FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]
HEAT EXCHANGE UNIT AND AIR CONDITIONER
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION, A CORPORATION ORGANISED AND
EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF JAPAN, WHOSE ADDRESS IS 7-3,
MARUNOUCHI 2-CHOME, CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO 1008310, JAPAN
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE
INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.
2
[DESCRIPTION]
[Technical Field]
[0001]5
The present disclosure relates to a heat exchange unit and an air conditioner.
[Background Art]
[0002]
For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, an air conditioner having a
configuration where a fan motor is supported by a support member is known.10
[Citation List]
[Patent Document]
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2011-7488615
[Summary of Invention]
[PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION]
[0004]
In the previously mentioned air conditioner, a portion of the support member is
disposed between a fan motor and coolant pipes, and there are cases in which said air20
conditioner includes a configuration which suppresses condensation water that forms on
a surface of the coolant pipes from coming onto the fan motor. In such cases however,
since the air within an accommodation space of the fan motor is cooled by the
condensation water that is attached to the support member, condensation water forms
within the accommodation space, and there is a risk of condensation water coming onto25
3
the fan motor.
[0005]
In response to the above, by attaching thermal insulation material to the support
member, it is possible to suppress cooling of the air within the accommodation space of
the fan motor by the condensation water, and it is possible to suppress formation of5
condensation water within the accommodation space of the fan motor. In such case
however, a production cost of the air conditioner increases since thermal insulation needs
to be provided.
[0006]
The present disclosure has been made in order to address the problem above, and an10
object is to provide a heat exchange unit having a construction which suppresses
condensation water from coming onto a motor while suppressing an increase in
production cost thereof, and to provide an air conditioner that includes the heat exchange
unit.
[MEANS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM]15
[0007]
A heat exchange unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a
housing; a heat exchange device disposed on an inside of the housing; a coolant pipe
connected to the heat exchange device, and a blower that has a motor and that blows air
to the heat exchange device, wherein the housing has a hollow wall that is disposed20
between the motor and the coolant pipe.
[0008]
An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include
an outdoor unit, and the heat exchange unit mentioned above.
25
4
[EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION]
[0009]
According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress condensation water from
coming onto a motor a heat exchange unit, while suppressing an increase in production
cost thereof.5
[Brief Description of Drawings]
[0010]
[FIG. 1] A schematic diagram that shows an outline configuration of an air
conditioner in a first embodiment.
[FIG. 2] A perspective view that shows an indoor unit as a heat exchange unit in10
the first embodiment.
[FIG. 3] An exploded perspective view that shows the indoor unit as the heat
exchange unit in the first embodiment.
[FIG. 4] A perspective view that shows a portion of the indoor unit as the heat
exchange unit in the first embodiment.15
[FIG. 5] An exploded perspective view that shows a motor fixing part and a
portion of a motor in the first embodiment.
[FIG. 6] A cross-sectional view that shows a portion of the indoor unit as the heat
exchange unit in the first embodiment.
[FIG. 7] A perspective view that shows a second holding member of the motor20
fixing part in the first embodiment.
[FIG. 8] A perspective view that shows a portion of the indoor unit as the heat
exchange unit, and is a view that shows a pathway when condensation water is being
discharged from a hollow wall.
[FIG. 9] A perspective view that shows the hollow wall in the first embodiment.25
5
[FIG. 10] A cross-sectional view that shows an inside of a portion of the hollow
wall in the first embodiment.
[FIG. 11] A perspective view that shows a portion of the indoor unit as the heat
exchange unit in a second embodiment.
[Description of Embodiments]5
[0011]
Embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinafter with reference to the
drawings. In the embodiments below, a case where a heat exchange unit is an indoor
unit of an air conditioner is explained. The scope of the present disclosure however, is
not limited to the embodiments below, and may be changed as needed within the limits of10
the technical scope of the present disclosure. To solicit better understanding of the
various configurations below, there are cases where scales and dimensions or the like of
the various configurations differ from actual scales and dimensions or the like.
[0012]
The drawings show an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis where appropriate. The X axis15
shows a direction out of a horizontal direction. The Y axis shows another of the
horizontal direction. The Z axis shows a vertical direction. In the explanation below,
a horizontal direction along the X axis is referred to as a “front-rear direction X”, a
horizontal direction along the Y axis is referred to as a “left-right direction Y”, and a
vertical direction is referred to as a “vertical direction Z”. The front-rear direction X,20
the left-right direction Y, and the vertical direction Z are mutually orthogonal directions.
In the explanation below, a direction out of the vertical direction Z in which an arrow of
the Z axis points to (+Z side) is referred to as “top”. The other direction out of the
vertical direction Z which faces an opposite side the arrow of the Z axis points to (-Z
side) is a “bottom”. A direction out of the front-rear direction X in which an arrow of25
6
the X axis points to (+X side) is referred to as “front”. The other direction out of the
front-rear direction X which faces an opposite direction the arrow of the X axis points to
(-X side) is referred to as “rear”. The left-right direction Y is a left-right direction of an
indoor unit in the embodiments below as seen from the front (+X direction). In other
words, a direction out of the left-right direction Y in which an arrow of the Y axis points5
to (+Y side) is referred to as “right”. The other direction out of the left-right direction Y
which faces an opposite side the arrow of the Y axis points to (-Y side) is referred to as
“left”.
[0013]
First Embodiment10
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram that shows a general configuration of an air conditioner
100 in a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 100 includes an
outdoor unit 10, an indoor unit 20, and a circulation pathway 18. The outdoor unit 10 is
disposed on an outside of a room. The indoor unit 20 is disposed on an inside of a room.
The outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 are each connected by the circulation pathway15
18 that circulates a refrigerant 19.
[0014]
By having the refrigerant 19 that flows within the circulation pathway 18, and the
indoor unit 20 conduct heat exchange with the air indoors, it is possible for the air
conditioner 100 to adjust a temperature of the air indoors. A refrigerant such as a20
fluorine based refrigerant with a low global warming potential (GWP: Global Warming
Potential), or a hydrocarbon based refrigerant or the like may be mentioned as examples
of the refrigerant 19.
[0015]
The outdoor unit 10 includes a housing 11, a compressor 12, a heat exchange device25
7
13, a flow adjustment valve 14, a blower 15, a four-way valve 16, and a controller 17.
The compressor 12, the heat exchange device 13, the flow adjustment valve 14, the
blower 15, the four-way valve 16, and the controller 17 are housed on an inner portion of
the housing 11.
[0016]5
Out of the circulation pathway 18, the compressor 12, the heat exchange device 13, the
flow adjustment valve 14, and the four-way valve 16 are provided on a portion located on
the inside portion of the housing 11. Out of the circulation pathway 18, the compressor
12, the heat exchange device 13, the flow adjustment valve 14, and the four-way valve 16
are connected by a portion located on the inside portion of the housing 11.10
[0017]
Out of the circulation pathway 18, the four-way valve 16 is provided on a portion that
is connected to a discharge of the compressor 12. By exchanging a part of the
circulation pathway 18, it is possible for the four-way valve 16 to reverse a direction of
flow of the refrigerant 19 within the circulation pathway 18. When the path connected15
by the four-way valve 16 is the path of the four-way valve 16 that is shown by solid lines
in FIG. 1, the refrigerant 19 within the circulation pathway 18 flows in the direction
shown by the solid line arrow in FIG. 1. On the other hand, when the path connected by
the four-way valve 16 is the path of the four-way valve 16 that is shown by dashed lines
in FIG. 1, the refrigerant 19 flows within the circulation pathway 18 in the direction20
shown by the dashed line arrow in FIG. 1.
[0018]
The indoor unit 20 includes a housing 21, a heat exchange device 22, a blower 23, and
a control portion 24. The housing 21 accommodates the heat exchange device 22, the
blower 23, and the control portion 24 on an inside portion thereof. It is possible for the25
8
indoor unit 20 to have a cooling operation where the air of the room the indoor unit 20 is
disposed in is cooled, and to have a heating operation where the air of the room the
indoor unit 20 is disposed in is heated.
[0019]
When the indoor unit 20 is operated in the cooling operation, the refrigerant 19 that5
flows within the circulation pathway 18 flows in the direction shown by the solid line in
FIG. 1. In other words, when the indoor unit 20 is operated in the cooling operation, the
refrigerant 19 that flows within the circulation pathway 18 circulates so as to return to the
compressor 12 after passing through the compressor 12, the heat exchange device 13 of
the outdoor unit 10, the flow adjustment valve 14, and the heat exchange device 22 of the10
indoor unit 20 in such an order. During the cooling operation, the heat exchange device
13 of the outdoor unit 10 functions as a condenser, and the heat exchange device 22 of
the indoor unit 20 functions as an evaporator.
[0020]
On the other hand, when the indoor unit 20 is operated in the heating operation, the15
refrigerant 19 that flows within the circulation pathway 18 flows in the direction shown
by the dashed line in FIG. 1. In other words, when the indoor unit 20 is operated in the
heating operation, the refrigerant 19 that flows within the circulation pathway 18
circulates so as to return to the compressor 12 after passing through the compressor 12,
the heat exchange device 22 of the indoor unit 20, the flow adjustment valve 14, and the20
heat exchange device 13 of the outdoor unit 10 in such an order. During the heating
operation, the heat exchange device 13 of the outdoor unit 10 functions as the evaporator,
and the heat exchange device 22 of the indoor unit 20 functions as the condenser.
[0021]
Next, the indoor unit 20 is explained in further detail. The indoor unit 20 in the first25
9
embodiment corresponds to the “heat exchange unit”. FIG. 2 is a perspective view that
shows the indoor unit 20. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view that shows the indoor
unit as the heat exchange unit in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view that
shows a portion of the indoor unit 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the indoor unit 20 is a wall
mounted indoor unit that is fixed to an indoor wall. The indoor unit 20 has a long5
orthogonal shape in the left-right direction Y.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 21 of the indoor unit 20 has a box like main body
portion 21a that opens to the rear (-X direction), an air pathway member 21b attached to
a rear of the main body portion 21a, an installation plate 21c to which the air pathway10
member 21b that is fixed to an indoor wall surface is hooked onto, and a motor fixing
part 30 that fixes a motor 60 to be mentioned later on.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 4, the motor fixing part 30 is located on a right (+Y direction) of the
heat exchange device 22. The motor fixing part 30 is located on a front (+X direction)15
in a right end of the air pathway member 21b. The motor fixing part 30 is fixed to the
air pathway member 21b. The motor fixing part 30 is located inside of the main body
portion 21a. The motor fixing part 30 is further explained in the paragraphs that follow.
[0024]
The housing 21 has a first room 20a in which the heat exchange device 22 is20
accommodated, and a second room 20b in which a controller 24 is accommodated. The
second room 20b is disposed next to a right (+Y direction) of the first room 20a. An
inside of the second room 20b is partitioned by a separator 20c in the left-right direction
Y with an inside of the first room 20a. The separator 20c in the first embodiment is
configured by a part of the air pathway member 21b and a part of the motor fixing part25
10
30. A dimension of the second room 20b in the left-right direction Y is smaller than a
dimension of the first room 20a in the left-right direction Y.
[0025]
The blower 23 is disposed on an inside of the housing 21. The blower 23 sends air to
the heat exchange device 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the blower 23 is a cross flow fan.5
More specifically, the blower 23 is a “line flow fan” (registered trademark). The blower
23 has an impeller 23a, and the motor 60 that rotates the impeller 23a.
[0026]
The impeller 23a extends in the left-right direction Y. The impeller 23a rotates
around a rotation axis R which extends in the left-right direction. When the impeller10
23a rotates around the rotation axis R, indoor air is taken to the inside of the housing 21
from intake ports 21d provided on a top surface of the main body portion 21a in the
housing 21. Air taken into the inside of the housing 21 passes through the heat
exchange device 22, and is discharged indoors through exhaust ports that are not shown,
and are provided on a front end in a bottom end of the main body portion 21a.15
[0027]
The motor 60 rotates the impeller 23a around the rotation axis R. The motor 60 is
located on a right (+Y direction) of the impeller 23a. The motor 60 is held by the motor
fixing part 30. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view that shows the motor fixing part
30 and a portion of the motor 60. As shown in FIG. 5, the motor 60 in the first20
embodiment is an inner rotor type motor.
[0028]
The motor 60 has a cylindrically shaped motor housing 61 having the rotation axis R
as a center, a vibration isolating member 62a that protrudes to the right (+Y direction)
from the motor housing 61, a vibration isolating member 62b that protrudes to the left25
11
(-Y direction) from the motor housing 61, and a shaft 63 that protrudes to the left from an
inside of the motor housing 61. Vibration isolating members 62a and 62b are annular
shapes with the rotation axis R as the center. The vibration isolating members 62a and
62b are fixed to motor housing 61. The vibration isolating members 62a and 62b are
made of rubber, for example. The motor 60 in the first embodiment is held by the5
motor fixing part 30 by having the vibration isolating members 62a and 62b be fixed by
the motor fixing part 30. A left end of the shaft 63 is connected to a right end of the
impeller 23a. The impeller 23a rotates around the rotation axis R by having the shaft 63
rotate around the rotation axis R.
[0029]10
The heat exchange device 22 is disposed on an inside of the hosing 21. As shown in
FIG. 3, the heat exchange device 22 extends in the left-right direction Y. The heat
exchange device 22 has a portion that is located in front (+X direction) of the impeller
23a, and a portion that is located on top of the impeller 23a. A bundle of pipes 18a
extending from the outdoor unit 10 is connected to an end of a right side (+ Y side) of the15
heat exchange device 22. The bundle of pipes 18a configures a part of the circulation
pathway 18. The bundle of pipes 18a penetrate the installation plate 21c from a rear (-X
direction) of the hosing 21, and are inserted through the inside of the housing 21. The
bundle of pipes 18a has a plurality of coolant pipes 18b, and pipe covers 18c that cover
the plurality of coolant pipes 18b. The plurality of coolant pipes 18b are exposed form20
the pipe covers 18c, and are connected to the heat exchange device 22.
[0030]
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view that shows a part of the indoor unit 20. As shown in
FIG. 6, the plurality of the coolant pipes 18b include coolant pipes 18d located on a top
of the motor 60. The coolant pipes 18d protrude and extend to the front (+X direction)25
12
from the pipe covers 18c. The coolant pipes 18d extend diagonally in a direction
located on the bottom as the coolant pipes 18d approach the front.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 4, the indoor unit 20 includes a drain pan 25 that is located below in
the vertical direction Z of the heat exchange device 22. The drain pan 25 is a member5
to capture condensation water W that forms in the heat exchange device 22 and the
coolant pipes 18b, from the bottom. The condensation water W that is captured by the
drain pan 25 is discharged outside of the room by a drain hose not shown on the drawings.
The drain hose for example, extends to the outside of the room passing through an inside
of the pipe covers 18c of the bundle of pipes 18a.10
[0032]
The motor fixing part 30 is explained in further detail. As shown in FIG. 5, the motor
fixing part 30 according to the first embodiment has a first holding member 40, and a
second holding member 50. The motor fixing part 30 is configured so as to have the
first holding member 40 and the second holding member 50 linked with one another in15
the front-rear direction X. The first holding member 40 and the second holding member
50 hold the motor 60 by sandwiching the motor 60 in the front-rear direction X.
[0033]
The first holding member 40 has a first calling wall 41 that covers the motor 60 from
the rear (-X direction), and a pair of first holding walls 42 and 43 that protrude to the20
front (+X) from the first cladding wall 41. The first cladding wall 41 extends in an
arc-shape having the rotation axis R as a center. The pair of first holding walls 42 and
43 are disposed apart from one another in the left-right direction Y. A first holding wall
42 has a first holding recess 42a that recedes to the rear. The first holding wall 43 has a
first holding recess 43a that recedes to the rear. Each of holding first holding recesses25
13
42a and 43a are open to both sides in the left-right direction Y. Inner edges of each of
the first holding recesses 42a and 43a are semi-arc shapes with the rotation axis R as a
center.
[0034]
FIG. 7 is a perspective view that shows the second holding member 50. As shown in5
FIG. 7, the second holding member 50 has a second cladding wall 51 that covers the
motor 60 from the front (+X direction) and the top, a second holding wall 53 that
protrudes to the rear (-X direction) from the second cladding wall 51, a partitioning wall
54 that protrudes to the top and to the front from the second cladding wall 51. As
shown in FIG. 5, the second holding member 50 has a second holding wall 52 that10
protrudes to the rear from the second cladding wall 51. The partitioning wall 54 is a
wall that configures a part of the separator 20c.
[0035]
The pair of the second holding walls 52 and 53 are disposed apart from one another in
the left-right direction Y. The second holding wall 52 has a second holding recess 52a15
that recesses to the front (+X direction). As shown in FIG. 7, the second holding wall
53 has a second holding recess 53a. Each of second holding recesses 52a and 53a are
open to both sides in the left-right direction Y. Inner edges of each of the second
holding recesses 52a and 53a are semi-arc shapes with the rotation axis R as a center.
The first holding recess 42a and the second holding recess 52a sandwich and hold the20
vibration isolating member 62a of the motor 60 in the front-rear direction X. The first
holding recess 43a and the second holding recess 53a sandwich and hold the vibration
isolating member 62b of the motor 60 in the front-rear direction X. Accordingly, the
motor 60 is fixed to the motor fixing part 30.
25
14
[0036]
The second cladding wall 51 extends in a semi-arc shape from the top of the motor 60
to the front (+X direction) of the motor 60, with the rotation axis R as a center. The
second cladding wall 51 protrudes to both sides in the left-right direction Y more than the
partitioning wall 54. FIG. 8 is a perspective view that shows a portion of the indoor5
unit 20, and is a view that shows a pathway when the condensation water W is being
discharged from a hollow wall 70 to be mentioned later on. As shown in FIG. 8, a
notch 57 that penetrates the second cladding wall 51 in the vertical direction Z is formed
in the second cladding wall 51. The notch 57 is provided on a portion that protrudes to
the right (+Y direction) more than the partitioning wall 54, out of the second cladding10
wall 51. The notch 57 is open to the right and the rear (-X direction).
[0037]
A hole 31 is formed in the motor fixing part 30 by the notch 57, the second holding
wall 52, the first holding wall 42 and the first cladding wall 41. The hole 31 is formed
in a part located on the top of the motor 60 out of the motor fixing part 30. The hole 3115
is a long semi-rectangular shape as seen from the top in the front-rear direction X. The
hole 31 is open to an inside of the second room 20b. A part of the motor 60 is exposed
to the top of the motor fixing part 30 via the hole 31. To explain in further detail, a top
end of a right side portion out of the motor housing 61 is exposed to the top of the motor
fixing part 30 via the hole 31.20
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 4, the controller 24 which controls the motor 60 is disposed on top
of the hole 31. By the hole 31 being formed, interference between the controller 24 and
the motor fixing part 30 is suppressed. The controller 24 is located to a right (+Y
direction) of the partitioning wall 54. By controlling the motor 60, the controller 2425
15
controls the blower 23. The controller 24 is electrically connected to the controller 17
of the outdoor unit 10.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 8, the second cladding wall 51 has a right protruding wall 51a that
protrudes to the right (+Y direction) more than the partitioning wall 54. The right5
protruding wall 51a is located in front (+X direction) of the motor 60. The right
protruding wall 51a extends from a front edge of the notch 57 to the bottom. A top side
portion of the right protruding wall 51a is a semi-arc shape having the rotation axis R as
the center. The top side portion of the right protruding wall 51a is located in the front as
the right protruding wall 51a approaches the bottom. A bottom side portion of the right10
protruding wall 51a extends in a straight line in the vertical direction Z.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 7, the second cladding wall 51 has a left protruding wall 51b that
protrudes to the left (-Y direction) more than the partitioning wall 54. The left
protruding wall 51b covers the motor 60 from the front (+X direction) and the top. The15
left protruding wall 51b curves and extends from the top of the motor 60 to the front of
the motor 60. The left protruding wall 51b protrudes to the left more than the second
holding wall 53.
[0041]
The left protruding wall 51b has a top wall 51c that is located on the top of the motor20
60, and a front wall 51d that is located on the front (+X direction) of the motor 60. The
top wall 51c extends in the front-rear direction X and inclines in a direction located at the
bottom as the top wall 51c moves towards the front. A front side portion of the top wall
51c extends in a semi-arc shape with the rotation axis R as a center. The front wall 51d
extends to the bottom from a front end of the top wall 51c. A top end portion of the25
16
front wall 51d is a semi-arc shape with the rotation axis R as a center. The top end
portion of the front wall 51d is located to the front as the front wall 51d approaches the
bottom. A bottom end portion of the front wall 51d extends in a straight line in the
vertical direction Z.
[0042]5
The second holding member 50 has a rib 55 that protrude to the front (+X direction)
from the front wall 51d of the left protruding wall 51b. The rib 55 is a flat plate that
extends in the left-right direction Y. A right end of the rib 55 is connected to the
partitioning wall 54. A top surface of the rib 55 inclines in a direction located at the
bottom as the top surface of the ribs 55 approach the front. Two ribs 55 are disposed in10
the vertical direction Z with an interval in between.
[0043]
The second holding member 50 has a bottom wall 56 that protrudes to the front (+X
direction) from a bottom end in the front wall 51d of the left protruding wall 51b. The
bottom wall 56 is located apart from and below the two ribs 55. A front end of the15
bottom wall 56 is located to the front more than the front end of the rib 55. A top
surface of the bottom wall 56 inclines towards a direction located at the bottom as the top
surface of the bottom wall 56 moves towards the left (-Y direction). A left end of the
bottom wall 56 is located on a top of the drain pan 25.
[0044]20
As shown in FIG. 8, the second holding member 50 has a rib 58 that protrudes to the
front (+X direction) from the right protruding wall 51a. The rib 58 is a triangular plate
as seen from the vertical direction Z. A left end of the rib 55 is connected to the
partitioning wall 54. A top surface of the rib 58 inclines towards a direction located at
the bottom as the rib 58 moves towards the front. Two ribs 58 are disposed in the25
17
vertical direction Z with an interval in between. A front end of the rib 58 is located on
the top of the drain pan 25.
[0045]
As shown in FIG. 6, the housing 21 has the hollow wall 70 located between the motor
60 and the coolant pipes 18d in the vertical direction Z. The hollow wall 70 in the first5
embodiment forms a part of the top wall 51c in the left protruding wall 51b. The
hollow wall 70 is located above the motor 60 in the vertical direction Z. The hollow
wall 70 protrudes to a top more than portions located on both sides of the front-rear
direction X of the hollow wall 70 out of the top wall 51c. The hollow wall 70 inclines
towards a direction located at the bottom as the hollow wall 70 moves towards the front10
(+X direction), and extends in the front-rear direction X, as seen from the left-right
direction Y. A top surface of the hollow wall 70 inclines diagonally with respect to the
horizontal plane (XY plane) which is orthogonal to the vertical direction Z. As shown
in FIG. 7, an end of a right side (+Y side) of the hollow wall 70 is connected to the
partitioning wall 54. An end of a left side (-Y side) of the hollow wall 70 is located on15
an end of a left side of the left protruding wall 51b. The hollow wall 70 is located
above the drain pan 25 in the vertical direction Z.
[0046]
The hollow wall 70 has a first part 71 that is connected to the partitioning wall 54, a
second part 72 that is connected to a left side (-Y side) of the first side 71, and a third part20
73 that is connected to a left side of the second part 72. The first part 71 protrudes to
the front (+X direction) more than the second part 72 and the third part 73. The first
part 71 protrudes to the top more than the second part 72 and the third part 73. A
dimension of the first part 71 in the vertical direction Z is larger than a dimension of the
second part 72 in the vertical direction, and a dimensions of the third part 73 in the25
18
vertical direction. When producing the hollow wall 70 by injection molding or the like
using a mold, by making the dimension of the first part 71 in the vertical direction Z
larger, having a portion of a mold used to make an inside space 70a of the hollow wall 70
be thicker becomes easier, which makes insuring mold strength easier. On the other
hand, by making the second part 72 and the third part 73 smaller than the first part 71 in5
the vertical direction Z, it is possible to suppress interference between the hollow wall 70
and the bundle of pipes 18a disposed on a top of the hollow wall 70.
[0047]
A top surface of the first part 71, a top surface of the second part 72, and a top surface
of the third part 73 are inclined surfaces that incline towards a direction located at the10
bottom as the surfaces thereof approach the front. With respect to the horizontal plane
(XY plane) which is orthogonal to the vertical direction Z, an inclination of the top
surface of the second part 72 is smaller than an inclination of the top surface of the first
part 71 and an inclination of the top surface of the third part 73. A dimension of the
second part 72 in the left-right direction Y is larger than a dimension of the first part 71 in15
the left-right direction Y and a dimension of the third part 73 in the left-right direction Y.
[0048]
FIG. 9 is a perspective view that shows the hollow wall 70. FIG. 10 is a
cross-sectional view that shows an inside of a portion of the hollow wall 70. As shown
in FIG. 9 and in FIG. 10, the hollow wall 70 has an opening 70c. The inside space 70a20
of the hollow wall 70 is connected to an outside of the hollow wall 70 via the opening
70c. The opening 70c in the first embodiment opens to the right (+Y direction). The
opening 70c opens to a surface of a right side of the partitioning wall 54. The opening
70c opens to the inside of the second room 20b. The opening 70c is on a right end of
the first part 71 out of the hollow wall 70. As shown in FIG. 9, the opening 70c extends25
19
in the front-rear direction X. The opening 70 slightly inclines and extends towards a
direction located at the bottom as the opening 70c moves towards the front (+X direction).
A front end of the opening 70c is located to the front and to the bottom more than a front
end of the hole 31.
[0049]5
As shown in FIG. 8, a bottom surface 70b located on a bottom side out of the hollow
wall 70 is located on the bottom as the bottom surface 70b moves towards the front (+X
direction). A rear side portion of the bottom surface 70b extends in a straight line that
slightly inclines in the vertical direction Z with respect to the front-rear direction X, as
seen from the left-right direction Y. A front side portion of the bottom surface 70b10
extends in a semi-arc shape with the rotation axis R as a center, as seen from the left-right
direction Y.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 10, an inside surface of the hollow wall 70 has a first inclined
surface 74a, a second inclined surface 74b, a third inclined surface 74c, and a fourth15
inclined surface 74d. The first inclined surface 74a, the second inclined surface 74b, the
third inclined surface 74c, and the fourth inclined surface 74d are surface located in a
front side (+X side) out of the inside surface of the hollow wall 70. A surface located
on the front side (+X side) out of the inside surface of the hollow wall 70 in the first
embodiment is a surface made of the first inclined surface 74a, the second inclined20
surface 74b, the third inclined surface 74c, and the fourth inclined surface 74d.
[0051]
In the first embodiment, the first inclined surface 74a, the second inclined surface 74b,
the third inclined surface 74c, and the fourth inclined surface 74d are inclined surfaces
that become closer to the opening 70c as the inclined surfaces thereof approach the25
20
bottom in the vertical direction Z. The first inclined surface 74a, the second inclined
surface 74b, the third inclined surface 74c, and the fourth inclined surface 74d face a
direction diagonally faces the right (+Y direction) with respect to the rear (-X direction).
[0052]
The first inclined surface 74a inclines to the right (+Y direction) and extends to the5
front (+X direction) from a surface located on the left side out of the inside surface of the
hollow wall 70. The second inclined surface 74b extends diagonally to the front and the
right from a right end of the first inclined surface 74a. An inclination of the second
inclined surface 74b with respect to the left-right direction Y is smaller than an
inclination of the first inclined surface 74a with respect to the left-right direction Y. An10
inclination of the third inclined surface 74c with respect to the left-right direction Y
extends diagonally to the front and to the right from a right end of the second inclined
surface 74b. An inclination of the third inclined surface 74c with respect to the
left-right direction Y is larger than an inclination of the second inclined surface 74b with
respect to the left-right direction Y. An inclination of the fourth inclined surface 74d15
extends diagonally to the front and to the right from a right end of the third inclined
surface 74c. An inclination of the fourth inclined surface 74d with respect to the
left-right direction Y is smaller than an inclination of the third inclined surface 74c with
respect to the left-right direction Y. A right end of the fourth inclined surface 74d is
connected to a front end of an edge of the opening 70c. The first inclined surface 74a is20
a part of an inside surface of the third part 73. The second inclined surface 74b is a part
of an inside surface of the second part 72. The third inclined surface 74c and the fourth
inclined surface 74d are parts of an inside surface of the first part 71.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 7, when the refrigerant 19 in a state of relatively low temperature25
21
flows within the coolant pipes 18d, the condensation water W forms on an outside
surface of the coolant pipes 18d. For example, a part of the condensation water W that
forms on the outside surface of the coolant pipes 18d falls on the top surface of the
hollow wall 70. Due to gravity, the condensation water W that falls on the top surface
of the hollow wall 70 flows to the front (+X direction) and to the bottom along the top5
surface of the hollow wall 70 that is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane (XY
plane). The condensation water W that flows along the top surface of the hollow wall
70 falls to the bottom from a front end of the hollow wall 70, and further flows to the
front and to the bottom along the front wall 51d of the left protruding wall 51b.
Although the rib 55 is provided on the front wall 51d, since the top surface of the rib 5510
inclines in a direction located on the bottom as the top surface of the rib 55 moves
towards the front, the condensation water W that flows to the top surface of the rib 55
flows to the front and to the bottom along the top surface of the rib 55. The
condensation water W that flows on the top surface of the rib 55 while flowing along the
front wall 51d falls on a top surface of the bottom wall 56. The condensation water W15
flows to the left (-Y direction) and the bottom along the top surface of the bottom wall 56,
falls from a left end of the bottom wall 56, and flows to an inside of the drain pan 25.
[0054]
As explained above, when the condensation water W that forms on the coolant pipes
18d falls on the top surface of the hollow wall 70, there are cases where the inside space20
70a of the hollow wall 70 is cooled, and as shown in FIG. 10, the condensation water W
forms on an inside of the inside space 70a of the hollow wall 70. In such a case, the
condensation water W on an inside of the hollow wall 70 flows to the front (+X
direction) and the bottom along the bottom surface 70b. The condensation water W that
flows along the bottom surface 70b comes into contact with a part of a surface located on25
22
the front side out of the inside surface of the hollow wall 70, in other words any one of
the first inclined surface 74a, the second inclined surface 74b, the third inclined surface
74c, or the fourth inclined surface 74d. Due to gravity, the condensation water W that
came into contact with any one of the previously mentioned inclined surfaces flows to
the bottom and to the right (+Y direction) along the inclined surface the condensation5
water W came into contact with, and flows to the front end of the opening 70c.
Specifically, for example, the condensation water W that comes into contact with the
second inclined surface 74b, comes into contact with the second inclined surface 74b, the
third inclined surface 74c, and the fourth inclined surface 74d in such order, and flows to
the front end of the opening 70c. The condensation water W that flows to the front end10
of the opening 70c is discharged to the outside of the hollow wall 70 from the opening
70c.
[0055]
As shown in FIG .8, the condensation water that is discharged from the hollow wall 70
flows to the front (+X direction) and to the bottom along a right end of the right15
protruding wall 51a and the partitioning wall 54, due to gravity. In the first embodiment,
since the front end of the opening 70c is located to a front more than the front end of the
hole 31, flow of the condensation water W that is discharged from the inside of the
hollow wall 70 to an inside of the hole 31 is suppressed. The condensation water that
flows along the left end of the right protruding wall 51a and the partitioning wall 5420
contacts a top surface of the rib 58. Since the top surface of the rib 58 inclines in a
direction located on the bottom as the top surface of the rib 58 moves towards the front
(+X direction), the condensation water W flows diagonally to the front and to the bottom
of the top surface of the rib 58. The condensation water W that flows diagonally to the
front and to the bottom of the top surface of the rib 58 falls from a front end of the rib 5825
23
to the bottom, and flows to an inside of the drain pan 25.
[0056]
As explained above, the condensation water W that forms on an outside surface of the
coolant pipes 18d and the condensation water W that forms on the inside space 70a of the
hollow wall 70, flow on the surface of the motor fixing part 30, and are guided to the5
inside of the drain pan 25. In other words, it is possible to gather the condensation
water W on the inside of the drain pan 25 by the motor fixing part 30. The
condensation water W that is gathered on the inside of the drain pan 25 is discharged to
the outside by a drain hose not shown on the drawings.
[0057]10
According to the first embodiment, the housing 21 of the indoor unit 20 has the hollow
wall 70 that is located between the motor 60 and the coolant pipes 18d. As such, it is
possible to interrupt condensation water W that forms on the outside surface of the
coolant pipes 18d using the hollow wall 70, thereby suppressing the condensation water
W that forms on the outside surface of the coolant pipes 18d from reaching the motor 60.15
Accordingly, it is possible to suppress condensation water W that forms on the outside
surface of the coolant pipes 18d from coming onto the motor 60. Since air is present in
the inside space 70a of the hollow wall 70, it is possible to suppress heat from being
transferred in the space of the motor 60 side and the coolant pipes 18d side where the
hollow wall 70 is sandwiched. As such, even if water condensation W that forms at the20
coolant pipes 18d contacts the hollow wall 70, it is possible to suppress the air of a space
accommodated inside of the motor 60 from being cooled by the condensation water W.
In the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress air in a space located on a bottom of the
top wall 51c in the left protruding wall 51b from being cooled. Accordingly, it is
possible to suppress condensation water W from forming in the space accommodated by25
24
the motor 60, in other words on an inside of space located below the hollow wall 70.
Therefore, it is possible to suppress condensation water W from coming onto the motor
60.
[0058]
As such, according to the first embodiment, by making the hollow wall 70 be a part of5
the housing 21, since it is possible to suppress the condensation water W from coming
onto the motor 60, there is no need to attach thermal insulation separately to the housing
21. More specifically, there is no need to attach thermal insulation to a top surface of
the left protruding wall 51b and to a bottom surface of the left protruding wall 51b. As
such, it is possible to prevent the cost of producing the indoor unit 20 from increasing.10
From the above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the
condensation water W from coming onto the motor 60, while suppressing an increase in
production cost of the indoor unit 20.
[0059]
According to the first embodiment, the hollow wall 70 is located above the motor 60 in15
the vertical direction Z. As such, it is possible to suitably prevent the condensation
water falling from the coolant pipes 18d using the hollow wall 70.
[0060]
According to the first embodiment, the top surface of the hollow wall 70 diagonally
inclines with respect to the horizontal plane (XY plane) that is orthogonal with the20
vertical direction Z. As such, even when the condensation water W that forms in the
coolant pipes 18d falls on the top surface of the hollow wall 70, due to gravity, it is
possible to have the condensation water W flow along the top surface of the hollow wall
70. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the condensation water W from accumulating
on the top surface of the hollow wall 70. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the inside25
25
space 70a of the hollow wall 70 from being cooled by the condensation water W, and it is
possible to prevent the condensation water W from forming in the inside space 70a of the
hollow wall 70. In the first embodiment, the condensation water W that falls on the top
surface of the hollow wall 70 flows to the drain pan 25 as explained above, and is
discharged to the outside via the drain hose not shown on the drawings.5
[0061]
According to the first embodiment, the hollow wall 70 has the opening 70c. As such,
even when the condensation water W forms on the inside of the hollow wall 70, the
condensation water W that forms on the inside of the hollow wall 70 is discharged to the
outside via the opening 70c. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the air of the inside10
space 70a of the hollow wall 70 from being cooled, and it is possible to prevent the air of
the space accommodated inside of the motor 60 from being cooled via the air of the
inside space 70a. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress formation of the
condensation water W in the air of the space accommodated inside of the motor 60.
[0062]15
According to the first embodiment, the inside surface of the hollow wall 70 has the
first inclined surface 74a, the second inclined surface 74b, the third inclined surface 74c,
and the fourth inclined surface 74d as inclined surfaces that become closer to the opening
70c, as the inside surface of the hollow wall 70 approaches the bottom in the vertical
direction Z. As such, it is possible to have the condensation water W that forms in the20
hollow wall 70 suitably flow and be discharged to the outside of the hollow wall 70 via
the opening 70c. Accordingly, it is possible to suitably prevent the condensation water
W from forming in the air within the accommodation space of the motor 60. In the first
embodiment, it is possible to guide the condensation water W to the front end of the
opening 70c using the various inclined surfaces. The condensation water W that is25
26
discharged from the front end of the opening 70c flows to the front (+X direction) due to
gravity. Since the front end of the opening 70c is located more to the front than the
front end of the hole 31 which exposes a part of the motor 60, it is possible to suppress
the discharged condensation water W from entering into the hole 31 from the opening
70c. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the condensation water W that forms on the5
inside of the hollow wall 70 from coming onto the portion of the motor 60 that is
exposed via the hole 31.
[0063]
According to the first embodiment, the housing 21 has the first room 20a that
accommodates the heat exchange device 22, and the second room 20b that10
accommodates the controller 24, and that is partitioned from the first room 20a therein.
The opening 70c opens to the inside of the second room 20b. As such, even when the
heat exchange device 22 is cooled by the refrigerant 19, and a temperature of an inside of
the first room 20a is decreasing, the cooled air of the inside of the first room 20a is
suppressed from flowing to the inside of the hollow wall 70. Accordingly, it is possible15
to prevent a temperature of the air of the inside of the hollow wall 70 from decreasing.
Therefore, it is possible to suppress formation of the condensation water W on in the
inside of the hollow wall 70, and it is possible to suppress the formation of the
condensation water W within the accommodation space of the motor 60.
[0064]20
According to the first embodiment, the hollow wall 70 is located below the drain pan
25 in the vertical direction Z. As such, by having the condensation water W falling
from the coolant pipes 18d to the top surface of the hollow wall 70, and the condensation
water W that forms on the inside of the hollow wall 70 flow to the bottom due to gravity
as explained above, flow of the condensation water W to the drain pan 25 becomes easier.25
27
Accordingly, the condensation water W is easily discharged to the outside via the drain
hose which is not shown on the drawings.
[0065]
According to the first embodiment, the housing 21 has the motor fixing part 30 which
fixes the motor 60. The motor fixing part 30 has the hollow wall 70. As such, it is5
possible to dispose the hollow wall 70 in a suitable location with respect to the motor 60.
Accordingly, it is possible to suitably suppress the condensation water W from coming
onto the motor 60 using the hollow wall 70.
[0066]
According to the first embodiment, the heat exchange unit that has the hollow wall 7010
is the indoor unit 20 of the air conditioner 100. In the indoor unit 20, due to a positional
relationship of the various parts of the inside of the housing 21, disposing the coolant
pipes 18b close to the motor 60 of the blower 23 is easy. As such, effects previously
mentioned of the hollow wall 70 are obtainable in the indoor unit 20.
[0067]15
Second Embodiment
FIG. 11 is a perspective view that shows a portion of an indoor unit 220 in a second
embodiment. Configurations similar to configurations of the embodiment previously
mentioned have the same reference symbols suitably affixed thereto, with explanations
thereof being omitted.20
[0068]
As shown in FIG. 11, the indoor unit 220 in the second embodiment includes a thermal
insulating material 280 that covers the opening 70c of the hollow wall 70. The thermal
insulating material 280 in the second embodiment is a sheet. So long as thermal
conductivity of a material used for the thermal insulating material 280 is relatively low,25
28
the material used need not be limited to any specific material. Urethane or the like may
be mentioned as an example of material that makes up the thermal insulating material
280. Other configurations of various parts of the indoor unit 220 are similar to the other
configurations of the various parts previously mentioned in indoor unit 20 of the first
embodiment.5
[0069]
According to the second embodiment, it is possible to suppress having the air on the
inside of the hollow wall 70 be cooled by using the thermal insulating material 280.
Accordingly, it is possible to suppress formation of the condensation water W on the
inside of the hollow wall 70. Even when the condensation water W is formed on the10
inside of the hollow wall 70, since the condensation water W is not discharged from the
opening 70c, it is possible to suppress the condensation water W from coming onto the
exposed portion of the motor 60 from the hole 31. If for example, the thermal
insulating material 280 is configured of material such as urethane or the like, where it is
possible for the material to absorb the condensation water W, it is possible to have the15
water that is forms on the inside of the hollow wall 70 be absorbed by the thermal
insulating material 280. Specifically, by having a configuration as explained in the first
embodiment, where the condensation water W that forms on the inside of the hollow wall
70 flow to the opening 70c, it is possible to have the condensation water W be suitably
absorbed by the thermal insulating material 280. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress20
the condensation water W from accumulating on the inside of the hollow wall 70. The
condensation water W that is absorbed by the thermal insulating material 280 is for
example evaporated outside of the hollow wall 70.
[0070]
Even when the thermal insulating material 280 is provided as shown in the second25
29
embodiment, it is possible to only provide enough thermal insulating material 280 so as
to cover the opening 70c of the hollow wall 70. As such, compared to when the hollow
wall 70 is not provided, it is possible to decrease the amount of the thermal insulating
material 280 used. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the cost of producing the
indoor unit 220 from increasing.5
[0071]
Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been explained above, the
various embodiments and configurations are not limited to the explanations above, and it
is possible to adopt the configurations and methods below.
[0072]10
So long as a hollow wall is located between a motor and coolant pipes, any disposition
in any location and shape are possible. The hollow wall may be located between the
motor and the coolant pipes in a direction that intersects the vertical direction. A
plurality of hollow walls may be provided. An opening of the hollow wall may open to
any direction. The hollow wall may not have an opening. The hollow wall may be15
included in a portion other than a motor fixing part out of a housing.
[0073]
A heat exchange unit that includes the hollow wall is not limited to an indoor unit of
an air conditioner. So long as the heat exchange unit is a device that includes a housing,
a heat exchange device, coolant pipes, and a blower, the heat exchange unit may be an20
outdoor unit of an air conditioner, or the heat exchange unit may be an outdoor unit of a
water heater.
[0074]
The various configuration and various methods explained in the above specification
may be combined as needed so long as no conflicts therebetween with the technical25
30
scope thereof occur.
[Reference Signs List]
[0075]
10...Outdoor Unit, 18b, 18d...Coolant Pipes, 20...Indoor Unit, 220...Indoor Unit,
20a...First Room, 20b...Second Room, 21...Housing, 22...Heat Exchange Unit,5
23...Blower, 24...Controller, 25...Drain Pan, 30...Motor Fixed Part,
60...Motor, 70...Hollow wall, 70c...Opening, 74a...First Inclined Surface,
74b...Second Inclined Surface, 74c...Third Inclined Surface, 74d...Fourth Inclined
Surface, 100...Air Conditioner, 280...Thermal Insulating Material, Z...Vertical
Direction10
31
WE CLAIM:
[Claim 1]
A heat exchange unit comprising:
a housing;
a heat exchange device disposed on an inside of the housing;5
a coolant pipe connected to the heat exchange device, and
a blower that has a motor and that blows air to the heat exchange device, wherein
the housing has a hollow wall that is disposed between the motor and the coolant pipe.
[Claim 2]
The heat exchange unit according to claim 1, wherein10
the hollow wall is located above the motor in a vertical direction.
[Claim 3]
The heat exchange unit according to claim 2, wherein
a top surface of the hollow wall diagonally inclines with respect to a horizontal plane
that is orthogonal with the vertical direction.15
[Claim 4]
The heat exchange unit according to claim 1 to 3, wherein
the hollow wall has an opening .
[Claim 5]
The heat exchange unit according to claim 4, wherein20
an inside surface of the hollow wall has an inclined surface that comes closer to the
opening as the inside surface of the hollow wall approaches a bottom in the vertical
direction.
[Claim 6]
The heat exchange unit according to claim 4 or 5 further comprising:25
32
a controller that controls the motor, wherein
the housing has
a first room that accommodates the heat exchange device,
a second room that accommodates the controller, and that is partitioned from the first
room therein, and5
the opening opens to the inside of the second room.
[Claim 7]
The heat exchange unit according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein
a thermal insulating material that covers the opening.
[Claim 8]10
The heat exchange unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7 further comprising:
a drain pan located on a bottom of the heat exchange device in the vertical direction,
wherein
the hollow wall is located above the drain pan in the vertical direction.
[Claim 9]15
The heat exchange unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein
the housing has a motor fixing part that fixes the motor, and
the motor fixing part has the hollow wall.
[Claim 10]
The heat exchange unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein20
the heat exchange unit is an indoor unit of an air conditioner.
[Claim 11]
The air conditioner further comprising: