WO2005033588A1

WO2005033588A1 - Indoor unit of air conditioner

Info

Publication number: WO2005033588A1
Application number: PCT/JP2004/013155
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tetsuya Yamashita; Tatsuhiko Akai; Takashi Doi; Atsushi Kataoka
Original assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
Priority date: 2003-09-30
Filing date: 2004-09-09
Publication date: 2005-04-14
Also published as: EP1684021A1; CN1860336A; KR100709877B1; AU2004278589A1; ES2615355T3; AU2004278589B2; EP1684021B1; CN100427837C; EP1684021A4; KR20060061846A

Abstract

An indoor unit of an air conditioner capable of increasing safety in the opening/closing operations of a movable panel. The indoor unit (2) of the air conditioner comprises a front grill (60), a second panel (72), a drive machine, and a second panel supporting member (68). The front grill (60) further comprises a first suction port (27) in the front surface. The second panel (72) is installed so as to cover the first suction port (27), and opens the first suction port (27) by moving apart from the first suction port (27) and closes the first suction port (27) by moving close to the first suction port (27). The drive machine generates a drive force for moving the second panel (72). The second panel supporting member (68) further comprises a gear part and a plate part. The gear part transmits the drive force of the drive machine to the second panel (72). The plate part is installed on the outside of the gear part, and closes a clearance between the second panel (72) and the front grill (60) when the second panel (72) is opened.

Description

Specification

Air conditioner indoor unit

Technical field

The present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner.

Background art

[0002] Some indoor units of air conditioners include a casing having an opening on the front surface and a movable panel. The movable panel is provided so as to cover the opening of the casing. The movable panel opens the opening by moving away from the opening, and closes the opening by moving close to the opening. In order to move the movable panel in this manner, the indoor unit of the air conditioner includes a driving unit and a driving force transmission unit such as a gear or a power transmission unit that transmits the driving force of the driving unit to the movable panel. Often provided (see Patent Document 1). The driving force of the driving unit is transmitted to the movable panel by the driving force transmission unit, and the opening and closing operation of the movable panel is performed.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 7-12821

Disclosure of the invention

[0003] However, in the indoor unit of the air conditioner as described above, there is a risk that a human hand may enter the vicinity of the driving force transmission unit. In other words, if there is a gap between the movable panel in the open state and the casing, there is a possibility that the hand of the gap may be inserted into the vicinity of the driving force transmitting section, and the hand may be moved by the driving force transmitting section. There is a risk of touching parts.

An object of the present invention is to provide an indoor unit of an air conditioner that can improve safety in opening and closing operations of a movable panel.

An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a first invention includes a casing, a movable panel, a driving unit, and an opening / closing member. An opening is provided in the front surface of the casing. The movable panel is provided so as to cover the opening, moves the opening force apart, opens the opening, and closes the opening by moving closer to the opening. The driving unit generates a driving force for moving the movable panel. The opening / closing member has a driving force transmission unit and a plate unit. The driving force transmission unit transmits the driving force of the driving unit to the movable panel. The plate part is outside the drive force transmission part. When the movable panel is in an open state, the gap between the movable panel and the casing is closed.

In this indoor unit of the air conditioner, the opening / closing member has a plate portion provided outside the driving force transmitting section and closing a gap between the movable panel and the casing when the movable panel is in an open state. For this reason, when the movable panel is in the open state, it is possible to make it difficult for a human hand to insert into the gap between the casing and the movable panel by the plate portion, and it is possible to reduce a possibility that the hand touches the driving force transmission unit. As a result, in the indoor unit of the air conditioner, safety in opening and closing the movable panel can be improved.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner of the second invention is the indoor unit of the air conditioner of the first invention, wherein the opening / closing member supports a movable panel, and protrudes forward from the casing. Move the movable panel away from the opening force.

In this indoor unit of the air conditioner, the movable panel is opened by the opening / closing member supporting the movable panel protruding forward from the casing. Movable panel force S When moving in this way, a relatively large gap is created between the casing and the movable panel, and there is a high possibility that a human hand will be inserted. However, in this indoor unit of the air conditioner, the risk of human hands touching the driving force transmitting unit by the plate unit can be reduced, and safety can be improved.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner of the third invention is the indoor unit of the air conditioner of the first or second invention, wherein the plate supports the movable panel, and the casing also projects forward. The movable panel is moved so that the opening force is also separated.

In this indoor unit of the air conditioner, the plate supports the movable panel, and moves the movable panel so as to leave the opening force by projecting forward of the casing. Therefore, in the indoor unit of the air conditioner, there is no need to separately provide a member for supporting the movable panel, and the number of parts can be reduced.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner of the fourth invention is the indoor unit of the air conditioner of any of the first to third inventions, wherein the driving force transmitting unit and the plate unit are provided integrally.

In the indoor unit of the air conditioner, the driving force transmission unit and the plate unit are provided integrally. Therefore, in the opening operation of the movable panel, the plate moves together with the movement of the driving force transmission unit. The Thus, the gap between the movable panel in the open state and the casing can be closed by the plate portion.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner of the fifth invention is the indoor unit of the air conditioner of any of the first to fourth inventions, wherein the driving force transmitting unit and the plate unit are integrally formed.

In the indoor unit of the air conditioner, the driving force transmission unit and the plate unit are integrally formed. For this reason, in the indoor unit of this air conditioner, the number of parts can be reduced.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the sixth invention is the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to any one of the first invention to the fifth invention, wherein the opening and closing members are respectively close to the inner surfaces on both side surfaces of the casing. Is provided.

In this indoor unit of the air conditioner, the opening / closing members are respectively provided so as to be close to the inner surfaces on both side surfaces of the casing. For this reason, it is possible to make it difficult to insert a human hand into both sides of the casing. Thereby, the safety of the indoor unit of the air conditioner can be further improved.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of an air conditioner.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the indoor unit.

FIG. 3 (a) is a front view of the indoor unit. (B) It is a side sectional view of an indoor unit.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view near the left end of the indoor unit.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the driving device.

FIG. 6 is a view of the front grille assembly as viewed from behind.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a first opening / closing mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing opening and closing operations of a first panel and a second panel.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a method of assembling an indoor unit.

Explanation of symbols

[0005] 1 Air conditioner

2 Indoor unit

27 1st suction port (opening)

41 Drive unit (drive unit) 60 Front grill (casing)

68 2nd panel support member (opening / closing member)

72 Second panel (movable panel)

680 2nd gear part (driving force transmission part)

681 Plate

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[Overall configuration of air conditioner]

FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of an air conditioner 1 and a refrigerant circuit which are used in a first embodiment of the present invention.

The air conditioner 1 includes an indoor unit 2 attached to an indoor wall or the like, and an outdoor unit 3 installed outdoors.

The refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner 1 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 exchange 20 provided in the indoor unit 2 exchanges heat with the contacting air. Further, the indoor unit 2 is provided with an indoor 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 indoor fan 21 is driven to rotate by an indoor fan motor 22 provided in the indoor unit 2. The configuration of the indoor unit 2 will be described later in detail.

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. The outdoor heat exchange 30 and the electric expansion valve 34 connected to the outdoor heat exchange 30 are provided. The electric expansion valve 34 is connected to the pipe 23 via the liquid closing valve 36, and is connected to one end of the indoor heat exchange via the pipe 23. Further, the four-way switching valve 33 is connected to the pipe 24 via the gas closing valve 37, and is connected to the other end of the indoor heat exchange via the pipe 24. Further, the outdoor unit 3 is provided with an outdoor fan 38 for discharging the air after the heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger 30 to the outside. The outdoor fan 38 is driven to rotate by an outdoor fan motor 39.

[Configuration of indoor unit] FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the indoor unit 2.

The indoor unit 2 is a wall-mounted indoor unit provided on a side wall in the room, and mainly includes a main body part 4, an outlet assembly 5, a front grille assembly 6, and a front panel 7.

[Main unit]

The main unit 4 includes an indoor heat exchanger 20, an indoor fan 21 (see FIG. 1), an indoor fan motor 22 (see FIG. 1), an electrical component box 40, a drive unit 41 (see FIG. 4), and a main body casing 42.

The indoor heat exchange 20, the indoor fan 21, and the indoor fan motor 22 are attached to a main body casing 42. As shown in FIG. 3 (b), the indoor heat exchanger 20 and the indoor fan 21 are arranged such that the indoor fan 21 is disposed at the center of the indoor unit 2 in a side view, and has an inverted V-shape. 20 is arranged so as to surround the upper half of the indoor fan 21. The indoor fan motor 22 (not shown) is disposed on the right side of the indoor fan 21 in a front view. FIG. 3B is a side sectional view of the indoor unit 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the electrical component box 40 is attached to the main casing 42, and is disposed on the right side of the indoor heat exchanger 20, the indoor fan 21, and the indoor fan motor 22 in a front view. The electrical component box 40 houses a control board therein, and the control board controls each component necessary for the cooling and heating operation of the indoor unit 2 and the like.

The driving device 41 is arranged near the left end of the main casing 42 as shown in FIG. 4, and generates a driving force for moving the front panel 7. As shown in FIG. 5, the drive unit 41 includes a panel opening / closing motor 43, a first drive unit gear 44, a second drive unit gear 45, and a drive unit casing 46.

The panel opening / closing motor 43 is connected to control components housed in the electrical component box 40 by a cable 430, and serves as a drive source for moving the front panel 7.

The first drive gear 44 transmits the rotation of the panel opening / closing motor 43 to the second drive gear 45.

A part of the second drive gear 45 is exposed from the drive casing 46, and the opening / closing mechanism 61 has a state in which the front dial 60 (casing) is attached to the main casing 42. The power transmission gear 66 (see FIG. 6) is arranged so as to mesh with the power transmission gear 66. For this reason, by attaching the front grille 60 to the main body 4 and fixing the driving machine 41 to a fixing portion 62 (see FIG. 4) described later, the second driving machine gear 45 and the power transmission gear 66 can be easily separated. They can be matched. The second driving gear 45 transmits the rotation of the panel opening / closing motor 43 to the power transmission gear 66 via the first driving gear 44, and transmits the driving force of the panel opening / closing motor 43 to the opening / closing mechanism 61.

The drive casing 46 accommodates the panel opening / closing motor 43, the first drive gear 44, and the second drive gear 45. The drive casing 46 has a locking hole 461 and a fixed portion 462.

The locking hole 461 is an opening provided in the drive casing 46, into which the locking claw 490 of the main body casing 42 shown in FIG. 4 is inserted. Two locking holes 461 are provided in the drive casing 46, and each of the locking holes 461 is formed larger than the size of the locking claw 490. Therefore, in a state where the locking claw 490 is inserted into the locking hole 461, the driving device 41 is temporarily fixed so as to be slightly movable rather than completely fixed so as not to be movable. Therefore, at the time of the actual fixing performed after the temporary fixing, the positioning of the driving device 41 can be easily performed.

The fixed portion 462 is a portion fixed to the fixing portion 62 of the front grille 60, and has a screw hole. The fixed portion 462 is screwed to a fixing portion 62 provided on the front grill 60. The fixing by the fixed portion 462 and the fixing portion 62 is different from the temporary fixing by the locking hole 461 and the locking claw 490, and the driving device 41 is securely attached to the front grill 60 so that the driving device 41 does not move. It is fixed to fix.

The main body casing 42 is provided with an indoor heat exchanger 20, an indoor fan 21, an indoor fan motor 22, an electrical component box 40, and a driving device 41. The indoor heat exchanger 20, the indoor fan 21, the indoor fan motor 22, and the electrical component box 40 are fixed to the main body casing 42, and the drive unit 41 is temporarily fixed. The main body casing 42 is molded from a resin material and has a shape that covers the lower, rear, and left sides of the indoor fan 21. As shown in FIG. 4, the main body casing 42 has an indoor fan accommodating portion 47, a rear portion 48, and a left portion 49. In FIG. 4, the illustration of the indoor heat exchanger 20 and the indoor fan 21 is omitted for easy understanding. The indoor fan accommodating section 47 is a section for accommodating the indoor fan 21 and the indoor fan motor 22, and supports the indoor heat exchange 20 mounted from above the indoor fan 21. An indoor fan motor 22 disposed on the right side of the indoor fan 21 is fixed near the right end of the indoor fan accommodating section 47, and an electrical component box 40 is further fixed on the right side (see FIG. 2). The lower portion of the indoor fan accommodating portion 47 is a portion to which the outlet assembly 5 is fixed, and is provided with an opening communicating with a space in which the indoor fan 21 is accommodated (not shown). By attaching the outlet assembly 5 to the lower part of the indoor fan housing 47, the space in which the indoor fan 21 of the indoor fan housing 47 is housed and the outlet 26 (see FIG. 3 (b)) communicate. I do.

The rear part 48 covers the rear of the indoor fan 21 and the indoor heat exchanger 20, and closes the rear side of the indoor unit 2.

The left side portion 49 is a portion to which the driving machine 41 is temporarily fixed. The left side portion 49 is provided near the left end of the indoor fan accommodating portion 47, and is disposed to face the left ends of the indoor fan 21 and the indoor heat exchanger 20 attached to the indoor fan accommodating portion 47. A locking claw 490 for temporarily fixing the driving device 41 is provided on the left side surface of the left side portion 49. The locking claws 490 are provided at two locations corresponding to the locking holes 461, and protrude from the left side of the left side 49 to the left side, that is, to the side of the left side 49 opposite to the indoor fan 21 side. I have. The locking claw 490 temporarily fixes the driving device 41 to the main body casing 42 before the front grille 60 is attached to the main body casing 42. The locking hole 461 of the driving device 41 into which the locking claw 490 is inserted is formed larger than the locking claw 490 as described above. Accordingly, the driving device 41 temporarily fixed by the locking claw 490 and the locking hole 461 is temporarily fixed so as to be slightly movable, and the locking claw 490 is provided by the driving device 41 of the front grill 60 described later. When being fixed by the fixing portion 62, the driving device 41 is temporarily fixed so that the driving device 41 can move to a position fixed by the fixing portion 62.

[Outlet assembly]

The outlet assembly 5 shown in FIG. 2 is attached to the main body 4 to form an outlet 26 (see FIG. 3 (b)). The outlet 26 formed by the outlet assembly 5 is an opening through which air blown into the room through indoor heat exchange by the indoor fan 21 passes. Blowing The mouth 26 has a shape that is long in the horizontal direction when viewed from the front. The outlet 26 is provided near the lower portion of the indoor unit 2 and on the front surface of the indoor unit 2. When the operation of the indoor unit 2 is stopped, the outlet 26 is closed by a first panel 71 of the front panel 7 described later.

The outlet assembly 5 has a horizontal flap 50 and a flap motor 51 (see FIG. 4). The horizontal flap 50 has a plate-like shape having a shape that is long in the longitudinal direction of the indoor unit 2 and guides the air blown out from the outlet 26. The horizontal flap 50 has a rotation axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the indoor unit 2, and is driven by a flap motor 51 to rotate around the rotation axis, thereby changing the air guiding direction. Further, the horizontal flap 50 moves so as to be parallel to the horizontal plane, thereby forming the bottom surface of the indoor unit 2 parallel to the horizontal plane.

[Front grill assembly]

The front grille assembly 6 is attached to the front force main body 4 and covers the front and side surfaces of the main body 4. The front grille assembly 6 has a front grille 60 and an opening / closing mechanism 61.

The front grill 60 is molded from a resin material and has a thin, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open rear surface. The front grill 60 has a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the horizontal direction when viewed from the front, and has a substantially rectangular cross section that is long in the vertical direction when viewed from the side. The front grille 60 is attached to the main body 4 so as to cover the front, right and left sides, upper and lower sides of the main body 4. The front grille 60 is provided with a suction portion 25 and a blowout portion 29.The suction portion 25 is provided with an opening through which air taken in from the room into the interior of the indoor unit 2 by the indoor fan 21 is provided. It has a first suction port 27 (opening) and a second suction port 28. The first suction port 27 is provided from near the center of the front surface of the front grill 60 to an upper portion, and faces the front side of the indoor heat exchange 20. When the operation of the indoor unit 2 is stopped, the first suction port 27 is closed by a second panel 72 (movable panel) of the front panel 7 described later. The second suction port 28 is formed in the longitudinal direction of the front grill 60, and is constituted by a plurality of slits, and is provided on the top surface of the front grill 60.

The outlet portion 29 is an opening provided at a lower portion of the front grille 60, and is connected to the outlet assembly 5. Together, they form the outlet 26. The outlet 29 is closed by a first panel 71 of the front panel 7 described later.

In addition, a fixing portion 62 is provided on the front surface of the front grill 60 as shown in FIG. The fixing portion 62 is a portion to which the fixed portion 462 of the temporarily fixed driving device 41 (driving portion) is fixed, and has a screw hole. The screw hole is provided near the left end of the front surface of the front grille 60, and is provided at a position substantially opposed to the screw hole of the fixed portion 462 of the driving device 41 temporarily fixed to the main body 4. However, in the temporary fixing stage, the screw holes of the fixed portion 462 and the screw holes of the fixing portion 62 do not need to completely match, and the final fixing stage of fixing the fixed portion 462 and the fixing portion 62 is unnecessary. Then, the temporarily fixed driving device 41 may be moved to make the screw holes of the fixed portion 462 coincide with the screw holes of the fixed portion 62. The fixing portion 62 and the fixed portion 462 are fixed by passing a screw through a screw hole of the fixed portion 462 and a screw hole of the fixing portion 62. Slits 600 to 603 extending in the vertical direction are provided near both side ends of the front surface of the front grill 60. The slits 600 to 603 are provided at four locations, that is, vertically divided into two locations on each of the left and right sides. A part of a first panel support member 67 and a second panel support member 68 (opening / closing member), which will be described later, protrude from the slits 600-603, and the first panel 71 and the second panel 72 of the front panel 7 Force Fixed to a part of the first panel support member 67 and a part of the second panel support member 68, respectively.

The opening / closing mechanism 61 shown in FIG. 2 is a mechanism for moving the front panel 7 by the driving force of the driving device 41 to open and close the first inlet 27 and the outlet 26. The opening / closing mechanism 61 is constituted by a plurality of members having gear portions, and functions as a reduction mechanism that transmits the driving force of the driving device 41 to the first panel 71 and the second panel 72. Further, the opening / closing mechanism 61 functions as a mechanism for converting the rotational motion transmitted from the driving device 41 into the opening / closing operation of the first panel 71 and the second panel 72. As shown in FIG. 6, the opening / closing mechanism 61 is provided on the back surface of the front grille 60, and has a first opening / closing mechanism 63, a second opening / closing mechanism 64, and a power transmission shaft 65.

The first opening / closing mechanism 63 is attached to the back surface of the left side surface of the front panel 7, and supports the vicinity of the left end of the first panel 71 and the vicinity of the left end of the second panel 72 described later. In addition, here 6 means the left and right in the front view of the indoor unit 2, and since FIG. 6 is a view of the front dial 60 from the back side, the left and right in FIG. Is reversed. The first opening / closing mechanism 63 transmits the driving force of the driving device 41 to the vicinity of the left end of the first panel 71 and the vicinity of the left end of the second panel 72 when the first panel 71 and the second panel 72 are opened and closed. The opening / closing operation is performed by moving the vicinity of the left end of 71 and the vicinity of the left end of the second panel 72.

The second opening / closing mechanism 64 is attached to the back of the right side of the front panel 7 and supports the vicinity of the right end of the first panel 71 and the vicinity of the right end of the second panel 72, which will be described later. The second opening / closing mechanism 64 transmits the driving force of the driving device 41 to the vicinity of the right end of the first panel 71 and the vicinity of the right end of the second panel 72 when opening and closing the first panel 71 and the second panel 72. The vicinity of the right end of the first panel 71 and the vicinity of the right end of the second panel 72 are moved to open and close.

The power transmission shaft 65 is a member that distributes and transmits the driving force of the driving device 41 to the first opening / closing mechanism 63 and the second opening / closing mechanism 64. It is mounted so that it can rotate about an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction. Both ends of the power transmission shaft 65 are connected to a first opening / closing mechanism 63 and a second opening / closing mechanism 64, respectively, and a power transmission gear 66 is provided therebetween. The power transmission gear 66 is provided in the vicinity of the first opening / closing mechanism 63, and is arranged so as to mesh with the second driving gear 45 of the driving device 41 when the front grille 60 is attached to the main body 4. Have been. Thus, the opening / closing mechanism 61 is configured to distribute the driving force from the driving device 41 to the first opening / closing mechanism 63 and the second opening / closing mechanism 64 by the power transmission shaft 65.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the first opening / closing mechanism 63 will be described in detail, but the second opening / closing mechanism 64 has a similar structure that is symmetrical to the first opening / closing mechanism 63.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first opening / closing mechanism 63 has a first opening / closing gear 630, a second opening / closing gear 631, a first panel support member 67, and a second panel support member 68. Further, the first opening / closing mechanism 63 has a first opening / closing mechanism casing 69 that houses these gears and members, and is cut out.

The first opening / closing gear 630 is fixed to one end of the power transmission shaft 65, and transmits the driving force transmitted from the driving device 41 via the power transmission shaft 65 to the second opening / closing gear 631. The second opening / closing gear 631 is engaged with the first opening / closing gear 630, the first gear portion 670 of the first panel supporting member 67, and the second gear portion 680 (driving force transmitting portion) of the second panel supporting member 68. The driving force transmitted from the first opening / closing gear 630 is transmitted to the first panel support member 67 and the second panel support member 68, respectively.

The first panel support member 67 is a flat plate-shaped member that is attached to the first panel 71 and supports the first panel 71. The first panel support member 67 is provided so as to be vertically movable, and can linearly move the first panel 71 vertically. The first panel support member 67 has a linear portion 671 having a linear shape extending in parallel in the up-down direction, and a curved portion 672 that curves from a lower portion of the linear portion 671 toward the front of the indoor unit 2. You. The distal end of the curved portion 672 projects forward of the front grill 60 through a slit 601 provided on the front of the front grill 60 (see FIG. 4). The vicinity of the left end of the first panel 71 is fixed to the tip of the curved portion 672. In addition, the linear portion 671 is provided with a first gear portion 670. The first gear unit 670 is a rack gear extending in the vertical direction, and converts the rotational movement of the second opening / closing gear 631 into a linear movement in the vertical direction. Thus, the rotational motion of the motor 41 is converted into a linear motion of the first panel 71 in the vertical direction.

The second panel support member 68 is a flat plate-shaped member that is attached to the second panel 72 and supports the second panel 72. The second panel support member 68 is provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and can move the second panel 72 in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the second panel support member 68 moves in the front-rear direction in a gentle arc. That is, when the second panel 72 moves forward, the second panel 72 moves so that its upper end is inclined forward, and when the second panel 72 moves backward, the second panel 72 moves. The panel 72 moves so that the upper end that has been inclined forward returns to its original position, and the second panel 72 is vertically parallel (see FIG. 8). The second panel support member 68 is integrally molded from a resin material, and has a second gear portion 680 and a plate portion 681.

The second gear portion 680 is also provided so as to protrude the inner force of the plate portion 681 and engages with the second opening / closing gear 631. The second gear portion 680 is a rack gear that extends in the front-rear direction while drawing a gentle arc, converts the rotational motion of the second opening / closing gear 631 into an arc motion, and transfers the driving force of the driving device 41 to the second panel 72. introduce. The plate portion 681 is provided outside (to the left of) the first opening / closing gear 630, the second opening / closing gear 631, and the first panel support member 67, and includes the first opening / closing gear 630, the second opening / closing gear 631, and the first panel. The outside of the tunnel supporting member 67 is covered. The front end of the plate portion 681 protrudes forward through a slit 600 provided on the front surface of the front panel 7, and the vicinity of the left end of the second panel 72 is fixed to support the vicinity of the left end of the second panel 72. . The plate portion 681 moves so as to draw a gentle arc as described above by the driving force of the driving device 41 transmitted to the second gear portion 680. In the opening operation of the second panel 72, the plate portion 681 moves the second panel 72 away from the first suction port 27 by further projecting forward of the slit 600 force front grille 60. In particular, when the second panel 72 is in the open state, the plate portion 681 also greatly protrudes to the front of the front grill 60 with the slit 600 force, and closes the side of the gap between the second panel 72 and the front grill 60 (see FIG. 8). As a result, the plate portion 681 also prevents the lateral force of the gap between the second panel 72 and the front grill 60 from being inserted by a hand of a resident or the like. Further, since the plate portion 681 is located outside the second gear portion 680, the first opening / closing gear 630, the second opening / closing gear 631, etc., the resident's hand or the like can handle the second gear portion 680 or the first opening / closing gear 630, Touching the second opening / closing gear 631 or the like is prevented.

[Front panel]

The front panel 7 covers substantially the entire front surface of the front grill 60 as shown in FIG. The front panel 7 covers the outlet 26 and the first inlet 27 in a front view, and opens and closes the outlet 26 and the first inlet 27. The front panel 7 is a panel assembly in which a plurality of seamless panels are assembled, and has a first panel 71, a second panel 72, and a third panel 73.

The first panel 71 is disposed below the front surface of the front grille 60 so as to be movable so as to open and close the outlet 26, and is provided so as to cover the outlet 26. The first panel 71 is supported by the opening / closing mechanism 61 in the vicinity of both left and right ends so as to be vertically movable in parallel, and opens and closes the outlet 26. The first panel 71 is a rectangular flat plate member having no joint, and has a width substantially equal to the width W of the front grille 60 when viewed from the front. The front side of the first panel 71 is formed in a smooth and substantially flat shape without openings such as unevenness and holes. When the outlet 26 is closed, the first panel 71 is vertically parallel as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 8 (a). In this state, the first panel 71 has a larger projected area than the outlet 26 in a front view. Accordingly, when the outlet 26 is closed, the first panel 71 completely covers the lower part of the front surface of the front grill 60 including the outlet 26. The first panel 71 is formed of a transparent resin mixed with particles having brightness such as pearl particles, and has a transparent resin layer mixed with particles. On the back side of the transparent resin layer, there is provided a paint layer in which colors, patterns, and the like are represented. This paint layer is formed by applying paint from the back side of the first panel 71. In this way, the first panel 71 functions as a design panel that enhances the design of the indoor unit 2 by being arranged on the front surface that is easily visible to residents and the like having a high design.

The second panel 72 is movably disposed above and in front of the front grille 60 so as to open and close the first suction port 27, and is provided so as to cover the first suction port 27. The second panel 72 is supported near the left and right ends so as to be movable in the front-rear direction by the opening / closing mechanism 61. By moving away from the first suction port 27, the first suction port 27 is opened, and the first suction port 27 is opened. The first inlet 27 is closed by moving it closer to the mouth 27. The second panel 72 is a rectangular flat plate member having no joint, and has a width substantially equal to the width W of the front grill 60 including the first suction port 27 in a front view. The front side of the second panel 72 is formed in a smooth and substantially flat shape without openings such as concaves and convexes and holes. When the first suction port 27 is closed, the second panel 72 is in a vertically parallel state as shown in FIGS. 3A and 8A. The second panel 72 has a larger projected area than the first suction port 27 in a front view. Accordingly, when the first suction port 27 is closed, the second panel 72 completely covers the upper half of the front surface of the front grill 60 including the first suction port 27. Similarly to the first panel 71, the second panel 72 is formed of a transparent resin mixed with particles having brightness, such as pearl particles, and has a transparent resin layer mixed with the particles. ing. On the back side of the transparent resin layer, there is provided a paint layer in which colors, patterns, and the like are represented. This paint layer is formed by applying paint from the back side of the second panel 72. As described above, the second panel 72 is in contact with the eyes of a resident or the like having a high design quality. It functions as a design panel that enhances the design of the indoor unit 2 by being placed on the front that is easy to handle.

Third panel 73 is arranged between first panel 71 and second panel 72. The third panel 73 has a rectangular shape having no seams in a front view. The third panel 73 has substantially the same width W as the front grille 60, and has substantially the same length as the first panel 71 in the vertical direction. The front side of the third panel 73 is formed in a smooth and substantially flat shape without any openings such as unevenness and holes. As shown in FIG. 8 (a), the third panel 73 has the right and left end portions fixed to the left and right side surfaces of the front grille 60, respectively. On the other hand, they are arranged with a gap in the front-back direction. That is, a gap is formed between the third panel 73 and the front grille 60 behind the front part. This gap is formed to be slightly larger than the thickness of the first panel 71 disposed below, and serves as a space for accommodating the first panel 71 that moves to open the outlet 26. The third panel 73 is also formed of an opaque resin material.

Thus, when the outlet 26 is closed, the first panel 71 completely covers the lower part of the front surface of the front grill 60 including the outlet 26, and the second panel 72 closes the first inlet 27. In the closed state, the upper part of the front surface of the front grill 60 including the first suction port 27 is completely covered. The first panel 71, the second panel 72, and the third panel 73 are arranged vertically one above the other, and when the outlet 26 and the first inlet 27 are closed, a substantially flat rectangular plane is formed. Arranged to make up. The front panel 7 composed of the first panel 71, the second panel 72, and the third panel 73 covers substantially the entire front of the indoor unit 2 when the outlet 26 and the first inlet 27 are closed, Only the seam formed at the boundary between the first panel 71, the second panel 72, and the third panel 73 appears in a front view. That is, only the seam extending in the horizontal direction formed by the boundary between the first panel 71 and the third panel 73 and the boundary between the second panel 72 and the third panel 73 appears in a front view. Further, the first panel 71, the second panel 72, and the third panel 73 are parallel in the vertical direction, and the front panel 7 moves upward and downward with the outlet 26 and the first inlet 27 closed. A flat surface parallel to the direction is formed. The indoor unit 2 of this air conditioner 1 With the flat shape of the tunnel 7, the appearance is improved.

[Front panel operation at start of operation]

When the indoor unit 2 is stopped, the front panel 7 keeps the outlet 26 and the first inlet 27 closed as described above. When the indoor unit 2 operates, first, the indoor fan 21 is started at a low rotation. Next, the first panel 71 and the second panel 72 move to open the outlet 26 and the first inlet 27. Thereby, the air volume of the air taken into the indoor unit 2 is secured, and the air is blown out in the horizontal direction. Hereinafter, the operation of the front panel 7 will be mainly described with reference to FIGS. 8 (a), 8 (b) and 8 (c). 8 (a), 8 (b) and 8 (c) are side views of the indoor unit 2. FIG.

When the indoor unit 2 is stopped, the first panel 71 and the second panel 72 close the outlet 26 and the first inlet 27, and as shown in FIG. The panel 71, the second panel 72, and the third panel 73 are arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the up-down direction and substantially in a straight line in a side view. The front sides of the first panel 71, the second panel 72, and the third panel 73 are substantially flat. In this state, the first panel support member 67 of the opening / closing mechanism 61 is located at the lowest position in the movable range. Further, the second panel support member 68 is located at the rearmost position in the movable range.

When the indoor unit 2 starts operating, the panel opening / closing motor 43 of the driving unit 41 is controlled and starts rotating. Then, the driving force of the driving device 41 is transmitted to the power transmission shaft 65, and the driving force is distributed and transmitted to the first opening / closing mechanism 63 and the second opening / closing mechanism 64. Then, the first panel 71 and the second panel 72 are moved by the first opening / closing mechanism 63 and the second opening / closing mechanism 64, and the outlet 26 and the first inlet 27 are opened.

At this time, in the first opening / closing mechanism 63, the driving force is transmitted to the first panel support member 67 via the first opening / closing gear 630 and the second opening / closing gear 631. When the driving force is transmitted from the second opening / closing gear 631 to the first gear portion 670 of the first panel support member 67, the rotational motion is converted into an upward linear motion, and the first panel support member 67 Move linearly to. In the second opening / closing mechanism 64, the same operation is performed by transmitting the driving force of the same driving device 41. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the first panel 71 translates vertically upward and opens the outlet 26. When the first panel 71 moves upward and downward, the first panel 7 The upper end of 1 is inserted into the gap behind the third panel 73. When the first panel 71 moves further upward, the first panel 71 is accommodated in the gap between the third panel 73 and the front grille 60, as shown in FIG. It will be hidden behind. In other words, the overall force of the first panel 71 overlaps the third panel 73.

Further, the second panel 72 also moves in link with the movement of the first panel 71. At this time, in the first opening / closing mechanism 63, the rotation of the second opening / closing gear 631 is simultaneously transmitted to the second gear portion 680 of the second panel support member 68. When the driving force is transmitted from the second opening / closing gear 631 to the second gear portion 680 of the second panel support member 68, the rotational motion is converted into a gentle arc-like motion, and the second panel support The member 68 moves forward along a gentle arc-shaped trajectory. The arc-shaped trajectory is a trajectory in which the second panel support member 68 moves forward and the upper end of the second panel support member 68 inclines forward. The same operation is performed also in the second opening / closing mechanism 64 by transmitting the driving force of the same driving device 41. Thereby, the second panel support member 68 protrudes forward from the front surface of the front grill 60. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the second panel 72 moves forward and rotates around an axis parallel to the left-right direction when viewed from the front. The second panel 72 rotates around its lower end so that its upper end is inclined forward. The second nonel 72 is further moved to form a gap between the front grill 60 and the second panel 72, as shown in FIG. 8 (c). As a result, the first suction port 27 is opened. Then, air is sucked from a gap between the upper end of the second panel 72 and the front grill 60, and air is sucked into the indoor unit 2 from the first suction port 27. At this time, the side of the gap between the front grille 60 and the second panel 72 is closed by the second panel support member 68, and the upper side of the gap between the front grille 60 and the second panel 72 is Is open. Therefore, air is mainly sucked from above the gap between the front grill 60 and the second panel 72.

When the front panel 7 moves and the outlet 26 and the first inlet 27 are opened, the horizontal flap 50 (see Fig. 2) is rotated and moved so that the outlet angle corresponds to the set operation mode. I do.

When the operation of the indoor unit 2 is stopped, the panel opening / closing motor 43 of the driving unit 41 is controlled to rotate in the reverse direction, and the first panel supporting member 67 and the second panel supporting member 68 And move in the opposite direction. As a result, the first panel 71 and the second panel 72 move in the opposite direction, and the front panel 7 returns to a flat state.

[Assembly method of indoor unit of air conditioner]

Next, a method of assembling the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 9, the method of assembling the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1 mainly includes an assembling process Sl of the main body 4, an attaching process S5 of the outlet assembly 5, and an attaching process S6 of the front grille assembly 6. , The main fixing step S7 of the drive unit 41 and the mounting step S8 of the front panel 7 are provided. The assembly process S1 of the main body 4 further includes a mounting process S2 such as heat exchange, a temporary fixing process S3 of the driving machine 41, a wiring connection process S4, and the like.

In the mounting step S2 of the heat exchanger and the like, the indoor heat exchanger 20, the indoor fan 21, the indoor fan motor 22, the electrical component box 40 and the like are mounted on the main body casing.

In the temporary fixing step S3 of the driving device 41, the driving device 41 is temporarily fixed to the left portion 49 of the main casing 42. Here, the driving device 41 is temporarily fixed to the left portion 49 by the locking claw 490 of the left portion 49 being inserted into the locking hole 461 of the driving device 41 and locked. The temporarily fixed driving device 41 is arranged such that the fixed portion 462 of the driving device 41 and the fixing portion 62 of the front grill 60 substantially coincide with each other when the front grille 60 is attached to the main body 4.

In the wiring connection step S4, the panel opening / closing motor 43 of the drive unit 41 and the control board of the electrical component box 40 are connected by the cable 430. The cable 430 extends from the drive unit 41 to the electrical component box 40 along the main casing 42.

Next, in the attaching step S5 of the outlet assembly 5, the outlet assembly 5 is attached to the main body 4. The outlet assembly 5 is attached to the main body 4 such that the space in which the indoor fan 21 of the main body 4 is accommodated and the outlet 26 communicate with each other.

In the attaching step S6 of the front grille assembly 6, the front grille assembly 6 is attached to the main body 4. The front grille assembly 6 is put on the main body 4 from the front of the main body 4, and is fixed to the main body 4 by screwing or fitting.

In the final fixing step S7 of the driving machine 41, the driving machine 41 is permanently fixed to the front panel 7. Here, the screw is passed through the screw hole of the fixing portion 62 of the front panel 7 and the screw hole of the fixed portion 462 of the driving device 41, so that the driving device 41 and the front panel 7 are fixed. At this time, drive The machine 41 is temporarily fixed to the main body casing 42, and the screw holes of the fixing portion 62 of the front panel 7 and the screw holes of the fixed portion 462 of the driving device 41 are arranged close to each other. Even if the screw holes of the fixing portion 62 of the front panel 7 do not completely match the screw holes of the fixed portion 462 of the driving device 41, the driving device 41 is fixed by slightly moving the driving device 41. The screw holes of the portion 62 and the screw holes of the fixed portion 462 can be aligned with each other to facilitate screwing. Then, the front panel 7 is attached to the front grill 60 in the attaching process S8 of the front panel 7. Here, a first panel 71 and a second panel 72 are provided at the tip of the first panel support member 67 of the opening / closing mechanism 61 and the tip of the second panel support member 68 projecting from the slits 600-603 on the front of the front grill 60. Are fixed respectively. The third panel 73 is fixed to the front grill 60.

The steps S1 to S8 do not necessarily have to be performed in the order described above, and the order may be changed if possible.

(1)

In the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1, an opening and closing mechanism 61 for opening and closing the front panel 7 is provided on the front grill 60. For this reason, compared to the case where the opening / closing mechanism 61 is provided in the main body 4, the mounting accuracy of the front grille 60 with the first panel 71 and the second panel 72 is improved. Therefore, it is easy to keep uniform the gaps and joints between the front grill 60 and the first panel 71 and the second panel 72, and the design can be easily improved.

The first opening / closing mechanism 63 and the second opening / closing mechanism 64 are unitized and provided on the front grill 60. Therefore, the first opening / closing mechanism 63 and the second opening / closing mechanism 64 can be easily attached to the front grill 60, and the productivity is improved.

Further, the first opening / closing mechanism 63 and the second opening / closing mechanism 64 are fixed to the inner surfaces of the left and right side surfaces of the front grille 60, and may hinder the mounting of the front grille 60 to the main body 4. Few. For this reason, it is easy to attach the front grill 60 to the main body 4.

(2)

In the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1, even when the second panel 72 moves in the opening direction and the first suction port 27 is opened, the second panel support member 68 plate portion 681 allows the second panel 72 to be opened. The side between the flannel 72 and the front grill 60 is closed. Further, since the gear portion and the like of the opening / closing mechanism 61 are located inside the plate portion 681, it is possible to prevent a hand of a resident or the like from touching the gear portion or the like. Thereby, safety is improved.

Further, since the side between the second panel 72 and the front grille 60 is closed by the plate portion 681, the movable parts such as the opening / closing member and the gear can be made hard to see external force, and the movement of the second panel 72 can be prevented. The design at the time is improved.

Further, the second panel support member 68 is integrally formed, and the plate portion 681 and the second gear portion 680 are integrated. Therefore, the number of components is reduced, and the space occupied by peripheral components can be omitted. In addition, the rigidity of the second gear portion 680 itself is improved by integrating the second gear portion 680 and the plate portion 681.

As described above, in the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1, the second panel support member 68 for supporting and moving the second panel 72 is also used as a member for care prevention and a blindfold. It is effectively used as a multifunctional component.

(3)

In the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1, the drive unit 41 is temporarily fixed to the main unit 4, so that the drive unit 41 is fixed to the front panel 7 when the front panel 7 is attached to the main unit 4. Wiring processing is easier than in the case. That is, if the driving device 41 is fixed to the front panel 7 when the front panel 7 is attached to the main body 4, the wiring is straddled between the front panel 7 and the main body 4, and the work becomes difficult. . However, by temporarily fixing the driving device 41 to the main body 4, the wiring is prevented from straddling between the front panel 7 and the main body 4 when the front panel 7 is attached to the main body 4.

In addition, since the driving device 41 transmits the driving force to the opening / closing mechanism 61, a force that requires alignment between the driving device 41 and the switching mechanism 61 is required. In the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1, the front dial 60 Is fixed to the front grille 60 after being attached to the main body 4. That is, since the driving device 41 is finally fixed to the front grill 60, the mounting accuracy of the opening / closing mechanism 61 provided on the front grill 60 and the driving device 41 is improved.

(Four)

In the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1, the driving force of the driving unit 41 is transmitted to the first opening / closing mechanism 63 and the second opening unit. The power is distributed to and transmitted to the closing mechanism 64, and the force near the left and right ends of the first panel 71 and the second panel 72 is S-linked. Therefore, the left and right movements of the first panel 71 and the second panel 72 are accurately synchronized with each other, so that the deformation of the first panel 71 and the second panel 72 is prevented, and the smooth movement is possible.

In addition, since the driving force of the driving device 41 is distributed and transmitted to the first panel support member 67 and the second panel support member 68, the first panel 71 and the second panel 72 move in a linked manner. Therefore, it is easy to synchronize the opening and closing operations of the first suction port 27 and the outlet port 26.Furthermore, the movement of the left and right ends of the first panel 71 and the second panel 72 and the first panel 71 and the second Movement force at 4 locations in total, with 2 panels 72, is driven by one panel open / close motor 43. For this reason, the movements of the four locations can be accurately synchronized, and the opening and closing operations are performed with good timing.

[Other embodiments]

(1)

In the above embodiment, the opening / closing mechanism 61 has a function of converting the rotational motion transmitted from the driving device 41 into a linear motion or an arc-shaped motion. However, the conversion of the operation performed by the opening / closing mechanism 61 is limited to these. It is not something that can be done. For example, a mechanism having a function of transmitting a linear motion from the driving device 41 and converting the linear motion into an opening / closing operation of the first panel 71 or the second panel 72 may be used.

(2)

In the above-described embodiment, the first opening / closing mechanism 63 and the second opening / closing mechanism 64 are provided on the inner surfaces on the left and right sides of the front grille 60, respectively. Is not limited to these. Other arrangements are possible depending on the shape of the front grille 60 and the arrangement of the front panel 7.

(3)

In the above embodiment, the second panel support member 68 is integrally molded, but a separate plate portion 681 and a gear portion may be used. However, from the perspective of reducing the number of parts, it is more desirable to be integrated! (Four)

In the above embodiment, the force temporarily fixed by the locking claw 490 of the main body 4 and the locking hole 461 of the driving device 41 The locking claw 490 is provided in the driving device 41, and the locking hole 461 is provided in the driving device 41. It may be provided in the main body 4. Further, the configuration for temporary fixing is not limited to the locking claw 490 and the locking hole 461, but may be another configuration that can temporarily fix the driving device 41 to the main body 4.

(Five)

The temporary fixing structure in the above embodiment is not limited to the opening and closing of the first panel 71 and the second panel 72, and it is necessary to transmit the driving force from the main body 4 to the front grill 60 having some movable parts. It is effective for

(6)

In the above embodiment, the driving force of the driving device 41 is distributed by the power transmission shaft 65 of the opening / closing mechanism 61. However, the driving force may be distributed by other members without being limited to such a shaft member.

(7)

In the above-described embodiment, another element such as a power unit to which the driving force of the driving device 41 is transmitted by the gear unit may be used as the driving force transmission unit.

Industrial applicability

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention has an effect of improving safety in opening and closing operations of a movable panel, and is useful as an indoor unit of an air conditioner.

Claims

The scope of the claims

A casing (60) having an opening (27) in the front,

The opening (27) is provided so as to cover the opening (27). The opening (27) is moved by moving away from the opening (27), and the opening (27) is moved closer to the opening (27). A movable pannelette (72) for closing the opening (27);

A driving unit (41) for generating a driving force for moving the movable panel (72), and a driving force transmission unit (680) for transmitting the driving force of the driving unit (41) to the movable panel (72). A plate portion (681) provided outside the driving force transmitting portion (680) and closing a gap between the movable panel (72) and the casing (60) when the movable panel (72) is in an open state. An opening / closing member (68) having:

The indoor unit (2) of the air conditioner (1) equipped with:

The opening and closing member (68) supports the movable panel (72), and projects the movable panel (72) away from the opening (27) by projecting forward from the casing (60). Move,

The indoor unit (2) of the air conditioner (1) according to claim 1.

The plate portion (681) supports the movable panel (72) and projects forward from the casing (60) to move the movable panel (72) away from the opening (27). Also serves as a member,

An indoor unit (2) of the air conditioner (1) according to claim 1 or 2.

The indoor unit (2) of the air conditioner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the driving force transmission unit (680) and the plate unit (681) are provided integrally.

The driving force transmitting portion (680) and the plate portion (681) are integrally molded,

The indoor unit (2) of the air conditioner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

The opening / closing members (68) are provided so as to be close to inner surfaces of both sides of the casing (60), respectively.

An indoor unit (2) of the air conditioner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.