EP3091304B1

EP3091304B1 - Air conditioner

Info

Publication number: EP3091304B1
Application number: EP13899418.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Masatoshi KATSUMATA; Kazuhiro Hiugano; Nobusuke Shirakawa; Kenji Gajina
Original assignee: Toshiba Carrier Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba Carrier Corp
Priority date: 2013-12-20
Filing date: 2013-12-20
Publication date: 2020-09-23
Anticipated expiration: 2033-12-20
Also published as: EP3091304A1; CN105705880A; WO2015092919A1; CN105705880B; EP3091304A4; PL3091304T3

Description

Technical Field

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an air-conditioner comprising, for example, a ceiling suspended indoor unit.

Background Art

An air-conditioner comprises an indoor unit in the attic. An air blower and an indoor heat exchanger are housed in the indoor unit. For example, the indoor unit is suspended from the beam of the attic via a plurality of hanging bolts. In this type of air-conditioner, a plurality of hangers are secured to the side surfaces of a unit main body forming the outline of the indoor unit by screws. The hangers protrude from the side surfaces of the unit main body in four directions horizontally. The lower ends of the hanging bolts are connected to the apical ends of the hangers.

Citation List

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1
JP 2006-343043 A
Patent Literature 2
JP H09 222260 A relates to an air-conditioner with an air conditioner casing having a box-shaped main body frame. A coupling coupled with a hanging bolt is attached to a top board of the main body frame. The coupling has a plate-like main portion which is arranged horizontally along the top board, and a vertical edge portion which extends downward from the edge of the main portion.
Patent Literature 3
EP 2 023 049 A2 relates to an indoor unit of an in-ceiling mount type air conditioner including a box-shaped housing with a top plate portion, a side plate portion and an opening portion at the lower portion thereof, a face panel detachably mounted on the opening portion of the housing and an indoor heat exchanger. An air blower is secured to the top plate portion of the housing.
Patent Literature 4
JP 2009 079826 A relates to a ceiling embedded air conditioner with an outer casing. Attachment brackets having a thick plate thickness for mounting an outer casing in a ceiling are provided for an outer casing steel plate of reduced weight.

Summary of Invention

Object to be Achieved by Invention

In a conventional air-conditioner comprising hangers secured to the side surfaces of the unit main body by screws, the load applied to the hangers cannot be actively received by the unit main body. As a result, the weight of the indoor unit is mostly applied to the hangers and the side surfaces of the unit main body. Thus, this type of air-conditioner is required to improve the strength.

Means for Achieving Object

According to one embodiment, an air-conditioner comprises: a unit main body which is suspended in a portion and an opening portion at the lower portion thereof, a face panel detachably mounted on the opening portion of the housing and an indoor heat exchanger. An air blower is secured to the top plate portion of the housing.

Patent Literature 4

JP 2009 079826 A relates to a ceiling embedded air conditioner with an outer casing. Attachment brackets having a thick plate thickness for mounting an outer casing in a ceiling are provided for an outer casing steel plate of reduced weight.

Summary of Invention

Object to be Achieved by Invention

Means for Achieving Object

According to the invention, an air-conditioner comprises: a unit main body which is suspended in a roof space of a building via a plurality of hanging tools, and accommodates an indoor heat exchanger and a blower for transferring air to the heat exchanger; and a plurality of hangers which are provided in a top board of the unit main body, and are connected to lower end portions of the hanging tools. The top board includes an upper board portion which extends horizontally, and a sideboard portion connected to the peripheral border of the upper board, which is bent downwards from the peripheral border of the upper board portion at a substantially right angel. Each of the hangers includes a connection portion which juts from the corner portion of the top board outward and horizontally in the width direction from the unit main body and is connected to the corresponding hanging tool; a first securing portion which is bent at substantially a right angel from an end portion opposite of the apical end portion of the connecting portion so as to overlap with an inner surface of the sideboard portion and is secured to the sideboard portion via a fastener and a second securing portion which extends integrally from an apical end of the first securing portion along the lower surface of the upper board portion of the top board, and overlaps with the upper board portion from an upper side.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a state where an indoor unit of an air-conditioner is installed in an attic according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration in which the indoor unit of the air-conditioner is viewed from the rear side.
FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration in which the indoor unit of the air-conditioner is viewed from the lower side.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the indoor unit of the air-conditioner.
FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration in which the indoor unit suspended by four hanging bolts is viewed from the upper side.
FIG. 6 is a perspective illustration in which the indoor unit suspended by the four hanging bolts is viewed from the lower side.
FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration showing a state in which hangers are secured to four corner portions of a top board.
FIG. 8 is a perspective illustration showing each hanger.
FIG. 9 is a perspective illustration showing the shape of a depressed portion provided on the top board.
FIG. 10 is a perspective illustration showing a magnified view of portion F10 of FIG. 7.
FIG. 11 is a perspective illustration showing a state in which the hanger is secured to the top board.
FIG. 12 is a perspective illustration viewed from the direction of arrow F12 of FIG. 11.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the top board and the hanger.
FIG. 14 is a perspective illustration showing the positional relationship between the hangers secured to the top board and a first sideboard.
FIG. 15 is a perspective illustration showing a magnified view of portion F15 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 16 is a side view showing a state in which an indoor unit of an air-conditioner is installed in an attic according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between a top board and a hanger according to a third embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out Invention

[First Embodiment]

A first embodiment is explained below with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 15.
FIG. 1 is a side view roughly showing a state in which an indoor unit of an air-conditioner is installed in an attic. FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration showing the indoor unit.
As shown in FIG. 1, an indoor unit 1 is installed in, for example, the attic of a building. In the present embodiment, the attic indicates a roof space 4 defined between a beam 2 and a ceiling board 3 in the building.
As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 6, the indoor unit 1 has the shape of a flat and rectangular box with a width W, a depth D and a thickness H. The width W of the indoor unit 1 is greater than the depth D. The thickness H is sufficiently less than the width W and the depth D.
The indoor unit 1 comprises a metallic unit main body 5. The unit main body 5 is an element forming the outline of the indoor unit 1, and comprises a top board 6, a first sideboard 7, a second sideboard 8, a bottom board 9, a front frame 10, a rear board 11 and a partition board 12.
The top board 6 is an example of an upper structure which forms the upper part of the unit main body 5. As shown in FIG. 7, the top board 6 comprises an upper board portion 6a extending horizontally, and a sideboard portion 6b connected to the peripheral border of the upper board portion 6a. The sideboard portion 6b is bent downward from the peripheral border of the upper board portion 6a at a substantially right angle. The sideboard portion 6b may be called a flange portion.
The first sideboard 7 is located in an end portion of the top board 6 along the width direction. The upper end portion of the first sideboard 7 is secured to the outer surface of the sideboard portion 6b of the top board 6 by a plurality of screws. The first sideboard 7 extends downward from the end portion of the top board 6. The second sideboard 8 is located in the other end portion of the top board 6 along the width direction. The upper end portion of the second sideboard 8 is secured to the outer surface of the sideboard portion 6b of the top board 6 by a plurality of screws. The second sideboard 8 extends downward from the other end portion of the top board 6. Thus, the first sideboard 7 and the second sideboard 8 face each other in the width direction of the top board 6 with a space being interposed.
The bottom board 9 is secured to the front frame 10 and the partition board 12 over the area between the lower end portion of the first sideboard 7 and the lower end portion of the second sideboard 8. The bottom board 9 constitutes the bottom of the unit main body 5. The bottom board 9 has a dimension approximately half the depth of the unit main body 5. Thus, on the bottom of the unit main body 5, the area excluding the bottom board 9 forms a slender suction opening 14. The suction opening 14 faces a suction grille 15 provided on the ceiling board 3.
The front frame 10 is secured to the anterior border of the top board 6, the anterior border of the first sideboard 7 and the anterior border of the second sideboard 8 by a plurality of screws. The front frame 10 constitutes a slender blowoff opening 16 at the anterior end of the unit main body 5. As shown in FIG. 1, a blowoff duct 17 is connected to the blowoff opening 16. The blowoff duct 17 is provided in the roof space 4 and is connected to a blowoff grille (not shown) provided on the ceiling board 3.
The rear board 11 is removably secured to the posterior border of the top board 6, the posterior border of the first sideboard 7 and the posterior border of the sideboard 8 by a plurality of screws. The rear board 11 has a size corresponding to the suction opening 14. Thus, the rear board 11 is allowed to be secured to the bottom of the unit main body 5 by a plurality of screws so as to cover the suction opening 14 after the rear board 11 is removed from the posterior border of the top board 6, the posterior border of the sideboard 7 and the posterior border of the second sideboard 8. In a state where the rear board 11 is secured to the bottom of the unit main body 5, the area surrounded by the posterior border of the top board 6, the posterior border of the first sideboard 7 and the posterior border of the second sideboard 8 functions as a suction opening.
As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the partition board 12 stands along a lateral border of the suction opening 14. The peripheral border portion of the partition board 12 confronts the lower surface of the top board 6, the inner surface of the first sideboard 7 and the inner surface of the second sideboard 8. In this manner, the partition board 12 divides the unit main body 5 into two chambers, specifically, a blast chamber 18 and a heat exchange chamber 19.
The blast chamber 18 comprises the suction opening 14. A blower 21 is accommodated in the blast chamber 18. The heat exchange chamber 19 comprises the blowoff opening 16. An indoor heat exchanger 22 and a drain pan 23 are provided in the heat exchange chamber 19.
As shown in FIG. 3, the blower 21 comprises a fan motor 25 and a pair of fans 26a and 26b. The fan motor 25 comprises two axes of rotation 27a and 27b concentrically protruding from both side surfaces of the fan motor 25. The fans 26a and 26b are attached to the axes of rotation 27a and 27b, respectively. The fans 26a and 26b are surrounded by fan cases 28a and 28b, respectively. The fan cases 28a and 28b comprise nozzle portions 29a and 29b integrally. The nozzle portions 29a and 29b penetrate the partition board 12 and open into the heat exchange chamber 19.
As shown in FIG. 4, the indoor heat exchanger 22 is accommodated in the heat exchange chamber 19 in a state where the indoor heat exchanger 22 leans forward strongly since the thickness of the indoor unit 1 is restricted. The indoor heat exchanger 22 extends in the width direction of the unit main body 5. Both end portions of the indoor heat exchanger 22 are supported by the unit main body 5 via respective lateral heat insulating materials (not shown). The upper end portion of the indoor heat exchanger 22 is supported by an upper heat insulating material 30. The upper heat insulating material 30 is interposed between the upper end portion of the indoor heat exchanger 22 and the top board 6. The lateral heat insulating materials and the upper heat insulating material 30 prevent the heat produced by the effect of refrigeration cycle of the indoor heat exchanger 22 from being transferred to the unit main body 5.
The drain pan 23 is provided under the indoor heat exchanger 22. The drain pan 23 is formed of a heat insulating material such as expanded polystyrene. The drain pan 23 supports the indoor heat exchanger 22 on the lower side and receives drain water falling in drops from the indoor heat exchanger 22.
When the fans 26a and 26b are rotated by the fan motor 25, the fans 26a and 26b take in air in the axial direction and discharge the air from the outer circumferential surfaces of the fans 26a and 26b to the inside of the fan cases 28a and 28b. In this manner, as shown by the arrows of FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the air inside the building is taken into the blast chamber 18 via the suction opening 14 of the unit main body 5 from the suction grille 15 of the ceiling board 3. The air taken into the blast chamber 18 is discharged from the nozzle portions 29a and 29b of the fan cases 28a and 28b to the indoor heat exchanger 22.
The indoor heat exchanger 22 changes the air discharged from the nozzle portions 29a and 29b to cool or warm heat-exchanged air by heat exchange of the air discharged from the nozzle portions 29a and 29b. The heat-exchanged air is transferred from the blowoff opening 16 to the room through the blowoff duct 17. In this manner, air-cooling or air-heating is applied to the room.
As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the unit main body 5 accommodating the blower 21 and the indoor heat exchanger 22 is suspended from the beam 2 of the building via, for example, four hanging bolts 31 so as to be located in the roof space 4. Specifically, four hangers 32 are secured to the top board 6 of the unit main body 5. The hangers 32 are elements connected to the hanging bolts 31 which are examples of hanging tools. The hangers 32 have structures in common.
As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 13, each hanger 32 is an integral structure formed by sheet metal stamping, and comprises a connection portion 33, a first securing portion 34 and a second securing portion 35. The connection portion 33 has, for example, the shape of a rectangular plate, and juts from the corner portion of the top board 6 outward and horizontally in the width direction of the unit main body 5.
A through-hole 36 and a slit-like guide passage 37 are formed in the apical end portion of the connection portion 33. The hanging bolt 31 is inserted into the through-hole 36. The guide passage 37 connects the apical edge of the connection portion 33 and the through-hole 36. The through-hole 36 has the shape of an opening like a long hole in the width direction of the connection portion 33. The guide passage 37 is an element for guiding the lower end portion of the hanging bolt 31 to the through-hole 36. The guide passage 37 is shaped such that it is expanded gradually from the through-hole 36 to the apical edge of the connection portion 33.
The first securing portion 34 is bent at substantially a right angle from the end portion opposite to the apical end portion of the connection portion 33. In other words, the positional relationship between the connection portion 33 and the first securing portion 34 is maintained such that they are substantially perpendicular to each other. The first securing portion 34 overlaps with the inner surface of the sideboard portion 6b in the corner portion of the top board 6. In the present embodiment, the sideboard portion 6b comprises an aperture 39 which is formed in an area overlapping with the first securing portion 34. A screw hole 40 which conforms to the aperture 39 is formed in the first securing portion 34.
The second securing portion 35 has, for example, the shape of a rectangular plate, and extends integrally from the apical end of the first securing portion 34 along the lower surface of the upper board portion 6a of the top board 6. Thus, the second securing portion 35 juts horizontally to a side opposite to the connection portion 33 based on the first securing portion 34.
In addition, the hanger 32 of the present embodiment comprises a through-hole 41 and a pair of reinforced portions 42a and 42b. The through-hole 41 is formed in an end portion of the connection portion 33 adjacent to the first securing portion 34, and is adjacent to the screw hole 40 formed in the first securing portion 34. The through-hole 41 has, for example, the shape of a rectangular opening.
The reinforced portions 42a and 42b are structured by applying drawing to both lateral edge portions of the hanger 32 in the width direction. The reinforced portions 42a and 42b are made continuous in an area ranging from the middle part of the connection portion 33 to the middle part of the second securing portion 35 via the first securing portion 34. Thus, the aperture 39 and the through-hole 41 are located between the reinforced portions 42a and 42b.
The hanger 32 of the present embodiment further comprises a slope portion 38 between the first securing portion 34 and the second securing portion 35.
As shown in FIG. 7, depressed portions 45 are formed in respective four corner portions of the top board 6. The depressed portions 45 are structured by applying, for example, drawing to the upper board portion 6a of the top board 6. As shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 11, the depressed portion 45 juts downward from the upper board portion 6a, and has a shape conforming to the apical end portion of the second securing portion 35 of the hanger 32.
The depressed portion 45 comprises a slit-like opening portion 45a and a flat bottom surface 45b. The opening portion 45a is an element into which the second securing portion 35 of the hanger 32 is inserted. The opening portion 45a opens toward the sideboard portion 6b in which the aperture 39 opens. The bottom surface 45b is made continuous with the opening portion 45a. The apical end portion of the second securing portion 35 is stacked on the bottom surface 45b.
As shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 13, each hanger 32 is secured to the top board 6 by a securing screw 47 in a state where the second securing portion 35 is inserted into the opening portion 45a of the depressed portion 45. The securing screw 47 is an example of a fastener. By inserting the second securing portion 35 into the opening portion 45a, the apical end portion of the second securing portion 35 moves onto the bottom surface 45b of the depressed portion 45. Further, the outer circumference of the apical end portion of the second securing portion 35 is surrounded by the edge of the depressed portion 45. In other words, the apical end portion of the second securing portion 35 is fitted into the depressed portion 45.
The securing screw 47 is driven into the screw hole 40 of each hanger 32 through the aperture 39 of the sideboard portion 6b from the outside in the width direction of the top board 6. In this manner, the first securing portion 34 of each hanger 32 adheres tightly to the inner surface of the sideboard portion 6b of the top board 6 with no space, and thus, the hangers 32 are secured to four corner portions of the top board 6. A head portion 47a of the securing screw 47 protrudes from the outer surface of the sideboard portion 6b of the top board 6 in a state where each hanger 32 is secured to the top board 6.
Now, this specification explains the procedure for securing each hanger 32 to the top board 6.
First, as shown in FIG. 7, the top board 6 is turned around up and down. The top board 6 is retained horizontally in a state where the lower surface of the upper board portion 6a points upward. Subsequently, the apical end portion of the second securing portion 35 of each hanger 32 is fitted into the corresponding depressed portion 45 through the opening portion 45a from the lower surface side of the upper board portion 6a. As a result, the apical end portion of the second securing portion 35 is surrounded by the edge of the depressed portion 45, and overlaps with the bottom surface 45b of the depressed portion 45.
At this time, since the slope portion 38 is provided between the first and second securing portions 34 and 35 of the hanger 32, the hanger 32 can be moved in the direction of the opening portion 45a such that the slope portion 38 avoids the sideboard portion 6b. Thus, it is possible to fit the second securing portion 35 of the hanger 32 into the depressed portion 45 in such a way that the sideboard portion 6b does not disturb the hanger 32.
Subsequently, the securing screw 47 is driven into the screw hole 40 of the hanger 32 through the aperture 39 of the sideboard portion 6b from the outside in the width direction of the top board 6. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10 to FIG. 12 most clearly, the connection portion 33 of the hanger 32 passes over the sideboard portion 6b, and juts outward and horizontally in the width direction of the top board 6. Therefore, the aperture 39 opening in the sideboard portion 6b is hidden under the connection portion 33.
In the present embodiment, the through-hole 41 is formed in the end portion of the connection portion 33 adjacent to the first securing portion 34. Thus, the worker is able to visually confirm the position of the aperture 39 through the through-hole 41. As a result, the worker is able to drive the securing screw 47 into the screw hole 40 while visually confirming the positional relationship between the securing screw 47 and the aperture 39 through the through-hole 41. By driving the securing screw 47, the first securing portion 34 of the hanger 32 adheres tightly to the inner surface of the sideboard portion 6b of the top board 6. Thus, the position of the hanger 32 is determined firmly relative to the top board 6.
As shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, in the hangers 32 secured to one end portion of the top board 6, the connection portions 33 protrude to the external side of the first sideboard 7 through a pair of slits 50a and 50b formed in the upper part of the first sideboard 7. In a similar manner, in the hangers 32 secured to the other end portion of the top board 6, the connection portions 33 protrude to the external side of the second sideboard 8 through a pair of slits (not shown) formed in the upper part of the second sideboard 8.
Further, a pair of expanded portions 51a and 51b are formed on the first sideboard 7. The expanded portions 51a and 51b are adjacent to the slits 50a and 50b, and jut to the external side of the first sideboard 7 so as to cover the head portion 47a of the securing screw 47. Since the expanded portions 51a and 51b are provided close to or in contact with the head portion 47a of the securing screw 47, they prevent the securing screw 47 from being unfastened or falling. The expanded portions 51a and 51b are formed on the second sideboard 8 in a similar manner. In the present embodiment, their illustrations are omitted.
The lower end portion of each of the four hanging bolts 31 suspended from the beam 2 is guided to the through-hole 36 via the guide passage 37 of the hanger 32. As shown in FIG. 13, a pair of nuts 54a and 54b are screwed onto the lower end portion of the hanging bolt 31 via a pair of washers 53a and 53b. The connection portion 33 of the hanger 32 is interposed between the nuts 54a and 54b in cooperation with the washers 53a and 53b. Thus, the lower end portion of the hanging bolt 31 is connected to the hanger 32. In this manner, the unit main body 5 is suspended in the roof space 4 in a horizontal attitude.
FIG. 13 shows a relative positional relationship between the top board 6 and the hanger 32 when the indoor unit 1 is suspended in the roof space 4. As shown by the arrow of FIG. 13, a downward load is applied to the hanger 32 in a state where the indoor unit 1 is suspended in the roof space 4.
At this time, although the second securing portion 35 of the hanger 32 is located under the upper board portion 6a of the top board 6, the apical end portion of the second securing portion 35 is stacked on the bottom surface 45b of the depressed portion 45 formed on the upper board portion 6a. Thus, the downward load applied to the hanger 32 can be received actively by the strong top board 6 constituting the unit main body 5.
As a result, the load to be applied to the hanger 32 and the securing screw 47 is reduced. Thus, the strength around the hanger 32 for hanging the indoor unit 1 can be secured sufficiently. In this manner, it is possible to retain the indoor unit 1 in the roof space 4 stably. An air-conditioner having a high reliability can be obtained in terms of strength.
The second securing portion 35 of the hanger 32 is fitted into the depressed portion 45 of the top board 6. Thus, relative positions of the top board 6 and the hanger 32 are easily determined. In other words, it is possible to easily adjust and determine the positions of the screw hole 40 of the hanger 32 and the aperture 39 of the top board 6.
The through-hole 41 is provided in the connection portion 33 of the hanger 32. Thus, the worker is able to fasten the securing screw 47 while confirming the positions of the aperture 40 and the securing screw 47 through the through-hole 41 visually.
In this manner, when the worker secures the hanger 32 to the top board 6 with the securing screw 47, the workability is improved. It is possible to provide a highly manufacturable air-conditioner.
In addition, the depressed portion 45 is provided on the top board 6 such that the second securing portion 35 of the hanger 32 can be fitted into the depressed portion 45. In this structure, the hanger 32 can be unmovably secured to a fixed position of the top board 6 by only one securing screw 47. Thus, the depressed portion 45 prevents the hanger 32 from rotating around the securing screw 47. As a result, the number of components of the unit main body 5 can be reduced. In this manner, the weight or manufacturing cost of the unit main body 5 can be reduced.
In the first embodiment, the hangers 32 are secured to four corner portions of the top board 6. However, for example, two hangers 32 may be additionally provided in the middle part of the top board 6 in the width direction. Thus, the unit main body 5 may be suspended in the roof space 4 at six positions.
The hangers are secured to a top board. For example, in a unit main body comprising cross members for supporting a top board from the lower side at both end portions of the unit main body in the width direction, hangers may be secured to the cross members as the upper structures.

[Second Embodiment]

FIG. 16 shows a second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the position of a suction opening of a unit main body is different from that of the first embodiment. The other structures of the unit main body are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the second embodiment, structural elements identical with those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numbers or symbols. Thus, detailed explanations of the same elements are omitted.
As shown by the two-dot chain line of FIG. 4, in an indoor unit 1 comprising a rear board 11 which covers a suction opening 14 opening on the bottom of a unit main body 5, the area surrounded by the posterior border of a top board 6, the posterior border of a first sideboard 7 and the posterior border of a second sideboard 8 functions as a suction opening. This structure is explained in the first embodiment.
In this type of indoor unit 1, a suction duct 61 is connected to the above area of the unit main body 5. The suction duct 61 is guided to the rear side of the unit main body 5 in a roof space 4 and is connected to an air inlet (not shown) provided in the building.

[Third Embodiment]

FIG. 17 shows a third embodiment. In the third embodiment, a structure for receiving the load applied to hangers by the upper board portion of a top board is different from that of the first embodiment. The other structures of the indoor unit are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the third embodiment, structural elements identical with those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numbers or symbols. Thus, detailed explanations of the same elements are omitted.
As shown in FIG. 17, an upper board portion 6a of a top board 6 comprises an opening portion 71 in a corner portion. The opening portion 71 has the shape of a slit-like opening extending in the depth direction of the upper board portion 6a. A second securing portion 35 of a hanger 32 comprises a first portion 72 overlapping with the lower surface of the upper board portion 6a, a second portion 73 overlapping with the upper surface of the upper board portion 6a, and a third portion 74 located between the first portion 72 and the second portion 73.
The first portion 72 is misaligned with the second portion 73 in the thickness direction of the second securing portion 35. In other words, a step b is formed between the first portion 72 and the second portion 73 in the thickness direction of the second securing portion 35. The third portion 74 is raised obliquely from the first portion 72 to the second portion 73.
In the third embodiment, to secure the hanger 32 to the top board 6, firstly, the apical end of the second portion 73 of the second securing portion 35 is inserted into the opening portion 71 of the upper board potion 6a from the lower surface side of the upper board portion 6a. In this manner, the second securing portion 35 is exposed from the upper board portion 6a, and the third portion 74 is guided to the opening portion 71. As a result, the first portion 72 is in contact with the lower surface of the upper board portion 6a. The second portion 73 overlaps with the upper surface of the upper board portion 6a. Subsequently, a single securing screw 47 is driven into a screw hole 40 of the hanger 32 through an aperture 39 of a sideboard portion 6b from the outside in the width direction of the top board 6. By fastening the securing screw 47, a first securing portion 34 of the hanger 32 adheres tightly to the inner surface of the sideboard portion 6b of the top board 6. Thus, the position of the hanger 32 is determined firmly relative to the top board 6.
In the third embodiment, the second securing portion 35 of the hanger 32 comprises the second portion 73 overlapping with the upper surface of the upper board portion 6a of the top board 6. When an indoor unit 1 is suspended in a roof space 4, the downward load applied to the hanger 32 can be received actively by the strong top board 6 of a unit main body 5.
Thus, the load to be applied to the hanger 32 and the securing screw 47 is reduced. The strength around the hanger 32 for hanging the indoor unit 1 can be secured sufficiently. In a manner similar to that of the first embodiment, the indoor unit 1 can be suspended stably. It is possible to provide an air-conditioner having a high reliability in terms of strength.

Reference Signs List

4: Roof space
5: Unit main body
6: Upper structure (top board)
21: Blower
22: Indoor heat exchanger
31: Hanging tools (hanging bolts)
32: Hangers
33: Connection portion
34: First securing portion
35: Second securing portion
47: Fastener (securing screw)

Claims

An air-conditioner comprising:
a unit main body (5) which is suspended in a roof space (4) of a building via a plurality of hanging tools (31), and accommodates an indoor heat exchanger (22) and a blower (21) for transferring air to the heat exchanger (22); and

a plurality of hangers (32) which are provided in a top board (6) of the unit main body (5), and are connected to lower end portions of the hanging tools (31), characterized in that

the top board (6) includes an upper board portion (6a) which extends horizontally, and a sideboard portion (6b) connected to the peripheral border of the upper board (6a) which is bent downward from the peripheral border of the upper board portion (6a) at a substantially right angle, and

each of the hangers (32) includes a connection portion (33) which juts from the corner portion of the top board (6) outward and horizontally in the width direction from the unit main body (5) and is connected to the corresponding hanging tool (31), a first securing portion (34) which is bent at substantially a right angle from an end portion opposite to the apical end portion of the connection portion (33) so as to overlap with an inner surface of the sideboard portion (6b) and is secured to the sideboard portion (6b) via a fastener (47), and a second securing portion (35) which extends integrally from an apical end of the first securing portion (34) along the lower surface of the upper board portion (6a) of the top board (6) and overlaps with the upper board portion (6a) from an upper side.
The air-conditioner of Claim 1,
characterized in that
the fastener (47) is a screw (47),

the sideboard portion (6b) of the top board (6) comprises an aperture (39) through which the screw (47) goes, and

the first securing portion (34) of each hanger (32) comprises a screw hole (40) conforming to the aperture (39), the screw (47) being driven into the screw hole (40).
The air-conditioner of Claim 2,
characterized in that
a through-hole (41) adjacent to the aperture (39) of the sideboard portion (6b) is formed in the connection portion (33).
The air-conditioner of Claim 1,
characterized in that
the upper board portion (6a) of the top board (6) includes a depressed portion (45) which juts downward,

an opening portion (45a) into which the second securing portion (35) of each hanger (32) is inserted is formed at an end of the depressed portion (45), and

the second securing portion (35) is stacked on a bottom of the depressed portion (45).
The air-conditioner of Claim 4,
characterized in that
the depressed portion (45) is shaped such that the second securing portion (35) is fitted into the depressed portion (45).
The air-conditioner of Claim 4,
characterized in that
the upper board portion (6a) of the top board (6) comprises a lower surface continuous with the opening portion (45a) of the depressed portion (45), and

the second securing portion (35) overlaps with the lower surface of the upper board portion (6a).
The air-conditioner of Claim 1,
characterized in that
the upper board portion (6a) of the top board (6) comprises an opening portion (71) into which the second securing portion (35) is inserted, and

the second securing portion (35) comprises a first portion (72) overlapping with a lower surface of the upper board portion (6a), a second portion (73) overlapping with an upper surface of the upper board portion (6a), and a third portion (74) which passes through the opening portion (71) so as to connect the first portion (72) and the second portion (73).