U.S. patent application number 15/768043 was filed with the patent office on 2018-10-04 for outdoor unit of refrigeration cycle apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. Invention is credited to Ryoji ABE, Masanori AOKI.
Application Number | 20180283704 15/768043 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59056167 |
Filed Date | 2018-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180283704 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ABE; Ryoji ; et al. |
October 4, 2018 |
OUTDOOR UNIT OF REFRIGERATION CYCLE APPARATUS
Abstract
An outdoor unit of a refrigeration cycle apparatus to be
installed in an external-wall internal space of a structure
includes a casing, a heat exchanger accommodated in the casing, a
first air-sending device configured to cause air to pass through
the heat exchanger and discharge the air to the external-wall
internal space, a second air-sending device configured to suck the
air discharged to the external-wall internal space by the first
air-sending device and discharge the air to an outside of the
structure, and a divider that divides an inside of the casing into
a first air passage and a second air passage. The heat exchanger
and the first air-sending device are disposed in the first air
passage. The second air-sending device is disposed in the second
air passage.
Inventors: |
ABE; Ryoji; (Tokyo, JP)
; AOKI; Masanori; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
59056167 |
Appl. No.: |
15/768043 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
December 18, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2015/085586 |
371 Date: |
April 13, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 1/027 20130101;
F24F 1/48 20130101; F24F 1/54 20130101; F24F 1/52 20130101; F25B
1/00 20130101; F24F 1/22 20130101; F24F 1/62 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 1/52 20060101
F24F001/52; F24F 1/62 20060101 F24F001/62; F24F 1/02 20060101
F24F001/02; F25B 1/00 20060101 F25B001/00 |
Claims
1. An outdoor unit of a refrigeration cycle apparatus, the outdoor
unit being to be installed in an external-wall internal space of a
structure, the outdoor unit comprising: a casing; a heat exchanger
accommodated in the casing; a first air-sending device configured
to cause air to pass through the heat exchanger and discharge the
air to the external-wall internal space; a second air-sending
device configured to suck the air discharged to the external-wall
internal space by the first air-sending device and discharge the
air to an outside of the structure; and a divider that divides an
inside of the casing into a first air passage and a second air
passage, the heat exchanger and the first air-sending device being
disposed in the first air passage, the second air-sending device
being disposed in the second air passage.
2. The outdoor unit of a refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 1,
wherein the second air passage is located above the first air
passage.
3. The outdoor unit of a refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 2,
wherein the casing includes a machine chamber that serves as a
space accommodating a compressor, and wherein the second air
passage is located above the machine chamber.
4. The outdoor unit of a refrigeration cycle apparatus of claim 1,
wherein the casing includes a service panel disposed on a side of
an indoor space of the structure.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a U.S. national stage application of
International Application No. PCT/JP2015/085586, filed on Dec. 18,
2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a wall-embedded outdoor
unit of a refrigeration cycle apparatus to be installed in an
external wall of a structure, such as a building.
Background
[0003] Examples of wall-embedded outdoor units of a refrigeration
cycle apparatus known in the art disclosed in Patent Literature 1
include an air-conditioning outdoor unit having an air inlet and an
air outlet arranged on the same surface of a main body such that
the air outlet is located above the air inlet. The outdoor unit
disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes a heat exchanger and an
air-sending device located above the heat exchanger. The outdoor
unit is configured such that air sucked into the air inlet by
driving the air-sending device is subjected to heat exchange in the
heat exchanger and is then blown from the air outlet by the
air-sending device. In other words, the outdoor unit disclosed in
Patent Literature 1 is configured such that the air blown from the
air outlet and the air sucked into the air inlet flow in opposite
directions.
PATENT LITERATURE
[0004] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication No. 3-213928
[0005] The outdoor unit disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is
provided with an air passage inside the outdoor unit such that the
air sucked into the air inlet is directed in an opposite direction
and is then blown from the air outlet. Such a configuration
increases aerodynamic resistance to air flowing inside the outdoor
unit. The increase in aerodynamic resistance results in an increase
in noise inside the outdoor unit. Disadvantageously, the outdoor
unit disclosed in Patent Literature 1 fails to ensure quietness. To
improve the air-sending performance of the air-sending device in
the outdoor unit disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the air-sending
device has to be increased in size. To improve the heat exchange
performance of the heat exchanger in the outdoor unit disclosed in
Patent Literature 1, the heat exchanger has to be increased in
size. Consequently, it is difficult to achieve both reduction in
size of the outdoor unit and improvement in performance of the
outdoor unit.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention aims to overcome the above-described
disadvantages and aims to provide an outdoor unit of a
refrigeration cycle apparatus capable of ensuring quietness and
achieving both reduction in size of the outdoor unit and
improvement in performance of the outdoor unit.
[0007] An embodiment of the present invention provides an outdoor
unit of a refrigeration cycle apparatus to be installed in an
external-wall internal space of a structure. The outdoor unit
includes a casing, a heat exchanger accommodated in the casing, a
first air-sending device configured to cause air to pass through
the heat exchanger and discharge the air to the external-wall
internal space, a second air-sending device configured to suck the
air discharged to the external-wall internal space by the first
air-sending device and discharge the air to an outside of the
structure, and a divider that divides an inside of the casing into
a first air passage and a second air passage. The heat exchanger
and the first air-sending device are disposed in the first air
passage. The second air-sending device is disposed in the second
air passage.
[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is
unnecessary to provide an air passage for directing a flow of air
subjected to heat exchange in an opposite direction inside the
outdoor unit. Thus, the outdoor unit can ensure quietness and can
also be reduced in size. Furthermore, the flow of air subjected to
heat exchange does not stagnate inside the outdoor unit, leading to
improvement in performance of the outdoor unit. Consequently, an
embodiment of the present invention can provide the outdoor unit of
a refrigeration cycle apparatus capable of ensuring quietness and
achieving both reduction in size of the outdoor unit and
improvement in performance of the outdoor unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view illustrating an exemplary
structure of an outdoor unit 1 of a refrigeration cycle apparatus
according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic rear view illustrating the exemplary
structure of the outdoor unit 1 of a refrigeration cycle apparatus
according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an installed
state of the outdoor unit 1 of a refrigeration cycle apparatus
according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in an external
wall 25 of a building.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an installed
state of the outdoor unit 1 of a refrigeration cycle apparatus
according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in the external
wall 25 of the building and an installed state of an indoor unit 50
connected to the outdoor unit 1 by a refrigerant pipe 45.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic front view illustrating an exemplary
structure of an outdoor unit 1 of a refrigeration cycle apparatus
according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic rear view illustrating the exemplary
structure of the outdoor unit 1 of a refrigeration cycle apparatus
according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiment 1
[0015] An outdoor unit 1 of a refrigeration cycle apparatus
according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be
described. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view illustrating an
exemplary structure of the outdoor unit 1 of a refrigeration cycle
apparatus according to Embodiment 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the
outdoor unit 1 is constructed as a thin-type, wall-embedded outdoor
unit having a cuboidal appearance.
[0016] Note that the relative dimensions and shapes of components
in the following figures including FIG. 1 may differ from the
actual relative dimensions and shapes of the components. In the
following figures, the same or similar components are denoted by
the same reference signs, or the reference signs for the same or
similar components are omitted. In the following description, the
positional relationship between the components of the outdoor unit
1 in the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, or the
up-down direction, in principle, is the positional relationship in
a state where the outdoor unit 1 is placed in position ready to be
used. The term "front surface" of the outdoor unit 1 refers to an
outer surface positioned on an indoor side when the outdoor unit 1
is installed on a wall of a structure such that the outdoor unit 1
can be used. The term "rear surface" of the outdoor unit 1 refers
to an outer surface positioned on an outdoor side when the outdoor
unit 1 is installed on the wall of the structure such that the
outdoor unit 1 can be used. The term "left surface" or "right
surface" of the outdoor unit 1 refers to a left outer surface or a
right outer surface of the outdoor unit 1 when the outdoor unit 1
is viewed from the front.
[0017] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the outdoor unit 1 includes a
casing 1a, a first front panel 3, and a second front panel 5 such
that the front panels are arranged on the front of the casing 1a.
The front panels constitute a front outer surface of the casing 1a
of the outdoor unit 1. An internal space of the outdoor unit 1 is
divided into left and right compartments by a first divider 7. The
first front panel 3 is formed as a panel that covers the left
compartment. The second front panel 5 is formed as a panel that
covers the front of the right compartment. The first front panel 3
and the second front panel 5 are fixed by, for example, screws. The
front panels can be formed as service panels that allow access to
the inside of the outdoor unit 1 for maintenance. Each of the first
front panel 3 and the second front panel 5 is formed as, for
example, a sheet metal panel.
[0018] The first front panel 3 has a first vent 9a and second vents
9b. The first vent 9a is disposed such that air inside the outdoor
unit 1 can be discharged to the outside by driving and rotating a
first air-sending device 11a. Each of the second vents 9b is
disposed such that air outside the outdoor unit 1 can be sucked
into the outdoor unit 1 by driving and rotating a second
air-sending device 11b. In FIG. 1, one first vent 9a is disposed in
lower part of the first front panel 3, and two second vents 9b are
horizontally aligned above the first vent 9a. The first vent 9a and
the second vents 9b can each have, for example, a circular shape
that is the same as the shape of the opening of a corresponding one
of rectifier bell mouths surrounding the first air-sending device
11a and the second air-sending devices 11b. Each of the first vent
9a and the second vents 9b can be covered with a ventilation cover.
The rectifier bell mouths and the ventilation covers are not
illustrated in the following figures including FIG. 1.
[0019] The first air-sending device 11a and the second air-sending
devices 11b are disposed in the left compartment of the internal
space, divided by the first divider 7, of the outdoor unit 1. The
left compartment serves as an air-sending-device chamber. The left
compartment, where the first air-sending device 11a and the second
air-sending devices 11b are disposed, of the internal space of the
outdoor unit 1 divided by the first divider 7 will be referred to
as an air-sending-device chamber. Each of the first air-sending
device 11a and the second air-sending devices 11b is constructed as
an axial fan, such as a propeller fan. The first air-sending device
11a and the second air-sending devices 11b are disposed so that, in
the outdoor unit 1, the direction of an air current produced by
driving the first air-sending device 11a is opposite to the
direction of an air current produced by driving the second
air-sending devices 11b.
[0020] The right compartment of the internal space of the outdoor
unit 1 divided by the first divider 7 serves as a machine chamber.
As illustrated in, for example, FIG. 1, the machine chamber
accommodates a compressor 13 serving as fluid machinery that
compresses sucked low-pressure refrigerant and discharges the
refrigerant as high-pressure refrigerant. The compressor 13 is
constructed as, for example, a rotary compressor or a scroll
compressor. The machine chamber may accommodate other components
included in the outdoor unit 1, for example, an accumulator, an oil
separator, a refrigerant flow switching device, a liquid receiver,
and a pressure reducing device.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic rear view illustrating the exemplary
structure of the outdoor unit 1 of a refrigeration cycle apparatus
according to Embodiment 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a first rear
panel 15, a second rear panel 17, and a heat exchanger 19 are
disposed on the rear of the casing 1a of the outdoor unit 1. These
components constitute a rear outer surface of the casing 1a of the
outdoor unit 1. The air-sending-device chamber of the outdoor unit
1 is divided into upper and lower compartments by a second divider
21. The first rear panel 15 is formed as a panel that covers the
upper compartment of the air-sending-device chamber. The lower
compartment of the air-sending-device chamber accommodates the
first air-sending device 11a and the heat exchanger 19 horizontally
facing the first air-sending device 11a. The second rear panel 17
covers the machine chamber of the outdoor unit 1. Each of the first
rear panel 15 and the second rear panel 17 is formed as, for
example, a sheet metal panel fixed by, for example, screws or
soldering.
[0022] The first rear panel 15 has a plurality of air outlets 23.
The air outlets 23 are disposed so that the air sucked into the
outdoor unit 1 through the second vents 9b can be discharged to the
outside by driving and rotating the second air-sending devices 11b.
In FIG. 2, two air outlets 23 are horizontally aligned. Similarly
to the second vents 9b, the air outlets 23 can each have, for
example, a circular shape that is the same as the shape of the
opening of the rectifier bell mouth surrounding each of the second
air-sending devices 11b. Each of the air outlets 23 can be covered
with an outlet cover.
[0023] The heat exchanger 19 can be constructed as, for example, a
finned-tube heat exchanger including a plurality of fins arranged
parallel to one another and heat transfer tubes extending through
the plurality of fins. The heat exchanger 19 may be flat-shaped or
may be U-shaped or L-shaped when the heat exchanger 19 is viewed
from above. The heat exchanger 19 acts as a condenser in a cooling
operation in which cooling energy is provided to, for example, an
indoor unit connected to the outdoor unit 1, and acts as an
evaporator in a heating operation in which heating energy is
provided to, for example, the indoor unit. The condenser may be
referred to as a radiator and the evaporator may be referred to as
a cooler when the refrigeration cycle apparatus is an
air-conditioning apparatus.
[0024] The fan diameter of the first air-sending device 11a is
determined in consideration of, for example, the outer dimensions
of the heat exchanger 19. The fan diameter of each of the second
air-sending devices 11b or the number of the second air-sending
devices 11b installed is determined so that air subjected to heat
exchange in the heat exchanger 19 can be discharged to the outside
with a sufficient flow rate.
[0025] An installed state of the outdoor unit 1 of a refrigeration
cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 1 will be described below
with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an installed
state of the outdoor unit 1 of a refrigeration cycle apparatus
according to Embodiment 1 in an external wall 25 of a building.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an installed state of
the outdoor unit 1 of a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to
Embodiment 1 in the external wall 25 of the building and an
installed state of an indoor unit 50 connected to the outdoor unit
1 by a refrigerant pipe 45. FIGS. 3 and 4 schematically illustrate
an internal structure of the outdoor unit 1 viewed from the left
side of the outdoor unit 1.
[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the external wall 25 of the
building has an external-wall internal space 27 that is a recess
opening to the outside of the building. Specifically, the
external-wall internal space 27 is formed in the external wall 25
of the building such that a wall 31 is at least interposed between
the external-wall internal space 27 and an indoor space 29. A
grille 33 is attached to an opening of the external-wall internal
space 27 such that the building has a good appearance and
ventilation can be achieved.
[0028] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outdoor unit 1 is
disposed in the external-wall internal space 27 such that the front
surface of the casing 1a of the outdoor unit 1 is directed toward
the indoor space 29. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the wall 31 included
in the external wall 25 of the building has a maintenance door 35
so that the external-wall internal space 27 is accessible to a
service technician for the outdoor unit 1. As described above, the
first front panel 3 or the second front panel 5 disposed on the
front of the casing 1a of the outdoor unit 1 can be formed as a
service panel. As the first front panel 3 or the second front panel
5 is formed as a service panel, the service technician for the
outdoor unit 1 can open the maintenance door 35 in the indoor space
29, approach the outdoor unit 1, remove the service panel, and have
access to the inside of the outdoor unit 1. As the service panel is
directed toward the indoor space 29, the service technician can
have access to the outdoor unit 1 from the indoor space 29 and
readily perform maintenance work, such as additional adjustment of
the amount of refrigerant, replacement of components of a control
board, and maintenance and inspection of pipe connections or wire
connections. Dangerous work outside the building can be
avoided.
[0029] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the air-sending-device
chamber inside the outdoor unit 1 is divided into the upper and
lower compartments by the second divider 21 as described above. A
first air passage 37 in which the heat exchanger 19 and the first
air-sending device 11a are disposed is provided under the second
divider 21. A second air passage 39 in which the second air-sending
devices 11b are disposed is provided above the second divider
21.
[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the outdoor unit 1 is connected
through the refrigerant pipe 45 to the indoor unit 50 that supplies
cooling energy or heating energy to the indoor space 29. For
example, when the refrigeration cycle apparatus is an
air-conditioning apparatus, in the cooling operation,
low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase refrigerant is supplied
from the outdoor unit 1 to the indoor unit 50 through the
refrigerant pipe 45, the refrigerant exchanges heat with indoor air
in an indoor side heat exchanger in the indoor unit 50, and cooling
energy is supplied to the indoor space 29. In the heating
operation, high-temperature and high-pressure gas-phase refrigerant
is supplied from the outdoor unit 1 to the indoor unit 50 through
the refrigerant pipe 45, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the
indoor air in the indoor side heat exchanger in the indoor unit 50,
and heating energy is supplied to the indoor space 29. Although the
indoor unit 50 is constructed as a ceiling-embedded indoor unit in
FIG. 4, the indoor unit 50 may be constructed as, for example, a
floor-standing indoor unit. Furthermore, a plurality of the indoor
units 50 may be disposed in the indoor space 29.
[0031] A flow of air to be subjected to heat exchange in the
outdoor unit 1 of a refrigeration cycle apparatus when the outdoor
unit 1 is being driven will be described below. In FIGS. 3 and 4,
the air flow during driving of the outdoor unit 1 of a
refrigeration cycle apparatus is indicated by open block arrows
denoted by reference signs A, B, and C.
[0032] When the outdoor unit 1 is driven, the first air-sending
device 11a is driven and rotated, so that outdoor air is caused to
pass through the first air passage 37 in the outdoor unit 1 as
indicated by reference sign A. The outdoor air then passes through
the heat exchanger 19. While passing through the heat exchanger 19,
the outdoor air exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing inside
the heat exchanger 19. The air subjected to heat exchange in the
heat exchanger 19 is discharged from the first vent 9a disposed in
the first front panel 3 to the external-wall internal space 27. The
rotation of the second air-sending devices 11b causes the air
discharged to the external-wall internal space 27 to flow in the
external-wall internal space 27 as indicated by reference sign B.
The air is then sucked into the second air passage 39 in the
outdoor unit 1 through the second vents 9b disposed in the first
front panel 3. The rotation of the second air-sending devices 11b
causes the air sucked through the second vents 9b to be discharged
from the air outlets 23 disposed in the first rear panel 15 as
indicated by reference sign C.
[0033] As described above, the outdoor unit 1 of a refrigeration
cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 1, which is installed in
the external-wall internal space 27 of a structure, such as a
building, includes the casing 1a, the heat exchanger 19
accommodated in the casing 1a, the first air-sending device 11a
that causes air to pass through the heat exchanger 19 and
discharges the air to the external-wall internal space 27, the
second air-sending devices 11b that suck the air discharged to the
external-wall internal space 27 by the first air-sending device 11a
and discharge the air to the outside of the structure, and the
divider that is the second divider 21 that divides an inside of the
casing 1a into the first air passage 37 in which the heat exchanger
19 and the first air-sending device 11a are disposed and the second
air passage 39 in which the second air-sending devices 11b are
disposed.
[0034] In Embodiment 1, the air subjected to heat exchange in the
outdoor unit 1 is discharged to the external-wall internal space 27
through the first air passage 37. The air discharged to the
external-wall internal space 27 is discharged to the outside of the
structure through the second air passage 39 separated from the
first air passage 37 by the second divider 21. In Embodiment 1, it
is unnecessary to provide an air passage for directing the flow of
air subjected to heat exchange in the opposite direction in the
outdoor unit 1. Thus, the outdoor unit 1 can ensure quietness and
can be reduced in size. In addition, the flow of air subjected to
heat exchange does not stagnate inside the outdoor unit 1. This
configuration leads to improvement in performance of the outdoor
unit 1, thus enhancing the stability and reliability of the outdoor
unit 1 during operation. With the configuration in Embodiment 1,
consequently, the outdoor unit 1 of a refrigeration cycle apparatus
can ensure quietness and achieve both reduction in size and
improvement in performance.
[0035] In addition, as the flow of air subjected to heat exchange
does not stagnate inside the outdoor unit 1 of a refrigeration
cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 1, the rotation frequency
of the first air-sending device 11a can be reduced, resulting in a
reduction in energy consumption of the outdoor unit 1.
[0036] In the outdoor unit 1 of a refrigeration cycle apparatus
according to Embodiment 1, the second air passage 39 can be located
above the first air passage 37. Such a configuration can reduce or
eliminate a short circuit phenomenon in which air discharged from
the second air passage 39 to the outside of the structure is again
sucked into the first air passage 37.
[0037] In the outdoor unit 1 of a refrigeration cycle apparatus
according to Embodiment 1, the casing 1a can include a service
panel exemplified by the first front panel 3 or the second front
panel 5 disposed on the side of the indoor space of the structure.
In some cases, the outdoor unit 1 has to be installed in the
external-wall internal space 27 of the external wall 25 that
divides the indoor space 29 from an outdoor space, because no place
cannot be prepared to install the outdoor unit 1. In some cases,
for reasons of appearance of a structure, the outdoor unit 1 has to
be installed in the external-wall internal space 27 of the external
wall 25 that divides the indoor space 29 from the outdoor space.
The above-described configuration allows access to the
external-wall internal space 27 from the indoor space 29 and
enables installation of the outdoor unit 1 and maintenance work for
the outdoor unit 1, such as maintenance and inspection, when the
outdoor unit 1 has to be installed in the external-wall internal
space 27 of the external wall 25 that divides the indoor space 29
from the outdoor space. Consequently, this configuration can
enhance the working efficiency of maintenance of the outdoor unit
1.
Embodiment 2
[0038] Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a schematic front view
illustrating an exemplary structure of an outdoor unit 1 of a
refrigeration cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is
a schematic rear view illustrating the exemplary structure of the
outdoor unit 1 of a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to
Embodiment 2.
[0039] Embodiment 2 relates to a modification of Embodiment 1
described above. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the outdoor unit 1 has
an internal space that is divided into upper and lower compartments
by a second divider 21. The lower compartment of the internal space
of the outdoor unit 1 is further divided into left and right
compartments by a first divider 7.
[0040] The lower right compartment of the internal space of the
outdoor unit 1 is covered by a second front panel 5. The lower
right compartment serves as a machine chamber accommodating, for
example, a compressor. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the rear of the
machine chamber is covered by a second rear panel 17.
[0041] The lower left compartment of the internal space of the
outdoor unit 1 is covered by a third front panel 55 having a first
vent 9a. The lower left compartment accommodates a first
air-sending device 11a. The lower left compartment of the internal
space of the outdoor unit 1 corresponds to the first air passage 37
in Embodiment 1 described above. In FIG. 5, the lower left
compartment accommodates one first air-sending device 11a. As
illustrated in FIG. 6, the lower left compartment of the internal
space of the outdoor unit 1 further accommodates a heat exchanger
19 disposed on the side of the rear of the outdoor unit 1.
[0042] The upper compartment of the internal space of the outdoor
unit 1 is covered by a fourth front panel 60 having second vents
9b. The upper compartment accommodates second air-sending devices
11b. The upper compartment of the internal space of the outdoor
unit 1 corresponds to the second air passage 39 in Embodiment 1
described above. In FIG. 5, the upper compartment accommodates
three second air-sending devices 11b. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the
rear of the upper compartment of the internal space of the outdoor
unit 1 is covered by a first rear panel 15 having a plurality of
air outlets 23.
[0043] As described above, the outdoor unit 1 of a refrigeration
cycle apparatus according to Embodiment 2 is configured such that a
casing 1a includes the machine chamber that is a space that
accommodates a compressor 13, and the second air passage is
disposed above the machine chamber. Such a configuration allows an
increase in the number of the second air-sending devices 11b that
can be disposed in the second air passage 39, thus enhancing the
efficiency with which air subjected to heat exchange is
discharged.
Other Embodiments
[0044] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments
described above. Various changes and modifications of the present
invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope
of the present invention. For example, the embodiments described
above are also applicable to refrigeration cycle apparatuses other
than an air-conditioning apparatus, for example, a heat pump water
heater.
* * * * *