Ceiling-suspended indoor unit

Abstract

Provided is a ceiling-mounted indoor unit that can visually confirm dirt or clogging around a drain port without disassembling a case or a drain pan and that can place the drain port in a cleanable state. The ceiling-mounted indoor unit includes a case (10) that defines a fan chamber (18) in which a fan is disposed and a heat exchange chamber (19) in which a heat exchanger is disposed inside; a drain pan that is disposed below the heat exchanger in the heat exchange chamber (19); and a drain port (44) that communicates the heat exchange chamber (19) and the fan chamber (18) and that discharges drain water accumulated in the drain pan, and an opening (21) that communicates the heat exchange chamber and that can face the drain port (44) from an outside of the case (10) is formed in a side plate (11) of the case (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a hanging indoor unit. Background Technology

[0002] For example, in the hanging indoor unit disclosed in Patent Document 1, a drain socket is provided for draining the water accumulated in the drain pan.

[0003] Previous technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-1 73761 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0007] In this type of wall-mounted indoor unit, the drain outlet located on the drain pan may become clogged due to bacteria and other contaminants in the discharged water.

[0008] At this point, it is necessary to disassemble the side cover covering the side of the housing, the bottom of the housing, and the drain pan before inspecting and / or cleaning the drain outlet located on the drain pan. This is a tedious task for the maintenance personnel.

[0009] The present invention was made in view of this situation, and its object is to provide a wall-mounted indoor unit that allows for visual inspection of dirt or blockage near the drain outlet without disassembling the housing or drain pan, and that allows for cleaning of the area near the drain outlet.

[0010] Methods for solving problems

[0011] To address the aforementioned issues, the suspended indoor unit of the present invention employs the following methods.

[0012] That is, a hanging indoor unit according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a housing, which internally defines a fan chamber in which a fan is disposed and a heat exchange chamber in which a heat exchanger is disposed; a drain tray disposed in the heat exchange chamber below the heat exchanger; and a drain outlet communicating with the heat exchange chamber and the fan chamber and draining water accumulated in the drain tray, wherein an opening is formed on the side of the housing that communicates with the heat exchange chamber and is accessible from the outside of the housing to the drain outlet.

[0013] Invention Effects

[0014] According to the present invention, dirt or blockage near the drain outlet can be visually identified without disassembling the housing or drain pan, and the area near the drain outlet can be kept cleanable. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a diagram of an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below at an angle.

[0016] Figure 2 Is Figure 1 The diagram shows the indoor unit with the side cover removed.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a diagram taken from above at an oblique angle, showing the state in which the top surface of the indoor unit according to one embodiment of the present invention has been removed.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the indoor unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the area near the opening of the indoor unit according to one embodiment of the present invention (with the cover component removed).

[0020] Figure 6 This is a magnified view of the opening.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the area near the opening of the indoor unit according to one embodiment of the present invention (with the cover component installed).

[0022] Figure 8 This is a 3D view of the cover component.

[0023] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the side panel with the cover installed.

[0024] Figure 10 This is a front view showing an example of a cover component. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a hanging indoor unit according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0026] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the indoor unit 1 is configured such that a side cover 51 is provided on the side (side plate 11) of the housing 10, a grille 52 is provided at the intake port 22 formed at the bottom of the housing 10, and a louver 53 is provided at the exhaust port 23 formed on the front of the housing 10.

[0027] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a fan chamber 18 and a heat exchange chamber 19 are defined inside the housing 10.

[0028] like Figure 3As shown, multiple air supply fans (fans) 41 are installed in the fan chamber 18 along the width direction (left and right direction in the figure) of the indoor unit 1.

[0029] The blower fan 41 is a device for drawing in indoor air from the intake port 22 and blowing that air toward the heat exchanger 42. The blower fan 41 is, for example, a Sirocco fan.

[0030] A heat exchanger 42 extending along the width direction of the indoor unit 1 is provided in the heat exchange chamber 19.

[0031] The heat exchanger 42 is a device for exchanging heat between the air blown from the blower fan 41 and the refrigerant.

[0032] The fan compartment 18 and the heat exchange compartment 19 are separated by a partition 45, except for the air outlet of the air supply fan 41. The partition 45 extends along the width of the indoor unit 1 and is erected along the height.

[0033] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a drain pan 43 is provided below the heat exchanger 42 in the heat exchange chamber 19.

[0034] Drain tray 43 is a receiving tray for the drain water (condensate) attached to heat exchanger 42.

[0035] The drain pan 43 has an inclined surface configured to collect the drain water dripping from the heat exchanger 42 at a designated location. A drain outlet 44 is provided at the location where the drain water collects. In this embodiment, the drain outlet 44 is located near the side plate 11.

[0036] The drain outlet 44 is an opening that connects the heat exchange chamber 19 and the fan chamber 18, and is configured such that the drain water on the drain pan 43 drains naturally from the heat exchange chamber 19 to the fan chamber 18.

[0037] In the fan chamber 18, a pipe (not shown) is connected to the drain outlet 44, and is configured such that the drain water guided to the fan chamber 18 via the drain outlet 44 is naturally discharged to the outside of the indoor unit 1.

[0038] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, an opening 21 is formed on the side plate 11 of the housing 10.

[0039] The opening 21 is an opening that communicates with the heat exchange chamber 19, which is located above the drain pan 43, and is formed at a position that allows the drain outlet 44 to be faced from the outside of the housing 10 (the outside of the indoor unit 1 with the side cover 51 removed).

[0040] Therefore, without disassembling the casing 10 or drain pan 43, workers can view the heat exchange chamber 19 through the opening 21 and visually identify dirt or blockages near the drain outlet 44. Furthermore, workers can clean the dirt or blockages through the opening 21.

[0041] And, as Figure 3 As shown, the opening 21 is preferably formed in the heat exchange chamber 19 at a position closer to the fan chamber 18 than the heat exchanger 42. Furthermore, the opening 21 is more preferably formed at a position where there are no obstructions (other components, etc.) between the opening 21 and the drain outlet 44. Additionally, the opening 21 is preferably formed at a position where it does not interfere with the lifting metal part 55 or the bracket 56 that fixes the lifting metal part 55 relative to the housing 10.

[0042] like Figure 5 As shown, the opening 21 is, for example, a quadrilateral shape with one side of about 70mm to 100mm, but it is preferably set to a shape that does not interfere with the lifting metal part 55 or the bracket 56 that fixes the lifting metal part 55 relative to the housing 10.

[0043] like Figure 5 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the indoor unit 1 has a cover component 30 for closing the opening 21.

[0044] like Figure 8 As shown, the cover component 30 has a plate (plate-shaped part) 31 and an insulator (fitting part) 32.

[0045] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, plate 31 is a sheet metal portion having dimensions capable of covering the opening 21, and overlaps and abuts against the side plates 11 surrounding the opening 21. Holes 31a for inserting screws 57 are formed at both the left and right sides of plate 31.

[0046] The insulator 32 is a portion that fits into the inside of the opening 21 and is disposed on the surface of the plate 31.

[0047] The insulator 32 has a heat insulation part 32a and a windproof part 32b.

[0048] The heat insulation portion 32a is located in the central area of ​​the plate 31 and serves as a heat insulation component. The heat insulation portion 32a is made, for example, of expanded polyethylene foam. The thickness of the heat insulation portion 32a is approximately equal to the thickness of the side plate 11.

[0049] The windbreak portion 32b is configured to surround the entire circumference of the heat insulation portion 32a, and functions as a windbreak between it and the opening 21 by abutting against the stepped portion 21a (described later). The windbreak portion 32b is made of foamed ethylene or acrylic rubber. The thickness of the windbreak portion 32b is smaller than the thickness of the side plate 11, thereby forming a stepped portion between it and the heat insulation portion 32a.

[0050] The cover component 30 is fastened to the side plate 11 by two screws 57 inserted through holes 31a in the plate 31.

[0051] When the plate 31 is fastened to the side plate 11, the insulator 32 fits into the inside of the opening 21, so that the opening 21 can be sealed in a state that maintains airtightness through the cover member 30.

[0052] Furthermore, as long as a stepped portion 21a is provided around the opening 21, the windproof function based on the insulator 32 can be achieved by having the windproof portion 32b of the insulator 32 come into contact with it.

[0053] Furthermore, the shapes of the plate 31 and the spacer 32 of the cover component 30 are preferably point-symmetric when viewed from the side. In addition to the quadrilateral shape described above, squares, circles, etc., can also be examples of point-symmetric shapes. Thus, when the housing 10 is viewed from the side, the cover component 30 can be installed in the opening 21 while being positioned at any position after being rotated at a predetermined angle.

[0054] In particular, such as Figure 10 As shown, by setting the plate 31 and the isolator 32 of the cover component 30 to be square and forming holes 31a at the top, bottom, left and right of the plate 31, when the housing 10 is viewed from the side, the cover component 30 can be positioned at any position after rotating each of the cover components 30 by 90° and then installed in the opening 21.

[0055] At this point, it goes without saying that the shape of the opening 21 is also point-symmetric to the shape of the insulator 32.

[0056] The opening 21, cover 30 and drain outlet 44 described above can also be provided on the side panels 11 on both sides of the indoor unit 1.

[0057] Even when the indoor unit 1 is installed close to one side panel 11 on the wall of the building, the drain outlet 44 can be visually identified from the opening 21 formed on the other side panel 11.

[0058] And, as Figure 7As shown, an openable and closable annular clamp 33 can also be provided on the surface of the plate 31 (the side opposite to the side where the insulating body 32 is provided). This allows the operator to grip the clamp 33, thus facilitating the removal of the cover component 30. Furthermore, wiring devices can be suspended in the clamp 33.

[0059] In this embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

[0060] That is, an opening 21 is formed on the side plate 11 of the housing 10, which communicates with the heat exchange chamber 19 and allows the drain outlet 44 to be viewed from the outside of the housing 10. Therefore, without disassembling the housing 10 or the drain pan 43, the operator can visually identify dirt or blockage near the drain outlet 44 on the drain pan 43. Furthermore, the operator can clean the dirt or blockage through the opening 21.

[0061] Furthermore, the opening 21 is connected to the heat exchange chamber 19, which is closer to the fan chamber 18 than the heat exchanger 42, so the drain outlet 44 can be directly observed with the naked eye from the opening 21.

[0062] Furthermore, the cover member 30 has a plate 31 that abuts against the side plate 11 of the housing 10 located around the opening 21 and an insulator 32 that fits into the inside of the opening 21, so the opening 21 can be sealed by maintaining airtightness through the cover member 30.

[0063] Furthermore, when the housing 10 is viewed from the side, the shape of the opening 21 and the shape of the cover member 30 are square. Therefore, when the housing 10 is viewed from the side, the cover member 30 can be positioned at any position after rotating each of the cover members 30 by 90° while being installed in the opening 21.

[0064] The implementation methods described above can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0065] That is, the hanging indoor unit (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a housing (10) having a fan chamber (18) in which a fan (41) is disposed and a heat exchange chamber (19) in which a heat exchanger (42) is disposed; a drain tray (43) disposed in the heat exchange chamber below the heat exchanger; and a drain outlet (44) connecting the heat exchange chamber and the fan chamber and draining the drain water accumulated in the drain tray, and an opening (21) is formed on the side (11) of the housing that communicates with the heat exchange chamber and allows the drain outlet to be faced from the outside of the housing.

[0066] According to the suspended indoor unit of this method, an opening is formed on the side of the casing that communicates with the heat exchange chamber and allows the drain outlet to be viewed from the outside of the casing. Therefore, without disassembling the casing or drain pan, workers can visually identify dirt or blockages near the drain outlet on the drain pan. Furthermore, workers can clean the dirt or blockages through the opening.

[0067] Furthermore, in a suspended indoor unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, the opening communicates with the heat exchange chamber located further from the fan chamber than the heat exchanger.

[0068] According to the suspended indoor unit involved in this method, the opening is connected to the heat exchange chamber on the fan chamber side of the heat exchanger, so the drain outlet can be directly identified by the naked eye from the opening.

[0069] Furthermore, in a hanging indoor unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, the opening is formed on both sides of the housing.

[0070] According to the suspended indoor unit involved in this method, the opening is formed on both sides of the casing. Therefore, even if the suspended indoor unit is installed close to one side of the building wall, the drain outlet can be visually identified from the opening formed on the other side.

[0071] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the hanging indoor unit includes a cover member (30) that closes the opening, the cover member having a plate-shaped portion (31) that abuts against the side of the housing located around the opening and a fitting portion (32) that fits into the inside of the opening.

[0072] According to the method, the hanging indoor unit has a cover component that closes the opening. The cover component has a plate-shaped portion that abuts against the side of the housing located around the opening and a fitting portion that fits into the inside of the opening. Therefore, the opening can be closed by maintaining airtightness through the cover component.

[0073] Furthermore, in a hanging indoor unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, when the housing is viewed from the side, the shape of the opening and the shape of the cover component are point-symmetrical.

[0074] According to the hanging indoor unit involved in this method, when the casing is viewed from the side, the shape of the opening and the shape of the cover component are point-symmetric. Therefore, when the casing is viewed from the side, the cover component can be positioned at any position after being rotated at a specified angle and installed in the opening.

[0075] Symbol Explanation

[0076] 1-Indoor unit (ceiling-mounted indoor unit), 10-Casing, 11-Side panel (side), 18-Fan chamber, 19-Heat exchange chamber, 21-Opening, 21a-Step section, 22-Intake port, 23-Outlet port, 30-Cover component, 31-Plate (plate-shaped part), 31a-Hole, 32-Isolation body (fitting part), 32a-Insulation part, 32b-Windproof part, 33-Clamp, 41-Supply fan (fan), 42-Heat exchanger, 43-Drain tray, 44-Drain outlet, 45-Baffle, 51-Side cover, 52-Grate, 53-Louvre, 55-Lifting metal parts, 56-Bracket, 57-Screw.

Claims

1. A ceiling-mounted indoor unit, comprising: The casing is internally divided into a fan chamber equipped with a fan and a heat exchange chamber equipped with a heat exchanger; A partition is used to separate the fan chamber from the heat exchange chamber; A drain pan is disposed below the heat exchanger in the heat exchange chamber; and A drain outlet, located on the partition, connects the heat exchange chamber and the fan chamber and discharges the water accumulated in the drain pan. An opening is formed on the side of the housing that communicates with the heat exchange chamber and allows the drain outlet to be viewed from the outside of the housing. The opening communicates with the heat exchange chamber located on the fan chamber side, which is closer to the heat exchanger than the heat exchanger itself.

2. The wall-mounted indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein, The openings are formed on both sides of the housing.

3. The ceiling-mounted indoor unit according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: Cover component, to close the opening. The cover component has a plate-like portion that abuts against the side of the housing located around the opening and a fitting portion that fits into the inside of the opening.

4. The ceiling-mounted indoor unit according to claim 3, wherein, When viewed from the side, the shape of the opening and the shape of the cover component are point-symmetric.

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