U.S. patent application number 13/819869 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-15 for air conditioner.
The applicant listed for this patent is Takayuki Yagyu. Invention is credited to Takayuki Yagyu.
Application Number | 20130205823 13/819869 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45993554 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130205823 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yagyu; Takayuki |
August 15, 2013 |
AIR CONDITIONER
Abstract
An air conditioner performs heating operation by driving a
compressor (21), the heating operation being performed while an
indoor heat exchanger (13) serves as the high-temperature portion
of refrigeration cycle and an outdoor heat exchanger (23) serves as
the low-temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle. The air
conditioner also performs defrosting operation for defrosting the
outdoor heat exchanger (23) by flowing refrigerant in opposite
direction of flow of the refrigerant in the heating operation. In
the outdoor heat exchanger (23), a large number of fins (30) are
affixed to refrigerant pipes (2) so as to close to each other. Air
flow passes through between the fins (30) to perform heat exchange.
A water introduction section (31, 32) for closing each of the gaps
between the fins (30) at one end thereof in the air flow passage
direction is provided at the lower end of the outdoor heat
exchanger (23).
Inventors: |
Yagyu; Takayuki; (Osaka-shi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Yagyu; Takayuki |
Osaka-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
45993554 |
Appl. No.: |
13/819869 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
September 15, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2011/071095 |
371 Date: |
February 28, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/324.5 ;
62/285 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 13/00 20130101;
F24F 11/42 20180101; F28D 1/0477 20130101; F24F 1/18 20130101; F24F
1/36 20130101; F25B 47/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/324.5 ;
62/285 |
International
Class: |
F25B 13/00 20060101
F25B013/00; F25B 47/02 20060101 F25B047/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 27, 2010 |
JP |
2010-240896 |
Claims
1. An air conditioner comprising: a compressor that operates a
refrigeration cycle; an indoor heat exchanger that performs heat
exchange with indoor air; and an outdoor heat exchanger that
performs the heat exchange with outdoor air, the compressor is
driven to perform a warming operation in which the indoor heat
exchanger is used as a high temperature portion of the
refrigeration cycle and the outdoor heat exchanger is used as a low
temperature portion, and to perform a defrosting operation for
defrosting the outdoor heat exchanger in which the outdoor heat
exchanger serving as the high temperature portion of the
refrigeration cycle is defrosted by flowing a refrigerant in a
direction opposite to a direction during a time of the warming
operation, wherein in the outdoor heat exchanger, many fins are
fixed to a refrigerant pipe to be close to one another, an airflow
passes through between the fins to perform the heat exchange, and a
water guide portion for closing a space between the fins at one end
in an airflow passing direction is disposed at a lower end of the
outdoor heat exchanger.
2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein defrosted
water, which flows down one end portion of the fins in the airflow
passing direction during the warming operation time, is received by
the water guide portion and guided to other end portion.
3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the water
guide portion is composed of a plate-shaped member having an L
shape in section that contacts the lower end of the fins and
extends in a direction in which the fins are disposed to be
parallel with one another.
4. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the water
guide portion is formed by bending a corner portion that includes a
lower surface of the fin.
5. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of
lines of the refrigerant pipes are disposed in a zigzag pattern in
the airflow passing direction, and a lower end of the refrigerant
pipe disposed in the one end portion in the airflow passing
direction is disposed at a position higher than a lower end of the
refrigerant pipe disposed in the other end portion.
6. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein in the outdoor
heat exchanger, the water guide portion is disposed on a downstream
side in the airflow passing direction during the warming operation
time.
7. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the
refrigerant pipe, which is disposed in the high temperature portion
of the refrigeration cycle during the warming operation time, is
disposed under the outdoor heat exchanger.
8. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of
lines of the refrigerant pipes are disposed in a zigzag pattern in
the airflow passing direction, and a lower end of the refrigerant
pipe disposed in the one end portion in the airflow passing
direction is disposed at a position higher than a lower end of the
refrigerant pipe disposed in the other end portion.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner that
performs a warming operation and a defrosting operation.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A conventional air conditioner is disclosed in a patent
document 1. This air conditioner includes an indoor apparatus
disposed indoors and an outdoor apparatus disposed outdoors. The
outdoor apparatus is provided with a compressor, an outdoor heat
exchanger, and an outdoor fan, while the indoor apparatus is
provided with an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan. The
compressor flows a refrigerant to operate a refrigeration cycle. In
the indoor heat exchanger and outdoor heat exchanger, a refrigerant
pipe is mounted with many fins close to one another and performs
heat exchange with air passing through between the fins.
[0003] A refrigerant outlet portion of the compressor is connected
to one end of the indoor heat exchanger and one end of the outdoor
heat exchanger respectively via a four-way valve by means of the
refrigerant pipe. The other ends of the indoor heat exchanger and
the outdoor heat exchanger are connected via an expansion valve by
means of the refrigerant pipe. The outdoor fan is disposed to
oppose the outdoor heat exchanger and promotes the heat exchange
between the outdoor heat exchanger and outdoor air. The indoor fan
introduces indoor air into the indoor apparatus and sends the air
after performing the heat exchange with the indoor heat exchanger,
into a room.
[0004] During a warming operation time, the refrigerant output from
the compressor by switching of the four-way valve flows through the
indoor heat exchanger, the expansion valve, the outdoor heat
exchanger and returns to the compressor. According to this, the
indoor heat exchanger forms a high temperature portion of the
refrigeration cycle, while the outdoor heat exchanger forms a low
temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle. The indoor air
rises in temperature by the heat exchange with the indoor heat
exchanger and is sent into the room, whereby indoor warming is
performed.
[0005] During a cooling operation time, the refrigerant output from
the compressor by the switching of the four-way valve flows in a
direction opposite to the direction during the warming operation
time. In other words, the refrigerant flows through the outdoor
heat exchanger, the expansion valve, the indoor heat exchanger and
returns to the compressor. According to this, the outdoor heat
exchanger forms the high temperature portion of the refrigeration
cycle, while the indoor heat exchanger forms the low temperature
portion of the refrigeration cycle. The indoor air falls in
temperature because of the heat exchange with the indoor heat
exchanger and is sent into the room, whereby the indoor cooling is
performed.
[0006] Besides, the outdoor heat exchanger has frost during the
warming operation time, accordingly, a defrosting operation is
performed at predetermined intervals. During the defrosting
operation time, the indoor fan and the outdoor fan are stopped, and
the refrigerant flows in the same direction as the direction during
the cooling operation time because of the switching of the four-way
valve. According to this, the outdoor heat exchanger forms the high
temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle, and the frost on
the outdoor heat exchanger melts. The defrosted water due to the
melting of the frost flows down the fin and falls below the outdoor
heat exchanger, whereby it is possible to defrost the outdoor heat
exchanger.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0007] PLT1: JP-A-2010-181036 (pages 4 to 6, FIG. 1)
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0008] However, according to the conventional air conditioner, the
defrosted water, which flows down the fin of the outdoor heat
exchanger during the defrosting operation time, is held between the
adjacent fins by surface tension. Because of this, in a case when
the outdoors where the outdoor apparatus is installed is a low
temperature in a cold area, if the defrosting operation is stopped,
the defrosted water held by the fins freeze again. If the warming
operation is performed in this state, a frost grows on the ice that
freezes again between the fins, accordingly, the frost amount
increases and it is necessary to shorten the interval of the
defrosting operation. Accordingly, there is a problem that the
indoor warming is not sufficiently performed and comfortableness
declines.
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an air
conditioner that is able to improve the comfortableness.
Solution to Problem
[0010] To achieve the above object, according to the present
invention, an air conditioner comprising: a compressor that
operates a refrigeration cycle; an indoor heat exchanger that
performs heat exchange with indoor air; and an outdoor heat
exchanger that performs the heat exchange with outdoor air, the
compressor is driven to perform a warming operation in which the
indoor heat exchanger is used as a high temperature portion of the
refrigeration cycle and the outdoor heat exchanger is used as a low
temperature portion, and to perform a defrosting operation for
defrosting the outdoor heat exchanger in which the outdoor heat
exchanger serving as the high temperature portion of the
refrigeration cycle is defrosted by flowing a refrigerant in a
direction opposite to a direction during a time of the warming
operation, wherein in the outdoor heat exchanger, many fins are
fixed to a refrigerant pipe to be close to one another, an airflow
passes through between the fins to perform the heat exchange, and a
water guide portion for closing a space between the fins at one end
in an airflow passing direction is disposed at a lower end of the
outdoor heat exchanger.
[0011] According to this structure, during the warming operation
time, by driving the compressor, the refrigerant flows and the
refrigeration cycle is operated. The outdoor heat exchanger forms
the low temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle, and the air
which performs a heat exchange with the indoor heat exchanger that
forms the high temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle, is
sent into a room, whereby the indoor warming is performed. At this
time, the outdoor heat exchanger performs the heat exchange with
outdoor air that passes through between the fins. If the outdoor
heat exchanger has frost, a defrosting operation is performed.
During a defrosting operation time, the refrigerant flows in a
direction opposite to the direction during the warming operation
time, and the outdoor heat exchanger forms the high temperature
portion of the refrigeration cycle. According to this, the frost on
the outdoor heat exchanger melts and the defrosted water flows down
the fins. At this time, the defrosted water flowing down one end
portion of the fins (e.g., an airflow outlet portion) is guided by
the water guide portion, which closes a lower end space between the
fins, to the other end portion (e.g., an airflow inlet portion).
The defrosted water guided by the water guide portion joins the
defrosted water flowing down the other end portion and falls below
the outdoor heat exchanger.
[0012] Besides, the present invention is characterized in that in
the air conditioner having the above structure, the defrosted
water, which flows down the one end portion of the fins in the
airflow passing direction during the warming operation time, is
received by the water guide portion and guided to the other end
portion.
[0013] Besides, the present invention is characterized in that in
the air conditioner having the above structure, the water guide
portion is composed of a plate-shaped member having an L shape in
section that contacts the lower end of the fins and extends in a
direction in which the fins are disposed to be parallel with one
another. According to this structure, the defrosted water flowing
down the one end portion of the fins is guided to the other end
portion by the water guide portion that has the L shape in
section.
[0014] Besides, the present invention is characterized in that in
the air conditioner having the above structure, the water guide
portion is formed by bending a corner portion that includes a lower
surface of the fins. According to this structure, the defrosted
water flowing down the one end portion of the fins is guided to the
other end portion by the water guide portion that is obtained by
bending the corner portion of the lower end of the fin.
[0015] Besides, the present invention is characterized in that in
the air conditioner having the above structure, a plurality of
lines of the refrigerant pipes are disposed in a zigzag pattern in
the airflow passing direction, and a lower end of the refrigerant
pipe disposed in the one end portion in the airflow passing
direction is disposed at a position higher than a lower end of the
refrigerant pipe disposed in the other end portion. According to
this structure, the refrigerant pipes are disposed to be parallel
with one another in the airflow passing direction of the fins, and
the water guide portion is disposed on the fin where a distance
from the lower end of the fin to the refrigerant pipe is
longer.
[0016] Besides, the present invention is characterized in that in
the air conditioner having the above structure, in the outdoor heat
exchanger, the water guide portion is disposed on a downstream side
in the airflow passing direction during the warming operation time.
According to this structure, during the warming operation time,
outdoor air performs the heat exchange with the refrigerant pipe
and fins of the outdoor heat exchanger. At this time, the air
passing through between the fins in a lower portion collides with
the water guide portion disposed in the downstream portion and
flows upward.
[0017] Besides, the present invention is characterized in that in
the air conditioner having the above structure, the refrigerant
pipe, which is disposed in the high temperature portion of the
refrigeration cycle during the warming operation time, is disposed
under the outdoor heat exchanger. According to this structure, the
refrigerant pipe disposed under the outdoor heat exchanger forms
the high temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle during the
warming operation time and frost on a lower portion of the outdoor
heat exchanger and on a bottom wall of the outdoor apparatus is
alleviated.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0018] According to the present invention, the water guide portion
closing the space between the fins at the one end in the airflow
passing direction is disposed at the lower end of the outdoor heat
exchanger. According to this, it is possible to receive the
defrosted water, which flows down the one end portion of the fin
during the warming operation time, by means of the water guide
portion and to easily guide the defrosted water to the other end
portion. As a result of this, the defrosted water flowing down the
one end portion of the fin joins the defrosted water flowing down
the other end portion and falls downward. Because of this, the flow
amount per unit area of the defrosted water guided to the lower end
of the fin increases and falls fast from the lower end of the fin.
According to this, it is possible to reduce the defrosted water
that is held by the lower end of the fin because of the surface
tension and reduce the frost amount on the outdoor heat exchanger.
Accordingly, it is possible to prolong the interval of the
defrosting operation and to improve the comfortableness.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of
an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present
embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an inside of an outdoor
apparatus of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment
of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the outdoor
apparatus of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment
of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view showing an outdoor heat
exchanger of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment
of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing an outdoor heat
exchanger of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of
the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a view seen in an arrow D direction of FIG. 5.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are
described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a circuit
diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of an air conditioner
according to a first embodiment. An air conditioner 1 has an indoor
apparatus 10 disposed indoors and an outdoor apparatus 20 disposed
outdoors. In the air conditioner 1, a compressor 21, which flows a
refrigerant in a refrigerant pipe 2 and operates a refrigeration
cycle, is disposed in the outdoor apparatus 20.
[0026] The outdoor apparatus 20 is provided therein with: a
four-way valve 22 connected to the compressor 21; an outdoor heat
exchanger 23; an expansion valve 24; and an outdoor fan 25. The
indoor apparatus 10 is provided therein with: an indoor heat
exchanger 13; and an indoor fan 15. In the indoor heat exchanger 13
and outdoor heat exchanger 23, many fins 30 (see FIG. 4) are fixed
to the refrigerant pipe 2 to be close to one another, and perform
heat exchange with air that passes through between the fins 30.
[0027] The compressor 21 is connected to one end of the outdoor
heat exchanger 23 and one end of the indoor heat exchanger 13 via
the four-way valve 22 by means of the refrigerant pipe 2. The other
ends of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and indoor heat exchanger 13
are connected via the expansion valve 24 by means of the
refrigerant pipe 2. Besides, a heat pipe 26 disposed in a lower
portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 is formed by the
refrigerant pipe 2 between the expansion valve 24 and the indoor
heat exchanger 13.
[0028] The outdoor fan 25 is disposed to oppose the outdoor heat
exchanger 23. By driving the outdoor fan 25, outdoor air is
supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and the heat exchange
between the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and the outdoor air is
promoted. The air performing the heat exchange with the outdoor
heat exchanger 23 is exhausted to outside via an air outlet (not
shown) that faces the outdoor fan 25 and opens from the outdoor
apparatus 20.
[0029] The indoor fan 15 and the indoor heat exchanger 13 are
disposed in an air path (not shown) formed in the indoor apparatus
10. By driving the indoor fan 15, indoor air flows into the air
path to be supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 13, and the heat
exchange is performed between the air flowing in the air path and
the indoor heat exchanger 13. The air performing the heat exchange
with the indoor heat exchanger 13 is sent into a room via an air
outlet (not shown) that opens from the indoor apparatus 10.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an inside of the
outdoor apparatus 20 of the air conditioner 1. Besides, FIG. 3 is
an exploded perspective view of a main portion of the outdoor
apparatus 20. In the outdoor apparatus 20, the compressor 21 is
disposed on one end of a bottom plate 29 that has a substantially
rectangular shape when viewed from top, and that is short in a
front-rear direction and long in a left-right direction. The
outdoor heat exchanger 23 is formed into a substantially L shape
when viewed from top and disposed upright on a side portion
opposite to the compressor 21 and a rear portion of the outdoor
apparatus 20. Besides, the heat pipe 26 is disposed in the lower
portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 23. A water drainage hole 29a
is disposed through one or more positions of the bottom plate 29
under the outdoor heat exchanger 23.
[0031] The outdoor fan 25 includes a shaft disposed in the
front-rear direction and is disposed to oppose the outdoor heat
exchanger 23. By driving the outdoor fan 25, outdoor air flows
mainly from a rear side of the outdoor apparatus 20 to a front side
as shown by an arrow B, to perform the heat exchange with the
outdoor heat exchanger 23. Meanwhile, part of the air flows into
the outdoor apparatus 20 from a side to perform a heat exchange via
a side portion of outdoor heat exchanger 23 and is guide
frontward.
[0032] FIG. 4 shows a vertical sectional view of the outdoor heat
exchanger 23. The outdoor heat exchanger 23 is provided with, in
the front-rear direction, two lines of the refrigerant pipes 2 that
snake at a predetermined pitch P in a vertical direction. The
refrigerant pipes 2 in the front-rear direction are disposed at
positions deviated in the vertical direction in a zigzag pattern.
According to this, it is possible to make the air flowing as shown
by the arrow B contact the refrigerant pipes 2 in the front-rear
direction, and to improve the heat exchange efficiency.
[0033] The refrigerant pipes 2 in the front-rear direction are each
mounted with a fixed rectangular fin 30 that extends in the
vertical direction, and the outdoor heat exchanger 23 is composed
to be a fin and tube type. The fins 30 are disposed at a
predetermined pitch (e.g., 1.3 mm) to be close to each other in a
direction in which the refrigerant pipe 2 extends, and an airflow
passes through between the fins 30 as shown by the arrow B. A fin
30a is disposed on the refrigerant pipe 2 on an upstream side where
the airflow passes, while a fin 30b is disposed on the refrigerant
pipe 2 on a downstream side.
[0034] A water guide portion 31 is disposed on and contacts a lower
end of the fin 30b on the downstream side. The water guide portion
31 is formed of a metal plate shaped member that extends in the
left-right direction and has an L shape in section, and closes a
space between the adjacent fins 30b. The water guide portion 31
guides defrosted water which flows down the fin 30b on the
downstream side, to the fin 30a on the upstream side during a
defrosting operation time.
[0035] In the air conditioner having the above structure, during a
warming operation time, the indoor fan 15 and the outdoor fan 25
are driven and the four-way valve 22 is switched as shown by a
solid line in the figure. According to this, by driving the
compressor 21, the refrigerant flows in a direction indicated by an
arrow A, and the refrigerant, which is compressed by the compressor
21 to be high temperature and high pressure, radiates heat in the
indoor heat exchanger 13 and condenses.
[0036] The high temperature refrigerant passes through the heat
pipe 26, thereafter, is expanded by the expansion valve 24 to be
low temperature and low pressure, and sent to the outdoor heat
exchanger 23. Frost on the bottom plate 29 and a lower end of the
outdoor heat exchanger 23 is reduced by the heat pipe 26.
Especially, the amount of frost on the outdoor apparatus 20
oriented to a cold area increases, accordingly, the heat pipe 26 is
often disposed under the outdoor heat exchanger 23.
[0037] The refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger 23
absorbs heat and evaporates to become a low temperature gas
refrigerant and is sent to the compressor 21. According to this,
the refrigerant circulates and the refrigeration cycle is operated.
The air, which performs the heat exchange with the indoor heat
exchanger 13 forming a high temperature portion of the
refrigeration cycle, is sent in to the room by the indoor fan 15,
whereby indoor warming is performed. Besides, the air, which
performs the heat exchange with the outdoor heat exchanger 23
forming a low temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle, is
exhausted to outside by the outdoor fan 25.
[0038] During a cooling operation time, the indoor fan 15 and the
outdoor fan 25 are driven and the four-way valve 22 is switched as
shown by a broken line in the figure. According to this, by driving
the compressor 21, the refrigerant flows in a direction opposite to
the arrow A direction, whereby the indoor heat exchanger 13 forms
the low temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle, while the
outdoor heat exchanger 23 forms the high temperature portion of the
refrigeration cycle. The air, which performs the heat exchange with
the indoor heat exchanger 13, is sent into the room by the indoor
fan 15, whereby the indoor cooling is performed. Besides, the air,
which performs the heat exchange with the outdoor heat exchanger 23
which forms the high temperature portion of the refrigeration
cycle, is exhausted to the outside by the outdoor fan 25.
[0039] Besides, the outdoor heat exchanger 23 forming the low
temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle during a warming
operation has frost, accordingly, the defrosting operation is
performed at a predetermined interval. During the defrosting
operation, the indoor fan 15 and the outdoor fan 25 are stopped and
the four-way valve 22 is switched as shown by a broken line in the
figure. According to this, by driving the compressor 21, the
refrigerant flows in the direction opposite to the arrow A
direction, whereby the indoor heat exchanger 13 forms the low
temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle, while the outdoor
heat exchanger 23 forms the high temperature portion of the
refrigeration cycle.
[0040] Because of the stopping of the outdoor fan 25, the heat
exchange between the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and outdoor air is
alleviated, and it is possible to efficiently raise the outdoor
heat exchanger 23 in temperature. Besides, by the stopping of the
indoor fan 15, it is possible to prevent low temperature air from
being sent into the room.
[0041] Because of the temperature rise of the outdoor heat
exchanger 23, the frost on the outdoor heat exchanger 23 melts and
flows down the fins 30. The defrosted water, which flows down the
fin 30b in one end portion (downstream side) in an airflow passing
direction, is received by the water guide portion 31 closing the
lower end and guided to the other end portion (upstream side). The
defrosted water, which flows down the fin 30a on the upstream side
in the airflow passing direction, joins the defrosted water on the
downstream side guided by the water guide portion 31 and falls from
a lower end of the fin 30a. The defrosted water falling from the
outdoor heat exchanger 23 is drained via the water drainage hole
29a.
[0042] At this time, the flow amount per unit area of the defrosted
water, which is drained from the lower end of the fin 30 on part of
which the water guide portion 31 is disposed, increases compared
with a case where the water guide portion 31 is not disposed, and
falls fast from the lower end of the fin 30. According to this, it
is possible to reduce the defrosted water that is held by the lower
end of the fin 30 because of surface tension.
[0043] Meanwhile, if the water drainage hole 29a is disposed under
the fin 30a on which the water guide portion 31 is not disposed,
the drainage improves. In other words, by disposing the water
drainage hole 29a at a position on which the defrosted water, which
flows down the fin 30 and joins because of the water guide portion
31, falls, it is possible to easily drain the defrosted water via
the water drainage hole 29a.
[0044] According to the present embodiment, the water guide portion
31 closing the space between the fins 30b at one end in the airflow
passing direction is disposed at the lower end of the outdoor heat
exchanger 23. According to this, during the defrosting operation
time, by using the water guide portion 31, it is possible to
receive the defrosted water flowing down one (fin 30b) of the fin
30 and to easily guide the defrosted water to the other one (fin
30a). As a result of this, the defrosted water flowing down the fin
30b on one side joins the defrosted water flowing down the fin 30a
on the other side and falls downward.
[0045] Because of this, the flow amount per unit area of the
defrosted water drained from the lower end of the fin 30 increases
and falls fast from the lower end of the fin 30. According to this,
it is possible to reduce the defrosted water held by the lower end
of the fin 30 because of the surface tension and to reduce the
frost amount on the outdoor heat exchanger 23. Accordingly, it is
possible to prolong the interval of the defrosting operation and to
improve comfortableness.
[0046] Besides, by using the plate-shaped member having the L shape
in section that extends in the parallel disposition direction of
the fin 30 and contacts the lower end of the fin 30, it is possible
to easily provide the water guide portion 31 that guides the
defrosted water.
[0047] Besides, the heat pipe 26 (refrigerant pipe 2), which is
disposed at the high temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle
during the warming operation time, is disposed under the outdoor
heat exchanger 23, accordingly, it is possible to reduce the frost
on a bottom plate of the outdoor apparatus 20 and a lower portion
of the outdoor heat exchanger 23. Instead of the heat pipe 26, a
heater such as a glass pipe heater or the like may be disposed.
[0048] Meanwhile, the water guide portion 31 may be disposed on the
fin 30 on the upstream side in the airflow passing direction during
the warming operation time. However, if the water guide portion 31
is disposed on the upstream side, the airflow flows in a direction
opposite to the arrow B direction, and the airflow guided to the
lower portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 collides with the
water guide portion 31 to be scattered upward and downward. Because
of this, the airflow does not contact the refrigerant pipe 2 in a
lower portion that opposes the water guide portion 31 and the fins
30 at the lower portion, accordingly, the heat exchange efficiency
declines.
[0049] If the water guide portion 31 is disposed on the fin 30b on
the downstream side in the airflow passing direction during the
warming operation time, the airflow in the lower portion of the
outdoor heat exchanger 23 performs the heat exchange with the
refrigerant pipe 2 and the fin 30, thereafter, collides with the
water guide portion 31 and flows upward. According to this,
compared with the case where the water guide portion 31 is disposed
on the upstream side in the airflow passing direction, heat
exchange area increases and it is possible to improve the heat
exchange efficiency.
[0050] Next, FIG. 5 shows a vertical sectional view of the outdoor
heat exchanger 23 of the air conditioner 1 according to a second
embodiment. Besides, FIG. 6 shows a view when seen in an arrow D
direction of FIG. 5. For the sake of description, the same portions
as the above first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 are
indicated by the same reference numbers. In the present embodiment,
instead of the water guide portion 31 (see FIG. 4) in the first
embodiment, a water guide portion 32 is disposed. The other
portions are the same as the first embodiment.
[0051] The water guide portion 32 is formed by bending a corner
portion that includes a lower surface of the fin 30b of the outdoor
heat exchanger 23. Besides, the refrigerant pipes 2 are disposed in
a zigzag pattern, and the lower end of the refrigerant pipe 2
disposed on the downstream side in the airflow passing direction is
disposed at a position higher than the lower portion of the
refrigerant pipe 2 disposed on the upstream side. Because of this,
a distance H 2 between the lower end of the fin 30b on the
downstream side forming the water guide portion 32 and the
refrigerant pipe 2 at the lowest portion is larger than a distance
H1 between the lower end of the fin 30a on the upstream side and
the refrigerant pipe 2 at the lowest portion. According to this, it
is possible to easily form the water guide portion 32 by bending
the fin 30b.
[0052] At this time, the fins 30b are disposed in parallel with one
another in the direction in which the refrigerant pipe 2 extends,
and the distance between the adjacent fins 30b is narrow. Because
of this, the water guide portions 32 obtained by bending the
adjacent fins 30b overlap one another and close the space between
the adjacent fins 30b.
[0053] The defrosted water, which flows down the fin 30b in the one
end portion (downstream side) in an airflow passing direction
during the defrosting operation time, is received by the water
guide portion 32 closing the lower end and guided to the other end
portion (upstream side). The defrosted water, which flows down the
fin 30a on the upstream side in the airflow passing direction,
joins the defrosted water on the downstream side guided by the
water guide portion 32 and falls. The defrosted water falling from
the outdoor heat exchanger 23 is drained via the water drainage
hole 29a.
[0054] At this time, compared with a case where the water guide
portion 32 is not disposed, the flow amount per unit area of the
defrosted water, which is drained from the lower end of the fin 30
on part of which the water guide portion 32 is disposed, increases
and falls fast from the lower end of the fin 30. According to this,
it is possible to reduce the defrosted water that is held by the
lower end of the fin 30 because of the surface tension.
[0055] According to the present embodiment, the water guide portion
32, which closes the space between the fins 30 at the one end in
the airflow passing direction, is disposed at the lower end of the
outdoor heat exchanger 23. According to this, like the first
embodiment, during the defrosting operation time, by using the
water guide portion 32, it is possible to receive the defrosted
water flowing down the one (fin 30b) of the fin 30 and to easily
guide the defrosted water to the other one (fin 30a). As a result
of this, the defrosted water flowing down the fin 30b on the one
side joins the defrosted water flowing down the fin 30a on the
other side and falls downward.
[0056] Because of this, the flow amount per unit area of the
defrosted water drained from the lower end of the fin 30 increases
and falls fast from the lower end of the fin 30. According to this,
it is possible to reduce the defrosted water held by the lower end
of the fin 30 because of the surface tension and to reduce the
frost amount on the outdoor heat exchanger 23. Accordingly, it is
possible to prolong the interval of the defrosting operation and to
improve the comfortableness.
[0057] Besides, it is possible to easily form the water guide
portion 32 for guiding the defrosted water by bending the corner
portion that includes the lower surface of the fin 30.
[0058] Besides, the plurality of lines of refrigerant pipes 2 are
disposed in the zigzag pattern in the airflow passing direction,
and the lower end of the refrigerant pipe 2 on the downstream side
is disposed at the position higher than the lower portion of the
refrigerant pipe 2 on the upstream side, accordingly, it is
possible to easily form the water guide portion 32 by bending the
fin 30.
[0059] Meanwhile, like the above description, the water guide
portion 32 may be disposed on the fin 30 on the upstream side in
the airflow passing direction during the warming operation time.
However, if the water guide portion 32 is disposed on the fin 30 on
the downstream side in the airflow passing direction during the
warming operation time, compared with the case where the water
guide portion 32 is disposed on the upstream side in the airflow
passing direction, the heat exchange area increases and it is
possible to improve the heat exchange efficiency.
[0060] In the present embodiment, structure may be employed, in
which for example, soldering is applied to the portion where the
water guide portions 32 of the adjacent fins 30b overlap to fill up
a gap of the overlapping portion. According to this structure, the
gap occurring at the overlapping portion of the water guide
portions 32 is closed, accordingly, it becomes easy to guide the
defrosted water on the downstream side to the upstream side.
[0061] In the first and second embodiments, the refrigerant pipes 2
disposed in parallel with each other in the front and rear portions
of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 are mounted with the fixed
separate fins 30a and 30b, however, fin common to the refrigerant
pipes 2 in the front and rear portions may be disposed. In other
words, each of the fins disposed in parallel with each other in the
direction in which the refrigerant pipes 2 extend may be fixed
bridging the refrigerant pipes 2 in the front and rear
portions.
[0062] Hereinbefore, the embodiments of the present invention are
described, however, the scope of the present invention is not
limited to these embodiments, and it is possible to make various
modifications without departing from the spirit of the present
invention and put them into practical use.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0063] The present invention is usable for an air conditioner that
performs a warming operation and a defrosting operation.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0064] 1 air conditioner
[0065] 2 refrigerant pipe
[0066] 10 indoor apparatus
[0067] 13 indoor heat exchanger
[0068] 15 indoor fan
[0069] 20 outdoor apparatus
[0070] 21 compressor
[0071] 22 four-way valve
[0072] 23 outdoor heat exchanger
[0073] 24 expansion valve
[0074] 25 outdoor fan
[0075] 26 heat pipe
[0076] 29 bottom plate
[0077] 30 fin
[0078] 31, 32 water guide portions
* * * * *