Indoor unit of air conditioner

Abstract

The invention provides an indoor unit of an air conditioner, which is provided with a drainage system with low cost and excellent laying freedom. An indoor unit (2) is provided with: a cabinet (5) that can be attached to the ceiling of an air-conditioned room; a heat exchanger (3) housed in the case (5); a drain pan (6) for storing drain water accompanying heat exchange by the heat exchanger (3); and a drainage system (33) for discharging the drainage stored in the drainage pan (6) to the outside of the case (5) and guiding the drainage to a drainage pipe (32) provided in the ceiling of the air-conditioned room, the drainage system (33) being provided with: a drainage pipe seat (31) protruding from the case (5); a flexible hose (35); and a first connection part (36) connecting the drain pipe seat (31) and the flexible hose (35), the first connection part (36) being inclined with respect to the protruding direction of the drain pipe seat (31).

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] An indoor unit of an air conditioner is known, which includes: an indoor unit main body installed on the ceiling of the air-conditioned room, a heat exchanger housed in the indoor unit main body, a drain pan for accumulating drainage discharged by the heat exchange action of the heat exchanger, a drain pump for discharging the drainage accumulated in the drain pan, and a semi-rigid drain hose having a corrugated shape (Japanese: bellows shape) for guiding the drainage ejected by the drain pump to the outside of the indoor unit main body.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-257622 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In a conventional indoor unit of an air conditioner, a corrugated hose is used to connect a drain pipe provided in the ceiling of the air-conditioned room and a drain pump.

[0008] However, although the corrugated hose has a high degree of freedom in laying the installation location, it is more expensive than a rigid polyvinyl chloride pipe commonly used for the drainage path, a so-called vinyl chloride pipe.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an indoor unit of an air conditioner having a drainage system that is inexpensive and has excellent laying freedom.

[0010] Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a main body that can be installed on the ceiling of the air-conditioned room; a heat exchanger housed in the main body; a drain pan for accumulating drainage accompanying the heat exchange of the heat exchanger; and a drainage system for discharging the drainage accumulated in the drain pan to the outside of the main body and guiding it to a drain pipe provided in the ceiling of the air-conditioned room. The drainage system includes: a drain socket protruding from the main body; a flexible hose; and a first connection portion connecting the drain socket and the flexible hose, the first connection portion being inclined with respect to the protruding direction of the drain socket.

[0012] Preferably, in the indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, the installation angle between the drain socket and the first connection portion can be adjusted so that the extending direction of the drain pipe and the extending direction on the downstream side of the first connection portion can be substantially the same.

[0013] Preferably, the first connecting portion of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention connects the drain pipe seat and the flexible hose substantially at an angle of 45 degrees.

[0014] Preferably, the main body of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a joint portion, which is a joint portion of a refrigerant pipe through which refrigerant flows in the heat exchanger, and the protruding direction of the drain pipe seat is inclined with respect to the extending direction of the joint portion.

[0015] Preferably, the first connecting portion of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention is made of soft polyvinyl chloride.

[0016] Preferably, the first connecting portion of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a cross-shaped reinforcing rib, which extends along the flowing direction of the drain in the flow path.

[0017] In addition, the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention includes: a main body that can be installed on the ceiling of the air-conditioned room; a heat exchanger housed in the main body; a joint portion that is a joint portion of a refrigerant pipe through which refrigerant flows in the heat exchanger; a drain pan that accumulates drain water generated by the heat exchange of the heat exchanger; and a drainage system that discharges the drain water accumulated in the drain pan to the outside of the main body and guides it to a drain pipe provided in the ceiling of the air-conditioned room. The drainage system includes a drain pipe seat that protrudes obliquely with respect to the extending direction of the joint portion.

[0018] Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an indoor unit of an air conditioner having a drainage system that is inexpensive and has excellent laying freedom. Description of the Drawings

[0020] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 It is a top view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 It is a front view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 It is an enlarged view of the inclined plate on the left front side of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment.

[0024] Figure 5 It is a view of the flexible fitting of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment.

[0025] Figure 6 It is a partial sectional view of one side of a flexible fitting of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to this embodiment.

[0026] Figure 7 It is a top view of the front left side of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to this embodiment, enlarged.

[0027] Figure 8 It is a top view of the front left side of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to this embodiment, enlarged.

[0028] Figure 9 It is a side view of the front left side of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to this embodiment, enlarged.

[0029] Figure 10 It is a sectional view of the first connection part of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to this embodiment.

[0030] Figure 11 It is a view of the first connection part of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to this embodiment, observed from the inlet side.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals

[0032] 1... Air conditioner, 2... Indoor unit, 3... Heat exchanger, 5... Cabinet, 6... Drain pan, 7... Air supply device, 11... Top plate, 12... Side plate, 12f... Front side plate, 12b... Rear side plate, 12fr... Front right side plate, 12rf... Right front side plate, 13... Inclined plate, 13a... Inclined part, 13b... Step part, 13fl... Front left inclined plate, 13fr... Front right inclined plate, 15... Support metal piece, 16, 17... Connection part, 19... Decorative panel, 21... Suction port, 22... Air outlet, 31... Drain pipe seat, 32... Drain pipe, 33... Drainage system, 35... Flexible hose, 36... First connection part, 37... Second connection part, 38... Flexible fitting, 39... Cover, 41... Reinforcing rib. Detailed implementation mode

[0033] Refer to Figures 1 to 11 , the implementation mode of the indoor unit of the air conditioner of the present invention will be described. In addition, in multiple drawings, the same or equivalent components are labeled with the same reference numerals.

[0034] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the implementation mode of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 2 It is a top view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the implementation mode of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 3It is a front view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] The air conditioner 1 of this embodiment includes an outdoor unit installed outdoors as a heat source, and Figure 1 The indoor unit 2 shown is installed indoors as a utilization side.

[0038] Air conditioner 1 also includes a refrigeration cycle. The refrigeration cycle includes a heat exchanger on the heat source side, a compressor, a heat exchanger 3 on the utilization side, an expander, and refrigerant piping for circulating refrigerant through these devices. Air conditioner 1 may also include a four-way valve that switches the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant piping to switch between cooling and heating operations of air conditioner 1.

[0039] The indoor unit 2 houses a heat exchanger 3 on the utilization side of the refrigeration cycle. The outdoor unit houses a heat exchanger on the heat source side of the refrigeration cycle, a compressor, and a four-way valve. The electric expansion valve, which acts as an expansion machine, can be housed in either the indoor unit 2 or the outdoor unit. The outdoor unit and indoor unit 2 are connected via connecting pipes (Japanese: 渡り配管). The connecting pipes are part of the refrigerant piping. The air conditioner 1 circulates the refrigerant between the heat exchanger on the outdoor unit side and the heat exchanger 3 on the indoor unit 2 side to condition the indoor air.

[0040] The indoor unit 2 is installed in a room to be conditioned, for example, a room in a building. The indoor unit 2 is embedded in the ceiling of the room to be conditioned. In other words, the indoor unit 2 is a so-called embedded indoor unit.

[0041] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the indoor unit 2 of this embodiment includes: a housing 5 as a main body, a heat exchanger 3 provided in the housing 5, an air supply device 7 provided in the housing 5, a drain pan 6 provided in the housing 5 and below the heat exchanger 3, and a decorative panel 19 covering the bottom surface of the housing 5. The air supply device 7 includes an annular bell mouth provided in the housing 5 and a fan that draws air from the bell mouth and blows the air toward the heat exchanger 3.

[0042] The housing 5 is a housing having a roughly quadrilateral top surface, four rectangular side surfaces, and an open bottom surface. The top surface of the housing 5 is blocked by a top plate 11. A fan is provided on the lower surface of the top plate 11. The front, right side, left side, and back of the housing 5 are blocked by side plates 12. The corner between a pair of adjacent side surfaces of the housing 5 is tilted like a chamfer without an angle. The chamfered portion is blocked by an inclined plate 13. The inclined plate 13 is tilted 45 degrees relative to the adjacent side plate 12. In other words, the angle formed by the adjacent inclined plate 13 and the side plate 12 is 135 degrees.

[0043] In addition, the casing 5 is provided with support members 15 on each of the inclined plates 13. The support members 15 are hung on nuts screwed onto double-headed bolts vertically provided in the ceiling to support the entire indoor unit 2.

[0044] In Figure 2 the air conditioner 1 shown, with respect to the direction in which the reference numerals in the drawing can be read, the lower side is set as the front, the upper side is set as the back, the left side is set as the left side, and the right side is set as the right side. In Figure 3 the air conditioner 1 shown, with respect to the direction in which the reference numerals in the drawing can be read, the lower side is set as the bottom surface, the upper side is set as the top surface, the left side is set as the left side, and the right side is set as the right side. The indoor unit 2 is arranged with the top surface facing upward and the bottom surface facing downward. Therefore, in the indoor unit 2, the vertical direction is the direction passing through the top surface and the bottom surface. The distinction between the upper, lower, front, back, right, and left sides of the indoor unit 2 is based on Figure 2 and Figure 3 as the standard.

[0045] The chamfered portion between the front surface and the right side surface of the casing 5 has an inclined portion 13a and a stepped portion 13b that is offset toward the back side of the casing 5 when viewed from above.

[0046] The stepped portion 13b is blocked by the side plate 12fr on the right front of the front surface and the side plate 12rf on the front side of the right side surface. Specifically, the side plate 12fr on the right front of the front surface is arranged parallel to the side plate 12f of the front surface so as to be offset toward the back side and faces the front surface of the casing 5, and the side plate 12rf on the front side of the right side surface is arranged so as to connect the side plate 12f of the front surface and the side plate 12fr on the right front of the front surface that is offset from the side plate 12f of the front surface and faces the right side surface of the casing 5. In the illustrated example, the side plate 12rf on the front side of the right side surface is inclined and arranged so as to face the right side surface of the casing 5 and slightly face the front side.

[0047] The inclined portion 13a is blocked by the inclined plate 13fr on the right front side. The inclined plate 13fr on the right front side is arranged to connect the side plate 12fr on the right front of the stepped portion 13b and the side plate 12 of the right side surface.

[0048] Connection heads 16 and 17 for connecting refrigerant pipes are arranged on the side plate 12fr on the right front of the front surface. The connection heads 16 and 17 are part of the refrigerant pipes through which refrigerant flows in the heat exchanger 3, and connect the refrigerant pipes outside the indoor unit 2 and the heat exchanger 3 inside the indoor unit 2. The connection heads 16 and 17 extend substantially straight in the direction parallel to the normal line of the side plate 12f of the front surface and along the normal line of the side plate 12fr on the right front of the front surface, that is, in the front direction of the casing 5 (hereinafter, also referred to as the front).

[0049] The air-conditioned room side opposite to the bottom surface of the opening of the housing 5 is covered by a decorative panel 19. The decorative panel 19 includes: an air inlet 21 arranged at the center of the decorative panel 19 and for taking in air from the air-conditioned room; and a plurality of air outlets 22 arranged at the outer edge of the decorative panel 19 and for blowing air into the air-conditioned room. The air inlet 21 is, for example, covered by an annular bell mouth provided at the center of the bottom surface of the housing 5, and is opposite to the air inlet opening of the housing 5. The plurality of air outlets 22 are opposite to the plurality of air outlet openings of the housing 5. Each air outlet 22 is provided with a louver for adjusting the wind direction.

[0050] The fan is provided approximately at the center of the housing 5 with: a fan motor having a rotating shaft extending in the vertical direction; and an impeller fixed to the rotating shaft so as to rotate integrally. The fan motor drives the impeller to rotate. The fan motor is fixed to the inner surface of the top plate 11 of the housing 5 via a fixing member. The rotating impeller draws in air from the air-conditioned room through the suction opening of the housing 5 via the suction port 21 of the decorative panel 19, and blows out air radially in a direction intersecting the rotating shaft. The blown air exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing in the heat exchanger 3, is blown out from the multiple blowing openings of the housing 5, and is blown out to the air-conditioned room through the blowing port 22 of the decorative panel 19. The rotation centerline of the impeller is consistent with the rotating shaft of the fan motor, and extends in the vertical direction when the indoor unit 2 is installed.

[0051] The heat exchanger 3 is fixed to the top plate 11 of the housing 5. In the present embodiment, the heat exchanger 3 is, for example, a fin-and-tube type, and includes a plurality of aligned aluminum alloy fins and refrigerant pipes penetrating the fins.

[0052] The heat exchanger 3 is located inside the housing 5, surrounding the radially outer side of the fan. The inner circumference of the heat exchanger 3 faces the fan, while the outer circumference of the heat exchanger 3 faces the inner surface of the side panels 12. The heat exchanger 3 has a flat plate portion that faces each side panel 12 of the housing 5, and a corner portion that connects two adjacent flat plates. For example, there are four flat plates and three corner portions.

[0053] The drain pan 6 is located below the heat exchanger 3 and receives the drain water generated by the heat exchanger 3 during heat exchange. During cooling operation, when the heat exchanger 3 functions as an evaporator, moisture contained in the air passing through the heat exchanger 3, i.e., indoor humidity, condenses on the surface of the heat exchanger 3, adheres to the heat exchanger 3 as drain water, and drips from the heat exchanger 3. The drain water stored in the drain pan 6 is pumped out by, for example, a drain pump provided within the housing 5 and discharged to the exterior of the indoor unit 2 through a drain pipe.

[0054] In a plan view, the center of the substantially annular heat exchanger 3, the rotation center of the fan, the center of the suction port 21 of the decorative panel 19, and the center of the annular bell mouth are substantially aligned.

[0055] When the air conditioner 1 is operating in the cooling mode, the compressor of the outdoor unit ejects high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant and delivers it to the outdoor heat exchanger (condenser). The outdoor heat exchanger exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing inside and the outdoor air, causing the refrigerant to condense. The condensed liquid refrigerant is delivered to the indoor unit 2 through the refrigerant pipe. The indoor unit 2 uses an electric expansion valve to expand the liquid refrigerant flowing in from the refrigerant pipe and delivers the low-temperature gas-liquid mixed refrigerant to the heat exchanger 3 (evaporator). The heat exchanger 3 exchanges heat between the low-temperature refrigerant flowing inside and the indoor air, causing the refrigerant to vaporize. At this time, the interior of the room is cooled by the low-temperature air blown out from the indoor unit 2.

[0056] When the air conditioner 1 is operating in the heating mode, the compressor of the outdoor unit ejects high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant and delivers it to the heat exchanger 3 (condenser) of the indoor unit 2. The heat exchanger 3 exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing inside and the indoor air, causing the refrigerant to condense. At this time, the interior of the room is heated by the high-temperature air blown out from the indoor unit 2.

[0057] Figure 4 It is an enlarged view of the inclined plate on the left front side of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment.

[0058] As Figure 4 shown, the casing 5 of the indoor unit 2 according to the present embodiment is provided with a drain pipe seat 31 on the inclined plate 13fl on the left front side.

[0059] The drain pipe seat 31 extends substantially straight along the normal line of the inclined plate 13fl on the left front side. Therefore, the drain pipe seat 31 protrudes in a direction inclined 45 degrees to the left in the front direction with respect to the casing 5. Therefore, the protruding direction of the drain pipe seat 31 is inclined with respect to the extending direction of the connection parts 16 and 17. The drain pipe seat 31 communicates the inside of the casing 5 with the outside of the casing 5 and discharges the drainage accumulated inside the casing 5, for example, pumped by a drain pump, to the outside of the casing 5.

[0060] Figure 5 It is a view of the flexible fitting of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment.

[0061] Figure 6 It is a single-side sectional view of the flexible fitting of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment.

[0062] Figures 7 to 8 It is a top view of the left front side of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment enlarged.

[0063] Figure 9 It is a side view of the left front side of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment enlarged.

[0064] As Figures 5 to 9As shown, the indoor unit 2 of the present embodiment has a drain pipe seat 31 protruding from the box body 5 and a flexible fitting 38 as a drainage system 33. The flexible fitting 38 includes a first connection portion 36, a flexible hose 35, and a second connection portion 37. In the present embodiment, the first connection portion 36, the flexible hose 35, and the second connection portion 37 of the flexible fitting 38 are integrated, but it is not limited thereto.

[0065] The first connection portion 36 of the flexible fitting 38 is a connection portion that connects the drain pipe seat 31 and the flexible hose 35. The second connection portion 37 of the flexible fitting 38 is a connection portion that connects the flexible hose 35 and the existing drain pipe 32. That is, the flexible hose 35 is connected to the drain pipe seat 31 and the drain pipe 32 through the first connection portion 36 and the second connection portion 37. In addition, the drain pipe 32 is an existing pipe provided in the ceiling of the air-conditioned room.

[0066] When connecting the drainage system 33 to the drain pipe 32, after determining the installation position of the indoor unit 2 through the support metal member 15, connect the first connection portion 36 of the flexible fitting 38 to the drain pipe seat 31 of the box body 5, bend the flexible hose 35 so that the second connection portion 37 can be easily connected to the drain pipe 32, and connect the second connection portion 37 to the drain pipe 32.

[0067] In addition, the flexible fitting 38 preferably has a cover 39 that is provided between the first connection portion 36 and the second connection portion 37 and covers the flexibility of the flexible hose 35. The cover 39 preferably has a softness that does not hinder the bending of the flexible hose 35.

[0068] The first connection portion 36 is preferably loosely fitted into the drain pipe seat 31. In this case, the first connection portion 36 rotates around the extension direction of the drain pipe seat 31 in a state where it is fitted into the drain pipe seat 31. That is, the installation angle between the drain pipe seat 31 and the first connection portion 36 can be freely adjusted. When the fitting position of the first connection portion 36 and the drain pipe seat 31 is determined and the second connection portion 37 is connected to the drain pipe 32, it is only necessary to tie and fix the fitting portion of the first connection portion 36 and the drain pipe seat 31 with a bundling band. In addition, the installation angle between the drain pipe seat 31 and the first connection portion 36 is defined as, for example, the angle formed by the extension direction on the downstream side of the first connection portion 36 with respect to the above reference when the vertical direction is set as the reference of 0 degrees with the extension direction of the drain pipe seat 31 as the center.

[0069] However, if the connection port of the drain pipe 32 is arranged directly in front of the drain pipe seat 31 of the box body 5, the drain pipe seat 31 of the box body 5 and the drain pipe 32 can be easily connected with a simple straight pipe without flexibility. However, generally, the connection port of the drain pipe 32 is not directly in front of the drain pipe seat 31 of the box body 5, and a semi-rigid drain hose with a corrugated shape like the conventional outdoor unit is required to improve the flexibility of the connection operation. However, applying a semi-rigid drain hose with a corrugated shape throughout the entire path of the drainage system 33 is detrimental to the cost superiority.

[0070] Therefore, the indoor unit 2 of the present embodiment includes a first connection portion 36 and a flexible hose 35 with flexibility. That is, the indoor unit 2 of the present embodiment has the following configuration: the extension direction on the downstream side of the first connection portion 36 is substantially directed toward the connection port of the drain pipe 32, and the flexible hose 35 is used to align the second connection portion 37 with the drain pipe 32, so that the drainage system 33 can be connected to the drain pipe 32.

[0071] At the installation site of the indoor unit 2, when the connection port of the drain pipe 32 and the connection port of the existing refrigerant pipe, that is, the connection pipe, are arranged in the same direction, the indoor unit 2 of the present embodiment is arranged so that the front face faces the connection port of the drain pipe 32 and the connection port of the connection pipe. In this way, the connection heads 16, 17 of the refrigerant pipe facing the front of the box body 5 face the connection port of the connection pipe. On the other hand, the drain pipe seat 31 points in an inclined direction, for example, a direction inclined 45 degrees from the direction in which the connection heads 16, 17 face. At this time, if the first connection portion 36 is a so-called 45-degree elbow that connects the drain pipe seat 31 and the flexible hose 35 substantially at an angle of 45 degrees, the connection operation can be carried out as follows. As Figure 7 shown, the installation angle between the drain pipe seat 31 and the first connection portion 36 is adjusted so that the second connection portion 37 of the flexible fitting 38 faces the front of the box body 5, and the first connection portion 36 is connected to the drain pipe seat 31. In this way, by using the flexible hose 35 to align the second connection portion 37 with the drain pipe 32, the drainage system 33 can be easily connected to the drain pipe 32.

[0072] In addition, for example, as long as the connection port of the drain pipe 32 is arranged on the left side of the indoor unit 2 regardless of the connection port of the connection pipe, the connection operation can be carried out as follows. As Figure 8As shown, the installation angle between the drain pipe seat 31 and the first connecting portion 36 is adjusted such that the second connecting portion 37 of the flexible fitting 38 faces the left side of the cabinet 5, and the first connecting portion 36 is connected to the drain pipe seat 31. That is, since the drain pipe seat 31 substantially extends in the horizontal direction, if the first connecting portion 36 is a so-called 45-degree elbow, it is only necessary to connect the first connecting portion 36 to the drain pipe seat 31 such that the second connecting portion 37 of the flexible fitting 38 faces the left side of the cabinet 5.

[0073] In addition, if the connection port of the drain pipe 32 hangs down from above to below, as Figure 9 shown, it is only necessary to adjust the installation angle between the drain pipe seat 31 and the first connecting portion 36 such that the second connecting portion 37 of the flexible fitting 38 faces the upper side of the cabinet 5, and connect the first connecting portion 36 to the drain pipe seat 31. That is, since the drain pipe seat 31 substantially extends in the horizontal direction, if the first connecting portion 36 is a so-called 45-degree elbow, it is only necessary to connect the first connecting portion 36 to the drain pipe seat 31 such that the second connecting portion 37 of the flexible fitting 38 faces the upper side of the cabinet 5.

[0074] In this case, the bending range of the flexible hose 35 is substantially converged within a range of about ±10 degrees centered on 45 degrees. That is, the indoor unit 2 of the present embodiment does not need to bend a semi-rigid drain hose having a corrugated shape by 90 degrees like a conventional indoor unit, but includes a flexible fitting 38 that combines the bending of the first connecting portion 36, for example, 45 degrees, with the bending range of the flexible hose 35, for example, about 45 degrees, so as to be able to bend a total of 90 degrees. The bending range of the flexible hose 35 is suppressed, and the required length (total length) of the flexible hose 35 is shortened. That is, compared with the case where the flexible hose 35 is bent by 45 degrees, a longer total length is required to bend the flexible hose 35 by 90 degrees.

[0075] That is, the drainage system 33 of the present embodiment can easily perform the alignment of the second connecting portion 37 with the drain pipe 32 by being able to freely change the installation angle between the drain pipe seat 31 and the first connecting portion 36 of the flexible fitting 38.

[0076] In addition, the drain pipe seat 31 of the cabinet 5 may also extend forward of the cabinet 5.

[0077] In addition, the second connecting portion 37 and the drain pipe 32 may be directly connected or indirectly connected via one or more vinyl chloride pipes.

[0078] In addition, the bending of the first connecting portion 36 is not limited to 45 degrees. When aligning the second connecting portion 37 with the drain pipe 32 using the flexible hose 35, as long as it can be limited within a range smaller than the bending amount of the flexible hose 35, for example, 55 degrees, the size of the bending of the first connecting portion 36 may be greater than 45 degrees or less than 45 degrees.

[0079] Figure 10 It is a sectional view of the first connecting portion of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment.

[0080] Figure 11 It is a view of the first connecting portion of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment as viewed from the inlet side.

[0081] As Figure 10 and Figure 11 shown, the first connecting portion 36 of the indoor unit 2 according to the present embodiment may also include a cross-shaped reinforcing rib 41 extending along the drainage flow direction in the flow path ( Figure 10 solid arrow in).

[0082] The reinforcing rib 41 depicts a cross by a first plate portion along a virtual plane passing through the bending center (curvature center) of the first connecting portion 36 and the center line (axis) of the flow path and a second plate portion orthogonal to the first plate portion and passing through the center line of the flow path. Such a reinforcing rib 41 effectively improves the rigidity of the first connecting portion 36, which is supposed to act on a large moment due to the bending of the flexible hose 35.

[0083] For example, when the drain pipe seat 31 of the box body 5 is a rigid polyvinyl chloride pipe, it is beneficial for mutual embedding when the first connecting portion 36 is made of soft polyvinyl chloride. However, the first connecting portion 36 made of soft polyvinyl chloride cannot withstand the bending of the flexible hose 35, and there is a risk of buckling or kinking. Therefore, by providing the cross-shaped reinforcing rib 41, the first connecting portion 36 made of soft polyvinyl chloride can obtain resistance to the bending of the flexible hose 35.

[0084] In addition, the second connecting portion 37 may be made of rigid polyvinyl chloride.

[0085] As described above, the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment includes a drain pipe holder 31 protruding from the housing 5, a flexible hose 35, and a first connection portion 36 connecting the drain pipe holder 31 and the flexible hose 35. Therefore, unlike conventional indoor units, the indoor unit 2 does not need to bend the corrugated semi-rigid drain hose 90 degrees. Instead, the second connection portion 37 can be aligned with the drain pipe 32 by combining the bend of the first connection portion 36 with the bending range of the flexible hose 35. Specifically, by adjusting the mounting angle between the drain pipe holder 31 and the first connection portion 36, the indoor unit 2 can align the second connection portion 37 with the drain pipe 32 without significantly bending the flexible hose 35. This reduces the load on the bent portion of the flexible hose 35, improving the reliability of the drainage system 33 of the indoor unit 2. Furthermore, since the flexible hose 35 does not need to be bent significantly, the overall length of the flexible hose 35 can be shortened, contributing to cost reductions. In addition, in a case where the portion of the path length that is insufficient as the drainage system 33 can be provided by the first connection portion 36 and the second connection portion 37 connected to the flexible hose 35, the first connection portion 36 and the second connection portion 37 are inexpensive polyvinyl chloride pipes compared to the flexible hose 35, thereby helping to reduce the cost of the entire length of the drainage system 33.

[0086] Furthermore, the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment can adjust the installation angle between the drain pipe socket 31 and the first connection portion 36 so that the extension direction of the drain pipe 32 substantially coincides with the extension direction of the downstream side of the first connection portion 36. Therefore, the indoor unit 2 can easily change the orientation of the first connection portion 36 relative to the protruding direction of the drain pipe socket 31, and can position the flexible fitting 38 so as to minimize the amount of bending of the flexible hose 35.

[0087] Furthermore, the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1 of this embodiment includes a first connection portion 36 that connects the drain pipe holder 31 and the flexible hose 35 at a substantially 45-degree angle. For example, if the extension direction of the joints 16 and 17 differs from the protruding direction of the drain pipe holder 31 by 45 degrees, using a so-called 45-degree elbow in the first connection portion 36 makes it easy to align the direction of the second connection portion 37 with the extension direction of the joints 16 and 17. Furthermore, using a relatively gentle 45-degree elbow in the first connection portion 36 allows the direction of the drainage flow path to change gradually as the drainage flows from the first connection portion 36 to the flexible hose 35. This allows for easier alignment of the second connection portion 37 with the drainage pipe 32 without compromising drainage performance. In this case, the flexible hose 35 only needs to be able to adjust for the slight difference in the second connection portion 37 and the drainage pipe 32.

[0088] In addition, the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment is provided with a drain pipe seat 31 that protrudes in a direction inclined with respect to the extending direction of the joint portions 16 and 17. For example, when the difference between the extending direction of the joint portions 16 and 17 and the protruding direction of the drain pipe seat 31 is 45 degrees, by applying a so-called 45-degree elbow to the first connecting portion 36, it is possible to easily make the direction pointed by the second connecting portion 37 coincide with the extending direction of the joint portions 16 and 17. That is, since the direction pointed by the second connecting portion 37 changes according to the bending of the first connecting portion 36 and the protruding direction of the drain pipe seat 31, the indoor unit 2 can form the bending of the first connecting portion 36 to be small by being provided with the drain pipe seat 31 that protrudes in a direction inclined with respect to the extending direction of the joint portions 16 and 17. In addition, by adjusting the direction pointed by the second connecting portion 37 according to the protruding direction of the drain pipe seat 31 and the bending of the first connecting portion 36, the bending range of the flexible hose 35 can be limited to an extremely small range.

[0089] In addition, the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment is provided with a first connecting portion 36 made of soft polyvinyl chloride. Therefore, the indoor unit 2 can easily connect the drain pipe seat 31 and the first connecting portion 36, and can easily adjust the mounting angle between the drain pipe seat 31 and the first connecting portion 36.

[0090] In addition, the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment is provided with a first connecting portion 36 having a cross-shaped reinforcing rib 41 that extends along the drainage flow direction in the flow path. Therefore, the indoor unit 2 can be provided with a first connecting portion 36 that will not be crushed or kinked even when the flexible hose 35 is bent.

[0091] In addition, the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment is provided with a drain pipe seat 31 that protrudes in a direction inclined with respect to the extending direction of the joint portions 16 and 17. Specifically, it is provided with a drain pipe seat 31 that extends substantially straight along the normal line of the inclined plate 13fl on the left front side. Therefore, compared with a drain pipe seat that extends from the inclined plate 13fl on the left front side in the same direction as the extending direction of the joint portions 16 and 17, the indoor unit 2 can form the drain pipe seat 31 in a simple shape, and can reduce the cost of forming the drain pipe seat. In addition, when a part of the drainage system 33 for discharging the drainage to the outside of the main body is connected to the drain pipe seat 31, the connection can also be easily performed, improving the stability of the connection portion.

[0092] Therefore, the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner 1 according to the present embodiment can be provided with a drainage system 33 that is inexpensive and has excellent laying freedom.

[0093] Several embodiments of the present invention have been described, 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 gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the scope of its equivalents.

Claims

1. An indoor unit of an air conditioner, comprising: A main body that can be installed on the ceiling of the air-conditioned room; A heat exchanger housed in the main body; A drain pan that accumulates drainage accompanying the heat exchange of the heat exchanger; and A drainage system that discharges the drainage accumulated in the drain pan to the outside of the main body and guides it to a drainage pipe provided in the ceiling of the air-conditioned room, The drainage system includes: A drain pipe seat protruding from the main body; A flexible hose; and A first connection part that connects the drain pipe seat and the flexible hose, The first connection part is inclined with respect to the protruding direction of the drain pipe seat.

2. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein The indoor unit of the air conditioner can adjust the installation angle between the drain pipe seat and the first connection part so that the extension direction of the drainage pipe can be substantially the same as the extension direction on the downstream side of the first connection part.

3. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The first connection part connects the drain pipe seat and the flexible hose substantially at an angle of 45 degrees.

4. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The main body has a connection head, which is a connection head of a refrigerant pipe for allowing refrigerant to flow through the heat exchanger, The protruding direction of the drain pipe seat is inclined with respect to the extension direction of the connection head.

5. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The first connection part is made of soft polyvinyl chloride.

6. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein The first connection part has a cross-shaped reinforcing rib that extends along the flow direction of the drainage in the flow path.

7. An indoor unit of an air conditioner, comprising: A main body that can be installed on the ceiling of the air-conditioned room; A heat exchanger housed in the main body; A connection head, which is a connection head of a refrigerant pipe for allowing refrigerant to flow through the heat exchanger; A drain pan that accumulates drainage accompanying the heat exchange of the heat exchanger; and A drainage system that discharges the drainage accumulated in the drain pan to the outside of the main body and guides it to a drainage pipe provided in the ceiling of the air-conditioned room, The drainage system includes a drain pipe seat that protrudes inclinedly with respect to the extension direction of the connection head.

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