ES2735499T3 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

An air conditioner (1) comprising: a front panel (3) which is configured to cover a front surface (2a) of a casing body (2) and provided in an open/closable manner to open upward around a hinge portion (13) provided on an upper side of the front panel (3) as an axis; characterized in that the air conditioner (1) further comprises: an openable/closable panel (4) which is mounted on the front panel (3) to be openable and closable with respect to the front panel (3); and open/close mechanisms (20) that are configured to open and close the open/close panel (4) between a closed position (4A), in which the open/close panel (4) closes an opening intake port (15) of the front panel (3), and an open position (4B) in which the openable/closable panel (4) is opened forward to tilt forward with respect to the front panel (3), in where the opening/closing mechanisms (20) include slide rails (21) that are provided on both side portions of the front panel (3) and extend in a vertical direction, fixed pivot parts (22) that are provided above slide rails (21), sliders (23) which are provided to be slidable along the slide rails (21) and include movable pivot parts (24) and rack gears (25), upper pivot parts (26) and lower pivot parts (27) which are provided on both the side portions of the panel that can be opened/closed (4), upper links (28) connecting the fixed pivot parts (22) to the upper pivot parts (26), lower links (29) connecting the pivot parts movable (24) to the lower pivot parts (27) and are shorter than the upper links (28), intermediate links (31) connecting the intermediate pivot parts (30), which are provided in the intermediate portions of the upper links (28), to the movable pivot parts (24), and drive units (33) including pinion gears (38) that mesh with the rack gears (25) of the sliders (23).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Air conditioner

Technical field

The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an air conditioner whose front panel is opened so that it tilts forward for an increase in a suction area.

Prior art

As shown in Figure 1 of JP 2013-122326 A, on a front surface 1a of an air conditioner body 1 of an air conditioner disclosed in JP 2013-122326 A a grid part 2 of way that can be opened and closed. The grill part 2 includes a front panel 2b that is provided so that it can be opened and closed on the front surface 1a to cover the front surface 1a of the air conditioner body 1, and a panel 2a that can be opened / closed which is provided on the front panel 2b to be able to open and close with respect to the front panel 2b.

During operation of the air conditioner, the panel 2a that can be opened / closed opens forward to lean forward with respect to the front panel 2b. Therefore, since a large amount of ambient air is drawn through the intake ports that are provided both on the top surface and on the front surface 1a of the air conditioner, the amount of heat that will be exchanged between a refrigerant of a heat exchanger 5 incorporated in the air conditioner and the ambient air increases. As a result, heating and cooling efficiency can be improved. It is preferable that the opening angle of the panel 2a that can be opened / closed is large.

On the other hand, the lower edge portion of the front panel 2b rises and rotates with respect to the front surface 1a of the air conditioner body 1 during the stop of the air conditioner, so that the panel 2a that can be opened / closed and the front panel 2b, that is, the entire grid part 2 opens with respect to the front surface 1a. Accordingly, maintenance work can be performed, such as cleaning and coupling / disengaging a filter 4 provided on the front surface 1a and washing the heat exchanger 5.

As shown in Figure 2 of JP 2013-122326 A, to allow the panel 2a that can be opened / closed to open with respect to the front panel 2b as described above, on the inner surfaces of both end portions of the panel front mechanisms 2b in a longitudinal direction are mounted link mechanisms 60 that include a plurality of links made of resin, drive units 30 in which motors and gears are incorporated to drive the link mechanisms 60, and the like.

The link mechanism 60 includes a cross link 606 that is operated and rotated by the drive unit 30 and is made of resin, a first link 608, a second link 610 and a third link 613; and the first link 608 is inserted into an insertion portion 614 in the form of a hole formed in the intermediate portion of the second link 610. In the event that the transverse link 606 rotates in a predetermined direction, the first link 608 is pushed out and the second link 610 and the third link 613 stop. Accordingly, the panel 2a that can be opened / closed opens.

EP 2226 581 A1 discloses an air conditioner on which the part of the preamble of claim 1 is based and whose front panel is configured to open so that it tilts forward.

Summary of the invention

Technical problem

The link mechanism 60 for opening the panel 2a that can be opened / closed includes the transverse link 606, the first link 608, the second link 610 and the third link 613 as described above; and the length of the first link 608 must be made long to take a large opening angle of an upper portion of the panel 2a that can be opened / closed in this structure.

However, the second link 610 must also be long for the first link 608 to be long. Consequently, since, in the case that the panel 2a that can be opened / closed is closed, a large space must be ensured in which the respective links 608, 610 and 613 are stored under the panel 2a that can be opened / closed, it is mandatory increase the size of the body 1 of air conditioner.

In the event that the second link 610 becomes long and the panel 2a that can be opened / closed is open, the lower portion of the panel 2a that can be opened / closed is separated from the front surface 1a of the air conditioner body 1. In this case, since the air in the air conditioner, which is discharged from a discharge outlet 11 provided in the lower portion of the front surface 1a, is suddenly drawn into an intake port, which is provided on the front surface 1a, from a space between the lower end of the panel 2a that can be opened / closed and the front surface 1a, there is a concern that heating and cooling efficiency may decrease and that dew condensation may occur in the air conditioner during a cooling operation.

In addition, since all the drive units 30 and the link mechanisms 60, which open the panel 2a that can be opened / closed, are mounted on the front panel 2b, the front panel 2b is heavy. For this reason, in the event that maintenance work, such as cleaning and coupling / uncoupling of the filter 4 and washing of the heat exchanger 5, is carried out in a state in which the entire grid part 2 is open with respect to the front surface 1a as described above, it is difficult to continue supporting the heavy front panel 2b. Consequently, there is a problem that work capacity is poor. Furthermore, since the panel 2a that can be opened / closed moves only with respect to the front panel 2b and trembles in the event that the entire grid part 2 is open with respect to the front surface 1a, there is a concern that the Work capacity deteriorates in this aspect.

The invention has been carried out taking into account the circumstances mentioned above, and an object of the invention is to provide an air conditioner whose panel that can be opened / closed provided on a front surface opens to lean forward, opening / closing mechanisms for a panel that can be opened / closed that can be made to have a simple and light structure, an opening angle of an upper portion of the panel that can be opened / closed that can be enlarged to allow the amount of air aspirated to increase, and a capacity of work during maintenance work, which must be carried out in a state where the panel that can be opened / closed and the front panel are open, which can be improved.

Solution to the problem

The invention provides an air conditioner with the features of claim 1 to achieve the objective.

That is, an air conditioner according to the invention includes a front panel that covers a front surface of a housing body and is provided so that it can be opened / closed to open upwardly around a hinge portion provided in a upper side of the front panel as an axis, a panel that can be opened / closed that is mounted on the front panel to be able to open and close with respect to the front panel, and opening / closing mechanisms that open and close the panel that can be opened / close between a closed position in which the panel that can be opened / closed closes an intake opening of the front panel and an open position in which the panel that can be opened / closed opens forward to lean forward with respect to the front panel . The opening / closing mechanisms include slide rails that are provided on both side portions of the front panel and extend in a vertical direction, fixed pivot portions that are provided on the slide rails, sliders that are provided so that they can slide to along the slide rails and include movable pivot parts and rack gears, upper pivot parts and lower pivot parts that are provided on both side portions of the panel that can be opened / closed, upper links connecting the pivot parts fixed to the upper pivot parts, lower links connecting the mobile pivot parts to the lower pivot parts and are shorter than the upper links, intermediate links connecting the intermediate pivot parts, which are provided in the intermediate portions of the upper links, to the mobile pivot parts, and units drive gears that include pinion gears that engage with the slide rack gears.

According to the air conditioner having the structure mentioned above, the pinion gears of the drive units rotate to push the sliders up. Consequently, the intermediate links, which are connected to the sliding pivot parts of the sliders, push up the intermediate portions of the upper links, which connect the fixed pivot portions of the housing body to the upper pivot parts of the panel That can be opened / closed. For this reason, the upper links are turned upwards, so that the upper portion of the panel that can be opened / closed in the closed position is separated from the front panel and the entire panel that can be opened / closed is lifted. As the panel that can be opened / closed is lifted, the lower links rotate upwards and the lower portion of the panel that can be opened / closed is separated from the front panel. Since the lower links are shorter than the upper links, the panel that can be opened / closed opens forward to lean forward with respect to the front panel. Therefore, the panel that can be opened / closed is placed in the open position.

According to this structure, since the length of the upper link becomes longer than that of the lower link, a large opening angle of the panel can be taken which can be opened / closed in the open position. Therefore, since a large amount of ambient air is drawn through the intake ports provided on the front surface of the housing body, the amount of air drawn in increases. As a result, heating and cooling efficiency can be improved. In addition, the opening / closing mechanism can be made to have a simple and light structure.

Since the front panel can be opened upwards with respect to the front surface of the housing body together with the panel that can be opened / closed, maintenance work can be carried out, such as cleaning and coupling / uncoupling the filters of the intake ports provided on the front surface of the housing body and the heat exchanger wash.

In the air conditioner, the drive units are installed in the housing body, and the pinion gears of the drive units can be engaged with the rack gears in case the front panel is closed with respect to the body of Case.

According to the structure mentioned above, in the event that the front panel opens upwards with respect to the front surface of the housing body together with the panel that can be opened / closed and the opening / closing mechanisms, the heavy units of drive remain in the housing body. For this reason, the weight of the entire front panel can be reduced, so that the working capacity can be improved during maintenance work, which will be carried out in a state in which the front panel is open.

In the air conditioner, each slider is relatively mobile with respect to the movable pivot part in a sliding direction of the slider, and is driven to a neutral position of a range of movement thereof with respect to the movable pivot part by a portion of drive.

In accordance with the structure mentioned above, in the case that the front panel opens upwards with respect to the front surface of the housing body and closes again, the positions of the teeth of the cogwheel gear are made to coincide with the positions of the pinion gear teeth by the movement of the slide cog gear with respect to the movable pivot part in the direction of sliding, although the positions of the cog gear of the slider gear deviate from the positions of the Pinion gear teeth of the drive unit.

For this reason, since the rack and pinion gear are made to reliably engage each other in the event that the front panel must be closed, the front panel can be closed gently and the working capacity can be improved during maintenance work, which must be carried out in a state in which the front panel is open.

The air conditioner may also include locking mechanisms that block an operation to open / close the panel that can be opened / closed with respect to the front panel in the event that the front panel is open with respect to the front surface of the housing body .

According to the structure mentioned above, in the case that the front panel is open with respect to the front surface of the housing body, an operation to open / close the panel that can be opened / closed with respect to the front panel is blocked by the action of blocking mechanisms. For this reason, the panel that can be opened / closed does not move only with respect to the front panel, and the maintenance work capacity can be improved.

In the air conditioner, each of the locking mechanisms includes: a through-hook hole that is perforated in the front panel; an annular hook protruding from the rear surface of the panel that can be opened / closed and that must be inserted into the through hole of the hook in a box in which the panel that can be opened / closed is placed in the closed position; a latch member that is provided on a rear surface of the front panel, slides between a locked position in which a tip portion of the latch member protrudes to overlap the through hole of the hook and an unlocked position in which the portion of tip does not overlap the hook through hole, includes a flat cam formed on a rear surface thereof, and is normally propelled toward the locked position; and a release boss protruding from the front surface of the housing body, and comes into contact with the flat cam of the latch member to allow the latch member to slide to the unlocked position in the event that the front panel is closed with respect to the front surface of the housing body.

According to the structure mentioned above, in the event that the front panel is closed with respect to the front surface of the housing body, the release protrusion comes into contact with the flat cam of the latch member and the latch member is slide to the unlocked position. For this reason, the panel that can be opened / closed can move relative to the front panel between the closed position and the open position.

In the event that the front panel is open with respect to the front surface of the housing body, the release boss is separated from the flat cam of the latch member and the latch member is made to slide towards the locked position by a driving force that is normally applied. For this reason, an operation to open / close the panel that can be opened / closed with respect to the front panel is blocked. According to this structure, the locking mechanisms included in the opening / closing mechanisms for the panel that can be opened / closed can be made so that they have a simple and light structure.

The air conditioner may further include a support lever that is rotatably provided on the front surface of the housing body and is bridged between the front panel and the front surface of the housing body to keep the front panel in an open state in the case that the front panel is open with respect to the front surface of the housing body.

According to the structure mentioned above, since the support lever is bridged in a state in which the front panel is open, the front panel can be kept in an open state. Consequently, the maintenance work capacity can be improved.

In the air conditioner, a drag hook can be provided on the rear surface of the front panel, which draws the support lever to a functional position in the event that the front panel is open with respect to the front surface of the housing body .

According to the structure mentioned above, since the drag hook provided on the rear surface of the front panel drags the support lever to the functional position in the event that the front panel is open, the worker's efforts to drag the lever Support can be reduced. Consequently, the maintenance work capacity can be improved.

Advantageous effects of the invention

According to the air conditioner of the invention, as described above, the open / close panel provided on the front surface opens to lean forward, the opening / closing mechanisms for the opening / closing panel they can be made to have a simple and light structure, an opening angle of the upper portion of the panel that can be opened / closed can be enlarged to allow the amount of air drawn in to increase, and the working capacity can be improved during maintenance work , which will be performed in a state where the panel that can be opened / closed and the front panel are open.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the air conditioner whose front panel is open.

Figure 3 is a side view of the air conditioner whose front panel is closed.

Figure 4 is a side view of the air conditioner whose panel that can be opened / closed is open. Figure 5 is a side view of the air conditioner whose front panel is open.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a front panel assembly seen from a rear surface. Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the front panel assembly seen from the rear surface.

Figure 8 is a side view of an opening / closing mechanism.

A) of Figure 9 is a side view of an opening / closing mechanism before a rack and pinion gear engages each other and

(B) of Figure 9 is a side view of an opening / closing mechanism showing a state in which the rack and pinion gear have engaged with each other.

Figure 10A is a front view of a locking mechanism whose latch members are presented in a locked position.

Figure 10B is a front view of the locking mechanism whose latch members are presented in an unlocked position.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the locking mechanism whose latch members are presented in the locked position.

Figure 12A is a longitudinal sectional view of the locking mechanism showing a state in which the front panel is closed and the latch members are presented in the locked position by a longitudinal section taken along the line XNA-XIIA of figure 10A.

Figure 12B is a longitudinal sectional view of the locking mechanism showing a state in which the front panel is open and the latch members are presented in the unlocked position by a longitudinal section taken along the line XIIB-XIIB of figure 10B.

Figure 13 is a side view of the air conditioner showing a state in which the front panel is open and a support lever is bridged in between.

Figure 14A is a diagram showing another embodiment of the support lever and is a side view of the air conditioner showing a state in which the front panel is closed.

Figure 14B is a diagram showing another embodiment of the support lever and is a side view of the air conditioner showing a state in which the front panel is open and the support lever is bridged in between.

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the support lever shown in Figures 14A and 14B.

Figure 16 is an enlarged view of a portion XVI of Figure 15.

Figure 17 is a diagram seen in the direction of an arrow XVII of Figure 15.

Description of the realizations

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

Figures 1 to 5 show an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the invention. The air conditioner 1 is installed indoors as an indoor unit of an air conditioning system that compresses a refrigerant for heating and cooling. The air conditioner 1 includes a rectangular housing body 2 that is molded with a resin, a front panel 3 covering a front surface 2a of the housing body 2 and an open / close panel 4 serving as a design surface of appearance mounted on the front panel 3 to be able to open and close with respect to the front panel 3. The front panel 3 and the panel that can be opened / closed 4 form a front panel assembly 5 (see also Figures 6 and 7). The left and right side surfaces and the like of the housing body 2 are covered with decorative cover members (not shown), so that an appearance is formed.

A plurality of intake ports 7 and 8 are provided on the front surface 2a and on an upper surface 2b of the housing body 2, and a blower fan 9, a heat exchanger (not shown) is installed in the housing body 2 and the like (see figure 2). On a lower surface 2c of the housing body 2 a discharge outlet 11 is provided. At the time of the heating and cooling operation, the ambient air is drawn through the intake ports 7 and 8 by the operation of the blower fan. 9 and this air exchanges heat with a cooled or heated refrigerant as it passes through the heat exchanger and is discharged to a room from the discharge outlet 11 as an air conditioner for cooling or heating. The intake ports 7 and 8 are provided with filters (not shown) that collect dust from the aspirated air. As shown in Figures 2 to 4 and the like, the front panel 3 is provided on the front surface 2a of the carcass body 2 so that it can be opened and closed with respect to the front surface 2a of the carcass body 2. That is, the hinge portions 13 are provided on both end portions of the upper side of the front panel 3, and the front panel 3 can be opened upwardly around the hinge portions 13 as an axis. As shown in Figures 2, 6 and 7, a plurality of intake openings 15 are formed on the front panel 3, which coincide with the intake ports 7 of the housing body 2 in the event that the front panel 3 is closed with respect to the front surface 2a of the housing body 2.

In the event that the front panel 3 is closed with respect to the front surface 2a of the housing body 2, the latch hooks 16 (see Figures 2, 3 and 5 to 7), which are provided near the potions of lower left and right end of the front panel 3, are inserted into the hook insertion holes 17 (see Figure 2) formed on the front surface 2a of the housing body 2 and are hooked with the hooks 18 on the receiving side 18 ( see Figure 3) which are molded with a resin in the hook insertion holes 17 and have a substantially U-shaped side view. Since the hooks 18 on the receiving side deform elastically in the event that the latch hooks 16 are hooked with the hooks 18 on the receiving side, the front panel 3 closes with a clicking sensation. In the event that the left and right lower end portions of the front panel 3 are pulled with a predetermined force, the hook of the hooks 16 and 18 can be released and the front panel 3 can be opened.

The panel that can be opened / closed 4 is operated to open and close between a closed position 4A (see Figures 2, 3 and 5) in which the panel that can be opened / closed 4 overlaps the front side of the front panel 3 and close the intake openings 15 of the front panel 3 and an open position 4B (see figures 1 and 4) in which the panel that can be opened / closed 4 opens forward to lean forward with respect to the front panel 3. In the two side portions of the front panel 3 and the opening / closing panel 4 are provided opening / closing mechanisms 20, which open and close the panel that can be opened / closed 4 between the closed position 4A and the open position 4B.

As shown in Figures 4 and 6 to 8, and the like, the opening / closing mechanisms 20 include slide rails 21 which are provided on both side portions of the front panel 3 and extend in a vertical direction, fixed pivot portions 22 which are provided above the slide rails 21, and sliders 23 are provided so that they can slide along the slide rails 21. The slider 23 is provided with a movable pivot part 24, and a rack gear 25 is formed on the vertical side of the slider 23 in front of the housing body 2.

The opening / closing mechanisms 20 include upper pivot parts 26 and lower pivot parts 27 which are provided on both side portions of the panel that can be opened / closed 4, upper links 28, lower links 29 and intermediate links 31. The upper link 28 is connected to the fixed pivot part 22 and the upper pivot part 26, and the lower link 29 is connected between the mobile pivot part 24 and the lower pivot part 27. The lower link 29 is shorter than the link upper 28. In addition, the intermediate link 31 is connected to an intermediate pivot portion 30, which is provided in the intermediate portion of the upper link 28, and the mobile pivot part 24.

In addition, the drive units 33, which drive the opening / closing mechanisms 20, are installed in the housing body 2. As shown in Figure 4, each drive unit 33 includes a drive motor 34 which is fixed to the side surface of, for example, the housing body 2, a first gear 35 which is provided in the rotating shaft of the drive motor 34, a second gear 36 that meshes with the first gear 35, a third gear 37 that is provided integrally on the rear surface of the second gear 36, and a pinion gear 38 that meshes with the third gear 37. The drive unit 33 can be replaced with a servo motor in which the drive motor 34 and the respective gears 35 to 38 are integrated as a single body.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the pinion gear 38 of the drive unit 33 is adapted to engage with the rack gear 25 in the event that the front panel 3 is closed with respect to the front surface 2a of the housing body 2. That is, in the case that the front panel 3 is open as shown in Figure 5, the rack gear 25 is separated from the pinion gear 38 and the gear of both gears 25 and 38 is released .

At the time of the heating and cooling operation of the air conditioner 1 having this structure, the pinion gears 38 of the drive units 33 rotate to push the sliders 23 up in a state in which the front panel 3 is closed with respect to the front surface 2a of the housing body 2. Accordingly, the intermediate links 31, which are connected to the movable pivot portions 24 of the sliders 23, push the intermediate portions of the upper links 28, which connect the parts fixed pivot 22 of the housing body 2 to the upper pivot portions 26 of the panel that can be opened / closed 4, upwards.

For this reason, the upper links 28 rotate upwards, so that the upper portion of the panel that can be opened / closed 4 that has been placed in the closed position 4A is separated from the front panel 3 and the entire panel that can be opened / closed. he wake up. Since the panel that can be opened / closed 4 is lifted, the lower links 29 rotate upwards and the lower portion of the panel that can be opened / closed 4 is separated from the front panel 3. Since the lower links 29 are shorter than the links upper 28, the panel that can be opened / closed 4 opens forward to lean forward with respect to the front panel 3. Consequently, the panel that can be opened / closed 4 is placed in the open position 4B.

According to this structure, since the length of the upper link 28 becomes longer than that of the lower link 29, a large opening angle of the panel that can be opened / closed 4 can be taken in the open position 4B. Therefore, since a large amount of ambient air is drawn through the intake ports 7 provided on the front surface 2a of the housing body 2, the amount of air drawn in increases. As a result, heating and cooling efficiency can be improved. On the other hand, in the event that the lower link 29 is adjusted to the minimum required length, the lower end portion of the panel that can be opened / closed 4 is not significantly removed from the front surface 2a of the housing body 2 in the opening moment of the panel that can be opened / closed 4. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the air conditioner, which is to be discharged from the discharge outlet 11, from being suddenly sucked into the intake ports. The opening / closing mechanisms 20 can be made to have a simple and light structure.

As the front panel 3 forms the front panel assembly 5 together with the panel that can be opened / closed 4 and the front panel assembly 5 opens upwards with respect to the front surface 2a of the housing body 2 as shown in the Figures 2 and 5, maintenance work can be carried out, such as cleaning and coupling / disengagement of the filters of the intake holes 7 provided on the front surface 2a of the housing body 2 and the washing of the heat exchanger.

In the air conditioner 1, the drive units 33 for the opening / closing mechanisms 20 for the panel that can be opened / closed 4 are installed in the housing body 2, and the pinion gears 38 of the drive units 33 they are adapted to engage with the rack gears 25 in case the front panel 3 is closed with respect to the housing body 2.

For this reason, in the event that the front panel 3 opens upwards with respect to the front surface 2a of the housing body 2 together with the panel that can be opened / closed 4 and the opening / closing mechanisms 20, the heavy drive units 33 remain in the housing body 2. Consequently, the weight of the entire front panel 3 can be reduced, so that the working capacity can be improved during maintenance work, which will be carried out in a state in which the front panel 3 is open.

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the slider 23 is relatively mobile with respect to the movable pivot part 24 in a sliding direction thereof (one direction along the sliding rail 21). For example, a rectangular sliding hole 41, which extends in the sliding direction, is perforated in the slide 23, and a sliding piece 42 is slidably fitted to the sliding hole 41 and is provided with the movable pivot part 24. The substantially V-shaped dampers (drive portions) 42a and 42b are formed in both end portions of the sliding piece 42 in the sliding direction, and the dampers 42a elastically hold the plates centrals 41a and 41b protruding from both end portions of the sliding hole 41 in the sliding direction and have rounded tip portions.

As shown in (A) of Figure 9, the slider 23 is normally driven by the driving action of the dampers 42a and 42b, which are provided on both end portions of the sliding piece 42, so that it is held in a neutral position C of a range of movement thereof with respect to the mobile pivot part 24. Accordingly, in the case where a relative force is not applied in the direction along the slide rail 21 between the slider 23 and the sliding part 42, the position of the central portion of the sliding hole 41 in a longitudinal direction coincides with the position of the movable pivot part 24 of the sliding part 42.

For example, in the case where a force F is applied to push the slider 23 down, the slider 23 moves down with respect to the position of the sliding piece 42 (movable pivot part 24) (neutral position C) a distance L as shown in (B) of Figure 9. In this case, the upper center plate 41a is trapped between the upper dampers 42a of the sliding piece 42 and the upper dampers 42a are pushed and separated. In the event that the force F is removed, the upper center plate 41a is pushed out by the elastic forces of the upper dampers 42a and the slider 23 returns to the neutral position C. On the contrary, in the case where apply a force to push the slider 23 upwards, the lower center plate 41b is caught between the lower dampers 42b and the same action is manifested by the elastic forces of the lower dampers 42b.

According to this structure, in the event that the front panel 3 opens upwards with respect to the front surface 2a of the housing body 2 and closes again, the positions of the teeth of the cogwheel gear 25 are made to match the positions of the pinion gear teeth 38 by the movement of the cogwheel gear 25 of the slider 23 with respect to the movable pivot part 24 in the sliding direction, even though the positions of the cogwheel gear teeth 25 of the slider 23 deviate from the positions of the pinion gear teeth 38 of the drive unit 33 (a synchronization action is manifested).

For this reason, since the rack gear 25 and pinion gear 38 are made to reliably engage each other in the event that the front panel 3 needs to be closed, the front panel 3 can be closed smoothly and the ability to improve work during maintenance work, which must be carried out in a state in which the front panel 3 is open.

The locking mechanisms 46 shown in Figures 7, 10A to 12B, and the like are provided between the front panel 3 and the panel that can be opened / closed 4. Each locking mechanism 46 is a mechanism that blocks an operation to open / close the panel that can be opened / closed 4 with respect to the front panel 3 in the event that the front panel 3 opens with respect to the front surface 2a of the body housing 2.

Each locking mechanism 46 includes a through-hook hole 47 that is perforated in the front panel 3, an annular hook 48 (see also Figure 4) protruding from the rear surface of the panel that can be opened / closed 4 and which must be inserted in the through hole of hook 47 in the event that the panel that can be opened / closed 4 is placed in the closed position 4A, a pair of left and right latch members 50 which are arranged on the rear surface of the front panel 3, and a pair of the left and right release protrusions 52 (see also Figure 5) protruding from the front surface 2a of the housing body 2. As shown in Figures 7 and 10A to 12B, each latch member 50 is a small, substantially cross-shaped component molded with a resin, and conforms to a slide guide 51 formed on the rear surface of the front panel 3 and can slide in a vertical direction. On each latch member 50 a pair of left and right crossbow portions 50a are formed, which protrude horizontally, and the tips of the pair of left and right crossbow portions 50a are in contact with inclined surfaces 53a of a pair of stops 53 formed on both sides of the slide guide 51. The inclined surfaces 53a of both stops 53 face each other and approach each other towards the lower side.

As shown in Figures 10A, 11 and 12A, each latch member 50 may slide between a locked position 50A in which a tip portion 50b of latch member 50 protrudes to overlap the through hole of hook 47 and a position in that the tip portion 50b does not overlap the hook through hole 47 as shown in Figures 10B and 12B, that is, an unlocked position 50B that is present below the locked position 50A. In the locked position 50A, the crossbow portions 50a extend linearly without deformation and the tips of the crossbow portions 50a are in slight contact with the inclined surfaces 53a of the stops 53. In the unlocked position 50B, the crossbow portions 50a they deform elastically upwards and the tips of the crossbow portions 50a are in pressure contact with the inclined surfaces 53a of the stops 53. The driving force of the crossbow portions 50a and the inclined surfaces 53a of the stops 53 normally propel the latch member 50 towards the locked position 50A. That is, in the event that the latch member 50 is pushed down to the unlocked position 50B from the locked position 50A, the crossbow portions 50a are elastically deformed and the latch member 50 is returned to the locked position 50A by the reaction force of the crossbow portions 50a.

A flat cam 50c is formed on the rear surface of the latch member 50. The inclined surface of the flat cam 50c ascends towards the unlocked position 50B (lower side) from the locked position 50A of the latch member 50 (upper side). The sliding direction of the latch member 50 may not necessarily be a vertical direction unlike this embodiment, and may be a horizontal direction or another direction.

In the event that the panel that can be opened / closed 4 is placed in the closed position 4A, the front panel 3 opens with respect to the front surface 2a of the housing body 2, and a space S between the front panel 3 and The front surface 2a of the housing body 2 increases as shown in Figure 12A, none of the pair of left and right release protrusions 52 protruding from the front surface 2a of the housing body 2 presses the flat cam 50c of the latch member 50. For this reason, since each latch member 50 is placed in the locked position 50A by the driving force of the crossbow portions 50a and the tip portion 50b of each latch member 50 overlaps the through hole of the hook 47, the tip portion 50b is inserted into an annular hole of the annular hook 48 inserted into the through hole of the hook 47 (see also Figure 10A). Accordingly, the ring hook 48 is not separated from the hook through hole 47, so that the panel that can be opened / closed 4 is locked in the closed position 4A and cannot move to the open position 4B.

In the event that the panel that can be opened / closed 4 is placed in the closed position 4A, the front panel 3 closes with respect to the front surface 2a of the housing body 2, and a space between the front panel 3 and the front surface 2a of the housing body 2 is reduced from S to Sa as shown in Figure 12B, each of the release protrusions 52 protruding from the front surface 2a of the housing body 2 comes into contact with the flat cam 50c of latch member 50 and press flat cam 50c. For this reason, since each latch member 50 is made to slide towards the unlocked position 50B a distance H with a pushing force, which is generated by the flat cam 50c, and the tip portion 50b of each latch member 50 it does not overlap the through hole of the hook 47, the tip portion 50b is separated from the annular hole of the annular hook 48 (see also Figure 10B). Accordingly, the annular hook 48 can be separated from the hook-through hole 47, so that the panel that can be opened / closed 4 can be moved to the open position 4B from the closed position 4A.

Since the locking mechanisms 46 are provided with this structure, an operation to open / close the panel that can be opened / closed 4 with respect to the front panel 3 is blocked by the action of the locking mechanisms 46 in a state in which the front panel 3 is open with respect to the front surface 2a of the housing body 2. For this reason, the panel that can be opened / closed 4 does not move only with respect to the front panel 3, and the working capacity can be improved during maintenance work, which must be carried out in a state in which the front panel 3 (front panel assembly 5) is open. In addition, the locking mechanism 46 can be made to have a very simple and light structure.

As shown in Figures 2, 5 and 13, a support lever 57 is provided on the front surface 2a of the housing body 2. Since the support lever 57 is provided to rotate up and down around a portion hinge 58 as an axis, the support lever 57 is placed in a position where the support lever 57 hangs down in the event that the front panel 3 (front panel assembly 5) is closed (see figures 2 and 5).

In the event that the front panel 3 opens with respect to the front surface 2a of the housing body 2, the support lever 57 is turned upwards as shown in Figure 13 and the tip of the support lever 57 is it engages in a latch protrusion 59 (see also Figures 7, 10A and 10B) formed on the rear surface of the front panel 3. Accordingly, since the support lever 57 is bridged between the front surface 2a of the housing body 2 and the front panel 3, the front panel 3 is maintained in a state in which the front panel 3 (front panel assembly 5) is open.

Since the support lever 57 is provided, the front panel 3 can be kept in an open state. Consequently, work capacity can be significantly improved during maintenance work, which must be carried out in a state in which the front panel 3 (front panel assembly 5) is open. Since the support lever 57 is stored along the front surface 2a of the housing body 2 in the event that the support lever 57 is not in use, the support lever 57 can also be stored in a narrow space between the front surface 2a of the housing body 2 and the front panel 3. Accordingly, the support lever 57 does not occupy a large space.

Figures 14A to 17 show another embodiment of the support lever. Since a lever is provided support 61 on the front surface 2a of the housing body 2 so that it can freely rotate around a hinge portion 62 as in the case of the support lever 57 mentioned above, the support lever 61 is stored along the surface front 2a of the housing body 2 in a position in which the support lever 61 is oriented upwards as shown in Figure 14A in case the support lever 61 is not in use. As a drag hook 63 is provided on the rear surface of the front panel 3, the drag hook 63 is engaged in an upper end portion of the support lever 61 in the event that the front panel 3 is closed.

In the event that the front panel 3 opens with respect to the front surface 2a of the housing body 2 as shown in Figure 14B, the support lever 61 is dragged to a functional position in which the support lever 61 it is tilted forward by the drag hook 63 provided on the rear surface of the front panel 3. As rotation adjustment protrusions 64 are provided in the end portion of the base of the support lever 61 as shown in Figures 15 and 16, the support lever 61 is maintained at a predetermined angle. Since the support lever 61 is bridged between the front surface 2a of the housing body 2 and the front panel 3, the front panel 3 can be kept in an open state.

In the event that the front panel 3 is closed, the support lever 61 is pushed by the rear surface of the front panel 3 and returns to a storage position in which the support lever 61 is stored along the surface 2a front of the housing body. 2. Positioning protuberances 65 are provided, which protrude laterally, on both sides of the end portion of the base of the support lever 61 as shown in Figures 15 and 17, and the positioning protuberances 65 are adjusted to position the recessed portions 66 formed in the hinge portion 62 in the event that the support lever 61 is placed in the storage position. Accordingly, the support lever 61 is held in the storage position. For this reason, the natural rotation of the support lever 61 to the functional position or the generation of abnormal noise, caused by resonance during the heating and cooling operation, is avoided.

According to the structure mentioned above, since the drag hook 63 provided on the rear surface of the front panel 3 drags the support lever 61 to the functional position in the event that the front panel 3 is open, the worker's efforts to remove the support lever 61 can be reduced. Consequently, the work capacity of maintenance can be improved.

According to the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment, as described above, the panel that can be opened / closed 4 provided on the front surface opens to lean forward, the opening / closing mechanisms 20 for the panel that can open / close 4 can be made to have a simple and light structure, an opening angle of the upper portion of the panel that can be opened / closed 4 can be enlarged to allow the amount of air drawn in, and the working capacity during the maintenance work, which must be carried out in a state in which the panel that can be opened / closed 4 and the front panel 3 are open, can be improved.

The invention is not limited only to the structure of the embodiment and can be appropriately modified within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

For example, the position of each pivot part, the length and shape of each link, and the like of the opening / closing mechanism 20 are not necessarily limited to those of the embodiment. The drive units 33 should only be installed in the housing body 2, and the structure and the like of the drive unit 33 can be modified.

List of reference signs

1: air conditioner

2: housing body

2nd: front surface of the housing body

3: front panel

4: panel that can be opened / closed

4A: closed position of the panel that can be opened / closed

4B: open position of the panel that can be opened / closed

13: hinge portion

15: intake opening

20: opening / closing mechanism

21: sliding rail

22: fixed pivot part

23: slider

24: mobile pivot part

25: rack gear

26: upper pivot part

27: bottom pivot part

28: upper link

29: lower link

30: intermediate pivot part

31: intermediate link

33: drive unit

38: pinion gear

42a, 42b: damper (drive portion) 46: locking mechanism

47: hook through hole

48: ring hook

50: latch member

50A: locked position of latch member 50B: unlocked position of latch member 50b: tip portion of latch member 50c: flat cam

52: release bump

57: support lever

61: support lever

63: drag hook

C: neutral position

Claims (7)

1. An air conditioner (1) comprising: a front panel (3) that is configured to cover a front surface (2a) of a housing body (2) and provided so that it can be opened / closed to open upwardly around a hinge portion (13) provided in a upper side of the front panel (3) as axle; characterized in that the air conditioner (1) further comprises: a panel that can be opened / closed (4) that is mounted on the front panel (3) to be able to open and close with respect to the front panel (3); Y opening / closing mechanisms (20) that are configured to open and close the panel that can be opened / closed (4) between a closed position (4A), in which the panel that can be opened / closed (4) closes an opening of intake (15) of the front panel (3), and an open position (4B) in which the panel that can be opened / closed (4) opens forward to lean forward with respect to the front panel (3), where the opening / closing mechanisms (20) include sliding rails (21) that are provided on both side portions of the front panel (3) and extend in a vertical direction, fixed pivot parts (22) that are provided on top of the slide rails (21), sliders (23) that are provided to be slidable along the slide rails (21) and include movable pivot parts (24) and rack gears (25), upper pivot parts (26) and lower pivot parts (27) that are provided on both side portions of the panel that can be opened / closed (4), upper links (28) connecting the fixed pivot parts (22) to the upper pivot parts (26), lower links (29) connecting the mobile pivot parts (24) to the lower pivot parts (27) and they are shorter than the upper links (28), intermediate links (31) connecting the intermediate pivot parts (30), which are provided in the intermediate portions of the upper links (28), to the mobile pivot parts (24), and drive units (33) that include Pinion gears (38) that engage with the rack gears (25) of the sliders (23). 2. The air conditioner (1) according to claim 1, wherein the drive units (33) are installed in the housing body (2), and the pinion gears (38) of the drive units (33) are configured to engage with the rack gears (25) in the case that the front panel (3) is closed with respect to the housing body (2). 3. The air conditioner (1) according to claim 2, wherein each slider (23) is relatively mobile with respect to the movable pivot part (24) in a sliding direction of the slider (23), and is driven to a neutral position of a range of movement thereof with respect to the movable pivot part (24) by means of a driving portion. 4. The air conditioner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: locking mechanisms (46) that are configured to block an opening / closing operation of the panel that can be opened / closed (4) with respect to the front panel (3) in the event that the front panel (3) opens with respect to to the front surface (2a) of the housing body (2). 5. The air conditioner (1) according to claim 4, wherein each of the locking mechanisms (46) includes a through hole of hook (47) that is perforated in the front panel (3), an annular hook (48) protruding from a rear surface of the panel that can be opened / closed (4) and is configured to be inserted into the through hole of the hook (47) in the event that the panel can be opened / closed (4 ) is placed in the closed position (4A), A latch member (50) which is provided on a rear surface of the front panel (3), is configured to slide between a locked position (50A), in which a tip portion (50b) of the latch member (50) protrudes to overlap the hook through hole (47), and an unlocked position (50) in which the tip portion (50b) does not overlap the hook through hole (47), includes a flat cam (50c) formed on a rear surface thereof, and is normally driven towards the locked position (50A), and a release protuberance (52) protruding from the front surface of the housing body, and comes into contact with the flat cam of the latch member to allow the latch member to slide to the unlocked position in the event that the panel front (3) is closed with respect to the front surface of the housing body. 6. The air conditioner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a support lever (61) which is rotatably provided on the front surface (2a) of the housing body (2) and bridged between the front panel (3) and the front surface (2a) of the housing body (2) to keep the front panel (3) in an open state in case the front panel (3) is open with respect to the front surface (2a) of the housing body (2). 7. The air conditioner (1) according to claim 6, wherein on the rear surface of the front panel (3) a drag hook (63) is provided, which is configured to drag the support lever (61) to a functional position in the event that the front panel (3) open with respect to the front surface (2a) of the housing body (2).