EP0961908B1

EP0961908B1 - Outdoor unit of an air conditioner

Info

Publication number: EP0961908B1
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: 2003-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 2018-11-25
Also published as: ID22274A; CN1252125A; ES2198077T3; KR20000070639A; JPH11223363A; CN1154805C; WO1999028681A1; EP0961908A1; KR100336222B1; TW387053B; DE69814047D1; BR9807148A

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

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an out door unit of an air conditioner.

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.

GB 668 701 A showing all the features of the preamble of claim 1 discloses an outdoor unit of an air conditioner which has a compressor, a heat exchanger and a fan unit arranged sequentially behind each other. In this outdoor unit all walls except the bottom wall and the rear wall are inperforated so that air is moved through the housing via bottom and rear walls. The housing of the outdoor unit is essentially a square box with no particular attention to reducing the dimensions thereof.

US-A-5 197 299 discloses an outdoor unit of an air conditioner in which the compressor, fan unit and the heat exchanger are arranged in this order whereby the air is moved through the housing via an air inlet-at the bottom wall and an air outlet at the front wall adjacent the heat exchanger.

Disclosure of Invention

It is the object of the invention to provide an outdoor unit of an air conditioner which comprises a vertical compressor and whose housing is nonetheless small and which is enhanced with respect to the operating efficiency.

To solve this object the invention provides an outdoor unit of an air conditioner as defined in claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the outdoor unit are defined in the dependent claims.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a first example for explaining certain aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a second example for explaining certain aspects of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a first embodiment of this invention:

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a second embodiment of the invention:

FIG. 5A is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a third 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 third example for explaining certain aspects 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 fourth example for explaining certain aspects of this invention;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the fan-supporting plate incorporated in a fifth example for explaining certain aspects 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 sixth example for explaining certain aspects of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the inverter box secured to the fan-supporting plate incorporated in a seventh example for explaining certain aspects of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to an eighth example for explaining certain aspects of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a ninth example for explaining certain aspects of the present invention;

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

FIG. 14 is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a tenth example for explaining certain aspects of the invention;

FIG. 15A is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a fifth 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 sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a seventh 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 eighth embodiment of the present invention;

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

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

FIGS. 22A and 22B are perspective views of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a twelfth 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 thirteenth 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 fourteenth embodiment of the invention;

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

FIG. 26 is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 27A is a plan view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, according to a seventeenth 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 eighteenth 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. However, the examples shown in Figures 1, 2, 6A, 6B, 7, 8A, 8B, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 14 and described in the corresponding description do not fall within the scope of the claims.

An outdoor unit, which is the first example for explaining certain aspects 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 1a, a rear wall 1b and two side walls 1c. The outdoor unit is installed, with the rear wall 1b spaced by a prescribed distance from the outer wall of, for example, a house. The front wall 1a, rear wall 1b and side walls 1c 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 1b and side walls 1c and applied from the housing 1 through the openings made in the front wall 1a.

The heat exchanger 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 1b and side walls 1c that oppose the heat exchanger 2 function as inlet holes, and the openings made in the front wall 1a 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 1b of the housing 1, whereas the short parts 2b oppose the two side walls 1c, respectively. In other words, the long part 2a is located between the rear wall 1a and the vertical compressor 3, and the short parts 2b are located between the fan unit 4 and the side walls 1c. 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 1c, and the other short part 2b between the fan 4b and the other wide wall 1c.

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 cooperation 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 1b and the side walls 1c. 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 1a.

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 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 example for explaining certain aspects of the invention, will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The second example is identical to the first example, except for the shapes of the housing 1A and heat exchanger 2A. As in the first example, 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 example, 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 example. Hence, the second embodiment achieves the same advantages as the first example as far as these structural features are concerned.

The rear wall of the housing 1A is bent, consisting of a flat center part 1d and left and right inclined side parts 1e. The center part 1d is parallel to the front wall 1a. The left and right side parts 1e are inclined toward the side walls 1c, 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 1d and side parts 1e 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 1e are not closed when the outdoor unit is installed with the center part 1d 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 1e, as well as through the inlet holes made in both side walls 1c 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 1e that incline from the flat center part 1d to the side walls 1c.

An outdoor unit, which is the first embodiment of this invention, will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The second example is identical-to the first example, except for the shapes of the housing 1A and heat exchanger 2A. Therefore, the first embodiment achieves the same advantages as the first example.

The housing 1B has the same depth as the housing 1 of the first example. The rear wall of the housing 1B is bent, consisting of a flat center part 1f, two flat side parts 1g and two inclined parts 1e. The inclined parts connect the center part if to the flat side parts 1g. The center part 1f and both side parts 1g are parallel to the front wall 1a. Although the housing 1B 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 1g 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 1c of the housing 1B, as in the first example. 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 1B is so bent as described above, the side parts 1g of the rear wall remain spaced from the outer wall 6 of the house after the outdoor unit is installed with the center part 1f contacting the outer wall 6. The inlet holes made in both side parts 1g are therefore not closed. Thus, air can be smoothly drawn into the housing 1B through the inlet holes made in the side parts 12, as well as through the inlet holes made in both side walls 1c of the housing 1B.

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 exchangers

2 and 2A.

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

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the housing 1C 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 1h 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 1C. Air can therefore flow into the housing 1C in a large amount, enhancing the efficiency of the heat exchanging in the housing 1C.

An outdoor unit according to the third embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B. The third embodiment is identical to the first embodiment (FIG. 3) in the structures of the housing 1B 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 first embodiment. Therefore, the third embodiment achieves the same advantages as the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5B, a box 20 is mounted on the top of the housing 1B. 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 1B 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 wall 1a of the housing 1B. The third embodiment differs in this respect from the first and second embodiments that are shown in FIGS. 3 and 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 1B.

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 and second embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. 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 and second examples and the first to third 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 third example for explaining certain aspects of the invention, will be described with reference to. FIGS. 6A and 6B. The third example is similar to the first example 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 example. The third example differs, however, from the first example in that the fan motor 4a is located upstream of the fan 4b as in the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

The outdoor unit according to the third example 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 integrally. 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 11b and a top part 11c. The fan motor 4a is fastened to the vertical part 11a. The bottom part 11b is secured to the bottom 1j of the housing 1. The top part 11c is connected to the front wall 1a 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 1h of the housing 1 and extend over the front wall 1a and rear wall 1b 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 fourth example , 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 third example shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

The top part 11c 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 1h and bottom 1j 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 fifth, sixth and seventh examples for explaining certain aspects 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 fifth example will be described, with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. In the fifth example, the inverter box 8 is the same as its counterpart of the third example. 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 integrally with the support plate 11B and protrude upwards from the left and right ends of the top part lic.

When the inverter box 8 is mounted onto the top part 11c 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 1a 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 sixth example , 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 seventh example , will be described with reference to FIG. 10. In the seventh example, 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 11c. The holes 15 are spaced apart by the same distance the positioning projections 14. The inverter box 8B is mounted on the top part 11c 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 11c of the fan support plate 11D.

An outdoor unit according to the eighth example will be described with reference to FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 11, the housing 21 of the eighth example 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 O 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 O 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 cooperation 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 remaining 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 eighth example 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 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 eighth example 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 O 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 nineth example . The components identical or similar to those of the eighth example (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 fourth 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 integrally 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 eighth and nineth examples (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 wall 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 fourth embodiment operates exactly in the same way as the first to third 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 fourth 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 contacting 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 tenth example

The tenth example is identical to the fourth 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 21B. (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 fourth 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 21B 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. Thus, the installation space of the outdoor unit is reduced, and the. housing 21B 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 fourth embodiment.

FIGS. 15A and 15B show an outdoor unit, which is the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The fifth embodiment is identical to the fourth 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 fourth embodiment. Namely, the center O 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 fourth embodiment. The inlet holes and outlet holes made in the walls of the housing 21C assume the same positional relation as in the fourth embodiment. Hence, the fifth embodiment achieves the same advantages as the fourth embodiment.

A projection 26A is formed integrally 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 eighth and nineth examples (FIGS. 11 and 12), the housing 21A of the fourth embodiment (FIG. 13) and the housing 21B of the tenth example (FIG. 14).

The wall of the projection 26A consists of a flat center part 21f and two inclined parts 21e. The flat center part 21f is parallel to the rear wall 21b of the housing 21C. The inclined parts connect the center part 21f to the rear wall 21b of the housing 21C. The center part 21f 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 21B. 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 level 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 21f of the projection 26a. 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 sixth embodiment of this invention. The sixth embodiment is identical to the fifth 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 fifth 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 sixth embodiment, which has the same advantages as the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 17 shows an outdoor unit according to the seventh embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is identical to the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, except that the housing 21D 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 21D. The vertical wall of the projection 26B has inlet holes 27. Thus, the seventh embodiment has two advantages. The first advantage is the same as achieved by the projection 26 of the fourth 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 fifth embodiment (FIGS. 15A and 15B) which is located above the terminals 22a.

An outdoor unit according to the eighth 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 pass 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 eighth 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 displacing 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 nineth embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is similar to the fifth 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 21E, 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 21f of the housing 21E, 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 nineth embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment in that the projection is formed integrally with the rear wall 21b of the housing 21E as in the eighth example shown in FIG. 11. Namely, the housing 21E 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 21E 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 20B show an outdoor unit according to the tenth embodiment of the invention. The tenth embodiment incorporates a heat exchanger 23B. Like its counterparts of the fifth embodiment (FIG. 15A and 15B) and sixth 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 21E 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 21E 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 eleventh embodiment of the present invention. The eleventh 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 twelfth 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 thirteenth embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 23A and 23B. The thirteenth 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 50B 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 fourteenth 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 fifteenth 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 sixteenth embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 26. This embodiment is identical to the fifth 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 fifteenth 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 21K.

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 seventeenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 27A and 27B. The seventeenth 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 integrally or not integrally 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 eighteenth 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

An outdoor unit of an air conditioner, comprising:

a housing (1B;21A;21C;21L;21H;21J) having a rear wall with inlet holes and a front wall with outlet holes and a depth between front wall and the rear wall and an axis;

a vertical compressor (3;22), a heat exchanger (2B;23A;23B) and a fan unit (4;24) provided in the housing (1B;21A;21C;21L;21H;21J);

wherein the vertical compressor (3;22), the heat exchanger (2B;23A;23B) and the fan unit (4;24) are arranged in the order mentioned from the rear wall toward the front wall, each having a center located on the axis (5;25) of the housing (1B;21A;21C;21L;21H;21J), characterized in that
the rear wall of the housing (1B;21A;21C;21L;21H;21J) has a projection . (1f;1h;26;26A;26B;26C;26D) opposing the vertical compressor (3;22) and which projects from the housing (1B;21A;21C;21L;21H;21J) in the direction of the depth of the housing (1B;21A;21C;21L;21H;21J); and
wherein the vertical compressor (3;22) is arranged in the projection (1f;1h;26;26A;26B;26C;26D) and further inlet holes are made in the wall of the projection (1f;1h;26;26A;26B;26C;26D).
An outdoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the fan unit (4;24) comprises a propeller fan (4b;24b) and a fan motor (4a) for rotating the propeller fan (4b;24b).
An outdoor unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the heat exchanger (2B;23B) has a curved part (23q) having a center portion bent toward the front wall of the housing, said center portion opposing a peripheral surface of the vertical compressor (3;22).
An outdoor unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the vertical heat exchanger (2B;23B) has two short-side parts (2b;23b) and a long-side part (2d;23d), said short-side parts (2b;23b) extending straight along the sides of the housing (1B;21C), and said long-side part (2d;23d) extending between the short-side parts (2b;23b) along the rear wall of the housing (1B;21C) and having a curved part (23q) which opposes a part of a peripheral surface of the vertical compressor (3;22) and which is bent toward the front wall of the housing (1B;21C).
An outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the heat exchanger comprises a number of fins (F) spaced apart at predetermined intervals and a heat-exchanging pipe (23e) passing through the fins (F) so as to be eccentrically located towards the downstream side of an air flow applied to the fins (F).
An outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the heat exchanger (2;2B;23B) is taller than the vertical compressor (3;22), the housing has a top plate located at a higher level than the top of the heat exchanger, and the top of the housing is closed and inclined at a predetermined angle.
An outdoor unit according to claim 6, characterized in that the top plate of the housing is bent, forming a stepped part, and the stepped part provides a space for accommodating pipes (P).
An outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the projection comprises a cover case (50A) which comprises a plurality of segments, the cover case being able to rotate to open and close the housing (21G).
An outdoor unit according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that a partition (57) is provided at the curved part (23q) of the heat exchanger (23B) at a position where a left air stream and a right air stream meet each other.
An outdoor unit according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that spacers (58) are provided between the vertical compressor (22) and the curved part (23q) of the heat exchanger (23B) which opposes the vertical compressor (22).
An outdoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing has a bottom and legs (60) provided on the bottom extending from the rear wall of the housing (21L) and spaced apart in a width direction of the housing (21L).
An outdoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the projection (26C) of the housing (21H) has a portion (21k) extending at right angles to a line (55) which extends from a curved part (23q) of the heat exchanger (23B) which opposes the vertical compressor (22), and the further inlet holes are made in said portion of the projection.
An outdoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that an air-guiding fin (56) is provided at a rim of one of the further inlet holes (27) and extends along a curved part of the heat exchanger (23B) which opposes the vertical compressor (22) so as to guide the heat-exchanging air into the housing.