JP5840021B2 - Air conditioner indoor unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner, and more particularly to an indoor unit of a ceiling-embedded air conditioner.

A conventional indoor unit of an air conditioner such as a ceiling-embedded cassette type is equipped with a drain pan that stores condensed water generated from a heat exchanger and a drain pump that discharges condensed water to the outside. If the operation is continued for a period of time, sludge and slime consisting of dust and bacteria in the air will accumulate in the drain pan. If it does so, dirt will be clogged up in the inlet of a drain pump, a drain pump will fail, drainage from a drain pan will become impossible, and condensed water will overflow.
For this reason, it is necessary to periodically check whether sludge or slime has accumulated in the drain pan. If so, it is necessary to clean the inside of the drain pan and the drain pump.

Therefore, in order to save the trouble of removing the drain pan itself from the indoor unit body of the air conditioner when periodically checking the internal dirt condition, for example, a transparent or translucent “bulging portion” is formed on a part of the bottom of the drain pan. Is provided, and a drain drainage confirmation structure of an air conditioner that makes it possible to visually recognize changes in the water level in the drain pan from the indoor side is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Moreover, it replaces with the bulging part disclosed by patent document 1, and the indoor unit of the air conditioner which made the drain plug which plugs up the drain outlet of a drain pan transparent or translucent is disclosed (for example, refer patent document 2). .

JP-A-9-53837 (page 4-5, FIG. 4) Japanese Patent No. 4265800 (page 4-5, FIG. 3)

  The drain drainage confirmation structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a boundary line between the air layer portion and the water layer portion that is visually recognized when the water level of the drain is lowered and a part of the bulging portion appears on the water surface of the drain. Is to observe. Therefore, although the change in the amount of drainage (water level) can be known, there is a problem that the state of dirt inside the drain pan, in particular, the state of dirt around the drain pump cannot be checked.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 2 can save the labor of removing the drain pan from the indoor unit body of the air conditioner during periodic inspection of the drain pan, and is provided with a separate viewing window in the drain pan. Even if it is not, the excellent effect that the dirt inside the drain pan can be inspected can be obtained.
However, the drain pan of the indoor unit of the air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 2 closes the drain discharge port (hereinafter referred to as a “drain discharge port”) that drains natural water immediately below the drain pump. Since the “drain plug made of a transparent material” is provided, the upper surface of the drain plug is in contact with the condensed water stored, and the lower surface of the drain plug is exposed to room air. For this reason, due to the temperature difference between the inside and outside (upper and lower) of the drain plug, there is a problem that dew condensation occurs in the drain plug and visibility inside the drain pan is inferior.
In addition, since the drain plug has a multilayer structure (transparent resin + air layer + transparent resin) formed by hollow molding, there is a problem that visibility is inferior because it is viewed through the distance to the drain pump intake port and the two layers of transparent resin. there were.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an object thereof is to provide an indoor unit of an air conditioner that can improve the visibility inside the drain pan.

An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention includes an outer box that is a box that is open on one side, a panel that is detachably installed so as to cover the opened side of the outer box, and the outer box An air passage provided in the air passage serving as an air passage extending from an air inlet formed in the panel to an air outlet formed in the panel, and a blower and heat exchange provided in the air passage A drain pan that is disposed below the heat exchanger and receives drain water generated by the heat exchanger, and is disposed above the drain pan and discharges the drain water accumulated in the drain pan to the outside of the outer box. A drain pump, a drain outlet provided in the drain pan below the drain pump, a drain plug that closes the drain outlet and includes an inspection window made of a transparent material, and the inspection of the drain plug window Mounted in opposing positions, and a cover forming an air layer between the inspection window, wherein the drain plug is provided with a cylindrical portion, the sight glass is provided at the upper side of the tubular portion The lid can freely open and close the lower end side of the cylindrical portion, and when the lid closes the lower end side of the cylindrical portion, the air layer is formed, and the inspection window is formed of a hard transparent resin. A window plane part and a window cylinder part integrally formed around the window plane part, the cylinder part is provided so as to surround an outer periphery of the window cylinder part, and the lid is the cylinder The lid and the cylindrical portion are formed of a soft resin or synthetic rubber, and the lid is integrally formed around the lid main body and the lid main body. Around the formed plate-like lid flange part and the lid body part perpendicular to the lid flange part And when the lid closes the lower end side of the cylindrical portion, the lid main body portion is pushed into the cylindrical portion, and the outer periphery of the lid main body portion is the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion. The lid protrusion is pushed into the window cylinder, and the outer periphery of the lid protrusion is fitted into the inner circumference of the window cylinder .

  In the present invention, since an air layer is formed between the transparent inspection window of the drain plug and the lid, the condensation of the inspection window is suppressed, and the lid of the drain plug can be opened and closed. In the state, since the degree of contamination of the drain pump can be confirmed at a closer distance, the visibility at the time of inspection in the drain pan can be enhanced. Therefore, the inspection work can be performed easily and quickly.

The external appearance perspective view explaining the indoor unit of the ceiling embedding cassette type air conditioner concerning Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Sectional drawing which expands and shows a part of longitudinal section of the indoor unit shown in FIG. Sectional drawing which expands and shows a part of the indoor unit shown in FIG. Sectional drawing which decomposes | disassembles and shows the member of a part of indoor unit shown in FIG. 1 (drain-drain vicinity). The flowchart which shows the procedure of the inspection cleaning operation | work inside the drain pan of the indoor unit shown in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the Example of a part (drain plug) of the indoor unit shown in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the Example of a part (drain plug) of the indoor unit shown in FIG.

[Embodiment 1: Indoor unit of ceiling embedded cassette type air conditioner]
1 to 6 illustrate an indoor unit of a ceiling embedded cassette type air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view, and FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part (near the drain pan drainage port), and FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a part (near the drain pan drainage port). FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of inspection and cleaning work inside the drain pan, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are sectional views showing a part (drain plug) of the embodiment.
In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a part of the description is omitted. In addition, the indoor unit of the ceiling embedded cassette type air conditioner is described below, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other ceiling embedded type (duct type) or ceiling type (ceiling surface) And an indoor unit of an air conditioner that protrudes from the ceiling surface.

(Indoor unit of ceiling-embedded cassette type air conditioner)
In FIG. 1, an indoor unit (hereinafter referred to as “indoor unit”) 20 of a ceiling embedded cassette type air conditioner 20 includes an outer box 1 having one surface opened, and a decorative panel made of resin on one surface side of the outer box 1 opened. 14 is abutted and joined. There is a suction port 21 for sucking air near the center of the decorative panel 14, and blowout ports 22 for blowing air are formed at four places (four sides) around the suction port 21.
Corner panels 13, which are separate parts from the decorative panel 14, are arranged at the four corners (corner portions) of the decorative panel 14, and are attached to the decorative panel 14 by fitting (vertical and horizontal directions) and screws (not shown). It has been.

(overall structure)
In FIG. 2, the whole structure of the indoor unit 20 is demonstrated easily. The indoor unit 20 has a decorative panel 14 in contact with and joined to an outer box 1 (corresponding to an indoor unit main body having a lower surface opened) on which an insulating material 4 is provided on the inner surface. 9 is fixed to the top wall 30 through 9.
An indoor blower 2 that drives a fan 2b with a fan motor 2a is installed near the center of the inside of the outer box 1, and a heat exchanger 5 is disposed so as to surround the periphery. That is, an air passage 8 extending from the inlet 21 to the outlet 22 is formed in the outer box 1 by the indoor blower 2, and the heat exchanger 5 is disposed in the air passage 8.

(Drain pump)
A drain pan 7 that temporarily stores condensed water generated in the heat exchanger 5 is installed below the heat exchanger 5. The material of the drain pan 7 is, for example, styrene foam, and a skin layer 7a made of synthetic resin is provided on the surface.
A drain pump 6 is disposed above one corner of the drain pan 7. The drain pump 6 penetrates the heat insulating material 4 and is fixed to the heat insulating material 4 by a drain pump mounting bracket 6b. A drain hose 6 a for discharging condensed water to the outside is attached to the drain pump 6. And the drain hose 6a connected to the drain pump 6 is extended outside from the side wall 23 of the outer case 1 (refer FIG. 1).
The condensed water accumulated in the drain pan 7 is discharged out of the indoor unit 20 by the drain pump 6. Note that reference numerals “10, 11, 12” in FIG. 2 will be described in detail in FIGS.

(Configuration near the drain outlet)
3 and 4, the configuration near the drain outlet of the drain pan 7 will be described in detail.
The heat exchanger 5 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and the drain pan 7 is disposed below the heat exchanger 5, so that the drain pan 7 also has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view.
And the drain pump 6 is arrange | positioned just above the specific corner of the four corners of the drain pan 7, The drain discharge port 10a opened larger than the outer diameter of the intake port 6a of the drain pump 6 in the part directly under the drain pump 6 is provided. A drain socket 10 provided is insert-molded in the drain pan 7.
A drain plug 11 is detachably installed in the drain discharge port 10a. That is, the drain discharge port 10a is always blocked by the drain plug 11 except when maintenance such as a failure of the drain pump 6 or a cleaning operation of the drain pan 7 is necessary.

(drain plug)
The drain plug 11 is installed on the cylindrical portion 11d, the upper end side of the cylindrical portion 11d, the inspection window 11f that seals the upper end side of the cylindrical portion 11d, and the lower end side of the cylindrical portion 11d. And a lid 11e formed integrally with a part of the flange portion 11b via a hinge portion 11c.
The inspection window 11f is formed of a hard transparent resin, and the cylindrical portion 11d is formed of a soft resin or synthetic rubber so as to cover the outer periphery of the inspection window 11f.
A plurality of ring-shaped convex streaks 11a having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the drain discharge port 10a are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 11d of the drain plug 11, and the drain plug 11 (cylindrical portion 11d) is drained. When installed at the outlet 10a, the convex streaks 11a are elastically deformed and press-fitted and function as a “seal part”.

(lid)
The lid 11e is folded at the hinge portion 11c, and the drain plug 11 is attached to the drain socket 10 (drain discharge port 10a) with the lower end side of the cylindrical portion 11d closed.
At this time, since a sealed space is formed by the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 11d, the lower surface of the inspection window 11f, and the upper surface of the lid 11e, an air layer is formed between the inspection window 11f and the lid 11e. Is done. Due to the heat insulating effect of the air layer, the temperature difference between the upper surface and the lower surface of the inspection window 11f is alleviated, so that the occurrence of condensation on the inspection window 11f is suppressed.
In addition, since the lid 11e is integrally formed with the cylindrical portion 11d via the hinge portion 11c, water stop as a main function, inspection and heat insulation as a secondary function (the air layer exerts a heat insulation function). Since a plurality of functions can be integrated into one component, the cost can be reduced.
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said integral molding, The lid | cover 11e and the cylindrical part 11d (The inspection window 11f is integrally formed) are shape | molded separately, and the lid | cover 11e is made into the lower end of the cylindrical part 11d. When installed, the air layer may be formed.
The lid 11e is formed of a soft resin or synthetic rubber, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be formed of a hard transparent resin.

(Drain cap)
Further, for the purpose of preventing the drain plug 11 from coming off, a drain cap 12 is provided which is in contact with the bottom surface of the drain plug 11 and is installed (fastened) on the decorative panel 14.
The drain cap 12 is formed with a water receiving portion 12a having an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the drain outlet 10a of the drain socket 10 in the vicinity of the center of the drain socket 10 and holds the drain plug 11 so as not to come out of the water receiving portion 12a. .
The drain cap 12 has a hook leg 12d protruding in the outer peripheral direction at a part of the outer periphery of the water receiving portion 12a, and protrudes in the outer peripheral direction (a direction opposite to the hook leg 12d) at a position facing the hook leg 12d. A fixing portion 12f having a screw hole is formed. The hook leg 12d is hooked on a hook portion 14b formed on the decorative panel 14, and the fixing portion 12f is fixed to the boss portion 14a of the decorative panel 14 by a screw 17. Therefore, the drain cap 12 can be easily attached to the decorative panel 14 only with a screwdriver, and can be easily detached from the decorative panel 14 only with a screwdriver.

  A hose connection port 12e that protrudes downward is formed on the outer surface of the drain cap 12, and an outer periphery of the hose connection port 12e is provided with a “kabashi 12c” that protrudes in an annular shape. Therefore, when the drain pump 6 fails, the drain water can be discharged by connecting the hose to the hose connection port 12e, and at this time, the hose is difficult to be removed by the cache 12c.

(Inspection and cleaning work inside the drain pan)
If the drain pump 6 continues to operate for a certain period of time as described above, the water intake 6c of the drain pump 6 is clogged with sludge and slime composed of dust and bacteria in the air, and the drain pump 6 breaks down. Water overflows from the drain pan 7. For this reason, the inside of the drain pan 7 is inspected, and if it is determined that the cleaning is very dirty, the drain pan 7 is removed from the outer box 1 and the inside of the drain pan 7 and the drain pump 6 are periodically cleaned. There is a need to.

In FIG. 5, the operation procedure for checking the dirt inside the drain pan 7 will be described.
First, the corner panel 13 below the drain socket 10 (only one of the four) is removed from the decorative panel 14 (S1).
Next, the screw 17 and the hook 12d of the drain cap 12 are removed, and the drain cap 12 is removed from the decorative panel 14 (S2).
Then, since the drain plug 11 appears to be exposed, one end of the lid 11e that has blocked the lower end of the cylindrical portion 11d of the drain plug 11 is pulled down while pinching with a finger, and the lower end of the cylindrical portion 11d is opened (S3).
Then, the inside of the drain pan 7 can be visually recognized through the transparent inspection window 11f, and therefore, the dirt state of the inside of the drain pan 7 and the intake port 6c of the drain pump 6 is inspected (S4).
If it is determined that the cleaning work is extremely dirty and the cleaning work is necessary, the process shifts to the cleaning work, and if it is determined that the cleaning work is unnecessary, the process shifts to the end work (S5).

(Cleaning work)
When it is determined that the cleaning work is necessary, first, the drain plug 11 is removed from the drain socket 10 (S6).
Then, since the drain discharge port 10a is opened, the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 7 is discharged (S7).
Then, with the drain water removed, the drain pan 7 is removed from the outer box 1, and the dirt attached to the inside of the drain pan 7, the water inlet 6c of the drain pump 6 and the like is removed (S8).

(End work)
The drain pan 7 from which the attached dirt is removed is attached to the outer box 1 (S11).
Next, the drain plug 11 is installed (press-fitted) into the drain socket 10 (S12).
Therefore, the lower end of the cylindrical portion 11d of the drain plug 11 is closed with the lid 11e (S13).
The hook 12d of the drain cap 12 is hooked, the screw 17 is installed, and the drain cap 12 is attached to the decorative panel 14 (S14).
Finally, the removed corner panel 13 is attached to the decorative panel 14 (S15).

A drain plug in which the lower end of the cylindrical portion 11d is closed with the lid 11e in advance may be installed in the drain socket 10 (S13 may precede S12).
Further, when it is determined that the cleaning work is unnecessary, the steps S11 and S12 are unnecessary, so that the end work is disclosed from the step S13.

As described above, since the indoor unit 20 is configured, it is not necessary to remove the drain pan 7 when performing inspection work inside the drain pan 7, and the permeation window 11 f of the drain plug 11 passes through the drain pan 7. The inside and the intake port 6c of the drain pump 6 can be easily checked for dirt, clogging, operation check, and the like.
At this time, an air layer is formed between the inspection window 11f and the lid 11e at all times (time except during inspection), and the temperature difference between the upper surface and the lower surface of the inspection window 11f is alleviated. Therefore, the visibility inside the drain pan 7 that has passed through the inspection window 11f is improved.
Further, since the opening area (inner diameter) of the drain outlet 10 a is made larger than the area (outer diameter) of the intake port 6 c of the drain pump 6, a wider state inside the drain pan 7 can be inspected.
In addition, if the color of the blade | wing of the drain pump 6 is made into bright colors, such as white, rotation will become easy to confirm.

(Example 1 of drain plug)
In FIG. 6A, the drain plug 110 has an inspection window 11f having a window plane part 111f and a window cylinder part 112f integrally formed around the window plane part 111f, and the window cylinder part 112f. A cylindrical portion 11d is provided (insert-molded) so as to surround (grip) the outer periphery.
The lid 11e is integrally formed around the lid main body portion 111e and the lid main body portion 111e. The lid 11e is connected to the flange portion 11b at the hinge portion 11c so as to surround the plate-like lid flange portion 112e and the lid main body portion 111e. And a lid projection 113e that projects perpendicularly to the lid flange 112e.

In FIG. 6B, the drain plug 110 has a lid 11e folded at a hinge portion 11c, and the lower end side of the cylindrical portion 11d is closed.
That is, the flange portion 11b and the lid flange portion 112e abut, the lid main body portion 111e is pushed into (inserted into) the cylindrical portion 11d, and the outer periphery of the lid main body portion 111e is fitted into the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 11d. . Further, the lid protrusion 113e is pushed (inserted) into the window cylindrical portion 112f, and the outer periphery of the lid protrusion 113e is inserted into the inner periphery of the window cylindrical portion 112f.
In the hinge portion 11c, the flange portion 11b and the lid flange portion 112e may be separated, and the flange portion 11b and the lid flange portion 112e may be formed separately. The inspection window 11f is formed of a hard transparent resin, and the cylindrical portion 11d and the lid 11e are formed of a soft resin or synthetic rubber.

(Example 2 of drain plug)
In FIG. 7A, the drain plug 120 is obtained by replacing the lid body 111e of the lid 11e in the drain plug 110 with a lid body 111g formed of a hard transparent resin. Therefore, according to the drain plug 120, in the inspection work, the inside of the drain pan 7 can be inspected through both the transparent lid main body 111g and the inspection window 11f, and therefore the step of opening the lower end of the cylindrical portion 11d ( S3) becomes unnecessary. That is, the operation becomes easier and quicker.

(Example 3 of drain plug)
In FIG. 7B, the drain plug 130 corresponds to a structure in which the hinge portion 11c in the drain plug 120 is removed and the flange portion 11b and the lid flange portion 112e are integrated. That is, the cylindrical portion 11d is provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the transparent inspection window 11f and the transparent lid main body portion 111g.
Therefore, according to the drain plug 130, similarly to the drain plug 120, the step (S3) of opening the lower end of the cylindrical portion 11d becomes unnecessary. That is, the operation becomes easier and quicker.

  Further, the above shows that the drain cap 12 is formed of an opaque material, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be formed of a transparent material. Then, when the drain plug 120 or the drain plug 130 is installed, the inside of the drain pan 7 can be inspected through the transparent drain cap 12, the lid 11e, and the inspection window 11f in the inspection work. Both the step (S2) of removing the drain cap 12 from the panel 14 and the step (S3) of opening the lower end of the cylindrical portion 11d are unnecessary. That is, the operation becomes easier and quicker.

  1 outer box, 2 indoor fan, 2a fan motor, 2b fan, 3 fixing bolt, 4 heat insulating material, 5 heat exchanger, 6 drain pump, 6a drain hose, 6b drain pump mounting bracket, 6c water intake port, 7 drain pan, 7a Skin layer, 8 air passages, 9 mounting bracket, 10 drain socket, 10a drain outlet, 11 drain plug, 11a convexity, 11b flange, 11c hinge, 11d cylindrical, 11e lid, 11f inspection window, 11g transparent Lid, 12 Drain cap, 12a Water receiving part, 12c Cache, 12d Hook, 12e Hose connection port, 12f Fixing part, 13 Corner panel, 14 Cosmetic panel, 14a Boss part, 14b Hook part, 17 Screw, 20 Indoor unit, 21 Inlet, 22 Outlet, 23 Side wall, 30 Top wall, 110 Drain Plug (Example 1), 111e Lid main body part, 111f Window flat part, 111g Lid main body part, 112e Lid flange part, 112f Window cylindrical part, 113e Lid projection part, 120 Drain plug (Example 2), 130 Drain plug (Example 3).

Claims (2)

An outer box that is a box with one side open,
A panel that is detachably installed so as to block the opened surface of the outer box;
An air passage provided in the outer box and serving as an air passage from an air inlet formed in the panel to an air outlet formed in the panel;
A blowing means and a heat exchanger provided in the air passage;
A drain pan disposed below the heat exchanger and receiving drain water generated in the heat exchanger;
A drain pump disposed above the drain pan and for draining drain water accumulated in the drain pan to the outside of the outer box;
Below the drain pump, a drain outlet provided in the drain pan,
A drain plug that closes the drain outlet and has an inspection window made of a transparent material;
A lid that is mounted at a position facing the inspection window of the drain plug and forms an air layer with the inspection window;
Equipped with a,
The drain plug includes a cylindrical portion, the inspection window is provided on an upper end side of the cylindrical portion, and the lid is openable and closable on a lower end side of the cylindrical portion,
When the lid closes the lower end side of the cylindrical portion, the air layer is formed,
The inspection window is formed of a hard transparent resin, and has a window plane part and a window cylinder part integrally formed around the window plane part, and the cylinder shape so as to surround an outer periphery of the window cylinder part. Part is provided,
The lid is integrally formed on the lower end side of the cylindrical portion via a hinge portion,
The lid and the cylindrical portion are formed of a soft resin or synthetic rubber,
The lid includes a lid body portion, a plate-like lid flange portion integrally formed around the lid body portion, and a lid protrusion portion projecting perpendicularly to the lid flange portion around the lid body portion. ,
When the lid closes the lower end side of the cylindrical portion, the lid main body portion is pushed into the cylindrical portion, the outer periphery of the lid main body portion is fitted into the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion, and the lid protrusion portion Is pushed into the window cylindrical part, and the outer periphery of the lid protrusion is fitted into the inner periphery of the window cylindrical part . 2. The air conditioner room according to claim 1, wherein the drain outlet is formed in a drain socket insert-molded in the drain pan, and the drain plug is detachably installed in the drain socket. Machine.

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