WO2005022043A1

WO2005022043A1 - Indoor unit of air conditioner and method of manufacturing the indoor unit

Info

Publication number: WO2005022043A1
Application number: PCT/JP2004/011826
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mikio Ito; Yasuyo Kawakami
Original assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
Priority date: 2003-09-01
Filing date: 2004-08-18
Publication date: 2005-03-10
Also published as: CN1842678A; AU2004269209B2; CN101865519A; EP1669683A4; KR20060038459A; CN101865519B; EP1669683A1; AU2004269209A1; US20060201184A1; JP3642064B2; KR100728459B1; AU2004269209B8; JP2005076994A

Abstract

An indoor unit (2) of an air conditioner (1) capable of eliminating a possibility that the aesthetic appearance of the front panel of the indoor unit (2) may be impaired by mounting parts (71), (72), (73), and (74) on a body (25a), comprising the body (25a), the front panel (26b), and a decorative panel (83). The front panel (26b) is opaque and formed integrally with the mounting part (74). The decorative panel (80) is opaque and installed on the front panel (26b). Also, a decorative layer (27b) is formed on the rear surface (262) of the decorative panel (26b). In addition, the decorative layer (27b) is at least colored.

Description

Specification

7ΞAir conditioner indoor unit and method of manufacturing the same

Technical field

The present invention relates to an indoor unit for an air conditioner and a method for manufacturing the same.

Background art

[0002] In recent years, the design of an indoor unit of an air conditioner has been improved by, for example, painting a front panel thereof. However, simply painting the front side of the front panel of the indoor unit, for example, may cause damage to the paint film during the installation of the indoor unit, which may impair its design. . Therefore, a technique has been devised in which the front panel is made transparent and painting is performed from behind (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-355175).

By the way, usually, the front panel is formed integrally with a mounting portion (for example, a female hinge) to the main body. However, if a transparent front panel is formed in this way and colored or patterned on the back surface and its mounting part, the visual effect between the front part facing the mounting part and the other flat part is obtained. Often there are differences. If the difference between the visual effects is too large, the design of the front panel as a whole may be impaired.

Disclosure of the invention

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to obviate the possibility that the design of a front panel of an indoor unit or the like is impaired by an attachment portion to a main body or the like.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the first invention includes a main body, a front panel, and a design panel. The front panel is opaque and is integrally formed with the mounting part. The attachment portion is for attaching the front panel to the front portion of the main body, and is, for example, a hinge (which allows the front panel to be opened and closed). The design panel is transparent and is attached to the front panel. In addition, the design panel is provided with a design layer on the back surface. The design layer has at least a color. Even if the design layer is further provided with a pattern, it does not work.

Here, the design panel power S is attached to the front panel. Also, the front panel is opaque as before. Therefore, the mounting portion is not visible from the front of the indoor unit. . Therefore, the possibility that the design of the front panel of the indoor unit or the like is impaired by the attachment portion to the main body can be eliminated.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the second invention is the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the first invention, and the design panel is attached to a front panel at an outer peripheral portion thereof. In this case, the design panel is attached to the main body by a method such as fitting, screwing, welding, fusing, bonding or sticking.

Here, the design panel force is attached to the front panel at its outer periphery. For this reason, at least the design of the main part of the design panel can be ensured.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the third invention includes a main body, a front panel, and a mounting portion. The front panel is transparent and is located at the front of the body. The front panel is provided with a design layer on the back surface. The design layer has at least a color. In addition, even if the design layer is further provided with a pattern, the power, the roundness, etc. The attachment portion is for attaching the front panel to the front portion of the main body, and is, for example, a hinge (which allows the front panel to be opened and closed). Then, a part of the mounting portion is mounted on the design layer. In this case, the mounting portion is mounted on the design layer by a method such as adhesion, welding, or adhesion.

Here, a design layer is provided on the back surface of the front panel. Then, a part of the mounting portion is mounted on the design layer. Therefore, the mounting part is not visible from the front of the indoor unit. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the design of the front panel of the indoor unit or the like may be impaired by the attachment portion to the main body.

The method for manufacturing an indoor unit for an air conditioner according to the fourth invention is a method for manufacturing an indoor unit for an air conditioner for manufacturing the indoor unit for an air conditioner according to the first invention, comprising the first step and the second step. Be prepared. In the first step, a design layer is formed on part or all of the back surface of the transparent design panel. In the second step, the design panel is attached to the main body such that the back side of the design panel and a part of the front part of the main body face each other.

Here, when an indoor unit of an air conditioner is manufactured according to this manufacturing method, in the first step, a design layer is formed on part or all of the rear surface of the transparent design panel. Then, in the second step, the design panel is set so that the back side of the design panel faces a part of the front portion of the main body. The panel is attached to the body. For this reason, the mounting part cannot be seen from the front of the indoor unit. Therefore, the possibility that the design of the front panel of the indoor unit or the like is impaired by the attachment portion to the main body can be eliminated.

The method for manufacturing an indoor unit for an air conditioner according to the fifth invention is a method for manufacturing an indoor unit for an air conditioner for manufacturing the indoor unit for an air conditioner according to the third invention, comprising the first step and the second step. Be prepared. In the first step, a design layer is formed on part or all of the back surface of the transparent front panel. In the second step, a part of the mounting portion is mounted on the design layer. Here, when the indoor unit of the air conditioner is manufactured according to this manufacturing method, in the first step, the design layer is formed on part or all of the rear surface of the transparent front panel. Then, in the second step, a part of the mounting portion is mounted on the design layer. Therefore, the mounting part is not visible from the front of the indoor unit. Therefore, the possibility that the design of the front panel of the indoor unit or the like is impaired by the attachment portion to the main body can be eliminated. Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is an overall view of an air conditioner.

FIG. 2 is a refrigerant system diagram of an air conditioner.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the indoor unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the configuration of an indoor unit casing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing an indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing process of the indoor unit casing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a method of manufacturing the front panel of the indoor unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a method of manufacturing a front panel of an indoor unit according to a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a front panel and a decorative panel of the indoor unit according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing process of the indoor unit casing according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a structure of a design panel and a front panel mounting portion according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a structure of a design panel and a front panel mounting portion according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a method of attaching a design panel according to a modification (1) of the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a method of attaching a design panel according to a modified example (2) of the second embodiment. _C FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a method of attaching a designed panel according to a modified example (3) of the second embodiment. Fig. _C Garden 16] A side sectional view of a decorative panel according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

[0005] 25a front grille (body)

26a, 26b Front panel (front panel)

27a, 27b

71, 74 Hinge (mounting part)

72 Mounting member (hinge + lower) (mounting part)

73 Lower hook (Mounting part)

80, 81, 83, 84 Ornament Nonore (Design Nonore)

261, 262 Coated part (back side)

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0006] First embodiment>

[Overall configuration of air conditioner]

FIG. 1 shows an appearance of an air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment.

The air conditioner 1 includes a wall-mounted indoor unit 2 attached to an indoor wall surface, and an outdoor unit 3 installed outdoors.

An indoor heat exchanger is housed in the indoor unit 2, and an outdoor heat exchanger is housed in the outdoor unit 3, and each heat exchanger is connected by a refrigerant pipe 4 to form a refrigerant circuit. ing.

[Outline of configuration of refrigerant circuit of air conditioner]

Fig. 2 shows the configuration of the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner 1. This refrigerant circuit mainly includes an indoor heat exchanger 20, an accumulator 31, a compressor 32, a four-way switching valve 33, an outdoor heat exchanger 30, and an electric expansion valve 34.

The indoor heat exchanger 20 provided in the indoor unit 2 exchanges heat with the contacting air. Further, the indoor unit 2 is provided with a cross flow fan 21 for sucking indoor air, passing the indoor air through the indoor heat exchanger 20, and discharging the air after the heat exchange to the indoor. The The loss flow fan 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and has blades provided on a peripheral surface thereof in a rotation axis direction, and generates an air flow in a direction intersecting with the rotation axis. The cross flow fan 21 is driven to rotate by an indoor fan motor 22 provided in the indoor unit 2. The detailed configuration of the indoor unit 2 will be described later.

The outdoor unit 3 is connected to a compressor 32, a four-way switching valve 33 connected to the discharge side of the compressor 32, an accumulator 31 connected to the suction side of the compressor 32, and a four-way switching valve 33. An outdoor heat exchanger 30 is provided, and an electric expansion valve 34 connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 30 is provided. The electric expansion valve 34 is connected to a pipe 41 via a filter 35 and a liquid shutoff valve 36, and is connected to one end of the indoor heat exchanger 20 via the pipe 41. The four-way switching valve 33 is connected to a pipe 42 via a gas shutoff valve 37, and is connected to the other end of the indoor heat exchanger 20 via the pipe 42. These pipes 41 and 42 correspond to the refrigerant pipe 4 in FIG. Further, the outdoor unit 3 is provided with a propeller fan 38 for discharging the air after the heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger 30 to the outside. The propeller fan 38 is driven to rotate by a fan motor 39.

[Configuration of indoor unit]

FIG. 3 shows a side cross-sectional view of the indoor unit 2.

The indoor unit 2 includes the above-described cross-flow fan 21, the indoor heat exchanger 20, and the like, and an indoor unit casing 23a that houses these.

The cross flow fan 21 is rotated around the central axis by the indoor fan motor 22 to generate an airflow that is taken in from the inlet 251, passes through the indoor heat exchanger 20, and blows out from the outlet 252 into the room. The cross flow fan 21 is located substantially at the center of the indoor unit 2 in a side view.

The indoor heat exchanger 20 is attached so as to surround the front, the upper part, and the rear upper part of the cross flow fan 21. The indoor heat exchanger 20 allows the air sucked from the suction port 251 by the driving of the cross flow fan 21 to pass to the cross flow fan 21 side, and causes heat exchange with the refrigerant passing through the inside of the heat transfer tube. The indoor heat exchanger 20 has a generally inverted V-shaped cross section when viewed from the side.

(Configuration of indoor unit casing 23a) The indoor unit casing 23a is mainly composed of a bottom frame 24, a front grill 25a, and a front / negative 26a.

The bottom frame 24 constitutes the back of the indoor unit 2 and covers the rear of the indoor heat exchanger 20 and the crossflow fan 21.

The front grill 25a is formed so as to cover the top, side, and lower surfaces of the indoor unit 2, and a front panel 26a is attached to the front of the front grill 25a (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The top surface of the front grill 25a is provided with a plurality of slit-shaped suction ports 251 having an opening force. The suction port 251 is provided over substantially the entire top surface of the front grill 25a. On the front side of the lower surface of the front grille 25a, an outlet 255 is formed which has an opening along the longitudinal direction of the indoor unit 2. Further, the outlet 252 is provided with a horizontal flap 253 through which air blown into the room is guided. The horizontal flap 253 is provided rotatably about an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the indoor unit 2. The horizontal flap 253 can open and close the outlet 252 by being rotated by a flap motor (not shown). The front panel 26a is arranged on the front of the indoor unit 2. The front panel 26a is formed separately from the front grill 25a, and is attached so as to cover the front of the front grill 25a. The front side of the front panel 26a is composed of two surfaces that are vertically separated by a step provided horizontally.Each surface is formed almost flat, and there is no opening such as concave and convex and holes or slits It has a smooth surface. The step is a flat opening, through which air in the room is sucked (see the white arrow A1 in Fig. 3). The front panel 26a is formed of a transparent resin, and a coated portion 261 occupying the entire back side of the front panel 26a is provided with a paint layer 27a showing colors, patterns, and the like. The paint layer 27a is formed by painting the entire front panel 26a from the back side of the front panel 26a. The front panel 26a is attached to the front grill 25a via a hinge 71 as shown in FIG. The front panel 26a can be opened and closed by the hinge 71.

An opening 254 is provided on the front surface of the front grill 25a as shown in FIG. Front Dali Nore 25a front and front c. Various finoleta 50, 51, 52 force S is attached between the noselet 26a, and the 254 force S finoleta 50, 51, 52 is covered by this opening. This huinoreta 50, 51 , 52 include an air filter 50, an air cleaning filter 51, and a photocatalytic filter 52. The air filter 50 can remove dust and dirt from air passing therethrough. The air filter 50 is provided so as to cover from the front surface of the front grill 25a to the top surface. The portion of the air filter 50 located on the top surface of the front grill 25a is located immediately inside the suction port 251 on the top surface.

The air purifying filter 51 is provided on the upper front part of the front grill 25a and inside the air filter 50. The air purification filter 51 can remove dust, smoke of tobacco, pollen, and the like, which are finer than the air filter 50, from the air passing therethrough.

The photocatalyst filter 52 is provided at a lower portion of the front surface of the front grill 25a, and can remove aerodynamic odor components, harmful gases, and the like that pass therethrough. The odor component is, for example, formaldehyde, acetoaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and the like, and is a component that causes an offensive odor generated from tobacco, garbage, building materials and the like. Hazardous gases are harmful components contained in vehicle exhaust gas, such as NOx and SOx. The photocatalyst filter 52 is formed in a sheet shape having a honeycomb structure, and contains a photocatalyst mainly composed of titanium oxide. The photocatalyst exerts a strong oxidizing power by light and can decompose odor components and harmful gases to make them harmless.

[Method of manufacturing indoor units]

Next, a manufacturing method for manufacturing the indoor unit 2 according to the first embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5, the method of manufacturing the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1 mainly includes a manufacturing process Sl of the indoor unit casing 23a, a manufacturing process S2 of other components, and an assembling process S3. .

As shown in FIG. 6, the manufacturing process S1 of the indoor unit casing 23a includes a manufacturing process S10 of the front grill 25a, a manufacturing process S11 of the bottom frame 24, and a manufacturing process S12 of the front panel 26a.

In the manufacturing process S10 of the front grille 25a and the manufacturing process S11 of the bottom frame 24, the front grille 25a and the bottom frame 24 are integrally molded from a resin material or assembled from parts molded from a resin material, respectively. Manufactured.

The manufacturing process S12 of the front panel 26a is a molding process S13 of the front panel It comprises a processing step S14 and a mounting step S15 of the hinge 71. In the molding step S13 of the front panel 26a, the front panel 26a is molded from a transparent resin material, and the transparent front panel 26a is manufactured. Here, as the transparent resin material, for example, transparent ABS or polystyrene is used. In the painting process S14, painting is performed from the back side of the front panel 26a, and the paint is applied to the entire back side of the front panel 26a. By the coating process S14, the coating layer 27a in which colors and patterns are represented is provided in close contact with the coated portion 261 on the back side of the front panel 26a. It should be noted that a printing process for printing on the back side of the front panel 26a may be performed instead of the painting process. In the attaching step S15 of the hinge 71, as shown in FIG. 7, the hinge 71 is bonded to a specific position on the back side of the front panel 26a. Note that the hinge 71 is mounted on the paint layer 27a.

In the manufacturing process S2 of other components, the indoor heat exchanger 20, the cross flow fan 21, the various filters 50, 51, and 52 are manufactured, respectively.

In the assembling step S3, the above components are assembled, and the indoor unit 2 is completed.

[Characteristic]

In the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment, a paint layer 27a is provided on the back surface of the front panel 26a. Then, the hinge 71 is mounted on the paint layer 27a. Therefore, the hinge 71 is not visible from the front of the indoor unit 2. Therefore, the possibility that the design of the front panel 26a of the indoor unit 2 is impaired by the hinge 71 can be eliminated.

[Modification]

The front panel 26a according to the first embodiment has the hinge 71 attached in the attaching step S15 of the hinge 71 in the attaching step S15. Instead, the hinge 72a and the lower bracket 72b shown in FIG. The mounting member 72 and the lower umme 73, which are integrally formed, can be mounted. In this way, the possibility that the design of the front panel 26a of the indoor unit 2 is impaired by the hinge 72a and the lower holes 72b, 73 can be eliminated.

Second embodiment>

[Overall configuration of air conditioner]

The entire configuration of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the front panel. This is the same as the overall configuration of the air conditioner described in the embodiment.

[Outline of configuration of refrigerant circuit of air conditioner]

The outline of the configuration of the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner according to the second embodiment is the same as the outline of the configuration of the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner described in the first embodiment.

[Configuration of indoor unit]

The configuration of the indoor unit according to the second embodiment is all the same as the configuration of the indoor unit described in the first embodiment except for the configuration of the indoor unit casing.

(Configuration of indoor unit casing)

The configuration of the indoor unit casing according to the second embodiment is all the same as the configuration of the indoor unit casing described in the first embodiment except that the front panel is not transparent and the front panel includes a decorative panel.

FIG. 9 shows a front panel 26b and a decorative panel 83 according to the second embodiment.

The front panel 26b is formed of a resin containing coloring powder and the like. The front panel 26b is attached to the front grill 25a via a hinge 74. The front panel 26b can be opened and closed by the hinge 74. Further, the front panel 26b is provided with fitting members 91a, 92a (see FIGS. 11 and 12) for mounting the fittings 91b, 92b of the decorative panel 83 described later.

The decorative panel 83 is formed separately from the front panel 26b, and is attached so as to cover the lower surface from the horizontal step of the front panel 26b as shown in FIG. The decorative panel 83 is formed of a transparent resin, and as shown in FIG. 16, the coating portion 262 occupying the entire back side is provided with a paint layer 27b in which colors, patterns, and the like are represented. The paint layer 27b is formed by coating the entire decoration panel 83 with the back side force of the decoration panel 83. The decorative panel 83 is formed with mounting members 91b and 92b (see FIGS. 11 and 12) on its outer periphery, so that the decorative panel 80 is mounted on the front panel 26b.

[Method of manufacturing indoor units]

Next, a manufacturing method for manufacturing the indoor unit 2 according to the second embodiment will be described. The manufacturing method of the indoor unit according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except for manufacturing the indoor unit casing. This is the same as the indoor unit manufacturing method described in the embodiment. Therefore, only the manufacture of the indoor unit cage will be described here.

As shown in FIG. 10, the manufacturing process S1 of the indoor unit casing 23a includes the manufacturing process S10 of the front grille 25a, the manufacturing process SI1 of the bottom frame 24, the manufacturing process S20 of the front panel 26b, and the manufacturing process of the decorative panel 83. S21.

In the manufacturing process S10 of the front grinole 25a, the manufacturing process of the bottom frame 24, and the manufacturing process S1 of the front panel 26b, the front grinole 25a, the bottom frame 24, and the front panel 26b are integrally molded from a resin material. Alternatively, it is manufactured by assembling parts molded from resin material. In the manufacturing process S20 of the front panel 26b, the hinge 74 (for mounting to the front grill 25a) is formed as a body.

The manufacturing process S21 of the decorative panel 83 includes a forming process S22 of the decorative panel 83 and a painting calorie process S23. In the forming step S20 of the decorative panel 83, the transparent resin material is applied to the decorative panel 83, and the transparent decorative panel 83 is manufactured. The transparent resin material used here is, for example, transparent ABS or polystyrene. Also, here, the attachments 91b and 92b (application for attachment to the front panel 26b) are formed as a body. In the painting step S23, painting is applied from the back side of the decorative panel 83, and the paint is applied to the entire back side of the decorative panel 83. In the painting process S23, the paint layer 27b showing the color and the like is provided in close contact with the painted portion 262 on the back side of the decorative panel 83. It should be noted that a printing process for printing on the back side of the decorative panel 83 may be performed instead of the painting process.

[Characteristic]

In the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1 according to the second embodiment, the decorative panel 83 is attached to the front panel 26b. The front panel 26b is colored. For this reason, the hinge cannot be seen from the front of the indoor unit 2. Therefore, the possibility that the design of the front panel 26b of the indoor unit 2 is impaired by the hinge 74 can be eliminated beforehand.

[Modification]

The decorative panel 83 according to the second embodiment is attached to the front panel 26b. The mounting hooks 91b and 92b are provided integrally with the outer peripheral portion. However, the manner of attaching the decorative panel 83 to the front panel 26b is not limited to this method. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the decorative panel 84 may be attached to the front panel 26b by fusion. In this case, a protrusion is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the decorative panel 84, and the front panel 26c (unlike the front panel of 26b, has no step on the front surface and is flat. The step occurs after the decorative panel 84 is attached. A hole suitable for the shape of the protruding part is provided at the position corresponding to). It is also necessary to provide ventilation holes for the finole letters 50, 51 and 52 on the front panel. After the protrusion is inserted into the hole, appropriate heat is applied to the protrusion from the back side, and the protrusion is melted and integrated with the front panel 26b. Also, as shown in FIG. 14, the decorative panel 80 may be attached to the front panel 26b by screws. In this case, it is better to screw the outer periphery of the decorative panel 80 with screws so as not to impair the design of the decorative panel 80. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the decorative panel 81 may be attached to the front panel 26b by bonding. In this case as well, care should be taken not to impair the design of the decorative panel 81.

Each of the decorative panels 80, 81, and 84 used in the above-described method is formed of a transparent resin, and a coating layer 27b is provided on a coated portion 262 on the back side. Industrial applicability

In the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present invention, the possibility that the design of the front panel of the indoor unit is impaired by the hinge is eliminated. Further, with the method for manufacturing an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention, it is possible to manufacture an indoor unit having high designability. For this reason, an indoor unit with higher designability can be provided to the market.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] body (25a),

An opaque front panel (26b) integrally formed with a mounting portion (74) for mounting to the front of the body (25a);

A transparent design panel (80, 81, 83, 84) having a design layer (27b) provided at least on the back side surface (262) and attached to the front panel (26b); An air conditioner indoor unit (2) comprising:

[2] The design panel (80, 81, 83, 84) is attached to the front panel (26b) at the outer periphery thereof.

The indoor unit (2) for an air conditioner according to claim 1.

[3] body (25a),

A transparent front panel (26a) having a design layer (27a) provided on the back side surface (261) and having at least a color, and disposed on a front portion of the main body (25a);

Mounting parts (71, 72, 73) for mounting the front panel (26a) to the front part of the main body (25a);

With

The indoor unit (2) for an air conditioner, wherein a part of the mounting part (71, 72, 73) is mounted on the design layer (27a).

[4] A method for manufacturing an indoor unit of an air conditioner, which manufactures the indoor unit (2) of the air conditioner according to claim 1,

A first step of forming the design layer (27b) on a part or all of a back surface (262) of the transparent design panel (80, 81, 83, 84);

The design panel (80, 81, 83, 84) is aligned with the back of the design panel (80, 81, 83, 84) and a part of the front part of the body (25a) so that (25a) a second step of attaching

A method for manufacturing an indoor unit of an air conditioner, comprising:

[5] A method for manufacturing an indoor unit of an air conditioner, which manufactures the indoor unit (2) of the air conditioner according to claim 3, A first step of forming the design layer (27a) on part or all of the back surface (261) of the transparent front panel (26a);

A second step of mounting a part of the mounting portion (71, 72, 73) on the design layer (27a).