Air conditioner indoor unit

Abstract

Air conditioner indoor unit. In an air conditioner indoor unit provided with an aluminum refrigerant pipe, flattening of the refrigerant pipe due to bending work at the time of installation is suppressed. The air conditioner indoor unit is provided with a heat exchanger (20) having an aluminum heat transfer pipe (21), an aluminum refrigerant pipe (30), and a metal first member (50). The aluminum refrigerant pipe (30) is connected to the heat transfer pipe, and a refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger flows. The metal first member (50) extends along the surface of the refrigerant pipe. The refrigerant pipe (30) has a first portion (Pa1) connected to the heat transfer pipe (21), a second portion (Pa2) connected to the first portion (Pa1) and bent, and a third portion (Pa3) connected to the second portion (Pa2) and extending to the end of the refrigerant pipe (30). The first member (50) covers the periphery of the second portion (Pa2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an indoor air conditioning unit having aluminum heat transfer tubes in the heat exchanger. Background Technology

[0002] An indoor air conditioning unit includes a heat exchanger for refrigerant heat exchange. The indoor unit is connected to an outdoor unit to form an air conditioning system. To allow refrigerant to circulate between the indoor and outdoor units, they are connected by connecting piping. When installing an indoor unit, to facilitate the connection of the connecting piping to the indoor unit, a refrigerant piping system is provided within the indoor unit to assist in connecting the heat transfer pipes of the heat exchanger within the indoor unit to the connecting piping.

[0003] With the aim of reducing the weight and cost of the air conditioner indoor unit, as described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-140998), most or all of the material of the heat transfer pipes and refrigerant piping of the heat exchanger of the air conditioner indoor unit is replaced with aluminum or aluminum alloy.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-140998

[0007] To properly connect the refrigerant piping to the heat exchanger's heat transfer pipes during the installation of the indoor unit, the refrigerant piping of the indoor unit is bent in accordance with the installation location of the indoor unit and the location of the connecting piping. Sometimes, the refrigerant piping is bent multiple times to ensure proper alignment during installation. If aluminum refrigerant piping is bent too many times, it will flatten, and its cross-sectional shape will easily deform from a circular to a flattened shape.

[0008] In air conditioning indoor units with such aluminum refrigerant piping, there is a problem of preventing flattening of the refrigerant piping caused by bending during installation. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The first viewpoint's indoor air conditioning unit includes: a heat exchanger having aluminum heat transfer pipes; aluminum refrigerant piping; and a first metal component. The aluminum refrigerant piping is connected to the heat transfer pipes, allowing refrigerant to flow through which heat is exchanged by the heat exchanger. The first metal component extends along the surface of the refrigerant piping. The refrigerant piping has a first portion connected to the heat transfer pipes, a second portion connected to and bent from the first portion, and a third portion connected to the second portion and extending to the end of the refrigerant piping, with the first component covering the periphery of the second portion.

[0010] In the first viewpoint of the air conditioner indoor unit, by using the first component to prevent the second part of the refrigerant piping from deforming into a shape other than a circular cross-section, it is possible to prevent the second part from being flattened due to the bending of the refrigerant piping during the on-site installation of the air conditioner indoor unit.

[0011] In the second viewpoint of the air conditioner indoor unit, the first component includes a ring portion disposed in the second part. The first component has a telescopic structure that allows the ring portion to extend and retract while maintaining its ring shape.

[0012] In the second viewpoint of the air conditioner indoor unit, since multiple rings retain their ring shape after the first component extends or retracts, the handling of the first component and refrigerant piping during refrigerant piping bending operations becomes easier, thereby improving the workability of installing the air conditioner indoor unit.

[0013] In the third viewpoint of the air conditioner indoor unit, compared to the first or second viewpoint air conditioner indoor unit, the first component is made of a metal with a higher potential than aluminum. The first component or the second part is covered by an anti-electro-erosion coating or insulating components.

[0014] In the third viewpoint of the air conditioner indoor unit, electro-erosion of the first component, which is made of a metal with a higher potential than aluminum, and the aluminum refrigerant piping can be prevented by anti-electro-erosion coating or insulating components.

[0015] In the fourth viewpoint, the first component of the air conditioner indoor unit in any of the first to third viewpoints is made of stainless steel or aluminum.

[0016] In the fourth viewpoint of the air conditioner indoor unit, since the first component is made of stainless steel or aluminum, electrolytic corrosion is less likely to occur between the aluminum refrigerant piping and the first component, thus inhibiting the corrosion of the refrigerant piping due to electrolytic corrosion.

[0017] In the fifth viewpoint, the air conditioner indoor unit, as described in any of the first to fourth viewpoints, includes a refrigerant piping comprising a liquid pipe and a gas pipe, wherein the gas pipe supplies refrigerant containing a greater gaseous component than the refrigerant flowing in the liquid pipe. A first component is disposed only on the gas pipe.

[0018] In the fifth viewpoint of the air conditioner indoor unit, since the liquid pipe is thinner than the gas pipe, it is difficult to flatten it. Therefore, by configuring the first component only on the gas pipe, it is possible to prevent the flattening of the refrigerant piping and reduce the number of components.

[0019] In the sixth viewpoint, the difference between the inner diameter of the first component and the outer diameter of the second component in the air conditioning indoor unit of any of the first to fifth viewpoints is 0.1 mm or more and 0.7 mm or less.

[0020] In the sixth viewpoint of the air conditioner indoor unit, by setting the difference between the inner diameter of the first component and the outer diameter of the second component to 0.7 mm or less, the deformation of the refrigerant piping when bent can be limited, effectively preventing the refrigerant piping from being flattened. Furthermore, by setting the difference to 0.1 mm or more, it is easier to embed the first component into the refrigerant piping compared to a difference less than 0.1 mm.

[0021] In the seventh viewpoint, the third section of the refrigerant piping in the indoor unit of any of the first to sixth viewpoints is a straight pipe. The first component covers more than half of the length of the third section.

[0022] In the air conditioner indoor unit of the seventh viewpoint, since the third part covers more than half of the surrounding area in the length direction, even if the third part is bent during installation, the part covered by the first part can be used, and the third part can be prevented from being flattened.

[0023] The indoor unit of the air conditioner in the eighth viewpoint, as in any of the first to seventh viewpoints, includes a connecting part for connecting to a connecting pipe for communication with an outdoor unit located outdoors. A third part is directly or indirectly connected to the connecting part via other components.

[0024] In the air conditioner indoor unit of the eighth viewpoint, the connection part can be used to prevent the first component from falling off the refrigerant piping during operation. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the indoor unit of an air conditioner.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a front view of the heat exchanger of the indoor unit of an air conditioner.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view showing the back side of the indoor unit of an air conditioner.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a rear view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a side view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner, with the refrigerant piping 30 and drain hose 35 extending to the rear side.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a side view of a coil spring.

[0031] Figure 7 This is the front view of a helical spring.

[0032] Figure 8 This is a side view of the corrugated first component.

[0033] Figure 9 This is the front view of the corrugated first component.

[0034] Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional view of the first component of the mesh.

[0035] Figure 11 It is a three-dimensional view of the first component with slits.

[0036] Label Explanation

[0037] 10 air conditioner indoor units

[0038] 20 heat exchangers

[0039] 21 heat transfer tubes

[0040] 30 refrigerant piping

[0041] 31 Gas tube

[0042] 32 Liquid Tube

[0043] 41, 42 connecting parts

[0044] 43, 44 Connecting components (examples of other components)

[0045] 51 Ring Section

[0046] Pa1 Part 1

[0047] Pa2 Part 2

[0048] Pa3 Part 3 Detailed Implementation

[0049] (1) Overall structure

[0050] Figure 1 The indoor unit 10 and outdoor unit 70 of the air conditioner shown are connected to form an air conditioner 100. Between the indoor unit 10 and outdoor unit 70 of the air conditioner 100, heat is transferred using a vapor compression refrigeration cycle, utilizing the phase change of the refrigerant. The indoor unit 10 includes a heat exchanger 20 for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the indoor air. The outdoor unit 70, in order to absorb heat from the outside air into the refrigerant or release heat from the refrigerant to the outside air, is, for example, equipped with an outdoor heat exchanger (not shown) for exchanging heat between the outside air and the refrigerant. The outdoor unit 70 is, for example, located at the outdoor OD.

[0051] When the air conditioner 100 cools the room, heat is lost from the indoor air by the refrigerant through heat exchange in the heat exchanger 20 of the indoor unit 10, thus lowering the indoor air temperature. The refrigerant, having gained heat and increased in temperature in the heat exchanger 20, flows to the outdoor unit 70. In the outdoor unit 70, the refrigerant releases its heat to the outside air, lowering its temperature. The refrigerant, now cooled, flows back to the heat exchanger 20 of the indoor unit 10, where it again gains heat from the indoor air.

[0052] When the air conditioner 100 is heating the room, the refrigerant in the heat exchanger 20 of the indoor unit 10 transfers heat to the indoor air, causing the indoor air temperature to rise. The refrigerant, having been heated and cooled in the heat exchanger 20, flows to the outdoor unit 70. In the outdoor unit 70, the cooled refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside air, causing its temperature to rise. The refrigerant, now warmer in the outdoor unit 70, flows back to the heat exchanger 20 of the indoor unit 10, where it again transfers heat to the indoor air.

[0053] The indoor unit 10 and outdoor unit 70 of the air conditioner are connected by a connecting pipe 80. The connecting pipe 80 includes a first connecting pipe 81 and a second connecting pipe 82 to allow refrigerant flow between the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 70. The first connecting pipe 81 connects the connection portion 71 of the outdoor unit 70 to the first connection portion 41 of the indoor unit 10, thus allowing refrigerant flow. The second connecting pipe 82 connects the connection portion 72 of the outdoor unit 70 to the second connection portion 42 of the indoor unit 10, thus allowing refrigerant flow. The first connection portion 41 and the second connection portion 42 are contained within the connection portion 40 of the indoor unit 10. The connecting pipe 80 may also have a cover, for example, that covers the first connecting pipe 81 and the second connecting pipe 82 for protection.

[0054] The first connecting pipe 81 supplies refrigerant containing more gaseous components than the refrigerant flowing in the second connecting pipe 82. In other words, the second connecting pipe 82 supplies refrigerant with a lower specific enthalpy than the first connecting pipe 81. For example, the first connecting pipe 81 supplies refrigerant in a gaseous state or refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state where the gaseous component is more than the liquid component. In the following description, refrigerant with more gaseous components than liquid components is referred to as gaseous refrigerant. The second connecting pipe 82 supplies liquid refrigerant or refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state where the liquid component is more than the gaseous component. In the following description, refrigerant with more liquid components than gaseous components is referred to as liquid refrigerant. Since the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle is circulated back and forth using the first connecting pipe 81 and the second connecting pipe 82, the diameter of the first connecting pipe 81, which supplies a large volume of gaseous refrigerant, is larger than the diameter of the second connecting pipe 82.

[0055] The indoor unit 10 of the air conditioner includes: a gas pipe 31 for connecting the heat exchanger 20 to the first connecting pipe 81; and a liquid pipe 32 for connecting the heat exchanger 20 to the second connecting pipe 82. The gas pipe 31 supplies a large amount of refrigerant containing more gaseous components than the refrigerant flowing in the liquid pipe. Depending on the properties of the refrigerant flowing in the pipe, the outer diameter of the gas pipe 31 is larger than the outer diameter of the liquid pipe 32. These gas pipes 31 and liquid pipes 32 are refrigerant piping 30 connected to the heat transfer pipes 21 of the heat exchanger 20 and supplying the refrigerant undergoing heat exchange by the heat exchanger 20.

[0056] All of the heat transfer tubes 21 in the heat exchanger 20 are made of aluminum. In this disclosure, "made of aluminum" includes not only cases where aluminum is used as the material, but also cases where aluminum alloys are used as the material. The refrigerant piping 30 connected to the aluminum heat transfer tubes 21 is also made of aluminum, as are the gas pipe 31 and the liquid pipe 32.

[0057] The indoor unit 10 of the air conditioner is installed in the wall WL of the room RM. To connect the indoor unit 10 to the outdoor unit 70, a through hole 110 is formed in the wall WL, through which a refrigerant pipe 30 passes. In the refrigerant pipe 30, for example... Figure 1 The part indicated by the diagonal line is installed with Figure 2 The first component 50 is shown. The first component 50 extends along the surface of the refrigerant piping 30. The first component 50 can be configured not only by... Figure 1 The part indicated by the diagonal line can be the whole or a part. The first component 50 is cylindrical, and the cross-sectional shape of the first component 50 is annular.

[0058] like Figure 2As shown, the refrigerant piping 30 has a first portion Pa1 connected to the heat transfer pipe 21, a second portion Pa2 connected to and bent from the first portion Pa1, and a third portion Pa3 connected to the second portion Pa2. The third portion Pa3 is located between the connecting portion 40 and the second portion Pa2. In other words, the third portion Pa3 is the portion from the second portion Pa2 to the end of the refrigerant piping 30. The first portion Pa1, the second portion Pa2, and the third portion Pa3 are respectively present in the gas pipe 31 and the liquid pipe 32. The first portion Pa1 can be directly connected to the heat transfer pipe 21 or indirectly connected.

[0059] The first component 50 covers the second part Pa2 of the gas pipe 31 (refrigerant piping 30). Figure 2 The first component 50 shown also covers a portion of the first part Pa1 and a portion of the third part Pa3. However, the first component 50 may also only cover the second part Pa2 of the gas pipe 31 (refrigerant pipe 30). Alternatively, the first component 50 may cover a portion or all of the first part Pa1 and the second part Pa2. Furthermore, the first component 50 may cover a portion or all of the third part Pa3 and the second part Pa2. Moreover, the first component 50 may be configured to cover the entire first part Pa1, the second part Pa2, and the third part Pa3.

[0060] (2) Detailed Structure

[0061] (2-1) Air conditioner indoor unit 10

[0062] The indoor unit 10 of the air conditioner has a housing 11, which has an intake 12 for drawing in air from the room RM (indoor air) and an outlet 13 for blowing conditioned air out of the room RM. A cross-flow fan 14 is disposed in the housing 11, generating airflow from the intake 12 toward the outlet 13. Viewed from the side, the heat exchanger 20 is configured in a C-shape to surround the cross-flow fan 14. The open portion of the C-shaped heat exchanger 20 is close to the outlet 13. With this structure of the heat exchanger 20, virtually all the indoor air drawn in from the intake 12 passes through the heat exchanger 20. An air filter 15 is disposed between the intake 12 and the heat exchanger 20. The air passing through the heat exchanger 20 passes through the air filter 15 beforehand, thus removing dust by the air filter 15. A drain pan 17 is disposed below the heat exchanger 20. In order to drain the condensate accumulated in the drain pan 17 to the outside of the indoor unit 10, a drain hose 35 (see reference) Figure 4 , Figure 5 It is connected to the drainage tray 17.

[0063] Air passing sequentially through intake 12, air filter 15, heat exchanger 20, and crossflow fan 14 is conditioned by the heat exchanger 20 and then blown into room RM from outlet 13. An airflow vane 16 is provided at outlet 13. The airflow vane 16 is designed to change the vertical airflow direction. Although in Figure 1 It is not shown in the figure, but a wind vane can also be installed to change the horizontal wind direction.

[0064] (2-1-1) Heat exchanger 20

[0065] Figure 2 The X1-X2 direction shown is the length direction of the heat exchanger 20. Multiple heat transfer tubes 21 of the heat exchanger 20 are arranged along its length. U-shaped tubes 22 are connected to the ends of two heat transfer tubes 21, allowing the refrigerant to flow while simultaneously circling within the multiple heat transfer tubes 21. The multiple heat transfer tubes 21 are arranged with multiple aluminum fins 23 extending through them. Indoor air passes between the multiple fins 23, enabling efficient heat exchange. The metal portion of the heat exchanger 20 is made of aluminum.

[0066] (2-1-2) Refrigerant piping 30

[0067] The refrigerant piping 30 includes an aluminum gas pipe 31 and an aluminum liquid pipe 32. The inner diameter of the gas pipe 31, which supplies a larger volume of gaseous refrigerant per unit mass, is larger than the inner diameter of the liquid pipe 32, which supplies a smaller volume of liquid refrigerant per unit mass. Therefore, the gas pipe 31 is easier to flatten than the liquid pipe 32. In this disclosure, flattening of the gas pipe 31 or the liquid pipe 32 refers to the deformation of the shape from a circle to an ellipse or other flattened shape when the pipe with a circular cross-section is bent.

[0068] Gas pipe 31 and liquid pipe 32 are typically straight pipes, with the first portion Pa1 perpendicular to the vertical direction, when the indoor unit 10 is installed on the wall. The third portion Pa3 of gas pipe 31 and liquid pipe 32 is typically a straight pipe extending perpendicular to the first portion Pa1 when the indoor unit 10 is transported from the factory to the installation site (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as leaving the factory). The second portion Pa2 of gas pipe 31 and liquid pipe 32 is a bend. The second portion Pa2 is, for example, substantially curved at the factory, forming an arc shape that divides a circle into four equal parts. The third portion Pa3 is connected to the connecting portions 41 and 42 via connecting parts 43 and 44. Connecting parts 43 and 44 are, for example, made of copper. By making connecting parts 43 and 44 copper, electrolytic corrosion is less likely to occur even if the first connecting pipe 81 and the second connecting pipe 82 are copper. Electrolytic corrosion occurs, for example, due to the contact of moisture such as condensation or rainwater generated by the indoor unit 10 with dissimilar metals.

[0069] exist Figure 3The image shows the state as viewed from the rear oblique angle of the outer casing 11. Figure 5 The diagram shows the configuration viewed from the rear of the housing 11. A mounting plate 18 is mounted on the back of the housing 11. The mounting plate 18 is designed to be removable during installation. The ends of wiring harnesses 19 for connecting signal lines to external connections are located on the outer side of the back of the housing 11.

[0070] (2-1-3) First component 50

[0071] The first component 50 covers the area around the second portion Pa2 of the gas pipe 31. The first component 50 is, for example, Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 The coil spring shown is a first component 50 that includes a loop portion 51 disposed in the second part. The loop portion 51 is formed by winding a metal wire once. Therefore, the coil spring has multiple loop portions 51. Even when the coil spring is stretched, the loop portions 51 of the coil spring in the first component 50 maintain a loop shape. Here, maintaining a loop shape means that although the metal wire also extends in a spiral shape due to the extension of the coil spring, it is substantially loop-shaped when viewed from the axial direction of the coil spring. In other words, maintaining a loop shape means that the outer shape of the coil spring is not deformed into a flat shape such as an ellipse when viewed from the axial direction. In this way, the coil spring has a telescopic structure that can extend and retract. The coil spring used as the first component 50 is tightly wound. The initial tension is, for example, about 0.4 N. By tightly winding the coil spring, more loop portions 51 can be disposed around the second part Pa2, making it easier to suppress flattening. The difference between the inner diameter D1 of the loop portion 51 of the coil spring and the outer diameter of the second part Pa2 is more than 0.1 mm and less than 0.7 mm. Since the first component 50 extends along the surface of the refrigerant pipe 30, when the central axis of the helical spring, which is the first component 50, is aligned with the central axis of the refrigerant pipe 30, the gap formed between the helical spring and the refrigerant pipe 30 becomes half of the aforementioned difference.

[0072] The first component 50 is made of a metal with a higher electrical potential than aluminum. Examples of metals with a higher electrical potential than aluminum include iron or copper. Since the first component 50, made of a metal with a higher electrical potential than aluminum, is in contact with the aluminum refrigerant piping 30, condensation at their interface can cause electrolytic corrosion. Therefore, the first component 50 is covered with an anti-electrolytic corrosion coating or an insulating component. An anti-electrolytic corrosion coating is, for example, a cationic electrodeposition coating. Additionally, an insulating component may include, for example, heat-shrink tubing.

[0073] The anti-electro-optic coating or insulation component may be omitted from the first component 50 and instead applied to the refrigerant piping 30. By providing the anti-electro-optic coating or insulation component at least in the second portion Pa2 of the refrigerant piping 30, electro-erosion in the second portion Pa2 can be suppressed by means of the anti-electro-optic coating or insulation component. Preferably, the anti-electro-optic coating or insulation component is applied to the entire portion of the refrigerant piping 30 where the first component 50 is mounted. The anti-electro-optic coating or insulation component may also be applied to both the first component 50 and the refrigerant piping 30.

[0074] exist Figures 3 to 5 In the air conditioner indoor unit 10 shown, the coil spring, which is the first component 50, is only disposed on the gas pipe 31. However, the first component 50 may also be disposed on the liquid pipe 32. Furthermore, the coil spring not only covers the second portion Pa2, but also covers more than half of the length of the third portion Pa3. By covering more than half of the length of the third portion Pa3, as... Figure 1 As shown, when the refrigerant piping 30 is bent at two locations, the number of times the third part Pa3, which is covered by the first component 50, can be bent increases.

[0075] (3) Variations

[0076] (3-1) Variation A

[0077] In the above embodiments, an air conditioner indoor unit 10 of the type installed on a wall (WL) has been described, but the air conditioner indoor unit 10 that is the subject of this disclosure is not limited to a wall (WL). The air conditioner indoor unit 10 that is the subject of this disclosure can be installed on the ceiling, or it can be placed on the floor.

[0078] (3-2) Variation B

[0079] In the above embodiment, the case where the first component 50, which has a telescopic structure that can extend and retract while maintaining the ring shape of the ring portion 51, is described as a helical spring has been described. However, the first component 50 with such a structure is not limited to a helical spring. The first component 50 may also be, for example, a helical spring. Figure 8 as well as Figure 9As shown, the metal cylindrical body is corrugated in a manner that allows it to expand and contract axially. The corrugated metal first component 50 has a structure with a larger inner diameter portion and a smaller inner diameter portion. In such a corrugated metal first component 50, it is preferable that the difference between the inner diameter D1 of the smallest portion of the first component 50 and the outer diameter of the second portion Pa2 is 0.1 mm or more and 0.7 mm or less. Furthermore, the ring portion 51 of the corrugated first component 50 is preferably a short cylindrical shape with the aforementioned inner diameter D1. The ring portion 51 being a cylindrical shape with a width W1, compared to the case where the cross-sectional shape of the portion opposite the refrigerant pipe 30 is curved, makes it easier to suppress deformation of the refrigerant pipe 30's shape.

[0080] Additionally, the first component 50, for example, Figure 10 As shown, it can also be a component obtained by forming a metal mesh into a cylindrical shape in a manner that allows it to stretch and extend in the axial direction. Figure 10 The mesh-like first component 50 shown includes: a metal wire or ring that forms a loop of the ring portion 51; and a metal wire 52 arranged along the axial direction and connecting the ring portion 51. Figure 10 The mesh-like first component 50 shown is in a state where the metal wire 52 is fully extended. When installing the mesh-like first component 50 onto the refrigerant piping 30, the metal wire 52 is installed in a relaxed manner. If the metal wire 52 is relaxed (bent), the mesh-like first component 50 can follow the refrigerant piping 30 when it is bent. To prevent the refrigerant piping 30 from being flattened, it is preferable that the metal wire or ring of the ring portion 51 is thicker than the metal wire 52 arranged along the axial direction, thereby improving the rigidity of the ring portion 51. The difference between the inner diameter D1 of the mesh-like first component 50 and the outer diameter of the second portion Pa2 is preferably configured to be 0.1 mm or more and 0.7 mm or less.

[0081] (3-3) Variation C

[0082] In the above embodiment, the case where the first component 50 is a component having a telescopic structure that allows it to extend and retract while maintaining the ring shape of the ring portion 51 has been described, has been described. However, the first component 50 is not limited to such a structure. For example, the first component 50 may be as follows: Figure 11 As shown, the slit 56 can be formed in a flexible manner on a metal cylindrical body 55, or multiple metal rings can be embedded, or the body itself can be a metal cylindrical body. When forming the slit 56, the connecting portions 57 of the remaining connecting ring portions 51 form an integrated structure of multiple ring portions 51, thus simplifying processing. The connecting portions 57 are, for example, arranged at a predetermined angle when viewed from the axial direction. Figure 11Viewed axially, the connecting portions 57 are staggered at 45 degrees. The connecting portions 57 are preferably curved and easy to bend. The difference between the inner diameter D1 of the cylindrical body 55 and the outer diameter of the second part Pa2 is preferably configured to be more than 0.1 mm and less than 0.7 mm.

[0083] (3-4) Variation D

[0084] In the above embodiments, the case where the first component 50 is made of a metal with a higher potential than aluminum, and the second part Pa2 of the first component 50 or the refrigerant piping 30 is covered by an anti-electro-erosion coating or an insulating component, has been described. However, it is also possible that the first component 50 is made of stainless steel and is not covered by an anti-electro-erosion coating or an insulating component. If the first component 50 is made of stainless steel, the occurrence of electro-erosion can be suppressed by means of a passivating coating formed on the surface of the stainless steel.

[0085] (3-5) Variation E

[0086] The first component 50 can also be made of aluminum, for example. If the first component 50 and the refrigerant piping 30 are both made of aluminum, electrolytic corrosion is less likely to occur. More preferably, the first component 50 and the refrigerant piping 30 are made of the same material, aluminum. The term "the same material" means, for example, that in the case where both are aluminum alloys, their metallic compositions are identical.

[0087] (3-6) Variation F

[0088] In the above embodiment, the case where the third portion Pa3 of the refrigerant piping 30 is indirectly connected to the connecting portions 41 and 42 via connecting members 43 and 44 has been described. However, the third portion Pa3 of the refrigerant piping 30 may also be directly connected to the connecting portions 41 and 42.

[0089] (4) Features

[0090] (4-1)

[0091] In the air conditioner indoor unit 10 of the above embodiment, a cylindrical first component 50 covers the area around the second portion Pa2 of the aluminum refrigerant piping 30. The cylindrical shape concept of this disclosure also includes a coil shape. By utilizing the first component 50 to prevent the second portion of the aluminum from deforming into a shape other than a circular cross-section, it is possible to prevent the second portion Pa2 of the gas pipe 31 from being flattened, especially, due to bending operations performed during the on-site installation of the air conditioner indoor unit 10.

[0092] (4-2)

[0093] In the air conditioner indoor unit 10 of the above embodiment, after the first component 50 extends or retracts, the plurality of loops 51 of the coil spring also maintain their loop shape. Therefore, the handling of the first component 50 and the refrigerant pipe 30 during the operation of bending the refrigerant pipe 30 becomes easier, and the workability of the air conditioner indoor unit 10 installation operation can be improved.

[0094] (4-3)

[0095] In the air conditioner indoor unit 10 of the above embodiment, electrolytic corrosion of the first component 50, which is made of a metal with a higher potential than aluminum, and the aluminum refrigerant piping 30 can be prevented by anti-electrolytic corrosion coating or insulating components. By setting the structure in this way, a cheap material such as iron with a higher tensile strength than aluminum can be used in the first component 50, and electrolytic corrosion can be suppressed.

[0096] (4-4)

[0097] As illustrated in Variation D, the first component 50 of the indoor unit 10 of the air conditioner can also be made of stainless steel.

[0098] By making the first component 50 stainless steel, it is difficult for electro-erosion to occur between the aluminum refrigerant piping 30 and the first component 50, thus suppressing the corrosion of the refrigerant piping 30 due to electro-erosion.

[0099] Furthermore, as illustrated in Modification E, the first component 50 of the air conditioner indoor unit 10 can also be made of aluminum. By making the first component 50 aluminum, electrolytic corrosion between the aluminum refrigerant piping 30 and the first component 50, which are dissimilar metals, can be prevented. As a result, corrosion of the aluminum refrigerant piping 30 in contact with the first component 50 due to electrolytic corrosion can be suppressed.

[0100] (4-5)

[0101] In the air conditioner indoor unit 10 of the above embodiment, the first component 50 is disposed only on the gas pipe 31. The liquid pipe 32 is thinner than the gas pipe 31, so it is difficult to flatten even when bent during installation. By disposing of the first component 50 only on the gas pipe 31, which is easily flattened by bending during installation, and not on the liquid pipe 32, the number of components can be reduced.

[0102] (4-6)

[0103] In the air conditioner indoor unit 10 of the above embodiment, the difference between the inner diameter of the first component 50 and the outer diameter of the second part Pa2 is 0.1 mm or more and 0.7 mm or less. With this configuration, by setting the aforementioned difference to 0.7 mm or less, the first component 50 effectively limits the deformation of the refrigerant pipe 30 when it is bent, thus preventing the refrigerant pipe 30 from being flattened. Furthermore, by making the difference 0.1 mm or more, it is easier to insert the first component 50 into the refrigerant pipe 30.

[0104] (4-7)

[0105] In the air conditioner indoor unit 10 of the above embodiment, the first component 50 covers more than half of the third portion Pa3 along its length. With such a relationship between the first component 50 and the third portion Pa3, even if the third portion Pa3 is bent during installation, the portion covered by the first component 50 can be used, preventing the third portion Pa3 from being flattened.

[0106] (4-8)

[0107] The air conditioner indoor unit 10 of the above embodiment includes connecting portions 41 and 42 for connecting to the first connecting pipe 81 and the second connecting pipe 82. The third part Pa3 is directly connected to the connecting portions 41 and 42, or indirectly connected to the connecting portions 41 and 42 via connecting members 43 and 44, which are other components. In the air conditioner indoor unit 10 configured in this way, the connecting portions 41 and 42 can be used to prevent the first component 50 from detaching from the refrigerant piping 30 during operation.

[0108] The embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, but it should be understood that various changes in manner and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. An air conditioner indoor unit (10), said air conditioner indoor unit (10) comprising: Heat exchanger (20) having aluminum heat transfer tubes (21); An aluminum refrigerant piping (30) is connected to the heat transfer pipe to supply the flow of refrigerant that undergoes heat exchange in the heat exchanger; as well as The first component, made of aluminum alloy, extends along the surface of the refrigerant piping. The refrigerant piping has: a first part (Pa1) which is connected to the heat transfer pipe; and a second part (Pa2) which is connected to the first part and bent. And a third part (Pa3), which connects to the second part and extends to the end of the refrigerant piping. The first component covers the area around the second part. The difference between the inner diameter of the first component and the outer diameter of the second part is more than 0.1 mm and less than 0.7 mm.

2. The indoor unit (10) of the air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein, The first component includes a ring portion (51) disposed in the second portion, and the first component has a telescopic structure that can extend and retract while maintaining the ring shape in the ring portion.

3. The indoor unit (10) of the air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first component is made of a metal with a higher potential than aluminum. The first component or the second part is covered with an anti-electro-erosion coating or an insulating component.

4. The indoor unit (10) of the air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The refrigerant piping includes a liquid pipe (32) and a gas pipe (31), the gas pipe (31) supplying a refrigerant containing a greater gaseous component than the refrigerant flowing in the liquid pipe. The first component is only disposed on the gas pipe.

5. The air conditioner indoor unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The third part of the refrigerant piping is a straight pipe. The first component covers more than half of the length of the third part.

6. The indoor unit (10) of the air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The indoor unit (10) of the air conditioner has connecting parts (41, 42) for connecting to a connecting pipe for communication with an outdoor unit located outdoors. The third part is connected to the connecting part directly or via other components (43, 44).

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