EP0961908A1

EP0961908A1 - Outdoor unit of an air conditioner

Info

Publication number: EP0961908A1
Application number: EP98955917A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Takeshi Sakai; Yoshinobu Fujita; Mitsunobu Maezawa; Koji Wada; Motoshi Toshiba-Tagonouraryo KIKUGAWA
Original assignee: Toshiba Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba Corp
Priority date: 1997-12-03
Filing date: 1998-11-25
Publication date: 1999-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 2018-11-25
Also published as: EP0961908B1; BR9807148A; ID22274A; ES2198077T3; DE69814047D1; CN1252125A; KR100336222B1; JPH11223363A; TW387053B; WO1999028681A1; KR20000070639A; CN1154805C

Abstract

An outdoor unit of an air conditioner, which comprises a vertical compressor (3) and whose housing (1) is, nonetheless, small because the components (including a heat exchanger (2)) are arranged in the housing (1) in a specific manner. In the outdoor unit, the vertical compressor (3), fan unit (4), and heat exchanger (2) are arranged in one straight line. The housing (1) can therefore have a small width, occupying a small installation space. Further, the operating efficiency of the heat exchanger (2) is enhanced, whereby the vertical compressor (3) and the motor (4a) of the fan unit (4) can be cooled with high efficiency.

Description

D E S C R I P T O N

OUTDOOR UNIT OF AN AIR CONDITIONER

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an air conditioner comprising an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, and more particularly to an improvement in the arrangement of the components in the outdoor unit. Background Art

FIGS. 29A and 29B show the outdoor unit of an air conditioner. The outdoor unit has a conventional vertical compressor (i.e., a compressor whose compressing mechanism has a vertical axis and which is therefore taller than it is broad). FIGS. 30A and 30B illustrate the outdoor unit of an air conditioner. This outdoor unit has a conventional horizontal compressor (i.e., a compressor whose compressing mechanism has a horizontal axis and which is therefore broader than it is tall) .

The outdoor unit shown in FIGS. 29A and 29B will be described first. The outdoor unit has a main body, or housing 101. In the housing 101, a partition 102 divides the inner space into two chambers, i.e., a left chamber and a right chamber. The left chamber is used as a heat-exchanging room 103. The right chamber is used as a machine room 106. An L-shaped heat exchanger 104 and a fan unit 105 are arranged in the heat- exchanging room 103. A compressor 107, a gas-liquid separator 108, an electric part box 109, and the like are provided in the machine room 106. The outdoor unit shown in FIGS. 30A and 30B will now be described. The outdoor unit has a main body, or housing 110. In the housing 110, a partition 111 divides the inner space into two chambers, i.e., an upper chamber 112 and a lower chamber 115. In the upper chamber 112, a fan unit 113 and a heat exchanger 114 are provided. The fan unit 113 is located in the middle of the upper chamber 112. The heat exchanger 114 is composed of three sections. The first section of the heat exchanger 114 is located above the fan unit 113. The second and third sections are arranged on the left and right of the fan unit 113, respectively.

In the lower chamber 115, a horizontal compressor is provided. No openings are made in those walls of the housing 110, which define the lower chamber 115. By contrast, two openings 118 and 119 are made in the walls defining the upper chamber 112. The upper chamber is used as a heat-exchanging room 103. The first opening 118 exposes the fan 117 of the fan unit 113. The second opening 119 exposes the heat exchanger 114.

As described above, the outdoor unit shown in FIGS. 29A and 29B incorporates the vertical compressor 107, and has two chambers on the left and right of the partition 102, i.e., the heat-exchanging room 103 and the machine room 106. Therefore, its housing 101 extends in the horizontal direction, inevitably occupying a large installation space.

The outdoor unit shown in FIGS. 30A and 30B is not so broad as the outdoor unit of FIGS. 29A and 29B. This is because the partition 111 divides the inner space of the housing 110 into the upper chamber 112 and the lower chamber 115. However, the width of the housing 110 cannot be decreased greatly, since the lower chamber contains various pipes (not shown), such as an outlet pipe and an inlet pipe.

Disclosure of Invention The first object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, which comprises a vertical compressor and whose housing is, nonetheless, small because the components (including a heat exchanger) are arranged in the housing in a specific manner.

In the outdoor unit, the compressor, fan unit, and heat exchanger are arranged in one straight line. The housing can therefore have a small width, occupying a small installation space. Further, the operating efficiency of the heat exchanger is enhanced, whereby the vertical compressor and the motor of the fan unit can be cooled with high efficiency. The second object of the invention is to provide an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, whose housing is small because the components (including a heat exchanger) are arranged with respect to the housing in a particular manner.

In this outdoor unit, the compressor, the compressor, heat exchanger and fan unit are arranged in the order mentioned from the upstream side of the air stream generated by the fan unit. Hence, the housing can have a small width, occupying a small installation space. Further, the operating efficiency of the heat exchanger is enhanced, whereby the vertical compressor and the motor of the fan unit can be cooled with high efficiency. Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a third embodiment of this invention: FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a fourth embodiment of the invention: FIG. 5A is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a side view of the outdoor unit shown in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a sectional view of the outdoor unit shown in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a seventh embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the fan- supporting plate incorporated in an eighth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8B is a front view of the fan-supporting plate shown in FIG. 8A:

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the inverter box secured to the fan-supporting plate incorporated in a ninth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the inverter box secured to the fan-supporting plate incorporated in a tenth embodiment of the invention; FIG. 11 is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to an eleventh embodiment of the invention; FIG. 12 is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a thirteenth embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a fourteenth embodiment of the invention; FIG. 15A is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a fifteenth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15B is a side view of the outdoor unit shown in FIG. 15A; FIG. 16 is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a seventeenth embodiment of this invention;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are diagrams showing the positional relation the fins have with the pipes of the heat exchanger incorporated in a conventional outdoor unit; FIGS. 18C and 18D are diagrams showing the positional relation the fins have with the pipes of the heat exchanger incorporated in an outdoor unit according to an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a vertical sectional view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a nineteenth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20A is a vertical sectional view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a twentieth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20B is a perspective view of the outdoor unit shown in FIG. 20A;

FIG. 21 is a perspective of the compressor case provided in a twenty-first embodiment of this invention;

FIGS. 22A and 22B are perspective views of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a twenty-second embodiment of the invention, each showing a different condition of the outdoor unit;

FIG. 23A is a sectional view of the compressor case incorporated in a twenty-third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23B is a perspective view of the compressor case shown in FIG. 23A;

FIG. 24 is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a twenty-fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 25 is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a twenty-fifth embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 26 is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a twenty-sixth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 27A is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a twenty-seventh embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 27B is a perspective view of the outdoor unit shown in FIG. 27A; FIG. 28 is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a twenty-eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29A is a sectional view of a conventional outdoor unit of an air conditioner; FIG. 29B is a plan view of the conventional outdoor unit shown in FIG. 29A;

FIG. 30A is a sectional view of another conventional outdoor unit;

FIG. 30B is a plan view of the conventional outdoor unit shown in FIG. 30A; and

FIG. 30C is a perspective view of the conventional outdoor unit shown in FIG. 30A.

Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. An outdoor unit, which is the first embodiment of the invention, will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The outdoor unit has a main body, or housing 1. The housing is rectangular as viewed from above. The outdoor unit comprises a heat exchanger 2 , a vertical compressor 3, and a fan unit 4. The heat exchanger 2, vertical compressor 3 and fan 4 are provided in the housing 1. (The compressor 3 has a compressing mechanism, which has a vertical axis, and is therefore taller than it is broad.)

The housing 1 has an axis 5. Its left and right halves are symmetrical with respect to the axis 5. The heat exchanger 2, vertical compressor 3 and fan unit 4 are arranged in the axis 5 of the housing 1. The heat exchanger 2, vertical compressor 3 and fan unit 4 have axes, which are substantially aligned with the axis 5 of the housing 1. Hence, the left and right halves of each of these components are symmetrical with respect to the axis 5 of the housing 1.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the outdoor unit. As seen from FIG. 1, the housing 1 has a front wall la, a rear wall lb and two sides walls lc . The outdoor unit is installed, with the rear wall lb spaced by a prescribed distance from the outer wall of, for example, a house. The front wall la, rear wall lb and side walls lc have openings (not shown) . When the fan unit 4 is driven, air is drawn into the housing 1 through the openings made in the rear wall lb and side walls lc and applied from the housing 1 through the openings made in the front wall la.

The heat exchange 2, vertical compressor 3 and fan unit 4 are arranged in the order mentioned, from the upstream side of the air stream generated by the fan unit 4. Thus, the openings made in the rear wall lb and side walls lc that oppose the heat exchanger 2 function as inlet holes , and the openings made in the front wall la that oppose the fan unit 4 serve as outlet holes . The heat exchanger 2 is substantially U-shaped, consisting of a long part 2a and two short parts 2b. The long part 2a opposes the rear wall lb of the housing 1, whereas the short parts 2b opposes the two side walls lc , respectively. In other words, the long part 2a is located between the rear wall la and the vertical compressor 3, and the short parts 2b are located between the fan unit 4 and the side walls lc . Pipes (not shown, e.g., inlet pipes and outlet pipes) connected to the heat exchanger 2 and the refrigeration-cycle components (e.g., heat exchanger) of an indoor unit are connected to the vertical compressor 3. These pipes are provided in the space defined by the heat exchanger 2, vertical compressor 3 and fan unit 4. No idle spaces are provided in the housing 1. That is, the space available in the housing 1 is all utilized.

The fan unit 4 comprises a fan motor 4a and a propeller fan 4b (hereinafter referred to as "fan"). The fan 4b is fastened to the shaft of the fan motor 4a. The fan 4b is located at upstream of the air stream, while the fan motor 4a is provided at downstream thereof. The fan 4b is positioned between the short parts 2b of the heat exchanger 2. Thus, one short part 2b is interposed between the fan 4b and one side wall lc , and the other short part 2b between the fan 4b and the other wide wall lc . In operation, the vertical compressor 3 is driven, compressing the coolant. The coolant thus compressed circulates in the refrigeration cycle including the heat exchanger 2. Thus, the outdoor unit operates, air-conditioning a room in corporation with the indoor unit installed in that room.

While the compressor 3 is driven and the coolant is circulating in the refrigeration cycle, the fan unit 4 is driven, drawing air into the housing 1 through the inlet holes made in the rear wall lb and the side walls lc . The air flows in the housing 1, past the heat exchanger 2. The heat exchanger 2 therefore performs heat exchange between the air and the coolant . Part of the air contacts the compressor 3, cooling the compressor 3. The air is then expelled by the fan unit 4 from the housing 1 through the outlet holes made in the front wall la.

With the structure described above, an appropriate width can be set for the housing 1 once the diameter of the fan 4b of the fan unit 4 is set. Neither the compressor 3 nor the pipes restrict the width of the housing 1 at all. The width of the housing 1 can therefore be decreased, reducing the installation space of the outdoor unit. In addition, the housing 1 is rectangular as viewed from above and is very simple in structure .

Since the heat exchanger 2, vertical compressor 3 and fan unit 4 are arranged in the in the axis 5 of the housing 1, with their axes substantially aligned with the axis 5, the left and right halves of each are symmetrical with respect to the axis 5. As a result, the outdoor unit is well balanced in terms of weight and can be steadily held to move it from one place to another .

Moreover, the air contacts the heat exchanger 2 immediately after it is drawn into the housing 1 via the inlet holes, because the heat exchanger 2 is located at the upstream end of the air stream. This means that the heat exchanger 2 performs its function with high efficiency.

An outdoor unit, which is the second embodiment of the invention, will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment, except for the shapes of the housing 1A and heat exchanger 2A. As in the first embodiment, the heat exchanger 2A, vertical compressor 3 and fan unit 4 are arranged in the axis 5 of the housing 1A, and axes of these components are aligned with the axis 5. Further, air streams in the same direction in the housing 1A as in the first embodiment, and the inlet holes and the outlet holes, all made in the walls of the housing 1A, assume the same positional relationship as in the first embodiment. Hence, the second embodiment achieves the same advantages as the first embodiment as far as these structural features are concerned.

The rear wall of the housing 1A is bent, consisting of a flat center part Id and left and right inclined side parts le . The center part Id is parallel to the front wall la. The left and right side parts le are inclined toward the side walls lc , respectively. Although the housing 1A has the same depth as the housing 1 shown in FIG. 1, its rear wall has inclined left and right parts . The heat exchanger 2A is basically U-shaped, but its long part 2c is arched, having a predetermined radius of curvature. The long part 2c extends almost along the center part Id and side parts le of the rear wall of the housing 1A. Since the rear wall of the housing 1A is so bent as described above, the inlet holes made in the side parts le are not closed when the outdoor unit is installed with the center part Id contacting the outer wall 6 of a house. Thus, air can be smoothly drawn into the housing 1A through the inlet holes made in the side parts le, as well as through the inlet holes made in both side walls lc of the housing 1A.

Namely, the outdoor unit shown in FIG. 2 can be installed in contact with the outer wall 6 of the house. This means a reduction in the installation space of the outdoor unit. In addition, the housing 1A looks less deep than it is, because its rear wall has side parts le that incline from the flat center part Id to the side walls lc .

An outdoor unit, which is the third embodiment of this invention, will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment, except for the shapes of the housing 1A and heat exchanger 2A. Therefore, the third embodiment achieves the same advantages as the first embodiment . The housing IB has the same depth as the housing 1 of the first embodiment. The rear wall of the housing IB is bent, consisting of a flat center part If, two flat side parts lg and two inclined parts. The inclined parts connect the center part If to the flat side parts lg. The center part Id and both side parts lg are parallel to the front wall la. Although the housing 1A has the same depth as the housing 1 shown in FIG. 1, its rear wall has inclined left and right parts The outdoor unit can be installed, with the center part If contacting the outer wall 6 of a house. Once the outdoor unit is so installed, the side parts lg extend parallel to the outer wall 6 and are spaced therefrom by a predetermined space.

The heat exchanger 2B has straight short parts 2b extending along the side walls lc of the housing IB, as in the first embodiment. The long part 2d of the heat exchanger 2B consists of curved end portions and a U-shaped center portion connecting the curved end portions. Thus, the heat exchanger 2B is M-shaped as a whole .

Since the rear wall of the housing IB is so bent as described above, the side parts lg of the rear wall remain spaced from the outer wall 6 of the house after the outdoor unit is installed with the center part If contacting the outer wall 6. The inlet holes made in both side parts lg are therefore not closed. Thus, air can be smoothly drawn into the housing IB through the inlet holes made in the side parts le, as well as through the inlet holes made in both side walls lc of the housing IB.

Moreover, since the heat exchanger 2B is shaped, almost in the form of letter M, it can be longer than the heat exchanger 2 shown in FIG. 1 and the heat exchanger 2A shown in FIG. 2. The heat exchanger 2B can therefore operate more efficiently than the heat exchanges 2 and 2A.

FIG. 4 shows an outdoor unit, which is the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The components contained in the housing are identical to those of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 3. Further, they are arranged exactly in the same way as in the third embodiment .

The fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment in that the housing IC has a half-round column lh formed on the center part of the rear wall. The column lh presents a surface curved with a predetermined radius of curvature. The outdoor unit may be installed, with the column lh contacting the outer wall of a house. In this case, the column lh contacts the outer wall at its apex only. And the remaining parts of the column lh are spaced from the outer wall of the house. These parts of the column lh have inlet holes 7, through which air can be drawn into the housing IC . Air can therefore flow into the housing IC in a large amount, enhancing the efficiency of the heat exchanging in the housing IC .

An outdoor unit according to the fifth embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B. The fifth embodiment is identical to the third embodiment (FIG. 3) in the structures of the housing IB and heat exchanger 2B. Also, the vertical compressor 3, heat exchanger 2B and fan unit 4 are arranged in the same manner as in the third embodiment. Therefore, the fifth embodiment achieves the same advantages as the third embodiment . As shown in FIG. 5B, a box 20 is mounted on the top of the housing IB. The box 20 contains electric components. Terminals 3a are provided on the top of the vertical compressor 3. That part (i.e., an inclined part) of the housing IB which is located above the terminals 3a has no openings . This prevents rainwater from wetting the terminals 3a.

The fan motor 4a and fan 4b of the fan unit 4 are reversed in position with respect to the direction of air stream. More precisely, the fan motor 4a is positioned at upstream, opposing the heat exchanger 2B, whereas the fan 4b is located at downstream, opposing the outlet holes made in the front fall la of the housing IB. The fifth embodiment differs in this respect from the first to fourth embodiments that are shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

The fan motor 4a inevitably generates heat as long as the fan unit 4 operates. Nonetheless, the fan motor 4a can be efficiently cooled. This is because the motor 4a is located at upstream and can be cooled well by the air drawn into the housing IB.

Like the fan motor 4a, the compressor 3 is located at the upstream end of the air stream and on the axis Q of the fan 4b as the fan motor 4a. Therefore, the propeller fan 4b causes the air to flow at a relatively low speed in a region around the axis Q. Thus, obstacles, if any, existing in this region do not act as resistance to the air stream, not impairing the air-blowing efficiency of the fan 4b so much.

The same advantage is attained in the first to fourth embodiments shown in FIGS . 1 to . This is because the compressor 3 is located on the axis Q of the fan 4b and at upstream of the fan 4b.

In the first to fifth embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 5B, the compressor 3 is located at the upstream end of the air stream in the housing. The compressor 3 can therefore be cooled efficiently during the cooling cycle of the outdoor unit.

An outdoor unit, which is the sixth embodiment of the invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B. The sixth embodiment is similar to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1. In the housing 1 that is rectangular as viewed from above, the heat exchanger 2, vertical compressor 3 and fan unit 4 are arranged in the axis 5 of the housing 1. The heat exchanger 2 is U-shaped as viewed from above, as in the first embodiment. The sixth embodiment differs, however, from the first embodiment in that the fan motor 4a is located upstream of the fan 4b as in the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The outdoor unit according to the sixth embodiment further comprises an inverter 7 , an inverter box 8 , and a reactor 9. The inverter 7 is contained in the inverter box 8. The inverter box 8 , reactor 9 and heat exchanger 2 are arranged in the axis 5 of the housing 1 and aligned in a line parallel to the top lh of the housing 1. The inverter 7 and reactor 8 are used for electrically controlling the operating frequency of the compressor 3. A support plate 10 is secured to the heat exchanger 2. The support plate 10 supports the inverter box 8 and the reactor 9. The plate 10 is composed of three parts , which are formed integral . The first part is fastened to the upper edge of the heat exchanger 2 and has a cross section shaped in the form of an inverted U. The second part supports the reactor 9 and has a U-shaped cross section. The third part extends horizontally and supports the inverter box 8. A fan support plate 11 supports the fan motor 4a.

The plate 11 is shaped like a trough, having a vertical part 11a, a bottom part lib and a top part lie. The fan motor 4a is fastened to the vertical part 11a. The bottom part lib is secured to the bottom lj of the housing 1. The top part lie is connected to the front wall la of the housing 1.

The inverter box 8 , reactor 9 and heat exchanger 2 can therefore be arranged on the center part of the top lh of the housing 1 and extend over the front wall la and rear wall lb of the housing 1. Arranged so, the inverter box 8 , reactor 9 and heat exchanger 2 increases the strength of the housing 1. The heat exchanger 2 is secured firmly. The inverter box 8, reactor 9 and heat exchanger 2 can be secured with fewer screws than is necessary if they are arranged in any other fashion. This makes it easy to assemble the outdoor unit.

An outdoor unit, which is the seventh embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The inverter box 8 containing the inverter 7 , and the reactor 8 are arranged in a horizontal line, along the top lh of the housing 1, as in the sixth embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

The top part lie of the fan support plate 11A is raised, contacting the lower surface of the inverter box 8. That is, the plate 11A supports not only the fan unit 4 but also the inverter box 8. The support plate 10A fastened to the upper edge of the heat exchanger 2 supports the reactor 9 only.

The inverter box 8 and the fan support plate 11A are, therefore, aligned in the vertical direction in the housing 1. More specifically, the inverter box 8 and the fan support plate 11A are located in the middle of the housing 1 and arranged between the top lh and bottom lj of the housing 1. Hence, the housing 1 is stronger than otherwise, and the inverter box 8 is supported more firmly.

With reference to FIG. 8A to FIG. 10, the eighth, ninth and tenth embodiments of the invention will be described, each having a modified inverter box 8 or a modified fan support plate 11A.

The outdoor unit according to the eighth embodiment of the invention will be described, with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. In the eighth embodiment, the inverter box 8 is the same as its counterpart of the sixth embodiment. The fan support plate 11B is different. That is, the fan support plate 11B has a pair of positioning projections 12. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the projections 12 are formed integral with the support plate 11B and protrude upwards from the left and right ends of the top part lie.

When the inverter box 8 is mounted onto the top part lie of the fan support plate 11B, it is set in the space between the positioning projections 12. The inverter box 8 is therefore prevented from moving in the widthwise direction of the housing. The inverter 8 cannot move in the depthwise direction of the housing, because it is set between the front wall la of the housing, on the one hand, and the reactor 9 and heat exchanger 2, on the other hand.

An outdoor unit, which is the ninth embodiment of the invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. 9. As shown in FIG. 9, a pair of bars 13, each having a triangular cross section, are provided on the left and right ends of the lower surface 8b of the inverter box 8A. The fan support plate 11C has a width equal to the distance by which the bars 13 are spaced apart from each other. Thus, the bars 12 come into contact with the left and right edges of the fan support plate 11C when the inverter box 8A is mounted onto the fan support plate 11C. Once mounted on the plate 11C, the inverter box 8A is firmly held to the fan support plate 11C.

An outdoor unit, which is the tenth embodiment of the invention, will be described with reference to FIG. 10. In the tenth embodiment, the inverter box 8B has a pair of positioning projections 14. The projections 14 protrude downwards from the lower surface of the inverter box 8B. The fan support plate 11D has a width substantially equal to the width of the inverter the plate 11D has a pair of positioning holes 15 made in the top part lie. The holes 15 are spaced apart by the same distance the positioning projections 14. The inverter box 8B is mounted on the top part lie of the plate 11D, with the projections 14 inserted in the positioning holes 15 of the fan support plate 11D.

Hence, the inverter box 8B is steadily held on the top part lie of the fan support plate 11D. An outdoor unit according to the eleventh embodiment of this invention will be described with reference to FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 11, the housing 21 of the eleventh embodiment is rectangular as viewed from above. In the housing 21, a vertical compressor

22, a heat exchanger 23, and a fan unit 24 are arranged in the order mentioned, from the upstream end of the air stream. (The compressor 22 has a compressing mechanism, which has a vertical axis, and is therefore taller than it is broad.)

The axis 0 of the vertical compressor 22, the center of the heat exchanger 23, and the axis of the fan unit 24 all exist on the axis 25 of the outdoor unit. This means that the compressor 22, heat exchanger 23 and fan unit 24 have their left and right halves located symmetrically with respect to the axis 25.

The housing 21 has a front wall 21a (the lower side in FIG. 11) and a rear wall 21b (the upper side in FIG. 11). The outdoor unit is installed, with the rear wall 21b spaced by a predetermined distance from, for example, the outer wall of a house. When the fan unit 24 is driven, air streams in the direction of the arrows shown in FIG. 11. It is in the direction of air stream that the vertical compressor 22, heat exchanger 23 and fan unit 24 are arranged in the order they are mentioned. Both the front wall 21a and the rear wall 21b have holes (not shown) each. The holes made in the rear wall 21b are inlet holes, through which air is drawn into the housing 21 when the fan unit 24 is driven. The holes made in the front wall 21a are inlet holes, through which air is expelled from the housing 21 when the fan unit 24 is driven.

The heat exchanger 23 is rectangular as view from above. Its center part is in the axis 25 of the housing 21. The center C of the vertical compressor 22 is also in the axis 25. The heat exchanger 23 therefore has its left halves extending over the diameter of the compressor 22 and located symmetrical with respect to the axis 25.

The vertical compressor 22 is a so-called helical- blade compressor. The compressor 22 is connected to the heat exchanger 23 and the refrigeration-cycle components (e.g., heat exchanger) of an indoor unit by means of various pipes including an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe . The fan unit 24 comprises a fan motor 24a and a propeller fan 24b (hereinafter referred to as "fan"). The fan 24b is fastened to the shaft of the fan motor 24a. The fan 24b is located at upstream of the air stream, while the fan motor 24a is provided at downstream thereof.

In operation, the vertical compressor 22 is driven, compressing the coolant. The coolant thus compressed circulates in the refrigeration cycle including the heat exchanger 23. Thus, the outdoor unit operates, air-conditioning a room in corporation with the indoor unit installed in that room. While the compressor 22 is driven and the coolant is circulating in the refrigeration cycle, the fan unit 24 is driven, drawing air into the housing 21 through the inlet holes made in the rear wall 21b. The air streams in the housing 21. A part of the air contacts the vertical compressor 22, cooling the compressor 22, and then flows past the heat exchanger 23. The reaming air directly flows past the heat exchanger 23. The heat exchanger 23 therefore performs heat exchange between the air and the coolant . The air is then expelled by the fan unit 24 from the housing 21 through the outlet holes made in the front wall 21a.

With the eleventh embodiment described above, an appropriate width can be set for the housing 21 once the diameter of the fan 24b of the fan unit 24 is set. Neither the compressor 22 nor the pipes connected thereto restrict the width of the housing 21 at all. The width of the housing 21 can therefore be decreased, reducing the installation space of the outdoor unit. In addition, the housing 21 is rectangular as viewed from above and is very simple in structure.

The vertical compressor 22, heat exchanger 23 and fan unit 24 are arranged in the in the axis 25 of the housing 1, with their axes substantially aligned with the axis 25. The left and right halves of each of these components are symmetrical with respect to the axis 25. As a result, the outdoor unit according to the eleventh embodiment is well balanced in terms of weight and can be steadily held to move it from one place to another.

Furthermore, a part of the air drawn into the housing 21 contacts the vertical compressor 22 immediately after it is introduced into the housing 21 via the inlet holes, because the compressor 22 is located at the upstream end of the air stream. This means that the vertical compressor 22 serves to increase the cooling efficiency. The vertical compressor 22 is located upstream of the fan unit 24 and its center 0 exists on the axis of the fan 24b, which is aligned with the axis 25 of the housing 21. Air flows at a relatively low speed in a region around the axis of the fan 24b. Therefore, the fan 24b causes the air to flow at a relatively low speed in a region around the axis Q. Thus, obstacles, if any, existing in this region do not act as resistance to the air stream, not impairing the air- blowing efficiency of the fan 24b so much. FIG. 12 shows an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to the twelfth embodiment of the present invention. The components identical or similar to those of the eleventh embodiment (FIG. 11) are designated at the same reference numerals in FIG. 12 and will not be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 12, which is a plan view, the vertical compressor 22 is provided in a corner of the housing 21. In other words, the center 0 of the compressor 22 is located outside the axis 25 of the housing 21, or near one side of the heat exchanger 3.

This outdoor unit is inevitably not balanced in terms of weight, but the direction of air stream is not changed. Therefore, the heat-exchanging efficiency is improved. In addition, the width of the housing 21 can be decreased, reducing the installation space of the outdoor unit, since neither the compressor 22 nor the pipes connected thereto restrict the width of the housing 21 at all. Moreover, the housing 21 is rectangular as viewed from above and is very simple in structure.

FIG. 13 shows an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to the thirteenth embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 13, a vertical compressor 22, a heat exchanger 23A, and a fan unit 24 are provided in the housing 21 of the outdoor unit, in the order mentioned in the axis 25 of the housing 21. More precisely, the centers of the compressor 22, heat exchanger 23A and fan unit 24 exist on the axis 25 of the housing 21. The housing 21A looks generally rectangular as viewed from above but has a projection 26 formed on the rear wall 21b. The projection 26 is formed integral with the housing 21A and extends outwardly in the axis 25 of the housing 21A.

The depth of the housing 21A, i.e., the distance between the front wall 21a of the housing 21A and the distal end of the projection 26, is the same as the depth of the housings 21 of the eleventh and twelfth embodiments (FIGS. 11 and 12). The projection 26 has a curved surface having a predetermined radius of curvature. Both ends of the projection 26 are generally straight and inclined to the rear wall 21b of the housing 21A. The vertical compressor 22 is arranged in the projection 26. Namely, the compressor 22 is located behind the heat exchanger 23A provided in the housing 21A and extending along the inner surface of the rear all 21b.

The heat exchanger 23A is generally U-shaped as viewed from the above. Its long part 23a opposes the rear wall 21b of the housing 21A, and its left and right short parts 23b oppose the side walls 21c of the housing 21A. That is, the long part 23a is provided in a space defined by the rear wall 21b of the housing 21A, vertical compressor 22 and fan unit 24, while the short parts 23b are arranged in a space defined by the side walls 21c and fan unit 24. Through holes (not shown) are made in the front wall 21a, rear wall 21b and side walls 21c of the housing 21A and, also, in the wall of the projection 26. The holes made in the front wall 21a serve as outlet holes. The holes made in the walls 21b and 21c and the holes made in the wall of the projection 26 act as inlet holes. The vertical compressor 22, heat exchanger 23A and fan unit 24 are arranged in the order mentioned from the upstream of the air stream in the housing 21A.

The thirteenth embodiment operates exactly in the same way as the first to twelfth embodiments. The width of the housing 21A is decreased, reducing the installation space of the outdoor unit. The left and right halves of each of the components 22, 23A and 24 are symmetrical with respect to the axis 25. The outdoor unit according to the thirteenth embodiment is, therefore, well balanced in terms of weight and can be steadily held to move it from one place to another. Furthermore, a large space is provided around the projection 26 since the vertical compressor 22 is arranged in the projection 26 and the inlet holes are made in the wall of the projection 26. From the large space air can be drawn into the housing 21A in a great amount.

The amount of air contacts the vertical compressor 22 increases, enhancing the cooling efficiency. The amount of air applied to the heat exchanger 23A also increases in amount, too, and the heat exchanger 23A is U-shaped as viewed from above. This helps to increase the heat-exchanging efficiency. FIG. 14 shows an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to the fourteenth embodiment of the invention. The fourteenth embodiment is identical to the thirteenth embodiment (FIG. 13), except that the projection 26 is provided on the right half of the rear wall 21b of the housing 21B, not on the axis 25 of the housing 2 IB. (The projection 26 may be arranged on the left half of the rear wall 21b, instead.) A vertical compressor 22 is provided in the projection 26, as in the thirteenth embodiment . Since the projection 26 is provided on the right half of the rear wall 21b, this outdoor unit is inevitably not balanced in terms of weight. The direction of air stream is not changed, nonetheless. Therefore, the heat-exchanging efficiency is improved. Furthermore, the width of the housing 2 IB can be decreased, reducing the installation space of the outdoor unit, since neither the compressor 22 nor the pipes connected thereto restrict the width of the housing 21B at all. Th s, the installation space of the outdoor unit is reduced, and the housing 2 IB is very simple in structure.

Moreover, a large space is provided around the projection 26 when the outdoor unit is installed with the projection 26 set in contact with the outer wall of a house. From the large space air can be drawn in a great amount into the projection 26 and also into the housing 21B. Since the vertical compressor 22 and the heat exchanger 23A are arranged in the projection 26 and the housing 21B, respectively, the cooling efficiency and heat-exchanging efficiency are improved as in the thirteenth embodiment . FIGS. 15A and 15B show an outdoor unit, which is the fifteenth embodiment of the present invention. The fifteenth embodiment is identical to the thirteenth embodiment shown in FIG. 13, except for the shapes of the housing 21C and heat exchanger 23B. The vertical compressor 22, heat exchanger 23B and fan unit 24 are arranged in the same axis, i.e., the axis 25 of the housing 21C, as in the thirteenth embodiment. Namely, the center 0 of the compressor 22, the center part of the heat exchanger 23B, and the axis of the fan unit 24 are aligned in the axis 25. The fan unit 24 draws air into the housing 21C and expels the same therefrom, in the same direction as in the thirteenth embodiment. The inlet holes and outlet holes made in the walls of the housing 21C assume the same positional relation as in the thirteenth embodiment. Hence, the fifteenth embodiment achieves the same advantages as the thirteenth embodiment. A projection 26A is formed integral with the housing 21A on the center part of the rear wall 21b of housing 21A. The depth of the housing 21C, i.e., the distance between the front wall 21a and the distal end of the projection 26A, is substantially equal to the depth of the housings 21 of the eleventh and twelfth embodiments (FIGS. 11 and 12), the housing 21A of the thirteenth embodiment (FIG. 13) and the housing 2IB of the fourteen embodiment (FIG. 14). The wall of the projection 26A consists of a flat center part 2 If and two inclined parts 21e. The flat center part 2 If is parallel to the rear wall 21b of the housing 21C. The inclined parts connect the center part 2 If to the rear wall 21b of the housing 21C. The center part 2 If and the inclined parts 21e have inlet holes (not shown) .

The heat exchanger 23B has straight short parts 23b extending along the side walls 21c of the housing 2 IB. The long part 23d of the heat exchanger 23B consists of a plurality of portions 23q, which look curved as the heat exchanger 23B is viewed from above. Of these curved portions 23q, at least one is curved in the opposite direction to the direction in which the other two are curved. More specifically, the long part 23d is composed of three curved portions 23q. The center portion 23q is U-shaped, whereas the side portions 23q are bent in the form of inverted U. As a result, the center portion 23q is curved, extending along a part of the circumferential surface of the vertical compressor 22. The number of the curved portions 23q forming the heat exchanger 23B is not limited to three. The heat exchanger 23B may consists of more curved portions 23q.

An electric part box 30 is provided in the upper part of the housing 21C. The top of the box 30 is covered with the top plate 21g of the housing 21C. The heat exchanger 23B is taller than the vertical compressor 22. The top plate 21g, which covers the top of the heat exchanger 23B, is at a lever higher than the top of the vertical compressor 22.

Terminals 22a are mounted on the top of the vertical compressor 22. That part (i.e., an inclined part) of the housing 21C which is located above the terminals 22a has no openings. This prevents rain water from wetting the terminals 22a.

This outdoor unit may be installed, contacting the outer wall of a house only at the center part 2 If of the projection 26a. The In this case, the inclined parts 21e of the projection 26a remain spaced from the outer wall of the house. The inlet holes made in the inclined parts 21e therefore stay open. They perform their function, guiding air smoothly into the housing 21C.

Since the housing 21C can be installed with the projection 26a contacting the outer wall of the house, the outdoor unit looks neat and compact and occupies but a small space. In addition, the outdoor unit appears less deep than it is, because the housing has stepped parts at its rear wall.

Moreover, since the heat exchanger 23B has a plurality of curved portions 23q, it can be longer than the heat exchangers 23 and 23A shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The heat exchanger 23B can therefore operate more efficiently than the heat exchanges 23 and 23A. FIG. 16 is a schematic representation of an outdoor unit according to the sixteenth embodiment of this invention. The sixteenth embodiment is identical to the fifteenth embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B, except that the fan unit 24 has its position inverted with respect to the air-flow direction. The components similar or identical to those of the fifteenth embodiment are denoted at the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail. More specifically, the fan unit 24 is positioned, with its fan 24b opposing the heat exchanger 23B located at the upstream of the air stream and its fan motor 24a opposing the front wall 21a provided at the downstream of the air stream. Since the fan motor 24a opposes the front wall 21a of the housing 21C, it is easy to perform wiring on the motor 24a and achieve maintenance thereof. This is an additional advantage of the sixteenth embodiment, which has the same advantages as the fifteenth embodiment.

FIG. 17 shows an outdoor unit according to the seventeenth embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is identical to the fifteenth embodiment shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, except that the housing 2ID has a projection 26B having a vertical wall curved with a predetermined radius of curvature. The top 40b of the projection 26B inclines downwardly, has no openings and is located at a level lower than the top plate 21g of the housing 2ID. The vertical wall of the projection 26B has inlet holes 27. Thus, the seventeenth embodiment has two advantages. The first advantage is the same as achieved by the projection 26 of the thirteenth embodiment (FIG. 13), which a curved vertical wall. The second advantage is the same as achieved by that closed inclined part of the housing 21C of the fifteenth embodiment (FIGS. 15A and 15B) which is located above the terminals 22a. An outdoor unit according to the eighteenth embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 18C and 18D. The heat exchangers 23, 23A and 23B incorporated in the above-described embodiments each comprises a number of rectangular fins and heat-exchanging pipes penetrating the fins . FIGS. 18A and 18B show a conventional heat exchanger. As shown in FIG. 18A, the conventional heat exchanger comprises a number of rectangular fins F and a plurality of pipes P. The pipes P are arranged parallel to one another and spaced apart at predetermined intervals . The pipes P are connected together at their ends by, for example, U-shaped bends (not shown) . As shown in FIG. 18B, each pipe P consists of straight parts and curved parts 23e. The rectangular fins F are mounted on the pipes P at a predetermined pitch. The fins F on the straight parts of the pipes P are parallel to one another, and the fins F on the curved parts 23e are inclined to one another. Assume that air streams past the fins F in the direction of the arrow. Then, the intervals between the fins F on any curved part 23e are very short at the downstream ends K of these fins F. As a consequence, the downstream ends K of the fins F make a resistance to the air stream. Ultimately, the conventional heat exchanger cannot attain a sufficient heat-exchanging efficiency. In the eighteen embodiment of the present invention, the curved parts 23e of the pipes P have the same radius of curvature as in the conventional heat exchanger. The fins F are displaced toward the upstream of the air stream as is illustrated in FIG. 18C. As a result, the intervals between the downstream ends K of the fins F on any curved part 23e are not so short as to impose a resistance to the air stream. The heat exchanger therefore attains a sufficient heat-exchanging efficiency, merely by displaying the fins toward the upstream of the air stream. To achieve the sufficient heat-exchanging efficiency, it is unnecessary to alter the material or shape of the pipes P and fins F.

FIG. 19 illustrates an outdoor unit that is the nineteenth embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is similar to the fifteenth embodiment (FIGS. 15A and 15B) in the following respects. First, the vertical compressor 22, heat exchanger 23B and fan unit 24 are arranged in the housing 2IE, in the order mentioned from the upstream of the air stream. Second, the heat exchanger 23B is taller than then the vertical compressor 22, and the top plate 2 If of the housing 2 IE, which covers the top of the heat exchanger 23B, is at a lever higher than the top of the vertical compressor 22. Third, that part 40b of the housing 21E which covers the top of the compressor 22 is inclined and closed. The nineteenth embodiment differs from the fifteenth embodiment in that the no projection is formed integral with the rear wall 21b of the housing 21E as in the eleventh embodiment shown in FIG. 11. Namely, the housing 2IE has a simpler shape, rectangular as viewed from above. The outdoor unit is installed, with the rear wall 21b contacting the outer wall W of a house, as shown in FIG. 19. Since the housing 2 IE has a stepped part at the rear, a space is provided between the wall W and the upper part of the housing 21E. Pipes P can be provided in this space. FIGS. 20A and 2OB show an outdoor unit according to the twentieth embodiment of the invention. The twentieth embodiment incorporates a heat exchanger 23B. Like its counterparts of the fifteenth embodiment (FIG. 15A and 15B) and sixteenth embodiment (FIG. 16), the heat exchanger 23B has a plurality of curved portions 23q. The heat exchanger 23B therefore has a larger heat-exchanging surface and a smaller height than otherwise. The top plate 21i of the housing 2IE is bent, forming a stepped part, with its front half covering the fan unit 24 and its rear half covering the heat exchanger 23B and vertical compressor 22. A space is therefore provided between the wall W of a house and the upper part of the housing 2 IE once the outdoor unit is installed, with its rear contacting the outer wall W. Pipes P can be provided in this space, extending above the heat exchanger 23B and the vertical compressor 22. Furthermore, only the rear half of the top plate 21i can be removable. In this case, an access can be made to both the vertical compressor 22 and the heat exchanger 23B merely by removing the rear half of the top plate 21i. This renders it easy to perform repair and maintenance of the compressor 22 and heat exchanger 23B. FIG. 21 shows an outdoor unit that is the twenty-first embodiment of the present invention. The twenty-first embodiment is characterized in that the verification compressor 22 is contained in a split cylindrical case 50. The case 50 is provided in the housing of the outdoor unit and composed of a left half 50a and a right half 50b. The compressor 22 may be one that generates virtually no noise while operating or one that makes some noise (e.g., a helical-blade compressor) while operating. If the vertical compressor 22 is the latter type, the case 50 will prevent almost all noise from leaking outside.

An outdoor unit according to the twenty-second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 22A and 22B. This embodiment is characterized in that the projection provided on the rear wall 21b of the housing 21G is a case 50A that covers the vertical compressor (not shown) . The case 50A is composed of a base and a cover. The base is connected to the rear wall 21b. The cover is hinged at one vertical side to the base and has a flange 51 at the other vertical side. When the cover is rotated to a closed position, the flange 51 is fastened to the base by an appropriate fastening means as is shown in FIG. 22A.

Once the cover is rotated to an opened position as illustrated in FIG. 22B, the vertical compressor 22 can be accessed. This makes it easy to accomplish the maintenance of the compressor 22 and perform wiring and piping on the compressor 22.

An outdoor unit according to the twenty-third embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 23A and 23B. The twenty-third embodiment has a compressor cover 50B, in which the vertical compressor 22 is provided. The cover 50B is a cylinder, having a closed bottom and a top having a hole 52 for guiding a pipe P. The cover 50B has its diameter reduced at its upper part 53. Having a small- diameter upper part 53, the cover 5OB make a great resistance to the air stream. As a result, air smoothly flows onto the heat exchanger (not shown) . This helps the heat exchanger to attain a sufficient heat-exchanging efficiency.

An outdoor unit according to the twenty-fourth embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 24. A projection 26C is integrally formed with the rear wall 21b of the housing 21H.

The wall of the projection 26C consists of a center part 21j and two side parts 21k. The center part 21j is curved with a predetermined radius of curvature. The side parts 21k are straight and inclined as viewed from above. They connect the center part 21j to the rear wall 21b of the housing 21H. Either side part 21k intersects at right angles with a line 55 that extends along one curved portion 23q of the heat exchanger 23B, which opposes the vertical compressor 22. The side parts 21k have inlet holes 27, through which heat- exchanging air is drawn into the housing 21H. In the housing 21H, the air drawn through the inlet holes 27 smoothly flows along the curved portions 23q of the heat exchanger 23B, meeting a reduced resistance. This helps enhance the heat-exchanging efficiency of the heat exchanger 23B. An outdoor unit according to the twenty-fifth embodiment of this invention will be described with reference to FIG. 25. A projection 26D is integrally formed with the rear wall of the housing 21J. The wall of the projection 26D consists of a center part 21j and two side parts 21k. The center part 21j is curved with a predetermined radius of curvature. The side parts 21k are straight and inclined as viewed from above. They connect the center part 21j to the rear wall 21b of the housing 21H. Either side part 21k has a plurality of inlet holes 27, through which heat- exchanging air is drawn into the housing 21J.

In the housing 21J, the air drawn through the inlet holes 27 smoothly flows along the curved portions 23q of the heat exchanger 23B, meeting a reduced resistance. This helps enhance the heat-exchanging efficiency of the heat exchanger 23B.

An outdoor unit according to the twenty-sixth embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 26. This embodiment is identical to the fifteenth embodiment shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, except that a partition 57 is interposed between the vertical compressor 22 and the center curved portion

23q of the heat exchanger 23B. As in the twenty-fifth embodiment, the wall of the projection 26E consists of a center part 21j and two side parts 21k. The center part 21j is curved with a predetermined radius of curvature, and the side parts 21k are straight and inclined as viewed from above. The side part 21k have inlet holes 27, through which heat-exchanging air is drawn into the housing 2 IK.

The air drawn through the inlet holes 27 made in the left side part 21k of the projection 26E flows along the left curved portion 23q of the heat exchanger 23B. Meanwhile, the air drawn through the inlet holes 27 made in the right side part 21k flows along the right curved portion 23q. As a result, the two air streams reach the center curved portion 23q of the heat exchanger 23B. Without the partition 57, the air streams would collide with each other at the center curved portion 23q, generating turbulence and making noise. The partition 57 does prevent these air streams from colliding. They smoothly go past the heat exchanger 23B, without generating turbulence. As a result, the noise made by the air streams decreases and the operating efficiency of the heat exchanger 23B increases .

An outdoor unit according to the twenty-seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 27A and 27B. The fifteenth embodiment, the heat-exchanger 23B has a plurality of curved portions 23q. Spacers 58 are provided between the vertical compressor 22, and the center curved portion 23q opposing the compressor 22. The spacers 58 are formed either integral or not integral with the vertical compressor 22. In either case, the spacers 58 set the heat exchanger 23B spaced from the vertical compressor 22. Hence, heat-exchanging air reliably flows to the center curved portion 23q of the heat exchanger 23B even if the vertical compressor 22 and heat exchanger 23B have sizes different from the designed ones. The every part of the heat exchanger 23B therefore effectively serves to achieve heat exchanging. Further, the spacer 58 helps to reduce the noise may by the air streams .

FIG. 28 shows an outdoor unit according to the twenty-eighth embodiment of the invention. The housing 21L has legs 60 on its bottom. The legs 60 extend from the rear wall of the housing 21L, not from the side walls thereof, for a distance 60m shorter than the depth 26n of the projection 26E. The legs 60, thus positioned and sized, prevent the housing 21L from toppling and improve the safety while moving the outdoor unit to and from the installation place.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. An outdoor unit of an air conditioner, comprising: a housing; a vertical compressor provided in the housing; a fan unit provided in the housing; and a heat exchanger provided in the housing, wherein the vertical compressor, fan unit and heat exchanger are arranged in a straight line in the order mentioned.

2. An outdoor unit according to claim 1, in which the vertical compressor, fan unit and heat exchanger have axes substantially aligned with the straight line.

3. An outdoor unit according to claim 1, in which the vertical compressor, fan unit and heat exchanger are arranged in the order mentioned from the upstream of an air stream generated by the fan unit.

4. An outdoor unit according to claim 1, in which the heat exchanger, vertical compressor and fan unit are arranged in the order mentioned from the upstream of an air stream generated by the fan unit.

5. An outdoor unit according to claim 3, in which the fan unit comprises a fan and a fan motor for rotating the fan, said fan motor located at upstream of the air stream with respect to the fan.

6. An outdoor unit according to claim 3, in which the fan unit comprises a fan and a fan motor for rotating the fan, said fan motor located at downstream of the air stream with respect to the fan.

7. An outdoor unit according to claim 4, in which the fan unit comprises a fan and a fan motor for rotating the fan, said fan motor located at upstream of the air stream with respect to the fan.

8. An outdoor unit according to claim 4, in which the fan unit comprises a fan and a fan motor for rotating the fan, said fan motor located at downstream of the air stream with respect to the fan.

9. An outdoor unit according to claim 1, in which the housing has a projection provided on an upstream side and projecting in the straight line.

10. An outdoor unit according to claim 3, in which the housing has a projection provided on an upstream side, projecting in the straight line and containing the vertical compressor.

11. An outdoor unit according to claim 3, in which the heat exchanger is bent, surrounding a part of a circumferential surface of the vertical compressor and substantially M-shaped as viewed from above.

12. An outdoor unit according to claim 3, in which the vertical compressor is electrically controlled in terms of operating frequency by an inverter and a reactor, and the reactor and an inverter box containing the inverter are provided in the housing and arranged in a horizontal line.

13. An outdoor unit according to claim 12, in which a support plate is fastened to the heat exchanger, and the reactor is secured to the support plate.

14. An outdoor unit according to claim 12, in which a fan support plate is secured to the housing and supports the fan unit, and the fan support plate and the inverter box are arranged in a vertical line in the housing.

15. An outdoor unit according to claim 14, in which the fan support plate has members restricting a vertical motion of the inverter box.

16. An outdoor unit according to claim 14, in which the inverter box has members secured to the fan support plate.

17. An outdoor unit according to claim 3, in which the fan unit has a propeller fan.

18. An outdoor unit of an air conditioner, comprising: a housing; a compressor provided in the housing; a fan unit provided in the housing; and a heat exchanger provided in the housing, wherein the vertical compressor, heat exchanger and fan unit are arranged in a straight line in the order mentioned.

19. An outdoor unit according to claim 18, in which the compressor and the heat exchanger are substantially aligned with the rotational axis of the fan unit.

20. An outdoor unit according to claim 18, in which the compressor, heat exchanger and fan unit have axes aligned with an axis of the housing, as viewed from above.

21. An outdoor unit according to claim 18, in which a center of the fan unit is located on an axis of the housing as viewed from above, and at least one of the compressor and heat exchanger has a center located on the axis of the housing as viewed from above.

22. An outdoor unit according to claim 18, in which the housing has a projection on a rear side opposing the compressor, said projection extending in a depth direction of the housing as viewed from above.

23. An outdoor unit according to claim 18, in which the fan unit comprises a fan and a fan motor for rotating the fan, said fan motor located at upstream of an air stream with respect to the fan.

24. An outdoor unit according to claim 18, in which the fan unit comprises a fan and a fan motor for rotating the fan, said fan motor located at downstream of an air stream with respect to the fan.

25. An outdoor unit according to claim 23, in which the fan unit has a propeller fan.

26. An outdoor unit according to claim 18, in which the compressor is a vertical compressor of helical-blade type.

27. An outdoor unit according to claim 18, in which the heat exchanger is curved as viewed from above, at two portions at least, and at least one of the curved portions is curved in a direction opposite to a direction in which the two other portions are covered.

28. An outdoor unit according to claim 27, in which the heat exchanger comprises a heat-exchanging pipe and a number of fins mounted on the heat- exchanging pipe and spaced apart at predetermined intervals, and the fins are displaced toward the upstream of an air flow.

29. An outdoor unit according to claim 18, in which the heat exchanger is taller than the compressor, and the housing has a top plate located at a higher level than a top of the heat exchanger.

30. An outdoor unit according to claim 29, in which the top plate of the housing is closed and inclined at a predetermined angle.

31. An outdoor unit according to claim 18, in which top plate of the housing is bent, forming a stepped part, and the stepped part provides a space for accommodating pipes .

32. An outdoor unit according to claim 18, in which the compressor is provided in a cover case.

33. An outdoor unit according to claim 32, in which the cover case comprises a plurality of segments.

34. An outdoor unit according to claim 32, in which a part of the cover case projects from the housing.

35. An outdoor unit according to claim 34, in which said part of the cover case is able to rotate to open and close the housing.

36. An outdoor unit according to claim 32, in which the cover case has a small-diameter part.

37. An outdoor unit according to claim 22, in which the projection has parts inclined at right angles to lines extending along curved portions of the heat exchanger, which oppose the compressor, and inlet holes are made in these parts of the projection.

38. An outdoor unit according to claim 22, in which the projection of the housing has a part having inlet holes for guiding heat-exchanging air into the housing, and air-guiding fins protrude from said part of the projection at the inlet holes.

39. An outdoor unit according to claim 27, in which a partition is provided at the curved portion of the heat exchanger, for preventing a left air stream and a right air stream from colliding.

40. An outdoor unit according to claim 27, in which spacers are provided between the compressor and the curved portion of the heat exchanger, which opposes the compressor.

41. An outdoor unit according to claim 22, in which the housing has a bottom and legs provided on the bottom, extending from the rear side of the housing and spaced apart in a width direction of the housing.