External-air conditioning apparatus and ventilation system

An external-air conditioning apparatus and a ventilation system are provided, the external-air conditioning apparatus includes a fin tube type heat exchanger and a housing that stores this heat exchanger. The housing includes a base body that serves as a back side of the apparatus body and a cover body that serves as a front side of the apparatus body, and the base body and the cover body are dividable and detachable in structure. The base body has a base portion, a partitioning portion, a connecting pipe portion, a heat-exchanger-holding structure portion, and a water receiving portion. The cover body is a structure in which a front wall portion and a three-side peripheral wall portion are formed integrally with each other, and a part in which the peripheral wall portion is not formed is an inlet for external air.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an external-air conditioning apparatus and a ventilation system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an external-air conditioning apparatus and a ventilation system that are capable of being easily installed in housing complexes or ordinary houses (hereinafter, referred to as “housing complexes, etc.”), that are capable of being easily installed in new or already-existing housing complexes, etc., that are capable of having excellent workability in cleaning or maintenance (hereinafter, referred to as “maintenance etc.,” and that are capable of reducing the operation load of an air conditioning apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a “room air conditioner”) whose indoor unit is installed on the indoor side.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, there has been equipment provided with an external-air conditioning apparatus to reduce a temperature difference between external air to be introduced and room air at a place between both ends of an introducing passage through which external air is admitted into a room. For example, air conditioning equipment shown in Patent Literature 1 below has been proposed as the thus formed equipment, and this equipment is shown inFIG.15.

An air conditioning equipment9shown inFIG.15has an external-air conditioning apparatus91that is installed outdoors and that processes external air OA and a sensible heat exchanger93that is installed near a return air intake92to recover air RA supplied into a room R through the external-air conditioning apparatus91. Herein, the sensible heat exchanger93makes a heat exchange with respect to air RA that has been recovered and supplies air SA that has undergone a heat exchange from an air inlet to the room R, and the external-air conditioning apparatus91includes a cooling coil911, a heating coil912, a humidifier913, and a blower914, and sends the external air OA that has been introduced toward the room-R side while thermoregulating and humidifying the external air OA.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literatures

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

In many cases, the external-air conditioning apparatus91of the aforementioned air conditioning equipment9is generally installed in the ceiling on the roof side (outdoors on the ceiling side) so that the apparatus body does not act as an obstacle (see paragraph [0019] and FIG. 2 of Patent Literature 1), and, in this case, it is difficult to easily perform maintenance, etc.

Additionally, in recent years, a 24-hour ventilation system has been obliged to be installed also in ordinary houses, and, particularly in housing complexes, such as condominiums, it is difficult to realize the house-to-house installation of large-scale equipment, such as the air conditioning equipment9, because of the problem of an underfloor space or a ceiling space. Still additionally, it is also difficult to install large-scale equipment, such as the air conditioning equipment9, in an already-existing house later.

Many simple ventilation units or the like in which, for example, a ventilation hole is bored in the outer wall of a veranda or the like and is blocked up with a lid that prevents insects or the like from invading through the hole are seen as ventilation means in housing complexes, etc. However, in this ventilation means, external air is introduced into a room without changing its temperature, and therefore, when the room air conditioner is operated to perform the air-conditioning of the room, the operation load of the room air conditioner becomes large at rise time.

Solution to the Problem

The present invention has been made in consideration of the aforementioned circumstances, and aims to provide an external-air conditioning apparatus and a ventilation system that are capable of being more easily installed in new or already-existing housing complexes, etc., that are capable of having excellent workability in maintenance, etc., and that are capable of making the operation load of a room air conditioner smaller than conventional apparatuses.

An object of the present invention is to provide an external-air conditioning apparatus, the external-air conditioning apparatus including a fin tube type heat exchanger that is incorporatable into a heat medium circuit of an air conditioning apparatus disposed outside the external-air conditioning apparatus and a housing, and the housing includes a base portion in which the heat exchanger is stored and that has an outlet formed at a predetermined position, a front wall portion that is disposed so as to face the base portion and that includes a first insulation structure portion, a peripheral wall portion that is disposed between the front wall portion and the base portion and that includes a second insulation structure portion in which an inlet capable of introducing external air is formed at a position distant from the outlet, a heat-exchanger-holding structure portion in which the heat exchanger is attached in such a way that a longitudinal direction of a fin of the heat exchanger and a direction from the inlet toward the outlet substantially coincide with each other and in which the heat exchanger is held so as to have a predetermined interval between the heat exchanger and an inner surface of the front wall portion, between the heat exchanger and an inner surface of the base portion, and between the heat exchanger and an inner surface of the peripheral wall portion, and a water receiving portion disposed between the heat exchanger and the inlet.

Herein, the external-air conditioning apparatus of the present invention is capable of incorporating the heat exchanger into a heat medium circuit of a room air conditioner (the heat medium includes, for example, a refrigerant, such as freon gas or alternative gas, warm water or cold water, gas for heating or cooling, and so forth; the same applies hereinafter). The heat exchanger incorporated into the heat medium circuit of the room air conditioner is capable of heating or cooling external air introduced into the apparatus by means of a heat medium supplied in conjunction with the running of the room air conditioner while making a heat exchange between the introduced air and the heat medium, and is capable of conditioning (hereinafter, referred to as “thermoregulating”) air that has undergone a heat exchange so as to reach a temperature according to an operational purpose of the room air conditioner (according to heating or cooling) (hereinafter, thermoregulated air is referred to as “conditioned air”).

The heat exchange performed by the heat exchanger uses a heat medium supplied from the room air conditioner, and influences the running of the room air conditioner, and therefore a temperature difference between an aimed temperature of the room air conditioner and a room temperature by means of conditioned air that has been supplied is made smaller in a region (room) in which the indoor unit of the room air conditioner is installed. As a result, the operating time (hereinafter, referred to as “rise time of the room air conditioner”) of the room air conditioner to reach an aimed temperature (preset) becomes short without requiring a longer time. Therefore, the reduced operating time makes it possible to reduce the operation load of the room air conditioner.

Additionally, the heat exchanger interacts with the running of the room air conditioner as described above, and therefore the heat exchanger itself is a structure that does not use electric power, and it is possible to contribute to energy saving by means of the thus formed structure and by means of a reduction in the rise time of the aforementioned room air conditioner.

Additionally, in the external-air conditioning apparatus of the present invention, the heat exchanger is a fin tube type, which is small and light and which is excellent in heat exchange efficiency, and therefore it is possible to make the entirety of the apparatus body of the external-air conditioning apparatus small in size and light in weight. As a result, for example, when the apparatus is set on a wall surface of a building, it is possible to reduce a load from the apparatus that is applied onto the wall surface.

Additionally, the base portion of the housing makes it possible to set the external-air conditioning apparatus of the present invention on an object (for example, wall surface of a building) on which the apparatus is to be set. Additionally, the outlet of the base portion makes it possible to guide conditioned air outwardly. Additionally, it is possible to allow the outlet to lead to the ventilating hole by positionally adjusting the outlet to the ventilating hole formed in an object on which the apparatus is to be set. A position on the upper side of the base portion in an installed state can be mentioned as an example of the “predetermined position” at which the outlet is formed, and yet the present invention is not limited to this.

Additionally, in the external-air conditioning apparatus of the present invention, the housing has the front wall portion and the peripheral wall portion, and, as a result, the heat exchanger, etc. are surrounded (stored) by these portions, and therefore it is possible to prevent the heat exchanger, etc. from being deformed by an external force or from undergoing dirt adhesion. Additionally, it is possible to improve weather resistance and is possible to lengthen the life of a product. Additionally, the inside and outside of the apparatus body are partitioned by the front wall portion and the peripheral wall portion, and therefore it is possible to prevent conditioned air from being mixed with air existing outside the apparatus that has not yet undergone a heat exchange or prevent conditioned air from diffusing outside the apparatus.

Still additionally, it is possible to introduce external air from the inlet by providing the inlet at the peripheral wall portion. Additionally, the inlet is formed at a position distant from the outlet, and therefore it is possible to restrain external air that has entered through the inlet from flowing out directly from the outlet almost without undergoing a heat exchange.

Additionally, the external-air conditioning apparatus of the present invention is capable of reducing a thermal influence from outside the apparatus when external air undergoes a heat exchange by allowing the housing to have the first insulation structure portion and the second insulation structure portion. Even if the outer surfaces of the front wall portion, etc. become high in temperature because of direct sunlight at a summer season or even if the outer surfaces of the front wall portion, etc. become low in temperature because of a snowstorm or the like at a winter season, it is possible to create a state in which such heat is not transmitted directly to the inside of the apparatus (for example, to the inner surfaces of the front wall portion, etc.) or is not easily transmitted thereto, for example, when the external-air conditioning apparatus is installed outdoors. This makes it possible to restrain conditioned air from receiving a thermal influence caused by an environment existing outside the apparatus.

Additionally, the external-air conditioning apparatus of the present invention is capable of holding the heat exchanger so that the heat exchanger does not come into contact with the inner surface of the front wall portion, the inner surface of the base portion, and the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion by having the heat-exchanger-holding structure portion, and is capable of creating a state in which a thermal transfer from the front wall portion, etc. does not directly reach the heat exchanger or does not easily reach the heat exchanger. Additionally, the longitudinal direction of the fin of the heat exchanger that is held and the direction from the inlet toward the outlet substantially coincide with each other, and therefore external air that has entered through the inlet flows along the longitudinal direction of the fin, and flows out from the outlet. As a result, a period of contact time between the external air and the fin is lengthened, and it is possible to improve heat exchange efficiency.

Still additionally, the external-air conditioning apparatus of the present invention has the water receiving portion, and hence can receive dew condensation water generated from the heat exchanger when refrigerated air conditioning is performed. For example, the external-air conditioning apparatus is installed in a state in which the inlet is directed downwardly, and, as a result, the position of the heat exchanger becomes upwardly higher than the inlet, and it is possible to receive dew condensation water that is generated in the heat exchanger and is then allowed to drop by means of the water receiving portion disposed between the inlet and the heat exchanger. This makes it possible to restrain the lower part of the external-air conditioning apparatus from being made dirty with the dew condensation water without allowing the dew condensation water to directly drop downwardly from the inlet. Additionally, if the external-air conditioning apparatus is installed in a state in which the inlet is directed downwardly, dew drops generated on the front surface of the fin are dropped along the fin because the water receiving portion is placed on an extension in the longitudinal direction of the fin of the heat exchanger, and therefore it is possible to efficiently gather dew condensation water.

Additionally, the water receiving portion is positioned between the heat exchanger and the inlet, and therefore, for example, when it is rainy weather with strong wind, rainwater engulfed together with external air from the inlet strikes the water receiving portion, and is then repelled, and therefore it is possible for rainwater not to easily adhere directly to the heat exchanger.

Additionally, if a frame-shaped partitioning portion that partitions a space into an inner space and an outer space is provided between the heat exchanger and the base portion, and if the outlet is positioned in a region within the frame of the partitioning portion, and if a space having a predetermined width is created, external air that has entered the inside the apparatus will not directly reach an exhaust port without passing through the heat exchanger because of the aforementioned partitioning portion, i.e., in other words, it is possible to allow substantially the whole amount of external air that has entered the inside of the apparatus to pass through the heat exchanger.

Additionally, the aforementioned partitioning portion further partitions the inside of the housing into an inner space and an outer space, and therefore it is possible for conditioned air (air that has undergone a heat exchange) not to diffuse in the housing. This makes it possible for substantially the whole amount of conditioned air to pass through the outlet. Therefore, for example, conditioned air is supplied into the room through the ventilating hole that leads to the outlet, and, as a result, the amount of heat loss in the housing decreases, and the amount of conditioned air supplied into the room increases. This makes it possible to shorten a period of time during which a difference between the room temperature and the preset temperature of the room air conditioner becomes smaller and also makes it possible to shorten the rise time of the room air conditioner, and therefore it is possible to further raise the effect of reducing the operation load of the room air conditioner.

Additionally, the housing is a structure dividable into a base body in which the base portion, the heat-exchanger-holding structure portion, and the water receiving portion are disposed and a cover body in which the front wall portion, the peripheral wall portion, and the insulation structure portion are disposed, and, if the base body and the cover body are configured to be attachable to and detachable from each other, what is required is merely to set the base body on the wall surface first and then attach the cover body thereto because the base body and the cover body are dividable from each other, and therefore workability is excellent when installed.

Additionally, after the completion of the installation, disassembly maintenance, such as cleaning of the heat exchanger or of the water receiving portion, can be easily performed merely by detaching the cover body (the base body remains being attached to the wall surface) because the base body and the cover body are attachable to and detachable from each other. In other words, workability in maintenance, etc. is made higher than the conventional external-air conditioning apparatus. It is possible to make the apparatus comparatively light by employing a structure in which only the front wall portion, the peripheral wall portion, and the insulation structure portion are disposed at the cover body, and therefore it is possible to reduce a physical burden required in the detaching operation.

On the other hand, the base body is configured to dispose the base portion, etc., and additionally attach the heat exchanger to the heat-exchanger-holding structure portion, and therefore the base body is comparatively heavy in weight, and yet a detaching operation is not required in maintenance, and work can be started only by detaching the cover body, and components that require maintenance are disposed in a centered state, and therefore it is possible to shorten working hours and to reduce the burden of a worker.

Additionally, it is possible to further improve heat insulation properties of the housing if the front wall portion including the first insulation structure portion and the peripheral wall portion including the second insulation structure portion are structures each of which has an outer surface plate, an inner surface plate capable of reflecting heat that is disposed with a predetermined interval so as to generate a void between the outer surface plate and the inner surface plate, and a heat insulating material disposed so that a thermal insulation region that is a gap with a predetermined interval is formed between the outer surface plate and the heat insulating material in the void.

Ordinarily, the outer surface plate (particularly, metallic plate) struck by direct sunlight becomes high in temperature, and is easily deteriorated by heat if a heat insulating material is, for example, directly pasted thereon. However, in the present invention, an air layer between the outer surface plate and the heat insulating material serves as a thermal insulation region, and fulfills the heat insulating effect, and the heat insulating material is not, for example, directly pasted on the outer surface plate, and therefore it is possible to create a state in which deterioration is not easily caused by a direct heat transfer from the outer surface plate. Additionally, the inner surface plate makes a thermal reflex, and therefore heat emitted from the heat exchanger reflects without being thermally transmitted to the front wall portion and the peripheral wall portion, and heat moves to air existing in the housing that has not yet passed through the heat exchanger, and therefore it is possible to further improve the efficiency of a heat exchange.

Additionally, the heat insulating material is covered with the outer surface plate and the inner surface plate, and, as a result, it is possible to restrain deterioration caused by being directly exposed to sunlight or to wind and rain, and it is possible to restrain deterioration caused by, for example, the adhesion of dew drops generated inside the apparatus and the occurrence of mold on the front surface. Hence, conditioned air introduced into the room is not contaminated by mold, dust, etc., that have adhered to the heat insulating material.

Additionally, if a cylindrical connecting pipe portion formed along a rim of the outlet is provided on an outer surface of the base portion, it is possible to perform positioning only by fitting the connecting pipe portion to the ventilating hole or the like when the cylindrical connecting pipe portion is attached to an object on which the apparatus is to be set (for example, wall surface of a building in which a ventilating hole is bored), and therefore it is possible to raise the efficiency of a laying operation. Additionally, the connecting pipe portion is capable of supporting part of weight in the direction of a gravitational force applied onto the wall surface on which the apparatus has been set by being fitted to the ventilating hole or the like, and therefore it is possible to reduce a load applied onto the wall surface to which the connecting pipe portion has been attached. The size of the ventilating hole is predetermined by a standard, and therefore it is sufficient to prepare several types of connecting pipe portions according to the standard.

Additionally, if the water receiving portion is a structure that includes a water-receiving support portion disposed at the base portion, a drain pan that is detachably supported by the water-receiving support portion, that is open toward the heat exchanger in an open region, that is equal in width to or is larger in width than an end surface of the heat exchanger faced by the open region, and that is formed so as to gradually become smaller in width in proportion to an approach to a bottom, a drain passage capable of draining accumulated water that has been accumulated in the drain pan outwardly from the apparatus, and a heat insulating material for drain pans that is disposed at an outer surface of the drain pan, dew condensation water accumulated in the water receiving portion is naturally drained outwardly from the apparatus through the drain passage, and therefore it is possible to keep the inside of the apparatus sanitary, and short-term maintenance for the purpose of only drainage becomes needless.

It is possible to configure the water receiving portion while supporting the drain pan by having the aforementioned water-receiving support portion. Additionally, for example, if the base body and the cover body are dividable from each other, it is possible to reduce the weight of the cover body by providing the water-receiving support portion at the base portion, and it is possible to reduce a work burden required to attach or detach the cover body when the apparatus is installed or when maintenance is performed.

Notably, if a rectangular-box-shaped drain pan that has a broad, flat bottom surface is applied to the present invention, there is a case in which external air that has entered through the inlet strikes the bottom surface, and, for example, a turbulent flow occurs, and therefore a smooth flow of external air is obstructed. However, the drain pan used in the present invention is formed in a shape in which its width gradually becomes narrower in proportion to an approach to the bottom, and therefore it is possible to divide external air striking the bottom surface and allow external air from the inlet to the heat exchanger to smoothly flow on the outer surface of the drain pan.

Additionally, the drain pan has its outer surface on which the heat insulating material for drain pans is disposed, and therefore it is possible to prevent dew drops from being generated on the outer surface of the drain pan, and it is possible to make it difficult to stain the inside and outside of the apparatus with dew condensation water or make it difficult to stain a place under the apparatus body with dew condensation water that has dropped.

Additionally, if the housing has a filter member attached so as to cover at least the inlet, it is possible to prevent small birds or insects from intruding into the apparatus or prevent dirt from entering the apparatus by means of the filter member. If a high efficiency filter, such as a HEPA filter, is used as the filter member, it is also possible to prevent pollens or dust, such as PM 2.5, from entering the room.

Additionally, if the housing is formed such that the front wall portion swells in a direction opposite to the base portion, the employment of this shape makes it possible to make strength against stress applied from the outside greater than in a case in which the front wall portion is formed only of a flat surface. Additionally, for example, if the housing is installed outdoors, it is possible to reduce a load applied to the front wall portion while diverting wind and rain.

Additionally, it is possible to take the interval between the heat exchanger and the inner surface side of the front wall portion as a wider interval than in a case in which the front wall portion is formed only of a flat surface, and therefore it is possible to prevent a thermal influence from being exerted on the heat exchanger or it is possible to make it difficult to exert a thermal influence on the heat exchanger even if the front wall portion, etc. has heat because of direct sunlight, etc. on the assumption that the housing is installed outdoors.

In order to achieve the aforementioned object, the ventilation system of the present invention includes an outer wall of a building in which a ventilating hole is formed and that has an introducing passage that connects the ventilating hole and an indoor space together and an external-air conditioning apparatus, and the external-air conditioning apparatus includes a fin tube type heat exchanger that is incorporated into a heat medium circuit of an air conditioning apparatus disposed outside the external-air conditioning apparatus and a housing, and the housing includes a base portion in which the heat exchanger is stored and that has an outlet formed so as to lead to the ventilating hole, the base portion being attached to the outer wall that is outside the building, a front wall portion that is disposed so as to face the base portion and that includes a first insulation structure portion, a peripheral wall portion that is disposed between the front wall portion and the base portion and that includes a second insulation structure portion in which an inlet capable of introducing external air is formed at a position distant from the outlet, a heat-exchanger-holding structure portion in which the heat exchanger is attached in such a way that a longitudinal direction of a fin of the heat exchanger and a direction from the inlet toward the outlet substantially coincide with each other and in which the heat exchanger is held so as to have a predetermined interval between the heat exchanger and an inner surface of the front wall portion, between the heat exchanger and an inner surface of the base portion, and between the heat exchanger and an inner surface of the peripheral wall portion, and a water receiving portion disposed between the heat exchanger and the inlet.

Herein, the ventilation system of the present invention is capable of introducing external air and performing indoor ventilation by allowing the outer wall of the building to have the ventilating hole and the introducing passage. Additionally, it is possible to set the external-air conditioning apparatus on the outer wall, and therefore it is possible to introduce external air not as not-yet processed external air but as conditioned air that has been thermoregulated by the external-air conditioning apparatus through the ventilating hole and the introducing passage.

Additionally, in the ventilation system of the present invention, the heat exchanger of the external-air conditioning apparatus is incorporated into the heat medium circuit of the air conditioning apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as the “room air conditioner”), and therefore the heat exchanger is capable of heating or cooling external air introduced into the apparatus by means of a heat medium supplied in conjunction with the running of the room air conditioner while making a heat exchange between the introduced air and the heat medium, and is capable of thermoregulating air, which has undergone a heat exchange, so as to reach a temperature according to an operational purpose of the room air conditioner (according to heating or cooling).

Additionally, as a result of the interaction between the room air conditioner and the heat exchanger, a temperature difference between the aimed temperature of the room air conditioner and the temperature of a room of a building (for example, a room in which the indoor unit of the room air conditioner is installed) becomes smaller by means of conditioned air that has been supplied. As a result, the rise time of the room air conditioner becomes short without requiring a longer time, and therefore it is possible to reduce the operation load of the room air conditioner.

Additionally, the heat exchanger interacts with the running of the room air conditioner as described above, and therefore the heat exchanger itself is a structure that does not use electric power, and it is possible to contribute to energy saving by means of the thus formed structure and by means of a reduction in the rise time of the room air conditioner described above.

Still additionally, the heat exchanger is a fin tube type, which is small and light and which is excellent in heat exchange efficiency, and therefore it is possible to make the entirety of the apparatus body of the external-air conditioning apparatus small in size and light in weight. As a result, in an installed state, it is possible to reduce a load applied onto the wall surface.

Additionally, in the ventilation system of the present invention, the housing of the external-air conditioning apparatus has the base portion, and therefore it is possible to attach the apparatus so as to follow the wall surface of the building in a state in which the ventilating hole of the wall surface of the building and the outlet of the base portion lead to each other. Additionally, the presence of the outlet makes it possible to guide conditioned air outwardly.

Additionally, the housing has the front wall portion and the peripheral wall portion, and, as a result, the heat exchanger, etc. are surrounded (stored) by these portions, and therefore it is possible to prevent the heat exchanger, etc. from being deformed by an external force or from undergoing dirt adhesion. Additionally, it is possible to improve weather resistance and to lengthen the life of a product. Additionally, the inside and outside of the apparatus body are partitioned by the front wall portion and the peripheral wall portion, and therefore it is possible to prevent conditioned air from being mixed with air existing outside the apparatus that has not yet undergone a heat exchange or prevent conditioned air from diffusing outside the apparatus.

Still additionally, it is possible to introduce external air from the inlet by providing the inlet at the peripheral wall portion of the housing. Additionally, the inlet is formed at a position distant from the outlet, and therefore it is possible to restrain external air that has entered through the inlet from flowing out directly from the outlet almost without undergoing a heat exchange.

Still additionally, the external-air conditioning apparatus is capable of reducing a thermal influence from outside the apparatus when external air undergoes a heat exchange by allowing the external-air conditioning apparatus to have the first insulation structure portion and the second insulation structure portion. Hence, in the external-air conditioning apparatus, even if the outer surfaces of the front wall portion, etc. become high in temperature because of direct sunlight at a summer season or even if the outer surfaces of the front wall portion, etc. become low in temperature because of a snowstorm, etc. at a winter season, it is possible to create a state in which such heat is not transmitted directly to the inside of the apparatus (for example, to the inner surfaces of the front wall portion, etc.) or is not easily transmitted thereto. This makes it possible to restrain conditioned air from receiving a thermal influence caused by an environment existing outside the apparatus.

Additionally, the external-air conditioning apparatus is capable of holding the heat exchanger so that the heat exchanger does not come into contact with the inner surface of the front wall portion, with the inner surface of the base portion, and with the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion by having the heat-exchanger-holding structure portion, and is capable of creating a state in which a thermal transfer from the front wall portion, etc. does not directly reach the heat exchanger or does not easily reach the heat exchanger. Additionally, the longitudinal direction of the fin of the heat exchanger that is held and the direction from the inlet toward the outlet substantially coincide with each other, and therefore external air that has entered through the inlet flows along the longitudinal direction of the fin, and flows out from the outlet. As a result, a period of contact time between the external air and the fin is lengthened, and it is possible to improve heat exchange efficiency.

Additionally, the external-air conditioning apparatus has the water receiving portion, and hence can receive dew condensation water generated from the heat exchanger when refrigerated air conditioning is performed. For example, the external-air conditioning apparatus is installed in a state in which the inlet is directed downwardly, and, as a result, the position of the heat exchanger becomes upwardly higher than the inlet, and it is possible to receive dew condensation water that is generated in the heat exchanger and is then allowed to drop by means of the water receiving portion disposed between the inlet and the heat exchanger. This makes it possible to restrain the lower part of the external-air conditioning apparatus from being made dirty with the dew condensation water without allowing the dew condensation water to directly drop downwardly from the inlet. Additionally, if the external-air conditioning apparatus is installed in a state in which the inlet is directed downwardly, dew drops generated on the front surface of the fin are dropped along the fin because the water receiving portion is placed on an extension in the longitudinal direction of the fin of the heat exchanger, and therefore it is possible to efficiently gather dew condensation water.

Additionally, the water receiving portion is positioned between the heat exchanger and the inlet, and therefore, for example, when it is rainy weather with strong wind, rainwater engulfed together with external air from the inlet strikes the water receiving portion, and is then repelled, and therefore it is possible for rainwater not to easily adhere directly to the heat exchanger.

Additionally, if the present invention provides a room air conditioner, which has an indoor unit that performs air-conditioning of a room of the building, an outdoor unit installed outside the building, and a heat medium circuit that is a connection piping by which the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are connected together and which interacts with the external-air conditioning apparatus, the external-air conditioning apparatus interacts with the room air conditioner that is running, and therefore conditioned air introduced for ventilation is heated-air or cooled-air, and it is possible to help a rise in temperature of indoor air (when heated) or a fall in temperature of indoor air (when cooled), and therefore it becomes possible to condition indoor air in a shorter period of time. As a result, it is possible to shorten the rise time of the room air conditioner, and therefore it is possible to further raise the effect of reducing the operation load of the room air conditioner that conditions indoor air, and hence contribute to energy saving.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the external-air conditioning apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to install the external-air conditioning apparatus in new or already-existing housing complexes, etc. more easily, and it is possible to have improved workability in maintenance, etc., and it is possible to decrease the operation load of a room air conditioner installed in a room so as to realize energy savings when compared to the conventional external-air conditioning apparatus. Additionally, according to the ventilation system of the present invention, it is possible to install the ventilation system as a ventilation system for a new or already-existing ordinary house or housing complex more easily, and it is possible to have improved workability in maintenance, etc., and it is possible to decrease the operation load of a room air conditioner installed in a room so as to realize energy saving when compared to the conventional ventilation system.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference toFIG.1toFIG.10. Reference signs in each drawing are given in such a limited way as to reduce complication and facilitate understanding. An external-air conditioning apparatus1and a ventilation system V using this apparatus will be first described with reference toFIG.1toFIG.10, and then modifications (Modifications 1 to 6) of components of the external-air conditioning apparatus1will be described with reference toFIG.11toFIG.14.

The external-air conditioning apparatus1is composed of a fin tube type heat exchanger2and a housing3in which the heat exchanger2is stored and that is attached along a wall surface W of a building. The external-air conditioning apparatus1is set on the wall surface W in such a way as to fit an outlet314(described later) to a ventilating hole W1formed in the wall surface W of the building as shown inFIG.8toFIG.10. The components of the external-air conditioning apparatus1will be hereinafter described.

The heat exchanger2is capable of making a heat exchange with external air A1introduced into the housing3, and is a so-called fin tube type that consists of a heat-transfer pipe21having a meander shape in which a linear part and a folded part alternately continue and a plurality of fins22that intersect the radial direction of the heat-transfer pipe21. The heat exchanger2is disposed so that the axial direction of each stage of the linear part of the heat-transfer pipe21and the vertical direction of the external-air conditioning apparatus1that has been installed intersect perpendicularly to each other, thus making it possible to prevent a lubricant ingredient included in a refrigerant from gathering in the folded part.

The heat exchanger2has a first in-and-out pipe23and a second in-and-out pipe24that are connected to the heat-transfer pipe21, and a joint portion231is disposed at a front end of the first in-and-out pipe23, and a joint portion241is disposed at a front end of the second in-and-out pipe24. The joint portions234and241are connectable to and disconnectable from a refrigerant piping83connected to a room air conditioner8. The first in-and-out pipe23and its joint portion231and the second in-and-out pipe24and its joint portion241are disposed on the same lateral surface of the housing3, so that the refrigerant piping83connected to these joint portions are easily routed.

The heat exchanger2has a structure in which a refrigerant supplied from an outdoor unit81(described later) of the room air conditioner8installed outdoors through the refrigerant piping83is circulated, and a heat exchange is performed with external air A1. The supply of the refrigerant is started in response to the startup of the room air conditioner8, and is stopped by the shutdown of the room air conditioner8. In other words, the heat exchanger2has a structure in which the operation of the heat exchanger2is dependent on the running of the room air conditioner8(i.e., utilizes the running of the room air conditioner8), and electric power or mechanical power other than power for the room air conditioner8is not required.

Additionally, both the external-air conditioning apparatus1and the outdoor unit81are to be installed outdoors, and, in many cases, the ventilating hole and the outdoor unit81are disposed near each other in a general housing complex as shown inFIG.9. Additionally, the external-air conditioning apparatus1is set on the wall surface W in such a way as to fit the ventilating hole W1and the outlet314to each other, and, in other words, the external-air conditioning apparatus1is close to the outdoor unit81outdoors, and therefore the refrigerant piping83requires a shorter length, and piping work taken into consideration of a routing path is needless, and therefore the labor for installation requires more shortened hours. Additionally, the heat exchanger2is disposed to have a size that enables the outlet314to be covered, and a predetermined interval is created between the heat exchanger2and the outlet314by means of a heat-exchanger-holding structure portion32and a partitioning portion25(described later), and the heat exchanger2is held in such a manner as to cover the outlet314when viewed from the front of the apparatus body.

The partitioning portion25is disposed between the heat exchanger2and a base portion31(described later). The partitioning portion25is a square four-way frame, and is formed in such a manner as to direct a C-shaped opening part of a channel material in a cross-sectional view in an inside-frame direction. Additionally, the partitioning portion25is set so that an inner shape (rim part) of the opening portion inside the frame substantially coincides with an outer shape of the heat exchanger2, and the heat exchanger2is detachably attached so as to close the opening portion. Additionally, the partitioning portion25is attached to place the outlet314(described later) in a region inside the frame, and partitions the frame into an inner side and an outer side, and creates a space having a predetermined width between the base portion31and the heat exchanger2that has been installed.

The partitioning portion25has a drain hole252formed in a part directed toward a water receiving portion33(described later) when the partitioning portion25is attached, so that dew condensation water that has dropped from the heat exchanger2into the partitioning portion25can be drained into the water receiving portion33. Additionally, the partitioning portion25has screw holes (not shown) formed in left and right side surfaces fixed when the partitioning portion25is attached, and a locking screw251is screwed into the screw hole.

The screw hole and the locking screw251are provided so as to correspond in position and in number to a locking notch321of the heat-exchanger-holding structure portion32(described later), and the partitioning portion25(and the heat exchanger2that has been attached) can be detachably attached to the heat-exchanger-holding structure portion32by latching the locking screw251into the locking notch321.

The housing3is made chiefly of a metallic material, and is composed of a base body30that is disposed on the back side of the apparatus body when the housing3is set along the wall surface W of the building and a cover body35that is disposed on the front side of the apparatus body, and the base body30and the cover body35are configured to have a divisible structure in which the cover body35is attachable to or detachable from the base body30. The attachable/detachable structure of both the base body30and the cover body35is formed by boring screw holes (not shown) at positions corresponding to each other of the base body30and the cover body35and by allowing screw holes bored at mutually corresponding positions to lead to each other and then inserting screws (no reference sign) into the screw holes, respectively. Each component of the housing3will be hereinafter described.

The base body30has the base portion31, a connecting pipe portion314, the heat-exchanger-holding structure portion32, and the water receiving portion33.

The base portion31consists of a base plate portion311and a peripheral wall portion312that are formed integrally with each other, and the base plate portion311is rectangular and tabular and is shaped to follow the wall surface W of the building, and the peripheral wall portion312rises toward the front from an outer edge of the base plate portion311(i.e., in a direction of the cover body35to be attached). The base portion31is provided to have a size that enables a Peripheral wall portion37of the cover body35(described later) to exactly fit in the inside of the peripheral wall portion312. The base portion31has an outlet313to guide conditioned air A2that is formed near an upper edge of the base portion31. The outlet313is an opening that has a size corresponding to the ventilating hole W1bored in the wall surface W of the building.

The base plate portion311has a plurality of through-holes315into each of which an attaching member (hereinafter, referred to as “screws, etc.”), such as bolt, screw, nail, pin, or anchor bolt that is used to set the apparatus on the wall surface W of the building can be inserted. In detail, screws, etc. are appropriately provided around the outlet313and at a part that is not hidden by the heat exchanger2when the heat exchanger2is attached to the base portion31.

The connecting pipe portion314is a cylindrical member that is formed along a rim of the outlet313on the back side of the base portion31(an outer surface of the apparatus body). The connecting pipe portion314has a size that enables connecting pipe portion314to be fitted into the ventilating hole W1in which the connecting pipe portion314is to be mounted, and it is preferable to design its outer diameter and the inner diameter of the ventilating hole W1so as to be substantially equal to each other.

The heat-exchanger-holding structure portion32is a structure in which the heat exchanger2is attached in such a way that the longitudinal direction of a fin of the heat exchanger2and the direction from an inlet38toward the outlet313substantially coincide with each other. As described above, the external-air conditioning apparatus1is installed so that the inlet38is directed downwardly, and therefore the heat-exchanger-holding structure portion32holds the heat exchanger2in such a way that the longitudinal direction of the fin of the heat exchanger2substantially coincides with the vertical direction of the apparatus body in the installed state of the apparatus body.

The heat-exchanger-holding structure portion32is a pair of plates that uprise from the base portion31in the direction of the cover body35, and the pair of plates are along outer edges of both right and left sides of the base portion31, respectively, and are disposed at positions with predetermined intervals from the outer edges, respectively. Additionally, each plate is provided with locking notches321between which a predetermined interval exists in the longitudinal direction, and each locking notch321is formed in the shape of a hook that goes down from a front end of the plate (i.e., front side of the apparatus body) toward the lower-part side of the apparatus body.

The heat-exchanger-holding structure portion32is configured as above, thus making it possible to lock the partitioning portion25and the heat exchanger2attached to the partitioning portion25in such a way as to hitch a neck part of the locking screw251of the aforementioned partitioning portion25. In this locking state, it is possible to hold the partitioning portion25including the heat exchanger2from the width direction of the apparatus body, and it is possible to hold the partitioning portion25including the heat exchanger2so as to have a predetermined interval between the inner surface of a front wall portion36and the heat exchanger2, between the inner surface of the base portion31and the heat exchanger2, and between the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion37and the heat exchanger2.

The water receiving portion33is disposed between the heat exchanger2and the inlet38, and has a structure including a water-receiving support portion331, a drain pan336, a drain passage34, and a heat insulating material342for drain pans.

The water-receiving support portion331uprises from the base portion31toward the front side of the apparatus body, and is disposed so as to follow the right-left direction of the apparatus body with an interval of distance slightly longer than the length in the longitudinal direction of the drain pan336. The water-receiving support portion331has side portions332separately disposed with a predetermined interval in a direction along right and left outer edges of the base portion31, a bottom portion333connected to the side portion332, and an upper portion334. The bottom portion333has uprising parts335formed in the forward and backward directions of the apparatus body. The water-receiving support portion331is configured as above, and hence has a shape that enables the drain pan336to be supported detachably and to be supported so that the drain pan336does not easily come off when the drain pan336is attached.

The drain pan336has a bottom surface337and four lateral surfaces338that uprise from the bottom surface337, and is shaped to have an opening portion339whose upper side (i.e., a side that faces the heat exchanger2) is open. The drain pan336is provided so as to become slightly wider than an end surface (lower surface)260of the heat exchanger2faced by the opening portion339. The drain pan336gradually becomes smaller in width in proportion to the approach of the lateral surface338to the bottom.

The drain passage34is a tube in which one end leads to a drain hole341formed in an inner bottom surface of the drain pan336, and the other end is guided outwardly from the apparatus, and is configured so that water, such as dew condensation water, that has dropped into the drain pan336and that has gathered inside the apparatus can be drained outwardly from the apparatus. In the drain passage34, no limitations are imposed on how its forward portion is connected, and, for example, its forward portion may be connected to a drain piping of the air conditioner, or may be connected to a rainwater/wastewater drainage system. Additionally, if the ground exists under the external-air conditioning apparatus1, the drain passage34may be open merely outdoors.

The heat insulating material342for drain pans is a sheet-shaped heat insulating material, and is pasted onto the outer surface of the drain pan336.

The cover body35has a front wall portion36disposed at a position facing the base portion31in a state in which the cover body35has been attached to the base body30and a three-side peripheral wall portion37extending in the direction of the base portion31from an outer edge portion of the front wall portion36, and one part in which the peripheral wall portion37is not formed is used as the inlet38of external air A1, and a filter member381is attached so as to cover the inlet38.

The peripheral wall portion37is configured to include a peripheral-wall upper surface portion371that serves as an upper surface, a peripheral-wall right surface portion372that serves as a right side surface, and a peripheral-wall left surface portion373that serves as a left side surface in the state of having been set on the wall surface W (i.e., the opened lower surface portion serves as the inlet38). In the state of having been set on the wall surface W, the aforementioned outlet313is positioned on the peripheral-wall-upper-surface-portion-371side, and the inlet38is positioned at the lower part of the cover body35. In other words, the inlet38is formed at a “position far from the outlet313.”

The cover body35is a structure in which the front wall portion36and the three-side peripheral wall portion37are formed integrally with each other. Additionally, the cover body35is a structure consisting of an outer surface plate351that serves as an outer surface of the apparatus body, an inner surface plate352that serves as an inner surface of the apparatus body, and a heat insulating material353disposed between the inner surface plate352and the outer surface plate351(which corresponds to the aforementioned first insulation structure portion and the aforementioned second insulation structure portion).

The inner surface plate352and the outer surface plate351are disposed with a predetermined interval between the inner surface plate352and the outer surface plate351so as to create a void therebetween, and the sheet-shaped heat insulating material353is stuck on the inner surface plate352with an adhesive. In this void, a thermal insulation region354that is a gap having a predetermined interval is formed between a surface on the side opposite to the adhesive of the heat insulating material353(which is referred to as a “front surface” for descriptive convenience) and the outer surface plate351.

The cover body35is provided to have a shape in which the front wall portion36swells in a direction opposite to the base portion31(i.e., “frontal direction of the apparatus body”). The front wall portion36has two bent parts along the longitudinal direction of the apparatus body, and consists of three surfaces, i.e., consists of a front part that is substantially parallel to the base portion31and inclined parts in each of which a part between each of the bent parts above that serve as long edge parts of the front part and each of the peripheral wall portions37on left-and-right both sides descends and inclines in the direction of the base portion31.

At least a surface, which is on the outside of the apparatus, of the outer surface plate351is formed in a shape that enables water repellency, or is subjected to water-repellent coating. At least a surface, which is on the inside of the apparatus, of the inner surface plate352is subjected to treatment for thermal reflectability.

The ventilation system V is an indoor ventilation system of a building, and is composed of the wall surface W of the building, the aforementioned external-air conditioning apparatus1, and the room air conditioner8. The ventilation system V will be hereinafter described with reference chiefly toFIG.9toFIG.11. A description of the external-air conditioning apparatus1has been made as above, and hence is omitted.

<Outer Wall of Building>

The wall surface W of the building is an outer wall that faces a place at which the outdoor unit81is disposed, and a ventilating hole W1is formed at a higher position in the wall surface W. An introducing passage W2is formed so as to lead to the ventilating hole W1and so as to pass through the wall from an outdoor space to an indoor space. The connecting pipe portion314of the external-air conditioning apparatus1is connected to the ventilating hole W1, and conditioned air A2that has been heated or cooled by the external-air conditioning apparatus1is introduced into the room through the ventilating hole W1and the introducing passage W2.

The room air conditioner8has an indoor unit82disposed at a higher position in the room of the building and the outdoor unit81disposed outdoors, and the indoor unit82and the outdoor unit81are connected together by means of the refrigerant piping83. The refrigerant piping83branches off in the indoor unit82and the outdoor unit81, and a refrigerant that circulates in the heat exchanger2of the external-air conditioning apparatus1can be supplied through the refrigerant piping83that has branched off. The supply of the refrigerant is performed in a manner in which the indoor unit82, the outdoor unit81, and the external-air conditioning apparatus1are connected in series as shown inFIG.10. According to the manner of being connected in series, the structure is simple, and therefore a construction operation is easily performed.

The attachable/detachable structure between the base body and the cover body in the present embodiment is to insert a screw into a screw hole bored in the base body31and in the cover body35as described above, and yet the present invention is not limited to this, and, for example, a steady pin may be used instead of the screw, or a latch structure or a similar structure in which latching is performed between a hook-shaped part and a cutout part may be employed.

The housing3in the present embodiment is disposed such that the front wall portion swells in a direction opposite to the base portion, and yet the present invention is not limited to this, and the front wall portion may be, for example, tabular, and, in this case, it is preferable to be reinforced by a structure (such as a reinforcing rib) that is resistible against an external force applied to the front wall portion. Additionally, the housing in the present embodiment is made chiefly of a metallic material, and yet the present invention is not limited to this, and, for example, synthetic resin, etc. that have heat resistance, water resistance, and weather resistance may be employed as part of or all of its constituent material.

A filter member is attached to the inlet of the housing3in the present embodiment, and yet the present invention is not limited to this, and a filter member may be attached to, for example, an indoor-side part of the outlet or of the ventilating hole. Additionally, if a filter member that can capture pollens, PM 2.5, etc. is disposed at, for example, an indoor-side part of the ventilating hole, it is possible to diligently perform maintenance from the indoor side.

The partitioning portion25in the present embodiment is formed detachably from the heat exchanger and from the base portion, and yet the present invention is not limited to this, and, for example, the partitioning portion25may be formed integrally with the heat exchanger or with the base portion. Additionally, the inside of the partitioning portion25in the present embodiment is a void, and yet the present invention is not limited to this, and, for example, a heat storage member may be included. In the room air conditioner8, when the room temperature reaches a preset temperature, the refrigeration cycle is stopped, so that the supply of a refrigerant to the external-air conditioning apparatus1is stopped (the circulation of a refrigerant is stopped), and yet, if a heat storage member is included in the partitioning portion25, external air that is continuously introduced can be thermoregulated.

The housing3in the present embodiment has the base portion at which the base body, the heat-exchanger-holding structure portion, and the water receiving portion are disposed, and yet the present invention is not limited to this, and, for example, either the heat-exchanger-holding structure portion or the water receiving portion may be disposed at the cover body, or both the heat-exchanger-holding structure portion and the water receiving portion may be disposed at the cover body.

The term “outer wall of the building” used in the present embodiment denotes, in addition to a wall that divides the space into an indoor space and an outdoor space, a wall that divides the space into a room space in which the indoor unit is installed and a space outside the room in an environment in which the outdoor unit is installed even in the building (even in the indoor space).

The cover body35in the present embodiment has the aforementioned structure, and yet the present invention is not limited to this, and, for example, the cover body35is not necessarily required not to have a thermal insulation region, and the cover body35may be made of a single material if the material has properties (weather resistance, mildew resistance, etc.) required by the outer and inner surfaces of the apparatus body, and is provided with thermal insulation. In other words, the cover body35includes not only a structure composed of the outer surface plate, the inner surface plate, and the heat insulating material but also, for example, a structure consisting of a monoplate that has thermal reflection and thermal insulation. Additionally, the heat insulating material disposed in the cover body is not limited in kind and in material, and, preferably, the heat insulating material has at least any one of dust resistance, mildew resistance, antifungal properties, water resistance, and chemical resistance in addition to thermal insulation.

The mounting parts of both the base body30and the cover body35in the present embodiment are attached in such a way as to insert the wall portion37of the cover body35into the inside of the peripheral wall portion312of the base portion31(i.e., the peripheral wall portion37of the cover body35is fitted into the inside of the peripheral wall portion312of the base portion31), and yet the present invention is not limited to this, and, for example, the mounting parts may be attached in such a way as to allow the peripheral wall portion of the base portion to enter the inside the peripheral wall portion of the cover body (i.e., the cover body is fitted onto the peripheral wall portion of the base portion).

In the heat exchanger2in the present embodiment, the heat-transfer pipe21is a copper pipe, and each of the fins22is an aluminum alloy, and yet the present invention is not limited to this, and, for example, the heat-transfer pipe21and the fin22may be each a metal, such as stainless steel or titanium, or a well-known material, such as resin or FRP plastic, or a combination of these substances.

The water receiving portion33in the present embodiment is a structure in which the heat insulating material for drain pans is disposed on the outer surface of the drain pan, and yet the present invention is not limited to this, and, for example, the drain pan itself may be made of a material that has thermal insulation.

The operation of the external-air conditioning apparatus1and the ventilation system V will be described with reference toFIG.1toFIG.11. Hereinafter, a description will be separately given of a case in which those are run and a case in which those are subjected to maintenance.

As shown inFIG.10andFIG.11, the inside of the room of the building is negative in pressure because of a ventilating fan W3disposed at an exhaust port, and external air A1is introduced into the external-air conditioning apparatus1through the inlet38.

As shown inFIG.9, the external air A1that has been introduced into the external-air conditioning apparatus1strikes a bottom portion of the drain pan336, and changes its flow direction, and flows toward the heat exchanger2. At this time, the heat exchanger2, the partitioning portion25, and the base portion31are disposed according to the aforementioned configuration, and therefore the external air A1introduced thereinto does not directly reach the outlet313without passing through the heat exchanger2, i.e., substantially the whole amount of external air A1introduced thereinto passes through the heat exchanger2, and undergoes a heat exchange.

Additionally, the external air A1introduced thereinto flows along the longitudinal direction of the fin22, and therefore a period of time during which the external air A1and the fin22make contact with each other becomes long, and therefore heat exchange efficiency is raised. Additionally, the outlet313is disposed so as to overlap with the range of the width of the heat exchanger2, and therefore conditioned air A2that has passed through the heat exchanger2and that has been conditioned smoothly flows toward the outlet313. Still additionally, substantially the whole amount of conditioned air A2that has passed through the heat exchanger2and that has been conditioned passes through the outlet313without diffusing in the housing3because of the partitioning portion25, and is supplied into the room from the ventilating hole W1through the introducing passage W2.

As a result, the amount of heat loss in the housing3decreases, and the amount of conditioned air A2supplied into the room increases, and therefore it becomes possible to shorten a period of time during which a difference between the room temperature and the preset temperature of the room air conditioner becomes small, i.e., it becomes possible to shorten a period of time until the room temperature reaches the preset temperature (operating time of the room air conditioner8), and therefore it is possible to further raise the effect of load reduction in the running of the room air conditioner8that performs room air conditioning.

Additionally, a heat exchange performed by the heat exchanger2uses a refrigerant supplied from the room air conditioner8that is installed outside the apparatus, and therefore the heat exchange performed by the heat exchanger2coordinates with the running of the room air conditioner8, i.e., the heat exchanger2depends on the running of the room air conditioner8(uses the running of the room air conditioner8), and does not need electric power or mechanical power other than power for room air conditioning.

By the way, the external-air conditioning apparatus1is installed outdoors, and therefore there is a case in which rain and snow enter through the inlet38in such a manner as to be caught in by a strong wind when it is stormy weather. Additionally, there is a case in which solar radiation light (ultraviolet) reflected by something enters through the inlet38. However, even in these cases, it is possible to intercept ultraviolet or rain and snow so as not to strike the heat exchanger2, i.e., it is possible to fulfill storm protection and a light intercepting function and to protect the deterioration of the heat exchanger because the external-air conditioning apparatus1is configured such that the water receiving portion33(drain pan336) is disposed between the heat exchanger2and the inlet38. Additionally, although external sounds, such as wind sound and noise, enter through the inlet38, the water receiving portion33(drain pan336) reflects sounds, or the heat insulating material342for drain pans that has been pasted onto the outer surface of the drain pan336absorbs sounds, and, as a result, external sounds are restrained from entering the room in the same way as above.

The external-air conditioning apparatus1is set on the wall surface W of the building, and therefore working, such as maintenance, can be started by detaching the cover body35, and main components are disposed at the base portion31, and therefore comparatively easy cleaning can be performed without detaching the base portion31from the wall surface W of the building. In other words, workability in maintenance, etc. has been made better than the conventional external-air conditioning apparatus91described above.

According to the external-air conditioning apparatus1and the ventilation system V, it is possible to more easily install the ventilation system of the present invention as a ventilation system for a new or already-existing ordinary house or housing complex than the conventional ventilation system, and it is possible to achieve excellent workability in maintenance, etc. and to realize energy saving by reducing the operation load of the room air conditioner installed in the room.

In the external-air conditioning apparatus1a, the front wall portion36aswells in a direction opposite to the base portion31(i.e., in a “frontal direction of the apparatus body”), and has a curved shape that is curved in the width direction of the apparatus body. The external-air conditioning apparatus1ais formed in a shape that more easily diverts wind, rain, etc. than the external-air conditioning apparatus1, thus making it possible to reduce a load applied onto the front wall portion.

A drain pan336ashown inFIG.13(a)is a modification of the drain pan336. The drain pan336ais the same as the drain pan336except for a part described later, and therefore the same reference sign is given to a common component, and a description of its structure is omitted, and a description of a common operational effect is also omitted.

The drain pan336ais formed in a semicircular shape in a cross-sectional view (i.e., long half-segmented circular tube shape) in which a bottom surface and lateral surfaces in the longitudinal direction (right and left sides inFIG.13(a)) are formed integrally with each other, and the drain hole341leading to the drain passage34is formed in a lowest part corresponding to an inner bottom.

The drain pan336adoes not have a flat bottom surface portion, and therefore the obstruction of smooth airflow when external air is divided (occurrence of a turbulent flow) hardly occurs, and it is possible to further improve the efficient flow division of external air and the smooth flow of external air from the inlet to the heat exchanger. Additionally, the inner bottom surface of the drain pan336ais not flat, and the drain hole341is formed in the lowest part, and therefore accumulated water in the drain pan336ais discharged more efficiently.

A drain pan336bshown inFIG.13(b)is a modification of the drain pan336. The drain pan336bis the same as the drain pan336except fora part described later, and therefore the same reference sign is given to a common component, and a description of its structure is omitted, and a description of a common operational effect is also omitted.

The drain pan336bis formed in a V shape in a cross-sectional view in which a bottom surface and lateral surfaces in the longitudinal direction (right and left sides inFIG.13(b)) are formed integrally with each other, and the drain hole341leading to the drain passage34is formed in a lowest part corresponding to an inner bottom. The drain pan336bdoes not have a flat bottom surface portion in the same way as the aforementioned drain pan336a, and therefore it is possible to further improve the efficient flow division of external air and the smooth flow of external air from the inlet to the heat exchanger, and accumulated water in the drain pan336bis discharged more efficiently.

A drain pan336cshown inFIG.13(c)is a modification of the drain pan336. The drain pan336cis the same as the drain pan336except for apart described later, and therefore the same reference sign is given to a common component, and a description of its structure is omitted, and a description of a common operational effect is also omitted.

The drain pan336cis substantially identical in shape with the drain pan336, but differs from the drain pan336in the fact that a lateral surface in a direction (left side inFIG.13(c)) disposed on the front side of the apparatus body is inclined toward the front side of the apparatus body. According to the configuration of the external-air conditioning apparatus1, the partitioning portion25is provided, and therefore external air, which has struck the bottom surface of the drain pan and then has been divided and has come around in a direction of the body back of the drain pan (right side inFIG.13(c)), reaches the heat exchanger2in such a way as to detour the partitioning portion. On the other hand, according to the drain pan336c, only the lateral surface on the front side of the body is configured to be inclined, and the lateral surface on the back side of the body is configured to be along the base plate portion without making a gap with the base plate portion, and therefore external air that has struck the bottom surface337of the drain pan336cflows toward the front side of the body, thus making it possible to further improve the smooth flow of external air from the inlet to the heat exchanger.

A cover body35bshown inFIG.14is a modification of the cover body35. In this modification, the same reference sign is given to a common component between the cover body35band the cover body35, and a description of its structure is omitted, and a description of a common operational effect is also omitted.

The cover body35bis a structure consisting of the outer surface plate351that serves as an outer surface of the apparatus body and a heat insulating material353bthat serves as an inner surface of the apparatus body (i.e., the inner surface plate and the thermal insulation region of the aforementioned cover body35are not provided). The heat insulating material353bis formed in the shape of a sheet that has a heat-reflecting surface355made of aluminum foil that has rust resistance on its one side, and is stuck onto the apparatus-inside of the outer surface plate351with an adhesive so that the heat-reflecting surface355is directed to the inside of the apparatus body.

According to the cover body35b, it is possible to allow the housing to have heat insulation properties by allowing the heat insulating material353bto have the aforementioned heat-reflecting surface355, and it is possible to restrain deterioration caused by, for example, the adhesion of dew drops generated inside the apparatus and the occurrence of mold on the front surface. Additionally, the cover body35bis a simple, light structure formed merely by sticking the heat insulating material353bonto the outer surface plate351, and therefore it is possible to make the external-air conditioning apparatus1smaller in size and in weight and is possible to reduce production costs.

A base body30ashown inFIG.12is a modification of the base body30. The base body30ais the same as that of the external-air conditioning apparatus1except for an outlet313a(described later), and therefore the same reference sign is given to a common component, and a description of its structure is omitted, and a description of a common operational effect is also omitted.

The base body30adiffers from the base body30in the fact that a connecting pipe portion that leads to the outlet313aon the back side of the apparatus body is not provided. According to the base body30a, with excellent convenience, it is possible to simply perform an installation operation without a processing operation to the wall surface or without replacement of the external-air conditioning apparatus even if the outer diameter of the connecting pipe portion is larger than the inner diameter of the ventilating hole although it is impossible to fulfill the operational effect of raising the efficiency of a laying operation by fitting the connecting pipe portion to the ventilating hole and is impossible to fulfill the operational effect of reducing a load applied onto the wall surface on which the apparatus is set.

The terms and the expressions used in the present description and in the claims are used thoroughly descriptively, and are not limited-ones at all, and there is no intention of excluding characteristics mentioned in the present description and in the claims and no intention of excluding terms and expressions equivalent to part of the characteristics. Additionally, of course, various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical thought of the present invention. Still additionally, the terms “the first,” “the second,” etc. do not mean a grade or importance, and are used to distinguish one factor from other factors.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST