JP2003097821A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a ceiling-mounted or ceiling-suspended air conditioner so that the relative distance between a centrifugal blower and a bell mouth is maintained at a predetermined value. An indoor unit (1) includes a casing (1) having a substantially rectangular shape.
1, a centrifugal blower 17, a heat exchanger 27 having a plurality of concave portions 27a, 27c and a plurality of convex portions 27b, 27d,
A drain pan 25, a bell mouth 18, and an electrical component box 16 are provided. The electrical component box 16 is a device for storing electrical components used for operation control and the like.
Has a shape extending from the top surface to the bell mouth 18. The electrical component box 16 is arranged between the outer peripheral portion of the centrifugal blower 17 and one of the convex portions 27b of the heat exchanger 27, and supports the bell mouth 18.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to a ceiling-embedded or ceiling-suspended air conditioner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An air conditioner is mainly composed of an outdoor unit having a compressor and a heat exchanger, and an indoor unit having a centrifugal blower and a heat exchanger. As indoor units, various types of indoor units such as a wall-mounted type, a ceiling-embedded type, and a suspended type are provided. Ceiling-buried or ceiling-suspended indoor units mainly consist of a casing having a suction port and a plurality of blowout ports on the lower surface, a centrifugal blower arranged inside the casing, and a bell mouth arranged above the suction port. And a heat exchanger arranged so as to surround the centrifugal blower. Further, inside the indoor unit, an electrical component box that stores electrical components used for operation control of the air conditioner and the like is arranged.

A conventional electrical equipment box for an indoor unit is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
Some of them are arranged on the outer peripheral portion of a bell mouth as shown in Japanese Patent No. 236024 (see the electric component box 56 shown by dotted lines in FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0004]

However, in the electric component box of the air conditioner described above, the weight of the electric component box may act on the outer periphery of the bell mouth to change the vertical position of the bell mouth. On the other hand, since the centrifugal blower is mounted on the top surface of the casing, the vertical position is kept constant. Therefore, the relative distance between the centrifugal blower and the bell mouth may change from a predetermined value, and the blowing performance of the centrifugal blower may deteriorate.

An object of the present invention is to maintain a relative distance between a centrifugal blower and a bell mouth at a predetermined value in a ceiling-embedded or ceiling-suspended air conditioner.

[0006]

An air conditioner according to claim 1 is a ceiling-embedded or ceiling-suspended air conditioner, which includes a casing, a centrifugal fan, a heat exchanger, and a bell mouth. And an electrical component box in which electrical components are stored. The casing has an inlet for sucking air inside, and a plurality of outlets for blowing air outside. The suction port is provided on the lower surface of the casing. The centrifugal blower is arranged above the suction port inside the casing. The heat exchanger is arranged so as to surround the centrifugal blower. The plurality of outlets are arranged on the outer peripheral side of the heat exchanger. The bell mouth is located between the inlet and the centrifugal blower. The electrical component box is mounted on the top surface of the casing.

In this air conditioner, since the electric component box is mounted on the top surface of the casing, it is difficult for the weight of the electric component box to act on the bell mouth. As a result, the relative distance between the centrifugal blower and the bell mouth is maintained at a predetermined value, and the blowing performance of the centrifugal blower can be exhibited. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the air conditioner according to the first aspect, the electrical component box extends from the top surface of the casing to the bell mouth. The bell mouth is supported by the electrical component box.

In this air conditioner, the bell mouth is supported by an electrical equipment box mounted on the top surface of the casing. That is, the bell mouth is supported on the top surface of the casing via the electrical component box. As a result, the vertical position of the bell mouth becomes more stable. The air conditioner according to claim 3 is the air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the electrical component box has an electrical component box main body in which electrical components are stored, and a main body mounting member for detachably mounting the electrical component box main body. And a lid member for opening and closing the main body of the electrical component box. The main body mounting member is mounted on the top surface of the casing. The lid member is arranged so as to sandwich the bell mouth between the bell mouth and the lower end of the electrical component box body.

In this air conditioner, the main body of the electric component box is detachably mounted on the main body mounting member mounted on the top surface of the casing, so that the main body of the electric component box can be easily removed when inspecting the electric component. it can. Further, since the lid member of the electrical component box closes the lower end of the electrical component box and supports the bell mouth, the number of parts can be reduced. The air conditioner according to claim 4 is the air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electrical component box is arranged at a position corresponding to a plurality of air outlets.

In this air conditioner, since the electric component box is arranged at a position corresponding to the space between the air outlets, it is difficult for the air blown from the centrifugal blower to the outer peripheral side to have ventilation resistance. An air conditioner according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the air conditioner according to the fourth aspect, wherein the casing has a substantially rectangular shape, and the plurality of air outlets are arranged at positions corresponding to respective sides of the casing. The electrical component box is arranged at a position corresponding to the rectangular corner of the casing.

In this air conditioner, since the electrical component box is arranged at a position corresponding to the corner of the casing where the outlet is not arranged, the space inside the casing can be effectively used. The air conditioner according to claim 6 is the air conditioner according to claim 5.
In, the heat exchanger has a plurality of convex portions formed so as to be separated from the outer peripheral portion of the centrifugal blower, and a plurality of concave portions formed so as to approach the outer peripheral portion of the centrifugal blower. The convex portion is arranged at a position corresponding to at least the corner portion. The electric component box is arranged at a position sandwiched between the outer peripheral portion and the convex portion of the centrifugal blower.

In this air conditioner, the heat exchanger has a plurality of concave portions and a plurality of convex portions, and the convex portions are arranged at the positions corresponding to the corners of the substantially rectangular casing.
As a result, the area sandwiched between the outer peripheral portion of the centrifugal blower and the convex portion of the heat exchanger has a larger space than the other areas. Since the electric component box is arranged in this region, the effective length of the heat exchanger can be increased by forming the plurality of concave portions and the plurality of convex portions, and the space inside the casing can be effectively used.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (1) Configuration of Air Conditioner FIG. 1 is an external perspective view (a ceiling is omitted) of an indoor unit 1 of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. The indoor unit 1 is a ceiling-embedded type, and includes a casing 11 embedded in the ceiling and a decorative panel 12 arranged on the lower surface of the casing.

The casing 11 is a member for storing the constituent parts of the indoor unit 1 therein. Casing 11
Has a substantially rectangular outer shape in the present embodiment. The decorative panel 12 includes an intake port 20 provided in the center of the lower surface and four blowout ports 21 provided on the outer peripheral side of the intake port 20. Next, the inside of the casing 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. Here, FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing the inside of the indoor unit 1, and FIG.
It is OA sectional drawing. The casing 11 mainly includes a centrifugal blower 17, a heat exchanger 27, a drain pan 25, a bell mouth 18, and an electrical component box 16. In addition, a pipe connection portion 26 formed of a space for arranging a connection pipe between the heat exchanger 27 and an outdoor unit (not shown) is formed at one of the corners 11a of the casing 11. Here, FIG.
Also, an electric component box 56 shown by a dotted line in FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of the conventional electric component box.

The centrifugal blower 17 is a device for sucking the air in the room from the suction port 20 and blowing the air to the side, and is arranged above the suction port 20 and mounted on the top surface of the casing 11. Here, the rotation axis of the centrifugal blower 17 is a rotation axis OO, and the rotation direction of the centrifugal blower 17 is a rotation direction R. The heat exchanger 27 is a device for exchanging heat with the air blown from the centrifugal blower 17, and is arranged so as to surround the centrifugal blower 17. Heat exchanger 27
In the present embodiment, is formed by bending a cross fin type heat exchanger panel, and has two concave portions 27a and 27c and two convex portions 27b and 27d. Specifically, the recess 27a is formed by the centrifugal blower 17
Is a portion formed so as to approach the outer peripheral portion of the pipe connection portion 26. In the present embodiment, it is formed corresponding to the outlet 21 on the side of the pipe connection portion 26 on the side opposite to the rotational direction R. Also, the convex portion 2
7b is a portion formed so as to be separated from the outer peripheral portion of the centrifugal blower 17, and in the present embodiment, is formed corresponding to the corner portion 11a of the pipe connection portion 26 on the anti-rotation direction R side. Further, a concave portion 27c is arranged corresponding to the outlet 21 on the side of the convex portion 27d on the side opposite to the rotational direction R, and the concave portion 2
The convex portion 27 corresponding to the corner portion 11a on the anti-rotation direction R side of 7c.
d is formed.

The drain pan 25 is a resin plate member for receiving condensed water generated when the air is cooled in the heat exchanger 27, and is arranged below the heat exchanger 27.
It is attached to the lower part of the casing 11. Drain pan 2
5, a circular hole 25a corresponding to the suction port 20 and a square hole 25b corresponding to the four outlets 21, as shown in FIG.
The first outer peripheral edge of the circular hole 25a is further cut out in a rectangular shape.
The groove 25c is formed. The first groove portion 25c is arranged at a position corresponding to one of the corner portions 11a of the casing 11.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bell mouth 18 is a plate-shaped member having a bell-shaped opening at its center,
It is arranged between the suction port 20 and the drain pan 25, and is attached to the drain pan 25 by a fixing screw 30. The outer peripheral edge of the bell mouth 18 has a first groove 25 of the drain pan 25.
A second groove portion 18a is formed by cutting out a position corresponding to c. The first groove portion 25c and the second groove portion 18a are vertically overlapped with each other to form the window portion 44, and the lower end of the electrical component box 16 is arranged.

The electrical component box 16 has a shape extending from the top surface of the casing 11 to the bell mouth 18, and is a device for accommodating electrical components used for operation control and the like. In the present embodiment, the electrical component box 16 has, as shown in FIG.
It is arranged between the outer peripheral portion of the centrifugal blower 17 and the convex portion 27 b of the heat exchanger 27. The electrical component box 16 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 4, an electrical component box body 41 in which electrical components used for operation control and the like are stored, a body mounting member 42 for detachably mounting the electrical component box body 41, and an electrical component box body 4
1 and a lid member 43 for opening and closing.

The electrical component box body 41 is a vertically long box-shaped member for accommodating electrical components used for operation control and the like, and a claw portion 41a is formed on the upper side surface thereof. Body mounting member 4
Reference numeral 2 denotes a fixed surface portion 42a mounted on the top surface of the casing 11 by the fixing screw 31, a first side surface portion 42b extending downward from a side of the fixed surface portion 42a on the side of the centrifugal blower 17, and a heat exchanger 27 of the fixed surface portion 42a. The second side surface portion 42c extends downward from the side edge, and the support surface portion 42d extends from the lower end of the second side surface portion 42c toward the centrifugal blower 17 side. A slit hole 42e is formed in the first side surface portion 42b to lock the claw portion 41a of the electrical component box body 41. The second side surface portion 42c is formed with a protrusion 42f that protrudes toward the electrical component box body 41 and supports one side surface of the electrical component box body 41. The support surface portion 42d supports the lower end of the electrical component box body 41.

The lid member 43 is a plate-like member which is arranged so as to sandwich the peripheral edge of the second groove portion 18a of the bell mouth 18 between the lower end of the electrical equipment box body 41 and the fixing screw 32. It is attached to the box body 41. With the configuration of the electrical component box 16 described above, the electrical component box body 41 is detachably mounted on the body mounting member 42. Further, the peripheral portion of the second groove portion 18 a of the bell mouth 18 is supported by the lid member 43 so as to be pushed upward.

(2) Operation of Air Conditioner The operation of the indoor unit 1 will be described with reference to FIG. When the centrifugal blower 17 is rotated, the indoor air is sucked into the indoor unit 1 through the suction port 20 as shown by the arrow W in FIG. The sucked air is blown out to the outer peripheral side of the centrifugal blower 17, as shown by the arrow X in FIG. The air blown to the outer peripheral side of the centrifugal blower 17 is heat-exchanged by a heat exchanger 27 arranged on the outer peripheral side of the centrifugal blower 17, as shown by an arrow Y, and is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the lower surface of the casing 11. Is blown out into the room from the blowout port 21.

(3) Attachment / Detachment of Electrical Equipment Box Attachment / detachment of the electrical equipment box body 41 when the electrical equipment box 16 is inspected will be described with reference to FIG. A procedure for removing the electrical component box body 41 from the body mounting member 42 will be described. First, the fixing screw 32 is removed, and then the lid member 43 is removed.
Next, the lower end of the electrical component box body 41 is pulled toward the centrifugal blower 17 side. Then, the electrical component box main body 41 becomes the main body mounting member 4
Inclining with the protruding portion 42f of No. 2 as a fulcrum
The claw portion 41a and the slit hole 42e of the main body mounting member 42 are separated from each other. Then, the electric component box body 41 is pulled out obliquely downward from the window portion 44.

On the contrary, the electrical equipment box body 41 is attached to the body mounting member 4
When it is attached to No. 2, it is attached by reversing the above removal procedure. (4) Features of the air conditioner The air conditioner of this embodiment has the following features. Maintaining the distance between the bell mouth 18 and the centrifugal blower 17 Since the conventional electrical component box 56 is arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the bell mouth 18 as shown in FIGS. The weight of the electrical component box 56 may act to change the vertical position of the bell mouth 18.

On the other hand, the electrical component box 16 of this embodiment
Is mounted on the top surface of the casing 11, so that the weight of the electrical component box 16 is less likely to act on the bell mouth 18. As a result, the lap margin d (relative distance) between the centrifugal blower 17 and the bell mouth 18 is maintained at a predetermined value, and the blowing performance of the centrifugal blower 17 can be exhibited.

Stable Vertical Position of Bell Mouth 18 In this embodiment, the bell mouth 18 is supported by the electrical equipment box 16 mounted on the top surface of the casing 11. That is, the bell mouth 18 is supported on the top surface of the casing 11 via the electrical component box 16. As a result, the upper and lower positions of the bell mouth 18 are positioned and stabilized.

Ease of Attachment / Detachment of Electrical Equipment Box 16 In the present embodiment, the electrical equipment box body 41 is detachably mounted on the body mounting member 42 mounted on the top surface of the casing 11, so that it is possible to check the electrical equipment during inspection. Easy electrical equipment box body 4
1 can be removed. Further, since the lid member 43 of the electric component box 16 closes the lower end of the electric component box 16 and supports the bell mouth 18, the number of parts can be reduced.

Arrangement of the electrical component box 16 which is less likely to cause air flow resistance In the present embodiment, the electrical component box 16 is disposed at a position corresponding to one of the air outlets 21 provided on each side of the casing 11. The air blown from the centrifugal blower 17 to the outer peripheral side is unlikely to have ventilation resistance. Increasing the effective length of the heat exchanger 27 In the present embodiment, the heat exchanger 27 has two concave portions 27.
Since it has a and 27c and two convex portions 27b and 27d, the effective length is increased as compared with the conventional heat exchanger. Since the recesses 27a and 27c are arranged at the positions corresponding to the air outlet 21, the opening area of the air outlet 21 is not reduced.

Improvement of Space of Casing 11 In this embodiment, the convex portion 27b of the heat exchanger 27 is arranged at a position corresponding to the corner portion 11a of the casing 11. Thereby, the outer peripheral portion of the centrifugal blower 17 and the convex portion 27b
The region sandwiched between and has a larger space than the other regions. Since the electrical component box 16 is arranged in this area, the space of the casing 11 can be effectively used.

(5) Other Embodiments The embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment and does not depart from the gist of the invention. It can be changed. For example, in this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a ceiling-embedded air conditioner, but the present invention can also be applied to a ceiling-suspended air conditioner.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. In the invention according to claim 1, because the weight of the electrical component box is less likely to act on the bell mouth, the relative distance between the centrifugal blower and the bell mouth is maintained at a predetermined value, and the blowing performance of the centrifugal blower is improved. Can be demonstrated.

In the invention according to claim 2, since the bell mouth is supported on the top surface of the casing via the electrical component box, the bell mouth can be stabilized in the vertical position. In the invention according to claim 3, since the electric component box body is detachably mounted on the body mounting member mounted on the top surface of the casing, the electric component box body can be easily removed when inspecting the electric component. . Further, since the lid member of the electrical component box closes the lower end of the electrical component box and supports the bell mouth, the number of parts can be reduced.

In the invention according to claim 4, since the electric component box is arranged at a position corresponding to the space between the outlets, it is difficult for the air blown from the outer periphery of the centrifugal blower to have ventilation resistance. In the invention according to claim 5, since the electric component box is arranged at a position corresponding to a corner portion where the outlet of the casing is not arranged, the space inside the casing can be effectively used.

In the invention according to claim 6, since the electric component box is arranged in the region sandwiched between the outer peripheral portion of the centrifugal blower and the convex portion of the heat exchanger, the space inside the casing can be effectively used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing the inside of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AOA of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing assembly of a bell mouth and an electrical component box into a casing.

5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the electrical component box of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Indoor unit (air conditioner) 11 casing 16,56 Electrical equipment box 17 Centrifugal blower 18 Bellmouth 20 suction port 21 Outlet 41 Electrical component box body 42 Body mounting member 43 Lid member

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A ceiling-embedded or ceiling-suspended air conditioner (1), comprising: a casing (11); and an intake provided on the lower surface of the casing (11) for sucking air into the interior. Mouth (20), centrifugal blower (17) arranged inside the casing (11) above the inlet (20), and heat exchanger arranged so as to surround the centrifugal blower (17) (27) and the heat exchanger (2) provided in the casing (11).
7) A bell mouth (18) arranged between the suction port (20) and the centrifugal blower (17) and a plurality of air outlets (21) for ejecting air to the outside. An air conditioner (1) comprising: an electric component box (16) mounted on the top surface of the casing (11) and accommodating electric components. 2. The electrical equipment box (16) extends from the top surface of the casing (11) to the bell mouth (18), and the bell mouth (18) is attached to the electrical equipment box (16). The air conditioner (1) according to claim 1, which is supported. 3. The electrical component box (16) is mounted on the top surface of the casing (11) and an electrical component box body (41) in which electrical components are stored, and the electrical component box body (41) is attached. The body mounting member (42) for detachably mounting and the bell mouth (11) are arranged so as to be sandwiched between the bellows (11) and the lower end of the electrical component box body (41), and the electrical component box body (41). The air conditioner (1) according to claim 2, further comprising a lid member (43) for opening and closing. 4. The air conditioner (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electrical equipment box (16) is arranged at a position corresponding to the plurality of outlets (21). . 5. The casing (11) has a substantially rectangular shape, and the plurality of outlets (21) are the casing (11).
5. The air according to claim 4, wherein the air box is arranged at a position corresponding to each side of, and the electric component box (16) is arranged at a position corresponding to a corner portion (11a) of the casing (11). Harmonizer (1). 6. The heat exchanger (27) comprises a plurality of convex portions (27b, 27d) formed so as to be separated from an outer peripheral portion of the centrifugal blower (17), and an outer peripheral portion of the centrifugal blower (17). A plurality of recesses (27a, 2
7c), the convex portions (27b, 27d) are arranged at positions corresponding to at least the corner portions (11a), and the electrical component box (16) is provided in the centrifugal blower (17). The air conditioner (1) according to claim 5, wherein the air conditioner (1) is arranged at a position sandwiched between an outer peripheral portion and the convex portions (27b, 27d).