HEAT EXCHANGER, OUTDOOR UNIT AND REFRIGERATION APPARATUS

Abstract

A heat pump chiller includes a casing having a compressor, etc. inside thereof and four flat-plate shaped air heat exchangers disposed on side surfaces of the casing and extending vertically. Two air heat exchangers constitute a first heat exchanger body and a second heat exchanger body. Respective heat exchanger bodies are positioned with end parts extending toward outside of the air heat exchangers to be close to each other.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger, an outdoor unit that includes the heat exchanger, and a refrigeration apparatus that includes the outdoor unit, and particularly relates to structures for a heat exchanger.

BACKGROUND ART

As described in Patent Document 1, some conventional refrigeration apparatus such as large chiller apparatus disposed on roofs of buildings are known. As shown in FIG. 9, an outdoor unit (a) of a heat pump chiller is known as this sort of chiller apparatus. The outdoor unit (a) includes a box-like casing (c) formed in the shape of a rough rectangular parallelepiped having air suction ports (b) on both sides that are opposite to each other, a plurality of heat exchangers (d) each in the shape of a flat plate that are disposed at the air suction port (b) and disposed inside of the casing (c) and disposed to take the form of an inverted M-shape when viewed from the front, and a fan (f) disposed inside of an air outlet port (e) formed on an upper surface of the casing (c).

CITATION LIST

Patent Document

PATENT DOCUMENT 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-202857

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Technical Problem

The heat exchanger (d) of the outdoor unit (a) in a conventional heat pump chiller was disposed to constitute a flat side surface of the casing (c). Meanwhile, a plurality of the outdoor units (a) can be disposed in parallel or disposed adjacent to a wall, etc. In this case, it is necessary to secure space of a specified interval around each of the outdoor units (a) so that air will be taken in for the heat exchanger (d).

In a case where the heat exchange area of the heat exchanger (d) is to be increased, it is necessary to increase the length of the heat exchanger (d) longitudinally while keeping the space with the specified interval around the above outdoor unit (a). However, there has been a problem in which the total area (occupancy area) of the installation area for the outdoor unit (a) and the area occupied by, for example, the space between the outdoor unit (a) and other outdoor units (a) are increased when the heat exchanger (d) is lengthened.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to increase the size of a heat exchanger without increasing the occupancy area when a heat exchanger is installed.

Solution to the Problem

First, a first heat exchanger is placed on a both side surface of a casing (11) and includes a first heat exchanger body (21) and a second heat exchanger body (23) each extending along a side surface of the casing (11). Each of the first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger body (23) includes linear shaped first and second heat exchanger parts (22) and (24) extending toward outside of the casing (11) so that a middle part forms a top part (20a) of an obtuse angle positioned outside of the casing (11) in plan view.

Air outside of the casing (11) flows from outside of the respective heat exchanger bodies (21, 23) through the heat exchanger bodies (21, 23) into the casing (11) in the heat exchanger. Air that has flown in the casing (11) exchanges heat with refrigerant that flows inside of the heat exchanger bodies (21, 23) while the air passes through the heat exchanger bodies (21, 23).

In a second heat exchanger, the first heat exchanger part (22) and the second heat exchanger part (24) of the first heat exchanger are configured to be independent of each other, and the first heat exchanger part (22) and the second heat exchanger part (24) of the respective heat exchanger bodies (21, 23) are positioned so that end parts (22b, 24b) forming the top part (20a) are close to each other.

Air outside of the casing (11) passes through the respective first heat exchanger part (22) and the first heat exchanger part (24) into the casing (11) in the heat exchanger. The air exchanges heat with refrigerant that flows inside of the first heat exchanger part (22) and the second heat exchanger part (24) while the air passes through the first heat exchanger part (22) and respective second heat exchanger part (24).

In a third heat exchanger, the first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger body (23) of the first heat exchanger are positioned so that end parts (22a, 24a) of the first heat exchanger body (21) and end parts (22a, 24a) of the second heat exchanger body (23) are positioned to have a predetermined distance.

In the third heat exchanger, work such as maintenance in the casing (11) is performed from clearance between the end parts (22a, 24a) of the respective heat exchanger parts (22, 24) of the first heat exchanger body (21) and of the respective heat exchanger parts (22, 24) of the second heat exchanger body (23).

A first outdoor unit includes any one of the first to third heat exchangers (20) and the casing (11) thereof.

In the outdoor unit, air outside of the casing (11) flows from outside of the respective heat exchanger bodies (21, 23) through the heat exchanger bodies (21, 23) into the casing (11). Air that has been flown in the casing (11) exchanges heat with refrigerant that flows in the heat exchanger bodies (21, 23) while the air passes through the heat exchanger bodies (21, 23).

A second outdoor unit is the first outdoor unit in which the casing (11) and the heat exchanger (20) together form an outdoor unit body (1B), and multiple ones of the outdoor unit body (1B) are provided in the outdoor unit to be arranged in parallel in a width direction.

In the outdoor unit, given space is secured between a plurality of outdoor unit bodies (1B) and, in addition, the heat exchanger (20) is enlarged.

A third outdoor unit is the first or second outdoor unit in which the casing (11) includes a fan mechanism (13) for providing air to the first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger body (23) in the area that is enclosed by the first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger body (23).

In the outdoor unit, the fan mechanism (13) takes in air outside of the casing (11) through the first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger body (23) into the casing (11). The fan mechanism (13) releases air taken in the casing (11) outside of the casing (11)

A fourth outdoor unit is one of the first to third outdoor units in which an air guide part (35) is disposed outside of the first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger body (23) to feed air to the respective heat exchanger bodies (21, 23).

In the outdoor unit, air outside of the casing (11) is guided to the air guide part (35), passes through the first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger body (23) into the casing (11).

The refrigeration apparatus includes one outdoor unit (1A) of one of the first to fourth outdoor units.

Advantages of the Invention

In the first heat exchanger, the first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger body (23) include the first and second heat exchanger parts (22) and (24) extending toward outside of the casing (11) so that the heat exchanger bodies (21, 23) can be enlarged using clearance (space) required to provide air to the heat exchanger bodies (21, 23).

In the second heat exchanger, the first heat exchanger part (22) and the second heat exchanger part (24) of the heat exchanger bodies (21, 23) are independent of each other so that mounting work can be made easy.

In the third heat exchanger, the end parts (22a, 24a) of the first heat exchanger body (21) and the end parts (22a, 24a) of the second heat exchanger body (23) have given clearance so that maintenance work can be conducted through the clearance. This can increase maintenance performance.

In the first outdoor unit, the first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger body (23) include the first heat exchanger part (22) and the second heat exchanger part (24) extending toward outside of the casing (11) so that the heat exchanger (20) can be enlarged while securing given space around the outdoor unit.

In the second outdoor unit, a plurality of outdoor unit bodies (1B) are placed in parallel so that air can be provided to the heat exchanger (20) without increasing total area (occupancy area) of installation area of the outdoor unit body (1B) and clearance between two outdoor units (1B) even if the heat exchanger (20) is enlarged. This allows the heat exchanger (20) to be enlarged using the clearance (space) outside of the heat exchanger while securing air flow to the heat exchanger (20). As a result, the heat exchanger (20) can be enlarged without increasing occupancy area when installing the outdoor unit body (1B).

In the third outdoor unit, since the casing (11) is provided with the fan mechanism (13) in the area enclosed with the first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger body (23), air outside of the casing (11) can be securely provided to the heat exchanger bodies (21, 23). This enables to conduct heat exchange between provided air and the heat exchanger parts (22, 24).

In the fourth outdoor unit (1A), since the air guide part (35) is provided outside of the casing (11), air outside of the casing (11) can be provided into the casing (11) without gap in a case where a plurality of connected outdoor unit bodies (1B) are installed.

In the refrigeration apparatus, the heat exchanger (20) can be enlarged while securing given space around the outdoor unit (1A).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an outdoor unit of a heat pump chiller according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an outdoor unit body of a heat pump chiller according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2(A) is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the outdoor unit body. FIG. 2(B) is a perspective view illustrating an inner structure of the outdoor unit body.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view illustrating an outdoor unit according to a first embodiment from above.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating an outdoor unit according to a first variation of a first embodiment from above.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view illustrating an outdoor unit according to a second variation of a first embodiment from above.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view illustrating an outdoor unit according to a second embodiment from above.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view illustrating an outdoor unit according to a third embodiment from above.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view illustrating an outdoor unit according to a fourth embodiment from above.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an outdoor unit of a heat pump chiller according to a conventional example.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1

A refrigeration apparatus according to a first embodiment constitutes a heat pump chiller (10) as shown in FIG. 1. The heat pump chiller (10) includes an outdoor unit (1A) disposed on the roof of a structure such as a building to cool or heat water for air conditioner to be supplied to the structure. The outdoor unit (1A) includes three outdoor unit bodies (1B) and the three outdoor unit bodies (1B) are placed in parallel in the width direction.

The heat pump chiller (10) comprises a refrigerant circuit (not shown) and a casing (11) with its inner space made as a machine room (14) as shown in FIG .2.

The casing (11) includes an outer wall formed in the shape of a general hexagon in plan view when the casing is seen from above, an upper wall (11a) and a lower wall (11b) formed on the outer end and on the lower end, respectively, of the outer wall in the shape of a general hexagon. The upper wall (11a) of the casing (11) is formed in the shape of a general hexagon and air injection ports are formed on three locations which are not shown. A filter (12) for covering the air injection port from outside of the casing (11) is attached to each air injection port. A blower fan (13) is provided on the inside of the casing (11) of the air injection port.

The blower fan (13) is an axial flow fan (e.g. propeller fan) and constitutes a fan mechanism. Three blower fans (13) are respectively disposed at three air injection ports so that air taken from outside of the casing (11) into the casing (11) blows outside again through the air injection ports.

A hole part is formed in each of four outer wall sides to extend from the lower wall (11b) to the upper wall (11a) of the casing (11) at the both sides along the longitudinal direction of the casing (11). A heat exchanger (20) is formed in the four hole parts.

The shorter sides of the casing (11) constitutes a front part and a back part. In the front part, a hole part for maintenance is formed to extend from the lower wall (11b) to the upper wall (11a) of the casing (11) so that maintenance of a compressor (31) etc. in the casing (11) can be performed. A door (15) for maintenance described later is provided in the hole part for maintenance. The back part at the shorter sides of the casing (11) constitutes a back wall (16).

The heat exchanger (20) is made of four air heat exchangers (22, 22, 24, 24). The air heat exchangers (22, 22, 24, 24) are fitted into the four holes respectively. That is, the respective air heat exchangers (22, 22, 24, 24) constitute the outer wall of the casing (11).

The air heat exchangers (22, 22, 24, 24) are formed in the shape of a flat plate as shown in FIG. 3, and is made of air heat exchangers extending linearly in plan view. Two of the four air heat exchangers (22, 22, 24, 24) are disposed at each side of the casing (11) in the longitudinal direction. The respective air heat exchangers (22, 22, 24, 24) are disposed to extend vertically from the lower wall (11b) to the upper wall (11a) of the casing (11). The air heat exchangers (22, 22, 24, 24) respectively constitute heat exchangers.

Two heat exchangers (22, 24) placed on one longer side of the casing (11) of the four heat exchangers (22, 22, 24, 24) constitute one first heat exchanger body (21), and two heat exchangers (22, 24) placed on the other longer side of the casing (11) constitute one second heat exchanger body (23). Specifically, the first heat exchanger body (21) is placed on the right side of the casing (11) in FIG. 3, the second heat exchanger body (23) is placed on the left side of the casing (11) in FIG. 3, and the first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger body (23) are placed opposite to each other.

That is, the first heat exchanger body (21) is made of the first heat exchanger body (22) placed under the casing (11) in FIG. 3 and the second heat exchanger body (24) placed above the casing (11). The second heat exchanger body (23) is made of of the first heat exchanger body (22) placed under the casing (11) and the second heat exchanger body (24) placed above the casing (11) in FIG. 3. The first heat exchanger body (22) and the second heat exchanger body (24) are composed to be independent of each other.

The first heat exchanger (22) of the first heat exchanger body (21) and the first heat exchanger (22) of the second heat exchanger body (23) are disposed so that their crossing point of extending lines make an acute angle in plan view. The end part (22a) of the first heat exchanger body (21) and the end part (22a) of the second heat exchanger body (23) making the acute angle are disposed to have a clearance of some dozens of centimeters to approximately one meter inbetween. That is, the hole part for maintenance is formed between the two end parts (22a) of the first air heat exchangers (22) making the acute angle.

The second heat exchanger (24) of the first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger (24) of the second heat exchanger body (23) are disposed so that their crossing point of extending lines make an acute angle in plan view. The end part (24a) of the first heat exchanger body (21) and the end part (24a) of the second heat exchanger body (23) making the acute angle are disposed to have a clearance of some dozens of centimeters to approximately one meter inbetween. That is, the back wall (16) is formed between the two end parts (24a) of the second air heat exchangers (24) making the acute angle.

The first heat exchanger (22) of the first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger body (24) are disposed so that the center part of the first heat exchanger body (21) makes a top part (20a) of an obtuse angle placed outside of the casing (11) in plan view. The first heat exchanger (22) and second heat exchanger body (24) of the second heat exchanger body (23) are disposed so that the center part of the second heat exchanger body (23) makes a top part (20a) of an obtuse angle placed outside of the casing (11) in plan view.

In the first heat exchanger body (21), the end part (22b) of the first air heat exchanger (22) forming the top part (20a) and the end part (24b) of the second heat exchanger (24) are positioned to be close to each other. In the second heat exchanger body (23), the end part (22b) of the first air heat exchanger (22) forming the top part (20a) and the end part (24b) of the second heat exchanger (24) are positioned to be close to each other.

That is, the end part (22b) of the first air heat exchanger (22) and the end part (24b) of the second heat exchanger (24) form one of the top parts (20a) of the outer wall each formed in the shape of a general hexagon in plan view. The blower fan (13) is provided in an area enclosed with the first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger body (23) in plan view when viewed from above the casing (11).

The door (15) for maintenance is formed to be a door that can be opened and closed. The door (15) for maintenance is provided to extend from the lower wall (11b) to the upper wall (11a) of the casing (11) in the opening for maintenance provided in the front part of the shorter side of the casing (11). Thus, workers can conduct maintenance of a compressor (31), a water heat exchanger (32) and an electric component box (not shown) in the casing (11) after opening the door (15) for maintenance.

A compressor (31) for compressing refrigerant, a water heat exchanger (32) for adjusting temperature of water for air conditioner to be adjusted, an expansion valve (not shown) and an electric component box (not shown) are provided in the casing (11). The compressor (31), a water heat exchanger (32), a 4-way valve (not shown), an expansion valve (not shown) and the air heat exchangers (22, 22, 24, 24) constitute a refrigerant circuit of a vapor compression type. The refrigerant circuit can cool or heat water for air conditioner by switching the 4-way valve (not shown) to circulate refrigerant in a reversible way. What is provided in the casing (11) is not limited to the compressor (31), the water heat exchanger (32), the expansion valve (not shown) and the electric component box (not shown). The electric component box (not shown) contains electric boards, wires, etc. for controlling operation of a heat pump chiller (10).

Operation

Hereinafter, operation of the first embodiment is described.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, the heat pump chiller (10) takes in air outside of the casing (11) through the first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger body (23) into the casing (11) when the blower fan (13) is operated. At this time, air outside of the casing (11) is taken in the casing (11) from clearances respectively formed between the first heat exchanger bodies (21) and the second heat exchanger bodies (23) of adjacent outdoor unit bodies (1B) through the air heat exchangers (22, 22, 24, 24). When outside air is taken, the air absorbs heat from refrigerant in the air heat exchangers (22, 22, 24, 24) to be heated. Air taken in the casing (11) of each of the outdoor unit bodies (1B) passes through the blower fan to be released outside of the casing (11).

Next, operation of a refrigerant circuit when water for air conditioner in the water heat exchanger (32) is used for cooling water is described.

In the refrigerant circuit, operation of a compressor (31) is started and the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor (31). The compressed refrigerant ejected from the compressor (31) flows to the first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger body (23). In the first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger body (23), heat of refrigerant is released to air to heat air taken in the casing (11) when air outside of the casing (11) passes through the air heat exchangers (22, 22, 24, 24) constituting the heat exchanger bodies (21, 23). The refrigerant that was released into air to be cooled expands at the expansion valve and flows into the water heat exchanger (32). In the water heat exchanger (32), refrigerant absorbs heat from water for air conditioner flowing in the water heat exchanger (32) and water for air conditioner is cooled. The cooled water for air conditioner is fed into the building. The refrigerant flown out of the water heat exchanger (32) is sucked into the compressor (31) again and is compressed.

Hereinafter, operation of a refrigerant circuit when water for air conditioner in the water heat exchanger (32) is used for heating is described.

In the refrigerant circuit, operation of a compressor (31) is started and the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor (31). The compressed refrigerant ejected from the compressor (31) flows into the water heat exchanger (32). In the water heat exchanger (32), refrigerant releases heat to water for air conditioner flowing in the water heat exchanger (32) and the water for air conditioner is heated. The heated water for air conditioner is fed into the building. The refrigerant flown from the water heat exchanger (32) is expanded by the expansion valve and then flows into the first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger body (23). In the first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger body (23), refrigerant absorbs heat from air to cool air taken in the casing (11) when air outside of the casing (11) passes through the air heat exchangers (22, 22, 24, 24) constituting the heat exchanger bodies (21, 23). The refrigerant flown out of the air heat exchangers (22, 22, 24, 24) is sucked into the compressor (31) again and is compressed.

To conduct maintenance work, workers can stop a heat pump chiller (10), open a door (15) for maintenance and conduct maintenance of the compressor (31) in the casing (11).

Advantages of Embodiment 1

According to the embodiment 1, since two flat-plate air heat exchangers (22, 24) are positioned to constitute the top part (20a) of an obtuse angle in plan view, the area of each air heat exchanger (22, 22, 24, 24) can be increased.

Moreover, in the air heat exchanger bodies (21, 23), since end parts (22b, 24b) extending toward outside of the air heat exchangers (22, 22, 24, 24) are placed to be close to each other, air flow can be generated between adjacent outdoor unit bodies (1B) even if a plurality of outdoor unit bodies (1B) are adjacently placed in parallel. This allows each heat exchanger (22, 24) to be enlarged using the clearance between adjacent heat exchanger bodies while securing air flow to the air heat exchangers (22, 24). As a result, the heat exchanger (20) can be enlarged without increasing occupancy area when installing a plurality of outdoor unit bodies (1B) in parallel.

Moreover, since the heat exchangers (22, 24) of the heat exchanger bodies (21, 23) are independent of each other so that mounting work can be made easy.

Furthermore, since given clearance is provided between the end parts (22a, 24a) of the first heat exchanger part (21) and the end part (22a, 24a) of the second heat exchanger body (23), maintenance work for compressor (31) , etc. inside the casing (11) can be conducted through the clearance. As a result, maintenance performance of the heat pump chiller (10) can be increased.

In the casing (11), since the casing (11) is provided with the fan mechanism (13) in the area enclosed with the first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger body (23), air outside of the casing (11) can be supplied to the air heat exchangers (22, 22, 24, 24) constituting the heat exchanger bodies (21, 23). This allows heat exchange to be securely conducted between provided air and the air heat exchangers (22, 22, 24, 24).

Variation 1 of Embodiment 1

Hereinafter, operation of the first variation of first embodiment is described. In the first variation, an air guide plate (35) shown in FIG. 4 is provided outside of the heat pump chiller (10) of the first embodiment.

Specifically, in the first variation, an air guide plate (35) is provided outside of the casing (11) of the heat pump chiller (10).

The air guide plate (35) is made of a plate component formed in the shape of a flat plate. The air guide plate constitutes an air guide part. Two the air guide plates (35) are provided between adjacent outdoor unit bodies (1B). Specifically, one air guide plate (35) is provided between the first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger body (23) adjacent to each other.

When the blower fan (13) of the outdoor unit body (1B) starts operation, air flows toward the outdoor unit body (1B) as shown in FIG. 4. This flow of air is separated at the air guide plate (35) and is guided to one side and the other side of adjacent outdoor unit bodies (1B).

Since the air guide plate (35) that guides flow of air taken into the casing (11) is provided in the first variation, air outside of the casing (11) can be supplied to the casings (11) of adjacent outdoor unit bodies (1B) without gap. Other configurations, operation, and advantages are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Variation 2 of Embodiment 2

Hereinafter, operation of the second variation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The second variation is different from the first embodiment in the structure of the door (15) for maintenance of the heat pump chiller (10).

Specifically, the door (40) for maintenance in the second variation has a given thickness and is formed in the shape of a box with its inside formed hollow to be formed as a door that can be opened and closed to the inside of the casing (11) as shown in FIG. 5. The door (40) for maintenance has a lid material (not shown). The door (40) for maintenance is formed to be integrated with an electric component box (not shown) and contains electric board, wires, etc. for operating a heat pump chiller (10). This means that the door (40) for maintenance corresponds to the electric component box (not shown) contained in the casing (11) of the first embodiment. This door (40) for maintenance is provided from the lower wall (11b) to the upper wall (11 a) of the casing (11) in the opening for maintenance provided in one side part of the shorter sides of the casing (11).

Therefore, workers can conduct maintenance of the compressor (31), the water heat exchanger (32), etc. in the casing (11) after opening the door (40) for maintenance. By opening a lid material (not shown) of door (40) for maintenance, maintenance of electric boards, wires, etc. contained inside can be conducted.

Since the door (40) for maintenance formed integrated with the electric component box (not shown) is provided in the second variation, internal space of the casing (11) can be enlarged. This can increase maintenance performance inside the casing (11). The door (40) for maintenance formed integrated with the electric component box (not shown) can provide more space in the internal space of the casing (11) corresponding to the space in which the conventional electric component box (40) was installed. This allows the casing to be made smaller by the space which was occupied by the electric component box (not shown) in the casing (11). Other configurations, operation, and advantages are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Embodiment 2

Hereinafter, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

The second embodiment is different from the heat pump chiller (10) of the first embodiment in the first heat exchanger body (21), the second heat exchanger body (23) and construction of end part of the second embodiment. The second embodiment will be described regarding its difference from the first embodiment.

Specifically, a heat pump chiller (10) of the second embodiment is disposed so that the second heat exchanger (24) of the first air heat exchanger body (21) and the end part (24b) of the second heat exchanger (24) of the second heat exchanger body (23) are positioned to be close to contact with each other as shown in FIG. 6.

In the second embodiment, since the first air heat exchanger body (21) and the end part (24b) of the second heat exchanger (24) of the second heat exchanger body (23) are positioned to be close to contact with each other, the area of the second air heat exchanger (24) of the second embodiment is larger than the area of the second heat exchanger (23) of the first embodiment. This allows the area of the air heat exchanger (24) with respect to installation area of casing (11) to be increased. Other configurations, operation and advantages are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Embodiment 3

Hereinafter, a third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

The end part constructions of the air heat exchangers (22, 24) of the first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger body (23) of the third embodiment are different from the heat pump chiller (10) of the first embodiment. The third embodiment will be described regarding its difference from the first embodiment.

Specifically, a heat pump chiller (10) of the third embodiment is disposed so that the first heat exchanger (22) of the first air heat exchanger body (21) and the end part (22a) of the first air heat exchanger (22) of the second heat exchanger body (23) are positioned to be close to contact with each other and the second air heat exchanger (24) of the first heat exchanger body (21) and the end part (24a) of the second air heat exchanger (24) of the second heat exchanger body (23) are positioned to be close to contact with each other as shown in FIG. 7.

A hole part for maintenance, which is not shown, is formed on the lower part of the outer wall along the longitudinal direction of the casing (11) so that maintenance of a compressor (31), etc. disposed in the casing (11) can be conducted. The hole part for maintenance is formed below the respective air heat exchangers (22, 22, 24, 24), and extends from the middle portion of the casing (11) in the vertical direction to the lower wall (11b). Workers can conduct maintenance of the compressor (31), etc. in the casing (11) from the hole part.

In the third embodiment, since the air heat exchangers (22, 24) of the first air heat exchanger body (21) and the air heat exchangers (22, 24) of the second heat exchanger (23) are disposed so that the end parts (22a, 24a) on which side they contact with each other contact with each other, the area of the air heat exchanger (22, 22, 24, 24) of the third embodiment is larger than the area of the air heat exchanger (22, 22, 24, 24) of the first embodiment. This allows the area of the air heat exchanger (22, 22, 24, 24) of the first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger body (23) with respect to the installation area of the casing (11) to be increased. Moreover, maintenance work for the compressor (31), etc. inside of the casing (11) can be conducted through the hole part for maintenance in the lower part of the casing (11). Other configurations, operation, and advantages are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Embodiment 4

Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

This embodiment is different from the heat pump chiller (10) of the first embodiment in the structures of the first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger body (23). The fourth embodiment will be described regarding its difference with the first embodiment.

Specifically, in the heat pump chiller (10) of the fourth embodiment, first heat exchanger body (21) and the second heat exchanger body (23) is made of one air heat exchanger (25, 26) as shown in FIG. 8.

The air heat exchangers (25, 26) are fitted into hole parts respectively formed in the outer wall surfaces of two both sides along the longitudinal direction of the casing (11). That is, the side surfaces of the casing (11) constitutes one air heat exchanger (25, 26). The air heat exchanger (25, 26) form top parts (20a, 20a) with one air heat exchanger formed into the shape of a flat plate that is folded in the middle. The air heat exchanger (25, 26) of the embodiment can be formed only on opposing sides of the adjacent casings (11, 11). Other configurations, operation, and advantages are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Other Embodiments

The foregoing first embodiment to third embodiment of the present invention may be changed as follows.

Though three connected outdoor unit bodies (1B) are disposed in the first to third embodiments, the present invention is applicable to connective disposition of two or more outdoor unit bodies (1B).

The foregoing embodiments are merely preferred examples in nature, and are not intended to limit the scope, applications, and use of the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is useful for refrigeration apparatus including a heat exchanger.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

• 10 heat pump chiller (refrigeration apparatus)
• 1A outdoor unit
• 1B outdoor unit body
• 11 casing
• 13 blower fan (fan mechanism)
• 20 heat exchanger
• 21 first heat exchanger body
• 22 first air heat exchanger (heat exchanger part)
• 22a, 22b end part
• 23 second heat exchanger body
• 24 second air heat exchanger (heat exchanger part)
• 24a, 24b end part
• 35 air guide plate (air guide part)

Claims

1. A heat exchanger which is placed on a both side surface of a casing and includes a first heat exchanger body and a second heat exchanger body each extending along a side surface of the casing,

wherein each of the first heat exchanger body and the second heat exchanger body includes linear shaped first and second heat exchanger parts extending toward outside of the casing so that a middle part forms a top part of an obtuse angle positioned outside of the casing in plan view.

2. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the first heat exchanger part and the second heat exchanger part are configured to be independent of each other, and

the first heat exchanger part and the second heat exchanger part of the respective heat exchanger bodies are positioned so that end parts forming the top part are close to each other.

3. The heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the first heat exchanger body and the second heat exchanger body are positioned so that end parts of the first heat exchanger body and end parts of the second heat exchanger body are positioned to have a predetermined distance.

4. An outdoor unit comprising the casing and the heat exchanger of any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The outdoor unit according to claim 4, wherein the casing and the heat exchanger together form an outdoor unit body, and

multiple ones of the outdoor unit body are provided in the outdoor unit to be arranged in parallel in a width direction.

6. The outdoor unit according to claim 4, wherein the casing includes a fan mechanism for providing air to the first heat exchanger body and the second heat exchanger body in the area that is enclosed by the first heat exchanger body and the second heat exchanger body.

7. The outdoor unit according to claim 4, wherein an air guide part is disposed outside of the first heat exchanger body and the second heat exchanger body to feed air to the respective heat exchanger bodies.

8. A refrigeration apparatus, comprising an outdoor unit described in claim 4.