Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a configuration including: a housing which has a bottom plate and is at least partly made of metal; a compressor installed inside the housing to compress a flammable refrigerant; an outdoor heat exchanger installed inside the housing to exchange heat between the refrigerant and outside air; an electric heating device installed on a top side of the bottom plate; and an electrical equipment box installed across both a mechanical chamber and a blower chamber, wherein the electrical equipment box is covered with a top cover and an under cover, on the blower chamber side.

From <CIT>, an air conditioner is known, which comprises an electric control box assembly, a fan, a compressor, a casing, a partition wall, an evaporator, a condenser, a throttle and an electronic expansion valve. The electric control box assembly includes an electric control box with a sealed body.

An explosion-proof air conditioner <NUM> known from <CIT>, comprises a housing part, a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a condenser fan unit, an evaporator fan unit and a partition wall provided between the first and the second evaporator fan units. To prevent flammable gases, etc. from entering the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant is sealed at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure within the refrigeration cycle.

<CIT> discloses an air conditioner treated with explosion prevention, which includes a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and a controller for controlling the operation of the components. The compressor and the controller are installed in explosion preventing casings made of metal members in an airtight and isolated manner. An operation switch knob and a temperature control switch knob are disposed on the front surface of the controller to be exposed outwardly from the air conditioner. A cable gland is provided on one outer side of the explosion-proof casing, and maintains the airtightness of the cable entering explosion-proof casing.

The present invention provides a heat pump cycle device with improved safety that maintains airtightness of an electrical equipment box by disposing a cable outlet of the electrical equipment box on a mechanical chamber side, and reliably prevents ignition even if a refrigerant leaks.

A heat pump cycle device of the present invention, as defined in claim <NUM>, includes: a compressor, a use side heat exchanger, expansion means, and a heat source side heat exchanger stored inside a housing; a refrigerant circuit connecting these members annularly and using a flammable refrigerant; a blower device for circulating air through the heat source side heat exchanger; and an electrical equipment box configured to be airtight, wherein the compressor, the use side heat exchanger, and the expansion means are disposed in a mechanical chamber located on one side of the housing, the heat source side heat exchanger and the blower device are disposed in a blower chamber located on another side of the housing, the electrical equipment box is disposed across the mechanical chamber and the blower chamber, and a radiator plate with a plurality of fins is installed on a lower surface of a control board in the electrical equipment box so as to project downward from a bottom opening of the electrical equipment box whereby with an operation of the blower device, air flows to the radiator plate, a seal material is disposed on a peripheral edge of the bottom opening, and the control board is installed so as to close the bottom opening through the seal material, and is secured in this state,
the electrical equipment box is provided with a cable that electrically connects the control board in the electrical equipment box and external equipment of the electrical equipment box, and an outlet for the cable is disposed on the mechanical chamber side of the electrical equipment box, wherein the outlet is provided with a cable gland for airtightly holding the cable with respect to the electrical equipment box.

The heat pump cycle device of the present invention can suppress an increase in temperature of electronic components disposed in the electrical equipment box, and prevent malfunctions and shortening of service life of a product. Moreover, it is possible to prevent a leaked refrigerant from entering into the electrical equipment box, and thus take an anti-explosion measure, and improve safety.

The figures show embodiments of the present invention.

When the inventors came up with the present invention, there was a technology in which an electrical equipment box of a heat pump cycle device using a flammable refrigerant has a sealed structure to prevent ignition even if a refrigerant leaks.

However, the inventors have found a problem that, if the electrical equipment box is sealed, the temperature inside the electrical equipment box rises, and, as a result, the seal at an outlet for pulling out a cable from the electrical equipment box deteriorates, and airtightness cannot be maintained. In order to solve the problem, the inventors have invented the subject matter of this invention.

Therefore, the present invention provides a heat pump cycle device with improved safety by disposing a cable outlet of an electrical equipment box on a mechanical chamber side so as to maintain the airtightness of the electrical equipment box, and reliably prevent ignition even if a refrigerant leaks.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessarily detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of well-known matters, or redundant description of substantially the same configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following description from becoming unnecessarily redundant, and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to allow those skilled in the art to fully understand the present invention, and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims.

Hereinafter, Embodiment <NUM> will be described using the drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a heat pump cycle device according to Embodiment <NUM>. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the heat pump cycle device according to Embodiment <NUM>. <FIG> is a front view showing a state in which a front panel of the heat pump cycle device according to Embodiment <NUM> is removed.

As shown in <FIG>, a heat pump cycle device <NUM> has a box-shaped housing <NUM>. In the present embodiment, each part of the housing <NUM> is made of a steel plate.

A partition plate <NUM> extending in an up-down direction is provided inside the housing <NUM>. The inside space of the housing <NUM> is partitioned into a blower chamber <NUM> and a mechanical chamber <NUM> by the partition plate <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> has a bottom plate <NUM> forming a bottom surface of the housing <NUM>, a pair of side panels <NUM> covering the mechanical chamber <NUM> of the housing <NUM> from the front and rear thereof, a front panel <NUM> covering a front side of the blower chamber <NUM>, and a top plate <NUM> covering a top side of the housing <NUM>.

The front panel <NUM> is provided with a ventilation part <NUM> formed in a mesh shape to allow passage of air.

A heat source side heat exchanger <NUM> and a blower device <NUM> are installed in the blower chamber <NUM>.

The heat source side heat exchanger <NUM> of the present embodiment extends along a height direction of the housing <NUM>, and is formed in a substantially L shape in a plan view of the housing <NUM> so as to face a side surface and a back surface of the housing <NUM>.

For the heat source side heat exchanger <NUM>, for example, a fin-tube heat exchanger is used.

For the blower device <NUM>, for example, an axial fan with propeller-like impeller is used. The blower device <NUM> is disposed so as to direct an axial flow direction to the ventilation part <NUM>.

Stored in the mechanical chamber <NUM> are various pieces of equipment forming a refrigerant circuit, such as a compressor <NUM>, a use side heat exchanger <NUM>, and expansion means <NUM> (see <FIG>), and refrigerant piping <NUM> connecting these pieces of equipment to each other.

For the use side heat exchanger <NUM>, for example, a plate heat exchanger is used.

A cut-out part <NUM> is formed in an upper portion of the partition plate <NUM>, and an electrical equipment box <NUM> is installed in the cut-out part <NUM>.

<FIG> is a circuit diagram showing a refrigerant circuit according to Embodiment <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the compressor <NUM>, a four-way valve <NUM>, the use side heat exchanger <NUM>, the expansion means <NUM>, and the heat source side heat exchanger <NUM> are annularly connected through predetermined refrigerant piping <NUM> so as to form the refrigerant circuit.

Predetermined water supply piping <NUM> is connected to the use side heat exchanger <NUM>, and, in the use side heat exchanger <NUM>, heat exchange is performed with a refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit.

The refrigerant compressed to high temperature and high pressure by the compressor <NUM> flows as shown by the solid-line arrows in <FIG>, and is sent to the use side heat exchanger <NUM> in which the refrigerant is heat-exchanged with water flowing through the water supply piping <NUM>, and is cooled and condensed by the use side heat exchanger <NUM>. The water that becomes hot water by receiving the heat of the refrigerant is supplied to a predetermined location.

The refrigerant discharged from the use side heat exchanger <NUM> is decompressed by the expansion means <NUM> to evaporate, is heat-exchanged in the heat source side heat exchanger <NUM> to be a gas refrigerant, and is returned again to the compressor <NUM>.

Moreover, by switching the four-way valve <NUM>, the refrigerant flows as shown by the broken-line arrows in <FIG>, is heat-exchanged with outside air in the heat source side heat exchanger <NUM>, is decompressed by the expansion means <NUM>, and is then sent to the use side heat exchanger <NUM> so as to enable cooling of the water flowing through the water supply piping <NUM>.

Here, in the present embodiment, a flammable refrigerant is used as the refrigerant. The flammable refrigerant is R32 or a mixed refrigerant containing <NUM> weight percent or more of R32, or propane or a mixed refrigerant containing propane.

Note that an inflammable refrigerant may be used as the refrigerant, instead of the flammable refrigerant.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing the electrical equipment box of Embodiment <NUM>. <FIG> is a longitudinal sectional view showing the electrical equipment box of Embodiment <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the electrical equipment box <NUM> is disposed above the blower chamber <NUM> and the mechanical chamber <NUM>. The electrical equipment box <NUM> is disposed across the mechanical chamber <NUM> and the blower chamber <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the electrical equipment box <NUM> includes a box-shaped electrical equipment box body <NUM> with an open-top opening <NUM>, and a lid member <NUM> for closing the opening <NUM>.

A substantially rectangular bottom opening <NUM> is formed on an electrical equipment box bottom surface <NUM> of the electrical equipment box body <NUM>.

The electrical equipment box body <NUM> is made of a material with high thermal conductivity, for example, a metal material.

Note that, in the present embodiment, although the entire electrical equipment box body <NUM> is made of a metal material, only a portion located in the blower chamber <NUM> may be made of a metal material.

The lid member <NUM> is formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape. The lid member <NUM> is preferably made of a metal material with high thermal conductivity like the electrical equipment box body <NUM>.

A control board <NUM> made of a printed wiring board, and various electronic components are stored in the electrical equipment box <NUM>.

Although not shown in the drawings, on the control board <NUM>, for example, electronic components such as a semiconductor chip like a CPU, a transistor, a capacitor, and a resistor are mounted to form an electrical circuit.

A radiator plate <NUM> with a plurality of fins is installed on a lower surface of the control board <NUM> so as to project downward from the bottom opening <NUM>.

The control board <NUM> is installed such that the radiator plate <NUM> projects downward from the bottom opening <NUM>. A seal material <NUM> is disposed on a peripheral edge of the bottom opening <NUM>, and the control board <NUM> is installed so as to close the bottom opening <NUM> through the seal material <NUM>, and is secured in this state.

Other electronic components which are electrically connected to the control board <NUM> are installed on both sides of the control board <NUM> on the electrical equipment box bottom surface <NUM> of the electrical equipment box body <NUM>.

The lid member <NUM> is secured through the seal material <NUM> to the top of the electrical equipment box body <NUM> with screws or the like. Consequently, the inside of the electrical equipment box body <NUM> is made a sealed space.

Further, a ventilable space is formed between the lower surface of the top plate <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and an upper surface of the electrical equipment box <NUM>.

An outlet <NUM> for a cable <NUM>, which is electrically connected to the control board <NUM>, is provided on the electrical equipment box bottom surface <NUM> of the electrical equipment box body <NUM>, at a point located in the mechanical chamber <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, a cable gland <NUM> is attached to the outlet <NUM>. The cable <NUM> is taken out of the electrical equipment box <NUM> through the cable gland <NUM>, and connected to predetermined equipment such as the compressor <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing the cable gland of Embodiment <NUM>. <FIG> is a longitudinal sectional view showing the cable gland of Embodiment <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the cable gland <NUM> has a gland body <NUM> which is attached to the electrical equipment box bottom surface <NUM> of the electrical equipment box <NUM>.

The gland body <NUM> includes a flange part <NUM> which is provided at a substantially central portion in the axial direction, and protrudes toward an outer periphery. Formed above the flange part <NUM> is an insertion part <NUM> that penetrates the electrical equipment box bottom surface <NUM> of the electrical equipment box <NUM>, and has an external thread <NUM> formed on an outer circumference. Formed at a lower upper portion of the flange part <NUM> is a holding part <NUM> with the external thread <NUM> formed on the outer circumference surface.

The cable gland <NUM> includes a nut member <NUM> formed with an internal thread <NUM> that is screwed with the external thread <NUM> of the holding part <NUM>. A cylindrical seal member <NUM> is inserted into the holding part <NUM>.

The insertion part <NUM> of the gland body <NUM> is inserted into the electrical equipment box bottom surface <NUM> of the electrical equipment box <NUM> from below. At this time, a seal member <NUM> is disposed between the upper side of the flange part <NUM> and the electrical equipment box bottom surface <NUM> of the electrical equipment box <NUM>.

Then, by screwing a securing nut <NUM> with the external thread <NUM> from above the electrical equipment box bottom surface <NUM> of the electrical equipment box <NUM> to hold the electrical equipment box bottom surface <NUM> of the electrical equipment box <NUM> between the flange part <NUM> and the securing nut <NUM>, the securing nut <NUM> is secured to the electrical equipment box bottom surface <NUM> of the electrical equipment box <NUM>.

In this state, the cable <NUM> is inserted into the inside of the gland body <NUM> and into the inside of the seal material <NUM>, and the nut member <NUM> is tightened and secured to the holding part <NUM> by screwing the internal thread <NUM> of the nut member <NUM> with the external thread <NUM> of the holding part <NUM>.

The seal material <NUM> is deformed by tightening the nut member <NUM>, and the seal material <NUM> is closely attached to an external surface of the cable <NUM>. Consequently, it is possible to airtightly hold the cable <NUM> with respect to electrical equipment box <NUM>.

Note that, in the example shown in the drawings, the cable <NUM> is the multi-core cable <NUM> including a plurality of core wires covered with an outer covering.

Thus, by disposing the outlet <NUM> for the cable <NUM> at the mechanical chamber <NUM> in which the influence of the heat source side heat exchanger <NUM> is small and a change in temperature is smaller than in the blower chamber <NUM>, it is possible to reduce the deterioration over time of the cable <NUM> and the outlet <NUM>. Furthermore, since the electrical equipment box <NUM> is disposed in an upper portion near the top plate <NUM> away from a lower portion of the housing <NUM> in which the refrigerant with a higher specific gravity than air is likely to accumulate, if the refrigerant leaks, it is possible to reduce the amount of the refrigerant entering into the electrical equipment box <NUM>.

Next, an operation of the heat pump cycle device <NUM> configured as described above will be described.

When the heat pump cycle device <NUM> is driven, the compressor <NUM> and the blower device <NUM> are operated, and a fan <NUM> is also started to operate.

Consequently, when hot water is used, the refrigerant compressed to high temperature and high pressure by the compressor <NUM> flows as shown by the solid-line arrows in <FIG>, is sent to the use side heat exchanger <NUM>, and is cooled by heat exchange with the water flowing through the water supply piping <NUM> by the use side heat exchanger <NUM>, and the water becomes hot water by receiving the heat of the refrigerant, and is supplied to a predetermined location.

The refrigerant discharged from the use side heat exchanger <NUM> is decompressed by the expansion means <NUM> and heat-exchanged by the heat source side heat exchanger <NUM> to be a gas refrigerant, and is returned again to the compressor <NUM>.

Moreover, when cool water is used, by switching the four-way valve <NUM>, the refrigerant flows as shown by the broken-line arrows in <FIG>, is heat-exchanged with outside air by the heat source side heat exchanger <NUM>, is decompressed by the expansion means <NUM>, and is then sent to the use side heat exchanger <NUM> so as to cool the water flowing through the water supply piping <NUM>.

During these operations, when the blower device <NUM> is operated, air flows to the electrical equipment box <NUM> located in the blower chamber <NUM>.

Further, since the ventilable space is formed between the lower surface of the top plate <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and the upper surface of the electrical equipment box <NUM>, the air also flows to the upper surface of the electrical equipment box <NUM>.

With these air flows, the entire surface of the electrical equipment box <NUM> can be cooled by the air, and a rise in temperature of electronic components <NUM> stored inside the electrical equipment box <NUM> can be suppressed.

Furthermore, with the operation of the blower device <NUM>, the air flows to the radiator plate <NUM>. Consequently, the radiator plate <NUM> can be cooled, and the control board <NUM> can be cooled through the radiator plate <NUM>.

Moreover, by disposing the cable gland <NUM> in the mechanical chamber <NUM> in which the influence of the heat source side heat exchanger <NUM> is small and a change in temperature is smaller than in the blower chamber <NUM>, it is possible to reduce the deterioration over time of the cable <NUM> and the outlet <NUM>.

Additionally, since the cable gland <NUM> is disposed on the lower surface of the electrical equipment box <NUM>, and the cable <NUM> is arranged to extend downward from the electrical equipment box <NUM>, an uneven load due to the weight of the cable <NUM> does not occur and deformation of the cable <NUM> due to twisting of the cable <NUM> is smaller compared to a case in which the cable <NUM> is arranged sideways, and therefore the contact between the seal material <NUM> of the cable gland <NUM> and the cable <NUM> is evenly maintained over the entire circumference.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the heat pump cycle device <NUM> includes: the compressor <NUM>, the use side heat exchanger <NUM>, the expansion means <NUM>, and the heat source side heat exchanger <NUM> stored inside the housing <NUM>; the refrigerant circuit connecting these members annularly and using the flammable refrigerant; the blower device <NUM> for circulating air through the heat source side heat exchanger <NUM>; and the electrical equipment box <NUM> configured to be airtight, wherein the compressor <NUM>, the use side heat exchanger <NUM>, and the expansion means <NUM> are disposed in the mechanical chamber <NUM> located on one side of the housing <NUM>, the heat source side heat exchanger <NUM> and the blower device <NUM> are disposed in the blower chamber <NUM> located on another side of the housing <NUM>, the electrical equipment box <NUM> is disposed across the mechanical chamber <NUM> and the blower chamber <NUM>, and is provided with the cable <NUM> that electrically connects the control board in the electrical equipment box <NUM> and external equipment of the electrical equipment box <NUM>, and the outlet <NUM> for the cable <NUM> is disposed on the mechanical chamber <NUM> side of the electrical equipment box <NUM>.

Consequently, since the deterioration over time of the cable <NUM> and the outlet <NUM> can be reduced, it is possible to ensure the airtightness of the electrical equipment box <NUM> for a long period of time, and, even if a flammable refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant circuit, it is possible to reliably prevent ignition of the flammable refrigerant.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the cable gland <NUM> for airtightly holding the cable <NUM> with respect to the electrical equipment box <NUM> is attached to the outlet <NUM>.

Consequently, the airtightness of the cable <NUM> can be kept by the cable gland <NUM>.

Further, in the present embodiment, the cable gland <NUM> airtightly holds the cable <NUM> by closely attaching the cable <NUM> and the seal material <NUM> made of an elastic material.

Consequently, the airtightness of the cable <NUM> can be kept by the seal material <NUM> of the cable gland <NUM>.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the cable gland <NUM> is disposed on the lower surface of the electrical equipment box <NUM>, and the cable <NUM> is arranged to extend downward from the electrical equipment box <NUM>.

Consequently, deformation of the cable <NUM> due to twisting of the cable <NUM> can be reduced, and the airtightness between the seal material <NUM> of the cable gland <NUM> and the cable <NUM> can be evenly maintained over the entire circumference.

Additionally, in the present embodiment, the cable <NUM> is constituted by one multi-core cable <NUM> including a plurality of core wires covered with an outer covering, and the cable gland <NUM> airtightly holds the one cable <NUM>.

Consequently, it is possible to ensure more airtightness, and, even if a flammable refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant circuit, it is possible to reliably prevent ignition of the flammable refrigerant.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the flammable refrigerant is R32 or a mixed refrigerant containing <NUM> weight percent or more of R32, or propane or a mixed refrigerant containing propane.

Consequently, even when the flammable refrigerant is used, it is possible to cool the electrical equipment box <NUM> while preventing the refrigerant from entering into the electrical equipment box <NUM>.

Next, Embodiment <NUM> will be described using the drawings.

Embodiment <NUM> shows another example of the cable <NUM> that is held more airtightly by the cable gland <NUM>. The configuration of the heat pump cycle device is the same as in Embodiment <NUM>. Hereinafter, the cable gland <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM> will be described.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing the cable gland <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM>. <FIG> is a longitudinal sectional view showing the cable gland <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in the present embodiment, the cable <NUM> is constituted by a plurality of cables <NUM>.

The seal material <NUM> of the cable gland <NUM> is formed with a plurality of insertion holes <NUM> into which the plurality of cables <NUM> are inserted.

In the present embodiment, the cables <NUM> are inserted into the insertion holes <NUM>, respectively, of the seal material <NUM>, and the nut member <NUM> is tightened and secured to the holding part <NUM> by screwing the internal thread <NUM> of the nut member <NUM> with the external thread <NUM> of the holding part <NUM>.

The seal material <NUM> is deformed by tightening the nut member <NUM>, and the seal material <NUM> is closely attached to the external surface of each cable <NUM> inserted into the insertion hole <NUM>. Consequently, the respective cables <NUM> can be airtightly held with respect to the electrical equipment box <NUM>.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the cable <NUM> is constituted by a plurality of cables <NUM>, the seal material <NUM> of the cable gland <NUM> has the insertion holes <NUM> into which the plurality of cables <NUM> are inserted, and the cable gland <NUM> airtightly holds the plurality of cables <NUM>.

As described above, Embodiment <NUM> is described as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to embodiments in which modifications are made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A heat pump cycle device (<NUM>) comprising: a compressor (<NUM>), a use side heat exchanger (<NUM>), expansion means (<NUM>), and a heat source side heat exchanger (<NUM>) stored inside a housing (<NUM>); a refrigerant circuit connecting these members annularly and using a flammable refrigerant; a blower device (<NUM>) for circulating air through the heat source side heat exchanger; and an electrical equipment box (<NUM>) configured to be airtight, wherein
the compressor, the use side heat exchanger (<NUM>), and the expansion means (<NUM>) are disposed in a mechanical chamber (<NUM>) located on one side of the housing,
the heat source side heat exchanger (<NUM>) and the blower device (<NUM>) are disposed in a blower chamber (<NUM>) located on another side of the housing,
the electrical equipment box (<NUM>) is disposed across the mechanical chamber (<NUM>) and the blower chamber (<NUM>), and
a radiator plate (<NUM>) with a plurality of fins is installed on a lower surface of a control board (<NUM>) in the electrical equipment box (<NUM>) so as to project downward from a bottom opening (<NUM>) of the electrical equipment box (<NUM>) whereby with an operation of the blower device (<NUM>), air flows to the radiator plate (<NUM>), a seal material (<NUM>) is disposed on a peripheral edge of the bottom opening (<NUM>), and the control board (<NUM>) is installed so as to close the bottom opening (<NUM>) through the seal material (<NUM>), and is secured in this state,
the electrical equipment box is provided with a cable (<NUM>) that electrically connects the control board (<NUM>) in the electrical equipment box and external equipment of the electrical equipment box, and
an outlet (<NUM>) for the cable is disposed on the mechanical chamber side of the electrical equipment box,
wherein the outlet is provided with a cable gland (<NUM>) for airtightly holding the cable with respect to the electrical equipment box.