JP4627011B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner having device attachment means for supporting a device (for example, an ion generator) that contributes to improving the characteristics of air blown by a blower and mounting the device facing the air flow path. In particular, the present invention relates to a mounting structure for rigidly mounting the above apparatus on a wall surface made of a soft material such as polystyrene foam.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an air conditioner that adjusts the indoor temperature by exchanging heat of the sucked indoor air using a heat exchanger or a heater, and sending the heat-exchanged air into the room. In recent years, this air conditioner has been equipped with various functions in addition to the function to adjust the room temperature. One of the functions is to install an ion generator on the air conditioner, There is a function to improve the characteristics of air blown into the room.
In many cases, the ion generator is attached to a blowing path for sending air from the blower into the room in order to mix ions into the air blown from the blower included in the air conditioner and efficiently send the ions into the room. .
For example, in an indoor unit 70 of an air conditioner including an ion generator 75, a drain pan 73, a heat exchanger 71, a blower 74, a front panel 76, wind direction adjusting plates 77a and 77b and the like shown in FIG. The ion generator 75 is attached to the drain pan 73 constituting the inner wall of the air passage 79 together with the attachment cover 78 (see Patent Document 1).
In an integrated air conditioner (not shown), a blower 80 in which a sirocco fan 82 is accommodated in a casing 83 is generally used as a blower as shown in FIG. 8, but in this case, as shown in the figure, A structure is employed in which the ion generator 81 is attached to a mounting seat 84 such as an L angle attached to the casing 83 in the vicinity of the air outlet 89.
JP 2004-53040 A

However, the conventional method of attaching the ion generator is to fix the ion generator itself or its mounting seat to the inner wall or casing of the air passage with screws or the like. When it is made of a soft material such as polystyrene foam, it is difficult to attach the ion generator because no thread is formed on the inner wall or casing. Even if the thread is formed, the thread formed of a soft material is fragile, so that sufficient strength in the direction in which the screw is removed cannot be secured, and the ion generator can be firmly attached. There is a problem that you can not.
In addition, in an integrated air conditioner, there is a problem that the mounting seat of the ion generator obstructs the air flow, resulting in turbulence of the air flow, air leakage, and the like, thereby reducing the blowing capacity.
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to improve the mounting structure of an apparatus such as an ion generator in order to solve the problems in the prior art. It is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner capable of rigidly attaching a device such as the ion generator to the air blowing path and suppressing a reduction in air blowing capacity due to a mounting seat or the like.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an apparatus mounting means for supporting an ion generator or oxygen enricher and mounting the ion generator or oxygen enricher in an air blowing path of air blown by a blower. The opening for incorporating the said ion generator or the said oxygen enricher is formed in the ventilation path wall which comprises the said ventilation path. Then, the device mounting means, the surface of the first wall when the first wall surface and the first abutment portion which abuts the blast roadside of the air flow passage wall is inserted into the formed Rutotomoni the opening and a cover formed substantially flush, the air flow passage and the air flow passage of the wall second contact portion comes into contact with the second wall of the opposite side is formed Rutotomoni the ion generator or the oxygen-enriched devices And a holder for accommodating a portion protruding from the second wall surface , the ion generator or the oxygen enricher in order to reduce protrusion to the air passage and to suppress a reduction in air blowing capacity. From both sides of the opening of the air passage wall such that the ion or oxygen release surface is substantially flush with the first wall surface and the ion generator or oxygen enricher protrudes from the second wall surface. The ion generator or the oxygen enricher with the cover and the holder Has a structure that is fixed to the air passage walls by sandwiching the air flow passage wall Utotomoni the first contact portion and the second contact portion. A screw hole in which a boss projecting from the first contact portion side toward the second contact portion side is formed in the cover, and the second contact portion side is opened in the boss. And a through hole corresponding to the screw hole of the boss is formed in the holder, and the screw is screwed into the screw hole of the cover through the through hole of the holder from the holder side. By doing so, the cover and the holder are joined.
Here, the ion generator emits plasma ions and negative ions into the air, and the oxygen enricher increases the oxygen content of the room air by releasing oxygen into the air. Is.
By comprising in this way, the said apparatus can be firmly fixed to the said air flow path wall, without engaging fastening members, such as a screw, directly to the said air flow path wall. In addition, since the apparatus mounting means having such a structure is employed, the mounting position of the apparatus is not limited. For example, the ion generator can be installed at a position where ions and oxygen can be blown into the room efficiently and stably. Or an oxygen enricher can be installed. Furthermore, since such a device mounting means does not protrude greatly toward the air passage as in the prior art, air flow obstruction by the device mounting means can be suppressed (prevented). Not only is it stiff, but it can also suppress a decrease in air blowing capacity.

Here, as a specific structure of the device mounting means, for example, the device mounting means, said first contact portion及 beauty the said second abutment portion first wall by screwing the screw Further, it is conceivable that the device mounting means is fixed to the air passage wall by being brought into pressure contact with the second wall surface. Such a device mounting means does not protrude greatly toward the air passage as in the prior art, so that inhibition of the air flow by the device mounting means can be suppressed (prevented), and the mounting of the device can be made rigid. In addition, it is possible to suppress a decrease in air blowing capacity.
Further, the device mounting means includes a groove portion formed by the first contact portion and the second contact portion by joining the cover and the holder, and an end of the air passage wall. When the groove is slid into the notch formed in the portion, the first contact portion and the second contact portion are pressed against the first wall surface and the second wall surface. Therefore, the apparatus mounting means may be configured to be fixed to the air passage wall. Even with such a device mounting means, it is possible to prevent obstruction of the air flow and to harden the mounting.

According to the present invention, the mounting means of the apparatus such as an ion generator, said from the respective inner wall surface opposite to the outer wall surface and the air flow passage of the air blowing roadside transmission that make up the air passage of the air Kazerokabe Since it has a structure that is fixed to the air passage wall by sandwiching the air passage wall, the device is attached to the air passage wall without directly engaging a fastening member such as a screw with the air passage wall. Can be fixed firmly. Moreover, since it does not protrude greatly toward the air blowing path as in the prior art, it is possible to suppress (prevent) the obstruction of the air flow by the device mounting means, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in the air blowing capacity.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the present invention can be understood. The following embodiment is an example embodying the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
First, the outline | summary of the air conditioner X which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the air conditioner X.
The air conditioner X is a so-called integrated air conditioner in which an indoor unit and an outdoor unit are integrally formed. The air conditioner X includes an indoor heat exchanger 1 that exchanges heat between refrigerant and room air, an outdoor heat exchanger 2 that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air, An indoor fan 42 (for example, a sirocco fan) is disposed by a base pan 3 that is disposed below the heat exchanger and receives condensed water condensed in the indoor heat exchanger 1 and the outdoor heat exchanger 2 and an indoor motor 41. ) Is driven to rotate, and the indoor air is sucked from the indoor heat exchanger 1 and blown out from the blower outlet 45 through the blower passage 44 into the room through the blower passage 44, and an intake port (not shown). An outdoor fan 6 that draws outdoor air into the space α and sends the air in the space α toward the outdoor heat exchanger 2, an outdoor motor 7 that drives the outdoor fan 6, and the outdoor use Air by fan 6 It comprises a dough bun 9 that rectifies the flow.

The indoor blower 4 is covered with a casing 43 that accommodates the indoor fan 42, and the indoor motor 41 and the indoor fan 42 mounted on the outside of the casing 43 support the casing 43. It is connected via a shaft. The casing 43 accommodates and supports the indoor fan 42 so as to be rotatable inside, and a blower passage 44 that is a flow path of air blown when the indoor fan 42 is rotationally driven, and an air outlet. 45 is formed.
An ion generator 5, which is an example of a device that contributes to improving the characteristics of the air blown into the room by the indoor fan 4, is attached to the inner wall of the air passage 44 near the air outlet 45. In general, the casing 43 insulates heat-exchanged air from the environment outside the casing 43, so that the inner wall of the air passage 44 (that is, the inner wall of the casing 43) or the casing 43 itself is made of a soft material such as polystyrene foam. It consists of a heat insulating material. Therefore, in the present air conditioner X, in order to firmly attach the ion generator 5 to the air blowing path 44, a characteristic attachment structure different from the conventional one is adopted. This mounting structure will be described later.

In the air conditioner X configured as described above, indoor air is sucked when the indoor fan 42 is rotationally driven. Further, the indoor air passes through the indoor heat exchanger 1 so that heat is exchanged with the refrigerant flowing inside the indoor heat exchanger 1 to be cooled or heated. The air is blown into the room through the air outlet 45. In addition, the ion discharged | emitted from the said ion generator 5 provided in the said ventilation path 44 is mixed in the air which blows off indoors. Thereby, the air containing ion is sent out indoors.
Further, the outdoor fan 6 is rotationally driven substantially simultaneously with the driving of the indoor fan 42, whereby outdoor air is sucked into the space α. The outdoor air sucked into the space α is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger 2, and passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 2 so as to flow with the refrigerant flowing inside the outdoor heat exchanger 2. Heat is exchanged between them and heated or cooled (as opposed to the indoor heat exchanger 1), and then blown out of the room.

Here, the first embodiment of the attachment method (attachment structure) of the ion generator 5 provided in the air passage 44 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. 2 is an exploded view for explaining an example of the mounting structure of the ion generator 5. FIG. 3 is a mounting sectional view showing a state where the ion generator 5 is mounted on the casing 43. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, an example in which the ion generator 5 is attached to the casing 43 of the indoor blower 4 constituted by a sirocco fan will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, an opening 47 for incorporating the ion generator 5 into the casing 43 is formed on the outer surface 46 near the air outlet 45 of the indoor blower 4.
First, a cover 52 that covers the ion emission surface 5 a of the ion generator 5 is inserted into the opening 47 from the inner wall side of the opening 47. Thereafter, the ion generator 5 is inserted from the outer wall side of the opening 47 so that the ion emission surface 5 a contacts the inner surface of the cover 52. Thereby, the cover 52 and the ion generator 5 are inserted into the opening 47.
In the present embodiment, when the cover 52 is inserted into the opening 47, the cover 52 and the opening 47 are arranged so that the surface of the cover 52 is substantially flush with the inner wall of the casing 43. Is formed. Therefore, the protrusion of the cover 52 to the air blowing path 44 can be suppressed as compared with the conventional example. In this case, the ion emission surface 5a that contacts the inner surface of the cover 52 is also substantially flush with the inner wall of the casing 43, so that the ions are sent to the air passage 44 better.

  Next, the holder 51 is inserted into the opening 47 so as to cover the ion generator 5 from the outer surface 46 side with respect to the ion generator 5 inserted into the opening 47. When the holder 51 is inserted into the opening 47, an engagement piece (not shown) formed in the holder 51 and the cover 52 is engaged with an engagement groove, and the holder 51 and the cover 52 are temporarily fixed. The Thereby, the screwing operation | work mentioned later can be performed easily. Here, the outer surface 46 and the inner surface opposite to the outer surface 46 correspond to a first wall surface and a second wall surface. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional structure in a state where the holder 51 and the cover 52 are attached to the opening 47 so as to cover the ion generator 5 as described above.

  Here, the holder 51 accommodates a portion protruding from the outer side surface 46 of the ion generator 5 and attaches the ion generator 5 to the casing 43, and the cover 52 includes: This is for protecting the ion emission surface 5 a and attaching the ion generator 5 to the casing 43. Unlike the casing 43 made of a soft material, the holder 51 and the cover 52 are made of a relatively hard material such as cured resin or metal. Note that the holder 51 and the cover 52 correspond to an example of an apparatus mounting means.

The holder 51 and the cover 52 are configured to be joined by being engaged with each other by a fastening member such as a screw 8 with the opening edge 47a of the opening 47 interposed between both members. . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a boss 521 having a screw hole 521a into which the screw 8 is screwed is formed in the cover 52, and the screw hole 521a is formed in the holder 51. A through hole 511 that penetrates the screw 8 is formed at a position corresponding to the position. Further, the holder 51 and the cover 52 are joined to the contact portions 512 and 522 (first contact portion, first contact portion) that contact the opening edge 47a of the opening 47 by joining the holder 51 and the cover 52, respectively. 2 is equivalent).
When the screw 51 is screwed into the boss 521 in a state where the holder 51 and the cover 52 having such a structure are temporarily fixed to the opening 47, the contact portion 512 and the above-mentioned screw 8 are screwed in as the screw 8 is screwed. The abutting portion 522 is strongly abutted (pressed) against the opening edge 47 a of the opening 47. That is, the opening edge 47 a of the opening 47 is strongly held between the contact portion 512 and the contact portion 522. As a result, the holder 51 and the cover 52 are fixed to the casing 43 in a state where the ion generator 5 is accommodated. Here, the boss 521, the screw 8, and the like that realize the pressure contact of the contact portions 512 and 522 to the opening edge 47a of the opening 47 correspond to an example of the pressure contact means.
In the present embodiment, the pressure contact means for fixing the contact portions 512 and 522 to the opening edge 47a by the screw 8 is illustrated. However, for example, a locking portion is provided on the holder 51 or the cover 52. An embodiment in which the holder 51 and the cover 52 are firmly engaged with each other by the locking portion in a state where the contact portions 512 and 522 firmly hold the opening edge 47a is also conceivable.

Thus, the opening edge 47a of the opening 47 is clamped from the outer surface 46 side of the casing 43 by the holder 51 and from the inner wall side opposite to the outer surface 46 by the cover 52. Accordingly, the opening edge 47a of the opening 47 and the contact surfaces 512 and 522 are in contact with each other, so that the ion generator 5 can be firmly attached to the casing 43. In addition, with such an attachment structure, there is no restriction on the attachment position of the ion generator 5, and therefore, for example, the ion generator 5 can be attached at a position where ions can be efficiently and stably blown into the room. It becomes possible. Further, by making the cover 52 substantially flush with the inner wall of the casing 43, the protrusion to the air blowing path 44 is reduced, so that the air blowing capacity can be improved as compared with the conventional case.
In the above-described embodiment, the indoor blower 4 configured to include a sirocco fan that is mainly used for an integrated air conditioner has been described as an example, but of course, it is mainly used for an indoor unit separated from an outdoor unit. The present invention can also be applied to a blower configured with a horizontally long crossflow fan.

Subsequently, a second embodiment of an attachment method (attachment structure) of the ion generator 5 provided in the air blowing path 44 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 is a schematic view showing a notch 48 to be described later formed in the casing 43, and FIG. 5 is an ion generator in which the ion generator 5 is accommodated in the holder 51 and the cover 52 which are joined to each other. FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the unit 60, and FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which the ion generator unit 60 is slid into the notch 48.
In the second embodiment, unlike the mounting method of the first embodiment, the holder 51 and the cover 52 are engaged by the screw 8 with the ion generator 5 housed in advance. The ion generator unit 60 shown in FIG. 5 is assembled. In the ion generator unit 60 assembled in this way, as shown in FIG. 5, a groove 61 (corresponding to a groove portion) is formed by the contact surfaces 512 and 522 that sandwich the wall surface of the casing 43.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a notch 48 having substantially the same size as the opening 47 is formed at the end of the outlet 45 of the casing 43, and a protruding piece 48a is formed at the edge of the notch bottom. deep.
The groove 61 of the ion generator unit 60 is fitted to the edge 48b of the notch 48 with respect to such a notch 48, and then, as shown in FIG. The ion generator unit 60 can be attached to the casing 43 by sliding the ion generator unit 60 in the direction of the arrow in the figure. At this time, when the ion generator unit 60 is inserted to the back of the notch 48, the protruding piece 48a enters the groove 61, so that the ion generator unit 60 is securely fixed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the ion generator unit 60 from coming off.
Instead of the protruding piece 48a, after the ion generator unit 60 is slid into the notch 48, the ion generating unit 60 is fixed from the outside of the notch 48 with a fixture made of a separate member. It may be.
Alternatively, in a state where the ion generator unit 60 is inserted into the notch 48, the notch 48 is formed by a casing of the air conditioner, a rib or a partition plate provided on the casing, or other components. The indoor blower 4 may be disposed at a position to be blocked. When arranged in such a position, an extra fixing member is not required, which can prevent an increase in the number of parts and an increase in cost.
Even in this mounting structure, the ion generator unit 60 is fixed to the casing 43 by the contact surfaces 512 and 522 forming the groove 61 and the edge of the notch 48 contacting each other. Therefore, a rigid mounting is realized. Moreover, since the protrusion of the ion generation unit 60 to the air blowing path 44 is reduced, the air blowing capacity is improved as compared with the conventional case. Furthermore, although the position is limited to the position where the notch 48 is formed, the restriction on the mounting position is relatively relaxed compared to the conventional example, so that the ion can be moved to a position where the ions can be blown efficiently and stably. The generation unit 60 can be appropriately attached.
Here, the ion generator unit 60 composed of the holder 51 and the cover 52 has been described as an example. However, it is necessary and sufficient to provide at least the groove 61 inserted into the notch 48. Yes, it does not necessarily have to be constituted by a plurality of members of the holder 51 and the cover 52. For example, a unit in which the ion generator 5 is mounted on an integrally formed mounting seat having the groove 61 (corresponding to an example of the mounting means) may be used.

The schematic block diagram of the air conditioner X which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The exploded view explaining an example of the attachment structure of the ion generator 5. FIG. The attachment sectional view showing the state where ion generator 5 was attached to casing 43. The schematic diagram which shows the notch 48 mentioned later formed in the casing 43. FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the ion generator unit 60. FIG. The figure which shows the state by which the said ion generator unit 60 is slid and inserted in the notch 48. FIG. The figure explaining the prior art example of the attachment structure of an ion generator in an indoor unit. The figure explaining the prior art example of the attachment structure of an ion generator in an integrated air conditioner.

Explanation of symbols

X ... Air conditioner 1 ... Indoor heat exchanger 2 ... Outdoor heat exchanger 3 ... Base pan 4 ... Indoor fan 5 ... Ion generator 6 ... Outdoor fan 7 ... Outdoor motor 8 ... Screw 9 ... Dough Fuban 41 ... Indoor motor 42 ... indoor fan 43 ... casing 44 ... air flow path (air flow path)
45 ... Outlet 46 ... Outer side 47 ... Opening 48 ... Notch 51 ... Holder (an example of apparatus mounting means)
52 .. Cover (an example of device mounting means)

Claims (3)

An air conditioner having device attachment means for supporting an ion generator or oxygen enricher and attaching the ion generator or oxygen enricher in an air blowing path of air blown by a blower,
An opening for incorporating the ion generator or the oxygen enricher is formed in the air passage wall constituting the air passage,
The device mounting means, a first wall surface and the first surface of the first when the abutment is inserted into the formed Rutotomoni the opening of the wall and substantially abutting the blower roadside of the air flow passage wall a cover to be flush, opposite side of the second wall and the contact portion of the second is formed that abuts Rutotomoni the ion generator or the oxygen enrichment device described above and the air flow passage of the air flow passage wall A holder for accommodating a portion projecting from the second wall surface , and the ion of the ion generator or the oxygen enricher in order to reduce the projecting to the air passage and suppress the reduction of the air blowing capacity. Alternatively, the cover is formed from both sides of the opening of the air passage wall so that the oxygen release surface is substantially flush with the first wall surface and the ion generator or the oxygen enricher protrudes from the second wall surface. And when the holder covers the ion generator or the oxygen enricher. It has a structure that is fixed to the air passage walls by sandwiching the air flow passage wall in said first contact portion and the second contact portion,
A boss that protrudes from the first contact portion side toward the second contact portion side is formed in the cover, and a screw hole in which the second contact portion side is opened is formed in the boss. And a through hole corresponding to the screw hole of the boss is formed in the holder.
An air conditioner characterized in that the cover and the holder are joined by screwing a screw into the screw hole of the cover through the through-hole of the holder from the holder side.   The device attachment means causes the first contact portion and the second contact portion to be brought into pressure contact with the first wall surface and the second wall surface by screwing the screw, so that the device attachment means is The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner is fixed to an air passage wall. The device mounting means includes a groove formed by the first contact portion and the second contact portion by joining the cover and the holder;
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the device mounting means is fixed to the air passage wall by slidingly inserting the groove into a notch formed at an end of the air passage wall.

Images