AIR CONDITIONER

Abstract

An air conditioner performs heating operation by driving a compressor (21), the heating operation being performed while an indoor heat exchanger (13) serves as the high-temperature portion of refrigeration cycle and an outdoor heat exchanger (23) serves as the low-temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle. The air conditioner also performs defrosting operation for defrosting the outdoor heat exchanger (23) by flowing refrigerant in opposite direction of flow of the refrigerant in the heating operation. In the outdoor heat exchanger (23), a large number of fins (30) are affixed to refrigerant pipes (2) so as to close to each other. Air flow passes through between the fins (30) to perform heat exchange. A water introduction section (31, 32) for closing each of the gaps between the fins (30) at one end thereof in the air flow passage direction is provided at the lower end of the outdoor heat exchanger (23).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an air conditioner that performs a warming operation and a defrosting operation.

BACKGROUND ART

A conventional air conditioner is disclosed in a patent document 1. This air conditioner includes an indoor apparatus disposed indoors and an outdoor apparatus disposed outdoors. The outdoor apparatus is provided with a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an outdoor fan, while the indoor apparatus is provided with an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan. The compressor flows a refrigerant to operate a refrigeration cycle. In the indoor heat exchanger and outdoor heat exchanger, a refrigerant pipe is mounted with many fins close to one another and performs heat exchange with air passing through between the fins.

A refrigerant outlet portion of the compressor is connected to one end of the indoor heat exchanger and one end of the outdoor heat exchanger respectively via a four-way valve by means of the refrigerant pipe. The other ends of the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger are connected via an expansion valve by means of the refrigerant pipe. The outdoor fan is disposed to oppose the outdoor heat exchanger and promotes the heat exchange between the outdoor heat exchanger and outdoor air. The indoor fan introduces indoor air into the indoor apparatus and sends the air after performing the heat exchange with the indoor heat exchanger, into a room.

During a warming operation time, the refrigerant output from the compressor by switching of the four-way valve flows through the indoor heat exchanger, the expansion valve, the outdoor heat exchanger and returns to the compressor. According to this, the indoor heat exchanger forms a high temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle, while the outdoor heat exchanger forms a low temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle. The indoor air rises in temperature by the heat exchange with the indoor heat exchanger and is sent into the room, whereby indoor warming is performed.

During a cooling operation time, the refrigerant output from the compressor by the switching of the four-way valve flows in a direction opposite to the direction during the warming operation time. In other words, the refrigerant flows through the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion valve, the indoor heat exchanger and returns to the compressor. According to this, the outdoor heat exchanger forms the high temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle, while the indoor heat exchanger forms the low temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle. The indoor air falls in temperature because of the heat exchange with the indoor heat exchanger and is sent into the room, whereby the indoor cooling is performed.

Besides, the outdoor heat exchanger has frost during the warming operation time, accordingly, a defrosting operation is performed at predetermined intervals. During the defrosting operation time, the indoor fan and the outdoor fan are stopped, and the refrigerant flows in the same direction as the direction during the cooling operation time because of the switching of the four-way valve. According to this, the outdoor heat exchanger forms the high temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle, and the frost on the outdoor heat exchanger melts. The defrosted water due to the melting of the frost flows down the fin and falls below the outdoor heat exchanger, whereby it is possible to defrost the outdoor heat exchanger.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

PLT1: JP-A-2010-181036 (pages 4 to 6, FIG. 1)

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

However, according to the conventional air conditioner, the defrosted water, which flows down the fin of the outdoor heat exchanger during the defrosting operation time, is held between the adjacent fins by surface tension. Because of this, in a case when the outdoors where the outdoor apparatus is installed is a low temperature in a cold area, if the defrosting operation is stopped, the defrosted water held by the fins freeze again. If the warming operation is performed in this state, a frost grows on the ice that freezes again between the fins, accordingly, the frost amount increases and it is necessary to shorten the interval of the defrosting operation. Accordingly, there is a problem that the indoor warming is not sufficiently performed and comfortableness declines.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner that is able to improve the comfortableness.

Solution to Problem

To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, an air conditioner comprising: a compressor that operates a refrigeration cycle; an indoor heat exchanger that performs heat exchange with indoor air; and an outdoor heat exchanger that performs the heat exchange with outdoor air, the compressor is driven to perform a warming operation in which the indoor heat exchanger is used as a high temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle and the outdoor heat exchanger is used as a low temperature portion, and to perform a defrosting operation for defrosting the outdoor heat exchanger in which the outdoor heat exchanger serving as the high temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle is defrosted by flowing a refrigerant in a direction opposite to a direction during a time of the warming operation, wherein in the outdoor heat exchanger, many fins are fixed to a refrigerant pipe to be close to one another, an airflow passes through between the fins to perform the heat exchange, and a water guide portion for closing a space between the fins at one end in an airflow passing direction is disposed at a lower end of the outdoor heat exchanger.

According to this structure, during the warming operation time, by driving the compressor, the refrigerant flows and the refrigeration cycle is operated. The outdoor heat exchanger forms the low temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle, and the air which performs a heat exchange with the indoor heat exchanger that forms the high temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle, is sent into a room, whereby the indoor warming is performed. At this time, the outdoor heat exchanger performs the heat exchange with outdoor air that passes through between the fins. If the outdoor heat exchanger has frost, a defrosting operation is performed. During a defrosting operation time, the refrigerant flows in a direction opposite to the direction during the warming operation time, and the outdoor heat exchanger forms the high temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle. According to this, the frost on the outdoor heat exchanger melts and the defrosted water flows down the fins. At this time, the defrosted water flowing down one end portion of the fins (e.g., an airflow outlet portion) is guided by the water guide portion, which closes a lower end space between the fins, to the other end portion (e.g., an airflow inlet portion). The defrosted water guided by the water guide portion joins the defrosted water flowing down the other end portion and falls below the outdoor heat exchanger.

Besides, the present invention is characterized in that in the air conditioner having the above structure, the defrosted water, which flows down the one end portion of the fins in the airflow passing direction during the warming operation time, is received by the water guide portion and guided to the other end portion.

Besides, the present invention is characterized in that in the air conditioner having the above structure, the water guide portion is composed of a plate-shaped member having an L shape in section that contacts the lower end of the fins and extends in a direction in which the fins are disposed to be parallel with one another. According to this structure, the defrosted water flowing down the one end portion of the fins is guided to the other end portion by the water guide portion that has the L shape in section.

Besides, the present invention is characterized in that in the air conditioner having the above structure, the water guide portion is formed by bending a corner portion that includes a lower surface of the fins. According to this structure, the defrosted water flowing down the one end portion of the fins is guided to the other end portion by the water guide portion that is obtained by bending the corner portion of the lower end of the fin.

Besides, the present invention is characterized in that in the air conditioner having the above structure, a plurality of lines of the refrigerant pipes are disposed in a zigzag pattern in the airflow passing direction, and a lower end of the refrigerant pipe disposed in the one end portion in the airflow passing direction is disposed at a position higher than a lower end of the refrigerant pipe disposed in the other end portion. According to this structure, the refrigerant pipes are disposed to be parallel with one another in the airflow passing direction of the fins, and the water guide portion is disposed on the fin where a distance from the lower end of the fin to the refrigerant pipe is longer.

Besides, the present invention is characterized in that in the air conditioner having the above structure, in the outdoor heat exchanger, the water guide portion is disposed on a downstream side in the airflow passing direction during the warming operation time. According to this structure, during the warming operation time, outdoor air performs the heat exchange with the refrigerant pipe and fins of the outdoor heat exchanger. At this time, the air passing through between the fins in a lower portion collides with the water guide portion disposed in the downstream portion and flows upward.

Besides, the present invention is characterized in that in the air conditioner having the above structure, the refrigerant pipe, which is disposed in the high temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle during the warming operation time, is disposed under the outdoor heat exchanger. According to this structure, the refrigerant pipe disposed under the outdoor heat exchanger forms the high temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle during the warming operation time and frost on a lower portion of the outdoor heat exchanger and on a bottom wall of the outdoor apparatus is alleviated.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, the water guide portion closing the space between the fins at the one end in the airflow passing direction is disposed at the lower end of the outdoor heat exchanger. According to this, it is possible to receive the defrosted water, which flows down the one end portion of the fin during the warming operation time, by means of the water guide portion and to easily guide the defrosted water to the other end portion. As a result of this, the defrosted water flowing down the one end portion of the fin joins the defrosted water flowing down the other end portion and falls downward. Because of this, the flow amount per unit area of the defrosted water guided to the lower end of the fin increases and falls fast from the lower end of the fin. According to this, it is possible to reduce the defrosted water that is held by the lower end of the fin because of the surface tension and reduce the frost amount on the outdoor heat exchanger. Accordingly, it is possible to prolong the interval of the defrosting operation and to improve the comfortableness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an inside of an outdoor apparatus of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the outdoor apparatus of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view showing an outdoor heat exchanger of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing an outdoor heat exchanger of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view seen in an arrow D direction of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment. An air conditioner 1 has an indoor apparatus 10 disposed indoors and an outdoor apparatus 20 disposed outdoors. In the air conditioner 1, a compressor 21, which flows a refrigerant in a refrigerant pipe 2 and operates a refrigeration cycle, is disposed in the outdoor apparatus 20.

The outdoor apparatus 20 is provided therein with: a four-way valve 22 connected to the compressor 21; an outdoor heat exchanger 23; an expansion valve 24; and an outdoor fan 25. The indoor apparatus 10 is provided therein with: an indoor heat exchanger 13; and an indoor fan 15. In the indoor heat exchanger 13 and outdoor heat exchanger 23, many fins 30 (see FIG. 4) are fixed to the refrigerant pipe 2 to be close to one another, and perform heat exchange with air that passes through between the fins 30.

The compressor 21 is connected to one end of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and one end of the indoor heat exchanger 13 via the four-way valve 22 by means of the refrigerant pipe 2. The other ends of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and indoor heat exchanger 13 are connected via the expansion valve 24 by means of the refrigerant pipe 2. Besides, a heat pipe 26 disposed in a lower portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 is formed by the refrigerant pipe 2 between the expansion valve 24 and the indoor heat exchanger 13.

The outdoor fan 25 is disposed to oppose the outdoor heat exchanger 23. By driving the outdoor fan 25, outdoor air is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and the heat exchange between the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and the outdoor air is promoted. The air performing the heat exchange with the outdoor heat exchanger 23 is exhausted to outside via an air outlet (not shown) that faces the outdoor fan 25 and opens from the outdoor apparatus 20.

The indoor fan 15 and the indoor heat exchanger 13 are disposed in an air path (not shown) formed in the indoor apparatus 10. By driving the indoor fan 15, indoor air flows into the air path to be supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 13, and the heat exchange is performed between the air flowing in the air path and the indoor heat exchanger 13. The air performing the heat exchange with the indoor heat exchanger 13 is sent into a room via an air outlet (not shown) that opens from the indoor apparatus 10.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an inside of the outdoor apparatus 20 of the air conditioner 1. Besides, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a main portion of the outdoor apparatus 20. In the outdoor apparatus 20, the compressor 21 is disposed on one end of a bottom plate 29 that has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from top, and that is short in a front-rear direction and long in a left-right direction. The outdoor heat exchanger 23 is formed into a substantially L shape when viewed from top and disposed upright on a side portion opposite to the compressor 21 and a rear portion of the outdoor apparatus 20. Besides, the heat pipe 26 is disposed in the lower portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 23. A water drainage hole 29a is disposed through one or more positions of the bottom plate 29 under the outdoor heat exchanger 23.

The outdoor fan 25 includes a shaft disposed in the front-rear direction and is disposed to oppose the outdoor heat exchanger 23. By driving the outdoor fan 25, outdoor air flows mainly from a rear side of the outdoor apparatus 20 to a front side as shown by an arrow B, to perform the heat exchange with the outdoor heat exchanger 23. Meanwhile, part of the air flows into the outdoor apparatus 20 from a side to perform a heat exchange via a side portion of outdoor heat exchanger 23 and is guide frontward.

FIG. 4 shows a vertical sectional view of the outdoor heat exchanger 23. The outdoor heat exchanger 23 is provided with, in the front-rear direction, two lines of the refrigerant pipes 2 that snake at a predetermined pitch P in a vertical direction. The refrigerant pipes 2 in the front-rear direction are disposed at positions deviated in the vertical direction in a zigzag pattern. According to this, it is possible to make the air flowing as shown by the arrow B contact the refrigerant pipes 2 in the front-rear direction, and to improve the heat exchange efficiency.

The refrigerant pipes 2 in the front-rear direction are each mounted with a fixed rectangular fin 30 that extends in the vertical direction, and the outdoor heat exchanger 23 is composed to be a fin and tube type. The fins 30 are disposed at a predetermined pitch (e.g., 1.3 mm) to be close to each other in a direction in which the refrigerant pipe 2 extends, and an airflow passes through between the fins 30 as shown by the arrow B. A fin 30a is disposed on the refrigerant pipe 2 on an upstream side where the airflow passes, while a fin 30b is disposed on the refrigerant pipe 2 on a downstream side.

A water guide portion 31 is disposed on and contacts a lower end of the fin 30b on the downstream side. The water guide portion 31 is formed of a metal plate shaped member that extends in the left-right direction and has an L shape in section, and closes a space between the adjacent fins 30b. The water guide portion 31 guides defrosted water which flows down the fin 30b on the downstream side, to the fin 30a on the upstream side during a defrosting operation time.

In the air conditioner having the above structure, during a warming operation time, the indoor fan 15 and the outdoor fan 25 are driven and the four-way valve 22 is switched as shown by a solid line in the figure. According to this, by driving the compressor 21, the refrigerant flows in a direction indicated by an arrow A, and the refrigerant, which is compressed by the compressor 21 to be high temperature and high pressure, radiates heat in the indoor heat exchanger 13 and condenses.

The high temperature refrigerant passes through the heat pipe 26, thereafter, is expanded by the expansion valve 24 to be low temperature and low pressure, and sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 23. Frost on the bottom plate 29 and a lower end of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 is reduced by the heat pipe 26. Especially, the amount of frost on the outdoor apparatus 20 oriented to a cold area increases, accordingly, the heat pipe 26 is often disposed under the outdoor heat exchanger 23.

The refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger 23 absorbs heat and evaporates to become a low temperature gas refrigerant and is sent to the compressor 21. According to this, the refrigerant circulates and the refrigeration cycle is operated. The air, which performs the heat exchange with the indoor heat exchanger 13 forming a high temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle, is sent in to the room by the indoor fan 15, whereby indoor warming is performed. Besides, the air, which performs the heat exchange with the outdoor heat exchanger 23 forming a low temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle, is exhausted to outside by the outdoor fan 25.

During a cooling operation time, the indoor fan 15 and the outdoor fan 25 are driven and the four-way valve 22 is switched as shown by a broken line in the figure. According to this, by driving the compressor 21, the refrigerant flows in a direction opposite to the arrow A direction, whereby the indoor heat exchanger 13 forms the low temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle, while the outdoor heat exchanger 23 forms the high temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle. The air, which performs the heat exchange with the indoor heat exchanger 13, is sent into the room by the indoor fan 15, whereby the indoor cooling is performed. Besides, the air, which performs the heat exchange with the outdoor heat exchanger 23 which forms the high temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle, is exhausted to the outside by the outdoor fan 25.

Besides, the outdoor heat exchanger 23 forming the low temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle during a warming operation has frost, accordingly, the defrosting operation is performed at a predetermined interval. During the defrosting operation, the indoor fan 15 and the outdoor fan 25 are stopped and the four-way valve 22 is switched as shown by a broken line in the figure. According to this, by driving the compressor 21, the refrigerant flows in the direction opposite to the arrow A direction, whereby the indoor heat exchanger 13 forms the low temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle, while the outdoor heat exchanger 23 forms the high temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle.

Because of the stopping of the outdoor fan 25, the heat exchange between the outdoor heat exchanger 23 and outdoor air is alleviated, and it is possible to efficiently raise the outdoor heat exchanger 23 in temperature. Besides, by the stopping of the indoor fan 15, it is possible to prevent low temperature air from being sent into the room.

Because of the temperature rise of the outdoor heat exchanger 23, the frost on the outdoor heat exchanger 23 melts and flows down the fins 30. The defrosted water, which flows down the fin 30b in one end portion (downstream side) in an airflow passing direction, is received by the water guide portion 31 closing the lower end and guided to the other end portion (upstream side). The defrosted water, which flows down the fin 30a on the upstream side in the airflow passing direction, joins the defrosted water on the downstream side guided by the water guide portion 31 and falls from a lower end of the fin 30a. The defrosted water falling from the outdoor heat exchanger 23 is drained via the water drainage hole 29a.

At this time, the flow amount per unit area of the defrosted water, which is drained from the lower end of the fin 30 on part of which the water guide portion 31 is disposed, increases compared with a case where the water guide portion 31 is not disposed, and falls fast from the lower end of the fin 30. According to this, it is possible to reduce the defrosted water that is held by the lower end of the fin 30 because of surface tension.

Meanwhile, if the water drainage hole 29a is disposed under the fin 30a on which the water guide portion 31 is not disposed, the drainage improves. In other words, by disposing the water drainage hole 29a at a position on which the defrosted water, which flows down the fin 30 and joins because of the water guide portion 31, falls, it is possible to easily drain the defrosted water via the water drainage hole 29a.

According to the present embodiment, the water guide portion 31 closing the space between the fins 30b at one end in the airflow passing direction is disposed at the lower end of the outdoor heat exchanger 23. According to this, during the defrosting operation time, by using the water guide portion 31, it is possible to receive the defrosted water flowing down one (fin 30b) of the fin 30 and to easily guide the defrosted water to the other one (fin 30a). As a result of this, the defrosted water flowing down the fin 30b on one side joins the defrosted water flowing down the fin 30a on the other side and falls downward.

Because of this, the flow amount per unit area of the defrosted water drained from the lower end of the fin 30 increases and falls fast from the lower end of the fin 30. According to this, it is possible to reduce the defrosted water held by the lower end of the fin 30 because of the surface tension and to reduce the frost amount on the outdoor heat exchanger 23. Accordingly, it is possible to prolong the interval of the defrosting operation and to improve comfortableness.

Besides, by using the plate-shaped member having the L shape in section that extends in the parallel disposition direction of the fin 30 and contacts the lower end of the fin 30, it is possible to easily provide the water guide portion 31 that guides the defrosted water.

Besides, the heat pipe 26 (refrigerant pipe 2), which is disposed at the high temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle during the warming operation time, is disposed under the outdoor heat exchanger 23, accordingly, it is possible to reduce the frost on a bottom plate of the outdoor apparatus 20 and a lower portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 23. Instead of the heat pipe 26, a heater such as a glass pipe heater or the like may be disposed.

Meanwhile, the water guide portion 31 may be disposed on the fin 30 on the upstream side in the airflow passing direction during the warming operation time. However, if the water guide portion 31 is disposed on the upstream side, the airflow flows in a direction opposite to the arrow B direction, and the airflow guided to the lower portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 collides with the water guide portion 31 to be scattered upward and downward. Because of this, the airflow does not contact the refrigerant pipe 2 in a lower portion that opposes the water guide portion 31 and the fins 30 at the lower portion, accordingly, the heat exchange efficiency declines.

If the water guide portion 31 is disposed on the fin 30b on the downstream side in the airflow passing direction during the warming operation time, the airflow in the lower portion of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 performs the heat exchange with the refrigerant pipe 2 and the fin 30, thereafter, collides with the water guide portion 31 and flows upward. According to this, compared with the case where the water guide portion 31 is disposed on the upstream side in the airflow passing direction, heat exchange area increases and it is possible to improve the heat exchange efficiency.

Next, FIG. 5 shows a vertical sectional view of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 of the air conditioner 1 according to a second embodiment. Besides, FIG. 6 shows a view when seen in an arrow D direction of FIG. 5. For the sake of description, the same portions as the above first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 are indicated by the same reference numbers. In the present embodiment, instead of the water guide portion 31 (see FIG. 4) in the first embodiment, a water guide portion 32 is disposed. The other portions are the same as the first embodiment.

The water guide portion 32 is formed by bending a corner portion that includes a lower surface of the fin 30b of the outdoor heat exchanger 23. Besides, the refrigerant pipes 2 are disposed in a zigzag pattern, and the lower end of the refrigerant pipe 2 disposed on the downstream side in the airflow passing direction is disposed at a position higher than the lower portion of the refrigerant pipe 2 disposed on the upstream side. Because of this, a distance H 2 between the lower end of the fin 30b on the downstream side forming the water guide portion 32 and the refrigerant pipe 2 at the lowest portion is larger than a distance H1 between the lower end of the fin 30a on the upstream side and the refrigerant pipe 2 at the lowest portion. According to this, it is possible to easily form the water guide portion 32 by bending the fin 30b.

At this time, the fins 30b are disposed in parallel with one another in the direction in which the refrigerant pipe 2 extends, and the distance between the adjacent fins 30b is narrow. Because of this, the water guide portions 32 obtained by bending the adjacent fins 30b overlap one another and close the space between the adjacent fins 30b.

The defrosted water, which flows down the fin 30b in the one end portion (downstream side) in an airflow passing direction during the defrosting operation time, is received by the water guide portion 32 closing the lower end and guided to the other end portion (upstream side). The defrosted water, which flows down the fin 30a on the upstream side in the airflow passing direction, joins the defrosted water on the downstream side guided by the water guide portion 32 and falls. The defrosted water falling from the outdoor heat exchanger 23 is drained via the water drainage hole 29a.

At this time, compared with a case where the water guide portion 32 is not disposed, the flow amount per unit area of the defrosted water, which is drained from the lower end of the fin 30 on part of which the water guide portion 32 is disposed, increases and falls fast from the lower end of the fin 30. According to this, it is possible to reduce the defrosted water that is held by the lower end of the fin 30 because of the surface tension.

According to the present embodiment, the water guide portion 32, which closes the space between the fins 30 at the one end in the airflow passing direction, is disposed at the lower end of the outdoor heat exchanger 23. According to this, like the first embodiment, during the defrosting operation time, by using the water guide portion 32, it is possible to receive the defrosted water flowing down the one (fin 30b) of the fin 30 and to easily guide the defrosted water to the other one (fin 30a). As a result of this, the defrosted water flowing down the fin 30b on the one side joins the defrosted water flowing down the fin 30a on the other side and falls downward.

Because of this, the flow amount per unit area of the defrosted water drained from the lower end of the fin 30 increases and falls fast from the lower end of the fin 30. According to this, it is possible to reduce the defrosted water held by the lower end of the fin 30 because of the surface tension and to reduce the frost amount on the outdoor heat exchanger 23. Accordingly, it is possible to prolong the interval of the defrosting operation and to improve the comfortableness.

Besides, it is possible to easily form the water guide portion 32 for guiding the defrosted water by bending the corner portion that includes the lower surface of the fin 30.

Besides, the plurality of lines of refrigerant pipes 2 are disposed in the zigzag pattern in the airflow passing direction, and the lower end of the refrigerant pipe 2 on the downstream side is disposed at the position higher than the lower portion of the refrigerant pipe 2 on the upstream side, accordingly, it is possible to easily form the water guide portion 32 by bending the fin 30.

Meanwhile, like the above description, the water guide portion 32 may be disposed on the fin 30 on the upstream side in the airflow passing direction during the warming operation time. However, if the water guide portion 32 is disposed on the fin 30 on the downstream side in the airflow passing direction during the warming operation time, compared with the case where the water guide portion 32 is disposed on the upstream side in the airflow passing direction, the heat exchange area increases and it is possible to improve the heat exchange efficiency.

In the present embodiment, structure may be employed, in which for example, soldering is applied to the portion where the water guide portions 32 of the adjacent fins 30b overlap to fill up a gap of the overlapping portion. According to this structure, the gap occurring at the overlapping portion of the water guide portions 32 is closed, accordingly, it becomes easy to guide the defrosted water on the downstream side to the upstream side.

In the first and second embodiments, the refrigerant pipes 2 disposed in parallel with each other in the front and rear portions of the outdoor heat exchanger 23 are mounted with the fixed separate fins 30a and 30b, however, fin common to the refrigerant pipes 2 in the front and rear portions may be disposed. In other words, each of the fins disposed in parallel with each other in the direction in which the refrigerant pipes 2 extend may be fixed bridging the refrigerant pipes 2 in the front and rear portions.

Hereinbefore, the embodiments of the present invention are described, however, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and it is possible to make various modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention and put them into practical use.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is usable for an air conditioner that performs a warming operation and a defrosting operation.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1 air conditioner

2 refrigerant pipe

10 indoor apparatus

13 indoor heat exchanger

15 indoor fan

20 outdoor apparatus

21 compressor

22 four-way valve

23 outdoor heat exchanger

24 expansion valve

25 outdoor fan

26 heat pipe

29 bottom plate

30 fin

31, 32 water guide portions

Claims

1. An air conditioner comprising: a compressor that operates a refrigeration cycle; an indoor heat exchanger that performs heat exchange with indoor air; and an outdoor heat exchanger that performs the heat exchange with outdoor air,

the compressor is driven to perform a warming operation in which the indoor heat exchanger is used as a high temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle and the outdoor heat exchanger is used as a low temperature portion, and to perform a defrosting operation for defrosting the outdoor heat exchanger in which the outdoor heat exchanger serving as the high temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle is defrosted by flowing a refrigerant in a direction opposite to a direction during a time of the warming operation, wherein

in the outdoor heat exchanger, many fins are fixed to a refrigerant pipe to be close to one another, an airflow passes through between the fins to perform the heat exchange, and a water guide portion for closing a space between the fins at one end in an airflow passing direction is disposed at a lower end of the outdoor heat exchanger.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein

defrosted water, which flows down one end portion of the fins in the airflow passing direction during the warming operation time, is received by the water guide portion and guided to other end portion.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein

the water guide portion is composed of a plate-shaped member having an L shape in section that contacts the lower end of the fins and extends in a direction in which the fins are disposed to be parallel with one another.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein

the water guide portion is formed by bending a corner portion that includes a lower surface of the fin.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein

a plurality of lines of the refrigerant pipes are disposed in a zigzag pattern in the airflow passing direction, and a lower end of the refrigerant pipe disposed in the one end portion in the airflow passing direction is disposed at a position higher than a lower end of the refrigerant pipe disposed in the other end portion.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein

in the outdoor heat exchanger, the water guide portion is disposed on a downstream side in the airflow passing direction during the warming operation time.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein

the refrigerant pipe, which is disposed in the high temperature portion of the refrigeration cycle during the warming operation time, is disposed under the outdoor heat exchanger.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein

a plurality of lines of the refrigerant pipes are disposed in a zigzag pattern in the airflow passing direction, and a lower end of the refrigerant pipe disposed in the one end portion in the airflow passing direction is disposed at a position higher than a lower end of the refrigerant pipe disposed in the other end portion.