FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]
OUTDOOR UNIT OF REFRIGERATION CYCLE APPARATUS;
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION, A CORPORATION ORGANISED AND
EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF JAPAN, WHOSE ADDRESS IS 7-3,
MARUNOUCHI 2-CHOME, CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO 100-8310, JAPAN
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE
INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.
2
Description
Title of the Invention
OUTDOOR UNIT OF REFRIGERATION CYCLE APPARATUS
5
Technical Field
[0001]
The present disclosure relates to an outdoor unit of
refrigeration cycle apparatus.
10
Background Art
[0002]
An outside unit of air conditioner, in which an air heat
exchanger and a blower are provided, has been known as using a
15 centrifugal blower (sirocco fan) as the blower, and providing
air inlets on at least a back side of a housing, while providing
air outlets on any of a right side, a left side, or a top side
of the housing, or on both the left and right sides of the
housing (see, for example, PTL 1).
20
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0003]
[PTL 1] JP H07-027369 A
25
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004]
However, in the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle
30 apparatus as disclosed in PTL 1, the size of air outlets of the
centrifugal blower tends to be comparatively small relative to
the size of the housing of the outdoor unit, particularly, the
size of the air heat exchanger. This results in a reduction in
airflow volume compared to a conventional outdoor unit of the
35 same size and having a propeller fan installed therein. It is
thus difficult to obtain a sufficient airflow volume
particularly when a static pressure external to the outdoor unit
is high. In addition, the airflow volume is reduced, which makes
it difficult to achieve sufficient pressure recovery. This leads
40 to an increase in noise level and an increase in input.
3
[0005]
The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems.
It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an outdoor
unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus, in which even when a
5 static pressure external to the outdoor unit is high, the outdoor
unit can still obtain a large airflow volume, and can therefore
achieve a low noise level and a low input, while preventing an
increase in size of the outdoor unit.
10 Solution to Problem
[0006]
An outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus according
to the present disclosure includes a housing in which a machine
chamber and a blower chamber are formed, the blower chamber being
15 partitioned from the machine chamber, the machine chamber
housing a compressor inside, the blower chamber housing a heat
exchanger and a blower inside, the blower being located on a
secondary side of the heat exchanger, wherein the blower is a
double inlet centrifugal blower including: an impeller having a
20 plurality of blades arranged in a circumferential direction
around a rotation axis, and a scroll casing having a discharge
port and two bellmouths which serve as suction ports, the scroll
casing housing the impeller inside, a plurality of the discharge
ports are provided, the plurality of the discharge ports are
25 located on an outlet placement surface, the outlet placement
surface being a front or top surface of the housing, and a total
width of the plurality of the discharge ports in a direction
horizontal with the housing placed and parallel to the outlet
placement surface is more than a width of the blower chamber in
30 said direction.
Advantageous Effects of the Invention
[0007]
The outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus according
35 to the present disclosure achieves such effects that even when
a static pressure external to the outdoor unit is high, the
outdoor unit can still obtain a large airflow volume, and can
therefore achieve a low noise level and a low input, while
preventing an increase in size of the outdoor unit.
40
4
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0008]
Fig. 1 is a front view of an outdoor unit of refrigeration
cycle apparatus according to First Embodiment with a front panel
5 removed from the outdoor unit.
Fig. 2 is a transparent top view illustrating relevant parts
of the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus according
to First Embodiment.
Fig. 3 is a transparent side view illustrating the relevant
10 parts of the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus
according to First Embodiment.
Fig. 4 is a front view of the outdoor unit of refrigeration
cycle apparatus according to First Embodiment.
Fig. 5 is a front view of the outdoor unit of refrigeration
15 cycle apparatus according to First Embodiment.
Fig. 6 is a plan view of an impeller of a blower included
in the outdoor unit according to First Embodiment.
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the blower included in
the outdoor unit according to First Embodiment.
20 Fig. 8 is a plan view of the impeller of the blower included
in the outdoor unit according to First Embodiment.
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the impeller of the
blower included in the outdoor unit according to First Embodiment.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the impeller of the blower
25 included in the outdoor unit according to First Embodiment.
Fig. 11 is a transparent top view of relevant parts,
illustrating another example of the outdoor unit of
refrigeration cycle apparatus according to First Embodiment.
Fig. 12 is a top view illustrating still another example
30 of the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus according
to First Embodiment.
Fig. 13 is a top view illustrating still another example
of the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus according
to First Embodiment.
35 Fig. 14 is a top view illustrating still another example
of the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus according
to First Embodiment with a top panel removed from the outdoor
unit.
Fig. 15 is a transparent front view of relevant parts,
40 illustrating still another example of the outdoor unit of
5
refrigeration cycle apparatus according to First Embodiment.
Fig. 16 is a front view of an outdoor unit of refrigeration
cycle apparatus according to Second Embodiment with a front panel
removed from the outdoor unit.
5 Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the outdoor unit of
refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Second Embodiment.
Fig. 18 is a front view of the outdoor unit of refrigeration
cycle apparatus according to Second Embodiment.
Fig. 19 is a front view of the outdoor unit of refrigeration
10 cycle apparatus according to Second Embodiment.
Fig. 20 is a front view illustrating a modification of the
outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus according to
Second Embodiment with the front panel removed from the outdoor
unit.
15 Fig. 21 is a front view illustrating a first other example
of the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus according
to Second Embodiment with the front panel removed from the
outdoor unit.
Fig. 22 is a front view illustrating a second other example
20 of the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus according
to Second Embodiment with the front panel removed from the
outdoor unit.
Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the second
other example of the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle
25 apparatus according to Second Embodiment.
Fig. 24 is a front view illustrating the second other
example of the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus
according to Second Embodiment.
Fig. 25 is a front view illustrating the second other
30 example of the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus
according to Second Embodiment.
Fig. 26 is a front view illustrating a modification of the
outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus according to
Second Embodiment with the front panel removed from the outdoor
35 unit.
Fig. 27 is a front view illustrating the modification of
the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus according to
Second Embodiment.
Fig. 28 is a perspective view of a blower included in the
40 modification of the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle
6
apparatus according to Second Embodiment.
Fig. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the blower included
in the modification of the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle
apparatus according to Second Embodiment.
5
Description of Embodiments
[0009]
Embodiments of an outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle
apparatus according to the present disclosure will be described
10 below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that
the same or equivalent components in the drawings are denoted by
the same reference signs, and overlapping descriptions thereof
are thus simplified or omitted as appropriate. In the
descriptions below, for the sake of convenience, the positional
15 relationship between structures may be expressed based on the
state illustrated in the drawings. Note that the present
disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below,
and it is possible to freely combine the embodiments, modify any
constituent element in each embodiment, or omit any constituent
20 element in each embodiment without departing from the scope of
the present disclosure.
[0010]
First Embodiment
A first embodiment of the present disclosure is described
25 below with reference to Figs. 1 to 15.
Fig. 1 is a front view of an outdoor unit of refrigeration
cycle apparatus with a front panel removed from the outdoor unit.
Fig. 2 is a transparent top view illustrating relevant parts of
the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus. Fig. 3 is a
30 transparent side view illustrating the relevant parts of the
outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus. Figs. 4 and 5
are front views of the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle
apparatus. Fig. 6 is a plan view of an impeller of a blower
included in the outdoor unit. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view
35 of the blower included in the outdoor unit. Fig. 8 is a plan
view of the impeller of the blower included in the outdoor unit.
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the impeller of the blower
included in the outdoor unit. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of
the impeller of the blower included in the outdoor unit. Fig.
40 11 is a transparent top view of relevant parts, illustrating
7
another example of the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle
apparatus. Figs. 12 and 13 are top views illustrating still
another example of the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle
apparatus. Fig. 14 is a top view illustrating still another
5 example of the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus
with a top panel removed from the outdoor unit. Fig. 15 is a
transparent front view of relevant parts, illustrating still
another example of the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle
apparatus.
10 [0011]
A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the present
embodiment includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. In each
of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, a heat exchanger is
provided. The heat exchanger in the indoor unit, and the heat
15 exchanger in the outdoor unit are connected by a refrigerant
pipe provided to allow for circulation of refrigerant. The
refrigeration cycle apparatus serves as a heat pump that causes
refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe to circulate
between the heat exchanger in the indoor unit and the heat
20 exchanger in the outdoor unit, thereby to transfer heat between
the heat exchanger in the indoor unit and the heat exchanger in
the outdoor unit.
[0012]
As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, the outdoor unit of
25 refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the present
embodiment includes a housing 1. The housing 1 has, for example,
a cuboid outer shape. That is, in the illustrated configuration,
the housing 1 has a front surface, a back surface, a top surface,
a bottom surface, and opposite left and right lateral surfaces.
30 [0013]
In the housing 1, a machine chamber 2 and a blower chamber
3 are formed. The machine chamber 2 is located on one of the
left and right sides of the housing 1. The blower chamber 3 is
located on the other of the left and right sides of the housing
35 1. The machine chamber 2 and the blower chamber 3 are
partitioned from each other. The machine chamber 2 houses a
compressor, an electrical component box, and the like (not
illustrated) inside. The blower chamber 3 houses a heat
exchanger 4 and blowers 100 inside.
40 [0014]
8
As illustrated in Fig. 2, outdoor-unit air inlets 5 are
formed on the lateral surface and back surface of a portion of
the housing 1 where the blower chamber 3 is located. As
illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, a front panel 10 is provided on
5 the front surface of a portion of the housing 1 where the blower
chamber 3 is located. On the front panel 10, outdoor-unit air
outlets 11 are formed. The interior of the blower chamber 3
serves as an air passage extending from the outdoor-unit air
inlets 5 to the outdoor-unit air outlets 11. Note that as
10 illustrated in Fig. 5, the outdoor-unit air outlets 11 may be
provided with grid-like grilles 12. In this case, the grilles
12 may be attached to the front panel 10, or may be provided
integrally with the front panel 10.
[0015]
15 Inside the blower chamber 3, the heat exchanger 4 is located
in an L-shape in top view, extending from the lateral surface to
the back surface of the housing 1 on which the outdoor-unit air
inlets 5 are provided. The blowers 100 are located downstream
of the heat exchanger 4 in the air passage in the blower chamber
20 3. In other words, the blowers 100 are located on the secondary
side of the heat exchanger 4.
[0016]
As illustrated in Figs. 1, and 3 to 5, three blowers 100
are provided in the blower chamber 3 in a configuration example
25 described here. In this configuration example, the three blowers
100 are arranged one above the other in an up-down direction.
Each of the blowers 100 is a so-called double inlet centrifugal
blower. The blower 100 includes an impeller 200, a scroll casing
110, a motor 101, and a shaft 102.
30 [0017]
The impeller 200 is a centrifugal fan configured to generate
airflow in the blower 100. As illustrated in Fig. 2 and other
drawings, the impeller 200 is housed inside the scroll casing
110. The impeller 200 is rotatable about a rotation axis inside
35 the scroll casing 110. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the impeller
200 has a plurality of blades 210. The plurality of blades 210
of the impeller 200 are arranged in a circumferential direction
around the rotation axis of the impeller 200.
[0018]
40 The scroll casing 110 regulates a flow of air blown out
9
from the impeller 200. The scroll casing 110 has two side walls
and a peripheral wall. The side walls of the scroll casing 110
are provided on opposite sides of the impeller 200 in a direction
along the rotation axis of the impeller 200. The peripheral
5 wall of the scroll casing 110 is provided so as to surround the
impeller 200 from the radially outer side of the impeller 200.
The two side walls are located opposite to each other through
the peripheral wall.
[0019]
10 As illustrated in Fig. 7, two bellmouths 111 are formed on
the scroll casing 110. The two bellmouths 111 on the scroll
casing 110 serve as suction ports for the blower 100. The
bellmouths 111 are provided respectively on the two side walls
of the scroll casing 110. The suction ports formed in the
15 bellmouths 111 have a circular shape centered at the rotation
axis of the impeller 200. Note that the suction ports are not
limited to having a circular shape, but may have other shapes
such as an elliptical shape. The bellmouth 111 regulates a flow
of gas to be suctioned into the impeller 200 and causes the
20 regulated flow of gas to flow into the suction port of the
impeller 200. The bellmouth 111 is formed in such a manner that
its opening diameter gradually decreases from the outer part of
the scroll casing 110 toward the inner part thereof. This allows
air in the vicinity of the suction port to flow smoothly along
25 the bellmouth 111 and flow efficiently into the impeller 200
from the suction port.
[0020]
On the scroll casing 110, a discharge port 112 is formed.
The discharge port 112 is an opening through which airflow
30 generated in the scroll casing 110 by the impeller 200 is
discharged. The opening of the discharge port 112 has, for
example, a rectangular shape. However, the opening of the
discharge port 112 is not limited to having a rectangular shape.
The plane of the opening of the discharge port 112 is positioned
35 parallel to the rotation axis of the impeller 200.
[0021]
The peripheral wall of the scroll casing 110 guides the
airflow generated by the impeller 200 along its curved wall
surface to the discharge port 112. The peripheral wall is
40 provided between the side walls opposite to each other. For
10
example, the peripheral wall is located parallel to the direction
along the rotation axis of the impeller 200. Note that the
peripheral wall may be inclined relative to the direction along
the rotation axis of the impeller 200, and is not limited to the
5 configuration in which the peripheral wall is located parallel
to the direction along the rotation axis.
[0022]
The peripheral wall of the scroll casing 110 is formed into
a curved surface having an involute shape when viewed from a
10 direction parallel to the rotation axis of the impeller 200.
The involute shape is formed based on, for example, a logarithmic
spiral, an Archimedean spiral, or an involute curve. Due to
this shape, the air delivered from the impeller 200 smoothly
flows through the gap between the impeller 200 and the peripheral
15 wall in the direction toward the discharge port 112. This allows
the static pressure of air in the scroll casing 110 to
efficiently increase more toward the discharge port 112.
[0023]
In the descriptions below, the "rotation axis of the
20 impeller 200" may also be referred to as "rotation axis of the
blower 100." The blower 100 having the configuration as
described above is a double inlet centrifugal blower configured
to suction air from opposite end sides of the rotation axis of
the blower 100 and to blow out the air in a direction
25 perpendicular to the rotation axis of the blower 100.
[0024]
The motor 101 and the shaft 102 are shared between the
blowers 100. That is, in the configuration example described
here, one motor 101 and one shaft 102 are provided for the three
30 blowers 100. The motor 101 is located outside the scroll casings
110 of the blowers 100. In the example illustrated in Fig. 3,
the motor 101 is located further above the three blowers 100
arranged vertically one above the other. The shaft 102 transmits
the rotational driving force of the motor 101 to the impellers
35 200 of the blowers 100. The blowers 100 are located in such a
manner that the respective rotation axes of the impellers 200 of
the blowers 100 are aligned. The shaft 102 is provided along
the respective rotation axes of the impellers 200 of the blowers
100. The center of the impeller 200 of each of the blowers 100
40 is fixed to the shaft 102.
11
[0025]
In the outdoor unit according to the present embodiment, a
plurality of discharge ports is provided. In the example
described here, three blowers 100 are provided, each of which
5 has one discharge port 112. Accordingly, the outdoor unit has
a total of three discharge ports 112 in its entirety. The number
of the discharge ports 112 to be included in the outdoor unit is
not limited to three. It is sufficient that the outdoor unit
has two or more discharge ports 112.
10 [0026]
As described above, the outdoor-unit air outlets 11 are
formed on the front panel 10 provided on the front surface of
the housing 1. Corresponding to the discharge ports 112, the
outdoor-unit air outlets 11 are provided equal to the number of
15 the discharge ports 112. That is, in the configuration example
described here, three outdoor-unit air outlets 11 are formed on
the front panel 10. The position and size of the outdoor-unit
air outlets 11 are adjusted to match the position and size of
their corresponding discharge ports 112. That is, when the front
20 panel 10 is properly attached to the housing 1, the discharge
ports 112 are located in their corresponding outdoor-unit air
outlets 11.
[0027]
In this manner, the plurality of discharge ports 112 are
25 located in their corresponding outdoor-unit air outlets 11 on
the front panel 10. In the outdoor unit according to the present
embodiment, the front surface of the housing, on which the front
panel 10 is provided, is an outlet placement surface. The
plurality of discharge ports 112 are located on this outlet
30 placement surface. In contrast, the suction ports of each of
the blowers 100 are located facing the directions toward the top
surface and the bottom surface of the housing 1. That is, the
rotation axis of the blower 100 is positioned along the up-down
direction.
35 [0028]
In the outdoor unit according to the present embodiment, a
total width of the plurality of discharge ports 112 is adjusted
to be greater than a width of the blower chamber 3. The width
of the discharge port 112 and the width of the blower chamber 3
40 described herein refer to a width in a direction horizontal with
12
the housing 1 placed and parallel to the outlet placement surface
described above. That is, a total width of the discharge ports
112 in a direction horizontal with the housing 1 placed and
parallel to the outlet placement surface is more than the width
5 of the blower chamber 3 in the said direction. Note that as
described above, since the rotation axis of the blower 100 is
positioned along the up-down direction, the direction horizontal
with the housing 1 placed can be rephrased as a direction
perpendicular to the rotation axis of the blower 100. Therefore,
10 as for the width of the discharge port 112 and the width of the
blower chamber 3, in other words, the total width of the
discharge ports 112 in the direction perpendicular to the
rotation axis of the blower 100 and parallel to the outlet
placement surface is more than the width of the blower chamber
15 3 in the said direction.
[0029]
In the configuration example described here, the direction
horizontal with the housing 1 placed and parallel to the outlet
placement surface is a left-right direction. That is, a
20 dimension A illustrated in Fig. 2 is the width of the discharge
port 112 in a direction horizontal with the housing 1 placed and
parallel to the outlet placement surface. A dimension B
illustrated in Fig. 2 is the width of the blower chamber 3 in a
direction horizontal with the housing 1 placed and parallel to
25 the outlet placement surface. Likewise, each of dimensions A1,
A2, and A3 illustrated in Fig. 1 is the width of the discharge
port 112 in a direction horizontal with the housing 1 placed and
parallel to the outlet placement surface. The dimension B
illustrated in Fig. 1 is the width of the blower chamber 3 in a
30 direction horizontal with the housing 1 placed and parallel to
the outlet placement surface. A total width of the plurality of
discharge ports 112 is adjusted to be greater than the width of
the blower chamber 3. That is, the relationship between the
dimensions A1, A2, A3, and B expressed by the following
35 expression (1) is satisfied.
[0030]
A1+A2+A3>B ... (1)
[0031]
The outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus according
40 to the present embodiment, which has the configuration as
13
described above, can still obtain a large airflow volume even
when a static pressure external to the outdoor unit is high, and
can therefore achieve a low noise level and a low input without
increasing the size of the outdoor unit.
5 [0032]
Note that in this configuration example, the rotation axis
of the blower 100 is positioned along the up-down direction.
That is, the rotation axis of the impeller 200 is positioned
parallel to the outlet placement surface described above. In
10 this case, it is preferable for the impeller 200 to have a fan
diameter larger than a half of a width of the blower chamber 3
in a direction perpendicular to the outlet placement surface,
that is, in a front-rear direction. Having the fan diameter as
described above can further increase the airflow volume, and
15 consequently makes it possible to achieve an even lower noise
level and an even lower input.
[0033]
Next, an example of the configuration of the blowers 100
included in the outdoor unit according to the present embodiment
20 is described with reference to Figs. 8 to 10. As described
above, the blowers 100 are double inlet centrifugal blowers.
Each of the blowers 100 includes the impeller 200 that is a
centrifugal fan. The impeller 200 includes a main plate portion
201, side plate portions 203, and a plurality of blades 210.
25 [0034]
The main plate portion 201 is a disk-shaped member. At the
central part of the main plate portion 201, a boss portion 202
is provided. At the center of the boss portion 202, a hole is
formed through which the shaft 102 passes. At a circumferential
30 edge part of the main plate portion 201, the plurality of blades
210 are arranged radially in the circumferential direction of
the main plate portion 201. The blades 210 are provided on
opposite plate surfaces of the main plate portion 201.
[0035]
35 Each of the blades 210 is connected at one end to the main
plate portion 201, while being connected at the other end to the
side plate portion 203. That is, each of the plurality of blades
210 is located between the main plate portion 201 and the side
plate portion 203. The plurality of blades 210 are spaced apart
40 from each other at regular intervals in the circumferential
14
direction of the main plate portion 201.
[0036]
The side plate portions 203 are annular members. Each of
the side plate portions 203 is fixed to outer circumferential5 side end portions of the plurality of blades 210 on the side
opposite to the main plate portion 201. The side plate portions
203 are provided on opposite sides with respect to the plate
surface of the main plate portion 201. The side plate portion
203 connects the plurality of blades 210, thereby to maintain
10 the positional relationship between the tip ends of the blades
210 and reinforce the plurality of blades 210.
[0037]
The impeller 200 is rotationally driven about the rotation
axis by driving of the motor 101. As the impeller 200 rotates,
15 gas external to the blower 100 is suctioned from the suction
ports formed in the bellmouths of the scroll casing 110. As the
impeller 200 rotates, the air suctioned into the space surrounded
by the main plate portion 201 and the plurality of blades 210
passes through the spaces between the adjacent blades 210, and
20 is delivered outward in the radial direction of the impeller 200.
[0038]
Each of the plurality of blades 210 of the impeller 200 has
a turbo blade portion 211 and a sirocco blade portion 212. The
turbo blade portion 211 is provided on the inner circumferential
25 side relative to the sirocco blade portion 212 in the radial
direction from the rotation axis of the impeller 200 as the
center. Conversely, the sirocco blade portion 212 is provided
on the outer circumferential side relative to the turbo blade
portion 211 in the radial direction from the rotation axis of
30 the impeller 200 as the center. The turbo blade portion 211
constitutes a backward curved blade formed at an outlet angle
equal to or smaller than 90 degrees. The sirocco blade portion
212 constitutes a forward curved blade formed at an outlet angle
larger than 90 degrees. The outlet angle is an angle formed
35 between the center line of the blade 210 and the tangent of an
outer diameter circle of the impeller 200 at the intersection of
the outer diameter circle of the impeller 200 and the center
line of the blade 210. The boundary between the turbo blade
portion 211 and the sirocco blade portion 212 is illustrated by
40 the dotted line in Fig. 8. The sirocco blade portion 212 is not
15
necessarily provided. However, the airflow volume of the blower
100 can be increased by providing the sirocco blade portion 212.
[0039]
Particularly as illustrated in Fig. 10, each of the
5 plurality of blades 210 is formed such that on the inner
circumferential side relative to an inner circumferential end
portion 204, the height of the blade 210 from the plate surface
of the main plate portion 201 is reduced more toward the inner
circumferential side. The turbo blade portion 211 includes the
10 inner circumferential end portion 204. Note that the position
of the inner circumferential end portion 204 is illustrated by
the dot-and-dash line in Fig. 8.
[0040]
As illustrated in Fig. 2, when the blower 100 is viewed
15 from a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the blower 100,
the turbo blade portion 211 is exposed from the suction port of
the blower 100. With this configuration, the turbo blade portion
211 helps improve the pressure recovery performance of the blower
100. This makes it possible to achieve an even lower input.
20 [0041]
Note that the heat exchanger 4 is not limited to having an
L-shape in top view. Other than the L-shape, as illustrated in
Fig. 11, the heat exchanger 4 may have, for example, a U-shape
or C-shape in top view. For another example, a plate heat
25 exchanger 4 may be used.
[0042]
As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, in the configuration
example described here, at a location in the scroll casing 110
near the main plate portion 201 of the impeller 200, a protruding
30 portion 113 is provided protruding toward the heat exchanger 4.
Therefore, a distance C between the heat exchanger 4 and the
location in the scroll casing 110 near the main plate portion
201 of the impeller 200, that is, the protruding portion 113 is
shorter than a distance D between the heat exchanger 4 and a
35 location in the scroll casing 110 near the side plate portions
203 of the impeller 200. With this configuration, the airflow
having passed through the heat exchanger 4 is smoothly guided
from the location near the main plate portion 201 of the impeller
200 to the location near the side plate portions 203 of the
40 impeller 200 along the outer shape of the scroll casing 110, and
16
then flows into the suction ports formed in the bellmouths on
the scroll casing 110. Consequently, an inflow ability of the
airflow from the heat exchanger 4 to the blower 100 can be
improved to reduce the pressure loss, and an even lower input
5 can be achieved. It is preferable that the tip end of the
protruding portion 113 of the scroll casing 110 is formed into
an arc shape. This allows the airflow having passed through the
heat exchanger 4 to be more smoothly guided, and makes it
possible to further improve the inflow ability of the airflow
10 from the heat exchanger 4 to the blower 100.
[0043]
In the configuration example described above, the outlet
placement surface is the front surface of the housing 1. However,
the outlet placement surface is not limited to being the front
15 surface of the housing 1, but may be any surface of the housing
1. For example, Figs. 12 to 15 illustrate a configuration
example when the outlet placement surface is the top surface of
the housing 1. As illustrated in Fig. 12, a top panel 20 is
provided on the top surface of a portion of the housing 1 where
20 the blower chamber 3 is located. On the top panel 20, the
outdoor-unit air outlets 11 are formed. Note that as illustrated
in Fig. 13, the outdoor-unit air outlets 11 may be provided with
the grid-like grilles 12. In this case, the grilles 12 may be
attached to the top panel 20, or may be provided integrally with
25 the top panel 20.
[0044]
On the top panel 20, corresponding to the discharge ports
112, the outdoor-unit air outlets 11 are provided equal to the
number of the discharge ports 112. In the illustrated
30 configuration example, three blowers 100 are provided in the
blower chamber 3, each of which has one discharge port 112.
Accordingly, the outdoor unit has a total of three discharge
ports 112 in its entirety. Therefore, on the top panel 20, three
outdoor-unit air outlets 11 are formed. The position and size
35 of the outdoor-unit air outlets 11 are adjusted to match the
position and size of their corresponding discharge ports 112.
That is, when the top panel 20 is properly attached to the
housing 1, the discharge ports 112 are located in their
corresponding outdoor-unit air outlets 11.
40 [0045]
17
In this manner, the plurality of discharge ports 112 are
located in their corresponding outdoor-unit air outlets 11 on
the top panel 20. In this configuration example, the top surface
of the housing, on which the top panel 20 is provided, is the
5 outlet placement surface. The plurality of discharge ports 112
are located on this outlet placement surface. In contrast, as
illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15, the suction ports of each of the
blowers 100 are located facing the directions toward the front
surface and the back surface of the housing 1. That is, the
10 rotation axis of the blower 100 is positioned along the frontrear direction.
[0046]
A total width of the plurality of discharge ports 112 in a
direction horizontal with the housing 1 placed and parallel to
15 the outlet placement surface is more than the width of the blower
chamber 3 in the said direction. In this example, the direction
horizontal with the housing 1 placed and parallel to the outlet
placement surface includes at least the left-right direction.
Therefore, even in this example, in other words, the total width
20 of the discharge ports 112 in a direction perpendicular to the
rotation axis of the blower 100 and parallel to the outlet
placement surface is more than the width of the blower chamber
3 in the said direction. Even in the configuration example as
described above, it is still possible to obtain a large airflow
25 volume even when a static pressure external to the outdoor unit
is high, and therefore achieve a low noise level and a low input
without increasing the size of the outdoor unit.
[0047]
Second Embodiment
30 A second embodiment of the present disclosure is described
below with reference to Figs. 16 to 29. Fig. 16 is a front view
of an outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus with a front
panel removed from the outdoor unit. Fig. 17 is a crosssectional view of the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle
35 apparatus. Figs. 18 and 19 are front views of the outdoor unit
of refrigeration cycle apparatus. Fig. 20 is a front view
illustrating a modification of the outdoor unit of refrigeration
cycle apparatus with the front panel removed from the outdoor
unit. Fig. 21 is a front view illustrating a first other example
40 of the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus with the
18
front panel removed from the outdoor unit. Fig. 22 is a front
view illustrating a second other example of the outdoor unit of
refrigeration cycle apparatus with the front panel removed from
the outdoor unit. Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view illustrating
5 the second other example of the outdoor unit of refrigeration
cycle apparatus. Figs. 24 and 25 are front views illustrating
the second other example of the outdoor unit of refrigeration
cycle apparatus. Fig. 26 is a front view illustrating a
modification of the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle
10 apparatus with the front panel removed from the outdoor unit.
Fig. 27 is a front view illustrating the modification of the
outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus. Fig. 28 is a
perspective view of a blower included in the modification of the
outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus. Fig. 29 is a
15 cross-sectional view of the blower included in the modification
of the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus.
[0048]
In the configuration of the outdoor unit in the first
embodiment described above, each blower of the outdoor unit is
20 provided with one discharge port. In contrast to this, in the
second embodiment described here, two or more discharge ports
are provided to one blower. Hereinafter, the outdoor unit of
refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the second embodiment
is described mainly focusing on differences from the first
25 embodiment. Basically, descriptions of the same components as
those in the first embodiment are omitted. In the descriptions
below, the same or corresponding components as or to those in
the first embodiment are basically denoted by the same reference
signs as those used in the descriptions of the first embodiment.
30 [0049]
In an example of the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle
apparatus according to the present embodiment, two blowers 100
are provided in the blower chamber 3 as illustrated in Figs. 16
and 17. Two discharge ports 112 are formed on each of the scroll
35 casings 110 of the blowers 100. In this manner, each of the two
blowers 100 has two discharge ports 112. Accordingly, the
outdoor unit has a total of four discharge ports 112 in its
entirety.
[0050]
40 As illustrated in Fig. 18, the front panel 10 is provided
19
on the front surface of a portion of the housing 1 where the
blower chamber 3 is located. On the front panel 10, the outdoorunit air outlets 11 are formed. Note that as illustrated in Fig.
19, the outdoor-unit air outlets 11 may be provided with the
5 grid-like grilles 12.
[0051]
On the front panel 10, corresponding to the discharge ports
112, the outdoor-unit air outlets 11 are provided equal to the
number of the discharge ports 112. In the illustrated
10 configuration example, the outdoor unit has a total of four
discharge ports 112 in its entirety. Therefore, on the front
panel 10, four outdoor-unit air outlets 11 are formed. The
position and size of the outdoor-unit air outlets 11 are adjusted
to match the position and size of their corresponding discharge
15 ports 112. That is, when the front panel 10 is properly attached
to the housing 1, the discharge ports 112 are located in their
corresponding outdoor-unit air outlets 11.
[0052]
In this manner, the plurality of discharge ports 112 are
20 located in their corresponding outdoor-unit air outlets 11 on
the front panel 10. In this configuration example, the front
surface of the housing, on which the front panel 10 is provided,
is the outlet placement surface. The plurality of discharge
ports 112 are located on this outlet placement surface. In
25 contrast, the suction ports of each of the blowers 100 are
located facing directions toward opposite left and right lateral
surfaces of the housing 1. That is, the rotation axis of the
blower 100 is positioned along the left-right direction. A total
width of the discharge ports 112 in a direction horizontal with
30 the housing 1 placed and parallel to the outlet placement surface
is more than the width of the blower chamber 3 in the said
direction. In this example, the direction horizontal with the
housing 1 placed and parallel to the outlet placement surface is
the left-right direction. Note that as illustrated in Fig. 20,
35 the blower chamber 3 may be provided on the upper side of the
housing 1, while the machine chamber 2 may be provided on the
lower side of the housing 1.
[0053]
Even in the configuration example as described above, it
40 is still possible to obtain a large airflow volume even when a
20
static pressure external to the outdoor unit is high, and
therefore achieve a low noise level and a low input without
increasing the size of the outdoor unit. The suction ports of
the blower 100 are oriented in directions toward opposite left
5 and right lateral surfaces of the housing 1, so that air can be
efficiently suctioned particularly from the outdoor-unit air
inlets 5 provided on the lateral surface of the housing 1. This
makes it possible to increase the airflow volume and improve
heat exchange efficiency.
10 [0054]
Note that in this configuration example, the rotation axis
of the blower 100 is positioned along the left-right direction.
That is, the rotation axis of the impeller 200 is positioned
parallel to the outlet placement surface described above. In
15 this case, it is preferable for the impeller 200 to have a fan
diameter larger than a half of a width of the blower chamber 3
in a direction perpendicular to the outlet placement surface,
that is, in the front-rear direction. Having the fan diameter
as described above can further increase the airflow volume, and
20 consequently makes it possible to achieve an even lower noise
level and an even lower input.
[0055]
Next, several other examples of the outdoor unit of
refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the present
25 embodiment are described with reference to Figs. 21 to 29. First,
Fig. 21 illustrates a first other configuration example of the
outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the
present embodiment. In the first other configuration example,
two blowers 100 are provided in the blower chamber 3 and arranged
30 one above the other in the up-down direction. In Fig. 21, only
one of the two blowers 100 is illustrated. Two discharge ports
112 are formed on each of the scroll casings 110 of the blowers
100. In this manner, each of the two blowers 100 has two
discharge ports 112. Accordingly, the outdoor unit has a total
35 of four discharge ports 112 in its entirety.
[0056]
The plurality of discharge ports 112 are located in their
corresponding outdoor-unit air outlets formed on the front panel
(not illustrated). In this configuration example, the front
40 surface of the housing, on which the front panel is provided, is
21
the outlet placement surface. The plurality of discharge ports
112 are located on this outlet placement surface. In contrast,
the suction ports of each of the blowers 100 are located facing
the directions toward the top surface and the bottom surface of
5 the housing 1. That is, the rotation axis of the blower 100 is
positioned along the up-down direction. A total width of the
discharge ports 112 in a direction horizontal with the housing
1 placed and parallel to the outlet placement surface is more
than the width of the blower chamber 3 in the said direction.
10 In this example, the direction horizontal with the housing 1
placed and parallel to the outlet placement surface is the leftright direction. Even in the configuration example as described
above, it is still possible to obtain a large airflow volume
even when a static pressure external to the outdoor unit is high,
15 and therefore achieve a low noise level and a low input without
increasing the size of the outdoor unit.
[0057]
Next, Figs. 22 to 25 illustrate a second other configuration
example of the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus
20 according to the present embodiment. In the second other
configuration example, as illustrated in Figs. 22 and 23, one
blower 100 is provided in the blower chamber 3. Two discharge
ports 112 are formed on the scroll casing 110 of the blower 100.
In this manner, one blower 100 has two discharge ports 112.
25 Accordingly, the outdoor unit has a total of two discharge ports
112 in its entirety.
[0058]
As illustrated in Fig. 24, the front panel 10 is provided
on the front surface of a portion of the housing 1 where the
30 blower chamber 3 is located. On the front panel 10, the outdoorunit air outlets 11 are formed. Note that as illustrated in Fig.
25, the outdoor-unit air outlets 11 may be provided with the
grid-like grilles 12.
[0059]
35 On the front panel 10, corresponding to the discharge ports
112, the outdoor-unit air outlets 11 are provided equal to the
number of the discharge ports 112. In the illustrated
configuration example, the outdoor unit has a total of two
discharge ports 112 in its entirety. Therefore, on the front
40 panel 10, two outdoor-unit air outlets 11 are formed. The
22
position and size of the outdoor-unit air outlets 11 are adjusted
to match the position and size of their corresponding discharge
ports 112. That is, when the front panel 10 is properly attached
to the housing 1, the discharge ports 112 are located in their
5 corresponding outdoor-unit air outlets 11.
[0060]
In this manner, the plurality of discharge ports 112 are
located in their corresponding outdoor-unit air outlets 11 on
the front panel 10. In this configuration example, the front
10 surface of the housing, on which the front panel 10 is provided,
is the outlet placement surface. The plurality of discharge
ports 112 are located on this outlet placement surface. In
contrast, the suction ports of each of the blowers 100 are
located facing the directions toward the front surface and the
15 back surface of the housing 1. That is, the rotation axis of
the blower 100 is positioned along the front-rear direction. A
total width of the discharge ports 112 in a direction horizontal
with the housing 1 placed and parallel to the outlet placement
surface is more than the width of the blower chamber 3 in the
20 said direction. In this example, the direction horizontal with
the housing 1 placed and parallel to the outlet placement surface
is the left-right direction.
[0061]
Even in the configuration example as described above, it
25 is still possible to obtain a large airflow volume even when a
static pressure external to the outdoor unit is high, and
therefore achieve a low noise level and a low input without
increasing the size of the outdoor unit. The suction port of
the blower 100 is oriented in the direction toward the back
30 surface of the housing 1, so that air can be efficiently
suctioned particularly from the outdoor-unit air inlets 5
provided on the back surface of the housing 1. This makes it
possible to increase the airflow volume and improve heat exchange
efficiency.
35 [0062]
Figs. 26 to 29 illustrate a modification of the second other
configuration example of the outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle
apparatus according to the present embodiment. In this
modification, as illustrated in Figs. 26, 28, and 29, two or
40 more discharge ports 112 for one blower 100 are arranged radially
23
when viewed from the front side of the housing 1. In the
illustrated configuration example, six discharge ports 112 are
provided to one blower 100. Each of the discharge ports 112 has,
on its inner circumferential side, a shape of an arc of the
5 circle centered at the rotation axis of the blower 100. In other
words, each of the discharge ports 112 has, on its inner
circumferential side, an arc shape made up of a portion of a
circle concentric to the suction port of the blower 100. Each
of the discharge ports 112 has, on its outer circumferential
10 side, an arcuate shape made up of a portion of an ellipse
centered at the rotation axis of the blower 100.
[0063]
As illustrated in Fig. 27, on the front panel 10,
corresponding to the discharge ports 112, the outdoor-unit air
15 outlets 11 are provided equal to the number of the discharge
ports 112. In the illustrated configuration example, the outdoor
unit has a total of six discharge ports 112 in its entirety.
Therefore, on the front panel 10, six outdoor-unit air outlets
11 are formed. The position and size of the outdoor-unit air
20 outlets 11 are adjusted to match the position and size of their
corresponding discharge ports 112. That is, when the front panel
10 is properly attached to the housing 1, the discharge ports
112 are located in their corresponding outdoor-unit air outlets
11.
25 [0064]
In this manner, the plurality of discharge ports 112 are
located in their corresponding outdoor-unit air outlets 11 on
the front panel 10. In this configuration example, the front
surface of the housing, on which the front panel 10 is provided,
30 is the outlet placement surface. The plurality of discharge
ports 112 are located on this outlet placement surface. In
contrast, the suction ports of each blower 100 are located facing
the directions toward the front surface and the back surface of
the housing 1. That is, the rotation axis of the blower 100 is
35 positioned along the front-rear direction. A total width of the
discharge ports 112 in a direction horizontal with the housing
1 placed and parallel to the outlet placement surface is more
than the width of the blower chamber 3 in the said direction.
In this example, the direction horizontal with the housing 1
40 placed and parallel to the outlet placement surface is the left-
24
right direction.
[0065]
Even in the configuration example as described above, it
is still possible to obtain a large airflow volume even when a
5 static pressure external to the outdoor unit is high, and
therefore achieve a low noise level and a low input without
increasing the size of the outdoor unit. The suction port of
the blower 100 is oriented in the direction toward the back
surface of the housing 1, so that air can be efficiently
10 suctioned particularly from the outdoor-unit air inlets 5
provided on the back surface of the housing 1. This makes it
possible to increase the airflow volume and improve heat exchange
efficiency. Furthermore, the discharge ports 112 of the blower
100 are arranged radially, so that air can be suctioned into the
15 suction port evenly from the spaces between the discharge ports
112, and can be delivered from many discharge ports 112.
Consequently, a further increase in the airflow volume can be
achieved.
20 Industrial Applicability
[0066]
The present disclosure is applicable to an outdoor unit of
refrigeration cycle apparatus, in which the outdoor unit
includes a double inlet centrifugal blower in a blower chamber
25 of a housing.
25
Reference Signs List
[0067]
1 Housing
2 Machine chamber
5 3 Blower chamber
4 Heat exchanger
5 Outdoor-unit air inlets
10 Front panel
11 Outdoor-unit air outlets
10 12 Grilles
20 Top panel
100 Blower
101 Motor
102 Shaft
15 110 Scroll casing
111 Bellmouths
112 Discharge port
113 Protruding portion
200 Impeller
20 201 Main plate portion
202 Boss portion
203 Side plate portions
204 Inner circumferential end portion
210 Blades
25 211 Turbo blade portion
212 Sirocco blade portion

We Claim :
[Claim 1]
An outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus comprising,
5 a housing in which a machine chamber and a blower chamber
are formed, the blower chamber being partitioned from the machine
chamber, the machine chamber housing a compressor inside, the
blower chamber housing a heat exchanger and a blower inside, the
blower being located on a secondary side of the heat exchanger,
10 wherein
the blower is a double inlet centrifugal blower including:
an impeller having a plurality of blades arranged in a
circumferential direction around a rotation axis, and
a scroll casing having a discharge port and two bellmouths
15 which serve as suction ports, the scroll casing housing the
impeller inside,
a plurality of the discharge ports are provided,
the plurality of the discharge ports are located on an
outlet placement surface, the outlet placement surface being a
20 front or top surface of the housing, and
a total width of the plurality of the discharge ports in a
direction horizontal with the housing placed and parallel to the
outlet placement surface is more than a width of the blower
chamber in said direction.
25 [Claim 2]
The outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus according
to claim 1, wherein
each of the plurality of blades of the impeller has a turbo
blade portion constituting a backward curved blade formed at an
30 outlet angle equal to or smaller than 90 degrees, and
when the blower is viewed from a direction parallel to the
rotation axis, the turbo blade portion is exposed from the
suction port.
[Claim 3]
35 The outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus according
to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of blades of the
impeller further has a sirocco blade portion provided on an outer
circumferential side relative to the turbo blade portion in a
radial direction from the rotation axis as a center, and
40 constituting a forward curved blade formed at an outlet angle
27
larger than 90 degrees.
[Claim 4]
The outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus according
to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
5 the blower has two or more of the discharge ports,
the outlet placement surface is a front surface of the
housing, and
the suction ports of the blower are located facing
directions toward the top surface and a bottom surface of the
10 housing.
[Claim 5]
The outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus according
to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the blower has two or more of the discharge ports,
15 the outlet placement surface is the front surface of the
housing, and
the suction ports of the blower are located facing
directions toward opposite left and right lateral surfaces of
the housing.
20 [Claim 6]
The outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus according
to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
the rotation axis of the impeller is positioned parallel
to the outlet placement surface, and
25 the impeller has a fan diameter larger than a half of a
width of the blower chamber in a direction perpendicular to the
outlet placement surface.
[Claim 7]
The outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus according
30 to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the blower has two or more of the discharge ports,
the outlet placement surface is the front surface of the
housing, and
the suction ports of the blower are located facing
35 directions toward the front surface and a back surface of the
housing.
[Claim 8]
The outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus according
to claim 7, wherein two or more of the discharge ports for the
40 blower are arranged radially when viewed from a front side of
28
the housing.
[Claim 9]
The outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus according
to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a distance between the heat
5 exchanger and a location in the scroll casing near a main plate
portion of the impeller is shorter than a distance between the
heat exchanger and a location in the scroll casing near a side
plate portion of the impeller.
[Claim 10]
10 The outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus according
to claim 9, wherein the location in the scroll casing near the
main plate portion of the impeller has a protruding portion
protruding toward the heat exchanger, and a tip end of the
protruding portion is formed into an arc shape.