JP2008111614A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an attaching/detaching structure of excellent working efficiency in a structure of attaching/detaching an optional substrate and a unit to/from an air conditioner and to attain total cost reduction by combining such an attaching/detaching structure with the air conditioner comprising a non-insulating type power source. <P>SOLUTION: An indoor unit 1 comprises a plurality of vertical air direction plates 84 arranged at a laterally long blowoff port 83 provided below, and an electrical appliance box including the non-insulating type power source, arranged on the right side. An insulating circuit insulating from signals and power source of the indoor unit is provided in an HA communication unit 2, and the HA communication unit can be mounted from a dummy blowoff port 86. The dummy blowoff port 86 has no air passage, and is shielded from the inside of the indoor unit 1. The indoor unit 1 is provided with a mounting part not shown in the figure, having a mounting port 3a for guiding the HA communication unit 2 into the indoor unit 1 to store the HA communication unit 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an option board mounting structure mounted on an indoor unit.

  Conventionally, an indoor unit of a wall-mounted air conditioner generally has a shape shown in an external perspective view of FIG. The indoor unit 80 is a horizontally long box, and a cover 82 having a suction grill 87 at a suction port 81 on the front surface covers an internal structure. In addition, a plurality of vertical wind direction plates 84 are arranged at the horizontally long outlet 83 provided below. In order to reduce the vertical dimension of such an indoor unit 80, in general, electrical units such as a power supply unit and a control board (not shown) are incorporated into the right and left ends of the main body, on the right side in the example of FIG. A product box 85 is arranged.

  Since it is necessary to arrange this electrical component box 85 and a blower fan motor (not shown) at the right end of the indoor unit 80, for example, the vicinity of the outlet 83 in front of the electrical component box 85 is a so-called dummy outlet 86. Although it looks like a blowout port, it is actually structured so that almost no wind blows out.

  By the way, in recent years, in such an air conditioner, not only an air conditioning function but also an additional function has been required. For example, there is a remote control function for remotely operating an air conditioner from a mobile phone or the like. This function is a very convenient function, but it is connected to a telephone line and relays instructions from a distance, and it receives a control signal from this HA terminal and converts it to an air conditioner signal. The HA communication unit, which is an interface to be used, is necessary and is somewhat expensive in price, so that it has not yet been standardized on all air conditioners.

  Therefore, it is treated as an option for intermediate and lower class air conditioners. Upon receiving the request of the end user, an optional HA communication unit or communication parts are installed in the indoor unit at the same time as the air conditioner is installed. It is designed to be mounted on a built-in control board. Such an HA communication unit (including a communication circuit mounted on the control board) is connected to a general-purpose HA terminal installed outside the indoor unit via a communication cable.

  On the other hand, air conditioners often employ non-insulated power supplies in order to reduce costs, and this configuration has become the majority of products in the intermediate class and below. Here, the non-insulated power source refers to a power source in which a primary side potential that is a commercial power source and a secondary side potential such as a logic power source that is used at a low voltage inside the air conditioner are not insulated.

  Even if such a non-insulated power source is used, it is completely insulated in the air conditioner and has a structure in which the primary side or secondary side potential is not exposed to the place where the user touches. Therefore, there is no problem with the safety of the air conditioner. However, in the case of a configuration in which a cable is connected to a general-purpose device such as an HA terminal or the like, depending on the structure of the HA terminal side, for example, the primary potential of the air conditioner may be applied to the metal part of the HA terminal. is there.

  For this reason, if it is expected that the air conditioner will be connected to external general-purpose equipment with a cable, the primary air conditioner and the secondary An air conditioner using an insulated power source that was insulated from each other was used. In general, an insulated power supply tends to be more costly than a non-insulated power supply in the case of the same performance.

  In consideration of the above circumstances, air conditioners of the intermediate class and below use a non-insulated power source and are completely insulated internally, and the primary side potential is applied to the signal connected to the HA terminal. There has been a demand for a structure in which an HA communication unit having a circuit that is not superposed is detachable.

  In particular, major housing industry manufacturers and condominium dealers often install and sell standard air conditioners in their homes. The problem at this time is the presence / absence of the HA communication unit and the trouble of installing the HA communication unit. Since all users who install the air conditioner want or do not want to install the HA communication unit, installation work and air conditioner model selection and purchase can be done uniformly. Although the work can be easily performed, in reality, this demand is inconsistent, and air conditioners have been purchased and installed in response to individual users. In addition, when the user needs an HA communication unit after moving in, it is necessary to request a service person to work separately, which is very inconvenient.

  As one method for solving such a problem, as shown in the exploded perspective view of the main part of FIG. 7, in order to easily attach the HA communication unit, the substrate 92 is removed from the outside of the electrical component box 91 of the indoor unit 90. There is a structure in which (for example, an HA communication unit) is attached to and detached from the front of the indoor unit 90. This structure is an improved structure that does not require conventional work such as removing the electrical component box from the indoor unit and opening the electrical component box to process the internal control board (for example, (See Patent Document 1).

However, even if such a structure is adopted in which the board is attached to and detached from the front of the electrical component box, the work is performed after removing the cover part that constitutes the exterior of the indoor unit. When attaching and detaching, there are cases where other substrates are moved unintentionally, and even if a service person works, careful work is required. For this reason, it was not possible for the end user to install the HA communication unit.
JP-A-10-38312 (page 3, FIG. 1)

  The present invention solves the above-described problems and provides an attachment / detachment structure excellent in workability in a structure for attaching / detaching an option board or unit to / from an air conditioner. At the same time, an object is to reduce the overall cost by combining such a detachable structure and an air conditioner equipped with a non-insulated power source.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relating to claim 1
On the base, a cover portion having a suction port and a blowout port, a heat exchanger located in an air passage formed between the suction port and the blowout port, and an electrical component box containing an electronic circuit An air conditioner in which an indoor unit is configured with a main body provided, and an optional board that is electrically connected to the electronic circuit of the electrical component box is mounted on the indoor unit.
The main body is provided with a mounting port, a mounting part for detachably mounting the option board from the mounting port is provided, and a mounting hole communicating with the mounting unit is provided in the cover unit.

The invention relating to claim 2
The air conditioner includes a non-insulated power source that is not insulated from a primary power source that is a commercial power source that drives the air conditioner and a secondary power source that converts the voltage of the primary power source,
The option board is provided with an insulating circuit that insulates the primary power supply from the electric circuit in the option board with respect to a control signal and a power supply voltage supplied to the board.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the mounting opening of the mounting portion is the main body in the vicinity of the dummy air outlet provided at a position corresponding to the electrical component box, and an upper and lower wind direction plate disposed at the air outlet is predetermined. When it is rotated to the position, the structure is arranged so that the mounting opening is exposed.

Further, the invention related to claim 4 is not the structure of claim 3,
The mounting opening of the mounting portion is structured to be disposed on one side surface of the electrical component box.

In addition to the structure of claim 4, the invention relating to claim 5
The cover portion is rotatably or detachably held and includes a suction grill facing the suction port, and the suction grill covers the mounting hole of the cover portion.

By using the above means, according to the air conditioner of the present invention,
In the invention according to claim 1, since the mounting portion for detachably mounting the option board is provided on the main body, the option board can be attached and detached even when the main body is fixed to the wall or the like. Work can be done easily.

  Since the invention according to claim 2 is insulated from the primary power source in the option board, a non-insulated power source that is less expensive than an insulated power source can be adopted for the indoor unit main body. No model can be manufactured at low cost.

  In the invention according to claim 3, since the mounting part is arranged in the main body near the dummy outlet, the option board can be attached and detached even if the indoor unit is installed on the wall or the cover part is attached. Work becomes easy, and the end user can work without being a service person. In addition, since the mounting opening cannot be seen from the outside of the indoor unit, the design can be improved.

  In the invention according to claim 4, since the option board can be mounted to the mounting portion that holds the option board in the electrical component box through the cover portion, the indoor unit can be installed on a wall or the like or the cover portion can be mounted. Since the option board can be attached and detached, the attachment / detachment work becomes easy, and even the end user can work without being a service person.

  The invention according to claim 5 has a structure in which the suction grille covers the mounting opening, so that the mounting opening cannot be seen from the outside of the indoor unit, so that the design can be improved.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail as examples based on the attached drawings. In addition, about the structure demonstrated in background art, the same number is provided and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an indoor unit 1 of an air conditioner according to the present invention. This indoor unit 1 is based on the structure of FIG. 6 described in the background art, and a cover portion 82 having a suction grill 87 at a suction port 81 on the front surface covers an internal structure. In addition, a plurality of vertical wind direction plates 84 are disposed at a horizontally long air outlet 83 provided below, and the electrical component box 4 is disposed on the right side. The electrical component box 4 has a built-in non-insulated power source that lowers the primary voltage, which is a commercial power source, and generates a secondary low voltage.

  The difference between the structure of the indoor unit 80 shown in FIG. 6 and the indoor unit 1 of FIG. 1 is that the HA communication unit (board) 2 as an optional board can be mounted from the dummy air outlet 86. . As described in the background art, the dummy outlet 86 has no air passage and is shielded from the interior of the indoor unit 1. Here, a mounting port 3 a for guiding the HA communication unit 2 to the inside of the indoor unit 1 is provided, and a mounting portion (not shown) for storing the HA communication unit 2 is provided. Therefore, the dummy outlet 86 itself is a mounting hole that guides the HA communication unit 2 to the interior of the indoor unit 1.

  The HA communication unit 2 is provided with a connector 2a at one end of a rectangular substrate 2d, and a control substrate stored in the electrical component box 4 is connected to a signal or a power source via the connector 2a. . Also, a plastic fixing plate 2b provided with a through hole 2c through which fixing screws are inserted at both ends is fixed to the other end of the HA communication unit 2.

  When the indoor unit is in normal operation, the up / down wind direction plate 84 is rotated in accordance with the operation mode. When the operation is stopped, the up / down wind direction plate 84 is rotated so as to hide the outlet 83. Move to stop. Accordingly, since the HA communication unit 2 cannot be mounted in these states, the operation is first stopped by a remote controller (not shown) and then the unit mounting mode is instructed.

  In this unit mounting mode, for example, a dedicated button is provided on the remote controller or an instruction is given by simultaneously pressing two buttons, etc., and the indoor unit 1 that has received this instruction is easy to mount the HA communication unit 2 while the operation is stopped. Then, the vertical wind direction plate 84 is rotated downward by a predetermined position, for example, 90 degrees. This state is shown in FIG. 1, and the HA communication unit 2 is easily attached from the bottom to the top. In this state, the power plug is removed from the outlet, and the HA communication unit 2 is attached to the indoor unit 1.

  FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the indoor unit 1, and generally shows a cross-sectional structure near the center of the left and right of the indoor unit 1. This indoor unit 1 forms an air passage between the air inlet 81 and the air outlet 83, and in order from the windward side of this air passage, the air inlet grill 87, the air filter 88, the heat exchanger 89, the blower fan 93, left and right A wind direction plate 94 and an up / down wind direction plate 84 are arranged. The indoor unit 1 is formed by a cover portion 82 having a suction grille 87 that is rotatable in the vertical direction and a main body 10 in which components other than the cover portion 82 are fixed to the base 3.

  FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the main part of the main body 10 as viewed obliquely from below. In the main body 10, an electrical component box 4 and a heat exchanger 89 are fixed to a base 3 made of synthetic resin. And the two up-and-down wind direction boards 84 are latched by the wind direction board holding | maintenance part 3b integral with the base 3 so that rotation is possible.

  A mounting port 3a for inserting the above-described HA communication unit 2 is provided on the lower surface of the wind direction plate holding portion 3b on the front side (front side of the electrical component box 4), and both sides of the mounting port 3a are further provided. Is provided with a screw hole 3c into which a screw 2e inserted through the through hole 2c of the HA communication unit 2 is screwed. A mounting portion 3d for storing the HA communication unit 2 is provided on the upper surface of the wind direction plate holding portion 3b corresponding to the mounting port 3a.

  A space communicating from the mounting port 3a is provided inside the mounting portion 3d, and a relay connector 3e that fits with the connector 2a of the HA communication unit 2 is fixed in the back of the space. The cable of the relay connector 3e is connected to the electrical component box 4, and the control board (not shown) finally disposed inside the electrical component box 4 and the HA communication unit 2 are connected via these connectors and cables. Each signal and power supply are connected.

  As described above, since the mounting part for detachably mounting the option board is provided on the main body, the option board can be attached and detached even when the main body is fixed to the wall, etc. Can be done.

  FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the indoor unit 1 and shows a cross-sectional structure near the electrical component box 4 of the indoor unit 1 in which the HA communication unit 2 is stored in the mounting portion 3d. The HA communication unit 2 is mounted inside a mounting portion 3d provided on the upper surface of the wind direction plate holding portion 3b, and the connector 2a of the HA communication unit 2 is connected to the relay connector 3e of the mounting portion 3d.

  A guide surface is formed so that the internal space corresponding to the thickness of the HA communication unit 2 of the mounting portion 3d is gradually narrowed toward the vicinity of the relay connector 3e. When the HA communication unit 2 is inserted, the connector 2a However, it slides on the guide surface and the connector 2a is securely fitted to the relay connector 3e, so that even an end user unfamiliar with the mounting can easily attach the HA communication unit 2. .

  With such a structure, the HA communication unit 2 can be mounted by only screwing two screws without rotating the up-and-down air direction plate 84 and removing the cover portion 22, and not only a serviceman but also an end user can install it. Work can be done easily. In addition, since the HA communication unit 2 is not directly attached to the electrical component box 4, it is not necessary to pay attention to other boards such as a power supply board. In addition, since the HA communication unit 2 is mounted from the bottom to the top, even if a screw or the like is dropped during work, it will not be mixed into the electrical component box 4. In addition, the appearance is the same as a normal indoor unit, and the design is not impaired.

  In other words, because the mounting part is placed on the main body near the dummy outlet, the optional board can be attached and detached even when the indoor unit is installed on the wall or with the cover part attached. End users can work without being a service person. In addition, since the mounting opening cannot be seen from the outside of the indoor unit, the design can be improved.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 (A) shows a state where the suction grille is opened, and FIG. 5 (B) shows an exploded perspective view of the main part.

  The indoor unit 20 in FIG. 5A has a structure in which the HA communication unit 2 is mounted from the outside of the indoor unit 20 as in FIG.

  The indoor unit 20 in FIG. 5 (A) is in a state where the suction grill 87 is rotated upward and opened. Although the air filter 88 is disposed on the front surface of the indoor unit 20, an air passage cannot be formed on the surface corresponding to the electrical component box 21 as described above. Shielded.

  A rectangular mounting hole 22 a corresponding to the fixed plate 2 b of the HA communication unit 2 is provided on the front surface of the shielded cover portion 22. A part of the front surface of the electrical component box 21 is exposed inside the mounting hole 22a. This is because the size of the electrical component box 4 described in the first embodiment is increased in the front-rear direction and the electrical component box 21 is configured to contact the inner surface of the cover portion 22. The front surface of the electrical component box 21 is provided with a mounting port 21a for guiding the HA communication unit 2 to the interior of the electrical component box 21 so that the HA communication unit 2 is directly stored in the electrical component box 21. Yes.

As shown in FIG. 1, a mounting portion 21b and a relay connector 21c are provided inside the electrical component box 21. The electrical component box 21 is electrically separated from other circuits inside the electrical component box 21, such as a power circuit. Yes. In addition, screw holes 21d into which screws 2e that pass through the through holes 2c of the HA communication unit 2 are screwed are provided on both sides of the mounting opening 21a. With this structure, the suction grill 87 is simply opened. Thus, the HA communication unit 2 can be mounted only by screwing two screws without removing the cover portion 22, and not only a service person but also an end user can easily perform the work. Further, since the part other than the mounting opening 21a of the electrical component box 21 is not exposed to the front surface, even if a screw or the like is dropped during the operation, the electrical component box 21 is not mixed into the electrical component box 21. Also, the appearance is the same as a normal indoor unit when the suction grill 87 is closed, and there is no problem in design.

  In other words, since the option board can be attached to the attachment part that holds it in the electrical component box via the cover part, the option board can be attached or detached while the indoor unit is installed on the wall or with the cover part attached. This makes it easy to attach and detach, and even end users can work without being a service person. Further, since the suction grille covers the mounting opening, the mounting opening cannot be seen from the outside of the indoor unit, so that the design can be improved.

  In the second embodiment, the suction grille of the cover part covers the front surface of the cover part. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the left and right ends of the suction grille cover the left and right sides of the indoor unit. Good. In this case, the mounting portion can be provided on the side surface of the electrical component box, and the mounting port is covered with the suction grill when the suction grill is closed, so that the design can be improved.

  Although the detailed description about the connection with HA terminal is abbreviate | omitted in the above Example, HA terminal and an indoor unit will be connected with a predetermined | prescribed cable. This cable is connected to the indoor unit in advance, and may be connected to the HA terminal directly on the indoor unit side via the electrical component box or from the relay connector of the mounting unit. Also, one end may be pulled out of the indoor unit with a relay cable, and the relay cable and the HA terminal may be connected as necessary, or directly from the outside of the HA communication unit (outside of the indoor unit). You may make it a form to pull out. In this case, it is necessary to consider the processing of the drawn wiring (a configuration that does not interfere with other mechanical parts) and the design.

  The structures of the first and second embodiments can be applied to other places. For example, if there is no problem in appearance, a mounting opening may be provided on the side surface or above the electrical component box. In this case, it is necessary to provide a hole in the cover portion and to install a blindfold plate when the HA communication unit 2 is not installed. In addition, in these embodiments, the description has been given as an example in which the electrical component box is disposed beside the heat exchanger, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the electrical component box is the front side, lower side, rear side, upper side, etc. of the heat exchanger. , It may be arranged in any place.

  In these embodiments, the structure in which the HA communication unit 2 is vertically inserted into the indoor unit is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the connector 2a of the HA communication unit 2 is provided on the back surface of the substrate 2d. A similar effect can be obtained with a structure in which a fixing plate 2b covering the surface is provided on the surface of the substrate 2d and the HA communication unit 2 is mounted horizontally with respect to the indoor unit.

  With the structure of the first embodiment or the second embodiment, it is possible to reduce the burden on not only the end user but also the worker who installs a large number of air conditioners. For example, an air conditioner that is not equipped with an HA communication unit is installed in a new apartment or the like, and the HA communication unit is sold only to users who need the HA communication unit. As described above, the mounting is very simple, and it is not necessary to bother the serviceman. In addition, since it is not necessary to receive a mounting request from a user who moves in at different times, the burden on the service person is reduced.

  Further, as described above, the signal line and the power source are insulated by a photocoupler, a DC-DC converter, etc. inside the HA communication unit, and the potential on the air conditioner side and the potential on the HA terminal side are completely separated. As a result, since the power source of the air conditioner can be an inexpensive non-insulated type instead of an expensive insulated type, the cost of the air conditioner not using the HA communication unit can be reduced.

  In other words, since it is insulated from the primary side power supply in the option board, a non-insulated power supply that is less expensive than an insulated power supply can be adopted for the indoor unit body, so that an option board (for example, an HA communication unit, which is generally mass-produced). ) Can be manufactured at low cost.

  Further, the detachable unit structure is not limited to the HA communication unit, and can be applied to addition of other optional functions. For example, it can be widely applied to a wireless remote control transmission / reception unit and a speech synthesis unit. In this way, in the case of a unit that is not connected to a device other than an air conditioner with a cable, there is no need to provide an insulation circuit in the unit.

It is an external appearance perspective view of the indoor unit which shows the Example of the air conditioner by this invention. It is side sectional drawing of the left-right center vicinity of the indoor unit by this invention. It is a principal part disassembled perspective view of the indoor unit which shows the Example of the air conditioner by this invention. It is side sectional drawing of the dummy blower outlet vicinity of the indoor unit which shows the Example of the air conditioner by this invention. It is a perspective view of the indoor unit which shows the 2nd Example of the air conditioner by this invention, (A) is an external appearance perspective view, (B) is a principal part disassembled perspective view. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the indoor unit of the conventional air conditioner. It is a principal part disassembled perspective view which shows the indoor unit of the conventional air conditioner.

Explanation of symbols

1 Indoor unit 2 HA communication unit (option board)
2a connector 2b fixing plate 2c through-hole 2d substrate 2e screw 3 base 3a mounting port 3b wind direction plate holding unit 3c screw hole 3d mounting unit 3e relay connector 4 electrical component box 10 main body 20 indoor unit 21 electrical component box 21a mounting port 21b mounting unit 21c Relay connector 21d Screw hole 22 Cover portion 22a Mounting hole 80 Indoor unit 81 Suction port 82 Cover unit 83 Air outlet 84 Vertical air outlet plate 86 Dummy air outlet 87 Air inlet grill 88 Air filter 89 Heat exchanger 93 Air blower 94 Left and right air direction plate 99 wall

Claims (5)

On the base, a cover portion having a suction port and a blowout port, a heat exchanger located in an air passage formed between the suction port and the blowout port, and an electrical component box containing an electronic circuit An air conditioner in which an indoor unit is configured with a main body provided, and an optional board that is electrically connected to the electronic circuit of the electrical component box is mounted on the indoor unit.
The main body is provided with a mounting opening, provided with a mounting portion for detachably mounting the option board from the mounting port, and provided with a mounting hole communicating with the mounting portion in the cover portion. Harmony machine. The air conditioner includes a non-insulated power source in which a primary power source that is a commercial power source that drives the air conditioner and a secondary power source that converts a voltage of the primary power source are not insulated,
2. The option board according to claim 1, further comprising an insulating circuit that insulates the primary power supply from an electric circuit in the option board for a control signal and a power supply voltage supplied to the board. The air conditioner described.   The mounting port of the mounting part is the main body in the vicinity of the dummy air outlet provided at a position corresponding to the electrical component box, and when the upper and lower wind direction plates arranged at the air outlet are rotated to a predetermined position, The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air conditioner is disposed at a position where the mounting opening is exposed.   The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a mounting port of the mounting unit is arranged on one side surface of the electrical component box.   The cover portion includes a suction grill that is rotatably or detachably held and faces the suction port, and the suction grill has a structure that covers a mounting hole of the cover portion. 4. The air conditioner according to 4.

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