JP2014070795A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a reduction of manufacturing efficiency to be effectively avoided even in the case that auxiliary casings are attached at both sides of a structure.SOLUTION: Main casings 61a and 61b form an air outlet extending in a horizontal direction at the time of installation to blow out of air flow of cold air or warm air generated by a heat exchanger. A first side panel 62a and a second side panel 62b are attached to the main casings 61a and 61b at both sides of the air outlet. The first side panel 62a and the second side panel 62b have wall bodies 52 immovably fixed against the air outlet at both sides of the air outlet. Auxiliary casings 35 are movably attached to outer wall surfaces 52a of the wall bodies 52. The auxiliary casings 35 form auxiliary air outlets for blowing out the taken indoor air.

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

  The air conditioner blows out cold air or warm air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger from the outlet of the indoor unit. Patent Document 1 discloses an auxiliary air outlet formed adjacent to both sides of the air outlet. The auxiliary outlet opens at the front of the housing. A dust collection filter is provided at the air outlet and the auxiliary air outlet. The airflow that has passed through the dust collection filter can be blown out from the auxiliary air outlet. Airflow passing through the dust collection filter is generated by a centrifugal fan. The centrifugal fan can sufficiently pass the airflow through the dust collection filter having high air resistance. The direction of the airflow is adjusted with a louver. Louvers are attached to the air outlet and the auxiliary air outlet.

JP 2010-164271 A JP 2000-29792 A

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a centrifugal fan is incorporated in a housing. The centrifugal fan is supported at a predetermined position in the housing. When assembling the centrifugal fan, the worker must work in the space inside the housing. Therefore, workability is poor. Production efficiency will decrease. In the prior art, the idea of attaching an auxiliary housing to both ends of the structure of the air conditioner and circulating the indoor air according to the operation of the auxiliary housing is not found. However, when an auxiliary housing is assembled to both ends of the structure, it is common to perform screwing from a direction orthogonal to the outer wall surface. Therefore, it is easily imagined that the orientation of the structure must be changed on the production line for each auxiliary housing.

  According to some aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide an air conditioner that can effectively avoid a decrease in production efficiency even when auxiliary housings are attached to both sides of a structure. .

  One aspect of the present invention includes a main housing that forms a blowout port that extends in a horizontal direction during installation and blows out a cold or warm air stream generated by a heat exchanger, and is attached to the main housing on both sides of the blowout port. And a first side panel and a second side panel having wall bodies fixed on both sides of the air outlet, and movably attached to the wall body on both sides of the air outlet to blow out the taken indoor air. The present invention relates to an air conditioner including an auxiliary housing that forms an auxiliary outlet.

  In such an air conditioner, a cool or warm air stream is blown out from the outlet. Airflow of room air is blown out from the auxiliary air outlet. There is a temperature difference between the airflow of the room air blown out from the auxiliary air outlet and the cold air or the warm air generated by the heat exchanger blown out from the air outlet. Therefore, the direction and movement of cold air or warm air can be controlled by the air flow of room air. Cool air and warm air can be sent to a desired place indoors. Thus, the indoor temperature environment can be efficiently adjusted.

  For example, when manufacturing the air conditioner, the auxiliary housing can be assembled with the first side panel or the second side panel to constitute the first auxiliary air outlet unit or the second auxiliary air outlet unit. In the production line, the first auxiliary air outlet unit and the second auxiliary air outlet unit are individually attached to the main housing. As a result, the assembly work of the production line can be simplified as compared with the case where the movable part such as the auxiliary housing is directly attached to the main unit. Production efficiency is improved.

  The air conditioner is fixed to the main housing and drives a first blower fan that generates the cold or warm airflow, and is housed in the auxiliary housing to generate the indoor airflow. And a second drive source for driving the second blower fan. The wind speed of the airflow of the indoor air can be set to a wind speed different from the wind speed of the cold or warm airflow. A large wind speed air flow can control a smaller wind speed air flow. In this way, the direction and movement of the cold or warm air flow can be controlled reliably.

  In the present embodiment, the air volume from the air outlet is larger than the air volume from the auxiliary air outlet and the air volume from the air outlet. The wind speed of the airflow blown out from the auxiliary outlet is made faster than the wind speed of the cold or warm airflow generated by the heat exchanger blown out from the outlet. Thereby, a large amount of air can be controlled by a small amount of air, and the room can be made a comfortable environment.

  The auxiliary housing can rotate around a horizontal axis. Thus, the auxiliary housing can rotate around the horizontal axis. As a result, the auxiliary outlet can be displaced up and down in the direction of gravity. In this way, the direction of the air flow blown out from the auxiliary air outlet can be changed.

  The air conditioner is parallel to the horizontal axis and is perpendicular to the floor surface when installed, and the first side panel A screw may be further provided that passes through the second side panel and is screwed into the main housing. The first side panel and the second side panel can each be attached to the main housing with screws. The screws can be screwed in from the same direction on the first side panel and the second side panel. As a result, in the production line, the orientation of the main housing can be kept constant for screwing. It is not necessary to change the orientation of the main housing every time the screws are fixed. Thus, the production efficiency is improved.

  The virtual plane can extend in parallel to the rotation axis of a cross flow fan incorporated in the main housing. Thus, the direction of the screw is perpendicular to the plane including the rotation axis of the cross flow fan. Workability is improved.

  As described above, according to the disclosed air conditioner, a reduction in production efficiency can be effectively avoided even when auxiliary housings are attached to both sides of the structure.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows roughly the structure of the air conditioner which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view showing roughly the appearance of the indoor unit concerning one embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a structure schematically. It is a partial vertical sectional view which shows the structure of an auxiliary | assistant housing | casing roughly. FIG. 5 is a partial vertical sectional view schematically showing a rotation operation of the auxiliary housing corresponding to FIG. 4. It is a perspective view which shows roughly the structure of a 1st side panel and a 2nd side panel. It is a disassembled perspective view of a fan unit. It is a perspective view of the ventilation path unit which shows a rack and a drive gear roughly. It is a perspective view which shows roughly the structure of the drive unit of a wind direction board. It is a vertical sectional view of the indoor unit schematically showing the configuration of the first blower fan. It is a conceptual diagram which shows a specific example of an airflow at the time of air_conditionaing | cooling operation. It is a conceptual diagram which shows a specific example of an airflow at the time of heating operation.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of an air conditioner 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner 11 includes an indoor unit 12 and an outdoor unit 13. The indoor unit 12 is installed in an indoor space in a building, for example. In addition, the indoor unit 12 may be installed in an environmental space corresponding to the indoor space. An indoor heat exchanger 14 is incorporated in the indoor unit 12. The outdoor unit 13 includes a compressor 15, an outdoor heat exchanger 16, an expansion valve 17, and a four-way valve 18. The indoor heat exchanger 14, the compressor 15, the outdoor heat exchanger 16, the expansion valve 17 and the four-way valve 18 form a refrigeration circuit 19.

  The refrigeration circuit 19 includes a first circulation path 21. The first circulation path 21 connects the first port 18a and the second port 18b of the four-way valve 18 to each other. A compressor 15 is provided in the first circulation path 21. The suction pipe 15a of the compressor 15 is connected to the first port 18a of the four-way valve 18 via a refrigerant pipe. The gas refrigerant is supplied to the suction pipe 15a of the compressor 15 from the first port 18a. The compressor 15 compresses the low-pressure gas refrigerant to a predetermined pressure. The discharge pipe 15b of the compressor 15 is connected to the second port 18b of the four-way valve 18 via a refrigerant pipe. Gas refrigerant is supplied from the discharge pipe 15 b of the compressor 15 to the second port 18 b of the four-way valve 18. The first circulation path 21 is formed by a refrigerant pipe such as a copper pipe.

  The refrigeration circuit 19 further includes a second circulation path 22. The second circulation path 22 connects the third port 18c and the fourth port 18d of the four-way valve 18 to each other. The outdoor heat exchanger 16, the expansion valve 17, and the indoor heat exchanger 14 are incorporated into the second circulation path 22 in order from the third port 18c side. The outdoor heat exchanger 16 realizes heat energy exchange between the refrigerant passing therethrough and ambient air. The indoor heat exchanger 14 realizes heat energy exchange between the refrigerant passing therethrough and ambient air. The second circulation path 22 may be formed by a refrigerant pipe such as a copper pipe.

  A blower fan 23 is incorporated in the outdoor unit 13. The blower fan 23 ventilates the outdoor heat exchanger 16. The blower fan 23 generates an air flow according to the rotation of the impeller, for example. The airflow passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 16. The flow rate of airflow passing through is adjusted according to the number of revolutions per minute of the impeller. In the outdoor heat exchanger 16, the amount of heat energy exchanged between the refrigerant and the air is adjusted according to the flow rate of the airflow.

  The indoor unit 12 includes a main unit 25 and a pair of fan units 26. The main body unit 25 incorporates the indoor heat exchanger 14 and the first blower fan 27. The first blower fan 27 ventilates the indoor heat exchanger 14. The 1st ventilation fan 27 produces | generates an airflow according to rotation of an impeller. Indoor air is sucked into the main unit 25 by the action of the first blower fan 27. The indoor air passes through the indoor heat exchanger 14 and exchanges heat with the refrigerant. The heat-exchanged cold air or warm air flow is blown out from the main unit 25. The flow rate of airflow passing through is adjusted according to the number of revolutions per minute of the impeller. In the indoor heat exchanger 14, the amount of heat energy exchanged between the refrigerant and the air can be adjusted according to the flow rate of the airflow. The fan unit 26 sucks room air and blows out the room air.

  When the cooling operation is performed in the refrigeration circuit 19, the four-way valve 18 connects the second port 18b and the third port 18c to each other and connects the first port 18a and the fourth port 18d to each other. Therefore, high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger 16 from the discharge pipe 15 b of the compressor 15. The refrigerant flows through the outdoor heat exchanger 16, the expansion valve 17, and the indoor heat exchanger 14 in order. The outdoor heat exchanger 16 radiates heat from the refrigerant to the outside air. The refrigerant is decompressed to a low pressure by the expansion valve 17. The decompressed refrigerant absorbs heat from the surrounding air in the indoor heat exchanger 14. Cold air is generated. The cold air is caused to flow into the indoor space by the action of the first blower fan 27.

  When the heating operation is performed in the refrigeration circuit 19, the four-way valve 18 connects the second port 18b and the fourth port 18d to each other and connects the first port 18a and the third port 18c to each other. A high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant is supplied from the compressor 15 to the indoor heat exchanger 14. The refrigerant flows through the indoor heat exchanger 14, the expansion valve 17, and the outdoor heat exchanger 16 in order. The indoor heat exchanger 14 radiates heat from the refrigerant to the surrounding air. Warm air is generated. Warm air is caused to flow into the indoor space by the action of the first blower fan 27. The refrigerant is decompressed to a low pressure by the expansion valve 17. The decompressed refrigerant absorbs heat from the surrounding air in the outdoor heat exchanger 16. Thereafter, the refrigerant returns to the compressor 15.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows the appearance of the indoor unit 12 according to an embodiment. The main unit 25 of the indoor unit 12 includes a structure 28. An outer panel 29 covers the structure 28. An outlet 31 is formed on the lower surface of the structure 28. The blower outlet 31 opens downward. The structure 28 can be fixed to a wall surface in the room, for example. The blower outlet 31 is provided so as to extend in a horizontal direction at the time of installation, and blows out a cool air flow or a warm air flow generated by the indoor heat exchanger 14.

  A pair of front and rear wind direction plates 32 a and 32 b are arranged at the outlet 31. The up-and-down wind direction plates 32a and 32b can rotate about horizontal axis lines 33a and 33b, respectively. In the present embodiment, the rear ends of the up-and-down wind direction plates 32a and 32b serve as rotating shafts, but the present invention is not limited to this. The vertical airflow direction plates 32a and 32b can open and close the air outlet 31 according to the rotation.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a suction port 34 is formed in the structure 28. The suction port 34 opens at the front and top surfaces of the structure 28. The outer panel 29 can be covered with the suction port 34 in front of the structure 28. The inlet 34 extends in the horizontal direction during installation and takes in the airflow flowing into the indoor heat exchanger 14.

  The fan units 26 are individually attached to both ends of the main body which are the outer wall surfaces of the structure 28 on both sides of the suction port 34 and the blower port 31 extending in the horizontal direction. The fan unit 26 is disposed outside the outer wall surface of the structure 28. Each fan unit 26 includes an auxiliary housing 35. The auxiliary housing 35 is supported on the outer wall surface of the structure 28 so as to be movable with respect to the structure 28. Here, the auxiliary housing 35 can rotate around a rotation axis that intersects the outer wall surface of the structure 28. In this embodiment, the rotation axis of the fan unit 26 is a horizontal axis 36. The horizontal axes 33a, 33b, and 36 extend in parallel to each other. The outer wall surfaces of the structures 28 extend in parallel to each other. Therefore, the outer wall surfaces provided at both ends of the structure 28 are orthogonal to the horizontal axes 33a, 33b, and 36.

  An auxiliary suction port 37 is formed in the auxiliary housing 35. The auxiliary suction port 37 takes in room air from the vertical direction of the outer wall surface of the structure 28. The auxiliary suction port 37 is covered with an auxiliary suction port cover 38. The auxiliary suction port cover 38 is attached to the auxiliary housing 35. The outline of the auxiliary suction port cover 38 is defined along the virtual cylindrical surface 39 inside the virtual cylindrical surface 39 coaxial with the horizontal axis 36. That is, the auxiliary suction port cover 38 has a circular outline. A plurality of openings 41 are formed in the auxiliary suction port cover 38. The opening 41 connects the space inside and outside the auxiliary suction port 37 to each other.

  An auxiliary air outlet 42 is formed in the auxiliary housing 35. The auxiliary air outlet 42 blows out room air taken into the auxiliary housing 35 from the auxiliary air inlet 37. The air current blows out from the auxiliary air outlet 42 in the direction along the outer wall surface. When the auxiliary housing 35 rotates around the horizontal axis 36, the auxiliary air outlet 42 can be displaced up and down in the direction of gravity. The direction of the airflow blown out from the auxiliary air outlet 42 can be changed. Here, the forward direction side is referred to as “downstream” and the reverse direction side is referred to as “upstream” in accordance with the direction of rotation of the auxiliary casing 35 that lowers the auxiliary outlet 42 in the direction of gravity. A wind direction plate 43 is attached to the auxiliary air outlet 42. The wind direction plate 43 can deflect the direction of the airflow blown from the auxiliary air outlet 42 in the horizontal direction.

  Note that the structure for changing the posture of the auxiliary housing 35 is not limited to this. For example, a wind direction plate that changes the wind direction in the vertical direction is provided at the auxiliary air outlet 42, the rear side of the auxiliary housing 35 is pivotally supported by the outer wall surface of the structure 28, and the direction of the auxiliary air outlet 42 is changed in the horizontal direction. It may be. In addition, a wind direction plate that changes the wind direction in the left-right direction may be provided at the auxiliary air outlet 42, and the auxiliary housing 35 may be moved up and down by a guide rail provided on the outer wall surface of the structure 28.

  The structure 28 includes an auxiliary structure 44. The auxiliary structure 44 is formed on the outer wall surface around the auxiliary housing 35. The auxiliary structure 44 protrudes outside the auxiliary housing 35 from the outer wall surface. The edge of the auxiliary structure 44 is partitioned along the virtual cylindrical surface 39 outside the virtual cylindrical surface 39 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the outer edge of the auxiliary housing 35 forms a first stopper surface 46. The first stopper surface 46 is provided between the outer end of the first distance D1 from the horizontal axis 36 and the inner end of the second distance D2 smaller than the first distance D1. The first stopper surface 46 is formed so as to abut against a regulating body 51 described later when the auxiliary housing 35 rotates upstream around the horizontal axis 36. The first stopper surface 46 may be a flat surface. The first stopper surface 46 may be included in a virtual plane including the horizontal axis 36 or may be inclined at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to such a virtual plane.

  The outer edge of the auxiliary housing 35 forms a second stopper surface 47. The second stopper surface 47 is provided between the outer end of the third distance D3 from the horizontal axis 36 and the inner end of the fourth distance D4 that is smaller than the third distance D3. The second stopper surface 47 is formed so as to abut on an auxiliary restricting portion 58 described later when the auxiliary housing 35 rotates downstream around the horizontal axis 36. The second stopper surface 47 can be formed as a flat surface. The second stopper surface 47 may be included in a virtual plane including the horizontal axis 36, or may be inclined at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to such a virtual plane.

  The outer edge of the auxiliary housing 35 forms a first edge surface 48 and a second edge surface 49. The first edge surface 48 extends downstream from the outer end of the first stopper surface 46 around the horizontal axis 36. For example, the first edge surface 48 may be a curved surface. The curved surface can extend along a cylindrical surface having a radius of the first distance D1 from the horizontal axis 36. The second edge surface 49 extends from the inner end of the first stopper surface 46 to the inner end of the second stopper surface 47. The second edge surface 49 can be constituted by a curved surface, for example.

  The auxiliary structure 44 forms a restricting body 51. The restricting body 51 can be configured by a wall that rises from the outer wall surface 52a in a direction perpendicular to the outer wall surface 52a of the wall body 52 that is provided on the structure 28 and is fixed to both sides of the air outlet 31. The regulating body 51 has a wall surface facing the downstream around the horizontal axis 36. The restricting body 51 is disposed on the moving path of the first stopper surface 46. The restricting body 51 is configured such that the first stopper surface 46 contacts when the auxiliary air outlet 42 is moved upward through the rotation of the auxiliary housing 35. Thus, when the auxiliary blower 42 is moved upward through the rotation of the auxiliary housing 35, the restricting body 51 is positioned on the path of the first stopper surface 46 and restricts the rotation of the auxiliary housing 35. The auxiliary housing 35 can be positioned in a stop position, that is, in a horizontal posture in accordance with the rotation restriction. In this horizontal posture, the auxiliary air outlet 42 is directed in the horizontal direction.

  In the horizontal posture described above, the lower surface of the wall body 52 and the lower surface of the auxiliary housing 35 are flush with each other. Thus, when the operator holds both sides of the air conditioner during the installation work of the air conditioner, it is easy to hold because there is no step. The restricting body 51 also serves as a rotation stopper when the auxiliary housing 35 is rotated by a drive motor 91 described later. As a result, when the auxiliary housing 35 is rotated upward by the drive motor 91, it is not necessary to provide a detection means for detecting whether or not the auxiliary housing 35 is in the horizontal posture, so that the cost can be reduced.

  The auxiliary structure 44 includes a first wall 53. The first wall 53 can be formed of a curved wall having a constant thickness, for example. The first wall 53 rises from the outer wall surface 52 a in a direction perpendicular to the outer wall surface 52 a of the wall body 52. Thus, the first wall 53 protrudes outside the auxiliary housing 35. The wall surface of the first wall 53 has a generatrix parallel to the horizontal axis 36 in the vertical direction of the outer wall surface 52a. The first wall 53 follows a movement locus drawn by the outer edge of the auxiliary housing 35, that is, the outer end of the first stopper surface 46 over the first central angle range θ <b> 1 around the horizontal axis 36 at a first distance D <b> 1 from the horizontal axis 36. Spread along. Here, the wall surface of the first wall 53 is curved so as not to interfere with the first edge surface 48 when the auxiliary housing 35 rotates.

  The auxiliary structure 44 includes a second wall 54. For example, the second wall 54 may be a curved wall having a certain thickness. The second wall 54 rises from the outer wall surface 52 a in a direction perpendicular to the outer wall surface 52 a of the wall body 52. Thus, the second wall 54 protrudes outside the auxiliary housing 35. The wall surface of the second wall 54 has a generatrix parallel to the horizontal axis 36 in the vertical direction of the outer wall surface 52a. The second wall 54 extends from the horizontal axis 36 to the outer edge of the auxiliary housing 35 over the second central angle range θ2 located outside the first central angle range θ1 around the horizontal axis 36 at the second distance D2. It spreads along the movement locus drawn by the two edge surfaces 49. Here, the distance from the horizontal axis 36 to the second wall 54 can be reduced from the second distance D2 as the distance from the restricting body 51 increases toward the upstream. Thus, interference between the second wall 54 and the auxiliary housing 35 can be avoided when the auxiliary housing 35 rotates. That is, the wall surface of the second wall 54 is provided so as not to interfere with the second edge surface 49 when the auxiliary housing 35 rotates. The restricting body 51 continues from the first wall 53 to the second wall 54. At this time, the first central angle range θ1 can be set larger than 0 (zero) degrees and smaller than 180 degrees. When the first central angle range θ1 and the second central angle range θ2 are adjacent, the sum of the first central angle range θ1 and the second central angle range θ2 is set to be smaller than 180 degrees. .

  The auxiliary structure 44 includes a first outer wall 55. The first outer wall 55 rises from the outer wall surface 52 a in a direction perpendicular to the outer wall surface 52 a of the wall body 52 at a position closer to the upper surface side of the structure 28 than the first wall 53. The first outer wall 55 extends from the downstream end of the first wall 53 to the back side of the structure 28. The first outer wall 55 intersects the back wall surface of the first wall 53 at an intersection angle γ1 so as to be an acute angle. Similarly, the auxiliary structure 44 includes a second outer wall 56. The second outer wall 56 rises from the outer wall surface 52 a in a direction perpendicular to the outer wall surface 52 a of the wall body 52 at a position closer to the lower surface of the structure 28 than the second wall 54. The second outer wall 56 extends from the upstream end of the second wall 54 to the back side of the structure 28. The second outer wall 56 intersects the back wall surface of the second wall 54 at an intersection angle γ2 so as to be an acute angle. The upper ends of the first wall 53, the second wall 54, the regulating body 51, the first outer wall 55, and the second outer wall 56 are coupled to each other by a single plate piece 57.

  An auxiliary restricting portion 58 is formed at the upstream end of the second wall 54. As shown in FIG. 5, the auxiliary restricting portion 58 is disposed on the movement path of the second stopper surface 47. The auxiliary restricting portion 58 comes into contact with the second stopper surface 47 when the auxiliary air outlet 42 is moved downward through the rotation of the auxiliary housing 35. In this way, the auxiliary restricting portion 58 restricts the rotation of the auxiliary housing 35 located in the course of the second stopper surface 47 when the auxiliary air outlet 42 is moved downward through the rotation of the auxiliary housing 35. The auxiliary housing 35 can be positioned at the lower blow 60 degree position in accordance with the rotation restriction. At the lower blow 60 degree position, the auxiliary blow-out opening 42 rotates 60 degrees downward about the horizontal axis 36.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the structure 28 includes main housings 61a and 61b, a first side panel 62a, and a second side panel 62b. The air outlet 31 is formed in the main housing 61a. The first side panel 62a and the second side panel 62b are attached to the main housing 61a on both sides of the air outlet 31. The first side panel 62 a and the second side panel 62 b constitute an outer shell of the structure 28. The first side panel 62 a and the second side panel 62 b each have a wall body 52. Each wall body 52 extends parallel to each other. The outer wall surface 52 a of the wall body 52 corresponds to the outer wall surface of the structure 28. Here, the outer wall surface 52 a may be orthogonal to the horizontal axis 36. Thus, the outer wall surfaces 52a spread in parallel to each other. The wall body 52 is fixed to the air outlet 31 on both sides of the air outlet 31. The auxiliary structures 44 are integrated with the first side panel 62a and the second side panel 62b, respectively. In the present embodiment, the first side panel 62a and the auxiliary structure 44 are formed of one member, but may be formed of separate members. Such a member can be formed based on integral molding from a hard resin material. Similarly, the second side panel 62b and the auxiliary structure 44 can constitute one member.

  Screws 64 are used to attach the first side panel 62a and the second side panel 62b to the structure 28. The screw 64 passes through the first side panel 62a and the second side panel 62b and is screwed into the main housing 61a. When the screw 64 is screwed, the axis of the screw 64 is parallel to the horizontal axis 36 and perpendicular to the floor surface during installation, and is orthogonal to the virtual plane 65 located on the front side of the first side panel 62a and the second side panel 62b. To do. Here, the virtual plane 65 extends parallel to the horizontal axis 36. Moreover, the virtual plane 65 faces the front of the structure 28. A screw boss portion 66 is defined in the main housing 61 so that the screw hole faces the virtual plane 65. The first side panel 62a and the second side panel 62b are provided with screw insertion pieces 67 that are overlapped with the screw boss portions 66, respectively. The screw 64 passes through the screw insertion piece 67 and is screwed into the screw boss portion 66.

  As shown in FIG. 7, each fan unit 26 includes an auxiliary housing 35 and a mounting plate 68. The auxiliary housing 35 is coupled to the mounting plate 68. The external appearance of the fan unit 26 is constituted by the mounting plate 68 and the auxiliary housing 35. Inside the auxiliary housing 35, an air passage unit 83 and a centrifugal fan 81 are provided. The mounting plate 68 is overlaid on the outer wall surface 52 a of the wall body 52. The mounting plate 68 is screwed to the wall body 52. The screw 69 passes through the wall body 52 from the inner wall surface (the back side of the outer wall surface) of the wall body 52 and is screwed into the mounting plate 68. Each screw 69 can have an axis parallel to the horizontal axis 36. Thus, the fan unit 26 is fixed to the first side panel 62a and the second side panel 62b, respectively.

  The fan unit 26 includes a drive source, that is, a motor 71. The motor 71 is fixed to the outer wall surface 52 a of the wall body 52 on both sides of the air outlet 31 via the mounting plate 68. The motor 71 can be constituted by, for example, an electric motor. The motor 71 includes a motor housing 72 that houses a stator and a rotor. A drive shaft 73 projects from the motor housing 72. The drive shaft 73 is connected to the rotor. The drive shaft 73 can rotate around the axis based on the interaction of magnetic forces generated between the stator and the rotor. The axis of the drive shaft 73 intersects the outer wall surface 52 a of the wall body 52. Here, the axis of the drive shaft 73 is orthogonal to the outer wall surface 52 a of the wall body 52. The axis of the drive shaft 73 can overlap the horizontal axis 36.

  The fan unit 26 includes a control board 74. The control board 74 is disposed between the outer wall surface 52 a of the wall body 52 and the motor housing 72. The motor housing 72 is supported on the control board 74. A control circuit is constructed on the control board 74. The control circuit controls the rotation of the rotor of the motor 71. A female connector 75 is mounted on the control board 74. A corresponding male connector can be coupled to the female connector 75. A wiring 77 can be connected to the male connector. A control signal can be supplied from the wiring 77 to the control circuit.

  The fan unit 26 includes a sheet metal member 78. The sheet metal member 78 is disposed between the outer wall surface 52 a of the wall body 52 and the control board 74. The control board 74 is supported by the sheet metal member 78. The sheet metal member 78 is fixed to the attachment plate 68. The sheet metal member 78 can be formed from a single sheet metal. The sheet metal can be formed from stainless steel, for example. The sheet metal member 78 is larger than the contour of the control board 74 and extends along the plate surface of the control board 74. The sheet metal member 78 connects the control board 74 to the wall body 52.

  The fan unit 26 includes a protection member 79. The protective member 79 is formed from a flame retardant resin material. The protective member 79 is attached to the air duct unit 83. The protection member 79 can be formed in a so-called dome shape. The protection member 79 defines an accommodation space in cooperation with the sheet metal member 78. The housing space accommodates the motor housing 72, the control board 74, and the female connector 75. The drive shaft 73 of the motor 71 passes through the protection member 79 and protrudes outside the accommodation space. A second blower fan, that is, a centrifugal fan 81 is attached to the drive shaft 73 of the motor 71 outside the protective member 79. As the centrifugal fan 81, for example, a sirocco fan can be used. The centrifugal fan 81 rotates around the axis of the drive shaft 73.

  The fan unit 26 includes a plurality of rollers 82. Here, the rollers 82 are arranged at equal intervals around the horizontal axis 36 at intervals of a central angle of 60 degrees. The roller 82 has a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body is rotatably supported by the protection member 79. The axis of the cylinder extends parallel to the horizontal axis 36. The roller 82 can rotate around the axis of the cylinder. The cylindrical body can be formed of a resin material such as POM (polyacetal resin). The cylindrical body is inscribed in a virtual cylindrical surface coaxial with the horizontal axis 36. The support shaft of the roller 82 can be sandwiched between the protective member 79 and the mounting plate 68, for example.

  The fan unit 26 includes an air passage unit 83. The air duct unit 83 includes a first member 83a and a second member 83b. A housing space for the centrifugal fan 81 is defined by the air passage unit 83 and the protection member 79. Thus, the centrifugal fan 81 is accommodated in the air duct unit 83. The first member 83 a surrounds the centrifugal fan 81. The air passage unit 83 forms an opening 84 that communicates with the auxiliary suction port 37 and an air passage 85 that extends from the lower side of the centrifugal fan 81 to the auxiliary air outlet 42. When the centrifugal fan 81 rotates, room air is taken from the opening 84 along the rotation axis of the centrifugal fan 81. The centrifugal fan 81 pushes room air in the centrifugal direction over the entire circumference. The indoor air thus pushed out is blown out from the auxiliary air outlet 42 through the air passage 85.

  The air passage 85 is provided such that a range below the rotation axis of the centrifugal fan 81 at the auxiliary air outlet 42 opens larger than the upper side. By opening the auxiliary air outlet 42 on the side close to the air outlet 31 of the fan unit 26, the auxiliary air outlet 42 is not greatly separated from the air outlet 31 even when the fan unit 26 is rotated about the horizontal axis 36. It has become.

  The air duct unit 83 is connected to the protection member 79. A cylindrical portion 86 is formed on the first member 83 a of the air duct unit 83. The cylindrical portion 86 forms a cylindrical surface 86a coaxial with the horizontal axis 36 on the inner surface. A plurality of rollers 82 provided on the outer peripheral side of the protection member 79 are inscribed in the cylindrical surface 86a. As a result, the cylindrical portion 86 can be mounted on the roller 82 group. Thus, the air duct unit 83 is connected to the protective member 79 so as to be rotatable around the horizontal axis 36 through the rollers 82.

  The auxiliary casing 35 includes a first decorative casing 87a and a second decorative casing 87b. The first decorative casing 87a and the second decorative casing 87b are connected so as to cover the air duct unit 83. The opening 84 of the air duct unit 83 overlaps the auxiliary suction port 37 of the auxiliary housing 35. The air passage 85 of the air passage unit 83 is connected to the auxiliary air outlet 42 of the auxiliary housing 35. Thus, the centrifugal fan 81 and the motor 71 are accommodated in the auxiliary housing 35. A motor 71, a protection member 79, and a centrifugal fan 81 are attached to the attachment plate 68, and the air passage unit 83 is held with respect to the protection member 79 so as to be rotatable around the horizontal axis 36.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a rack 88 is formed on the cylindrical portion 86 of the air passage unit 83. The rack 88 is disposed on the cylindrical surface 86 a at a position displaced from the roller 82 in the direction along the horizontal axis 36 and extends concentrically with the horizontal axis 36. A drive gear 89 meshes with the rack 88. The rotational axis of the drive gear 89 is set parallel to the horizontal axis 36. The cylindrical portion 86 can rotate with respect to the protection member 79 around the horizontal axis 36 in accordance with the rotation of the drive gear 89. That is, the air duct unit 83 can rotate.

  A drive source, that is, a drive motor 91 is attached to the attachment plate 68. The drive shaft of the drive motor 91 is connected to the drive gear 89. The axis of the drive shaft overlaps with the rotation shaft of the drive gear 89. Thus, the rotation of the drive gear 89 is caused based on the power of the drive motor 91. The drive motor 91 generates a driving force that causes the auxiliary housing 35 to rotate.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the fan unit 26 includes a drive unit 92 for the wind direction plate 43. The wind direction plate 43 can change its posture around a tangent line (rotating axis 95) in a virtual plane orthogonal to the horizontal axis line 36 and in contact with a virtual circle concentric with the horizontal axis line 36. The drive unit 92 is accommodated in the auxiliary housing 35 and is fixed to the air passage unit 83 on the upper side of the air passage 85. The drive unit 92 includes a link member 93. The link member 93 is connected to the upper end of the wind direction plate 43 via an eccentric shaft 96. A link case 94 is fixed to the air duct unit 83 for connection. The link case 94 holds the upper end of the wind direction plate 43 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis 95 of the wind direction plate 43. An eccentric shaft 96 that is eccentric from the rotation shaft 95 of the wind direction plate 43 and extends parallel to the rotation shaft 95 of the wind direction plate 43 is connected to the upper end of the wind direction plate 43. A guide path 97 for the eccentric shaft 96 is formed in the link case 94. The guide path 97 of the eccentric shaft 96 guides the movement of the eccentric shaft 96 along an arc concentric with the rotation shaft 95 of the wind direction plate 43 when the wind direction plate 43 rotates.

  The drive unit 92 includes a drive source, that is, a drive motor 98. The drive motor 98 can be fixed to the air duct unit 83, for example. The drive motor 98 has a drive shaft 98 a that extends parallel to the rotation shaft 95 of the wind direction plate 43. The upper end of the drive shaft 98a is rotatably held by the link case 94. An eccentric shaft 101 that is eccentric from the axis 99 of the drive shaft 98a and extends parallel to the axis 99 of the drive shaft 98a is connected to the upper end of the drive shaft 98a. A guide path 102 for the eccentric shaft 101 is formed in the link case 94. The guide path 102 of the eccentric shaft 101 guides the movement of the eccentric shaft 101 along an arc concentric with the shaft center 99 of the drive shaft 98a.

  The link member 93 holds the eccentric shafts 96 and 101 rotatably. When the eccentric shaft 101 moves in the guide path 102 in accordance with the rotation of the drive motor 98, the movement of the eccentric shaft 101 causes the link member 93 to move. The link member 93 maintains its posture during the movement. The movement of the eccentric shaft 101 produces a movement of the eccentric shaft 96 along the same path. Thus, the attitude of the wind direction plate 43 can be changed synchronously. The drive unit 92 generates a driving force that causes a change in the attitude of the wind direction plate 43.

  A shielding plate 103 is disposed in the auxiliary outlet 42 behind the wind direction plate 43. The shielding plate 103 extends upward from the outer edge 104 at the outflow end of the air passage 85 in the direction of gravity. The shielding plate 103 closes other than the outflow end of the air passage 85 in the auxiliary air outlet 42.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the first blower fan 27 is rotatably supported by the main housing 28. For example, a cross flow fan can be used as the first blower fan 27. The first blower fan 27 can rotate around a rotation axis 105 parallel to the horizontal axis 36. The rotation shaft 105 of the first blower fan 27 extends in the horizontal direction when installed. Thus, the first blower fan 27 is arranged in parallel with the outlet 31. The indoor heat exchanger 14 is disposed around the first blower fan 27.

  A drive source 106 is fixed to the main housing 28. For example, an electric motor can be used as the drive source 106. The drive shaft of the drive source 106 rotates about its axis. The drive shaft may be disposed coaxially with the rotation shaft 105 of the first blower fan 27. The drive shaft of the drive source 106 can be coupled to the rotation shaft of the first blower fan 27. Thus, the driving force of the driving source 106 is transmitted to the first blower fan 27. The drive source 106 drives the first blower fan 27. The airflow passes through the indoor heat exchanger 14 according to the rotation of the first blower fan 27. As a result, a cold or warm air stream is generated. Cold air or warm air is blown out from the air outlet 31.

  Next, the operation of the air conditioner 11 will be described. For example, when the cooling operation is set, the four-way valve 18 connects the second port 18b and the third port 18c to each other and connects the first port 18a and the fourth port 18d to each other. The refrigerant circulates in the refrigeration circuit 19 according to the operation of the compressor 15. As a result, cold air is generated in the indoor heat exchanger 14. The temperature of the cold air is at least lower than the temperature of the room air. The operation of the compressor 15 is controlled according to the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor. In addition, the compressor 15 may be stopped when, for example, the presence sensor is detected over a predetermined period by a human sensor.

  When the first blower fan 27 rotates, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, a cold airflow 107 blows out from the outlet 31. At this time, the postures of the vertical wind direction plates 32a and 32b are appropriately controlled. The blowing of the airflow 107 can be controlled according to the direction of the up and down wind direction plates 32a and 32b. Here, the vertical airflow direction plates 32 a and 32 b are made substantially parallel to the floor surface so that the cold airflow 107 is blown out from the air outlet 31 in the horizontal direction.

  When the second blower fan 81 rotates, indoor air is sucked into the space inside the auxiliary housing 35 from the auxiliary suction port 37 in the fan unit 26. The temperature of room air is equal to room temperature. The airflow of the sucked room air is blown out from the auxiliary air outlet 42 of the fan unit 26. At this time, the posture of the auxiliary housing 35 is appropriately controlled around the horizontal axis 36. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the posture of the auxiliary housing 35 can change from a horizontal posture to a front lowering. The auxiliary housing 35 can guide the airflow 108 from the auxiliary air outlet 42 downward from the horizontal direction. The air flow 108 of the room air blows downward from the auxiliary air outlet 42.

  Generally, the indoor unit 12 is installed at a relatively high position indoors. If the cold airflow 107 is guided in the horizontal direction, the cold air descends from a high position toward the floor surface. Cold air gradually accumulates indoors. At this time, the fan unit 26 can direct the air flow 108 of room air directly to the occupant M. The fan unit 26 can function as a substitute for a so-called fan during cooling operation. Mixing of cold air can be prevented in the airflow 108 of the room air, and as a result, the occupant M can obtain a pleasant cool feeling. The occupant M can obtain a cool feeling based on the heat of vaporization generated by the air flow 108 in addition to the cool feeling based on the temperature drop in the room.

  For example, when the heating operation is set, the four-way valve 18 connects the second port 18b and the fourth port 18d to each other and connects the first port 18a and the third port 18c to each other. The refrigerant circulates in the refrigeration circuit 19 according to the operation of the compressor 15. As a result, warm air is generated in the indoor heat exchanger 14. The temperature of the warm air is at least higher than the temperature of the room air. The operation of the compressor 15 is controlled according to the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor. For example, when the presence sensor is detected over a predetermined period by the human sensor, the compressor 15 may be stopped.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the heating operation, the warm air flow 107 blows out from the outlet 31 in accordance with the rotation of the first blower fan 27. At this time, the postures of the vertical wind direction plates 32a and 32b can be established downward. The up-and-down wind direction plates 32a and 32b guide the blowing of the airflow 107 from the outlet 31 toward the floor surface downward. The warm air flow 107 is blown downward from the air outlet 31.

  Here, the posture of the auxiliary housing 35 is held in a horizontal posture. The auxiliary housing 35 guides the airflow 108 from the auxiliary air outlet 42 in the horizontal direction. The air flow 108 of the room air blows out from the auxiliary outlet 42 in the horizontal direction. For example, the blowout of the fan unit 26 in the horizontal direction can be maintained until the room temperature reaches a specific temperature lower than the set temperature. Room temperature can be detected with a room temperature sensor.

  If the warm air flow 107 is guided downward, the warm air can be blown out toward the floor surface. When the indoor temperature is low, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, the warm air tends to rise immediately from the floor surface toward the ceiling. At this time, the fan unit 26 can generate an air flow in the room while involving the rising warm air. The warm air can descend again toward the floor along the air flow. In this way, sufficient warm air is sent below the room. Even if the whole room does not warm up, a heating effect can be obtained.

  In such an air conditioner 11, a cold or warm air flow 107 is blown out from the outlet 31 of the main unit 25. An air flow 108 of room air is blown out from the auxiliary air outlet 42 of the fan unit 26. The airflow 108 of room air can control the direction and movement of the airflow 107 of cold air or warm air. Cold air or warm air can be sent to a desired place indoors. Thus, the indoor temperature environment can be adjusted efficiently. At this time, the auxiliary air outlet 42 of the fan unit 26 can move relative to the airflow blown from the air outlet 31 of the main unit 25. Accordingly, the air flow 108 of the room air can be set in a desired direction. According to such setting of the direction, the direction and movement of the cold air or warm air flow 107 can be accurately controlled.

  For example, when the indoor unit 12 is manufactured, the auxiliary housing 35 and the first side panel 62a or the second side panel 62b can be assembled together to form a first auxiliary air outlet unit or a second auxiliary air outlet unit. In the production line, the first auxiliary air outlet unit and the second auxiliary air outlet unit are individually attached to the main casings 61a and 61b. As a result, the assembly work of the production line can be simplified as compared with the case where the movable part such as the auxiliary housing 35 is directly attached to the main unit. Production efficiency is improved. As is apparent from the use of the screws 69, when the auxiliary housing 35 is directly attached to the main housings 61a and 61b, the screws 69 are screwed in parallel to the horizontal axis 36 from the inside of the main housings 61a and 61b. . Therefore, the orientation of the main housings 61a and 61b must be changed for each outer wall surface 52a in the assembly operation of the production line.

  For example, when the wind speed of the airflow 108 at the auxiliary outlet 42 is larger than the wind speed of the airflow 107 at the outlet 31, the airflow 108 with a higher wind speed can control the airflow 107 with a smaller wind speed. The indoor air flow 108 can control the direction and movement of the cold air flow 107. The cool air can be sent to the desired location indoors. For example, when the horizontal posture of the auxiliary casing 35 is established during the cooling operation, the airflow 108 at the auxiliary outlet 42 can be gently blown down toward the floor surface along the ceiling and walls together with the cold airflow 107. In the room, a gentle air flow can be generated along the floor surface. The occupant M can obtain a comfortable cool feeling that is not unnatural according to the breeze of the convection.

  The first side panel 62a and the second side panel 62b can be attached to the main housings 61a and 61b with screws 64, respectively. The screw 64 can be screwed from the same direction in the first side panel 62a and the second side panel 62b. As a result, in the production line, the orientation of the main casings 61a and 61b is kept constant for screwing. It is not necessary to change the orientation of the main casings 61a and 61b each time when screwing. Thus, the production efficiency is improved. In general, even after the air conditioner is installed indoors, the air conditioner may be disassembled by repair or the like. In this application, since the virtual plane 65 extends in parallel with the rotation axis of the first blower fan 27, the disassembly work can be performed from the front of the indoor unit. Therefore, workability is improved.

  12 air conditioner (indoor unit), 14 heat exchanger (indoor heat exchanger), 27 first blower fan or cross flow fan, 31 outlet, 35 auxiliary housing, 36 horizontal axis (horizontal axis), 42 auxiliary blower Exit, 52 wall body, 52a outer wall surface, 61a main housing, 61b main housing, 62a first side panel, 62b second side panel, 64 screws, 65 virtual plane, 71 second drive source (motor), 81 first 2 blower fans (centrifugal fans), 106 first drive source (drive source).

Claims (3)

A main housing that forms a blowout port that extends in a horizontal direction during installation and blows out an airflow of cold air or warm air generated by a heat exchanger;
A first side panel and a second side panel which are attached to the main housing on both sides of the air outlet and have wall bodies fixed to both sides of the air outlet;
An air conditioner comprising: an auxiliary housing that is movably attached to the wall on both sides of the air outlet and forms an auxiliary air outlet that blows out the taken room air.   2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the first side panel or the second side panel passes through an axis that is orthogonal to a virtual plane that connects the first side panel and the second side panel to each other. An air conditioner further comprising a screw screwed into the main housing. 3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the virtual plane extends in parallel to a rotation axis of a cross flow fan incorporated in the main housing.

Images