EP4379284A1

EP4379284A1 - Ceiling-suspended indoor unit

Info

Publication number: EP4379284A1
Application number: EP22880924.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Masakazu Ito
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2021-10-11
Filing date: 2022-10-06
Publication date: 2024-06-05
Also published as: CN117716183A; JP2023057205A; WO2023063229A1

Abstract

Provided is a ceiling-suspended indoor unit that enables visual confirmation of dirt and clogging in the vicinity of a drain socket and enables cleaning around the drain socket without disassembling a housing, a drain pan, and the like. The indoor unit comprises: a housing (10) defining therein a fan chamber (18) in which a fan is disposed and a heat exchange chamber (19) in which a heat exchanger is disposed; a drain pan disposed in the heat exchange chamber (19) below the heat exchanger; and a drain socket (44) that communicates between the heat exchange chamber (19) and the fan chamber (18) and discharges drain water accumulated in the drain pan, wherein an opening (21) that communicates with the heat exchange chamber and allows the drain socket (44) to be seen from the outside of the housing (10) is formed in a side panel (11) of the housing (10).

Description

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a ceiling-suspended indoor unit.

Background Art

For example, in a ceiling-suspended indoor unit disclosed in PTL 1, a drain outlet (drain socket) for discharging drain water accumulated in a drain pan is provided.

Citation List

Patent Literature

[PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-173761

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

In such a ceiling-suspended indoor unit, there is a concern that a drain socket on a drain pan may be clogged due to the influence of bacteria or the like in drain water.
In this case, it is necessary to inspect and/or clean the drain socket on the drain pan after disassembling such as removing the side cover covering a side surface of a housing, a bottom surface of the housing, the drain pan, and the like, and the work is troublesome for the worker who performs the maintenance.
The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a ceiling-suspended indoor unit capable of visually confirming dirt or clogging in the vicinity of a drain socket without disassembling the housing, a drain pan, or the like, and capable of cleaning the vicinity of the drain socket.

Solution to Problem

In order to solve the above problem, the ceiling-suspended indoor unit of the present disclosure adopts the following means.
That is, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a ceiling-suspended indoor unit including: a housing that internally defines a fan chamber in which a fan is disposed and a heat exchange chamber in which a heat exchanger is disposed; a drain pan that is installed below the heat exchanger in the heat exchange chamber; and a drain socket through which the heat exchange chamber and the fan chamber communicate with each other and drain water accumulated in the drain pan is discharged, in which an opening that communicates with the heat exchange chamber and allows the drain socket to be viewed from an outside of the housing is formed on a side surface of the housing.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to visually confirming the dirt or clogging in the vicinity of the drain socket without disassembling the housing, the drain pan, or the like, and it is possible to make the vicinity of the drain socket cleanable.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an indoor unit from below according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an indoor unit shown in Fig. 1 in a state in which a side cover is removed.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an indoor unit from above according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a state in which an upper surface is removed.
Fig. 4 is a lateral cross-sectional view of an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the vicinity of an opening of the indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure (a state in which a lid member is removed).
Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the opening.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the vicinity of an opening of the indoor unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure (a state in which a lid member is attached).
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the lid member.
Fig. 9 is a lateral cross-sectional view of a side panel to which the lid member is attached.
Fig. 10 is a front view showing an example of the lid member.

Description of Embodiments

Hereinafter, a ceiling-suspended indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, an indoor unit 1 is configured such that a side cover 51 is installed on a side surface (side panel 11) of a housing 10, a grill 52 is installed at a suction port 22 formed at a bottom portion of the housing 10, and a louver 53 is installed at a discharge port 23 formed at a front surface of the housing 10.
As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a fan chamber 18 and a heat exchange chamber 19 are defined inside the housing 10.
As shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of blower fans (fans) 41 are installed in the fan chamber 18 in a width direction (a left-right direction in the drawing) of the indoor unit 1.
The blower fan 41 is a device that sucks the air in the chamber from the suction port 22 and blows the air toward the heat exchanger 42. The blower fan 41 is, for example, a sirocco fan.
A heat exchanger 42 that extends in the width direction of the indoor unit 1 is installed in the heat exchange chamber 19.
The heat exchanger 42 is a device that performs heat exchange between air sent from the blower fan 41 and a refrigerant.
The fan chamber 18 and the heat exchange chamber 19 are partitioned by a partition plate 45 except for the blowing portion of the blower fan 41. The partition plate 45 extends in the width direction of the indoor unit 1 and is erected in a height direction.
As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a drain pan 43 is installed below the heat exchanger 42 in the heat exchange chamber 19.
The drain pan 43 is a tray for receiving drain water (condensed water) adhering to the heat exchanger 42.
The drain pan 43 is provided with an inclined surface that is configured to be formed such that the drain water dropped from the heat exchanger 42 is collected at a predetermined location. In addition, a drain socket 44 is provided at a location where the drain water is collected. In the present embodiment, the drain socket 44 is provided at a position in the vicinity of the side panel 11.
The drain socket 44 is an opening through which the heat exchange chamber 19 and the fan chamber 18 communicate each other, and is configured such that the drain water on the drain pan 43 is naturally drained from the heat exchange chamber 19 to the fan chamber 18.
A pipe (not shown) is connected to the drain socket 44 in the fan chamber 18, and the drain water guided to the fan chamber 18 via the drain socket 44 is naturally discharged to the outside of the indoor unit 1.
As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, an opening 21 is formed in a side panel 11 of the housing 10.
The opening 21 is an opening that communicates with the heat exchange chamber 19 above the drain pan 43, and is formed at a position where the drain socket 44 can be viewed from the outside of the housing 10 (the outside of the indoor unit 1 in a state in which the side cover 51 is removed).
With this, the worker can visually confirm the dirt or clogging in the vicinity of the drain socket 44 by visually confirming the heat exchange chamber 19 from the opening 21 without disassembling the housing 10, the drain pan 43, or the like. In addition, the worker can clean the dirt or clogging through the opening 21.
In addition, as shown in Fig. 3, it is preferable that the opening 21 is formed closer to the fan chamber 18 side than the heat exchanger 42 in the heat exchange chamber 19. In addition, it is more preferable that the opening 21 is formed at a position where there is no obstacle (another component or the like) between the opening 21 and the drain socket 44. In addition, it is preferable that the opening 21 is formed at a position that does not interfere with a hanging bracket 55 or a bracket 56 that fixes the hanging bracket 55 to the housing 10.
As shown in Fig. 5, the opening 21 is set to have, for example, a quadrangular shape having one side of about 70 mm to 100 mm. However, the opening 21 is preferably set to have a shape that does not interfere with the hanging bracket 55 or the bracket 56 that fixes the hanging bracket 55 to the housing 10.
As shown in Figs. 5, 7, and 8, the indoor unit 1 includes a lid member 30 for closing the opening 21.
As shown in Fig. 8, the lid member 30 has a plate member (plate-shaped portion) 31 and an insulation (fitting portion) 32.
As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the plate member 31 is a dimensioned metal plate portion that can cover the opening 21, and abuts on and overlaps the side panel 11 around the opening 21. Holes 31a into which the screws 57 are inserted are formed at two positions on the left and right of the plate member 31.
The insulation 32 is a portion fitted to an inner side of the opening 21 and is provided on a surface of the plate member 31.
The insulation 32 includes a heat insulating portion 32a and a wind shielding portion 32b.
The heat insulating portion 32a is a portion provided in a central region of the plate member 31 and exhibits a heat insulating function. The heat insulating portion 32a is made of, for example, foamed polyethylene. A thickness dimension of the heat insulating portion 32a is substantially the same as a thickness dimension of the side panel 11.
The wind shielding portion 32b is a portion provided to surround the entire periphery of the heat insulating portion 32a, and abuts on the stepped portion 21a to exhibit a wind shielding function between the opening 21 and the wind shielding portion 32b. The wind shielding portion 32b is made of foamed ethylene or propylene rubber. A thickness dimension of the wind shielding portion 32b is smaller than a thickness dimension of the side panel 11, and a stepped portion is formed between the wind shielding portion 32b and the heat insulating portion 32a.
The lid member 30 is fastened to the side panel 11 by two screws 57 inserted into the holes 31a of the plate member 31.
In a case where the plate member 31 is fastened to the side panel 11, the insulation 32 is fitted to the inner side of the opening 21. Therefore, the opening 21 can be closed by the lid member 30 in a state in which the airtightness is maintained.
In addition, in a case where the stepped portion 21a is provided at the peripheral edge of the opening 21, the wind shielding portion 32b of the insulation 32 can be abutted on the stepped portion 21a to exhibit the wind shielding function of the insulation 32.
It is preferable that the shapes of the plate member 31 and the insulation 32 of the lid member 30 are point-symmetrical when being viewed from the side. Examples of the point-symmetrical shape include a square shape, a circular shape, and the like, in addition to the quadrangular shape described above. Accordingly, when the housing 10 is viewed from the side, the lid member 30 can be attached to the opening 21 while being positioned at any position where the lid member 30 is rotated at a predetermined angle.
In particular, as shown in Fig. 10, by forming the plate member 31 and the insulation 32 of the lid member 30 in a square shape and forming the holes 31a at four positions of the plate member 31 in the up, down, left, and right directions, the lid member 30 can be attached to the opening 21 while being positioned at any position where the lid member 30 is rotated by 90° when the housing 10 is viewed from the side.
In this case, it goes without saying that the shape of the opening 21 is also point-symmetrical corresponding to the shape of the insulation 32.
The opening 21, the lid member 30, and the drain socket 44 described above may be provided on both side panels 11 of the indoor unit 1.
In this case, even in a case where the indoor unit 1 is installed such that the wall of the building is close to one side panel 11, the drain socket 44 can be visually confirmed from the opening 21 formed on the other side panel 11.
In addition, as shown in Fig. 7, an openable and closable annular clip 33 may be provided on the surface of the plate member 31 (a surface opposite to a surface on which the insulation 32 is provided). As a result, the worker can hold the clip 33, and thus the lid member 30 can be easily removed. In addition, the wiring lines can also be hung on the clip 33.
The present embodiment has the following effects.
That is, since the side panel 11 of the housing 10 is provided with the opening 21 that communicates with the heat exchange chamber 19 and allows the drain socket 44 to be viewed from the outside of the housing 10, the worker can visually confirm the dirt or clogging in the vicinity of the drain socket 44 on the drain pan 43 without disassembling the housing 10, the drain pan 43, and the like. In addition, the worker can clean the dirt or clogging through the opening 21.
In addition, since the opening 21 communicates with the heat exchange chamber 19 on the fan chamber 18 side with respect to the heat exchanger 42, the drain socket 44 can be directly visually confirmed from the opening 21.
In addition, since the lid member 30 includes the plate member 31 that abuts on the side panel 11 of the housing 10 around the opening 21 and the insulation 32 that is fitted to the inner side of the opening 21, the opening 21 can be closed by maintaining the airtightness with the lid member 30.
In addition, since the shape of the opening 21 and the shape of the lid member 30 are set to be a square shape when the housing 10 is viewed from the side, the lid member 30 can be attached to the opening 21 while being positioned at any position where the lid member 30 is rotated by 90° when the housing 10 is viewed from the side.
The embodiment described above can be understood as follows, for example.
That is, the ceiling-suspended indoor unit (1) according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing (10) that internally defines a fan chamber (18) in which a fan (41) is disposed and a heat exchange chamber (19) in which a heat exchanger (42) is disposed; a drain pan (43) that is installed below the heat exchanger in the heat exchange chamber; and a drain socket (44) through which the heat exchange chamber and the fan chamber communicate with each other and drain water accumulated in the drain pan is discharged, in which an opening (21) that communicates with the heat exchange chamber and allows the drain socket to be viewed from an outside of the housing is formed on a side surface (11) of the housing.
According to the ceiling-suspended indoor unit according to the present aspect, since the opening that is capable of communicating with the heat exchange chamber and allowing the drain socket to be viewed from the outside of the housing is formed on the side surface of the housing, the worker can visually confirm the dirt or clogging in the vicinity of the drain socket on the drain pan without disassembling the housing, the drain pan, or the like. In addition, the worker can clean the dirt or clogging through the opening.
In addition, in the ceiling-suspended indoor unit according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the opening communicates with the heat exchange chamber on a fan chamber side with respect to the heat exchanger.
According to the ceiling-suspended indoor unit according to the present aspect, since the opening communicates with the heat exchange chamber on a fan chamber side with respect to the heat exchanger, the drain socket can be directly visually confirmed from the opening.
In addition, in the ceiling-suspended indoor unit according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the opening is formed on both side surfaces of the housing.
According to the ceiling-suspended indoor unit according to the present aspect, since the opening is formed on both side surfaces of the housing, even in a case where the ceiling-suspended indoor unit is installed such that the wall of the building is close to one side surface, the drain socket can be visually confirmed from the opening formed on the other side surface.
In addition, the ceiling-suspended indoor unit according to an aspect of the present disclosure further includes a lid member (30) that closes the opening, in which the lid member has a plate-shaped portion (31) that abuts on the side surface of the housing around the opening and a fitting portion (32) that is fitted to an inner side of the opening.
According to the ceiling-suspended indoor unit according to the present aspect, since the ceiling-suspended indoor unit includes a lid member that closes the opening, and the lid member has a plate-shaped portion that abuts on the side surface of the housing around the opening and a fitting portion that is fitted to an inner side of the opening, the opening can be closed by maintaining the airtightness with the lid member.
In addition, in the ceiling-suspended indoor unit according to an aspect of the present disclosure, a shape of the opening and a shape of the lid member are point-symmetrical when the housing is viewed from the side.
According to the ceiling-suspended indoor unit according to the present aspect, since a shape of the opening and a shape of the lid member are point-symmetrical when the housing is viewed from the side, the lid member can be attached to the opening while being positioned at any position where the lid member is rotated at a predetermined angle when the housing is viewed from the side.

Reference Signs List

1: indoor unit (ceiling-suspended indoor unit)
10: housing
11: side panel (side surface)
18: fan chamber
19: heat exchange chamber
21: opening
21a: stepped portion
22: suction port
23: discharge port
30: lid member
31: plate member (plate-shaped portion)
31a: hole
32: insulation (fitting portion)
32a: heat insulating portion
32b: wind shielding portion
33: clip
41: blower fan (fan)
42: heat exchanger
43: drain pan
44: drain socket
45: partition plate
51: side cover
52: grill
53: louver
55: hanging bracket
56: bracket
57: screw

Claims

A ceiling-suspended indoor unit comprising:
a housing that internally defines a fan chamber in which a fan is disposed and a heat exchange chamber in which a heat exchanger is disposed;

a drain pan that is installed below the heat exchanger in the heat exchange chamber; and

a drain socket through which the heat exchange chamber and the fan chamber communicate with each other and drain water accumulated in the drain pan is discharged,

wherein an opening that communicates with the heat exchange chamber and allows the drain socket to be viewed from an outside of the housing is formed on a side surface of the housing.
The ceiling-suspended indoor unit according to Claim 1,
wherein the opening communicates with the heat exchange chamber on a fan chamber side with respect to the heat exchanger.
The ceiling-suspended indoor unit according to Claim 1 or 2,
wherein the opening is formed on both side surfaces of the housing.
The ceiling-suspended indoor unit according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, further comprising:
a lid member that closes the opening,

wherein the lid member has a plate-shaped portion that abuts on the side surface of the housing around the opening and a fitting portion that is fitted to an inner side of the opening.
The ceiling-suspended indoor unit according to Claim 4,
wherein a shape of the opening and a shape of the lid member are point-symmetrical when the housing is viewed from the side.