JP2004076996A - Indoor unit and air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an indoor unit preventing formation of a clearance as the result of relative movement between a front panel and an outlet grille, and an air conditioner provided therewith. <P>SOLUTION: The indoor unit is provided with a fan for sucking indoor air from a suction opening and exhausting the air out of an outlet; an indoor heat exchanger for transferring heat between the indoor air and refrigerant supplied from an outdoor unit; an indoor unit control part consisting of a variety of electric circuit elements; a front panel junction 11 provided at an end 2a of a front panel 2 located at the front; and an outlet grille junction 12 provided at an end 3a of the outlet grille 3 located at an inner and lower position behind the front panel 2 and engaged with the front panel junction 11. The front panel junction 11 and the outlet grille junction 12 are provided with respective projections 11a, 12a to engage the junctions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an indoor unit including a front panel located at a front surface, and a panel joining portion to which an outlet grill located inside and behind the front panel is joined, and an air conditioner including the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. About the machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, a conventional air conditioner includes an outdoor heat exchanger, a compressor that sends a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant to the outdoor heat exchanger or the indoor heat exchanger, and an outdoor unit control unit including various electric circuit elements. And an indoor heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the indoor air and the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit, and a fan for sucking indoor air from the suction port and blowing out from the outlet. An indoor unit control unit comprising various electric circuit elements, and further, a front panel joint provided at an end of a front panel located on a front surface, and an outlet grill located inside and below and behind the front panel. And an indoor unit having an outlet grill joint provided at the end.
The front panel joint and the outlet grill joint provided in the indoor unit adopt, for example, a structure in which both are butted together and hooked and engaged by a hook attached to an end thereof.
[0003]
3A and 3B are views showing a conventional indoor unit, in which FIG. 3A is a sectional view and FIG. 3B is a partially enlarged view.
In FIG. 3, an indoor unit 1 includes a fan 8 for sucking room air from an inlet 6 provided on a front panel 2 located on the front side and blowing air from an outlet 7, a room air and an outdoor unit (not shown). ), And an indoor heat exchanger 9 for exchanging heat with the refrigerant supplied from the air conditioner, and an indoor unit controller (not shown) including various electric circuit elements.
[0004]
A front panel 2 is disposed on the front surface of the indoor unit 1, and a front panel joint 31 is provided at an end 2 a thereof. Further, an outlet grill 3 is arranged below the interior of the indoor unit 1 behind the front panel 2, and an outlet grill joint 32 is provided at an end 3 a thereof. Here, as shown in FIG. 3B, both the front panel joint 31 and the outlet grill joint 32 are formed of smooth surfaces along the thickness direction.
A louver 4 and a flap 5 are provided below the front panel 2.
[0005]
The front panel 2 can be opened and closed in order to inspect or investigate the inside of the indoor unit 1.
When the front panel 2 is closed, its end 2a is in contact with the end 3a of the outlet grill 3 fixed inside the indoor unit 1, and the front panel joint 31 is joined to the outlet grill joint 32. It has become.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional indoor unit 1, when the front panel joint portion 31 is joined to the outlet grill joint portion 32, the front surface joint portion 31 is positioned in a state where the smooth surfaces face each other. In fact, it was difficult to arrange 3a. When the front panel 2 and the outlet grill 3 are displaced from each other, the front panel joint portion 31 is displaced upward from the outlet grill joint portion 32 and joined, and a gap is generated due to the misalignment, and the gap has an external appearance. There was a problem of worsening. In addition, cold air whose wind direction is adjusted by the louvers 4 and the flaps 5 enters the gaps, and the vicinity of the wall surface of the outlet grill 3 forming a drain provided below the heat exchanger 9 on the front side, the front panel 2, and the like. There was a problem that dew condensation occurs in the inside.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to provide an indoor unit that does not generate a gap due to a shift between a front panel and an outlet grill, and an air conditioner including the indoor unit.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above problems.
The invention according to claim 1 is a fan for sucking indoor air from an inlet and blowing it out from an outlet, and an indoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the indoor air and a refrigerant supplied from an outdoor unit. A front panel joint provided at an end of a front panel located at a front surface, and an outlet provided at an end of an outlet grill located inside and behind the front panel and engaged with the front panel joint. In an indoor unit including a grill joint, a protrusion is provided and engaged with the front panel joint and the outlet grill joint.
[0009]
According to the present invention, by providing a projection at the front panel joint and the outlet grill joint to engage with each other, a gap caused by a displacement generated when the front panel joint and the outlet grill joint are engaged is avoided. To be engaged.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the indoor unit according to the first aspect, the protruding portions are formed so as to be alternately arranged vertically on the front panel joint portion and the outlet grill joint portion, respectively. .
[0011]
According to the present invention, since the protrusions are formed so as to be alternately arranged vertically on the front panel joint and the outlet grill joint, respectively, the respective protrusions are engaged so as to overlap vertically. The engagement is performed while avoiding the gap due to the displacement that occurs when they are combined.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the indoor unit according to the second aspect, a stiffener that locks the front panel joint portion intersects the upper surface or the lower surface on the upper surface or the lower surface of the outlet grill joint portion. It is characterized by being provided so as to protrude in the direction.
[0013]
According to the present invention, since the stiffener is provided on the upper surface or the lower surface of the outlet grill joint, the displacement of the front panel joint is prevented by the stiffener. The engagement is performed while avoiding the gap.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the indoor unit according to the first aspect, the projecting portion is provided at a center of the front panel joining portion, and the fitting portion is provided at a center of the outlet grill joining portion. It is provided so that it may fit.
[0015]
According to the present invention, the protrusion provided at the center of the front panel joining portion and the fitting portion provided at the center of the outlet grill joining portion are engaged so as to be fitted to each other, so that the displacement of the joining portion is reduced. Since the projection is pressed by the fitting of the fitting portion and the fitting portion, the engagement is performed while avoiding a gap due to a displacement generated when the engagement is performed.
[0016]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the indoor unit according to the fourth aspect, a chamfer is formed at a tip of the projecting portion and the fitting portion.
[0017]
According to this invention, since the fitting portion and the tip of the protruding portion are chamfered, the joining portion can be easily fitted.
[0018]
The invention according to claim 6 is a fan for sucking indoor air from an inlet and blowing it out from an outlet, and an indoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the indoor air and a refrigerant supplied from an outdoor unit. A front panel joint provided at an end of a front panel located at a front surface, and an outlet provided at an end of an outlet grill located inside and behind the front panel and engaged with the front panel joint. An air conditioner comprising a grill joint and the indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
[0019]
According to the present invention, the air conditioner includes the indoor unit that is engaged while avoiding the gap due to the displacement of the panel joint.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a view showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a view showing an indoor unit provided in an air conditioner to which the present invention is applied. ) Shows a partially enlarged view thereof.
In addition, the same components as those in the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, the indoor unit 1 includes a fan 8 for sucking room air from a suction port 6 provided on a front panel 2 located on the front side and blowing it out from a blowout port 7, a room air and an outdoor unit. An indoor heat exchanger 9 for exchanging heat with a refrigerant supplied from a (not shown) and an indoor unit controller (not shown) composed of various electric circuit elements are provided.
[0022]
A front panel 2 is arranged on the front surface of the indoor unit 1, and a front panel joint 11 is provided at an end 2a. Further, an outlet grill 3 is disposed below the interior of the indoor unit 1 behind the front panel 2, and an outlet grill joint 12 is provided at an end 3a thereof.
The front panel 2 can be opened and closed to inspect, clean, or inspect the inside of the indoor unit 1.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 1 (b), the front panel joint 11 has an inner surface (drain, heat, (A side surface of the exchanger 9), and a protruding portion 11a is formed on the outer surface side so as to have a step when viewed in a longitudinal section.
On the other hand, the outlet grill joint 12 protrudes along the outer surface of the outlet grill joint 12 (side surface of the blow-off air flow path) with a thickness of approximately half the thickness below the distal end thereof. When viewed in a longitudinal section, the protruding portion 12a is formed so as to form a step according to the step of the protruding portion 11a.
Specifically, the protruding portions 11a and 12a are staggered up and down so that the protruding portion 11a is on the upper side and the protruding portion 12a is on the lower side so as to restrict sliding in the meshing opposing direction (horizontal direction in the drawing) at the time of joining. And the contact surfaces 11b and 12b are formed with a gradient.
[0024]
A plurality of stiffeners 13 are provided on the upper surface of the outlet grill joint 12 so as to protrude upward.
The stiffener 13 has an end portion 13a protruding so as to lock the upper surface of the protrusion 11a of the front panel joint portion 11. Thus, the end 13 a of the reinforcing member 13 and the protrusion 12 a of the outlet grill joint 12 locally sandwich the protrusion 11 a of the front panel joint 11.
[0025]
Next, the operation of the indoor unit having the above configuration will be described.
When the front panel 2 is closed, its end 2a contacts the end 3a of the outlet grill 3 fixed inside the indoor unit 1, and the front panel joint 11 is engaged with the outlet grill joint 12. At the time of engagement, the step formed at the base of the facing protrusion 11a and the protrusion 12a, or the step formed at the base of the protrusion 11a and the protrusion 12a function as a positioning guide. Fulfill.
In this case, the protrusions 11a and 12a are engaged so as to overlap with each other, and the upper surface of the protrusion 11a is locked by the end 13a, so that the displacement between the front panel joint 11 and the outlet grill joint 12 is suppressed. In addition, a gap due to the displacement is avoided.
[0026]
According to the above configuration, the gap due to the displacement is avoided, so that the appearance problem due to the gap can be solved. Further, since it is possible to prevent cold air from entering the gap, it is possible to prevent dew condensation occurring inside the front panel 2.
In addition, a projecting portion is formed so as to project the side surface of the outlet air passage of the outlet grille 3 which forms the upstream wall surface in the outlet air passage to the outlet 7 which blows out the room air heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger 9. By forming the protrusion 12a, even if a gap is formed between the protrusion 12a and the protrusion 12b due to aging or the like, cool air generated by heat exchange enters the inside of the front panel 2 through the gap. May have a configuration in which a flow must be formed to oppose the blowing direction. Thereby, even if some gaps are generated, it is possible to effectively suppress the entry of the cool air into the inside.
[0027]
FIG. 2 is a view showing a second embodiment of the present invention, and is a view showing an indoor unit provided in an air conditioner to which the present invention is applied.
In FIG. 2, the same components as those in FIG. 1 in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0028]
In FIG. 2, a front panel joint 21 is provided at an end 2 a of the front panel 2. An outlet grill joint 22 is provided at an end 3 a of the outlet grill 3.
The front panel joining portion 21 has a projection 21a formed at the center of the front end portion with a thickness of approximately half the plate thickness.
The fitting portion 22a is formed at the center of the front end portion of the outlet grill joining portion 22 so as to have a thickness of approximately half the plate thickness.
Thus, the protrusion 21a of the outlet grill joint 22 is sandwiched without providing the end 13a of the reinforcing member 13 in the above-described embodiment.
Specifically, the protruding portion 21a is formed so as to be fitted to the fitting portion 22a, and a contact surface 21b of the protruding portion 21a that is opposed to and in contact with the contact surface 22b of the fitting portion 22a has A gradient is formed. The end 21c of the protruding portion 21a and the end 22c of the fitting portion 22a are chamfered.
[0029]
Next, the operation of the indoor unit having the above configuration will be described.
The front panel 2 can be opened and closed to inspect, clean, or inspect the inside of the indoor unit 1.
When closing the front panel 2, the end 2 a thereof contacts the end 3 a of the outlet grill 3 fixed inside the indoor unit 1, and the front panel joint 21 is engaged with the outlet grill joint 22.
In this case, the projection 21a and the fitting portion 22a are engaged so as to fit, thereby realizing both functions of the positioning guide and the sliding restricting means. Displacement is suppressed, and a gap due to the displacement is avoided.
In addition, since the end 21c and the end 22c are chamfered, the front panel joint 21 and the outlet grill joint 22 are smoothly fitted.
[0030]
As described above, also in the second embodiment, since the gap due to the displacement is avoided, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.
In addition, a concave portion having a shape that protrudes the side surface of the outlet air passage of the outlet grille 3 that forms the upstream wall surface of the outlet air passage that reaches the outlet 7 that blows out the room air that has undergone heat exchange in the heat exchanger 9 is provided. By forming the fitting portion 22a to have, even if a gap is formed between the protruding portion 21a and the fitting portion 22a due to aging or the like, the cool air generated by heat exchange through the gap is generated by the front panel. In order to enter the inside of the nozzle 2, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which a flow must be formed so as to be opposed to the blowing direction, as in the above-described embodiment.
Furthermore, since the projecting portion 21a and the fitting portion 22a have a labyrinth structure in which they alternately mesh with each other, even if a slight gap is formed, it becomes more difficult for cold air to enter the inside.
[0031]
In the above-described embodiment, when the thickness of the outlet grill 3 suddenly increases at the end 3a, the thickness of the outlet grill 3 is reduced by deformation during molding, that is, in order to prevent sink marks, It may be formed by hollow molding.
[0032]
Further, in the first embodiment, the vertical arrangement of the protruding portions 11a and 12a in FIG. 1 may be reversed. Since the upper and lower arrangements are reversed, the protruding portion of the front panel joint is disposed on the lower side, so that the boundary generated at the joint between the front panel joint and the outlet grill joint is the first embodiment. As compared with the position of the boundary line generated in the embodiment described above, by being formed at a position distant from the front surface of the front panel, the appearance near the outlet of the indoor unit is improved.
[0033]
Further, in the second embodiment, a fitting portion may be formed at the front panel joint portion 21 and a projecting portion may be formed at the outlet grill joint portion 22. Since the arrangement of the fitting portion and the protruding portion is reversed, the fitting portion is arranged on the lower side, so that the boundary line generated at the joint portion between the front panel joint portion and the outlet grill joint portion is the second line. By being formed at a position farther from the front surface of the front panel as compared with the position of the boundary line generated in the embodiment, the appearance near the outlet of the indoor unit is improved.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
The panel joint of the present invention described above has the following effects.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, by providing the front panel joint portion and the outlet grill joint portion with the projections and engaging the same, the displacement generated when the front panel joint portion and the outlet grill joint portion are engaged with each other. Thus, the engagement can be avoided by avoiding the gap due to the above, so that it is possible to solve the problem of the appearance, and it is possible to prevent cold air from entering the gap to form dew condensation inside the front panel.
[0035]
According to the invention according to claim 2, the protrusions are formed so as to be alternately arranged vertically on the front panel joint and the outlet grill joint, respectively, so that the respective protrusions are engaged so as to overlap vertically. As a result, the engagement is avoided while avoiding the gap caused by the displacement occurring when the engagement is performed, so that the problem of the appearance can be solved. Can be prevented from forming dew.
[0036]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the stiffener is provided on the upper surface or the lower surface of the outlet grill joint, displacement of the front panel joint is prevented by the stiffener. In this case, the engagement can be avoided by avoiding the gap caused by the displacement generated in the front panel, so that it is possible to solve the problem of the appearance, and to prevent the cold air from entering the gap to form dew condensation inside the front panel. it can.
[0037]
According to the invention as set forth in claim 4, the protrusion provided at the center of the front panel joint and the fitting part provided at the center of the outlet grill joint are engaged so as to be engaged with each other. Since the displacement of the portion is suppressed by the fitting between the projecting portion and the fitting portion, the engagement is avoided by avoiding the gap due to the displacement generated when the engagement is performed. In addition, it is possible to prevent dew condensation generated inside the front panel due to cold air entering the gap.
[0038]
According to the invention according to claim 5, since the fitting portion and the tip of the protruding portion are chamfered, the joining portion can be easily fitted, so that the joining is performed without generating a gap due to displacement. As a result, it is possible to solve the problem of the appearance, and it is also possible to prevent cold air from entering into the gap and dew condensation occurring inside the front panel.
[0039]
According to the invention according to claim 6, the air conditioner is provided with the indoor unit that is engaged while avoiding the gap due to the displacement of the panel joint, so that the appearance problem is solved, and It is possible to provide an air conditioner including an indoor unit that prevents cold air from entering the gap and dew condensation occurring inside the front panel.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a view showing an indoor unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) is a cross-sectional view and (b) is a partially enlarged view thereof.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing an indoor unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view, and FIGS.
3A and 3B are views showing a conventional indoor unit, wherein FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view thereof, and FIG. 3B is a partially enlarged view thereof.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Indoor unit 2 Front panel 3 Outlet grille 11, 21, 31 Front panel joint 12, 22, 32 Outlet grill joint 13 Stiffener

Claims (6)

A fan for sucking room air from the inlet and blowing it out from the outlet, an indoor heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between the room air and the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit, and a front panel located at the front. A front panel joining portion provided at an end portion, and an outlet grill joining portion provided at an end portion of an outlet grill located inside and behind the front panel and engaged with the front panel joining portion. In the indoor unit,
An indoor unit, wherein a protrusion is provided and engaged with the front panel joint and the outlet grill joint. The indoor unit according to claim 1,
The indoor unit, wherein the protruding portions are formed so as to be alternately arranged vertically on the front panel joint and the outlet grill joint, respectively. The indoor unit according to claim 2,
An indoor unit, wherein a stiffener for locking the front panel joint is provided on an upper surface or a lower surface of the outlet grill joint so as to protrude in a direction intersecting the upper surface or the lower surface. The indoor unit according to claim 1,
The indoor unit, wherein the protrusion is provided at the center of the front panel joint, and the fitting part is provided at the center of the outlet grill joint so as to fit with the protrusion. The indoor unit according to claim 4,
An indoor unit, wherein a chamfer is formed at a tip of the projecting portion and the fitting portion. A fan for sucking room air from the inlet and blowing it out from the outlet, an indoor heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between the room air and the refrigerant supplied from the outdoor unit, and a front panel located at the front. 2. A front panel joint provided at an end, and an outlet grill joint provided at an end of an outlet grill located inside and behind the front panel and engaged with the front panel joint. An air conditioner, comprising: the indoor unit according to any one of (1) to (5).

Images