Indoor unit of air conditioner

Abstract

An indoor unit of an air conditioner comprises: a unit body having an inlet and an outlet, accommodating a heat exchanger and an air supply device inside and mounted on a wall surface of a room; a drain pan arranged at the lower part of the heat exchanger, receiving the drainage generated and dripping in the heat exchanger accompanying the operation of a refrigeration cycle; and a drain hose connected to the drain pan, discharging the drainage received by the drain pan to the outside of the unit body. The unit body or the drain pan has a fixing portion for positioning and fixing the drain hose. The drain hose has a fixed portion that is positioned and fixed to the fixing portion. The fixing portion and the fixed portion have a coupling mechanism that is approached from a direction toward the wall surface to couple the two.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an indoor unit of an air conditioner. Background Art

[0002] For example, an air conditioner has a wall-mounted indoor unit, which is installed at a high place in the building, mainly on a wall surface. The indoor unit has a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the indoor air, and a fan that blows the air whose temperature has been adjusted by the heat exchange into the room. By running the refrigeration cycle, the indoor air sucked into the frame of the indoor unit from the suction port by the fan is temperature-controlled by the heat exchanger. The temperature-controlled air is blown into the room from the blow-out port, thereby adjusting the temperature of the room.

[0003] A drain pan is provided at the bottom of the heat exchanger. The drain pan receives the drainage generated and dripped by the heat exchanger during the cooling operation and the dehumidification operation of the air conditioner. A drain hose is connected to the drain pan. One end of the drain hose is connected to the drain pan, and the drain hose extends from one end to the outside of the indoor unit, and the drainage is discharged to the outside of the indoor unit from the other end.

[0004] Here, in order to achieve the maintenance of air conditioning performance, etc., it is desirable to regularly clean the interior of the indoor unit. For example, when cleaning the drain pan, it is necessary to first remove the drain hose from the drain pan, and then remove the drain pan from which the drain hose is removed from the unit body. Therefore, it is required to reduce the trouble of cleaning the interior of the indoor unit and improve the workability.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 4274919 Summary of the invention

[0008] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide an indoor unit of an air conditioner capable of reducing the trouble of cleaning the interior of the indoor unit and improving the workability.

[0010] Means for solving problems

[0011] According to an embodiment, an indoor unit of an air conditioner comprises: a unit body having an air inlet and an air outlet, accommodating a heat exchanger and an air supply device therein and mounted on a wall surface of a room; a drain pan disposed at the lower portion of the heat exchanger and receiving the drainage generated and dripping in the heat exchanger accompanying the operation of a refrigeration cycle; and a drain hose connected to the drain pan and discharging the drainage received by the drain pan to the outside of the unit body. The unit body or the drain pan has a fixing portion for positioning and fixing the drainage hose. The drainage hose has a fixed portion that is positioned and fixed to the fixing portion. The fixing portion and the fixed portion have a coupling mechanism that is approached from a direction toward the mounting surface to couple the two. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 It is a circuit diagram showing a refrigeration cycle of the air conditioner according to the embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 It is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment from diagonally upper right.

[0014] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view of an indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing a state in which a drain pan (second drain pan) is separated from a unit body in the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment.

[0016] Figure 5 A schematic structure of a fixing portion of a drain pan (second drain pan) of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 4 A partial enlarged view of .

[0017] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing a state where a drain pan (second drain pan) is attached to a unit body of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment.

[0018] Fig. 7A This is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the vicinity of the front end of the drainage hose according to the embodiment.

[0019] Figure 7B is from Fig. 7A The diagram schematically shows a configuration example of the vicinity of the front end of the drain hose according to the embodiment, with the direction of arrow 7A being indicated.

[0020] Figure 8 The diagram schematically shows a screw-fastening method when attaching and detaching a drain hose to a drain pan (second drain pan) in the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment.

[0021] Fig. 9This is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a drain hose is connected to a drain pan (second drain pan) in the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment.

[0022] Fig.10 This is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a drain hose is detached from a drain pan (second drain pan) in the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Below, refer to Figures 1 to 10 One embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0024] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment, the air conditioner 1 includes an outdoor unit 2 and an indoor unit 3. The outdoor unit 2 and the indoor unit 3 are connected by a circulation path 4 composed of copper pipes or the like for circulating refrigerant. The outdoor unit 2 includes a compressor 21, a four-way valve 22, an outdoor heat exchanger 23, an outdoor air supply device 24, an expansion device 25, and a liquid storage tank 26 as main elements. The indoor unit 3 includes an indoor heat exchanger 61 and an indoor air supply device 62 as main elements.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, the discharge side of the compressor 21 is connected to the first port 22a of the four-way valve 22. The second port 22b of the four-way valve 22 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 23. The outdoor heat exchanger 23 is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 31 via the expansion device 25. The indoor heat exchanger 31 is connected to the third port 22c of the four-way valve 22. The fourth port 22d of the four-way valve 22 is connected to the suction side of the compressor 21 via the accumulator 26.

[0026] The refrigerant circulates in the circulation path 4 from the discharge side of the compressor 21 to the suction side via the outdoor heat exchanger 23, the expansion device 25, the indoor heat exchanger 31, and the accumulator 26. By switching the communication between the ports 22a to 22d of the four-way valve 22, the refrigerant circulates in the circulation path 4 in the reverse direction starting from the four-way valve 22. Thus, the operation mode of the air conditioner 1 is appropriately switched to cooling operation, heating operation, etc.

[0027] exist Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 In Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 The direction indicated by the arrow Fr is defined as the front, the direction indicated by the arrow Lh is defined as the left, the direction indicated by the arrow Up is defined as the top, and the opposite directions of the directions indicated by the arrows Fr, Lh, and Up are defined as the back, right, and bottom. The direction indicated by the arrow Fr is equivalent to the depth direction, the direction indicated by the arrow Lh is equivalent to the width direction, and the direction indicated by the arrow Up is equivalent to the height direction.

[0028] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the indoor unit 3 is of a wall-mounted type and is installed on a high wall surface in a building, that is, an installation surface W. The indoor unit 3 includes a mounting plate 5 , a unit body 6 , a frame 7 , and a front panel 8 .

[0029] The mounting plate 5 is, for example, a plate-shaped member that is processed by sheet metal into a predetermined shape along the back plate 65 of the unit body 6 described later and has a plurality of mounting holes. The mounting plate 5 is fixed to the wall surface W that serves as the mounting surface by screws or the like inserted through the mounting holes, and serves as a base for mounting the unit body 6 on the wall surface W. The unit body 6 is mounted on the mounting plate 5 by mounting parts such as hook claws and screws provided on the back plate 65, and is mounted on the wall surface W via the mounting plate 5.

[0030] The frame 7 covers the unit body 6 and defines the outer contour of the indoor unit 3. The frame 7 includes a top 7a, a bottom 7b, a front 7c, a left side 7d, and a right side 7e. Through these parts 7a to 7e, the rear side (back side) of the frame 7 is formed into a form that is open as a storage port when the unit body 6 is stored. The frame 7 is held on the unit body 6 by embedding the inner periphery of the storage port into the outer periphery of the back panel 65. At this time, the inner periphery of the storage port is tightly attached to the outer periphery of the back panel 65 by elasticity, thereby firmly integrating the frame 7 with the unit body 6. As a result, the frame 7 is in a state of covering the unit body 6 in a manner of storing the unit body 6.

[0031] The top portion 7a extends in the width direction and the depth direction, respectively, defines the upper surface of the indoor unit 3, and has an opening portion that serves as an air inlet 71 for the indoor air. The bottom portion 7b extends in the width direction and the depth direction, respectively, defines the lower surface of the indoor unit 3, and has an opening portion in the center portion that serves as an air outlet 72 for the temperature-regulated air. The front portion 7c extends in the width direction and the height direction, respectively, defines the front of the indoor unit 3, and has an opening portion that serves as a part of the air inlet 71. The left side portion 7d extends in the depth direction and the height direction, respectively, defines the left side of the indoor unit 3. The right side portion 7e extends in the depth direction and the height direction, respectively, defines the right side of the indoor unit 3, and faces the left side portion 7d in the width direction.

[0032] Filters 73 for filtering dust in the indoor air are detachably provided at the openings of the top 7a and the front 7c. The filters 73 are arranged at the top 7a and the front 7c to cover the air inlet 71 and face the fins 611 of the indoor heat exchanger 61 described later.

[0033] The left side portion 7d and the right side portion 7e are formed in a shape that is bent and bulged from the end of the front portion 7c in the width direction to the wall surface W. Thus, the side surface of the indoor unit 3 is formed in a form that is smoothly continuous without a step difference between the front of the indoor unit 3 defined by the front portion 7c and the wall surface W. Therefore, in appearance, the indoor unit 3 bulges smoothly from the wall surface W and is integrated in a manner that forms a substantially flush surface with the wall surface W.

[0034] The left side portion 7d and the right side portion 7e have screw receiving portions 7f for fixing the frame body 7 to the wall surface W. The screw receiving portions 7f are formed with through holes for inserting screws X. The frame body 7 is covered on the unit body 6 in a manner of accommodating the unit body 6 mounted on the wall surface W via the mounting plate 5, and the screws X inserted into the through holes of the screw receiving portions 7f are screwed into the wall surface W, thereby being positioned and fixed to the wall surface W. At this time, the wall surface W is formed with threaded holes Wa.

[0035] A cutout 65a is formed on the back panel 65 of the unit body 6 corresponding to the position of the screw receiving portion 7f. The cutout 65a is formed in a form in which the cutout portion is connected to the through hole of the screw receiving portion 7f and does not contact the screw X. The peripheral portion of the cutout 65a overlaps the peripheral portion of the through hole of the screw receiving portion 7f in the depth direction.

[0036] The front panel 8 is a member that covers the front portion 7c, the left side portion 7d, and the right side portion 7e of the frame 7 and forms the front design (appearance) of the indoor unit 3. The front panel 8 includes a panel member 8a and a fabric member (decorative fabric) 8b.

[0037] The panel component 8a is formed in a strip shape along the surfaces of the front portion 7c, the left side portion 7d, and the right side portion 7e of the frame body 7. The panel component 8a includes a first portion 81a along the front portion 7c, a second portion 82a along the left side portion 7d, and a third portion 83a along the right side portion 7e. The first portion 81a is configured to be substantially flat along the surface of the front portion 7c, and covers the surface of the front portion 7c. A portion of the first portion 81a, specifically a portion continuous with the second portion 82a and the third portion 83a, is configured to be curved. A portion of the second portion 82a is configured to be curved along the surface of the left side portion 7d, and covers the surface of the left side portion 7d. A portion of the third portion 83a is configured to be curved along the surface of the right side portion 7e, and covers the surface of the right side portion 7e. Thus, the panel component 8a reaches the wall surface W in a smoothly continuous form from the first portion 81a located in the center portion in the longitudinal direction to the second portion 82a and the third portion 83a located on both sides.

[0038] The panel component 8a is supported by the support portion 84 on the frame 7 in a detachable and rotatable manner, and pops up toward the front. As a result, the filter 73 can be exposed to the indoor side, for example, when cleaning the suction port 71 or replacing the filter 73. The support portions 84 are respectively arranged near the continuous portion of the first part 81a, the second part 82a and the third part 83a of the panel component 8a. The frame 7 is provided with a stopper 74 for detachably stopping the support portion 84. The stopper 74 is respectively arranged on the left side 7d and the right side 7e corresponding to the position of each support portion 84.

[0039] The fabric member 8b is a decorative fabric member that covers the front face (surface) of the panel member 8a and forms the design (appearance) of the front face of the indoor unit 3. Figure 3 As shown, the fiber component 8b is detachably fixed to the panel component 8a by, for example, a surface fastener 8c. Thus, the fiber component 8b can be freely detached and replaced as needed, so that the appearance of the indoor unit 3 can be changed. In addition, the panel component 8a can be directly used as a decorative panel for the appearance without installing the fiber component 8b. The panel component 8a is an integral resin molded product, and is also white or cream-colored, the same color as the frame 7 as an integral resin molded product.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, the unit body 6 includes a heat exchanger (indoor heat exchanger) 61, an air supply device (indoor air supply device) 62, a drain pan 63, and a drain hose 64 (see Figure 4 ) as the main element. These elements are respectively arranged and fixed to the back panel 65. On the back panel 65, a cutout 65a is formed corresponding to the position of the screw receiving portion 7f of the frame 7. The cutout 65a is formed in a form that is connected to the through hole of the screw receiving portion 7f and does not contact the screw X. The peripheral part of the cutout 65a overlaps with the peripheral part of the through hole of the screw receiving portion 7f in the depth direction. By screwing the screw X inserted into the through hole of the screw receiving portion 7f into the wall surface W, the peripheral part of the cutout 65a is pressed against the wall surface W via the peripheral part of the screw receiving portion 7f of the frame 7. As a result, at both ends in the width direction, the posture of the unit body 6 relative to the wall surface W is stable, and the posture of the frame 7 is stable. Such a threaded fastening structure is suitable for the installation of the indoor unit 3 in which the lateral width of the mounting plate 5 is short and the lateral width of the unit body 6 is long compared to the width dimension of the mounting plate 5.

[0041] The indoor heat exchanger 61 includes a plurality of fins 611 and a plurality of heat transfer tubes 612 for the flow of refrigerant, which are arranged in a predetermined range in the width direction of the unit body 6. The fins 611 include a first fin portion 61a, a second fin portion 61b, and a third fin portion 61c. The first fin portion 61a is tilted downwardly toward the rear from the upper portion of the unit body 6, and is arranged opposite to the air inlet 71 opened at the top 7a of the frame 7. The second fin portion 61b is tilted downwardly toward the front continuously from the upper end of the first fin portion 61a, and is arranged opposite to the inlet 71 and the front portion 7c of the frame 7. The third fin portion 61c is tilted downwardly toward the rear continuously from the lower end of the second fin portion 61b, and is arranged opposite to the front portion 7c of the frame 7.

[0042] The indoor air supply device 62 includes a fan motor (not shown) and a fan 621. The fan 621 is configured as a cylindrical multi-blade fan (cross flow fan) extending in the width direction of the unit body 6, and is mounted on the rotating shaft of the fan motor in a coaxial manner with the rotating shaft of the fan motor. When the fan 621 is driven and rotated by the fan motor, the indoor air is sucked into the frame 7 from the suction port 71, and the air exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer tube 612 when passing between the heat sink 611, and is cooled or heated to adjust the temperature. The temperature-adjusted air is blown into the room from the blow-out port 72 formed at the bottom 7b of the frame 7.

[0043] The air outlet 72 is provided with one horizontal louver 721 for regulating the wind direction in the up-down direction, and a plurality of vertical louvers 722 located on the inner side thereof for regulating the wind direction in the left-right direction.

[0044] The horizontal louver 721 is a movable plate that controls the wind direction when in motion and blocks the blow-out port 72 when not in motion (normally), and is formed into a flat shape that is horizontally long in the width direction. The horizontal louver 721 has a support portion 724 provided with a support shaft 723, and is operated by a driving mechanism (not shown) to open and close the blow-out port 72 relative to the room with the support shaft 723 as the center. Specifically, when the indoor unit 3 is in operation, the horizontal louver 721 tilts downward toward the front so that the blow-out port 72 is opened (exposed) to the room. Thus, the horizontal louver 721 specifies the wind direction relative to the height direction (up and down direction). The driving mechanism is, for example, configured to include an electric motor that rotates the horizontal louver 721 with the specified support shaft 723 as the center, a control substrate that controls the electric motor, a connecting rod component that rotates a plurality of vertical louvers 722 at the same time, and the like. The support shaft 723 is supported by a shaft receiving portion 639 provided on the drain pan 63 (specifically, the second drain pan 63b described later) so as to be rotatable. The shaft receiving portion 639 protrudes toward the air outlet 72 from the air passage portion 633 of the second drain pan 63b described later.

[0045] The longitudinal louver 722 is composed of a thin plate for defining the direction of the air (wind) blown out from the outlet 72 in the width direction (left-right direction), and a plurality of longitudinal louvers 722 are arranged in the width direction. The longitudinal louver 722 protrudes from a portion of the first drain pan 63a described later toward the outlet 72 and is rotatable. The longitudinal louver 722 can be automatically operated by the same driving mechanism as the horizontal louver 721, for example, or can be moved manually. In this case, it is sufficient to rotate the plurality of longitudinal louvers 722 simultaneously by a connecting rod member.

[0046] The drain pan 63 is disposed at the lower portion of the indoor heat exchanger 61, and receives the drain generated and dripped in the indoor heat exchanger 61 during the refrigeration cycle operation. The drain pan 63 includes a first drain pan 63a and a second drain pan 63b.

[0047] The first drain pan 63a is arranged at the rear part of the unit body 6, supports the lower end of the first fin part 61a, and receives the drainage dripping from the first fin part 61a. The second drain pan 63b is arranged at the front part of the unit body 6, supports the lower end of the third fin part 61c, and receives the drainage dripping from the second fin part 61b and the third fin part 61c. The first drain pan 63a and the second drain pan 63b are connected to each other via a communication path (not shown) spanned therebetween. The first drain pan 63a is relatively located above, and the second drain pan 63b is relatively located below, so the drainage received by the first drain pan 63a is guided to the second drain pan 63b through the communication path. As a result, the drainage generated and dripping in the indoor heat exchanger 61 is collected in the second drain pan 63b after being received by the first drain pan 63a and the second drain pan 63b, respectively.

[0048] exist Figure 4 FIG. 6 shows a state where the second drain pan 63b is separated from the unit body 6. Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the second drain pan 63 b includes a flow channel portion 631 , a fixing portion 632 , and an air passage portion 633 .

[0049] The gutter portion 631 is a portion that extends in a gutter shape within a predetermined range in the width direction of the unit body 6 where the second fin portion 61b and the third fin portion 61c of the indoor heat exchanger 61 are arranged, and receives the drainage dripping from these fin portions 61b and 61c. In addition, the drainage dripping from the first fin portion 61a received by the first drain pan 63a is also collected in the gutter portion 631 through the communication path. The gutter portion 631 has ribs 634 at predetermined intervals in the width direction, and the rigidity is improved.

[0050] The flow channel portion 631 is provided with a connection portion 635 for connecting the drain hose 64. The connection portion 635 has one opening on each side in the width direction of the flow channel portion 631 and protrudes rearward in a cylindrical shape, for example. The front end of the drain hose 64 is inserted into the outer periphery of the connection portion 635 and fits in. Thus, the drain collected in the flow channel portion 631 is discharged from the connection portion 635 through the drain hose 64.

[0051] In addition, the flow channel portion 631 is provided with a claw portion 636 for positioning the second drain pan 63b on the unit body 6. The unit body 6 is provided with a claw receiving portion 66 that engages with the claw portion 636 at a position corresponding to the position of the claw portion 636. The second drain pan 63b positioned by the claw portion 636 is fixed to the back panel 65 of the unit body 6 by a predetermined mounting member (e.g., screw) not shown.

[0052] exist Figure 5 The schematic structure of the fixing portion 632 for positioning and fixing the drain hose 64 to the second drain pan 63b is shown in FIG. In addition, the second drain pan 63b is configured to be substantially symmetrical on the left and right. Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 The fixing portion 632 on the right side of the second drain pan 63b shown will be described, but the same also applies to the fixing portion 632 on the left side.

[0053] The fixing parts 632 are respectively arranged on both sides of the flow channel part 631 in the width direction, in other words, at both ends in the length direction. The fixing parts 632 on both sides in the width direction are provided with screw receiving parts 637 for positioning and fixing the drain hose 64 to the second drain pan 63b. The screw receiving part 637 is separated from the end of the flow channel part 631 in the width direction by a gap S, and is connected to the end through a connecting part 638, and is arranged near the connecting part 635. The screw receiving part 637 has a threaded hole 637a for fastening the screw Y for connecting the drain hose 64. The threaded hole 637a is arranged facing forward and can be approached from the front for operation. Specifically, the screw Y can be tightened or loosened from the front.

[0054] That is, the screw hole 637a can be approached from the direction toward the wall surface W, and the screw Y can be tightened or loosened. In addition, the direction toward the wall surface W is, for example, a direction that moves obliquely upward toward the rear between an angle perpendicular to the wall surface W as the installation surface and an angle parallel to the wall surface W. The screw hole 637a constitutes a coupling mechanism that couples the screw receiving portion 637 with the drain hose 64.

[0055] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment, a drain hose 64 is connected to the right side of the second drain pan 63b. The second drain pan 63b is configured to be substantially symmetrical. Figure 6 As shown, a fixing portion 632 (screw receiving portion 637, connecting portion 638) and a connecting portion 635 are also provided on the left side. Figure 6 FIG. 6 shows a state where the second drain pan 63b is mounted on the unit body 6. Figure 4 as well as Figure 6 As shown in the example, when the right side is connected to the drain hose 64, the connection part 635 of the left side of the unused side is closed by a sealing plug (omitted from the figure). Thus, the connection part 635 not connected to the drain hose 64 is watertightly blocked to prevent drainage from leaking from the connection part 635.

[0056] The drain hose 64 is connected to the drain pan 63 to discharge the drain received by the drain pan 63. More specifically, the drain hose 64 is connected to the second drain pan 63b to discharge the drain collected in the second drain pan 63b to the outside of the indoor unit 3, generally to the outside.

[0057] like Fig. 7A as well as Figure 7B As shown, the drain hose 64 has a resin hose portion 64a and a covering portion 64b covering the hose portion 64a. The hose portion 64a is formed into a bellows shape by a resin such as polypropylene, for example. One end (hereinafter referred to as the front end) of the hose portion 64a is connected to the second drain pan 63b, and the other end (hereinafter referred to as the terminal end) is exposed in the drainable area outside the indoor unit 3. In addition, the hose portion 64a extends from the bottom of the unit body 6 to the outside according to the installation method of the indoor unit 3 to the wall surface W. The hose portion 64a has a small diameter portion 64c and a large diameter portion 64d at the front end, which are continuous with the bellows portion and have different outer diameters. The small diameter portion 64c is continuous with the bellows portion of the hose portion 64a, and the outer periphery is covered by the covering portion 64b. The outer diameter of the large diameter portion 64d is larger than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 64c (Dd>Dc), and the large diameter portion 64d is located near the front end of the hose portion 64a and is exposed from the covering portion 64b. The covering portion 64b is, for example, a substantially cylindrical heat insulating member having a cutout in a portion of the peripheral surface, and covers the outer periphery of the hose portion 64a to prevent condensation on the outer surface of the drain hose 64 due to low-temperature drain water flowing inside.

[0058] The drain hose 64 has a fixed portion 64e positioned and fixed to the drain pan 63, specifically, the fixing portion 632 of the second drain pan 63b. The fixed portion 64e has a through hole 64f through which a screw Y fastened to the threaded hole 637a is inserted, as a coupling mechanism with the screw receiving portion 637.

[0059] The fixed portion 64e is a plate-shaped member formed by processing a metal plate, for example (hereinafter referred to as a mounting part 64e). The mounting part 64e is mounted on the drain hose 64, specifically, on the front end of the hose part 64a, and protrudes in a flange shape.

[0060] exist Fig. 7A as well as Figure 7BIn the example shown, the mounting part 64e is configured to include a connecting rod portion 64g that is fitted into the front end portion of the hose portion 64a, and a flange portion 64h having a through hole 64f. The connecting rod portion 64g has an opening that is fitted into the front end portion of the hose portion 64a. The opening of the connecting rod portion 64g is formed in a substantially circular shape with a diameter (Dg) that is smaller than either the outer diameter (Dd) of the large diameter portion 64d of the hose portion 64a and the outer diameter (Db) of the covering portion 64b, and larger than the outer diameter (Dc) of the small diameter portion 64c.

[0061] The mounting part 64e is embedded in the connecting rod part 64g, for example, at the end of the hose part 64a before it is covered by the covering part 64b, and is staggered to the front end. After that, the outer periphery of the hose part 64a is covered by the covering part 64b. In this state, the connecting rod part 64g is sandwiched between the front end of the covering part 64b and the large diameter part 64d, and the inner periphery interferes with them, thereby preventing it from falling off from the hose part 64a. The flange part 64h protrudes from a part of the outer periphery of the connecting rod part 64g in the direction of expanding the diameter. Figure 7B 2 shows a configuration example of a flange portion 64h having a substantially triangular planar shape with a curved top, but the planar shape is not particularly limited. The through hole 64f penetrates the flange portion 64h in the plate thickness direction.

[0062] Since the diameter of the connecting rod portion 64g is set as described above, the mounting part 64e can rotate relative to the drain hose 64 about the central axis C of the hole (hose portion 64a) of the drain hose 64. Thus, the through hole 64f of the flange portion 64h can be switched between a state of being connected to the threaded hole 637a of the screw receiving portion 637 and a state of being separated from the threaded hole 637a and not connected.

[0063] When the through hole 64f is in communication with the threaded hole 637a, the flange portion 64h is in a state of interfering with the screw receiving portion 637 in the direction of the central axis C (first state) (see Figure 8 On the other hand, when the through hole 64f is separated from the threaded hole 637a and is not connected (the second state), the flange portion 64h is located in the gap S and does not interfere with the screw receiving portion 637 in the direction of the central axis C (see Fig. 9 as well as Fig.10 ). In addition, the connecting portion 638 separates the gap S that allows the flange portion 64h to retreat so as not to interfere with the screw receiving portion 637 in the direction of the central axis C in the second state, and connects the screw receiving portion 637 to the end of the second drain pan 63b (flow groove portion 631) in the longitudinal direction.

[0064] Here, the attachment and detachment of the drain hose 64 of this embodiment with respect to the drain pan 63 (specifically, the second drain pan 63b) will be described. Figure 82 schematically shows a screw fastening method when the drain hose 64 is attached to and detached from the second drain pan 63 b. Fig. 9 This is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the drain hose 64 is connected to the second drain pan 63b. Fig.10 This is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the drain hose 64 is removed from the second drain pan 63b.

[0065] First, the case where the drain hose 64 is connected to the second drain pan 63b will be described. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the frame 7 is removed from the unit body 6 and the second drain pan 63b is installed on the unit body 6. In this state, the front end of the drain hose 64 and its vicinity are bent toward the front opening. Fig. 9 As shown by the arrow A91, the front end of the drain hose 64 is inserted into the connecting portion 635 of the second drain pan 63b and engaged therewith. Fig. 9 As shown by the arrow A92, the mounting part 64e is rotated relative to the drain hose 64, so that the through hole 64f of the flange portion 64h is connected to the threaded hole 637a of the screw receiving portion 637 ( Figure 8 In this state, the screw Y is tightened in the threaded hole 637a by a screwdriver Z. Thus, the mounting part 64e is coupled to the screw receiving portion 637, and the drain hose 64 is connected to the second drain pan 63b.

[0066] When the drain hose 64 is removed from the second drain pan 63b, Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the screw Y fastened to the threaded hole 637a is loosened and removed by a screwdriver Z. Fig.10 As shown by the arrow A101, the mounting part 64e is rotated relative to the drain hose 64 so that the flange portion 64h does not interfere with the screw receiving portion 637 in the direction of the central axis C. Then, as shown in FIG. Fig.10 As shown by the middle arrow A102, the front end portion of the drain hose 64 is pulled out from the connection portion 635 of the second drain pan 63b to be removed.

[0067] Thus, according to this embodiment, the threaded hole 637a for mounting and removing the drain hose 64 relative to the drain pan 63 is arranged to face forward, and can be accessed from the front for operation. Specifically, the screw Y can be tightened or loosened from the front. Figure 6As shown, in a state where the frame 7 is removed from the unit body 6 and the second drain pan 63b is installed on the unit body 6, the screw Y can be loosened from the front. For example, in the past, the threaded hole of the screw receiving portion was set to face the rear, and the operation could be performed by approaching from the rear. Therefore, when removing the drain hose from the drain pan, it is necessary to remove the unit body from the mounting plate. Therefore, for example, when cleaning the drain pan, first, the unit body must be removed from the mounting plate. However, the unit body is connected by a refrigerant piping composed of a copper pipe that passes through the wall W in the room after installation, so this is a very troublesome operation.

[0068] In contrast, in the present embodiment, the screw receiving portion 637 in a state where the screw Y is fastened to the screw hole 637a can be exposed forward only by removing the frame 7 from the unit body 6. Therefore, the drain hose 64 can be removed from the second drain pan 63b by loosening the screw Y from the front without removing the unit body 6 from the mounting plate 5. Therefore, the trouble of removing the drain hose 64 from the second drain pan 63b can be greatly reduced.

[0069] Furthermore, when connecting the drain hose 64 to the second drain pan 63b, the drain hose 64 is inserted into the second drain pan 63b by the reverse process of removal, and then the screw Y is tightened from the front, thereby significantly reducing the trouble of connecting the drain hose 64 to the second drain pan 63b.

[0070] That is, according to the present embodiment, the second drain pan 63b can be easily removed from the unit body 6, the work load at that time can be reduced, and the workability when cleaning the interior of the indoor unit 3 can be improved.

[0071] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the fixing portion 632 (screw receiving portion 637, connecting portion 638) and the connecting portion 635 of the drain pan 63 are used to threadedly fasten and fix the fixed portion 64e of the drain hose 64, but such a fixing portion 632 (screw receiving portion 637, connecting portion 638) and the connecting portion 635 may be provided not on the drain pan 63 but on the back panel 65 of the unit main body 6, and the back panel 65 may be used to prevent the drain hose 64 from falling off.

[0072] Several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and purpose of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the technical solution and the scope equivalent thereto.

[0073] Explanation of symbols

[0074] 1: air conditioner; 2: outdoor unit; 3: indoor unit; 5: mounting plate; 6: unit body; 7: frame; 8: front panel; 8a: panel component; 61: indoor heat exchanger; 611: heat sink; 621: fan; 63: drain pan; 63a: first drain pan; 63b: second drain pan; 631: flow channel; 632: fixing portion; 635: connecting portion; 636: claw portion; 637: screw receiving portion; 637a: threaded hole; 638: connecting portion; 64: drain hose; 64a: hose portion; 64b: covering portion; 64c: small diameter portion; 64d: large diameter portion; 64e: fixed portion (installation part); 64f: through hole; 64g: connecting rod portion; 64h: flange portion; 65: back panel; W: mounting surface (wall surface).

Claims

1. An indoor unit of an air conditioner, comprising: The unit body has an air inlet and an air outlet, contains a heat exchanger and an air supply device, and is mounted on a wall surface in the room; a drain pan disposed at a lower portion of the heat exchanger to receive the drain generated and dripping in the heat exchanger as the refrigeration cycle operates; and A drain hose is connected to the drain pan to discharge the drain received by the drain pan to the outside of the unit body. The unit body or the drain pan has a fixing portion for positioning and fixing the drain hose. The drainage hose has a fixed portion positioned and fixed to the fixing portion. The fixing part and the fixed part have a connecting mechanism that is approached from the direction toward the wall surface to connect the two. As the above-mentioned combination mechanism, The fixing portion includes a screw receiving portion having a threaded hole for tightening a predetermined screw. The fixed portion includes a through hole through which the screw is inserted and communicates with the threaded hole. The fixed portion is formed into a plate shape through which the through hole penetrates in the plate thickness direction, and is arranged at the front end of the drain hose in a manner that it can rotate relative to the drain hose with the central axis of the hole of the drain hose as the center. The fixed portion includes a connecting rod portion that is engaged with the front end of the drain hose, and a flange portion that protrudes from the connecting rod portion in a flange shape and has the through hole. The flange portion is rotated relative to the drain hose to change between a first state in which the through hole is connected to the threaded hole and a second state in which the through hole is separated from the threaded hole and is not connected, and in the first state, it abuts against the screw receiving portion in the direction of the central axis, and in the second state, it does not abut against the screw receiving portion in the direction of the central axis. The fixing portion includes a connecting portion that connects the screw receiving portion to an end portion in the longitudinal direction of the drain pan with a gap that allows the flange portion to be retracted so as not to abut against the screw receiving portion in the central axis direction in the second state.

2. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein: The drainage hose has a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion at the front end portion, the outer periphery of the small diameter portion is covered with a heat insulating material, the outer diameter of the large diameter portion is larger than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion, and is arranged at a position closer to the front end than the small diameter portion. The diameter of the connecting rod portion is smaller than any one of the outer diameter of the large diameter portion and the outer diameter of the heat insulating material, and is larger than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion.

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