EP1956308A1 - Electric component assembly and outdoor unit of air conditioner equipped with it - Google Patents
Electric component assembly and outdoor unit of air conditioner equipped with it Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1956308A1 EP1956308A1 EP06822885A EP06822885A EP1956308A1 EP 1956308 A1 EP1956308 A1 EP 1956308A1 EP 06822885 A EP06822885 A EP 06822885A EP 06822885 A EP06822885 A EP 06822885A EP 1956308 A1 EP1956308 A1 EP 1956308A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- terminal block
- frame
- electric equipment
- equipment assembly
- casing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/06—Separate outdoor units, e.g. outdoor unit to be linked to a separate room comprising a compressor and a heat exchanger
- F24F1/20—Electric components for separate outdoor units
- F24F1/22—Arrangement or mounting thereof
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
- F24F1/06—Separate outdoor units, e.g. outdoor unit to be linked to a separate room comprising a compressor and a heat exchanger
- F24F1/46—Component arrangements in separate outdoor units
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
- F24F13/20—Casings or covers
- F24F2013/207—Casings or covers with control knobs; Mounting controlling members or control units therein
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an electric equipment assembly and an outdoor unit of an air conditioner provided with the same. More specifically, in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner having a structure in which the inside of a casing having a generally rectangular parallelepiped box shape is divided into a fan chamber and a machine chamber by a partition plate extending vertically, the present invention relates to an electric equipment assembly disposed in the machine chamber and to an outdoor unit of an air conditioner provided with the same.
- an outdoor unit having a structure in which the inside of a casing having a generally rectangular parallelepiped box shape is divided into a fan chamber and a machine chamber by a partition plate extending vertically.
- This fan chamber mainly includes an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor fan disposed therein.
- the machine chamber mainly includes a compressor, refrigerant circuit components comprising valves, refrigerant pipes, and the like, and an electric equipment assembly disposed therein.
- This type of electric equipment assembly is constructed such that an inverter control element that requires cooling during operation (for example, power transistor, diode, etc.) is disposed near the partition plate in the machine chamber and such that a terminal block to be used during on-site work is provided in the machine chamber so as to face a front side of the casing (see patent document 1).
- Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-236284
- the inverter control element and the terminal block are disposed separately from each other, the following problems arise: the size of the electric equipment assembly itself becomes large; reduction in size of the outdoor unit is difficult to achieve due to the need to ensure the strength of the terminal block to be used during on-site work; and the transportation of the electric equipment assembly cannot be efficiently performed due to the increased size of the electric equipment assembly.
- An object of the present invention is, in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner having a structure in which the inside of a casing having a generally rectangular parallelepiped box shape is divided into a fan chamber and a machine chamber by a partition plate extending vertically, to achieve reduction in size of an electric equipment assembly disposed in the machine chamber and efficiently perform transportation of the electric equipment assembly.
- An electric equipment assembly is an electric equipment assembly disposed in a machine chamber of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner having a structure in which an inside of a casing having a generally rectangular parallelepiped box shape is divided into a fan chamber and the machine chamber by a partition plate extending vertically, the electric equipment assembly comprising a frame, a terminal block, and a terminal block support member.
- the frame has various electric components attached thereto, the various electric components including a control circuit board mounted with an operating control element and an inverter control element. With the frame provided in the casing, the frame is disposed such that a substrate surface of the control circuit board is inclined to or perpendicular to a front side of the casing.
- the terminal block With the terminal block provided in the casing, the terminal block is disposed so as to face the front side of the casing.
- the terminal block support member is provided to the frame, and is capable of switching between a first state in which the terminal block support member supports the terminal block provided in the casing and a second state in which the inclination of the terminal block support member to the substrate surface is gentle compared to the first state.
- the control circuit board and the inverter control element are attached to the frame, and thereby the control circuit board and the inverter control element are integrated, reducing the size of the electric equipment assembly.
- the frame is disposed such that the substrate surface of the frame is inclined to or perpendicular to the front side of the casing, thus enabling cooling of the inverter control element.
- the terminal block is disposed so as to face the front side of the casing and is supported by the terminal block support member provided to the frame, thereby ensuring the operability during on-site work.
- this terminal block support member is capable of switching between the first state in which the terminal block support member supports the terminal block and the second state in which the inclination of the terminal block support member to the substrate surface of the frame is gentle compared to the first state. Accordingly, the package of the electric equipment assembly at the time of the transportation can be reduced in size, thus enabling efficient transportation of the electric equipment assembly.
- An electric equipment assembly is the electric equipment assembly according to the first aspect of the present invention, in which, with the frame provided in the casing, the terminal block support member is disposed so as not to protrude outside the frame in a plan view of the casing when the terminal block support member is switched to the second state.
- the terminal block support member is disposed so as not to protrude outside the frame in a plan view of the casing when the terminal block support member is switched to the second state. Accordingly, the package of the electric equipment assembly at the time of the transportation thereof can be further reduced in size.
- An electric equipment assembly is the electric equipment assembly according to the second aspect of the present invention, in which the terminal block support member includes a first terminal block support portion configured to support the terminal block, with the frame provided in the casing, and a frame supported portion rotatably supported around a shaft that extends in an up and down direction of the frame, with the frame provided in the casing.
- the terminal block support member is capable of moving the first terminal block support portion closer to or away from the substrate surface, by rotating the frame supported portion.
- the terminal block support member is rotatably supported around the shaft that extends in the up and down direction of the frame, thus the operation of switching between the first state and the second state can be easily performed.
- An electric equipment assembly is the electric equipment assembly according to any of the first to the third aspects of the present invention, in which the terminal block is fixed to the casing or the partition plate, with terminal block provided in the casing.
- the terminal block is fixed to the casing or the partition plate, thus ensuring the strength of the terminal block.
- An electric equipment assembly is the electric equipment assembly according to any of the first to the fourth aspects of the present invention, in which the frame includes a second terminal block support portion configured to attach the terminal block to the frame in a removable manner.
- the frame is provided with the second terminal block support portion configured to attach the terminal block to the frame in a removable manner. Accordingly, it is possible to attach the terminal block to the frame at the time of the transportation of the electric equipment assembly and remove the terminal block from the frame when disposing the electric equipment assembly in the casing. Consequently, it is possible to further efficiently transport the electric equipment assembly and install the electric equipment assembly in the casing.
- An electric equipment assembly is the electric equipment assembly according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in which the frame has a housing opening formed therein for housing at least part of the terminal block, with the terminal block attached to the second terminal block support portion.
- the housing opening is formed for housing at least part of the terminal block, with the terminal block attached to the second terminal block support portion.
- An electric equipment assembly is the electric equipment assembly according to the third aspect of the present invention, in which the terminal block is rotatably supported by the first terminal block support portion around a shaft that extends in an up and down direction of the terminal block support member, with the frame provided in the casing.
- the terminal block is rotatably supported around the shaft that extends in the up and down direction of the terminal block support member, thus the operation of switching between the first state and the second state can be easily performed.
- An electric equipment assembly is the electric equipment assembly according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in which the frame includes a first positioning portion for positioning the terminal block and the terminal block support member in the first state.
- the frame is provided with the first positioning portion for positioning the terminal block and the terminal block support member in the first state, thus it is possible to maintain a state in which the terminal block is disposed so as to face the front side of the casing, with the electric equipment assembly disposed in the casing.
- An electric equipment assembly is the electric equipment assembly according to the seventh or the eighth aspect of the present invention, in which the terminal block is disposed along the outer surface of the frame in a plan view of the casing, when the terminal block support member is switched to the second state.
- the terminal block support member when the terminal block support member is switched to the second state, the terminal block is disposed along the outer surface of the frame in a plan view of the casing.
- the terminal block is disposed along the outer surface of the frame in a plan view of the casing.
- An electric equipment assembly is the electric equipment assembly according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in which the frame includes a second positioning portion for positioning the terminal block and the terminal block support member in the second state.
- the frame is provided with the second positioning portion for positioning the terminal block and the terminal block support member in the second state, thus it is possible to maintain a state in which the terminal block is disposed along the outer surface of the frame in a plan view of the casing at the time of the transportation of the electric equipment assembly.
- An outdoor unit of an air conditioner comprises a casing having a generally rectangular parallelepiped box shape, a partition plate extending vertically so as to divide the inside of the casing into a fan chamber and a machine chamber, and the electric equipment assembly according to any of the first to the tenth aspects of the present invention, which is disposed in the machine chamber.
- This outdoor unit of the air conditioner is provided with the electric equipment assembly according to any of the first to the tenth aspects of the present invention, thus reduction in size of the whole unit can be achieved.
- Figure 1 is a plan view of an outdoor unit 1 in which an embodiment of the electric equipment assembly according to the present invention is adopted (shown with a top plate 22 and refrigerant circuit components 5 other than a compressor 51, an outdoor heat exchanger 52, and shut-off valves 61, 62 removed).
- Figure 2 is an elevation view of the outdoor unit 1 (with left and right front plates 23, 24 and the refrigerant circuit components 5 other than the compressor 51, the outdoor heat exchanger 52, and the shut-off valves 61, 62 removed).
- This outdoor unit 1 is installed outside, and has a so-called trunk structure in which the inside of a generally rectangular parallelepiped box shaped unit casing 2 is divided into a fan chamber S 1 and a machine chamber S2 by a partition plate 28 extending vertically.
- This outdoor unit 1 is connected to an indoor unit (not shown) placed in an air-conditioned room via a refrigerant pipe (not shown).
- the outdoor unit 1 mainly comprises: the unit casing 2 having a generally rectangular parallelepiped box shape; outdoor fans 4; the refrigerant circuit components 5 including devices such as the compressor 51 and the outdoor heat exchanger 52, valves such as the liquid side shut-off valve 61 and the gas side shut-off valve 62, and members such as pipes so as to constitute a refrigerant circuit; and an electric equipment assembly 7 configured to control the operation of the outdoor unit 1.
- the refrigerant circuit components 5 including devices such as the compressor 51 and the outdoor heat exchanger 52, valves such as the liquid side shut-off valve 61 and the gas side shut-off valve 62, and members such as pipes so as to constitute a refrigerant circuit
- an electric equipment assembly 7 configured to control the operation of the outdoor unit 1.
- the unit casing 2 mainly comprises a base plate 21, the top plate 22, the left front plate 23, the right front plate 24, and a right side plate 25.
- the base plate 21 is a metallic plate-like member having a horizontally long and generally rectangular shape, which constitutes a base portion of the unit casing 2.
- the peripheral portion of the base plate 21 is bent upwardly.
- the outer surface of the base plate 21 is provided with two stationary legs 26 that are fixed on the installation surface at work site.
- Each of the stationary legs 26 has a generally U-shape in a front view of the unit casing 2, and is a metallic plate-like member which extends from the front side of the unit casing 2 to the rear side thereof.
- the top plate 22 is a metallic plate-like member having a horizontally long and generally rectangular shape, which constitutes a top portion of the outdoor unit 1.
- the left front plate 23 is a metallic plate-like member that mainly constitutes a left portion of the front side and a left side portion of the unit casing 2, and the lower portion of the left front plate 23 is fixed to the base plate 21 by a screw or the like.
- the left front plate 23 has an intake port 23 a formed therein for air to be drawn into the unit casing 2 by the outdoor fans 4.
- the left front plate 23 is provided with discharge ports 23b for blowing out the air drawn inside from the rear side and the left side of the unit casing 2 by the outdoor fans 4.
- the right front plate 24 is a metallic plate-like member that mainly constitutes a right portion of the front side and a front portion of the right side of the unit casing 2, and the lower portion of the right front plate 24 is fixed to the base plate 21 by a screw or the like.
- the left end portion of the right front plate 24 is fixed to the right end portion of the left front plate 23 by a screw or the like.
- the right side plate 25 is a metallic plate-like member that mainly constitutes a rear portion of the right side and a right rear side portion of the unit casing 2, and the lower portion of the right side plate 25 is fixed to the base plate 21 by a screw or the like. Between the back end portion of the left front plate 23 and the rear side end portion of the right side plate 25 in the horizontal direction, there is formed an intake port 23c for air to be drawn into the unit casing 2 by the outdoor fans 4.
- the partition plate 28 is a vertically extending metallic plate-like member disposed on the base plate 21, and the partition plate 28 is disposed so as to divide the inside of the unit casing 2 into two spaces, i.e., a left space and a right space.
- the partition plate 28 has a bent shape so as to protrude toward the fan chamber S1 in a plan view of the unit casing 2.
- the tube sheet 29 is a metallic plate-like member provided so as to face the right end side of the outdoor heat exchanger 52 having a generally L-shape and disposed so as to extend along the unit casing 2 from the left side to the rear side thereof, and the lower portion of the tube sheet 29 is fixed to the base plate 21 by a screw or the like.
- the end portion of the tube sheet 29 on the front side of the unit casing 2 and the end portion of the partition plate 28 on the rear side of the unit casing 2 are fixed to each other by a screw or the like.
- the right end portion of the left front plate 23 is fixed to the partition plate 28 at the front end portion thereof by a screw or the like.
- the end portion on the rear side of the right side plate 25 is fixed to the tube sheet 29 at the end portion thereof on the rear side of the unit casing 2 by a screw or the like.
- the inside of the unit casing 2 is divided into the fan chamber S1 and a machine chamber S2 by the partition plate 28.
- the fan chamber S1 is a space surrounded by the base plate 21, the top plate 22, the left front plate 23, and the partition plate 28, and mainly the outdoor fans 4 and the outdoor heat exchanger 52 are disposed therein.
- the machine chamber S2 is a space surrounded by the base plate 21, the top plate 22, the right front plate 24, the right side plate 25, and the partition plate 28, and mainly the electric equipment assembly 7 and the refrigerant circuit components 5 other than the outdoor heat exchanger 52 are disposed therein.
- the unit casing 2 is configured such that the inside of the machine chamber S2 will be exposed by removing the right front plate 24. In other words, the right front plate 24 is removed when working on site to perform maintenance and the like of the refrigerant circuit components 5 and the electric equipment assembly 7 housed in the machine chamber S2 of the outdoor unit 1.
- Each of the outdoor fans 4 is a propeller fan having a plurality of blades and is disposed on the front side of the outdoor heat exchanger 52 in the fan chamber S1.
- two outdoor fans 4 are disposed above and below in the fan chamber S1 so as to face the discharge ports 23b.
- Each of these outdoor fans 4 is configured to be rotatably driven by an outdoor fan electric motor 4a.
- the outdoor fans 4 When the outdoor fans 4 are driven, air is drawn into the inside of the unit casing 2 through the intake ports 23a, 23c on the rear side and the left side of the unit casing 2. After the air passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 52, the air is blown out to the outside of the unit casing 2 from the discharge ports 23b on the front side of the unit casing 2.
- the compressor 51 is a hermetic compressor that houses a compressor electric motor in the housing, and is disposed in the machine chamber S2.
- the compressor electric motor is a so-called inverter driven electric motor in which the frequency can be controlled by the electric equipment assembly 7.
- the compressor 51 has a longitudinal cylinder shape whose height is about 1/3 to 1/2 of the overall height of the unit casing 2, and a lower portion of the compressor 51 is fixed to the base plate 21.
- the compressor 51 is disposed near in the center of the machine chamber S2 in the front and back direction and also near the partition plate 28 of the machine chamber S2.
- the outdoor heat exchanger 52 is disposed in the fan chamber S1. Through the outdoor heat exchanger 52, heat exchange is performed with the air that is drawn into the unit casing 2 by the outdoor fans 4.
- the outdoor heat exchanger 52 has a generally L-shape in a plan view of the unit casing 2, and is disposed so as to extend along the unit casing 2 from the left side to the rear side thereof.
- the liquid side shut-off valve 61 and the gas side shut-off valve 62 are disposed, to which refrigerant pipes on the indoor unit side are connected. More specifically, the liquid side shut-off valve 61 and the gas side shut-off valve 62 are disposed at a position facing the right front plate 24 at the front portion of the machine chamber S2.
- the liquid side shut-off valve 61 and the gas side shut-off valve 62 are supported by an elongated plate shaped shut-off support member 30 provided so as to extend between the right end portion of the left front plate 23 and the front end portion of the right side plate 25.
- the shut-off support member 30 is disposed at a height near the upper end of the compressor 51 in the machine chamber S2.
- the electric equipment assembly 7 includes various electric components such as a control circuit board 91 mounted with the operating control element for controlling operation and the inverter control element 92.
- the electric equipment assembly 7 is disposed near the partition plate 28 at the upper portion in the machine chamber S2.
- the electric equipment assembly 7 mainly includes a frame 71, a terminal block 86, and a terminal block support member 87.
- Figure 3 is a view of the electric equipment assembly 7 provided in the machine chamber S2, viewed from the bottom.
- Figure 4 is a view of the electric equipment assembly 7 provided in the machine chamber S2, viewed in the direction A in Figure 1 .
- Figure 5 is a view of the electric equipment assembly 7 provided in the machine chamber S2, viewed in the direction B in Figure 1 .
- Figure 6 is a view of the electric equipment assembly 7, with the partition plate 28 removed from Figure 5 .
- the frame 71 is a generally rectangular parallelepiped box shaped member made of resin, to which various electric components including the control circuit board 91 mounted with the operating control element and the inverter control element 92 are attached.
- the frame 71 mainly comprises a substrate attachment plate 72 to which various electric components including the control circuit board 91 and the inverter control element 92 are attached, and a substrate protection plate 76 that covers the control circuit board 91.
- the substrate attachment plate 72 is a member disposed on the fan chamber S 1 side in the machine chamber S2, with the electric equipment assembly 7 disposed in the machine chamber S2.
- the substrate attachment plate 72 mainly includes an attachment plate portion 73 as a first plate which is inclined to the front side of the unit casing 2 (i.e., the front side portions of the left and right front plates 23, 24) and which extends vertically, and an attachment frame portion 74 which extends from the outer perimeter of the attachment plate portion 73 toward a side opposite the fan chamber S1.
- An attachment plate opening 73a is formed generally in the center of the attachment plate portion 73 when the attachment plate portion 73 is seen in the direction of arrow A or arrow B.
- the surface of the attachment plate portion 73 on the side opposite the fan chamber S1 has an inverter control element 92 attached thereto, at a position facing the attachment plate opening 73a.
- the inverter control element 92 is, for example, an electric component such as a power transistor, a diode, etc., which generates high temperature heat during operation.
- the control circuit board 91 mounted with an operating control element is attached to the surface of the attachment plate portion 73 on the side opposite the fan chamber S1, with the control circuit board 91 in parallel to the surface of the attachment plate portion 73, by using a plurality of screws 93.
- the substrate surface of the control circuit board 91 is inclined to the front side of the unit casing 2 and extends vertically.
- the control circuit board 91 is disposed so as to sandwich the inverter control element 92 between the control circuit board 91 and the surface of the attachment plate portion 73 on the side opposite the fan chamber S1, and the control circuit board 91 is integrated with the inverter control element 92.
- a heat sink 94 is attached to the surface of the attachment plate portion 73 on the fan chamber S1 side so as to cover the attachment plate opening 73a.
- the heat sink 94 mainly includes a flange portion 94a attached to the surface of the attachment plate portion 73 on the fan chamber S1 side, and a plurality of horizontal cooling fins 94b that protrude from the surface of the flange portion 94a on the fan chamber S1 side toward the inside of the fan chamber S1.
- the flange portion 94a is a generally rectangular shaped plate portion.
- An annular projecting portion 73c that protrudes toward the fan chamber S1 is formed on the surface of the attachment plate portion 73 on the fan chamber S 1 side so as to surround the outer perimeter of the flange portion 94a.
- the substrate protection plate 76 is a member disposed to the substrate attachment plate 72 on the side opposite the fan chamber S1, with the electric equipment assembly 7 provided in the machine chamber S2.
- the substrate protection plate 76 mainly includes a protection plate portion 77 which is inclined to the front side of the unit casing 2 (i.e., the front side portions of the left and right front plates 23, 24) and which extends vertically, and a protection frame portion 78 which extends from the outer perimeter of the protection plate portion 77 toward the fan chamber S1 side.
- the protection plate portion 77 mainly includes a front side protection plate portion 77a disposed closer to the front side of the unit casing 2, and a rear side protection plate portion 77b disposed further from the front side of the unit casing 2 compared to the front side protection plate portion 77a.
- the rear side protection plate portion 77b is integrated with the front side protection plate portion 77a, with the rear side protection plate portion 77b protruding in the direction of arrow B compared with the front side protection plate portion 77a, via a step formed generally in the center of the protection plate portion 77 in the horizontal direction, when the protection plate portion 77 is seen in the direction of arrow A.
- the front side protection plate portion 77a and the rear side protection plate portion 77b are disposed in parallel to the surface of the attachment plate portion 73.
- the protection frame portion 78 is disposed such that the end portion thereof and the end portion of the attachment frame portion 74 in the direction of arrow A or arrow B overlap with each other, when the protection frame portion 78 is seen in the direction perpendicular to the attachment frame portion 74 in the direction of arrow A or arrow B.
- the substrate protection plate 76 is attached to the substrate attachment plate 72 by using an engaging claw formed on the protection frame portion 78 or the attachment frame portion 74, screw, or the like.
- a first auxiliary circuit board 98 is attached to the outer surface of the front side protection plate portion 77a (i.e. the surface seen when the substrate protection plate 76 is viewed in the direction of arrow A).
- the first auxiliary circuit board 98 is mounted with a highly frequently accessed control element among various operating control elements, which requires visibility and serviceability (for example, a display element 98a such as an LED and the like, and an operating element 98b such as a switch, connector, and the like).
- the first auxiliary circuit board 98 is fixed on a first auxiliary circuit board attachment portion 79 including a plurality of (four in this case) locking claws 77c formed on the outer surface of the front side protection plate portion 77a.
- second auxiliary circuit boards 99a, 99b, and 99c respectively to the lower side of the first auxiliary circuit board attachment portion 79 of the front side protection plate portion 77a, an upper portion of the rear side protection plate portion 77b, and a lower portion of the rear side protection plate portion 77b.
- Each of the second auxiliary circuit boards 99a, 99b, and 99c is mounted with an additional-function control element, which is an element necessary for adding an additional function (for example, communication function, demand control function, etc.).
- the second auxiliary circuit board 99a can be fixed on a second auxiliary circuit board attachment portion 80a including a plurality of (four in this case) locking claws 77d formed on the outer surface of the front side protection plate portion 77a.
- the second auxiliary circuit board 99b can be fixed on a second auxiliary circuit board attachment portion 80b including a plurality of (three in this case) screw holes 77e formed on the outer surface of the rear side protection plate portion 77b.
- the second auxiliary circuit board 99c can be fixed on a second auxiliary circuit board attachment portion 80c including a plurality of (three in this case) locking claws 77f formed on the outer surface of the rear side protection plate portion 77b.
- the frame 71 i.e., the substrate protection plate 76
- the frame 71 is inclined to the front side of the unit casing 2 such that the entirety of the highly frequently accessed control elements 98a, 98b (i.e., the whole first auxiliary circuit board 98) are visible, without being hidden by the lateral sides of the unit casing 2 (i.e., the lateral side portion of the right front plate 24 and the lateral side portion of the right side plate 25).
- the frame 71 i.e., the substrate protection plate 76
- the frame 71 is inclined to the front side of the unit casing 2 such that the front end of the lateral side of the unit casing 2 substantially overlaps with the step extending in an up and down direction of the substrate protection plate 76.
- a reactor 96 is attached to the upper surface of the frame 71 via a metallic reactor attachment plate 85, and a noise filter 97 is attached to the lower surface of the frame 71.
- the frame 71 to which the above described various electric components and the heat sink 94 are attached has a frame support plate 81 that is fixed thereto so as to cover the surface of the attachment plate portion 73 on the fan chamber S1 side.
- the frame support plate 81 is a metallic member.
- the frame support plate 81 mainly includes a support plate portion 82 as a second plate portion in contact with the surface of the attachment plate portion 73 on the fan chamber S 1 side, and a front side extension portion 83 and a rear side extension portion 84 which extend along the bent surface of the partition plate 28 from both side edges of the support plate portion 82.
- the support plate portion 82 covers substantially the entire surface of the attachment plate portion 73 except for the lower portion thereof.
- the support plate portion 82 has a support plate opening 82a formed therein as a second opening so as to surround the outer peripheral side of the annular projecting portion 73c formed on the attachment plate portion 73. Accordingly, with the frame 71 fixed to the frame support plate 81, the plurality of cooling fins 94b of the heat sink 94 attached to the frame 71 penetrate through the support plate opening 82a and protrude toward the fan chamber S1 side of the support plate portion 82.
- the support plate portion 82 has a tongue portion 82b formed thereon by bending and the like, whose lower end extends toward the fan chamber S1 side and then extends downwardly.
- the frame support plate 81 is fixed to the partition plate 28 by using, for example, an engaging claw formed on the front side extension portion 83, the rear side extension portion 84, or the support plate portion 82, a screw, or the like.
- the partition plate 28 has a generally rectangular shaped partition plate opening 28a formed therein as a first opening so as to communicate the fan chamber S1 and the machine chamber S2.
- the partition plate opening 28a is formed so as to face the support plate opening 82a and to surround the support plate opening 82a and the lower end of the support plate portion 82 when the partition plate opening 28a is viewed in the direction of arrow B.
- the frame 71 fixed to the partition plate 28 via the frame support plate 81, the plurality of cooling fins 94b of the heat sink 94 and the tongue portion 82b of the frame support plate 81 protrude into the fan chamber S1 and are capable of cooling the inverter control element 92 during operation.
- the frame 71 is provided such that the substrate surface of the control circuit board 91 extends along the partition plate 28 and such that the substrate surface of the control circuit board 91 is inclined to the front side of the unit casing 2. Further, a corner of the frame 71 is in contact with the partition plate 28 along a bent surface thereof via a frame support plate 81, when the electric equipment assembly 7 disposed in the machine chamber S2 is viewed from the top.
- the terminal block 86 mainly includes a terminal block body 86a having a plurality of terminals for power supply connection, and a terminal block fixing plate 86b to which the rear side of the terminal block body 86a is fixed.
- the terminal block 86 With the electric equipment assembly 7 provided in the machine chamber S2, the terminal block 86 is disposed such that a terminal portion of the terminal block body 86a faces the front side of the unit casing 2, and one end of the terminal block fixing plate 86b on the partition plate 28 side is fixed to the partition plate 28.
- one end of the terminal block fixing plate 86b may be fixed to the front portion of the left front plate 23.
- the terminal block support member 87 is a rod shaped member having a first terminal block support portion 87a configured to support the terminal block 86 with the electric equipment assembly 7 provided in the machine chamber S2, and a frame supported portion 87b rotatably supported around an engaging shaft 71a (whose shaft center is O), which is a shaft that extends in an up and down direction of the frame 71 with the electric equipment assembly 7 provided in the machine chamber S2.
- the terminal block support member 87 is capable of moving the first terminal block support portion 87a closer to or away from the substrate surface of the control circuit board 91, by rotating the frame supported portion 87b.
- the other end of the terminal block fixing plate 86b is supported by being attached to the first terminal block support portion 87a by setting the terminal block support member 87 to the first state in which the terminal block support member 87 is inclined by an angle ⁇ .
- the terminal block 86 apart from the frame 71, is fixed to the partition plate 28 so as to face the front side of the unit casing 2, and the terminal block 86 is also supported by the terminal block support member 87 provided to the frame 71.
- the electric equipment assembly 7 of this embodiment is configured to be capable of housing the terminal block 86 and the terminal block support member 87 in the frame 71.
- the housing structure of such terminal block 86 and terminal block support member 87 is now described with reference to Figures 1 , 3 , 4 , 7 , and 8 .
- Figure 7 shows the electric equipment assembly, viewed from the bottom, with the terminal block 86 and the terminal block support member 87 housed in the frame 71.
- Figure 8 shows the electric equipment assembly viewed in the direction A in Figure 1 , with the terminal block 86 and the terminal block support member 87 housed in the frame 71.
- the terminal block 86 is disposed so as to face the front side of the unit casing 2.
- the terminal block 86 and the terminal block support member 87 protrude outside of the frame 71 (specifically, from the outer surface of the substrate protection plate 76) in a plan view of the unit casing 2. Therefore, if nothing is done, the size of the package of the electric equipment assembly 7 at the time of the transportation of a single unit thereof will be large, and the transportation of the electric equipment assembly 7 cannot be efficiently performed.
- the terminal block support member 87 can be switched to the second state in which the inclination of the terminal block support member 87 to the substrate surface of the frame 71 is gentle compared to the first state (parallel to the substrate surface of the frame 71 in this case), by rotating the frame supported portion 87b of the terminal block support member 87. Further, when the terminal block support member 87 is set to the second state, the terminal block support member 87 is disposed so as not to protrude outside the frame 71 (specifically from the outside of the substrate protection plate 76) in a plan view of the unit casing 2.
- the terminal block 86 is removed from the first terminal block support portion 87a.
- a terminal block engaging claw 87c is formed on the first terminal block support portion 87a of the terminal block support member 87, and this terminal block engaging claw 87c has an attachment structure in which the terminal block engaging claw 87c is inserted to an engaging hole 86c formed at the other end of the terminal block fixing plate 86b of the terminal block 86. Therefore, the terminal block 86 can be easily removed from the first terminal block support portion 87a by elastically deforming the terminal block engaging claw 87c.
- the terminal block engaging claw 87c can be easily inserted to the engaging hole 86c by elastically deforming the terminal block engaging claw 87c.
- the terminal block 86 can be removably attached to the frame 71.
- the terminal block 86 can be attached to a second terminal block support portion 89 including a plurality of (two in this case) locking claws 77g formed on the outer surface of the protection plate portion 77 (the rear side protection plate portion 77b in this case) of the substrate protection plate 76 which constitutes the frame 71.
- the terminal block 86 is attached such that the terminal block body 86a faces toward the fan chamber S1 side with the electric equipment assembly 7 disposed in the machine chamber S2, in other words, such that the terminal block fixing plate 86b is disposed along the protection plate portion 77.
- the frame 71 (specifically, the front side protection plate portion 77a of the protection plate portion 77) has a protection plate opening 77h formed therein as a housing opening at a position facing the terminal block body 86a, with the terminal block 86 attached to the second terminal block support portion 89. Therefore, with the terminal block 86 attached to the second terminal block support portion 89, at least part of the terminal block 86 (specifically, the terminal block body 86a) is housed in the frame 71.
- the electric equipment assembly 7 of the present embodiment and the outdoor unit 1 provided with the same have the following characteristics.
- the electric equipment assembly 7 of the above described embodiment is configured such that the terminal block 86 is fixed to the unit casing 2 or the partition plate 28 so as to face the front side of the unit casing 2, and the terminal block 86 is supported by the terminal block support member 87 provided to the frame 71.
- the terminal block 86 is fixed to the unit casing 2 or the partition plate 28 so as to face the front side of the unit casing 2, and the terminal block 86 is supported by the terminal block support member 87 provided to the frame 71.
- a terminal block 186 is supported by a terminal block support member 187 provided to a frame 171.
- the terminal block 186 mainly includes a terminal block body 186a having a plurality of terminals for power supply connection, and a terminal block fixing plate 186b to which the rear side of the terminal block body 186a is fixed.
- the terminal block 186 is disposed such that a terminal portion of the terminal block body 186a faces the front side of the unit casing 2.
- the terminal block 186 of the present alternative embodiment is different from the terminal block of the electric equipment assembly 7 of the above described embodiment in that one end of the terminal block fixing plate 186b on the partition plate 28 side is not fixed to the partition plate 28 or the front portion of the left front plate 23.
- the terminal block support member 187 is a rod shaped member having a first terminal block support portion 187a configured to support the terminal block 186, with the electric equipment assembly 107 provided in the machine chamber S2, and a frame supported portion 187b rotatably supported around an engaging shaft 171 a (whose shaft center is O), which is a shaft that extends in an up and down direction of the frame 171, with the electric equipment assembly 107 provided in the machine chamber S2.
- the terminal block support member 187 is capable of moving the first terminal block support portion 187a closer to or away from the substrate surface of the control circuit board 91, by rotating the frame supported portion 187b.
- the first terminal block support portion 187a has an engaging shaft 187c (whose shaft center is P), which is a shaft that extends in an up and down direction of the frame 171 with the electric equipment assembly 107 disposed in the machine chamber S2, and a terminal block supported portion 186c, which is formed on the rear side of the terminal block fixing plate 186b, is rotatably supported by this engaging shaft 187c.
- the terminal block 186 is set to a state in which the terminal block support member 187 is inclined by an angle ⁇ to the substrate surface of the control circuit board 91, and in addition, the terminal block fixing plate 186b is set to a state in which the terminal block fixing portion 186b is inclined by an angle ⁇ to the terminal block support member 187.
- the terminal block 186 is disposed so as to face the front side of the unit casing 2 (hereinafter referred to as the first state). Further, with the above described first state maintained, one end of the terminal block fixing plate 186b (here, the end portion of the partition plate 28) is supported by the frame 171. More specifically, a claw portion 186d formed on one end of the terminal block fixing plate 186b is engaged with a cutout portion 171b as a first positioning portion formed on the frame 171. In other words, the cutout portion 171b has a function of positioning the terminal block 186 and the terminal block support member 187 to the first state.
- the terminal block 86 integrated with the frame 171 is disposed so as to face the front side of the unit casing 2 via the terminal block support member 187 provided to the frame 171, and the terminal block 86 is supported by the terminal block support member 187 and the cutout portion 171b formed on the frame 171.
- the electric equipment assembly 107 of the present alternative embodiment is configured to be capable of housing the terminal block 186 and the terminal block support member 187 in the frame 171.
- the housing structure of these terminal block 186 and terminal block support member 187 is described.
- the terminal block 186 is disposed so as to face the front side of the unit casing 2.
- the terminal block 186 and the terminal block support member 187 protrude outside of the frame 171 (specifically, from the outer surface of the substrate protection plate 76) in a plan view of the unit casing 2. Therefore, if nothing is done, the size of the package of the electric equipment assembly 107 at the time of the transportation of a single unit thereof will be large, and the transportation of the electric equipment assembly 107 cannot be efficiently performed.
- the electric equipment assembly 107 of the present alternative embodiment is configured to be capable of switching the terminal block support member 187 to the second state in which the frame supported portion 187b of the terminal block support member 187 is rotated thereby achieving a state in which the inclination of the terminal block support member 187 to the substrate surface of the frame 171 is more gentle than the angle ⁇ of the inclination in the first state (here, the terminal block support member 187 is inclined to the substrate surface of the frame 171 by an angle ⁇ ), and the terminal block supported portion 186c of the terminal block fixing plate 186b is rotated thereby achieving a state in which the angle of the inclination of the terminal block support member 187 to the substrate surface of the frame 171 is more gentle than the angle ⁇ of the inclination in the first state (here, the terminal block support member 187 is inclined to the terminal block support member by an angle ⁇ ).Further, the other end of the terminal block fixing plate 186b (here, the end portion on the side opposite the partition
- the other end of the terminal block fixing plate 186b is engaged with a claw portion 171c as a second positioning portion formed on the frame 171.
- This claw portion 171c is a portion capable of attaching the other end of the terminal block fixing plate 186b to the frame 171 along the protection plate portion 177, as is the case, for example, with the locking claws 77g formed on the frame 71 of the electric equipment assembly 7 of the above described embodiment.
- the claw portion 171c has a function of positioning the terminal block 186 and the terminal block support member 187 to the second state.
- the terminal block support member 187 and the terminal block fixing plate 186b are switched to the second state, the terminal block 186 is disposed along the outer surface of the frame 171 in a plane view of the unit casing 2.
- the terminal block 186 is disposed along the outer surface of the frame 171 in a plane view of the unit casing 2.
- the electric equipment assembly 107 of the present alternative embodiment is configured to be capable of housing the terminal block 186, instead of needing to remove the terminal block 186, simply by switching the terminal block support member 187 and the terminal block fixing plate 186b to the second state.
- the frame 71 is disposed such that the substrate surface of the control circuit board 91 is inclined to the front side of the unit casing 2.
- the frame 71 may be disposed such that the substrate surface of the control circuit board 91 is perpendicular to the front side of the unit casing 2.
- an outdoor unit of an air conditioner having a structure in which the inside of a casing having a generally rectangular parallelepiped box shape is divided into a fan chamber and a machine chamber by a partition plate extending vertically, it is possible to achieve reduction in size of an electric equipment assembly disposed in the machine chamber and efficiently perform the transportation of the electric equipment assembly.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Cooling Or The Like Of Electrical Apparatus (AREA)
- Inverter Devices (AREA)
- Other Air-Conditioning Systems (AREA)
Abstract
In an outdoor unit of an air conditioner having a structure in which the inside of a casing having a generally rectangular parallelepiped box shape is divided into a fan chamber and a machine chamber by a partition plate extending vertically, reduction in size of an electric equipment assembly disposed in the machine chamber is achieved and the transportation of the electric equipment assembly can be efficiently performed. The electric equipment assembly (7) comprising a frame (71), a terminal block (86), and a terminal block support member (87). A control circuit board (91) mounted with an operating control element is attached to the frame (71), and the frame (71) is provided such that a substrate surface of the control circuit board (91) is inclined to a front side of a unit casing (2). The terminal block (86) is disposed so as to face the front side of the unit casing (2).The terminal block support member (87) is provided to the frame (71), and is capable of switching between a first state in which the terminal block support member (87) supports the terminal block (86) provided in the unit casing (2) and a second state in which the inclination of the terminal block support member (87) to the substrate surface is gentle compared to the first state.
Description
- The present invention relates to an electric equipment assembly and an outdoor unit of an air conditioner provided with the same. More specifically, in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner having a structure in which the inside of a casing having a generally rectangular parallelepiped box shape is divided into a fan chamber and a machine chamber by a partition plate extending vertically, the present invention relates to an electric equipment assembly disposed in the machine chamber and to an outdoor unit of an air conditioner provided with the same.
- As a conventional outdoor unit of an air conditioner, there is known an outdoor unit having a structure in which the inside of a casing having a generally rectangular parallelepiped box shape is divided into a fan chamber and a machine chamber by a partition plate extending vertically. This fan chamber mainly includes an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor fan disposed therein. In addition, the machine chamber mainly includes a compressor, refrigerant circuit components comprising valves, refrigerant pipes, and the like, and an electric equipment assembly disposed therein. This type of electric equipment assembly is constructed such that an inverter control element that requires cooling during operation (for example, power transistor, diode, etc.) is disposed near the partition plate in the machine chamber and such that a terminal block to be used during on-site work is provided in the machine chamber so as to face a front side of the casing (see patent document 1).
Patent Document 1
Japanese Patent Application Publication No.09-236284 - However, with the above described electric equipment assembly, since the inverter control element and the terminal block are disposed separately from each other, the following problems arise: the size of the electric equipment assembly itself becomes large; reduction in size of the outdoor unit is difficult to achieve due to the need to ensure the strength of the terminal block to be used during on-site work; and the transportation of the electric equipment assembly cannot be efficiently performed due to the increased size of the electric equipment assembly.
- An object of the present invention is, in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner having a structure in which the inside of a casing having a generally rectangular parallelepiped box shape is divided into a fan chamber and a machine chamber by a partition plate extending vertically, to achieve reduction in size of an electric equipment assembly disposed in the machine chamber and efficiently perform transportation of the electric equipment assembly.
- An electric equipment assembly according to a first aspect of the present invention is an electric equipment assembly disposed in a machine chamber of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner having a structure in which an inside of a casing having a generally rectangular parallelepiped box shape is divided into a fan chamber and the machine chamber by a partition plate extending vertically, the electric equipment assembly comprising a frame, a terminal block, and a terminal block support member. The frame has various electric components attached thereto, the various electric components including a control circuit board mounted with an operating control element and an inverter control element. With the frame provided in the casing, the frame is disposed such that a substrate surface of the control circuit board is inclined to or perpendicular to a front side of the casing. With the terminal block provided in the casing, the terminal block is disposed so as to face the front side of the casing. The terminal block support member is provided to the frame, and is capable of switching between a first state in which the terminal block support member supports the terminal block provided in the casing and a second state in which the inclination of the terminal block support member to the substrate surface is gentle compared to the first state.
- With this electric equipment assembly, the control circuit board and the inverter control element are attached to the frame, and thereby the control circuit board and the inverter control element are integrated, reducing the size of the electric equipment assembly. At the same time, the frame is disposed such that the substrate surface of the frame is inclined to or perpendicular to the front side of the casing, thus enabling cooling of the inverter control element. In addition, the terminal block is disposed so as to face the front side of the casing and is supported by the terminal block support member provided to the frame, thereby ensuring the operability during on-site work. Further, this terminal block support member is capable of switching between the first state in which the terminal block support member supports the terminal block and the second state in which the inclination of the terminal block support member to the substrate surface of the frame is gentle compared to the first state. Accordingly, the package of the electric equipment assembly at the time of the transportation can be reduced in size, thus enabling efficient transportation of the electric equipment assembly.
- As described above, according to the present invention, reduction in size of the electric equipment assembly can be achieved and the transportation thereof can be efficiently performed.
- An electric equipment assembly according to a second aspect of the present invention is the electric equipment assembly according to the first aspect of the present invention, in which, with the frame provided in the casing, the terminal block support member is disposed so as not to protrude outside the frame in a plan view of the casing when the terminal block support member is switched to the second state.
- With this electric equipment assembly, the terminal block support member is disposed so as not to protrude outside the frame in a plan view of the casing when the terminal block support member is switched to the second state. Accordingly, the package of the electric equipment assembly at the time of the transportation thereof can be further reduced in size.
- An electric equipment assembly according to a third aspect of the present invention is the electric equipment assembly according to the second aspect of the present invention, in which the terminal block support member includes a first terminal block support portion configured to support the terminal block, with the frame provided in the casing, and a frame supported portion rotatably supported around a shaft that extends in an up and down direction of the frame, with the frame provided in the casing. The terminal block support member is capable of moving the first terminal block support portion closer to or away from the substrate surface, by rotating the frame supported portion.
- With this electric equipment assembly, the terminal block support member is rotatably supported around the shaft that extends in the up and down direction of the frame, thus the operation of switching between the first state and the second state can be easily performed.
- An electric equipment assembly according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the electric equipment assembly according to any of the first to the third aspects of the present invention, in which the terminal block is fixed to the casing or the partition plate, with terminal block provided in the casing.
- With this electric equipment assembly, apart from the frame, the terminal block is fixed to the casing or the partition plate, thus ensuring the strength of the terminal block.
- An electric equipment assembly according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the electric equipment assembly according to any of the first to the fourth aspects of the present invention, in which the frame includes a second terminal block support portion configured to attach the terminal block to the frame in a removable manner.
- With this electric equipment assembly, the frame is provided with the second terminal block support portion configured to attach the terminal block to the frame in a removable manner. Accordingly, it is possible to attach the terminal block to the frame at the time of the transportation of the electric equipment assembly and remove the terminal block from the frame when disposing the electric equipment assembly in the casing. Consequently, it is possible to further efficiently transport the electric equipment assembly and install the electric equipment assembly in the casing.
- An electric equipment assembly according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the electric equipment assembly according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in which the frame has a housing opening formed therein for housing at least part of the terminal block, with the terminal block attached to the second terminal block support portion.
- With this electric equipment assembly, the housing opening is formed for housing at least part of the terminal block, with the terminal block attached to the second terminal block support portion. Thus, it is possible to prevent the terminal block from protruding from the outer surface of the frame as much as possible, and accordingly the package of the electric equipment assembly at the time of the transportation can be further reduced in size.
- An electric equipment assembly according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the electric equipment assembly according to the third aspect of the present invention, in which the terminal block is rotatably supported by the first terminal block support portion around a shaft that extends in an up and down direction of the terminal block support member, with the frame provided in the casing.
- With this electric equipment assembly, the terminal block is rotatably supported around the shaft that extends in the up and down direction of the terminal block support member, thus the operation of switching between the first state and the second state can be easily performed.
- An electric equipment assembly according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the electric equipment assembly according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in which the frame includes a first positioning portion for positioning the terminal block and the terminal block support member in the first state.
- With this electric equipment assembly, the frame is provided with the first positioning portion for positioning the terminal block and the terminal block support member in the first state, thus it is possible to maintain a state in which the terminal block is disposed so as to face the front side of the casing, with the electric equipment assembly disposed in the casing.
- An electric equipment assembly according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the electric equipment assembly according to the seventh or the eighth aspect of the present invention, in which the terminal block is disposed along the outer surface of the frame in a plan view of the casing, when the terminal block support member is switched to the second state.
- With this electric equipment assembly, when the terminal block support member is switched to the second state, the terminal block is disposed along the outer surface of the frame in a plan view of the casing. Thus, it is possible to prevent the terminal block from protruding from the outer surface of the frame as much as possible, and accordingly the package of the electric equipment assembly at the time of the transportation thereof can be further reduced in size.
- An electric equipment assembly according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the electric equipment assembly according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in which the frame includes a second positioning portion for positioning the terminal block and the terminal block support member in the second state.
- With this electric equipment assembly, the frame is provided with the second positioning portion for positioning the terminal block and the terminal block support member in the second state, thus it is possible to maintain a state in which the terminal block is disposed along the outer surface of the frame in a plan view of the casing at the time of the transportation of the electric equipment assembly.
- An outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention comprises a casing having a generally rectangular parallelepiped box shape, a partition plate extending vertically so as to divide the inside of the casing into a fan chamber and a machine chamber, and the electric equipment assembly according to any of the first to the tenth aspects of the present invention, which is disposed in the machine chamber.
- This outdoor unit of the air conditioner is provided with the electric equipment assembly according to any of the first to the tenth aspects of the present invention, thus reduction in size of the whole unit can be achieved.
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Figure 1 is a plan view of an outdoor unit in which an embodiment of an electric equipment assembly according to the present invention is adopted (shown with a top plate and refrigerant circuit components other than a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and shut-off valves removed). -
Figure 2 is an elevation view of the outdoor unit (with left and right front plates and refrigerant circuit components other than the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, and the shut-off valves removed). -
Figure 3 is a view of the electric equipment assembly provided in a machine chamber viewed from the bottom. -
Figure 4 is a view of the electric equipment assembly provided in the machine chamber, viewed in a direction A inFigure 1 . -
Figure 5 is a view of the electric equipment assembly provided in the machine chamber, viewed in a direction B inFigure 1 . -
Figure 6 is a view of a state in which a partition plate is removed fromFigure 5 . -
Figure 7 is a view of the electric equipment assembly viewed from the bottom, with a terminal block and a terminal block support member housed in a frame. -
Figure 8 is a view of the electric equipment assembly viewed in the direction A inFigure 1 , with the terminal block and the terminal block support member housed in the frame. -
Figure 9 is a view of an electric equipment assembly according to an alternative embodiment, the view corresponding toFigure 3 . -
Figure 10 is a view of the electric equipment assembly according to the alternative embodiment, the view corresponding toFigure 7 . -
- 1
- outdoor unit
- 2
- unit casing
- 7, 107
- electric equipment assembly
- 28
- partition plate
- 71, 171
- frame
- 77h
- protection plate opening (housing opening)
- 86, 186
- terminal block
- 87, 187
- terminal block support member
- 87a, 187a
- first terminal block support portion
- 87b, 187b
- frame supported portion
- 89
- second terminal block support portion
- 91
- control circuit board
- 92
- inverter control element
- 188
- first positioning portion
- 189
- second positioning portion
- S1
- fan chamber
- S2
- machine chamber
- An embodiment of an electric equipment assembly and an outdoor unit of an air conditioner provided with the same according to the present invention is now described with reference to the drawings.
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Figure 1 is a plan view of anoutdoor unit 1 in which an embodiment of the electric equipment assembly according to the present invention is adopted (shown with atop plate 22 and refrigerant circuit components 5 other than acompressor 51, anoutdoor heat exchanger 52, and shut-offvalves Figure 2 is an elevation view of the outdoor unit 1 (with left and rightfront plates compressor 51, theoutdoor heat exchanger 52, and the shut-offvalves - This
outdoor unit 1 is installed outside, and has a so-called trunk structure in which the inside of a generally rectangular parallelepiped box shapedunit casing 2 is divided into afan chamber S 1 and a machine chamber S2 by apartition plate 28 extending vertically. Thisoutdoor unit 1 is connected to an indoor unit (not shown) placed in an air-conditioned room via a refrigerant pipe (not shown). Theoutdoor unit 1 mainly comprises: theunit casing 2 having a generally rectangular parallelepiped box shape;outdoor fans 4; the refrigerant circuit components 5 including devices such as thecompressor 51 and theoutdoor heat exchanger 52, valves such as the liquid side shut-offvalve 61 and the gas side shut-offvalve 62, and members such as pipes so as to constitute a refrigerant circuit; and anelectric equipment assembly 7 configured to control the operation of theoutdoor unit 1. Note that in the description below, unless otherwise specified particularly, terms such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "front", "back," "front side," and "rear side" indicate the directions when theoutdoor unit 1 shown inFigure 2 is viewed from the front side thereof. - The
unit casing 2 mainly comprises abase plate 21, thetop plate 22, the leftfront plate 23, the rightfront plate 24, and aright side plate 25. - The
base plate 21 is a metallic plate-like member having a horizontally long and generally rectangular shape, which constitutes a base portion of theunit casing 2. The peripheral portion of thebase plate 21 is bent upwardly. The outer surface of thebase plate 21 is provided with twostationary legs 26 that are fixed on the installation surface at work site. Each of thestationary legs 26 has a generally U-shape in a front view of theunit casing 2, and is a metallic plate-like member which extends from the front side of theunit casing 2 to the rear side thereof. - The
top plate 22 is a metallic plate-like member having a horizontally long and generally rectangular shape, which constitutes a top portion of theoutdoor unit 1. - The left
front plate 23 is a metallic plate-like member that mainly constitutes a left portion of the front side and a left side portion of theunit casing 2, and the lower portion of the leftfront plate 23 is fixed to thebase plate 21 by a screw or the like. The leftfront plate 23 has anintake port 23 a formed therein for air to be drawn into theunit casing 2 by theoutdoor fans 4. In addition, the leftfront plate 23 is provided withdischarge ports 23b for blowing out the air drawn inside from the rear side and the left side of theunit casing 2 by theoutdoor fans 4. There are twodischarge ports 23b formed above and below, each having afan grille 27 provided thereto. - The right
front plate 24 is a metallic plate-like member that mainly constitutes a right portion of the front side and a front portion of the right side of theunit casing 2, and the lower portion of the rightfront plate 24 is fixed to thebase plate 21 by a screw or the like. In addition, the left end portion of the rightfront plate 24 is fixed to the right end portion of the leftfront plate 23 by a screw or the like. - The
right side plate 25 is a metallic plate-like member that mainly constitutes a rear portion of the right side and a right rear side portion of theunit casing 2, and the lower portion of theright side plate 25 is fixed to thebase plate 21 by a screw or the like. Between the back end portion of the leftfront plate 23 and the rear side end portion of theright side plate 25 in the horizontal direction, there is formed anintake port 23c for air to be drawn into theunit casing 2 by theoutdoor fans 4. - Inside this type of
unit casing 2 is provided with thepartition plate 28 and atube sheet 29. Thepartition plate 28 is a vertically extending metallic plate-like member disposed on thebase plate 21, and thepartition plate 28 is disposed so as to divide the inside of theunit casing 2 into two spaces, i.e., a left space and a right space. In this embodiment, thepartition plate 28 has a bent shape so as to protrude toward the fan chamber S1 in a plan view of theunit casing 2. Thetube sheet 29 is a metallic plate-like member provided so as to face the right end side of theoutdoor heat exchanger 52 having a generally L-shape and disposed so as to extend along theunit casing 2 from the left side to the rear side thereof, and the lower portion of thetube sheet 29 is fixed to thebase plate 21 by a screw or the like. The end portion of thetube sheet 29 on the front side of theunit casing 2 and the end portion of thepartition plate 28 on the rear side of theunit casing 2 are fixed to each other by a screw or the like. In addition, the right end portion of the leftfront plate 23 is fixed to thepartition plate 28 at the front end portion thereof by a screw or the like. The end portion on the rear side of theright side plate 25 is fixed to thetube sheet 29 at the end portion thereof on the rear side of theunit casing 2 by a screw or the like. - In this way, the inside of the
unit casing 2 is divided into the fan chamber S1 and a machine chamber S2 by thepartition plate 28. More specifically, the fan chamber S1 is a space surrounded by thebase plate 21, thetop plate 22, the leftfront plate 23, and thepartition plate 28, and mainly theoutdoor fans 4 and theoutdoor heat exchanger 52 are disposed therein. The machine chamber S2 is a space surrounded by thebase plate 21, thetop plate 22, the rightfront plate 24, theright side plate 25, and thepartition plate 28, and mainly theelectric equipment assembly 7 and the refrigerant circuit components 5 other than theoutdoor heat exchanger 52 are disposed therein. Theunit casing 2 is configured such that the inside of the machine chamber S2 will be exposed by removing the rightfront plate 24. In other words, the rightfront plate 24 is removed when working on site to perform maintenance and the like of the refrigerant circuit components 5 and theelectric equipment assembly 7 housed in the machine chamber S2 of theoutdoor unit 1. - Each of the
outdoor fans 4 is a propeller fan having a plurality of blades and is disposed on the front side of theoutdoor heat exchanger 52 in the fan chamber S1. In this embodiment, twooutdoor fans 4 are disposed above and below in the fan chamber S1 so as to face thedischarge ports 23b. Each of theseoutdoor fans 4 is configured to be rotatably driven by an outdoor fanelectric motor 4a. When theoutdoor fans 4 are driven, air is drawn into the inside of theunit casing 2 through theintake ports unit casing 2. After the air passes through theoutdoor heat exchanger 52, the air is blown out to the outside of theunit casing 2 from thedischarge ports 23b on the front side of theunit casing 2. - The
compressor 51 is a hermetic compressor that houses a compressor electric motor in the housing, and is disposed in the machine chamber S2. Here, the compressor electric motor is a so-called inverter driven electric motor in which the frequency can be controlled by theelectric equipment assembly 7. In this embodiment, thecompressor 51 has a longitudinal cylinder shape whose height is about 1/3 to 1/2 of the overall height of theunit casing 2, and a lower portion of thecompressor 51 is fixed to thebase plate 21. In addition, in a plan view of theunit casing 2, thecompressor 51 is disposed near in the center of the machine chamber S2 in the front and back direction and also near thepartition plate 28 of the machine chamber S2. - The
outdoor heat exchanger 52 is disposed in the fan chamber S1. Through theoutdoor heat exchanger 52, heat exchange is performed with the air that is drawn into theunit casing 2 by theoutdoor fans 4. Theoutdoor heat exchanger 52 has a generally L-shape in a plan view of theunit casing 2, and is disposed so as to extend along theunit casing 2 from the left side to the rear side thereof. - Inside the
unit casing 2, the liquid side shut-offvalve 61 and the gas side shut-offvalve 62 are disposed, to which refrigerant pipes on the indoor unit side are connected. More specifically, the liquid side shut-offvalve 61 and the gas side shut-offvalve 62 are disposed at a position facing the rightfront plate 24 at the front portion of the machine chamber S2. In this embodiment, the liquid side shut-offvalve 61 and the gas side shut-offvalve 62 are supported by an elongated plate shaped shut-offsupport member 30 provided so as to extend between the right end portion of the leftfront plate 23 and the front end portion of theright side plate 25. The shut-offsupport member 30 is disposed at a height near the upper end of thecompressor 51 in the machine chamber S2. - The
electric equipment assembly 7 includes various electric components such as acontrol circuit board 91 mounted with the operating control element for controlling operation and theinverter control element 92. In this embodiment, theelectric equipment assembly 7 is disposed near thepartition plate 28 at the upper portion in the machine chamber S2. Theelectric equipment assembly 7 mainly includes aframe 71, aterminal block 86, and a terminalblock support member 87. - Next, the structure of the
electric equipment assembly 7 is described in detail with reference toFigures 3 to 6 . Here,Figure 3 is a view of theelectric equipment assembly 7 provided in the machine chamber S2, viewed from the bottom.Figure 4 is a view of theelectric equipment assembly 7 provided in the machine chamber S2, viewed in the direction A inFigure 1 .Figure 5 is a view of theelectric equipment assembly 7 provided in the machine chamber S2, viewed in the direction B inFigure 1 .Figure 6 is a view of theelectric equipment assembly 7, with thepartition plate 28 removed fromFigure 5 . - The
frame 71 is a generally rectangular parallelepiped box shaped member made of resin, to which various electric components including thecontrol circuit board 91 mounted with the operating control element and theinverter control element 92 are attached. Theframe 71 mainly comprises asubstrate attachment plate 72 to which various electric components including thecontrol circuit board 91 and theinverter control element 92 are attached, and asubstrate protection plate 76 that covers thecontrol circuit board 91. - The
substrate attachment plate 72 is a member disposed on thefan chamber S 1 side in the machine chamber S2, with theelectric equipment assembly 7 disposed in the machine chamber S2. Thesubstrate attachment plate 72 mainly includes anattachment plate portion 73 as a first plate which is inclined to the front side of the unit casing 2 (i.e., the front side portions of the left and rightfront plates 23, 24) and which extends vertically, and anattachment frame portion 74 which extends from the outer perimeter of theattachment plate portion 73 toward a side opposite the fan chamber S1. Anattachment plate opening 73a is formed generally in the center of theattachment plate portion 73 when theattachment plate portion 73 is seen in the direction of arrow A or arrow B. The surface of theattachment plate portion 73 on the side opposite the fan chamber S1 has aninverter control element 92 attached thereto, at a position facing theattachment plate opening 73a. Theinverter control element 92 is, for example, an electric component such as a power transistor, a diode, etc., which generates high temperature heat during operation. In addition, thecontrol circuit board 91 mounted with an operating control element is attached to the surface of theattachment plate portion 73 on the side opposite the fan chamber S1, with thecontrol circuit board 91 in parallel to the surface of theattachment plate portion 73, by using a plurality ofscrews 93. In other words, as is the case with theattachment plate portion 73, the substrate surface of thecontrol circuit board 91 is inclined to the front side of theunit casing 2 and extends vertically. In this embodiment, thecontrol circuit board 91 is disposed so as to sandwich theinverter control element 92 between thecontrol circuit board 91 and the surface of theattachment plate portion 73 on the side opposite the fan chamber S1, and thecontrol circuit board 91 is integrated with theinverter control element 92. In addition, aheat sink 94 is attached to the surface of theattachment plate portion 73 on the fan chamber S1 side so as to cover theattachment plate opening 73a. Theheat sink 94 mainly includes aflange portion 94a attached to the surface of theattachment plate portion 73 on the fan chamber S1 side, and a plurality ofhorizontal cooling fins 94b that protrude from the surface of theflange portion 94a on the fan chamber S1 side toward the inside of the fan chamber S1. Theflange portion 94a is a generally rectangular shaped plate portion. An annular projectingportion 73c that protrudes toward the fan chamber S1 is formed on the surface of theattachment plate portion 73 on thefan chamber S 1 side so as to surround the outer perimeter of theflange portion 94a. - The
substrate protection plate 76 is a member disposed to thesubstrate attachment plate 72 on the side opposite the fan chamber S1, with theelectric equipment assembly 7 provided in the machine chamber S2. Thesubstrate protection plate 76 mainly includes aprotection plate portion 77 which is inclined to the front side of the unit casing 2 (i.e., the front side portions of the left and rightfront plates 23, 24) and which extends vertically, and aprotection frame portion 78 which extends from the outer perimeter of theprotection plate portion 77 toward the fan chamber S1 side. With theelectric equipment assembly 7 provided in the machine chamber S2, theprotection plate portion 77 mainly includes a front sideprotection plate portion 77a disposed closer to the front side of theunit casing 2, and a rear sideprotection plate portion 77b disposed further from the front side of theunit casing 2 compared to the front sideprotection plate portion 77a. The rear sideprotection plate portion 77b is integrated with the front sideprotection plate portion 77a, with the rear sideprotection plate portion 77b protruding in the direction of arrow B compared with the front sideprotection plate portion 77a, via a step formed generally in the center of theprotection plate portion 77 in the horizontal direction, when theprotection plate portion 77 is seen in the direction of arrow A. The front sideprotection plate portion 77a and the rear sideprotection plate portion 77b are disposed in parallel to the surface of theattachment plate portion 73. Theprotection frame portion 78 is disposed such that the end portion thereof and the end portion of theattachment frame portion 74 in the direction of arrow A or arrow B overlap with each other, when theprotection frame portion 78 is seen in the direction perpendicular to theattachment frame portion 74 in the direction of arrow A or arrow B. Thesubstrate protection plate 76 is attached to thesubstrate attachment plate 72 by using an engaging claw formed on theprotection frame portion 78 or theattachment frame portion 74, screw, or the like. In addition, apart from thecontrol circuit board 91, a first auxiliary circuit board 98 is attached to the outer surface of the front sideprotection plate portion 77a (i.e. the surface seen when thesubstrate protection plate 76 is viewed in the direction of arrow A). The first auxiliary circuit board 98 is mounted with a highly frequently accessed control element among various operating control elements, which requires visibility and serviceability (for example, adisplay element 98a such as an LED and the like, and anoperating element 98b such as a switch, connector, and the like). Here, the first auxiliary circuit board 98 is fixed on a first auxiliary circuitboard attachment portion 79 including a plurality of (four in this case) lockingclaws 77c formed on the outer surface of the front sideprotection plate portion 77a. Further, with theelectric equipment assembly 7 disposed in the machine chamber S2, it is possible to attach secondauxiliary circuit boards board attachment portion 79 of the front sideprotection plate portion 77a, an upper portion of the rear sideprotection plate portion 77b, and a lower portion of the rear sideprotection plate portion 77b. Each of the secondauxiliary circuit boards auxiliary circuit board 99a can be fixed on a second auxiliary circuitboard attachment portion 80a including a plurality of (four in this case) lockingclaws 77d formed on the outer surface of the front sideprotection plate portion 77a. The secondauxiliary circuit board 99b can be fixed on a second auxiliary circuitboard attachment portion 80b including a plurality of (three in this case)screw holes 77e formed on the outer surface of the rear sideprotection plate portion 77b. The secondauxiliary circuit board 99c can be fixed on a second auxiliary circuitboard attachment portion 80c including a plurality of (three in this case) lockingclaws 77f formed on the outer surface of the rear sideprotection plate portion 77b. Note that even when the frame 71 (i.e., the substrate protection plate 76) is viewed in the direction of arrow A, theframe 71 is inclined to the front side of theunit casing 2 such that the entirety of the highly frequently accessedcontrol elements front plate 24 and the lateral side portion of the right side plate 25). More specifically, when the frame 71 (i.e., the substrate protection plate 76) is viewed in the direction of arrow A, theframe 71 is inclined to the front side of theunit casing 2 such that the front end of the lateral side of theunit casing 2 substantially overlaps with the step extending in an up and down direction of thesubstrate protection plate 76. - In addition, with the
electric equipment assembly 7 provided in the machine chamber S2, areactor 96 is attached to the upper surface of theframe 71 via a metallicreactor attachment plate 85, and anoise filter 97 is attached to the lower surface of theframe 71. - The
frame 71 to which the above described various electric components and theheat sink 94 are attached has aframe support plate 81 that is fixed thereto so as to cover the surface of theattachment plate portion 73 on the fan chamber S1 side. Theframe support plate 81 is a metallic member. With theelectric equipment assembly 7 provided in the machine chamber S2, theframe support plate 81 mainly includes asupport plate portion 82 as a second plate portion in contact with the surface of theattachment plate portion 73 on thefan chamber S 1 side, and a frontside extension portion 83 and a rearside extension portion 84 which extend along the bent surface of thepartition plate 28 from both side edges of thesupport plate portion 82. Here, thesupport plate portion 82 covers substantially the entire surface of theattachment plate portion 73 except for the lower portion thereof. Thesupport plate portion 82 has a support plate opening 82a formed therein as a second opening so as to surround the outer peripheral side of the annular projectingportion 73c formed on theattachment plate portion 73. Accordingly, with theframe 71 fixed to theframe support plate 81, the plurality of coolingfins 94b of theheat sink 94 attached to theframe 71 penetrate through the support plate opening 82a and protrude toward the fan chamber S1 side of thesupport plate portion 82. In addition, thesupport plate portion 82 has atongue portion 82b formed thereon by bending and the like, whose lower end extends toward the fan chamber S1 side and then extends downwardly. With theframe 71 fixed to thepartition plate 28, theframe support plate 81 is fixed to thepartition plate 28 by using, for example, an engaging claw formed on the frontside extension portion 83, the rearside extension portion 84, or thesupport plate portion 82, a screw, or the like. Here, thepartition plate 28 has a generally rectangular shapedpartition plate opening 28a formed therein as a first opening so as to communicate the fan chamber S1 and the machine chamber S2. Thepartition plate opening 28a is formed so as to face the support plate opening 82a and to surround the support plate opening 82a and the lower end of thesupport plate portion 82 when thepartition plate opening 28a is viewed in the direction of arrow B. Accordingly, with theframe 71 fixed to thepartition plate 28 via theframe support plate 81, the plurality of coolingfins 94b of theheat sink 94 and thetongue portion 82b of theframe support plate 81 protrude into the fan chamber S1 and are capable of cooling theinverter control element 92 during operation. In addition, with theframe 71 disposed in the machine chamber S2, theframe 71 is provided such that the substrate surface of thecontrol circuit board 91 extends along thepartition plate 28 and such that the substrate surface of thecontrol circuit board 91 is inclined to the front side of theunit casing 2. Further, a corner of theframe 71 is in contact with thepartition plate 28 along a bent surface thereof via aframe support plate 81, when theelectric equipment assembly 7 disposed in the machine chamber S2 is viewed from the top. - The
terminal block 86 mainly includes aterminal block body 86a having a plurality of terminals for power supply connection, and a terminalblock fixing plate 86b to which the rear side of theterminal block body 86a is fixed. With theelectric equipment assembly 7 provided in the machine chamber S2, theterminal block 86 is disposed such that a terminal portion of theterminal block body 86a faces the front side of theunit casing 2, and one end of the terminalblock fixing plate 86b on thepartition plate 28 side is fixed to thepartition plate 28. Note that one end of the terminalblock fixing plate 86b may be fixed to the front portion of the leftfront plate 23. - The terminal
block support member 87 is a rod shaped member having a first terminalblock support portion 87a configured to support theterminal block 86 with theelectric equipment assembly 7 provided in the machine chamber S2, and a frame supportedportion 87b rotatably supported around an engagingshaft 71a (whose shaft center is O), which is a shaft that extends in an up and down direction of theframe 71 with theelectric equipment assembly 7 provided in the machine chamber S2. The terminalblock support member 87 is capable of moving the first terminalblock support portion 87a closer to or away from the substrate surface of thecontrol circuit board 91, by rotating the frame supportedportion 87b. The other end of the terminalblock fixing plate 86b is supported by being attached to the first terminalblock support portion 87a by setting the terminalblock support member 87 to the first state in which the terminalblock support member 87 is inclined by an angle α. - In this way, with the
electric equipment assembly 7 of this embodiment, theterminal block 86, apart from theframe 71, is fixed to thepartition plate 28 so as to face the front side of theunit casing 2, and theterminal block 86 is also supported by the terminalblock support member 87 provided to theframe 71. - The
electric equipment assembly 7 of this embodiment is configured to be capable of housing theterminal block 86 and the terminalblock support member 87 in theframe 71. The housing structure of suchterminal block 86 and terminalblock support member 87 is now described with reference toFigures 1 ,3 ,4 ,7 , and8 . Here,Figure 7 shows the electric equipment assembly, viewed from the bottom, with theterminal block 86 and the terminalblock support member 87 housed in theframe 71.Figure 8 shows the electric equipment assembly viewed in the direction A inFigure 1 , with theterminal block 86 and the terminalblock support member 87 housed in theframe 71. - As described above, in a state in which the terminal
block support member 87 is inclined by an angle α by rotating the frame supportedportion 87b of the terminal block support member 87 (hereinafter referred to as the first state), theterminal block 86 is disposed so as to face the front side of theunit casing 2. In this case, because of the inclination, theterminal block 86 and the terminalblock support member 87 protrude outside of the frame 71 (specifically, from the outer surface of the substrate protection plate 76) in a plan view of theunit casing 2. Therefore, if nothing is done, the size of the package of theelectric equipment assembly 7 at the time of the transportation of a single unit thereof will be large, and the transportation of theelectric equipment assembly 7 cannot be efficiently performed. - To solve this problem, with the
electric equipment assembly 7 of this embodiment, the terminalblock support member 87 can be switched to the second state in which the inclination of the terminalblock support member 87 to the substrate surface of theframe 71 is gentle compared to the first state (parallel to the substrate surface of theframe 71 in this case), by rotating the frame supportedportion 87b of the terminalblock support member 87. Further, when the terminalblock support member 87 is set to the second state, the terminalblock support member 87 is disposed so as not to protrude outside the frame 71 (specifically from the outside of the substrate protection plate 76) in a plan view of theunit casing 2. - In addition, when the terminal
block support member 87 is switched to the second state, theterminal block 86 is removed from the first terminalblock support portion 87a. Here, a terminalblock engaging claw 87c is formed on the first terminalblock support portion 87a of the terminalblock support member 87, and this terminalblock engaging claw 87c has an attachment structure in which the terminalblock engaging claw 87c is inserted to anengaging hole 86c formed at the other end of the terminalblock fixing plate 86b of theterminal block 86. Therefore, theterminal block 86 can be easily removed from the first terminalblock support portion 87a by elastically deforming the terminalblock engaging claw 87c. On the other hand, when theterminal block 86 is attached to the first terminalblock support portion 87a, the terminalblock engaging claw 87c can be easily inserted to the engaginghole 86c by elastically deforming the terminalblock engaging claw 87c. - Further, after the
terminal block 86 is removed from the terminalblock support member 87 and the terminalblock support member 87 is switched to the second state, theterminal block 86 can be removably attached to theframe 71. Specifically, theterminal block 86 can be attached to a second terminalblock support portion 89 including a plurality of (two in this case) lockingclaws 77g formed on the outer surface of the protection plate portion 77 (the rear sideprotection plate portion 77b in this case) of thesubstrate protection plate 76 which constitutes theframe 71. At this time, theterminal block 86 is attached such that theterminal block body 86a faces toward the fan chamber S1 side with theelectric equipment assembly 7 disposed in the machine chamber S2, in other words, such that the terminalblock fixing plate 86b is disposed along theprotection plate portion 77. Further, the frame 71 (specifically, the front sideprotection plate portion 77a of the protection plate portion 77) has a protection plate opening 77h formed therein as a housing opening at a position facing theterminal block body 86a, with theterminal block 86 attached to the second terminalblock support portion 89. Therefore, with theterminal block 86 attached to the second terminalblock support portion 89, at least part of the terminal block 86 (specifically, theterminal block body 86a) is housed in theframe 71. - The
electric equipment assembly 7 of the present embodiment and theoutdoor unit 1 provided with the same have the following characteristics. - (A) With the
electric equipment assembly 7 and theoutdoor unit 1 provided with the same as described in the present embodiment, thecontrol circuit board 91 and theinverter control element 92 are attached to theframe 71, and thereby thecontrol circuit board 91 and theinverter control element 92 are integrated, reducing the size of theelectric equipment assembly 7. At the same time, theframe 71 is disposed such that the substrate surface of theframe 71 is inclined to or perpendicular to the front side of theunit casing 2, thus enabling cooling of theinverter control element 92. In addition, apart from theframe 71, theterminal block 86 is fixed to theunit casing 2 or thepartition plate 28 such that theterminal block 86 faces the front side of theunit casing 2 and theterminal block 86 is also supported by the terminalblock support member 87 provided to theframe 71, thus ensuring the operability during on-site work and the strength of theterminal block 86. Further, this terminalblock support member 87 is capable of switching between the first state in which the terminalblock support member 87 supports theterminal block 86 and the second state in which the inclination of theframe 71 to the substrate surface is gentle compared to the first state, thus the package of theelectric equipment assembly 7 at the time of the transportation can be reduced in size, and accordingly, the transportation of theelectric equipment assembly 7 can be efficiently performed.
As described above, according to the present invention, the transportation can be efficiently performed while achieving reduction in size and ensuring the strength of the terminal block. In addition, reduction in size of the whole theoutdoor unit 1 can be achieved as well. - (B) With the
electric equipment assembly 7 of the present embodiment, the terminalblock support member 87 is disposed so as not to protrude outside theframe 71 in a plan view of theunit casing 2 when the terminalblock support member 87 is switched to the second state. Therefore, the package of theelectric equipment assembly 7 at the time of the transportation can be further reduced in size. - (C) With the
electric equipment assembly 7 of the present embodiment, the terminalblock support member 87 is rotatably supported around the shaft (specifically, the engagingshaft 71a) that extends in the up and down direction of theframe 71, thus the operation of switching between the first state and the second state can be easily performed. - (D) With the
electric equipment assembly 7 of the present embodiment, theframe 71 is provided with the second terminal block support portion 89 (specifically, the lockingclaws 77g formed on the outer surface of the rear sideprotection plate portion 77b) that attaches theterminal block 86 to theframe 71 in a removable manner. Therefore, it is possible to attach theterminal block 86 to theframe 71 at the time of the transportation of theelectric equipment assembly 7 and remove theterminal block 86 from theframe 71 when disposing theelectric equipment assembly 7 in theunit casing 2. Accordingly, the transportation of theelectric equipment assembly 7 and the installation of theelectric equipment assembly 7 in theunit casing 2 can be further efficiently performed. - (E) With the
electric equipment assembly 7 of the present embodiment, theprotection plate opening 77h is formed for housing at least part of theterminal block 86, with theterminal block 86 attached to the second terminalblock support portion 89. Thus, it is possible to prevent theterminal block 86 from protruding from the outer surface of theframe 71 as much as possible, and accordingly the package of theelectric equipment assembly 7 at the time of the transportation can be further reduced in size. - The
electric equipment assembly 7 of the above described embodiment is configured such that theterminal block 86 is fixed to theunit casing 2 or thepartition plate 28 so as to face the front side of theunit casing 2, and theterminal block 86 is supported by the terminalblock support member 87 provided to theframe 71. However, as in anelectric equipment assembly 107 of the present alternative embodiment shown inFigures 9 and10 , it may be configured such that aterminal block 186 is supported by a terminalblock support member 187 provided to aframe 171. Below, theelectric equipment assembly 107 according to the present alternative embodiment is described. Note that all the components of theelectric equipment assembly 107 except for theterminal block 186 and part of the terminalblock support member 187 and the frame 171 (specifically, positioning portions 188, 189) are the same as the components of theelectric equipment assembly 7 of the above described embodiment, thus the description thereof is omitted here. - As is the case with the
terminal block 86 of theelectric equipment assembly 7 of the above described embodiment, theterminal block 186 mainly includes aterminal block body 186a having a plurality of terminals for power supply connection, and a terminalblock fixing plate 186b to which the rear side of theterminal block body 186a is fixed. As is the case with theterminal block 86 of theelectric equipment assembly 7 of the above described embodiment, with theelectric equipment assembly 107 disposed in the machine chamber S2, theterminal block 186 is disposed such that a terminal portion of theterminal block body 186a faces the front side of theunit casing 2. However, theterminal block 186 of the present alternative embodiment is different from the terminal block of theelectric equipment assembly 7 of the above described embodiment in that one end of the terminalblock fixing plate 186b on thepartition plate 28 side is not fixed to thepartition plate 28 or the front portion of the leftfront plate 23. - Next, as is the case with the terminal
block support member 87 of theelectric equipment assembly 7 of the above described embodiment, the terminalblock support member 187 is a rod shaped member having a first terminalblock support portion 187a configured to support theterminal block 186, with theelectric equipment assembly 107 provided in the machine chamber S2, and a frame supportedportion 187b rotatably supported around an engagingshaft 171 a (whose shaft center is O), which is a shaft that extends in an up and down direction of theframe 171, with theelectric equipment assembly 107 provided in the machine chamber S2. The terminalblock support member 187 is capable of moving the first terminalblock support portion 187a closer to or away from the substrate surface of thecontrol circuit board 91, by rotating the frame supportedportion 187b. In addition, the first terminalblock support portion 187a has an engagingshaft 187c (whose shaft center is P), which is a shaft that extends in an up and down direction of theframe 171 with theelectric equipment assembly 107 disposed in the machine chamber S2, and a terminal block supportedportion 186c, which is formed on the rear side of the terminalblock fixing plate 186b, is rotatably supported by this engagingshaft 187c. Theterminal block 186 is set to a state in which the terminalblock support member 187 is inclined by an angle β to the substrate surface of thecontrol circuit board 91, and in addition, the terminalblock fixing plate 186b is set to a state in which the terminalblock fixing portion 186b is inclined by an angle γ to the terminalblock support member 187. As a result of this arrangement, theterminal block 186 is disposed so as to face the front side of the unit casing 2 (hereinafter referred to as the first state). Further, with the above described first state maintained, one end of the terminalblock fixing plate 186b (here, the end portion of the partition plate 28) is supported by theframe 171. More specifically, aclaw portion 186d formed on one end of the terminalblock fixing plate 186b is engaged with acutout portion 171b as a first positioning portion formed on theframe 171. In other words, thecutout portion 171b has a function of positioning theterminal block 186 and the terminalblock support member 187 to the first state. - In this way, with the
electric equipment assembly 107 of the present alternative embodiment, theterminal block 86 integrated with theframe 171 is disposed so as to face the front side of theunit casing 2 via the terminalblock support member 187 provided to theframe 171, and theterminal block 86 is supported by the terminalblock support member 187 and thecutout portion 171b formed on theframe 171. - As is the case with the
electric equipment assembly 7 of the above described embodiment, theelectric equipment assembly 107 of the present alternative embodiment is configured to be capable of housing theterminal block 186 and the terminalblock support member 187 in theframe 171. The housing structure of theseterminal block 186 and terminalblock support member 187 is described. - As described above, when the first state is achieved by rotating the frame supported
portion 187b of the terminalblock support member 187 and the terminal block supportedportion 186c of the terminalblock fixing plate 186b, theterminal block 186 is disposed so as to face the front side of theunit casing 2. In this case, because of the inclination, theterminal block 186 and the terminalblock support member 187 protrude outside of the frame 171 (specifically, from the outer surface of the substrate protection plate 76) in a plan view of theunit casing 2. Therefore, if nothing is done, the size of the package of theelectric equipment assembly 107 at the time of the transportation of a single unit thereof will be large, and the transportation of theelectric equipment assembly 107 cannot be efficiently performed. - To solve this problem, the
electric equipment assembly 107 of the present alternative embodiment is configured to be capable of switching the terminalblock support member 187 to the second state in which the frame supportedportion 187b of the terminalblock support member 187 is rotated thereby achieving a state in which the inclination of the terminalblock support member 187 to the substrate surface of theframe 171 is more gentle than the angle β of the inclination in the first state (here, the terminalblock support member 187 is inclined to the substrate surface of theframe 171 by an angle δ), and the terminal block supportedportion 186c of the terminalblock fixing plate 186b is rotated thereby achieving a state in which the angle of the inclination of the terminalblock support member 187 to the substrate surface of theframe 171 is more gentle than the angle γ of the inclination in the first state (here, the terminalblock support member 187 is inclined to the terminal block support member by an angle ε).Further, the other end of the terminalblock fixing plate 186b (here, the end portion on the side opposite the partition plate 28) is supported by theframe 171, with the above described second state maintained. More specifically, the other end of the terminalblock fixing plate 186b is engaged with aclaw portion 171c as a second positioning portion formed on theframe 171. Thisclaw portion 171c is a portion capable of attaching the other end of the terminalblock fixing plate 186b to theframe 171 along the protection plate portion 177, as is the case, for example, with the lockingclaws 77g formed on theframe 71 of theelectric equipment assembly 7 of the above described embodiment. In other words, theclaw portion 171c has a function of positioning theterminal block 186 and the terminalblock support member 187 to the second state. When the terminalblock support member 187 and the terminalblock fixing plate 186b are switched to the second state, theterminal block 186 is disposed along the outer surface of theframe 171 in a plane view of theunit casing 2. Thus, it is possible to prevent theterminal block 186 from protruding from the outer surface of theframe 171 as much as possible, and accordingly the package of theelectric equipment assembly 107 at the time of the transportation can be further reduced in size. - In this way, the
electric equipment assembly 107 of the present alternative embodiment is configured to be capable of housing theterminal block 186, instead of needing to remove theterminal block 186, simply by switching the terminalblock support member 187 and the terminalblock fixing plate 186b to the second state. - While selected embodiments of the present invention have been described based on the drawings, specific configurations are not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes and modifications may be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention.
- For example, in the above described embodiment, the
frame 71 is disposed such that the substrate surface of thecontrol circuit board 91 is inclined to the front side of theunit casing 2. However, theframe 71 may be disposed such that the substrate surface of thecontrol circuit board 91 is perpendicular to the front side of theunit casing 2. - With the utilization of the present invention, in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner having a structure in which the inside of a casing having a generally rectangular parallelepiped box shape is divided into a fan chamber and a machine chamber by a partition plate extending vertically, it is possible to achieve reduction in size of an electric equipment assembly disposed in the machine chamber and efficiently perform the transportation of the electric equipment assembly.
Claims (11)
- An electric equipment assembly (7, 107) disposed in a machine chamber (S2) of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner having a structure in which an inside of a casing (2) having a generally rectangular parallelepiped box shape is divided into a fan chamber (S1) and the machine chamber by a partition plate (28) extending vertically, the electric equipment assembly comprising:a frame (71) to which various electric components including a control circuit board (91) mounted with an operating control element and an inverter control element (92) are attached, the frame being disposed such that a substrate surface of the control circuit board is inclined to or perpendicular to a front side of the casing, with the frame provided in the casing;a terminal block (86, 186) disposed so as to face the front side of the casing, with the terminal block provided in the casing; anda terminal block support member (87, 187) provided to the frame and capable of switching between a first state in which the terminal block support member supports the terminal block provided in the casing and a second state in which inclination of the terminal block support member to the substrate surface is gentle compared to the first state.
- The electric equipment assembly (7, 107) according to claim 1, wherein the terminal block support member (87, 187) is disposed so as not to protrude outside the frame (71, 171) in a plan view of the casing (2) when the terminal block support member is switched to the second state with the frame provided in the casing.
- The electric equipment assembly (7, 107) according to claim 2, wherein the terminal block support member (87, 187) includes a first terminal block support portion (87a, 187a) configured to support the terminal block (86, 186) with the frame (71, 171) provided in the casing (2), and a frame supported portion (87b, 187b) rotatably supported around a shaft that extends in an up and down direction of the frame, with the frame provided in the casing,
the terminal block support member being capable of moving the first terminal block support portion closer to or away from the substrate surface, by rotating the frame supported portion. - The electric equipment assembly (7) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the terminal block (86) is fixed to the casing (2) or the partition plate (28), with the terminal block (86) provided in the casing.
- The electric equipment assembly (7) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the frame (71) includes a second terminal block support portion (89) configured to attach the terminal block (86) to the frame in a removable manner.
- The electric equipment assembly (7) according to claim 5, wherein the frame (71) has a housing opening (77h) formed therein for housing at least part of the terminal block (86), with the terminal block attached to the second terminal block support portion (89).
- The electric equipment assembly (107) according to claim 3, wherein the terminal block (186) is rotatably supported by the first terminal block support portion (187a) around a shaft that extends in an up and down direction of the terminal block support member (187), with the frame (171) provided in the casing (2).
- The electric equipment assembly (107) according to claim 7, wherein the frame (171) includes a first positioning portion (188) for positioning the terminal block (186) and the terminal block support member (187) in the first state.
- The electric equipment assembly (107) according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the terminal block (186) is disposed along the outer surface of the frame (171) in a plan view of the casing (2), when the terminal block support member (187) is switched to the second state.
- The electric equipment assembly (107) according to claim 9, wherein the frame (171) includes a second positioning portion (189) for positioning the terminal block (186) and the terminal block support member (187) in the second state.
- An outdoor unit (1) of an air conditioner comprising:a casing (2) having a generally rectangular parallelepiped box shape;a partition plate (28) extending vertically so as to divide the inside of the casing into a fan chamber (S1) and a machine chamber (S2); andthe electric equipment assembly (7, 107) according to any of claims 1 to 10, disposed in the machine chamber.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2005322249A JP3985833B2 (en) | 2005-11-07 | 2005-11-07 | Electrical component assembly and outdoor unit of air conditioner including the same |
PCT/JP2006/321967 WO2007052741A1 (en) | 2005-11-07 | 2006-11-02 | Electric component assembly and outdoor unit of air conditioner equipped with it |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP1956308A1 true EP1956308A1 (en) | 2008-08-13 |
EP1956308A4 EP1956308A4 (en) | 2011-01-26 |
Family
ID=38005894
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP06822885A Withdrawn EP1956308A4 (en) | 2005-11-07 | 2006-11-02 | Electric component assembly and outdoor unit of air conditioner equipped with it |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP1956308A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP3985833B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101297165B (en) |
AU (1) | AU2006309707B2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2007052741A1 (en) |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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AU2010200570A1 (en) * | 2009-03-31 | 2010-10-14 | Mitsubishi Electric Corporation | Outdoor unit of air conditioner |
US10024555B2 (en) | 2014-04-04 | 2018-07-17 | Mitsubishi Electric Corporation | Outdoor unit of air conditioner |
EP2518415A3 (en) * | 2011-04-28 | 2018-08-15 | Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. | Outdoor unit for air conditioner |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP5873994B2 (en) * | 2011-04-28 | 2016-03-01 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | Air conditioner outdoor unit |
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JPH09236284A (en) * | 1996-02-29 | 1997-09-09 | Daikin Ind Ltd | Outdoor unit for air conditioner |
US6378320B1 (en) * | 1999-11-05 | 2002-04-30 | International Comfort Products, Corporation | Condenser unit for air conditioner or heat pump |
EP1323989A1 (en) * | 2000-10-03 | 2003-07-02 | Daikin Industries, Limited | Outdoor unit of air conditioning system |
JP2003294272A (en) * | 2002-03-29 | 2003-10-15 | Daikin Ind Ltd | Outdoor unit for air conditioner and multi-chamber air conditioner |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP3039360B2 (en) * | 1996-02-29 | 2000-05-08 | ダイキン工業株式会社 | Outdoor unit for air conditioner |
JP4219231B2 (en) * | 2002-10-30 | 2009-02-04 | 三洋電機株式会社 | Air conditioner |
JP3985754B2 (en) * | 2003-09-02 | 2007-10-03 | ダイキン工業株式会社 | Electronic circuit board support, electrical component unit, and electrical component unit mounting method |
CN2705732Y (en) * | 2003-12-12 | 2005-06-22 | 乐金电子(天津)电器有限公司 | Mounting structure of control box of integrated air conditioner |
KR20050062043A (en) * | 2003-12-19 | 2005-06-23 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Air conditioner |
-
2005
- 2005-11-07 JP JP2005322249A patent/JP3985833B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2006
- 2006-11-02 CN CN2006800401975A patent/CN101297165B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2006-11-02 EP EP06822885A patent/EP1956308A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2006-11-02 WO PCT/JP2006/321967 patent/WO2007052741A1/en active Application Filing
- 2006-11-02 AU AU2006309707A patent/AU2006309707B2/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH09236284A (en) * | 1996-02-29 | 1997-09-09 | Daikin Ind Ltd | Outdoor unit for air conditioner |
US6378320B1 (en) * | 1999-11-05 | 2002-04-30 | International Comfort Products, Corporation | Condenser unit for air conditioner or heat pump |
EP1323989A1 (en) * | 2000-10-03 | 2003-07-02 | Daikin Industries, Limited | Outdoor unit of air conditioning system |
JP2003294272A (en) * | 2002-03-29 | 2003-10-15 | Daikin Ind Ltd | Outdoor unit for air conditioner and multi-chamber air conditioner |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
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See also references of WO2007052741A1 * |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU2010200570A1 (en) * | 2009-03-31 | 2010-10-14 | Mitsubishi Electric Corporation | Outdoor unit of air conditioner |
AU2010200570B2 (en) * | 2009-03-31 | 2010-12-23 | Mitsubishi Electric Corporation | Outdoor unit of air conditioner |
EP2518415A3 (en) * | 2011-04-28 | 2018-08-15 | Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. | Outdoor unit for air conditioner |
US10024555B2 (en) | 2014-04-04 | 2018-07-17 | Mitsubishi Electric Corporation | Outdoor unit of air conditioner |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2007052741A1 (en) | 2007-05-10 |
JP2007127377A (en) | 2007-05-24 |
EP1956308A4 (en) | 2011-01-26 |
AU2006309707B2 (en) | 2009-10-29 |
JP3985833B2 (en) | 2007-10-03 |
AU2006309707A1 (en) | 2007-05-10 |
CN101297165B (en) | 2010-04-14 |
CN101297165A (en) | 2008-10-29 |
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