JPH11201691A - Refrigeration device having an outdoor unit - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To extend the maintenance interval by automatically removing dust and the like from a heat exchanger. A timer, an operation control device, and a fan motor control device reverse the direction of rotation of a fan motor every predetermined time. In this way, the fan 3
Is reversed, the flow of air is in the direction of peeling off seeds and dust attached to the outer surface of the heat exchanger 5 as shown by the arrow (b). As a result, seeds, refuse 5 and the like are automatically and periodically removed, and the maintenance interval can be extended.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a maintenance / management system.
The present invention relates to a refrigerating apparatus having an outdoor unit having a long interval.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it has been premised that refrigerators used in cryopumps of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, superconducting magnet cooling devices of MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Diagnostic Equipment) and the like are operated continuously day and night. The compressor unit incorporating the compressor and the heat exchanger is usually installed outdoors for reasons such as noise, vibration, and ambient temperature. Hereinafter, a compressor unit installed outdoors is referred to as an outdoor unit.

[0003]

However, in the refrigerating apparatus having the above-mentioned conventional outdoor unit, since the outdoor unit is installed outdoors and continuously operated day and night, plant seeds and garbage adhere to the heat exchanger. The performance of the heat exchanger may be reduced. In such a case, problems such as malfunction of the compressor protection device occur.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device having an outdoor unit having a long maintenance interval by automatically removing dust and the like from a heat exchanger.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems To achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is directed to a refrigerator having an outdoor unit containing a heat exchanger and a fan for cooling the heat exchanger by air. It is characterized by including a fan motor for driving a fan to rotate, and a fan motor control device for rotating the rotation direction of the fan motor forward and backward.

According to the above configuration, the seeds and debris of the plant adhering to the surface on the air inflow side of the heat exchanger when the fan rotates forward are removed.
Due to the reversal of the air inflow direction due to the reverse rotation of the fan, the fan is peeled off from the surface of the heat exchanger.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a refrigerator having an outdoor unit in which a heat exchanger is housed, a heat exchanger cleaner for cleaning the surface by contacting an air inflow side surface of the heat exchanger. And cleaner moving means for moving the heat exchanger cleaner along the surface.

According to the above configuration, the heat exchanger cleaner in contact with the surface on the air inflow side of the heat exchanger is moved along the surface by the cleaner moving means. In this way, the heat exchanger cleaner removes plant seeds and dust adhering to the air inflow side surface of the heat exchanger.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator having an outdoor unit containing a heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger is installed so as to be movable in one direction with respect to the outdoor unit. A heat exchanger vibrating means for vibrating the heat exchanger in the one direction is provided.

[0010] According to the above configuration, the heat exchanger installed so as to be movable in one direction with respect to the outdoor unit is vibrated in the one direction by the heat exchanger vibrating means. Thus, the seeds and dust of the plant adhering to the surface on the air inflow side of the heat exchanger are shaken off.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator having an outdoor unit accommodating a heat exchanger, wherein a tank provided at an upper portion of the outdoor unit and a liquid in the tank are transferred to the heat exchanger. Liquid flowing down means for flowing down on the surface on the air inflow side.

According to the above configuration, the liquid in the tank provided above the outdoor unit flows down on the air inflow side surface of the heat exchanger by the liquid flowing down means. Thus,
Plant seeds and debris adhering to the air inlet side surface of the heat exchanger are washed away.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the refrigeration apparatus having the outdoor unit according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, a time signal indicating a measured time by measuring a predetermined time is provided. A timer for outputting, and an operation control device for operating the fan motor control device, the cleaner moving device, the heat exchanger vibration device or the liquid flowing-down device at predetermined time intervals based on a time signal from the timer. And

According to the above configuration, the fan motor control unit, the cleaner moving unit, the heat exchanger vibrating unit, or the liquid flowing down unit is operated at predetermined time intervals by the timer and the operation control unit. Thus, the seeds and dust of the plant adhering to the surface of the heat exchanger on the air inflow side are periodically and automatically removed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the refrigeration system having the outdoor unit according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the temperature related to the heat exchanger is detected to determine the detected temperature. A temperature sensor that outputs a temperature signal representing the temperature, and based on the temperature signal from the temperature sensor, when the detected temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, the fan motor control device, the cleaner moving means, the heat exchanger vibrating means, or the liquid flowing down means. It is characterized by comprising an operation control device for operating.

According to the above configuration, when the temperature relating to the heat exchanger based on the temperature signal from the temperature sensor reaches a predetermined temperature, the operation control device causes the fan motor control device, the cleaner moving device, the heat exchanger vibration device or the heat exchanger vibration device to operate. The liquid flowing means is operated. In this way, when heat exchange capacity is reduced due to clogging, seeds and garbage of the plant adhering to the heat exchanger are automatically removed in a timely manner.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the refrigeration system having the outdoor unit according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the rainfall amount is detected and a rainfall amount signal indicating the rainfall amount is generated. A rainfall detecting means for outputting, and an operation control device for operating the fan motor control device, the cleaner moving means or the heat exchanger vibrating means when the rainfall reaches a predetermined rainfall based on a rainfall signal from the rainfall detecting means. It is characterized by that.

According to the above configuration, when the rainfall based on the rainfall signal from the rainfall detection means reaches a predetermined rainfall, the operation control device operates the fan motor control device, the cleaner moving means or the heat exchanger vibration means. You. Thus, the seeds and refuse of the plant adhering to the air inflow side surface of the heat exchanger are wetted by the rain and removed more effectively.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an outdoor unit in a refrigerating apparatus having the outdoor unit according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1A, a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas such as helium compressed by a compressor 2 in an outdoor unit 1 is supplied to a heat exchanger 4. The heat exchanger 4 exchanges heat with air taken into the outdoor unit 1 by the rotation of the fan 3. The high-pressure refrigerant gas thus cooled is supplied to an indoor refrigerator (not shown). In that case, usually, in order to improve the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 4, the heat exchanger 4 is installed facing one side surface in the outdoor unit 1, and as shown by the arrow (a), The rotation direction (for example, arrow (A)) of the fan 3 is set so that air is taken in from the side.

As described above, a refrigerator used for a cryopump of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, a superconducting magnet cooling device of an MRI, or the like is premised on continuous operation day and night. Therefore, the outdoor unit that supplies the high-pressure refrigerant gas to the refrigerator is also operated continuously day and night. Moreover, the heat exchanger 4
Is installed so as to face one side surface (hereinafter referred to as an outer surface) of the outdoor unit 1 so that air is taken in from the outer surface side. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
In many cases, plant seeds and refuse 5 adhere to the above outer surface. And if left as it is, the performance of the heat exchanger 4 will be reduced.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, a fan motor control device 8 for controlling the rotation direction and rotation speed of the fan motor 10, a timer 6 for measuring a predetermined time, and a fan 6 based on a time signal from the timer 6 Motor control device 8
A control unit 9 including an operation control device 7 for controlling the operation of the outdoor unit 1 is provided in the outdoor unit 1. Then, the control unit 9 reverses the rotation direction of the fan motor 10 every predetermined time. Thus, as shown in FIG.
By reversing the direction of rotation of the fan 3 at predetermined time intervals (for example, arrow (B)) in FIG. 1 (a), the flow of air is reduced as shown by the arrow (b) on the outer surface of the heat exchanger 5. The direction is such that seeds and dust attached to the heat exchanger 5 are peeled off from the outer surface of the heat exchanger 5. As a result, large seeds 5 without plant seeds or fluff can be automatically removed, and performance degradation of the heat exchanger 4 due to clogging can be delayed. That is, according to the present embodiment, the maintenance interval can be lengthened.

The conversion cycle of the rotation direction of the fan 3 may be set as appropriate. For example, the time in the direction of the arrow (B) is shorter than the time in the direction of the arrow (A), and B)
The fan rotation speed in the direction of arrow (A) is made larger than the fan rotation speed in the direction of arrow (A) to balance the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 4 with the detachability of attached seeds and refuse.

FIG. 2 shows an outdoor unit 1 according to the second embodiment.
1 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. Heat exchanger 1 in the present embodiment
The arrangement of 4 is the same as that of FIG. 1, and the rotation direction of the fan 13 is a direction in which air can be taken in from the outer surface side of the heat exchanger 14 as shown by an arrow (a). Reference numeral 12 denotes a compressor.

In the present embodiment, the heat exchanger 1
The seeds and debris 15 of the plant adhering to the outer surface of 4 are actively scraped off by the cylindrical brush 16 as the heat exchanger cleaner. This brush 16 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, a cylindrical brush in which the blades 20 are planted spirally from the central axis toward the outer peripheral surface. The outer peripheral surface of the brush 16 is brought into contact with the outer surface of the heat exchanger 14, and is moved up and down by a power source 17 as a cleaner moving unit and a driving unit 18 attached above the outer surface of the outdoor unit 11. Let it do. By doing so, the outer surface of the heat exchanger 14 is rubbed by the brush 16, and the attached plant seeds and dust 15 are automatically and positively removed.

The power source 17 and the driving means 18 are not particularly limited, and a hanging member such as a rope having one end attached to both ends of the center shaft of the brush 16 and a second end of the hanging member are wound up. There is a simple configuration using a rewinding motor. In addition, if the small motor 19 is attached to the center axis of the brush 16 and the brush 16 is positively rotated, the performance of removing plant seeds and dust 15 is greatly increased. Further, the heat exchanger cleaner is not particularly limited to the brush 16, but may be an air suction or the like.

FIG. 3 shows an outdoor unit 2 according to the third embodiment.
1 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. Heat exchanger 2 in the present embodiment
The arrangement of 4 is the same as that of FIG. 1, and the rotation direction of the fan 23 is a direction in which air can be taken in from the outer surface side of the heat exchanger 24 as shown by an arrow (a). 22 is a compressor.

In the present embodiment, the heat exchanger 2
The lower end of 4 is placed on a rotating body, for example, and is slidable in a direction intersecting the outer surface as shown by an arrow (C). Then, only the lower end of the heat exchanger 24 is
And a motion converting means 27 for converting a rotational motion of a link or a cam into a linear motion to vibrate in a direction intersecting the outer surface. Thus, the seeds and refuse 25 of the plant attached to the outer surface of the heat exchanger 24 are automatically shaken off. That is, in the present embodiment, the heat exchanger vibrating means is constituted by the motor 26 and the motion converting means 27. Note that the vibration direction of the heat exchanger 24 is not limited to the direction intersecting the outer surface, and may be the direction of the outer surface.

FIG. 4 shows an outdoor unit 3 according to the fourth embodiment.
1 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. Heat exchanger 3 in the present embodiment
The arrangement of 4 is the same as that of FIG. 1, and the rotation direction of the fan 33 is a direction in which air can be taken in from the outer surface side of the heat exchanger 34 as shown by an arrow (a). 32 is a compressor.

In the present embodiment, the outdoor unit 31
Attach the water tank 36 above the outer surface at
The water containing the detergent is supplied to the water tank 36 up to a certain water level. Then, the water in the water tank 36 is caused to flow down the outer surface of the heat exchanger 34 by a predetermined amount by the pump 37 as the liquid flowing down means. In this way, the seeds and refuse 35 of the plant attached to the outer surface of the heat exchanger 34 are automatically washed off with water containing detergent.

The movement of the brush 16, the vibration of the heat exchanger 24, and the flow of water in the second to fourth embodiments are performed at predetermined time intervals by using a timer, as in the first embodiment. May be performed periodically.

Further, the fan 3 in each of the above-described embodiments is used.
Reversal of the rotation direction, movement of the brush 16, vibration of the heat exchanger 24, and flow of water may be performed not periodically but by detecting a decrease in the capacity of the heat exchanger. FIG.
Is a fifth example in which the above function is applied to the reversal of the fan rotation direction.
It is a longitudinal section of outdoor unit 41 in an embodiment. The arrangement of the heat exchanger 44 in the present embodiment is the same as that in FIG. 42 is a compressor and 43 is a fan.

In the present embodiment, the heat exchanger 4
A temperature sensor 46 is provided in the vicinity of the inside of the fourth sensor 4. Then, a temperature signal representing the detected temperature from the temperature sensor 46 is sent to a control unit 49 having an operation control device 47 such as a microcomputer and a fan motor control device 48 for controlling the rotation direction of the fan motor 50. Then, the operation control device 47
Thus, the rotation direction of the fan motor 50 is controlled as follows based on the temperature signal.

That is, the operation control device 47 normally supplies a control signal for controlling the rotation direction of the fan motor 50 so as to take in air from the outer surface side of the heat exchanger 44 as indicated by an arrow (a). Output to the controller 48. At the same time, based on the temperature signal from the temperature sensor 46,
The temperature of the air from the heat exchanger 44 is monitored. Then, when plant seeds and dust 45 adhere to the outer surface of the heat exchanger 44 and the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 44 decreases, the air temperature from the heat exchanger 44 increases accordingly. When it is determined that the air temperature has become equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, the operation control device 47 outputs a control signal to the fan motor control device 48 to reverse the rotation direction of the fan motor 50. In that case, the rotation speed of the fan motor 50 may be slightly increased. When the air temperature falls again below the predetermined temperature or when a predetermined time elapses, the operation control device 4
7 outputs a control signal to the fan motor control device 48,
That is, the rotation direction of the fan motor 50 is rotated forward.

By doing so, usually, air is taken in the direction of the arrow (a) to obtain a high heat exchange efficiency, and only when the heat exchange efficiency is reduced, the air intake direction is reversed.
The seeds and refuse 45 attached to the heat exchanger 44 can be automatically removed. Although this embodiment has been described by taking as an example the case where the present invention is applied to reversal control of the fan rotation direction, the present invention can also be applied to the movement of the brush, the vibration of the heat exchanger, and the flow of water.

As a modification of the fifth embodiment, rainfall is detected by a rain gauge or a rainfall sensor, and when the rainfall exceeds a predetermined amount, based on a control signal from the operation control device,
It is also possible to reverse the direction of rotation of the fan, move the brush, or vibrate the heat exchanger. By doing this,
For example, when applied to the reversal of the fan rotation direction,
The raindrops enter the outdoor unit 1 by the airflow from the fan motor 10 side in FIG. 1B in the direction of the arrow (B), and the heat exchanger 4 gets wet, so that the heat exchange is more effectively performed. The seeds and refuse 5 attached to the vessel 4 can be removed.

It is to be noted that each of the above-described embodiments may be executed in combination. For example, a combination of the "reversal of the rotation direction of the fan 3" in the first embodiment and the "scraping by the brush 16" in the second embodiment, or the "reversal of the rotation direction of the fan 3" in the first embodiment. Is effective in combination with the "vibration of the heat exchanger 24" in the third embodiment.

[0037]

As is apparent from the above description, in the refrigerator having the outdoor unit according to the first aspect of the present invention, the rotation direction of the fan motor is rotated forward and backward by the fan motor control device. The seeds and debris that have sometimes adhered to the surface on the air inflow side of the heat exchanger can be peeled off from the adhesion surface by reversing the air inflow direction due to the reverse rotation of the fan. Therefore, according to the present invention, dust and the like attached to the heat exchanger can be automatically removed, and the maintenance interval of the refrigerator can be lengthened.

In the refrigerator having the outdoor unit according to the second aspect of the present invention, the heat exchanger cleaner in contact with the air inlet side surface of the heat exchanger is moved along the surface by the cleaner moving means. Thus, the heat exchanger cleaner can remove seeds and dust attached to the air inflow side surface of the heat exchanger. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically remove seeds and refuse adhering to the heat exchanger.
The interval can be lengthened.

In the refrigerator having the outdoor unit according to the third aspect of the present invention, the heat exchanger movably mounted in one direction with respect to the outdoor unit is vibrated by the heat exchanger vibrating means. Seeds and debris adhering to the air inlet side surface of the heat exchanger can be shaken off. Therefore, according to the present invention, seeds and dust attached to the heat exchanger can be automatically removed, and the maintenance interval of the refrigerator can be lengthened.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator having an outdoor unit, wherein a liquid in a tank provided at an upper portion of the outdoor unit is caused to flow down on an air inflow side surface of the heat exchanger by a liquid flowing down means. Therefore, seeds and debris adhering to the air inlet side surface of the heat exchanger can be washed away. Therefore, according to the present invention, seeds and dust attached to the heat exchanger can be automatically removed, and the maintenance interval of the refrigerator can be lengthened.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the refrigeration system having the outdoor unit, the fan motor control device, the cleaner moving means, the heat transfer device are operated by the operation control device based on a time signal from a timer for measuring a predetermined time. Since the exchanger vibrating means or the liquid flowing-down means is operated at predetermined time intervals, seeds and dust adhering to the air inlet side surface of the heat exchanger can be automatically removed periodically.

Further, in the refrigeration apparatus having the outdoor unit according to the present invention, when the temperature of the heat exchanger based on the temperature signal from the temperature sensor reaches a predetermined temperature, the operation control device causes the fan motor control device to operate. , Cleaner moving means,
Since the heat exchanger vibrating means or the liquid flowing down means is operated, the seeds and refuse of the plant adhering to the heat exchanger can be automatically removed in a timely manner when the heat exchange capacity is reduced due to clogging.

In the refrigeration apparatus having an outdoor unit according to the present invention, when the rainfall based on the rainfall signal from the rainfall detection means reaches a predetermined rainfall, the operation control unit causes the fan motor control unit and the cleaner to operate. Since the moving means or the heat exchanger vibrating means is operated, the seeds and garbage of the plant adhering to the air inlet side surface of the heat exchanger can be wetted by rain and more effectively removed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an outdoor unit showing an example of a refrigerating apparatus having the outdoor unit of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of an outdoor unit different from FIG. 1 and a schematic view of a brush.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of an outdoor unit different from FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the outdoor unit different from FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of an outdoor unit different from FIGS.

[Explanation of Signs] 1,11,21,31,41 ... outdoor unit, 2,12,22,
32,42 ... compressor, 3,13,23,33,43 ... fan, 4,14,24,34,44 ... heat exchanger, 6 ... timer, 7,47 ... operation control device, 8,48 ... fan Motor control device, 10,50
... Fan motor, 16 ... Brush,
17 ... power source, 18 ... driving means,
19: small motor, 26: motor,
27: motion conversion means, 36: water tank,
37: pump, 46: temperature sensor.

Claims (7)

[Claims] A refrigerator having an outdoor unit (1) containing a heat exchanger (4) and a fan (3) for air-cooling the heat exchanger (4), wherein the fan (3) is rotationally driven. A refrigerating apparatus having an outdoor unit, comprising: a fan motor (10) that rotates the fan motor; and a fan motor controller (8) that rotates the rotation direction of the fan motor (10) forward and backward. 2. An outdoor unit (11) containing a heat exchanger (14).
A heat exchanger cleaner (16) that abuts on the air inflow side surface of the heat exchanger (14) to clean the surface, and the heat exchanger cleaner (16) is mounted on the surface. A refrigerating apparatus having an outdoor unit, comprising: cleaner moving means (17, 18) for moving along an outdoor unit. 3. An outdoor unit (21) containing a heat exchanger (24).
Wherein the heat exchanger (24) is installed so as to be movable in one direction with respect to the outdoor unit (21), and the heat exchanger (24) vibrates in one direction. A refrigeration system having an outdoor unit, characterized by comprising exchanger vibrating means (26, 27). 4. An outdoor unit (31) containing a heat exchanger (34).
And a tank (36) provided above the outdoor unit (31), and a liquid in the tank (36) flowing down on an air inflow side surface of the heat exchanger (34). A refrigeration system having an outdoor unit, comprising a liquid flow-down means (37) for causing the liquid to flow. 5. A refrigeration system having the outdoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the timer measures a predetermined time and outputs a time signal indicating the measurement time. Based on the time signal from the timer (6), the fan motor control device (8), the cleaner moving means (17, 18),
Heat exchanger vibrating means (26, 27) or liquid flowing down means (3
A refrigeration system having an outdoor unit, comprising: an operation control device (7) for operating (7) at predetermined time intervals. 6. The refrigeration system having an outdoor unit according to claim 1, wherein a temperature related to the heat exchanger is detected and a temperature signal indicating the detected temperature is output. A temperature sensor (46) to perform, and when the detected temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, based on a temperature signal from the temperature sensor (46), the fan motor control device
(48) An outdoor unit comprising an operation control device (47) for operating the cleaner moving means (17, 18), the heat exchanger vibrating means (26, 27) or the liquid flowing down means (37). Refrigeration equipment. 7. A refrigeration system having an outdoor unit according to claim 1, wherein said refrigeration system detects rainfall and outputs a rainfall signal indicating the amount of rainfall. Based on the rainfall signal from the rainfall detecting means, when the rainfall reaches a predetermined rainfall, the fan motor control device (8), the cleaner moving means (17, 18) or the heat exchanger vibrating means (2)
(6), (27), a refrigerating apparatus having an outdoor unit, comprising an operation control device.