JP6610888B2 - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

  The main body of the air conditioner houses a heat exchanger and other components. In the configuration of the main body, the front member defining the attachment / detachment port of the filter and the side member forming the side surface of the main body can be formed as separate members. According to such a separate member, the main body can be completed if one of the members is exchanged according to the size and shape of the heat exchanger, and a reduction in mold cost can be realized. The side surface of the main body is covered with a side panel as a decorative material.

JP 2006-71223 A

  When the shrinkage of the front member after molding increases, the side surface of the front member is displaced along the mating surface. The outer surface of the side body is retracted inward from the side surface of the side member. Therefore, a gap is generated between the outer surface of the side body and the side panel. When the side panel is warped or twisted, the side panel bends inward until it is supported by the side body. Such bending reduces the design of the side panel.

  An object of this invention is to provide the air conditioner which can ensure favorable design property in the structure of a main body.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, the air conditioner includes a front member disposed on the front surface of the main body and a side member disposed on a side surface of the main body that is connected to a mating surface on the rear end side of the front member. In the machine, the front member extends from the front end to the rear end mating surface, and continuously extends in the vertical direction from the upper surface body serving as the upper edge, and one end side of the upper surface body, and forward of the mating surface. The side member includes a shielding plate extending forward from the mating surface and defines a body side surface connected to the outer side surface of the side body, and the side member includes the side body. An air conditioner to which a side panel that covers the main body side surface of the side member including the outer surface and the shielding plate is connected is provided.

  Since the side surface of the air conditioner is covered with the side panel, the design of the side surface is ensured. When the front member contracts, the side surface of the front member is displaced along the mating surface. The outer surface of the side body is retracted inward from the side surface of the side member. Therefore, a gap is generated between the outer surface of the side body and the side panel. At this time, even when the front member contracts, the side panel can be supported without being displaced, so that even if an external force is applied to the side panel from the outside, the side panel is prevented from being bent. Even if the main body is constituted by a combination of the front member and the side member, good design properties can be ensured. In the air conditioner, a part of the front side of the mating surface of the side body may be cut out, and the shielding plate may be arranged in the cutout.

  In the air conditioner, a glossy surface may be formed on the outer surface of the side panel. In particular, the glossy surface is visually noticeable in terms of light. Therefore, if the side panel suppresses bending as described above, good design properties can be ensured.

  The air conditioner includes a wall body that is formed on the side member and has a receiving surface that vertically rises outward from the outer surface of the side body, and is abutted against the back side of the side panel at the upper end. Also good. When the side panel is coupled to the side member, the back surface (inward surface) of the side panel is supported by the wall of the side member. Due to the shrinkage of the front member after molding, the side surface of the front member is displaced relative to the side member. Thus, variations in the dimensions of the front member are allowed. Even if the dimensions vary, the side panel is reliably prevented from bending.

  As described above, according to the disclosed apparatus, good designability is ensured in the configuration of the main body.

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 the main body of an indoor unit schematically. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of an indoor unit schematically. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of a main body roughly. FIG. 6 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the structure of a side panel schematically. It is a disassembled perspective view of a main body and a side member.

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

(1) Configuration of Air Conditioner 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 a 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 refrigerant pipe may be a copper pipe, for example.

  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 exchanges heat energy between the refrigerant passing therethrough and ambient air. The indoor heat exchanger 14 exchanges thermal energy 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 the airflow passing through is adjusted according to the rotational speed of the impeller.

  A blower fan 24 is incorporated in the indoor unit 12. The blower fan 24 ventilates the indoor heat exchanger 14. The blower fan 24 generates an air flow according to the rotation of the impeller. Indoor air is sucked into the indoor unit 12 by the action of the blower fan 24. The indoor air passes through the indoor heat exchanger 14 and exchanges heat with the refrigerant. Cold air or warm air generated by heat exchange is blown out of the indoor unit 12. The flow rate of the airflow passing through is adjusted according to the rotational speed of the impeller.

  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 blown out into the indoor space by the function of the blower fan 24.

  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 blown into the indoor space by the function of the blower fan 24. 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.

(2) Configuration of Indoor Unit FIG. 2 schematically shows the appearance of the indoor unit 12 according to an embodiment. An outer panel 27 covers the main body (housing) 26 of the indoor unit 12. An air outlet 28 is formed on the lower surface of the main body 26. The blower outlet 28 opens toward the room. The rear surface of the main body 26 can be fixed to a vertical surface (for example, an indoor wall surface). Cold air or warm air is generated in the indoor heat exchanger 14, and the air flow of cool air or warm air blows out from the outlet 28.

  A pair of front and rear wind direction plates 31a and 31b are arranged at the outlet 28. The up and down wind direction plates 31a and 31b can rotate about horizontal axes 32a and 32b parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main body, respectively. The vertical airflow direction plates 31a and 31b open and close the air outlet 28 according to the rotation. The direction of the airflow to be blown out is changed according to the angle of the up / down airflow direction plates 31a, 31b.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a suction port 33 is formed in the main body 26. The suction port 33 opens at the front and top surfaces of the main body 26. The outer panel 27 can be covered with the suction port 33 in front of the main body 26. Indoor air is taken into the main body 26 from the suction port 33 and supplied toward the indoor heat exchanger 14. Air filter assemblies (not shown) are respectively attached to the individual suction ports 33 in front of the main body 26.

  The air filter assembly may include an air filter and a dust box. The air filter is held in the dust box. The dust box is detachably attached to the main body. When the dust box is set on the main body, the air filter is arranged over the entire surface of the suction port.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the blower fan 24 is rotatably supported by the main body 26. For example, a cross flow fan is used as the blower fan 24. The blower fan 24 rotates around a rotation shaft 41 parallel to the horizontal axis lines 32a and 32b. The rotating shaft 41 of the blower fan 24 extends in the horizontal direction when the main body 26 is installed. The blower fan 24 is disposed in parallel with the air outlet 28. A driving force around the rotary shaft 41 is transmitted to the blower fan 24 from a driving source (not shown). The drive source is supported by the main body 26. The airflow passes through the indoor heat exchanger 14 according to the rotation of the blower fan 24. As a result, a cold or warm air stream is generated. Cold air or warm air is blown out from the air outlet 28.

  The indoor heat exchanger 14 includes a front side body 14a and a rear side body 14b. The front body 14 a faces the blower fan 24 from the front side of the blower fan 24. The rear body 14 b is opposed to the blower fan 24 from the rear side of the blower fan 24. The front body 14a and the rear body 14b are connected to each other at the upper end. The front side body 14a and the rear side body 14b have a refrigerant pipe 42a. That is, the refrigerant pipe 42a extends in parallel with the horizontal axes 32a and 32b, is folded at the left and right ends in the front view of the main body 26, extends again in parallel with the horizontal axes 32a and 32b, and is again folded at the left and right ends in the front view of the main body 26. These are repeated. The refrigerant pipe 42 a constitutes a part of the second circulation path 22. A plurality of heat radiation fins 42b are coupled to the refrigerant pipe 42a. The refrigerant pipes 42a and the radiation fins 42b can be formed from a metal material such as copper or aluminum. Heat exchange is realized between the refrigerant and the air through the refrigerant pipe 42a and the radiation fins 42b.

  The main body 26 includes a front member 57 that defines an attachment / detachment opening (a right attachment / detachment opening 56a and a left attachment / detachment opening 56b) of the air filter assembly. The front member 57 includes a main body 58 that extends in the horizontal direction and defines the lower edges of the attachment / detachment ports 56 a and 56 b and the upper edge of the air outlet 28. The main body 58 supports the air filter assembly. The main body 58 is formed with a right wall body 59, a central wall body 61, and a left wall body 62 that are integrated with the main body 58 and continue from the main body 58. The right wall body 59, the central wall body 61, and the left wall body 62 spread in the vertical direction in a posture orthogonal to the horizontal axis lines 32a and 32b. A right attachment / detachment opening 56 a is defined between the right wall body 59 and the central wall body 61. The left attachment / detachment port 56 b is defined between the central wall 61 and the left wall 62.

  The front member 57 extends in the horizontal direction from the front end to the mating surface 63 at the rear end, and continuously extends in the vertical direction from the upper surface body 64 serving as the upper edge of the attachment / detachment ports 56a and 56b, the main body 58 and the upper surface body 64, A right side body 65 that forms the right side surface of the main body 26, and a left side surface 66 that continuously extends from the main body 58 and the upper surface body 64 in the vertical direction and forms the left side surface of the main body 26. As shown in FIG. 5, the left side surface 66 is notched with a notch 67 that extends forward from the mating surface 63. It is desirable that the notch 67 be as close to the front end of the left side face 66 as possible. The side member 68 is disposed between the left side body 66 and the left wall body 62. The side member 68 is connected to the front member 57 at the mating surface 63. The front member 57 is coupled to the front end of the side member 68 so as to be separable from the side member 68 in accordance with the forward movement. For example, screws may be used for coupling. Here, let the surface which is not the indoor heat exchanger 14 side of the side member 68 be the main body side surface 26b. The main body side surface 26 b is connected to the outer side surface 66 a of the left side surface body 66 while closing the notch 67 with the shielding plate 71 spreading forward from the mating surface 63.

  The side member 68 spreads in parallel to the outer plate 72 while being arranged inside the outer plate 72 at a predetermined interval from the outer plate 72, extending in a posture orthogonal to the horizontal axes 32 a and 32 b, and between the outer plate 72. And an inner plate 74 that partitions the accommodation space 73. For example, an electrical component box is accommodated in the accommodation space 73. Thus, the electrical component box is supported on the side member 68. A window hole 75 that opens the electrical component box forward is defined in the front member 57. For example, a rear member (not shown) of the main body 26 is coupled to the rear end of the side member 68. The rear member supports, for example, the indoor heat exchanger 14. The main body 26 may be fixed to the indoor wall surface by a rear member.

  A side panel 76 is connected to the side member 68. The side panel 76 is formed from a resin material. The side panel 76 covers the main body side surface 26 b of the side member 68 including the outer side surface 66 a of the left side surface body 66 and the shielding plate 71. On the outer surface of the side panel 76, a glossy surface 77 is formed on the front side far from the installation surface (wall surface in the room), and a texture structure 78 is formed on the rear side close to the installation surface. The texture structure 78 draws a pattern. The texture structure 78 is formed deeper as it approaches the rear end. The depth may be specified by, for example, the level difference of the unevenness.

  The shielding plate 71 continues from the outer plate 72. A wall body 79 is formed at the front end of the shielding plate 71. The wall body 79 is abutted against the back side of the side panel 76 at the upper end. Ribs 81 are formed on the shielding plate 71. The rib 81 extends in the horizontal direction. The rib 81 is connected to the front end of the left side body 66 and the wall body 79. The rib 81 increases the strength of the shielding plate 71.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the wall body 79 is formed with a receiving surface 79 a that rises vertically from the outer surface 66 a of the left side surface body 66 toward the outside. The rear end of the left side surface 66 is abutted against the receiving surface 79a.

  As shown in FIG. 7, claws 83 a, 83 b, 83 c are formed on the inward surface of the side panel 76 on the back side of the specific area of the texture structure 78. The claws 83a, 83b, 83c may be continuous with the inward surface of the side panel 76 based on integral molding of the resin material. The claws 83a, 83b, and 83c are provided at intervals on the inward surface of the side panel 76. Here, openings 84 a, 84 b and 84 c are formed in the outer plate 72 of the side member 68 on the side surface 26 b of the main body 26. When the side panel 76 is attached to the side member 68, the side panel 76 is moved in the front-rear direction between the front position and the rear position with respect to the side member 68 in a state where the side panel 76 is superimposed on the main body side surface 26b of the side member 68. . The openings 84a, 84b, and 84c are formed at positions and sizes that allow the claws 83a, 83b, and 83c to enter when the front side panel 76 is superimposed on the side member 68. Each claw 83a, 83b, 83c is connected to the inward surface of the side panel 76 at the front end, and when the side panel 76 is displaced relative to the side member 68 and moved from the front position to the rear position, the claw 83a, 83b. 83c are engaged with the back side of the outer plate 72. The claws 83a, 83b, 83c may generate an elastic force that increases the contact pressure with respect to the outer plate 72 when engaged with the outer plate 72.

  Openings 85 a and 85 b are defined in the forward facing surface 68 a of the side member 68. Projections 86a and 86b are formed on the side panel 76 corresponding to the openings 85a and 85b. The projecting pieces 86 a and 86 b extend in parallel to the operation direction of the side panel 76. When the side panel 76 is superimposed on the side member 68 at the front position, the projecting pieces 86a and 86b are positioned with respect to the corresponding openings 85a and 85b and faced to the openings 85a and 85b at the tip. When the side panel 76 is moved from the front position to the rear position, the projecting pieces 86a and 86b are received in the openings 85a and 85b.

  A plate piece 87 is further formed on the side panel 76. The plate piece 87 extends along the vertical plane from the inward surface of the side panel 76 in parallel to the horizontal axes 32a and 32b. When the side panel 76 is positioned at the rear position, the plate piece 87 is overlaid on the front surface 57 a of the front member 57. A female screw is disposed on the forward facing surface 57a. A screw hole may be drilled in the forward facing surface 57a, and a nut may be fixed to the back side of the forward facing surface 57a. The screw passes through the plate piece 87 and is screwed into the female screw. In this way, the plate piece 87 is screwed to the front member 57.

(3) Operation of indoor unit When the blower fan 24 operates, air is sucked into the main body 26 from the suction port 33. In the main body 26, an airflow is generated from the suction port 33 toward the blowout port 28. The airflow passes through the air filter and passes through the indoor heat exchanger 14. During the cooling operation, the air is cooled by the indoor heat exchanger 14 and blown out from the outlet 28. During the heating operation, the air is warmed by the indoor heat exchanger 14 and blown out from the outlet 28. When the airflow passes through the air filter, dust larger than the mesh size of the mesh sheet cannot pass through the mesh. In this way, dust and the like are removed from the airflow flowing toward the indoor heat exchanger 14. A clean airflow flows into the indoor heat exchanger 14. Cool air or warm air of clean air is blown out from the air outlet 28.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the front member 57 and the side member 68 are joined when the main body 26 is assembled. The front member 57 and the side member 68 are made of, for example, resin materials that are individually injection-molded. At this time, when the shrinkage of the front member 57 after molding increases, the left side surface 66 of the front member 57 is displaced along the mating surface 63. The outer side surface 66 a of the left side body 66 is retracted inside the main body side surface 26 b of the side member 68. Accordingly, a gap is formed between the outer side surface 66 a of the left side surface body 66 and the side panel 76. At this time, since the shielding plate 71 can support the side panel 76 without being displaced, bending of the side panel 76 is prevented. Even if the thermal contraction of the front member 57 increases, good design properties can be ensured.

  On the outer surface of the side panel 76, a glossy surface 77 is formed on the front side, and a texture structure 78 is formed on the rear side. Thus, a shadow is formed in the front-rear direction on the outer surface of the side panel 76. The front and rear length of the side panel 76 is visually reduced by the action of the shadow. The feeling of pressure disappears. The air conditioner 11 can give a user a visually compact impression. In particular, the glossy surface 77 is visually conspicuous due to light conditions. Therefore, if the side panel 76 suppresses bending as described above, good design properties can be ensured.

  As described above, the texture structure 78 is formed deeper as the rear end is approached. Thus, shades of shade are formed on the outer surface of the side panel 76 in the front-rear direction. The reduction of the front-rear length of the side panel 76 can be further impressed by the user by the function of light and shade.

  When the side panel 76 is coupled to the side member 68, the back surface (inward surface) of the side panel 76 is supported by the wall body 79 of the side member 68. When the front member 57 contracts, the left side surface 66 of the front member 57 is displaced relative to the side member 68 accordingly. The displacement of the left side body 66 is allowed in the range (expansion) of the receiving surface 79a. In this way, variations in the dimensions of the front member 57 are allowed. Even if the dimensions vary, the bending of the side panel 76 is reliably avoided.

  If the claws 83a, 83b, 83c are formed on the inward surface of the side panel 76 during resin molding of the side panel 76, the outer surface of the side panel 76 may be contracted on the back side. The shrinkage creates a shallow depression on the outer surface of the side panel 76. At this time, the texture structure 78 on the outer surface causes irregular reflection of light, so that the observer cannot visually recognize the dent. Thus, the appearance of the air conditioner 11 can be maintained satisfactorily.

  When the projecting pieces 86 a and 86 b enter the openings 85 a and 85 b when attaching the side panel 76, the front end of the side panel 76 is connected to the side member 68. Warpage of the side panel 76 such that the front end of the side panel 76 moves away from the main body side surface 26b of the side member 68 can be prevented.

  When the plate piece 87 is coupled to the forward-facing surface 57a of the front member 57 with a screw, the movement of the side panel 76 is prevented. Therefore, the claws 83a, 83b, 83c can reliably maintain the engagement of the side member 68 with the outer plate 72. When the screw is removed, the movement of the side panel 76 with respect to the side member 68 is allowed, and the engagement between the claws 83a, 83b, 83c and the side member 68 can be released. In this way, the side panel 76 can be attached and detached.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Air conditioner, 26b ... Main body side surface, 56a ... Attachment / detachment opening (right attachment / detachment opening), 56b ... Attachment / detachment opening (left attachment / detachment opening), 57 ... Front member, 63 ... Matching surface, 64 ... Top surface body, 66 ... Left side body , 66a, outer surface, 67, notch, 68, side member, 71, shielding plate, 76, side panel, 77, gloss surface, 79, wall, 79a, receiving surface.

Claims (3)

In an air conditioner having a front member disposed on a front surface of a main body and a side member disposed on a side surface side of the main body and connected to a mating surface on the rear end side of the front member,
The front member extends from the front end to the mating surface at the rear end, and an upper surface body serving as an upper edge, and a side surface body that extends continuously from the one end side of the upper surface body in the vertical direction and extends forward from the mating surface. Have
The side member includes a shielding plate extending forward from the mating surface, and defines a side surface of the main body connected to the outer surface of the side body,
A side panel that covers the outer side surface of the side body and the side surface of the main body of the side member including the shielding plate is connected to the side member.   2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a part of the side body in front of the mating surface is cut out, and the shielding plate is arranged in the cutout.   3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner has a receiving surface that is formed on the side member and vertically rises outward from the outer surface of the side body, and is on the back side of the side panel at the upper end. An air conditioner comprising a wall to be abutted.

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