.
• the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.
• the reactor support member 160 of this modified example has a support plate portion 61, a connecting piece 63, a locking piece 64, a first piece 162, and a second piece 166.
• the first piece 162 extends along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction Y.
• the front (+X) end of the first piece 162 connects to the right (+Y) end of the support plate portion 61.
• the second piece 166 is located on the rear (-X) side of the support plate portion 61.
• the second piece 166 extends along a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction X. Therefore, the second piece 166 faces the support plate portion 61 in the front-to-rear direction X.
• the right (+Y) end of the second piece 166 connects to the rear (-X) end of the first piece 162.
• the first substrate support member 140 of this modified example has a second plate portion 142 extending along a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction X, similar to the embodiment described above.
• the second plate portion 142 is located in front of the second piece 166.
• the second plate portion 142 and the second piece 166 overlap in the front-to-rear direction X.
• a screw hole (not shown) is provided in the second plate portion 142.
• a through hole that overlaps with the screw hole in the second plate portion 142 is provided in the second piece 166.
• a second screw 69 is inserted into the through hole in the second piece 166 and tightened into the screw hole in the second plate portion 142.
• the reactor support member 160 is fixed to the first substrate support member 140 from the rear side (-X).
• the side where the reactor support member 160 is fixed to the first substrate support member 140 (the front side in this modified example) and the side where the reactor 50 is fixed to the reactor support member 160 (the rear side in this modified example) are on opposite sides of the same direction. Therefore, even if other components are placed in front of the reactor 50, the reactor 50 can be removed from the rear side, simplifying the procedure for replacing the reactor 50.
• the outdoor unit 10 of this embodiment is an outdoor unit of a refrigeration cycle apparatus 100.
• the outdoor unit 10 includes a housing 11 and an electrical component unit 17 housed in the housing 11.
• the electrical component unit 17 includes a first board 31, a first board support member 40 that supports the first board 31, a reactor 50 connected to the first board 31 via lead wires 79, and a reactor support member 60 that supports the reactor 50.
• a reactor support member 160 is detachably fixed to the first board support member 40.
• the reactor 50 is supported by a reactor support member 60 that is detachably fixed to the first substrate support member 40. Therefore, by appropriately setting the orientation in which the reactor support member 60 is fixed to the first substrate support member 40 (to the right in this embodiment), the reactor 50 can be removed from the electrical component unit 17 without coming into contact with other components, even if those components are positioned in the same orientation as the reactor 50 itself. This increases the flexibility of the orientation in which the reactor 50 is fixed, thereby enabling the electrical component unit 17 to be made more compact. Furthermore, removing the reactor support member 60 does not require removing other components (e.g., the second substrate 32), simplifying the reactor 50 replacement process.
• the process of removing the reactor 50 from the reactor support member 60 can be performed in a stable environment, such as on a workbench. Therefore, compared to removing the reactor 50 inside the housing 11, damage to other components and the reactor 50 during the reactor 50 removal process can be reduced. Furthermore, the safety of workers performing the reactor 50 removal work can be improved. Furthermore, because it is not necessary to remove other components when removing the reactor support member 60, there is no need to disconnect lead wires extending from other components. This eliminates the need to reinstall other components and reconnect lead wires to other components after replacing the reactor 50. Furthermore, these work tasks can prevent incorrect assembly and incorrect lead wire connections. In other words, this embodiment provides an outdoor unit 10 with excellent maintainability, and a refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 including such an outdoor unit 10. Furthermore, as described in the embodiment, when the first substrate support member 40 supports multiple reactors 50, removing the reactor support member 60 from the first substrate support member 40 allows the multiple reactors 50 to be simultaneously detached from the electrical component unit 17, simplifying the replacement work.
• the reactor support member 60, 160 is fixed to the first substrate support member 40, 140 from the first side.
• the reactor 50 is fixed to the reactor support member 60 from the second side.
• the first side and the second side are in different directions or are opposite sides of the same direction.
• the first side corresponds to the right side (+Y)
• the second side corresponds to the front side (+X). Therefore, in this embodiment, the first side and the second side are in different directions (left-right direction Y and front-back direction X).
• the first side corresponds to the rear side (-X)
• the second side corresponds to the front side (+X).
• the first side and the second side are opposite sides of the same direction (front-back direction X).
• the reactor 50 has a reactor body 51 and a connection portion 52 to which a lead wire 79 is connected.
• the connection portion 52 is located on the first side (right side) of the reactor body 51.
• the side on which the connection portion 52 is located relative to the reactor body 51 and the side on which the reactor support member 60 is fixed to the first substrate support member 40 can be the same side (the right side in this embodiment). Therefore, the worker can perform both the procedure for disconnecting the lead wire 79 and the procedure for removing the reactor support member 60 from the first substrate support member 40 from the first side (right side), simplifying the reactor 50 replacement process.
• the first side (right side) is one side in the first direction (left-right direction Y).
• the second side (front side) is one side in the second direction (front-rear direction X) that intersects the first direction (left-right direction Y).
• the side opposite the first side in the first direction (left-right direction Y) is the third side (left side).
• the electrical equipment unit 17 has a second board 32.
• the first board 31 is located on the opposite side (left side) of the first side of the reactor 50 and extends along a plane perpendicular to the first direction (left-right direction Y).
• the second board 32 is located on the second side (front side) of the reactor 50 and extends along a plane perpendicular to the second direction (front-rear direction X). According to this configuration, the reactor 50 is covered by the first board 31 from the left side (-Y) and by the second board 32 from the front side (+X). As a result, the space covered by the first board 31 and the second board 32 can be effectively used as a placement space for the reactor 50, allowing for a more compact outdoor unit 10. Furthermore, the first board 31 and the second board 32 are not located on the first side (right side) of the reactor 50. As a result, an operator can access the electrical component unit 17 from the right side (+Y) and easily remove the reactor support member 60 from the first board support member 40.
• the first substrate support member 40 has a first plate portion 41 extending along a plane perpendicular to the first direction (left-right direction Y) and supporting the first substrate 31, a second plate portion 42 connected to the first plate portion 41 and extending along a plane perpendicular to the second direction (front-rear direction X), and a first fixing piece 43 connected to the first side (right) end of the second plate portion 42 and extending along a plane perpendicular to the first direction (left-right direction Y).
• the reactor support member 60 has a support plate portion 61 extending along a plane perpendicular to the second direction (front-rear direction X) and facing the second plate portion 42 in the second direction (front-rear direction X), and a second fixing piece 62 connected to the first side (right) end of the support plate portion 61 and extending along a plane perpendicular to the first direction (left-right direction Y).
• the reactor 50 is fixed to the support plate portion 61 from the second side (front side) with a first screw 59.
• the second fixing piece 62 is screwed to the first fixing piece 43 from the first side (right side) with a second screw 69.
• a space G is provided between the support plate 61 and the second plate 42 in the second direction (front-rear direction X).
• the tip of the first screw 59 and the tip of the second screw 69 are disposed in the space G.
• This configuration prevents the tips of the first screw 59 and the second screw 69 from damaging other components when tightening the first screw 59 and the second screw 69.
• the tips of the first screw 59 and the second screw 69 are protected by the support plate 61 and the second plate 42, and are unlikely to be exposed inside the housing 11. This prevents workers from coming into contact with the screw tips, improving the safety of work inside the housing 11.
• the electrical equipment unit 17 has at least two of a first temporary fixing structure 91, a second temporary fixing structure 92, and a third temporary fixing structure 93 as temporary fixing structures that temporarily fix the reactor support member 60 to the first substrate support member 40.
• the first temporary fixing structure 91 has a first locking portion 42a provided on the second plate portion 42 and a first locking piece 64a provided on the reactor support member 60.
• the second temporary fixing structure 92 has a second locking portion 42b provided on the second plate portion 42 and a second locking piece 64b provided on the reactor support member 60.
• the third temporary fixing structure 93 has a locking hole 44h provided in the first substrate support member 40 and a claw portion 65 provided in the reactor support member 60.
• the first locking portion 42a has a plate-shaped first protrusion 42c that protrudes in a stepped shape toward the second side (front side) relative to the second plate portion 42, and a first hole 42d that is disposed along the lower end and the first side (right side) end of the first protrusion 42c and penetrates the second plate portion 42.
• the first locking piece 64a is provided in the reactor support member 60, extends along a plane perpendicular to the second direction (front-rear direction X), and is inserted into the first hole 42d.
• the second locking portion 42b has a plate-shaped second protrusion 42e that protrudes in a stepped manner toward the second side (front side) from the second plate portion 42, and a second hole 42g that is disposed along the upper end and the first side (right side) end of the second protrusion 42e and penetrates the second plate portion 42.
• the second locking piece 64b is provided on the reactor support member 60, extends along a plane perpendicular to the second direction (front-rear direction X), and is inserted into the second hole 42g.
• the locking hole 44h is provided on the support piece 44 that extends along a plane perpendicular to the first direction (left-right direction Y).
• the claw portion 65 extends to the third side (left side) and is inserted into the locking hole 44h.
• the electrical equipment unit 17 of this embodiment has a lead wire holding portion 70a that bundles and holds multiple lead wires 79, and a clip 70 that has a shaft 70b extending from the lead wire holding portion 70a.
• the reactor support member 60 has a holding hole 61j into which the shaft 70b is inserted.
• the reactor support member 60 supports the clip 70 so that it can rotate around the shaft 70b.
• the clip 70 bundles and holds the multiple lead wires 79, making it easier to handle the multiple lead wires 79 when attaching or detaching the reactor support member 60.
• the clip 70 can rotate around the shaft 70b, excessive bending stress on the lead wires 79 can be prevented even if the direction in which the lead wires 79 extend changes when the lead wires 79 are attached or detached.
• the refrigeration cycle device in which the outdoor unit of the present disclosure is equipped may be any device that utilizes a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant circulates, and is not limited to an air conditioner.
• the refrigeration cycle device may also be a heat pump water heater, etc.

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  • 2024-02-19 JP JP2026501807A patent/JPWO2025177346A1/ja active Pending
  • 2024-02-19 WO PCT/JP2024/005757 patent/WO2025177346A1/ja active Pending

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