AU2019453586B2 - Air-Conditioning Device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is provided with: a blower unit that has a blower and a first housing that accommodates the blower; a heat exchanger unit that has a heat exchanger and a second housing that accommodates the heat exchanger; and a frame-like connection flange that connects the first housing and the second housing. The first housing has a facing plate that faces the second housing and has formed therein an outflow port. The second housing has a facing plate that faces the first housing and has formed therein an intake port. The connection flange connects the facing plate of the first housing and the facing plate of the second housing, and the upper surface of the connection flange is in a position lower than the upper surface of the first housing and the upper surface of the second housing.

Description

AIR-CONDITIONING DEVICE

Technical Field

[0001]

The present disclosure relates to an air-conditioning device installed in an attic,

above a ceiling, or other location to supply conditioned air to a room.

Background Art

[0002]

An air-conditioning device to be installed in an attic, above a ceiling, or other

location has been proposed. The proposed air-conditioning device has an air-sending

device and a heat exchanger accommodated in respective housings (for example, see

Patent Literature 1). The air-conditioning device disclosed in Patent Literature 1

includes an air-sending device unit and a heat exchanger unit. The air-sending device

unit includes a cuboid-shaped housing and an air-sending device provided in the

housing. The heat exchanger unit includes a cuboid-shaped housing and a heat

exchanger provided in the housing. The housing of the air-sending device unit and the

housing of the heat exchanger unit are connected, such that these housings

communicate with each other through opening ports formed on the housings. These

air-sending device unit and heat exchanger unit in a connected state have a single

cuboid shape in their entirety.

Citation List

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.

2016-173205 (Figs. 1 and 3)

[0004]

Some houses have a truss structure in the attic that is one of the installation

locations of the air-conditioning devices. In the attic of a truss structure, a plurality of

triangle-framed support materials are arranged in parallel to each other. The air conditioning device having a cuboid shape in its entirety with the air-sending device unit and the heat exchanger unit connected with each other, as described in Patent

Literature 1, may not be able to be located between the triangle-framed support

materials forming the truss structure, depending on the device size.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and it may

be desirable to provide an air-conditioning device to be installed even in an attic of a

truss structure.

[0006] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is an air-conditioning

device comprising: an air-sending device unit including an air-sending device, and a first

housing configured to accommodate the air-sending device therein; a heat exchanger

unit including a heat exchanger, and a second housing configured to accommodate the

heat exchanger therein; and a connection flange having a frame shape and configured

to connect the first housing and the second housing, wherein the first housing includes

an oppositely-facing plate facing the second housing and formed with outflow ports, the

second housing includes an oppositely-facing plate facing the first housing and formed

with an introduction port, a side plate extending vertically along a first direction in which

the second housing faces the first housing, the connection flange connects the

oppositely-facing plate of the first housing and the oppositely-facing plate of the second

housing, and a top side of the connection flange is positioned lower than a top side of

the first housing and a top side of the second housing, and when an end portion of the

side plate in the first direction is defined as a first end portion, while another end portion

of the side plate in the first direction is defined as a second end portion, the first end

portion being relatively closer to the connection flange, the second end portion being

relatively further from the connection flange, in the first direction, a center of gravity of

the heat exchanger unit is positioned closer to the first end portion of the side plate

rather than the second end portion, and a hanging fitting is provided at a position closer

to the first end portion of the side plate rather than the second end portion and upward

relative to the center of gravity of the heat exchanger unit.

[0006A] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is an air-conditioning

device comprising: an air-sending device unit including an air-sending device, and a first

housing configured to accommodate the air-sending device therein; a heat exchanger

unit including a heat exchanger, and a second housing configured to accommodate the

heat exchanger therein; and a connection flange having a frame shape and configured

to connect the first housing and the second housing, wherein the first housing includes

an oppositely-facing plate facing the second housing and formed with an outflow port,

the second housing includes an oppositely-facing plate facing the first housing and

formed with an introduction port, and a side plate extending vertically along a first

direction in which the second housing faces the first housing, the connection flange

connects the oppositely-facing plate of the first housing and the oppositely-facing plate

of the second housing, and a top side of the connection flange is positioned lower than

a top side of the first housing and a top side of the second housing, and in the second

housing, a fist reinforcement plate is provided along an inner side of a corner formed by

the side plate and the oppositely-facing plate.

[0006B] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is an air

conditioning device comprising: an air-sending device unit including an air-sending

device, and a first housing configured to accommodate the air-sending device therein; a

heat exchanger unit including a heat exchanger, a second housing configured to

accommodate the heat exchanger therein, and a drain pan located on a lower side in

the second housing; a connection flange having a frame shape and configured to

connect the first housing and the second housing, wherein the first housing includes an

oppositely-facing plate facing the second housing and formed with an outflow port, the

second housing includes an oppositely-facing plate facing the first housing and formed

with an introduction port, and a side plate extending vertically along a first direction in

which the second housing faces the first housing, the connection flange connects the

oppositely-facing plate of the first housing and the oppositely-facing plate of the second

housing, and a top side of the connection flange is positioned lower than a top side of the first housing and a top side of the second housing, and in the second housing, a second reinforcement plate is provided between an inner side of a corner formed by the side plate and the oppositely-facing plate and the drain pan.

[0006C] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is an air-conditioning device

comprising: an air-sending device unit including an air-sending device, and a first

housing configured to accommodate the air-sending device therein; a heat exchanger

unit including a heat exchanger, and a second housing configured to accommodate the

heat exchanger therein; and a connection flange having a frame shape and configured

to connect the first housing and the second housing, wherein the first housing includes

an oppositely-facing plate facing the second housing and formed with outflow ports, the

second housing includes an oppositely-facing plate facing the first housing and formed

with an introduction port, a side plate which is vertically disposed, the side plate

extending along a first direction in which the second housing faces the first housing, the

connection flange connects the oppositely-facing plate of the first housing and the

oppositely-facing plate of the second housing, and a top side of the connection flange is

positioned lower than a top side of the first housing and a top side of the second

housing, the air-sending device unit includes a scroll casing having a fan

accommodated therein, and a bottom plate of the connection flange extends along an

extended line of a scroll ending portion of the scroll casing, the air-conditioning device

further comprises a guide provided at an upper edge of the outflow port and positioned

within the connection flange, wherein the guide extends along an extended line of a

tongue-like portion of the scroll casing, and extends upward nearly straightly along the

first direction.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0007]

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first housing of the air

sending device unit and the second housing of the heat exchanger unit are connected

by the connection flange having a frame shape. The top side of the connection flange

is positioned lower than the top side of the first housing and the top side of the second housing. With this structure, the air-conditioning device is located such that a triangular-shaped support material forming a truss structure is positioned between the first housing and the second housing, that is, on the upper side of the connection flange.

This can avoid the air-conditioning device from interfering with the truss structure.

Therefore, the air-conditioning device to be easily installed even in an attic of the truss

structure can be obtained.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an air-conditioning device 100 according to

Embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the air-conditioning device 100 according to Embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger unit 4 according to Embodiment

with a connection flange 60 attached to the heat exchanger unit 4.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an air-sending device unit 1 according to

Embodiment with the connection flange 60 attached to the air-sending device unit 1.

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the air-sending device unit 1 with the

connection flange 60 removed from the air-sending device unit 1 shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an explanatory view of the air-conditioning device 100 according to

Embodiment in Z-Y cross-section taken along the line passing through an air inlet 16,

an outflow port 18, and an air outlet 47.

Fig. 7 is an explanatory view illustrating a guide 71 according to Embodiment.

Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram describing an example of the operational

function of the guide 71 according to Embodiment.

Fig. 9 is an explanatory view of the air-conditioning device 100 according to

Embodiment in X-Y cross-section taken along the line passing through a scroll casing

21.

Fig. 10 is an explanatory view illustrating an airflow-speed distribution in the air

sending device unit 1 according to Embodiment and on the downstream side relative to

the air-sending device unit 1.

Fig. 11 is an explanatory view illustrating an airflow-speed distribution according

to Comparative Example.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of Fig. 9, illustrating a second partition plate 73 and its

vicinity.

Fig. 13 is a side view of the air-conditioning device 100 with the connection flange

according to Embodiment and the air-sending device unit 1 integrally removed from

the heat exchanger unit 4.

Fig. 14 is a side view of the air-conditioning device 100 with the connection flange

according to Embodiment and the heat exchanger unit 4 integrally removed from the

air-sending device unit 1.

Fig. 15 is an explanatory view illustrating first reinforcement plates 83 and second

reinforcement plates 84 according to Embodiment.

Fig. 16 is an explanatory view of the air-conditioning device 100 according to

Embodiment in a state of being installed in the attic of a truss structure.

Fig. 17 is an explanatory view illustrating the state in which the air-sending device

unit 1 has been removed from the air-conditioning device 100 shown in Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 illustrates the connection flange 60 viewed from the front in the Y

direction.

Description of Embodiments

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment in which an air-conditioning device according to the

present disclosure applies to a ceiling-concealed air-conditioning device will be

described with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the

embodiment described below, and can be variously modified without departing from the

scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the present disclosure includes all

combinations of configurations that can be combined among the configurations shown

in the embodiment described below. Further, the air-conditioning device illustrated in the drawings is an example of a device to which the air-conditioning device of the present disclosure is applied, and the device applicable to the present disclosure is not limited to the air-conditioning device illustrated in the drawings. In addition, in the drawings, like reference signs denote the like or corresponding components, which are common throughout the entire specification.

[0010]

Embodiment

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an air-conditioning device 100 according to

Embodiment. Fig. 2 is aside view of the air-conditioning device 100 according to

Embodiment. The air-conditioning device 100 of the present embodiment is an indoor

unit to be installed by being concealed in a ceiling of an air-conditioned room. The air

conditioning device 100 includes an air-sending device unit 1, a heat exchanger unit 4,

and a connection flange 60 configured to connect the air-sending device unit 1 and the

heat exchanger unit 4. Air is supplied from the air-sending device unit 1 through the

connection flange 60 to the heat exchanger unit 4. The air supplied to the heat

exchanger unit 4 is heated or cooled in the heat exchanger unit 4 and then supplied to

an air-conditioned space. The Y-direction illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 corresponds with

a direction in which air flows through the interior of the air-conditioning device 100.

[0011]

The air-sending device unit 1 includes a first housing 10. The first housing 10

includes a top plate 11, a bottom plate 12, an oppositely-facing plate 13 facing the heat

exchanger unit 4, a pair of side plates 14a and 14b configured to vertically connect the

top plate 11 and the bottom plate 12, and an end plate 15. The top plate 11, the

bottom plate 12, the oppositely-facing plate 13, the side plates 14a and 14b, and the

end plate 15 form the first housing 10 having a generally cuboid shape. The end plate

is formed with air inlets 16. Each of the air inlets 16 is an entrance from which air

flows into the first housing 10. The number of the air inlets 16 to be provided is equal

to the number of air-sending devices 20 accommodated in the first housing 10. In the

present embodiment, two air inlets 16 are provided. At the outer circumferential edge

of the air inlets 16, air-inlet flanges 17 are provided protruding from the end plate 15.

Each of the air-inlet flanges 17 adjusts the flow of air flowing into the air inlet 16. In a case where a duct is connected to the air inlet 16, the duct is attached to the air-inlet

flange 17.

[0012]

The heat exchanger unit 4 includes a second housing 40. The second housing

includes a top plate 41, a bottom plate 42, an oppositely-facing plate 43 facing the

air-sending device unit 1, a pair of side plates 44a and 44b (see Fig. 9) configured to

vertically connect the top plate 41 and the bottom plate 42, and an end plate 45. The

top plate 41, the bottom plate 42, the oppositely-facing plate 43, the side plates 44a and

44b, and the end plate 45 form the second housing 40 having a generally cuboid shape.

The end plate 45 is formed with an air outlet 47 to be described later and illustrated in

Fig. 6. The air outlet 47 is an exit from which air flows out of the second housing 40.

At the outer circumferential edge of the air outlet 47, an air-outlet flange f is provided

protruding from the end plate 45. The air-outlet flange 48 adjusts the flow of air flowing

out of the air outlet 47. In a case where a duct is connected to the air outlet 47, the

duct is attached to the air-outlet flange 48. Refrigerant pipes 52 protrude from the side

plate 44a of the second housing 40. The refrigerant pipes 52 form a portion of the

refrigeration circuit. Refrigerant circulating through the refrigeration circuit passes

through the refrigerant pipes 52 when the refrigerant flows into/out of a heat exchanger

in the second housing 40. The heat exchanger 50 will be described later. The

side plate 44a is provided with a discharge port 53 through which condensed water

generated in the second housing 40 is discharged to the outside of the second housing

40.

[0013]

The connection flange 60 illustrated in Fig. 2 is a frame-shaped part configured to

connect the first housing 10 of the air-sending device unit 1 and the second housing 40

of the heat exchanger unit 4 in such a manner that air can pass through between the

first housing 10 and the second housing 40. The connection flange 60 of the present

embodiment has a generally rectangular-framed shape, and includes a top plate 61 and

a bottom plate 62. One end of the connection flange 60 is connected to the oppositely facing plate 13 of the first housing 10. Another end of the connection flange 60 is connected to the oppositely-facing plate 43 of the second housing 40. The top side of the top plate 61 of the connection flange 60 is positioned lower than the top side of the top plate 11 of the first housing 10, while being positioned lower than the top side of the top plate 41 of the second housing 40.

[0014]

The air-conditioning device 100 is suspended from a ceiling or the like by using

hanging bolts screwed to hanging fittings 81 and hanging fittings 82 in such a manner

that the Z-direction in Fig. 1 is oriented upward. The air-conditioning device 100 is

suspended from the ceiling or the like by means of commonly-called "four-point

suspension" using the hanging fittings 81 respectively provided on the side plates 14a

and 14b of the air-sending device unit 1, and using the hanging fittings 82 respectively

provided on the side plates 44a and 44b (see Fig. 9) of the heat exchanger unit 4.

[0015] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the heat exchanger unit 4 according to

Embodiment with the connection flange 60 attached to the heat exchanger unit 4. The

oppositely-facing plate 43 of the second housing 40 is formed with an introduction port

46. The introduction port 46 is an entrance from which air flows into the second

housing 40 of the heat exchanger unit 4. In the second housing 40, the heat

exchanger 50 and a drain pan 51 are provided. The drain pan 51 is located on the

lower side of the heat exchanger 50. The heat exchanger 50 exchanges heat between

air and refrigerant flowing therein from the refrigerant pipe 52, and generates

conditioned air. The drain pan 51 accumulates condensed water generated on the

surface of the heat exchanger 50 and having dropped from the heat exchanger 50.

The drain pan 51 is installed with its outer side in contact with the inner-side lower

portion of the second housing 40. The drain pan 51 communicates with the discharge

port 53, so that condensed water in the drain pan 51 is discharged through the

discharge port 53 to the outside of the second housing 40.

[0016]

The connection flange 60 is attached to the oppositely-facing plate 43 at the outer

circumferential portion of the introduction port 46. The connection flange 60 is a

generally rectangular frame-shaped part extending in the Y-direction in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 illustrates side plates 63a and 63b as a portion of the connection flange 60 connecting

the top plate 61 and the bottom plate 62 in the Z-direction. The inside of the

connection flange 60 serves as a flow path of air to be directed toward the introduction

port 46 of the second housing 40.

[0017]

Guides 71 are provided on the inside of the connection flange 60. While the

structure of the guides 71 will be described later, the guides 71 have a function of

adjusting the flow of air delivered from the air-sending device unit 1. Each of the

guides 71 is a flat plate-like part located with its longitudinal direction extending along

the X-direction. A first partition plate 72 extends downward from one end portion of the

guide 71 in the X-direction. A second partition plate 73 extends downward from

another end portion of the guide 71 in the X-direction. The lower ends of the first

partition plate 72 and the second partition plate 73 are in contact with the top side of the

bottom plate 62 of the connection flange 60. The guide 71, the first partition plate 72, the second partition plate 73, and the bottom plate 62 form a generally rectangular

frame-shaped flow path.

[0018] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the air-sending device unit 1 according to

Embodiment with the connection flange 60 attached to the air-sending device unit 1.

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the air-sending device unit 1 with the

connection flange 60 removed from the air-sending device unit 1 shown in Fig. 4. The

oppositely-facing plate 13 of the first housing 10 is formed with outflow ports 18. Each

of the outflow ports 18 is an exit from which air flows out of the first housing 10 of the

air-sending device unit 1. The number of the outflow ports 18 to be provided is equal

to the number of the air-sending devices 20 accommodated in the first housing 10. In

the present embodiment, two outflow ports 18 are provided. The air-sending devices

will be described later. The guide 71 is located along the upper edge of each of the outflow ports 18. The first partition plate 72 is located along one of the edges of the outflow port 18 extending in the Z-direction, which is relatively closer to the center of the first housing 10 in the X-direction. The second partition plate 73 is located along another one of the edges, which is relatively closer to the outside of the first housing 10 in the X-direction. The connection flange 60 is attached to the oppositely-facing plate

13 of the first housing 10 such that the outflow ports 18 are positioned on the inside of

the connection flange 60.

[0019]

Fig. 6 is an explanatory view of the air-conditioning device 100 according to

Embodiment in Z-Y cross-section taken along the line passing through the air inlet 16,

the outflow port 18, and the air outlet 47. The heat exchanger 50 is installed in the

second housing 40 while being oriented diagonally relative to the Z-direction.

Specifically, the heat exchanger 50 is located with its upper end positioned on the

upstream side of the airflow relative to its lower end. The lower end of the heat

exchanger 50 is placed on the drain pan 51.

[0020]

The air-sending devices 20 are provided in the first housing 10 of the air-sending

device unit 1. Each of the air-sending devices 20 is configured to have a centrifugal

fan 25 accommodated in a scroll casing 21. The scroll casing 21 is installed in an

orientation in which a scroll starting portion 22, a tongue-like portion 24 extending from

the scroll starting portion 22 toward the downstream side of the airflow, and a scroll

ending portion 23 are positioned on the upstream side relative to the outflow port 18.

The end portion of the tongue-like portion 24 on the downstream side of the airflow is

connected to the upper edge of the outflow port 18. The scroll ending portion 23 is

connected to the lower edge of the outflow port 18. The tongue-like portion 24 has a

curve extending upward toward the downstream side of the airflow. The scroll ending

portion 23 extends upward nearly linearly toward the downstream side of the airflow.

[0021]

The top plate 61 of the connection flange 60 of the present embodiment extends

nearly straightly along the Y-direction. In contrast, the bottom plate 62 of the connection flange 60 is inclined with the top side of the bottom plate 62 extending upward from the outflow port 18 toward the introduction port 46. More specifically, the bottom plate 62 extends along the extended line of the scroll ending portion 23 of the scroll casing 21. The bottom plate 62 has a function of adjusting the flow of air directed by the scroll ending portion 23 of the scroll casing 21. That is, the bottom plate 62 of the connection flange 60 exhibits the function similar to the scroll ending portion 23 of the scroll casing 21, and contributes to improvement in performance of the air-sending device 20. The bottom plate 62 of the connection flange 60 serves as a part of the scroll casing 21, so that this prevents the scroll ending portion 23 of the scroll casing 21 from being elongated, and accordingly prevents the scroll casing 21 from having an increased size in the Y-direction.

[0022]

The length of the connection flange 60 in the Y-direction, that is, the distance

between the first housing 10 of the air-sending device unit 1 and the second housing 40

of the heat exchanger unit 4 is referred to as "length L1." Desirably, the length Li of

the connection flange 60 is about 50 mm to 100 mm, and can be set to, for example, 70

mm. The connection flange 60 also serves as the scroll casing 21. As the length of

the connection flange 60 is increased, the connection flange 60 exhibits a more

improved effect of adjusting the flow of air delivered from the air-sending device 20.

On the other hand, as the length of the connection flange 60 is increased, the

connection flange 60 more easily warps downward when the air-conditioning device 100

is suspended at four points. The length Li of the connection flange 60 is set to about

mm to 100 mm, and is desirably set to about 70 mm, so that this allows the

connection flange 60 to exhibit the function similar to the scroll casing 21, while

minimizing warping of the connection flange 60.

[0023]

The guide 71 is continued from the end portion of the tongue-like portion 24 on

the downstream side of the airflow. The guide 71 extends upward nearly straightly

along the Y-direction.

[0024]

Fig. 7 is an explanatory view illustrating the guide 71 according to Embodiment.

Fig. 7 shows the angle e as an inclination angle of the guide 71 relative to the Y

direction. When the air-conditioning device 100 is installed such that the Y-direction is

oriented horizontally, the angle ecan be regarded as an inclination angle of the guide

71 relative to the horizontal direction. It is desirable that the angle e is equal to or larger than the inclination angle of the bottom plate 62 of the connection flange 60

illustrated in Fig. 6 relative to the Y-direction. Setting of the angle e in this manner

avoids the Z-direction length of the flow path formed between the guide 71 and the

bottom plate 62 from being decreased toward the downstream side of the airflow. This

can prevent degradation in the shaft output performance of a motor that drives the air

sending devices 20. It is desirable that the angle e is set to about 300. However, the

angle e is not limited to 300.

[0025]

Fig. 7 illustrates the length of the guide 71 in the Y-direction as a length L2. The

guide 71 contributes to improvement in the shaft output performance of the motor that

drives the air-sending devices 20. As the length L2 of the guide 71 is increased, the

shaft output performance of the motor is more improved. On the other hand, when the

length L2 of the guide 71 is greater than the length L1 of the connection flange 60

illustrated in Fig. 6, it is more difficult to ensure the installation location of the guide 71

protruding from the connection flange 60. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the length L2 of the guide 71 is equal to the length L1 of the connection flange 60

illustrated in Fig. 6. Due to this structure, the guide 71 can be accommodated in the

connection flange 60.

[0026]

Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram describing an example of the operational

function of the guide 71 according to Embodiment. The vertical axis in Fig. 8

represents power consumption [W] of the motor that drives the air-sending devices 20.

The horizontal axis in Fig. 8 represents the ratio of the length L2 of the guide 71 to the

length L1 of the connection flange 60. The ratio of 1 on the horizontal axis indicates

that the length L1 is equal to the length L2. Fig. 8 illustrates variations in the power consumption when the motor is operated with a rated shaft output Lt and the ratio of the length L2 to the length L1 is changed. Fig. 8 is a graph obtained when the length L1 of the connection flange 60 is 71 mm. As illustrated in Fig. 8, it is understood that on the condition that the angle eof the guide 71 is 300, as the ratio of the length L2 to the length L1 is decreased, the shaft output is increased. The case where the ratio is 0 on the horizontal axis, that is, the guide 71 is not provided, and the case where the ratio is

1 on the horizontal axis, that is, the guide 71 with a length equal to the length of the

connection flange 60 is provided, were compared with each other. The comparison

showed that the latter case achieved an effect of reducing the power consumption by

6.4% compared to the former case. As described above, the length L2 of the guide 71

is set equal to the length L1 of the connection flange 60, so that the power consumption

can be reduced compared to the case where the length L2 of the guide 71 is less than

the length L1 of the connection flange 60.

[0027]

Fig. 9 is an explanatory view of the air-conditioning device 100 according to

Embodiment in X-Y cross-section taken along the line passing through the scroll casing

21. In the first housing 10 of the air-sending device unit 1, two air-sending devices 20

are located along the X-direction. Each of the first partition plates 72 extends from one

of the end portions of the scroll casing 21 in the X-direction toward the heat exchanger

unit 4. The first partition plates 72 have a function of preventing air delivered from the

air-sending devices 20 adjacent to each other from joining with each other. A flow path

of air is formed between the second partition plate 73 and the first partition plate 72.

The first partition plates 72 and the second partition plates 73 prevent air delivered from

the air-sending devices 20 from irregularly flowing toward the X-direction.

[0028]

Fig. 10 is an explanatory view illustrating an airflow-speed distribution in the air

sending device unit 1 according to Embodiment and on the downstream side relative to

the air-sending device unit 1. Fig. 11 is an explanatory view illustrating an airflow

speed distribution according to Comparative Example. Fig. 11 illustrates the state in

which the guides 71, the first partition plates 72, and the second partition plates 73 have been removed from the air-sending device unit 1 shown in Fig. 10. In Figs. 10 and 11, the drawing on the left side of the sheet plane illustrates the fan 25 when viewed from the same direction as in Fig. 6, while the drawing on the right side of the sheet plane illustrates the fans 25 when viewed from the same direction as in Fig. 9. With reference to Figs. 10 and 11, the operational functions of the guides 71, the first partition plates 72, and the second partition plates 73 are described below.

[0029]

As illustrated in the drawing on the left side in Fig. 11, when the guide 71 is not

provided, air delivered from the scroll casing 21 becomes a swirl flow and stagnates at

the position shown by the reference sign F3 on the downstream side relative to the

tongue-like portion 24. Thus, when the guide 71 is not provided, this causes a

pressure loss. In contrast, as illustrated in the drawing on the left side in Fig. 10, when

the guide 71 is provided, air delivered from the scroll casing 21 flows linearly along the

guide 71. At the position shown by the reference sign F1 in Fig. 10, no swirl flow is

generated and substantially air does not flow, unlike at the position shown by the

reference sign F3 in Fig. 11. As understood from the comparison between the

drawings on the left side in Figs. 10 and 11, air substantially flows on the downstream

side relative to the scroll casing 21 within a narrower range in Fig. 10 than that in Fig.

11. That is, in the present embodiment, it is understood that the guide 71 minimizes a

pressureloss.

[0030]

In addition, as illustrated in the drawing on the right side in Fig. 11, when the first

partition plates 72 and the second partition plates 73 are not provided, the flow width of

air flowing out of the downstream end of the scroll casing 21 is decreased once and

then increased. In the areas shown by the reference signs F4 in Fig. 11, air separates

from the scroll casing 21 and has become a contracted flow. In contrast, when the first

partition plates 72 and the second partition plates 73 are provided as illustrated in the

diagram on the right side of Fig. 10, air delivered from each scroll casing 21 flows

linearly between the first partition plate 72 and the second partition plate 73 as shown by the reference sign F2, and thus the flow-path width is not decreased. In the present embodiment, the first partition plates 72 and the second partition plates 73 are provided in the manner as described above, so that the contracted flow of air observed in Fig. 11 is eliminated, and a pressure loss can be minimized. Power consumption of the motor that drives the air-sending devices 20 can be reduced by minimizing a pressure loss.

[0031] The first partition plates 72 provided between the scroll casings 21 adjacent to

each other prevent air delivered from the separate scroll casings 21 from joining

together near the downstream end of the scroll casings 21. This configuration can

minimize a pressure loss caused by air joining together.

[0032] In this manner, a pressure loss is minimized by the guides 71, the first partition

plates 72 and the second partition plates 73, so that power consumption of the motor

that drives the air-sending devices 20 can be reduced. As illustrated in Fig. 10, according to the present embodiment, the airflow-speed distribution of air after having

flowed out of the scroll casings 21 can be made uniform compared to that in Fig. 11.

[0033] Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of Fig. 9, illustrating the second partition plate 73 and

its vicinity. The rotation speed of the fan 25 of the air-sending device 20 is controlled

on the basis of the difference between a set temperature and a temperature of

conditioned air generated in the heat exchanger unit 4. A temperature sensor to detect

the temperature of conditioned air generated in the heat exchanger unit 4 is installed in

the heat exchanger unit 4. A detection signal of the temperature sensor is transmitted

through an electric wire 55 to a controller provided in the air-sending device unit 1 to

control the rotation speed of the air-sending device 20. As illustrated in Fig. 12, the

electric wire 55 extending from the second housing 40 of the heat exchanger unit 4 to

the first housing 10 of the air-sending device unit 1 passes through the interior of the

connection flange 60. The second partition plate 73 partitions the interior of the

connection flange 60 into the outflow port 18 and a section where the electric wire 55 is

located. That is, air delivered from the air-sending device 20 and flowing into the connection flange 60 from the outflow port 18 is directed forward by the second partition plate 73, while this air does not enter or hardly enters the area where the electric wire is located. This can prevent the electric wire 55 from being swayed by the air blown from the air-sending device 20 to the electric wire 55. If the electric wire 55 is swayed greatly by the flow of air, the electric wire 55 can possibly contact the connection flange and other parts, thereby generating irregular sounds. However, according to the present embodiment, such irregular sounds can be prevented from being generated.

[0034] Fig. 13 is a side view of the air-conditioning device 100 with the connection flange

according to Embodiment and the air-sending device unit 1 integrally removed from

the heat exchanger unit 4. Fig. 14 is a side view of the air-conditioning device 100 with

the connection flange 60 according to Embodiment and the heat exchanger unit 4

integrally removed from the air-sending device unit 1. The connection flange 60 of the

present embodiment is connected at one end portion thereof in the Y-direction

detachably to the first housing 10 of the air-sending device unit 1, while being

connected at another end portion thereof in the Y-direction detachably to the second

housing 40 of the heat exchanger unit 4. The connection flange 60 and the first

housing 10 are connected, and the connection flange 60 and the second housing 40 are

connected both by using, for example, screws, latches, or hooks, and engagement

holes.

[0035] At the time when the air-conditioning device 100 is installed, the air-conditioning

device 100 is carried from a room into the space above a ceiling or into the attic through

an inspection opening formed on the ceiling. The inspection opening on the ceiling

does not always have a size enough for the air-conditioning device 100 in its entirety to

pass through this inspection opening. According to the present embodiment, the

connection flange 60 is detachable from the air-sending device unit 1 and the heat

exchanger unit 4. Due to this structure, the air-sending device unit 1 and the heat

exchanger unit 4 that are detached from each other as illustrated in Fig. 13 or 14 can be separately carried into the space above a ceiling or into the attic from the inspection opening.

[0036]

As illustrated in Fig. 14, even when the connection flange 60 is in a state of being

attached to the second housing 40, the guide 71 and the second partition plate 73 are still in a state of being attached to the first housing 10. Although not illustrated in Fig.

14, the first partition plate 72 is also attached to the first housing 10. Preferably, the

guides 71, the first partition plates 72, and the second partition plates 73 are attached to

the first housing 10, such that a user cannot easily remove the guides 71, the first

partition plates 72, and the second partition plates 73 from the first housing 10. If there

is a change in the attachment angle of the guides 71, the first partition plates 72, and

the second partition plates 73 to the first housing 10, this change may possibly impair

the operational functions illustrated in Fig. 10. For this reason, the guides 71, the first

partition plates 72, and the second partition plates 73 are designed not to be easily

removed from the first housing 10, and this makes it easy to maintain their desired

operational functions.

[0037] In Figs. 13 and 14, the center of gravity of the air-sending device unit 1 is denoted

by the reference sign G1, while the center of gravity of the heat exchanger unit 4 is

denoted by the reference sign G2. The side plate 14a and the side plate 44a extend

along a first direction in which the first housing 10 and the second housing 40 face each

other. In the present embodiment, the first direction is illustrated as the Y-direction.

When one of the end portions of the side plate 14a in the Y-direction, which is relatively

closer to the connection flange 60, is defined as a first end portion, while another one of

the end portions, which is relatively further from the connection flange 60, is defined as

a second end portion, then the hanging fitting 81 to be used for suspending the air

sending device unit 1 is provided beside the second end portion relatively closer to the

center of gravity G1. When one of the end portions of the side plate 44a in the Y

direction, which is relatively closer to the connection flange 60, is defined as a first end

portion, while another one of the end portions, which is relatively further from the connection flange 60, is defined as a second end portion, then the hanging fitting 82 to be used for suspending the heat exchanger unit 4 is provided beside the first end portion relatively closer to the center of gravity G2. That is, the hanging fitting 82 of the heat exchanger unit 4 is provided at a position near the connection flange 60 and diagonally upward relative to the center of gravity G2 in side view. The hanging fitting

81 and the center of gravity G1 are positioned close to each other, and the hanging

fitting 82 and the center of gravity G2 are positioned close to each other, so that when

the air-conditioning device 100 is suspended by the hanging bolts, a force that causes

the air-sending device unit 1 and the heat exchanger unit 4 to rotate downward can be

reduced. For example, assuming that the hanging fitting 82 is provided at an end

portion of the side plate 44a closer to the end plate 45, the heat exchanger unit 4 is

applied with a force that causes the heat exchanger unit 4 to rotate downward in the

counterclockwise direction. Then, the force is applied to the connection portion of the

connection flange 60 and the heat exchanger unit 4. This can possibly cause a

phenomenon in which the connection flange 60 warps or disengages from the heat

exchangerunit4. However, the air-conditioning device 100 is suspended by the

hanging fittings 82 located in the manner as described in the present embodiment, so

that the connection flange 60 is prevented from warping downward, and thus can be

prevented from being detached from the heat exchanger unit 4.

[0038] Fig. 15 is an explanatory view illustrating first reinforcement plate 83 and second

reinforcement plate 84 according to Embodiment. Fig. 15 only illustrates the main

parts of the second housing 40 of the heat exchanger unit 4. Fig. 15 illustrates the

locations of the components, which are provided in the second housing 40 and thus

cannot be visually recognized from outside, by using the dotted lines. As illustrated in

Figs. 13 and 14, since the connection flange 60 and a portion of the heat exchanger unit

4 near the connection flange 60 are located relatively closer to the center of gravity G2,

a downward force is applied to the connection flange 60 and this portion of the heat exchanger unit 4. Specifically, a rotational force in the counterclockwise direction is applied to the periphery of the area where the hanging fitting 82 is located. In view of this, the first reinforcement plate 83 and the second reinforcement plate 84 may be provided as illustrated in Fig. 15. The first reinforcement plate 83 and the second reinforcement plate 84 are made up of, for example, plate parts of metal, and the second housing 40 is lined with the first reinforcement plate 83 and the second reinforcement plate 84. More specifically, the first reinforcement plate 83 and the second reinforcement plate 84 are provided extending across the side plate 44a and the oppositely-facing plate 43 along the inner side of the corner formed by the side plate

44a and the oppositely-facing plate 43. The first reinforcement plate 83 and the

second reinforcement plate 84 have an L-shape. The first reinforcement plate 83 is

provided above the center of the second housing 40 in the Z-direction. The second

reinforcement plate 84 is provided below the center of the second housing 40 in the Z

direction. Similarly to the side plate 44a, the side plate 44b is also provided with the

first reinforcement plate 83 and the second reinforcement plate 84. Even though the

rotational force in the counterclockwise direction described above is applied, the

operational function of the corner portions of the first reinforcement plate 83 and the

second reinforcement plate 84 across the side plate 44a and the oppositely-facing plate

43 prevents the connection flange 60 from warping downward when the air-conditioning

device 100 is suspended. In addition, the operational function of the corner portions

prevents the connection flange 60 from being detached from the heat exchanger unit 4.

[0039] As illustrated in Fig. 15, the second reinforcement plate 84 may be provided to

overlap the drain pan 51 in the Z-direction. In this case, the second reinforcement

plate 84 is interposed between the drain pan 51 and the inner side of the second

housing 40. The second reinforcement plate 84 is interposed between the drain pan

51 and the second housing 40, and accordingly, the gap between the drain pan 51 and

the second housing 40 is reduced by the thickness of the second reinforcement plate

84, so that the drain pan 51 can be prevented from being displaced upward. Note that

Fig. 15 illustrates an example in which both the first reinforcement plates 83 and the second reinforcement plates 84 are provided, however, either the first reinforcement plates 83 or the second reinforcement plates 84 may only be provided.

[0040]

Fig. 16 is an explanatory view of the air-conditioning device 100 according to

Embodiment in a state of being installed in the attic of a truss structure. Fig. 17 is an

explanatory view illustrating the state in which the air-sending device unit 1 has been

removed from the air-conditioning device 100 shown in Fig. 16. Fig. 18 illustrates the

connection flange 60 viewed from the front in the Y-direction. As illustrated in Figs. 16

to 18, in the attic of a truss structure, a plurality of triangle-framed support materials 200

are spaced apart from each other in the Y-direction. Each of the support materials 200

has a width of about 40 mm in the Y-direction. The spacing between the support

materials 200 adjacent to each other in the Y-direction is decreased as houses are

downsized. In some of the houses, the spacing between the adjacent support

materials 200 is equal to or less than 500 mm. The air-sending device unit 1 and the

heat exchanger unit 4 are installed between the support materials 200 forming such a

truss structure as described above.

[0041]

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the top side of the connection flange 60 connecting the air

sending device unit 1 and the heat exchanger unit 4 is positioned lower than the top

side of the air-sending device unit 1 and the top side of the heat exchanger unit 4.

When the air-conditioning device 100 in Fig. 2 is viewed focusing on the top side, the

air-conditioning device 100 is regarded as having a recessed portion formed on the top

side of the connection flange 60. The support material 200 extending obliquely to form

the truss structure is located at the recessed portion formed atop the connection flange

60. This support material 200 does not interfere with the air-sending device unit 1 or

the heat exchanger unit 4. With reference to Fig. 17, it is understood that a portion of

the support material 200 is located at a position on the upper side of the connection

flange 60 and lower than the top side of the heat exchanger unit 4.

[0042]

As described above, the air-conditioning device 100 of the present embodiment

includes the air-sending device unit 1 including the air-sending device 20 and the first

housing 10 configured to accommodate the air-sending device 20 therein. The air

conditioning device 100 further includes the heat exchanger unit 4 including the heat

exchanger 50, and the second housing 40 configured to accommodate the heat

exchanger 50 therein. The air-conditioning device 100 still further includes the

connection flange 60 having a frame shape and configured to connect the first housing

and the second housing 40. The first housing 10 includes the oppositely-facing

plate 13 facing the second housing 40 and formed with the outflow ports 18. The

second housing 40 includes the oppositely-facing plate 43 facing the first housing 10

and formed with the introduction port 46. The connection flange 60 connects the

oppositely-facing plate 13 and the oppositely-facing plate 43. The top side of the

connection flange 60 is positioned lower than the top side of the first housing 10 and the

top side of the second housing 40. Due to this structure, the air-conditioning device

100 can be easily installed even in an attic of a truss structure.

[0043]

The air-sending device unit 1 or the heat exchanger unit 4 is located between the

support materials 200 adjacent to each other in the Y-direction to form the truss

structure. In a case where the spacing between the support materials 200 is short, assuming that the air-sending device unit 1 is accommodated between these support

materials 200, it is difficult to ensure an adequate scroll length of the scroll casing 21 of

the air-sending device unit 1. According to the present embodiment, the bottom plate

62 of the connection flange 60 extends along the extended line of the scroll ending

portion of the scroll casing 21. Due to this structure, the bottom plate 62 exhibits the

function similar to the scroll casing 21. Even when it is difficult to ensure an adequate

scroll length of the scroll casing 21, the adjusted flow of air can still be supplied to the

heat exchanger unit 4. In the present embodiment, the air-conditioning device 100

includes the guides 71 provided at the upper edge of the outflow ports 18 and

positioned within the connection flange 60. Each of these guides 71 extends along the

extended line of the tongue-like portion 24 of the scroll casing 21. Due to this structure, the guide 71 exhibits the function similar to the scroll casing 21. Even when it is difficult to ensure an adequate scroll length of the scroll casing 21, the adjusted flow of air can still be supplied to the heat exchanger unit 4.

[0044]

The connection flange 60 has a length of 50 mm to 100 mm in the Y-direction.

This length can also make it possible to suspend the air-sending device unit 1 and the

heat exchanger unit 4 that are integrated with each other by the connection flange 60 by

means of four-point suspension. For example, it is assumed that the air-sending

device unit 1 and the heat exchanger unit 4 are connected by a flexible duct, instead of

the connection flange 60. This allows greater flexibility in installation of the air-sending

device unit 1 and the heat exchanger unit 4, however, it is necessary to suspend the air

sending device unit 1 at four points, while suspending the heat exchanger unit 4 at

additional four points. Thus, the air-conditioning device 100 needs suspension work at

eight points in its entirety. This results in an increase in the amount of ceiling

suspended installation work. However, according to the present embodiment, the

increase in the amount of ceiling-suspended installation work on the air-conditioning

device 100 can be avoided.

[0045]

The top plate 11 and the bottom plate 12, which form the first housing 10 of the

air-sending device unit 1, may be screwed to the oppositely-facing plate 13, the side

plates 14a and 14b, and the end plate 15. In this case, it is preferable that the top

plate 11 is screwed with the screw heads positioned on the outer side of the top plate

11, that is, the top side thereof. In addition, it is preferable that the bottom plate 12 is

screwed with the screw heads positioned on the outer side of the bottom plate 12, that

is, the bottom side thereof. The screwing in this manner makes it possible to remove

the top plate 11 from the first housing 10 by removing the screws from above the air

sending device unit 1, and to remove the bottom plate 12 from the first housing 10 by

removing the screws from below the air-sending device unit 1. The top plate 11 can be

removed from above, while the bottom plate 12 can be removed from below. Thus, at

the time of maintenance, when a worker can enter the attic or the space above a ceiling, the worker can remove the top plate 11 from above to perform maintenance on the air sending device unit 1. When a worker cannot enter the attic or the space above a ceiling, the worker removes the bottom plate 12 from below through an inspection opening formed on the ceiling, and can thereby perform maintenance on the air-sending device unit 1. The same applies to the top plate 41 and the bottom plate 42 forming the second housing 40 of the heat exchanger unit 4. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the flexibility in maintenance work on the air-conditioning device 100 can be improved.

[0046]

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such

reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the

common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

[0047]

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except

where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication,

the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an

inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the

presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Reference Signs List

[0048]

1: air-sending device unit, 4: heat exchanger unit, 10: first housing, 11: top plate,

12: bottom plate, 13: oppositely-facing plate, 14a: side plate, 14b: side plate, 15: end plate,

16: air inlet, 17: air-inlet flange, 18: outflow port, 20: air-sending device, 21: scroll casing,

22: scroll starting portion, 23: scroll ending portion, 24: tongue-like portion, 25: fan, 40:

second housing, 41: top plate, 42: bottom plate, 43: oppositely-facing plate, 44a: side

plate, 44b: side plate, 45: end plate, 46: introduction port, 47: air outlet, 48: air-outlet

flange, 50: heat exchanger, 51: drain pan, 52: refrigerant pipe, 53: discharge port, 55:

electric wire, 60: connection flange, 61: top plate, 62: bottom plate, 63a: side plate, 63b:

side plate, 71: guide, 72: first partition plate, 73: second partition plate, 81: hanging fitting,

82: hanging fitting, 83: first reinforcement plate, 84: second reinforcement plate, 100: air

conditioning device, 200: support material

Claims (11)

1. An air-conditioning device comprising:

an air-sending device unit including an air-sending device, and a first housing

configured to accommodate the air-sending device therein; a heat exchanger unit including a heat exchanger, and a second housing

configured to accommodate the heat exchanger therein; and

a connection flange having a frame shape and configured to connect the first

housing and the second housing, wherein

the first housing includes an oppositely-facing plate facing the second housing

and formed with an outflow port,

the second housing includes an oppositely-facing plate facing the first housing

and formed with an introduction port, and a side plate which is vertically disposed, the

side plate extending along a first direction in which the second housing faces the first

housing,

the connection flange connects the oppositely-facing plate of the first housing and

the oppositely-facing plate of the second housing, and a top side of the connection

flange is positioned lower than a top side of the first housing and a top side of the

second housing,

the air-sending device unit includes a scroll casing having a fan accommodated

therein, and

a bottom plate of the connection flange extends along an extended line of a scroll

ending portion of the scroll casing,

the air-conditioning device further comprises a guide provided at an upper edge

of the outflow port and positioned within the connection flange, wherein

the guide extends along an extended line of a tongue-like portion of the scroll

casing, and extends upward nearly straightly along the first direction.

2. The air-conditioning device of claim 1, wherein in the second housing, a first reinforcement plate is provided along an inner side of a corner formed by the side plate and the oppositely-facing plate.

3. The air-conditioning device of claims 1 or 2, wherein

in the heat exchanger unit, a drain pan is provided on a lower portion of the

second housing, and

a second reinforcement plate is provided between the drain pan and an inner side

of a corner formed by the side plate and the oppositely-facing plate.

4. The air-conditioning device any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein

an end portion of the side plate in the first direction is defined as a first end

portion, while another end portion of the side plate in the first direction is defined as a

second end portion, the first end portion being relatively closer to the connection flange,

the second end portion being relatively further from the connection flange, a hanging

fitting is provided at a position closer to the first end portion of the side plate rather than

the second end portion.

5. The air-conditioning device of claim 4, wherein in the first direction, a center of

gravity of the heat exchanger unit is positioned closer to the first end portion rather than

the second end portion.

6. The air-conditioning device of claim 5, wherein

the hanging fitting is provided at a position upward relative to the center of gravity

of the heat exchanger unit.

7. The air-conditioning device of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein

a plurality of the air-sending devices are provided in the air-sending device unit,

the outflow ports are formed on the oppositely-facing plate of the first housing,

number of the outflow ports being equal to number of the air-sending devices, and a first partition plate is provided, the first partition plate being configured to partition the outflow ports adjacent to each other.

8. The air-conditioning device of any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising an electric wire passing through an interior of the connection flange and connected in the first

housing and in the second housing, wherein

a second partition plate is provided within the connection flange, the second

partition plate being configured to partition the electric wire and the outflow port.

9. The air-conditioning device of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the connection

flange is attached to both the first housing and the second housing in a detachable

manner.

10. The air-conditioning device of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein

the first housing includes a top plate forming a top side, and a bottom plate,

the second housing includes a top plate forming a top side, and a bottom plate,

and

the top plate of the first housing, the top plate of the second housing, the bottom

plate of the first housing, and the bottom plate of the second housing are screwed with

screw heads positioned on an outer side of the top plates and the bottom plates.

11. The air-conditioning device of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the connection

flange has a length of 50 mm to 100 mm.