Indoor heat exchanger and air conditioner indoor unit

Abstract

The indoor heat exchanger includes a plate laminate (50, 60) having a first plate portion (50A, 60A) disposed adjacent to a heat exchange portion (B) on a first direction side, the first plate portion (50A, 60A) having one or more plates (52, 62), and a second plate portion (50B, 60B) having one or more plates (52, 62) having a shape different from that of the plates (52, 62) of the first plate portion (50A, 60A), the first plate portion (50A, 60A) being disposed adjacent to the heat exchange portion (B) on a first direction side, and the second plate portion (50B, 60B) being disposed adjacent to the heat exchange portion (B) on a second direction side. The second plate sections (50B, 60B) are arranged on the surface of the first plate sections (50A, 60A) on the opposite side from the surface facing the heat exchange section (B), and a step section (X) is formed on the peripheral edge of the surface of the plate laminate (50, 60) on the opposite side from the surface facing the heat exchange section (B), and the step section (X) is formed by the first plate sections (50A, 60A) and the second plate sections (50B, 60B).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor air conditioning unit. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a stacked manifold connected to a heat exchanger. Grooves are formed on each plate constituting the stacked manifold. By stacking multiple plates having such grooves, a refrigerant flow path with grooves formed inside the stacked manifold is thus formed.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2014 / 184917 Summary of the Invention

[0006] -The technical problem the invention aims to solve-

[0007] The plates that make up the laminate are all formed into the same shape. The shape and position of the grooves formed on the plates vary depending on the structure of the refrigerant flow path. Therefore, the area of ​​the region where no grooves are formed varies depending on the plate. Since the region where no grooves are formed has no use, if this region is relatively large, the space inside the air conditioner cannot be used effectively.

[0008] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a laminated structure that can effectively utilize the space inside an air conditioner indoor unit.

[0009] - Technical solutions used to solve technical problems -

[0010] The first aspect is an indoor heat exchanger.

[0011] The indoor heat exchanger includes a heat exchange section B and plate stacks 50 and 60. The heat exchange section B includes multiple fins 41 and multiple heat transfer tubes 42 penetrating the multiple fins 41. The plate stacks 50 and 60 are provided with flow paths 51 and 61 that communicate with the heat transfer tube 42. The plate stacks 50 and 60 are formed by stacking multiple plates 52 and 62 in the first direction in which the heat transfer tube 42 extends. The plate stacks 50 and 60 are arranged adjacent to the heat exchange section B on the first direction side. The plate stacks 50 and 60 have first plate portions 50A and 60A and second plate portions 50B and 60B, wherein the first plate portions 50A and 60A have one or more of the plates 52 and 62. The second plate portions 50B and 60B have one or more plates 52 and 62 whose shapes are different from those of the first plate portions 50A and 60A, and the second plate portions 50B and 60B are arranged on the opposite side of the surface of the first plate portions 50A and 60A that is opposite to the surface of the heat exchange section B. A stepped portion X is formed at the periphery of the second surfaces 502 and 602 of the plate stacks 50 and 60. The second surfaces 502 and 602 are located on the opposite side of the first surfaces 501 and 601 that are opposite to the heat exchange portion B. The stepped portion X is formed by the first plate portions 50A and 60A and the second plate portions 50B and 60B.

[0012] In the first aspect, by providing a step portion X on the laminated plates 50 and 60, a space can be formed at a position opposite to the step portion X. By arranging prescribed components or the like within this space, the space can be effectively utilized.

[0013] The second aspect is an indoor air conditioning unit.

[0014] The indoor unit of the air conditioner includes the indoor heat exchanger, the casing 31, and the first component 300 mentioned in the first aspect. The housing 31 houses the indoor heat exchanger. The first component 300 is arranged inside the housing 31. At least a portion of the first component 300 is arranged opposite the stepped portion X on the first direction side.

[0015] In the second aspect, by arranging the first component 300 in a space opposite to the first direction side of the step portion X, the combined length of the indoor heat exchanger and the first component 300 can be shortened. This allows for a more compact indoor air conditioning unit.

[0016] The third aspect is based on the second aspect. When viewing the plate stacks 50 and 60 from the first direction... The first component 300 is positioned closer to the step portion X than the end of the second plate portion 50B, 60B constituting the step portion X.

[0017] In the third aspect, by arranging the first component 300 in the space below (on the side of the step portion) of the second plate portion, which is lower than the end face of the step portion X, the indoor unit of the air conditioner can be made more compact, just like in the second aspect.

[0018] The fourth aspect builds upon the second aspect. At least a portion of the first component 300 is disposed inside the stepped portion X.

[0019] In the fourth aspect, by arranging at least a portion of the first component 300 on the step portion X, the compactness of the air conditioning indoor unit can be achieved in the same way as in the second aspect.

[0020] The fifth aspect builds upon the second aspect. The indoor unit of the air conditioner also includes a second component 200 and a partition 100. The second component 200 is adjacent to the indoor heat exchanger 40, and the second component 200 is opposite to the stepped portion X on the first direction side. The partition 100 is arranged between the indoor heat exchanger 40 and the second component 200. The partition 100 has a recess 101 formed in a manner that follows the shape of the stepped portion X.

[0021] In the fifth aspect, the second component 200 can be disposed within the recess 101. This shortens the combined length of the indoor heat exchanger 40 and the second component 200, thus enabling a more compact indoor air conditioning unit.

[0022] The sixth aspect is based on any one of the second to fifth aspects. An air passage P is formed in the housing 31, through which air flows from the intake port 33 formed on the housing 31 toward the outlet port 34. The indoor heat exchanger 40 is arranged in the air passage P. When viewed from the first direction, the stepped portion X is formed downstream of the airflow in the plate stack 50, 60.

[0023] Here, in the indoor heat exchanger, the load on the upstream side of the airflow passing through the indoor heat exchanger is higher than the load on the downstream side. In contrast, in the sixth aspect, since the step portion X is formed in the plate stacks 50 and 60 at a position downstream of the airflow, the number of laminations in the plate stacks 52 and 62 on the upstream side of the airflow can be increased. When the number of laminations in the plates 52 and 62 increases, the thickness of the plate stacks 50 and 60 also increases accordingly, thus ensuring a sufficient number of flow paths 51 and 61 formed internally. If the number of flow paths is ensured, the refrigerant flow rate in the heat transfer pipe 42 can be increased, resulting in improved heat exchange efficiency. Thus, since heat exchange can be actively carried out in the upstream portion of the airflow in the indoor heat exchanger where the air conditioning load is high, the heat exchange efficiency of the indoor heat exchanger can be improved.

[0024] The seventh aspect is based on any one of the second to sixth aspects. The plate stacks 50 and 60 are composed of three or more of the plates 52 and 62. In the plate stacks 50 and 60, the plates 52 and 62 of the first plate portions 50A and 60A that are closest to the heat exchange section B are designated as first end plates 521 and 621. The plates 52 and 62 of the second plate portions 50B and 60B, which are furthest from the heat exchange section B in the plate stacks 50 and 60, are designated as the second end plates 525 and 625. When the plates 52 and 62 arranged between the first end plates 521 and 621 and the second end plates 525 and 625 are designated as intermediate plates 522-524 and 622-624 respectively... The flow paths 51 and 61 are formed to pass through the intermediate plates 522-524 and 622-624, respectively. The thickness of the intermediate plates 522-524 and 622-624 is greater than that of the first end plates 521 and 621 and the second end plates 525 and 625.

[0025] In the seventh aspect, by making the thickness of the plates 52 and 62 arranged in the center of the plate stack 50 and 60 greater than the thickness of the plates 52 and 62 arranged at both ends, the cross-sectional area or inner diameter of the refrigerant flow paths 51 and 61 formed within the plate stack 50 and 60 can be increased. This suppresses the increase in pressure loss when the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant flow paths 51 and 61.

[0026] The eighth aspect is based on any one of the second to seventh aspects. At least a portion of the first surfaces 501 and 601 and the second surfaces 502 and 602 of the plate laminates 50 and 60 have been subjected to anti-corrosion processing.

[0027] In the eighth aspect, in cases where the two sides of the laminate 50 and 60 may be subject to electro-corrosion due to condensation, corrosion-resistant processing can be used to suppress such electro-corrosion.

[0028] The ninth aspect is based on any one of the second to eighth aspects. When the plate stack 50 and 60 are viewed from the first direction, the area of ​​the portion of the first plate portion 50A and 60A that does not overlap with the second plate portion 50B and 60B is smaller than the area of ​​the portion of the first plate portion 50A and 60A that overlaps with the second plate portion 50B and 60B.

[0029] In the ninth aspect, the overlapping portions of the first plate portions 50A and 60A and the second plate portions 50B and 60B in the plate stacks 50 and 60 are thicker than the portions of the individual first plate portions 50A and 60A, thus ensuring the number of flow paths. When there are more flow paths 51 and 61, the heat exchange in the heat exchange section B increases accordingly. Therefore, by making the overlapping portions of the first plate portions 50A and 60A and the second plate portions 50B and 60B wider than the portions of the individual first plate portions 50A and 60A, the number of flow paths that can be formed in the plate stacks 50 and 60 can be sufficiently ensured, thereby suppressing the performance degradation of the indoor heat exchanger.

[0030] The tenth aspect is based on any one of the second to ninth aspects. The flow paths 51 and 61 have a first flow path 51A and a second flow path 51B. The first flow path 51A is disposed within the first board portions 50A and 60A. The second flow path 51B is provided across the first plate portions 50A and 60A and the second plate portions 50B and 60B. The second flow path 51B is formed to intersect with the first flow path 51A.

[0031] In the tenth aspect, in the portions of the plate stacks 50 and 60 where flow paths 51 and 61 do not intersect, flow paths 51 and 61 are only provided in the first plate portions 50A and 60A. In such portions, second plate portions 50B and 60B are not required, thus allowing for the provision of a stepped portion X. This effectively utilizes the space formed by the stepped portion X.

[0032] The eleventh aspect is based on any one of the second to tenth aspects. The flow paths 51 and 61 have a third flow path 51C. When the plate stack 50 and 60 are viewed from the first direction, the third flow path 51C is formed in the portion of the first plate portion 50A and 60A that does not overlap with the second plate portion 50B and 60B. When the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, the refrigerant in the superheated area flows in the third flow path 51C. When the indoor heat exchanger functions as a heat exchanger, the refrigerant in the subcooled area flows in the third flow path 51C.

[0033] In the eleventh aspect, since the temperature of the refrigerant in the superheated or supercooled region is significantly different from the temperature of the refrigerant flowing in the heat transfer tube 42 or the plate stack 50, 60, heat exchange will occur between the flow paths 51, 61 where the refrigerant in the superheated or supercooled region flows and the flow paths 51, 61 where other refrigerants flow, when they are close to each other. In the eleventh aspect, since the third flow path 51C is arranged away from the other flow paths 51, 61, temperature exchange between the refrigerant in the superheated or supercooled region and the other refrigerants can be suppressed.

[0034] The twelfth aspect is based on any one of the second to eleventh aspects. The indoor unit of the air conditioner also includes a gas pipe 12a, which delivers compressed refrigerant gas to the indoor heat exchanger 40. The gas pipe 12a is connected to the flow paths 51 and 61 formed in the overlapping portions of the first plate portions 50A and 60 and the second plate portions 50B and 60B of the plate stack 50 and 60.

[0035] In the twelfth aspect, the pressure of the gaseous refrigerant is relatively high. Therefore, the thickness of the overlapping portion of the first plate portions 50A and 60A with the second plate portions 50B and 60B is greater than the thickness of the portion of the first plate portion 50A alone, thus increasing the length of the flow path extending along the stacking direction. By connecting the gas pipe 12a to such a portion, the pressure loss generated when the refrigerant in the gas pipe 12a flows into the plate stack 50 and 60 and passes through the flow paths 51 and 61 can be suppressed. Attached Figure Description

[0036] Figure 1 This is a piping system diagram of the air conditioning unit involved in the implementation method.

[0037] Figure 2 This is the front view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner.

[0038] Figure 3 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner.

[0039] Figure 4 This is a front view showing the internal structure of the indoor unit of an air conditioner.

[0040] Figure 5 It is a magnified 3D view showing the main parts of the indoor heat exchanger.

[0041] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the laminated structure viewed from the right.

[0042] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing the refrigerant flow path of the plate laminate.

[0043] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the front panel laminate viewed from the front.

[0044] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the front side plate stack used to illustrate the structure of the first flow path.

[0045] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of the front side plate stack used to illustrate the structure of the second flow path.

[0046] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram showing the intersection of the first flow path and the second flow path when the plate laminate is viewed from the first direction (right direction).

[0047] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of the front panel laminate used to illustrate the structure of the third flow path.

[0048] Figure 13 This is a diagram showing the rear plate laminate involved in the modified example as viewed from the first direction (right direction).

[0049] Figure 14 This is a cross-sectional view of the rear panel laminate used to illustrate the structure of the third flow path.

[0050] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the internal structure of an indoor air conditioning unit as described in other embodiments, viewed from the front.

[0051] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the internal structure of an indoor air conditioning unit as viewed from the front in other embodiments.

[0052] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the internal structure of an indoor air conditioning unit as viewed from the front in other embodiments.

[0053] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the internal structure of an indoor air conditioning unit as viewed from the front in other embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0054] The embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments shown below, and various modifications can be made without departing from the technical concept of this disclosure. The accompanying drawings are for conceptual illustration of this disclosure; therefore, for ease of understanding, dimensions, scales, or quantities are sometimes exaggerated or simplified as needed.

[0055] (1) Overall structure of the air conditioning unit

[0056] This embodiment is an air conditioning unit 10 that includes a heat exchanger unit. The air conditioning unit 10 regulates the temperature of the air in the indoor space I, which is the target space.

[0057] like Figure 1 As shown, the air conditioning unit 10 is an example of a refrigeration cycle device that includes a refrigerant circuit 11. The refrigerant circuit 11 is filled with refrigerant. The refrigerant circuit 11 performs a refrigeration cycle by circulating the refrigerant.

[0058] The air conditioning unit 10 includes an outdoor unit 20, an indoor unit 30, a first connecting pipe 12, and a second connecting pipe 13. The air conditioning unit 10 is a single-unit air conditioning system with one outdoor unit 20 and one indoor unit 30. The first connecting pipe 12 is a gas connecting pipe, and the second connecting pipe 13 is a liquid connecting pipe.

[0059] The outdoor unit 20 of the air conditioner is installed outdoors. The outdoor unit 20 includes an outdoor unit housing 20a, a compressor 21 housed in the outdoor unit housing 20a, an outdoor heat exchanger 22, an outdoor expansion valve 23, a four-way reversing valve 24, and an outdoor fan 25.

[0060] Compressor 21 is a rotary compressor of the type such as oscillating piston, rotary, or scroll. Outdoor heat exchanger 22 facilitates heat exchange between the refrigerant and outdoor air. Outdoor heat exchanger 22 is a finned tube air heat exchanger. Outdoor expansion valve 23 reduces refrigerant pressure. Outdoor expansion valve 23 is an electronic expansion valve. Four-way reversing valve 24 is in the first state ( Figure 1 The state shown in solid lines in the middle) and the second state ( Figure 1 The system switches between states (shown by dashed lines). In the first state, the four-way reversing valve 24 connects the discharge portion of the compressor 21 to the air-side end of the outdoor heat exchanger 22, and connects the suction portion of the compressor 21 to the first connecting pipe 12. In the second state, the four-way reversing valve 24 connects the discharge portion of the compressor 21 to the first connecting pipe 12, and connects the suction portion of the compressor 21 to the air-side end of the outdoor heat exchanger 22. The outdoor fan 25 delivers air flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger 22. The outdoor fan 25 is a propeller fan.

[0061] The indoor unit 30 of the air conditioner includes a casing 31, an indoor heat exchanger 40 housed in the casing 31, an indoor fan 32, and an indoor expansion valve 37.

[0062] (2) Indoor unit of air conditioner

[0063] Reference Figures 2-4The details of the air conditioner indoor unit 30, which is the indoor unit of the air conditioner, will be described below. The air conditioner indoor unit 30 in this embodiment is a wall-mounted indoor unit installed on the wall of the indoor space I. It should be noted that the statements related to "up," "down," "right," "left," "front," and "back" in the following description correspond to... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The arrows shown indicate left and right directions based on the view of the casing 31 from the front.

[0064] (2-1) Casing

[0065] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the housing 31 is formed into a box shape with a relatively long horizontal length. The housing 31 has a front plate 31a, a rear plate 31b, an upper plate 31c, a lower plate 31d, a first side plate 31e, and a second side plate 31f.

[0066] A front plate 31a is formed on the front side of the housing 31, constituting the front surface of the housing 31. A rear plate 31b is formed on the rear side of the housing 31, constituting the rear surface of the housing 31. An upper plate 31c is formed on the upper side of the housing 31, constituting the upper surface of the housing 31. A lower plate 31d is formed on the lower side of the housing 31, constituting the lower surface of the housing 31. A first side plate 31e is formed on the right side of the housing 31, constituting the right surface of the housing 31. A second side plate 31f is formed on the left side of the housing 31, constituting the left surface of the housing 31.

[0067] An intake port 33 is formed on the upper plate 31c, and an outlet port 34 is formed on the lower plate 31d. Inside the housing 31, an air passage P extends from the intake port 33 to the outlet port 34. The intake port 33 extends along the length of the housing 31. The intake port 33 is an opening for drawing air from the interior space I into the air passage P. The outlet port 34 is formed on the lower plate 31d. The outlet port 34 extends along the length of the housing 31. The outlet port 34 is an opening for blowing air from the air passage P into the interior space I.

[0068] (2-2) Filter

[0069] The indoor unit 30 of the air conditioner includes a filter 35. The filter 35 is disposed inside the intake 33 and upstream of the indoor heat exchanger 40. The filter 35 captures dust in the air supplied from the intake 33 to the indoor heat exchanger 40. The indoor unit 30 of the air conditioner may also include a dust removal mechanism that removes the dust captured by the filter 35.

[0070] (2-3) Heat exchanger unit

[0071] The heat exchanger unit U includes an indoor heat exchanger 40 and an indoor expansion valve 37. The indoor heat exchanger 40 includes a heat exchanger body B and two plate stacks 50 and 60. The heat exchanger body B of the indoor heat exchanger 40 is arranged to cross the air passage P. The air passage P is divided into an upstream portion and a downstream portion of the heat exchanger body B.

[0072] (2-4) Indoor fan

[0073] An indoor fan 32 is arranged in the air passage P. The indoor fan 32 is located downstream of the indoor heat exchanger 40 in the air passage P. The indoor fan 32 is a cross-flow fan. The fan rotor of the indoor fan 32 extends along the length of the housing 31.

[0074] (2-5) Air guide plate

[0075] The indoor unit 30 of the air conditioner has an air guide vane 36 that adjusts the direction of airflow from the outlet 34. The air guide vane 36 adjusts the vertical airflow direction. The indoor unit 30 of the air conditioner may also have multiple air guide vanes 36. The air guide vane 36 may also be an air guide vane that adjusts the horizontal airflow direction.

[0076] (3) Heat exchanger unit

[0077] As described above, the heat exchanger unit U includes an indoor heat exchanger 40, an indoor expansion valve 37, a gas relay pipe 12a, and a liquid relay pipe 13a.

[0078] (3-1) Indoor heat exchanger

[0079] Figures 3-5 The indoor heat exchanger 40 shown includes a heat exchanger body B and plate stacks 50 and 60 connected to the heat exchanger body B. The indoor heat exchanger 40 is a finned-tube heat exchanger with fins 41 and heat transfer tubes 42. The indoor heat exchanger 40 facilitates heat exchange between air and refrigerant.

[0080] The heat exchanger body B is an example of the heat exchange section B. The heat exchanger body B includes multiple fins 41 and multiple heat transfer tubes 42 penetrating the multiple fins 41. The multiple fins 41 are arranged along the length of the housing 31. The multiple heat transfer tubes 42 extend along the arrangement direction of the fins 41. Refrigerant flow paths 51 and 61, communicating with the heat transfer tubes 42, are provided inside the plate stacks 50 and 60. The refrigerant flow paths 51 and 61 are examples of flow paths 51 and 61.

[0081] The fin 41 is a rectangular plate with a long side and a short side. The thickness direction of the fin 41 corresponds to the arrangement direction of the fins 41. Multiple fins 41 are arranged at predetermined intervals in their thickness direction. These intervals form the airflow path. The fin 41 is made of aluminum alloy.

[0082] The heat transfer tube 42 is a straight tube. Multiple heat transfer tubes 42 are made of aluminum alloy. A refrigerant flow path is formed inside the heat transfer tube 42. The multiple heat transfer tubes 42 extend parallel to each other, penetrating the fins 41. One end of the heat transfer tube 42, i.e., the right end, protrudes to the right side of the rightmost fin 41 among the multiple fins 41. The end of the heat transfer tube protruding to the right is connected to the plate stack 50, 60.

[0083] The ends of two adjacent heat transfer tubes 42 on the left side are connected to each other by a U-shaped tube 48. The two adjacent heat transfer tubes 42 and the U-shaped tube 48 connecting them are seamlessly integrated into one unit.

[0084] The indoor heat exchanger 40 of this embodiment has a front heat exchange section 40A and a rear heat exchange section 40B. The front heat exchange section 40A is located at the front side of the housing 31, and the rear heat exchange section 40B is located at the rear side of the housing 31. The front heat exchange section 40A and the rear heat exchange section 40B are arranged in a direction orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the axial direction of the heat transfer pipe 42, i.e., the front-to-back direction, with the indoor fan 32 sandwiched between them.

[0085] The front heat exchange section 40A has a front main heat exchange section 43, a first auxiliary heat exchange section 44 and a second auxiliary heat exchange section 45.

[0086] The front main heat exchange section 43 is located near the indoor fan 32 of the front heat exchange section 40A. When viewed along the length of the heat transfer pipe 42, the front main heat exchange section 43 is V-shaped. The apex of the V points forward.

[0087] The front main heat exchange section 43 is composed of a first front main heat exchange section 43a and a second front main heat exchange section 43b. The first front main heat exchange section 43a is located at the upper part of the front main heat exchange section 43, and the second front main heat exchange section 43b is located at the lower part of the front main heat exchange section 43. The lower end of the first front main heat exchange section 43a, that is, the short side of the lower side of the fin 41, is in contact with the long side (strictly speaking, the upper part of the long side of the fin 41) of the second front main heat exchange section 43b.

[0088] The first auxiliary heat exchange section 44 is provided on the inflow side (front side) of the first front main heat exchange section 43a. The number of heat transfer tubes 42 in the long side direction of the first auxiliary heat exchange section 44 (hereinafter referred to as the number of layers of heat transfer tubes 42) is less than the number of layers of heat transfer tubes 42 in the first front main heat exchange section 43a. The number of heat transfer tubes 42 in the short side direction of the first auxiliary heat exchange section 44 (hereinafter referred to as the number of rows of heat transfer tubes 42) is less than the number of rows of heat transfer tubes 42 in the first front main heat exchange section 43a.

[0089] The second auxiliary heat exchange section 45 is located on the inflow side (front side) of the second front main heat exchange section 43b. The number of layers and columns of the heat transfer tubes 42 in the second auxiliary heat exchange section 45 is less than the number of layers and columns of the heat transfer tubes 42 in the second front main heat exchange section 43b.

[0090] The rear heat exchange section 40B includes a rear main heat exchange section 46 and a third auxiliary heat exchange section 47. The rear main heat exchange section 46 is located near the indoor fan 32 in the rear heat exchange section 40B. The third auxiliary heat exchange section 47 is located on the inflow side (rear side) of the rear main heat exchange section 46. The lengths of the long and short sides of the fins 41 of the third auxiliary heat exchange section 47 are shorter than the lengths of the long and short sides of the fins 41 of the rear main heat exchange section 46. The number of layers and rows of heat transfer tubes 42 in the third auxiliary heat exchange section 47 is less than the number of layers and rows of heat transfer tubes 42 in the rear main heat exchange section 46.

[0091] The plate stacks 50 and 60 are arranged adjacent to the heat exchanger body B on the right side. "Right side" is an example of the first orientation. Specifically, the plate stacks 50 and 60 are arranged parallel to the fins 41 on the right side of the right end of one of the plurality of fins 41. The plate stacks 50 and 60 are connected to the ends of the heat transfer tubes 42. Figure 5 As shown, the plate stacks 50 and 60 include a front plate stack 50 connected to the heat transfer tube 42 of the front heat exchange section 40A and a rear plate stack 60 connected to the heat transfer tube 42 of the rear heat exchange section 40B. The front plate stack 50 is arranged to overlap the front heat exchange section 40A in the axial direction of the heat transfer tube 42. The rear plate stack 60 is arranged to overlap the rear heat exchange section 40B in the axial direction of the heat transfer tube 42. Details regarding the front plate stack 50 and the rear plate stack 60 will be described later.

[0092] (3-2) Indoor expansion valve, gas relay pipe, liquid relay pipe

[0093] The indoor expansion valve 37 is an electronic expansion valve with variable opening. The indoor expansion valve 37 is located on the right side of the laminates 50 and 60. The indoor expansion valve 37 is connected to the front laminate 50 via a first internal conduit 38 and to the rear laminate 60 via a second internal conduit 39. The first internal conduit 38 and the second internal conduit 39 are examples of refrigerant conduits connecting the front refrigerant flow path 51 of the front laminate 50 to the rear refrigerant flow path 61 of the rear laminate 60.

[0094] (4) Laminated laminate

[0095] Gas relay pipe 12a delivers the refrigerant gas compressed by compressor 21 to indoor heat exchanger 40. Gas relay pipe 12a is an example of gas pipe 12a. One end of gas relay pipe 12a is connected to rear panel laminate 60. The other end of gas relay pipe 12a is connected to first connecting pipe 12 via a connector. One end of liquid relay pipe 13a is connected to front panel laminate 50. The other end of liquid relay pipe 13a is connected to second connecting pipe 13 via a connector.

[0096] Flow paths 51 and 61, communicating with heat transfer tubes 42, are provided inside the plate stacks 50 and 60. The plate stacks 50 and 60 are configured as multiple plates 52 and 62 stacked to the right. (Refer to the following...) Figures 5 to 14 The details of the plate stacks 50 and 60 in this embodiment will be described.

[0097] (4-1) Front side plate laminate

[0098] The front panel laminate 50 includes a front refrigerant flow path 51, a plurality of front connecting pipes 53, a front relay section 54, and a liquid-side end 55. The front refrigerant flow path 51 is formed in the front panel laminate 50. The plurality of front connecting pipes 53 connect the plurality of heat transfer pipes 42 of the front heat exchange section 40A to the front refrigerant flow path 51. The front relay section 54 is connected to the first internal pipe 38. The liquid-side end 55 is connected to the second connecting pipe 13 via the liquid relay pipe 13a. Hereinafter, the front panel laminate 50 will be described as the laminates 50 and 60 of this disclosure.

[0099] (4-1-1) First and second board sections

[0100] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 as well as Figure 8 As shown, the front panel laminate 50 has a front first panel portion 50A and a front second panel portion 50B. The front first panel portion 50A has three stacked front panels 52. The front second panel portion 50B has two stacked front panels 52. The front first panel portion 50A constitutes the first panel portions 50A and 60A. The front second panel portion 50B constitutes the second panel portions 50B and 60B of this disclosure.

[0101] The outer edges of each front plate 52 in the first front plate section 50A are identical. The three front plates 52 of the first front plate section 50A are sequentially designated as first plate 521, second plate 522, and third plate 523 from left to right. A front connecting pipe 53 extending toward the right end of the heat transfer pipe 42 is connected to the first plate 521. The front connecting pipe 53 forms the front refrigerant flow path 51, which will be described later.

[0102] The outer edges of each front plate 52 of the second front plate portion 50B are identical. The two front plates 52 of the second front plate portion 50B are designated as the fourth plate 524 and the fifth plate 525 from left to right.

[0103] The shapes of the front side plates 521, 522, and 523 of the front first plate portion 50A are different from the shapes of the front side plates 524 and 525 of the front second plate portion 50B. Specifically, the outer edge shape of the front first plate portion 50A is different from the outer edge shape of the front second plate portion 50B.

[0104] The second front plate portion 50B is arranged on the opposite side of the front first plate portion 50A, which is opposite to the heat exchanger body B. Specifically, the second front plate portion 50B is arranged on the right side of the front first plate portion 50A.

[0105] The front plates 521-525 of the front first plate portion 50A and the front second plate portion 50B are made of the same material as the heat transfer pipe 42 and the front connecting pipe 53. In this embodiment, the front plates 521-525 of the front first plate portion 50A and the front second plate portion 50B are made of aluminum alloy.

[0106] When viewed from the right, the area of ​​the right side surface of the front plate laminate 50 is larger than the area of ​​the right side surface of the front second plate 50B. Therefore, when viewed from the right, the front plate laminate 50 forms a first region S1 where the front first plate 50A and the front second plate 50B do not overlap, and a second region S2 where the front first plate 50A and the front second plate 50B overlap.

[0107] When viewing the front panel laminate 50 from the right, the area of ​​the portion of the front first panel 50A that does not overlap with the front second panel 50B is smaller than the area of ​​the portion of the front first panel 50A that overlaps with the front second panel 50B. In other words, the area of ​​the first region S1 is smaller than the area of ​​the second region S2.

[0108] like Figure 8 As shown, the front panel laminate 50 has a stepped portion X. The stepped portion X is formed by a front first panel portion 50A and a front second panel portion 50B. The stepped portion X is formed on the periphery of the second surface 502 opposite to the first surface 501 of the front panel laminate 50, which is opposite to the heat exchanger body B. The first surface 501 is the left side surface 501 of the front panel laminate 50. The second surface 502 is the right side surface 502 of the front panel laminate 50. That is, the stepped portion X is formed on the periphery of the right side surface 502 of the front panel laminate 50.

[0109] When viewed from the right, the step portion X is the part where the first region S1 is formed. Specifically, the step portion X is formed by the first region S1 and the first circumferential surface P1 of the front second plate portion 50B. The first circumferential surface P1 refers to the portion of the circumferential surface between the right and left sides of the front second plate portion 50B that connects with the first region S1.

[0110] When viewed from the right, the step portion X is formed at the lower part of the front panel laminate 50. Specifically, the step portion X is formed at a position lower than the center of the front panel laminate 50. In other words, in the air conditioning indoor unit 30 of this embodiment, since the intake 33, the front heat exchange section 40A, and the outlet 34 (see reference) are arranged sequentially from top to bottom... Figure 3 Therefore, the step portion X is formed in the front side plate laminate 50, 60 at a position near the blow-out port 34.

[0111] Thus, the first region S1 is formed at the lower part of the front first plate portion 50A. The overlapping portion of the front first plate portion 50A and the front second plate portion 50B on the circumferential surface of the front plate laminate 50 is flush. In other words, when the front plate laminate 50 is viewed from the left, there is no region where the front first plate portion 50A and the front second plate portion 50B do not overlap.

[0112] Furthermore, when viewing the front panel laminate 50 from the right, the first region S1 can be formed at the lower part of the front first panel portion 50A, and the shape of the first region S1 is not limited.

[0113] The front panel laminate 50 is subjected to anti-corrosion processing. Specifically, anti-corrosion processing is performed on the entire surface of the left side 501 and the second region S2 of the right side 502 in the front panel laminates 50 and 60. In the anti-corrosion processing of this embodiment, an alloy plate with sacrificial anti-corrosion effect is provided on the entire surface of the left side 501 and the second region S2 of the right side 502 of the front panel laminates 50 and 60. The alloy plate is, for example, composed of a cladding material with aluminum as the core material and a metal with a high zinc content as the cladding material. It should be noted that anti-corrosion processing is not required for the first region S1 and the first peripheral surface P1. This is because the third plate 523 constituting the first region S1 is a thicker intermediate plate 522-524. Similarly, the fourth plate 524 constituting part of the first peripheral surface P1 is also a thicker intermediate plate 522-524.

[0114] Next, the thickness of each front plate 521 to 525 of the front plate laminate 50 will be described. The front plate of the first front plate portion 50A, which is closest to the heat exchanger body B, in the front plate laminate 50 is designated as the first end plate 521, and the front plate of the second front plate portion 50B, which is furthest from the heat exchanger body B, is designated as the second end plate 525. In this embodiment, the first end plate 521 is the first plate 521 located at the left end of the first front plate portion 50A, and the second end plate 525 is the fifth plate 525 located at the right end of the second front plate portion 50B.

[0115] The plates arranged between the first end plate 521 and the second end plate 525 in the front side plate laminate 50 are designated as intermediate plates 522 to 524. In this embodiment, the intermediate plates 522 to 524 are the second plate 522, the third plate 523, and the fourth plate 524.

[0116] The thickness of each of the intermediate plates 522 to 524 is greater than that of the first end plate 521 and the second end plate 525. In this embodiment, the thickness of each of the intermediate plates 522 to 524 is 3.0 mm, and the thickness of the first end plate 521 and the second end plate 525 is 1.5 mm.

[0117] (4-1-2) Structure of the refrigerant flow path

[0118] The structure of the front refrigerant flow path 51 of the plate stacks 50 and 60 of this embodiment will be described. The front refrigerant flow path 51 constitutes the refrigerant flow paths 51 and 61 of this disclosure. Hereinafter, an example of the front refrigerant flow path 51 will be described.

[0119] like Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the front refrigerant flow path 51 has a first flow path 51A disposed within the front first plate portion 50A, and a second flow path 51B disposed across the front first plate portion 50A and the front second plate portion 50B. The first flow path 51A and the second flow path 51B are disposed in the portion where the front first plate portion 50A and the front second plate portion 50B overlap.

[0120] The first flow path 51A consists of two first through holes 71 extending through the left end of a first plate 521 located on the front side of the first plate portion 50A in the thickness direction, a first groove portion 81 formed in a second plate 522 located in the center, and a third plate 523 located on the right end. One end of the first through hole 71 is connected to one end of the heat transfer tube 42. The other end of the first through hole 71 is connected to the first groove portion 81.

[0121] The first groove 81 is an elongated hole formed along the surface of the first plate 521. One end of the first groove 81 is connected to a first through hole 71, and the other end of the first groove 81 is connected to another first through hole 71. The first groove 81 is blocked from the left and right sides by the first plate 521 located at the left end and the first plate 521 located at the right end.

[0122] The second flow path 51B consists of a second through hole 72 penetrating the front first plate portion 50A in the thickness direction, a second groove 82 formed in the fourth plate 524 located at the left end of the front second plate portion 50B, and a fifth plate 525 located at the right end of the front second plate portion 50B. One end of the second through hole 72 is connected to one end of the heat transfer tube 42. The other end of the second through hole 72 is connected to the second groove 82. The second groove 82 is an elongated hole formed along the surface of the fourth plate 524. One end of the second groove 82 is connected to one second through hole 72, and the other end of the second groove 82 is connected to another second through hole 72. The second groove 82 is blocked from the left and right directions by the third plate 523 and the fifth plate 525.

[0123] like Figure 11 As shown, the first groove 81 and the second groove 82 are arranged to intersect when the front side plate laminate 50 is viewed from the right. Thus, the second flow path 51B intersects with the first flow path 51A. Specifically, the second flow path 51B is formed to cross the first flow path 51A on the right side.

[0124] like Figure 12 As shown, the front refrigerant flow path 51 has a third flow path 51C, which is formed in the portion of the front first plate portion 50A that does not overlap with the front second plate portion 50B. Specifically, when the front plate laminate 50 is viewed from the right, the third flow path 51C is formed within the first region S1. The third flow path 51C is composed of two third through holes 73 in the thickness direction of the first plate 521 that penetrates the front first plate portion 50A, a third groove portion 83 formed in the second plate 522, and a third plate 523. One end of the third through hole 73 is connected to one end of the heat transfer tube 42. The other end of the third through hole 73 is connected to the third groove portion 83. The third groove portion 83 is an elongated hole formed along the surface of the second plate 522. One end of the third groove portion 83 is connected to one third through hole 73, and the other end of the third groove portion 83 is connected to another third through hole 73. The third groove portion 83 is blocked from the left and right directions by the first plate 521 and the third plate 523.

[0125] (4-2) Rear side plate laminate

[0126] like Figure 6As shown, the rear panel laminate 60 includes a rear refrigerant flow path 61, multiple rear connecting pipes (not shown), a rear relay section 64, and a gas-side end 65. The rear refrigerant flow path 61 is formed inside the rear panel laminate 60. The multiple rear connecting pipes connect the multiple heat transfer pipes 42 of the rear heat exchange section 40B to the rear refrigerant flow path 61. The rear relay section 64 is connected to the second internal pipe 39. The gas-side end 65 is connected to the first connecting pipe 12 via a gas relay pipe 12a. The rear refrigerant flow path 61 constitutes the refrigerant flow paths 51 and 61 of this disclosure.

[0127] The outer edge shape of the rear panel stack 60, as viewed from the right, and the internal rear refrigerant flow path 61 differ from those of the front panel stack 50. The rear panel stack 60 is a thick plate-shaped component formed by stacking five rear panels 62 of the same shape. The rear panels 62 are stacked to the right.

[0128] The five rear side panels 62 constituting the rear side panel laminate 60 are, from left to right, the sixth panel 621, the seventh panel 622, the eighth panel 623, the ninth panel 624, and the tenth panel 625 (see reference). Figure 5 ).

[0129] Similar to the front side plate laminates 50 and 60, the sixth plate 621, which is closest to the heat exchange section B, is designated as the first end plate 621, the tenth plate 625, which is furthest from the heat exchange section B, is designated as the second end plate 625, and the seventh to ninth plates 622 to 624, which are arranged between the sixth plate 621 and the tenth plate 625, are designated as intermediate plates 622 to 624. In this case, the thickness of each of the intermediate plates 622 to 624 is greater than the thickness of the sixth plate 621 and the tenth plate 625.

[0130] The rear side panel laminates 50 and 60 are subjected to the same anti-corrosion treatment as the front side panel laminates 50 and 60. Specifically, the aforementioned alloy plates are affixed to the left side 601 and right side 602 of the rear side panel laminate 60. The left side 601 and right side 602 of the rear side panel laminate 60 correspond to the first side 601 and the second side 602 of this disclosure, respectively.

[0131] The rear relay section 64 is a circular tube. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the rear relay section 64 is arranged on the right side of the rear panel laminate 60. That is, in the rear panel laminate 60, the second internal pipe 39 connecting the front refrigerant flow path 51 of the front panel laminate 50 and the rear refrigerant flow path 61 of the rear panel laminate 60 is connected to the right side of the rear panel laminate 60. The gas-side end 65 is a circular pipe. The gas-side end 65 is arranged on the right side of the rear panel laminate 60.

[0132] (5) Arrangement of partitions and electronic component boxes

[0133] like Figure 8 As shown, the indoor unit 30 of this embodiment has a partition 100 inside the casing 31. The partition 100 is a plate-shaped component that separates the indoor heat exchanger 40 from the electronic component box 200.

[0134] The electronic component box 200 is positioned to the right of the indoor heat exchanger 40. The electronic component box 200 is opposite the step X on the right. A partition 100 is arranged between the indoor heat exchanger 40 and the electronic component box 200. The electronic component box 200 is an example of the second component 200. The electronic component box 200 houses electronic components, including a specified substrate.

[0135] A partition 100 extends vertically between the indoor heat exchanger 40 and the electronic component box 200. The partition 100 has a first plate portion 100A, a second plate portion 100B, and a third plate portion 100C. The second plate portion 100B is connected to the lower end of the first plate portion 100A, and the third plate portion 100C is connected to the lower end of the second plate portion 100B. A recess 101 is formed on the partition 100.

[0136] The first plate portion 100A extends substantially vertically. The lower end of the first plate portion 100A is at the same height as the upper end of the step portion X. In other words, the lower end of the first plate portion 100A is at the same height as the lower end of the front second plate portion 50B. The second plate portion 100B extends to the left from the lower end of the first plate portion 100A. In other words, the second plate portion 100B extends to the left from the lower end of the first plate portion 100A, approximately to the space formed by the step portion X. Here, the space formed by the step portion X refers to the space not formed in the front plate laminate 50 when the front first plate portion 50A and the front second plate portion 50B have the same shape and the step portion X is not formed, compared to the front plate laminate 50 of this embodiment. The lower end of the second plate portion 100B extends to the lower end of the front plate laminate 50. The third plate portion 100C extends substantially vertically downward from the lower end of the second plate portion 100B. The recess 101 is a space formed by the second plate portion 100B and the third plate portion 100C.

[0137] The electronic component box 200 is arranged near the partition 100. The electronic component box 200 is located to the right of the second board portion 100B. The electronic component box 200 is arranged as close as possible to the second board portion 100B. In this state, the upper end of the electronic component box 200 is directly below the lower end of the first board portion 100A. Thus, compared to the case where the partition 100 only has the first board portion 100A and no second board portion 100B, the electronic component box can be arranged on the left.

[0138] (6) Characteristics

[0139] (6-1) Feature 1

[0140] In this embodiment, the plate stack 50 and 60 of the indoor heat exchanger 40 have a front first plate portion 50A and a front second plate portion 50B. The front first plate portion 50A is arranged adjacent to the heat exchanger body B on the right side (first direction). The front first plate portion 50A has three plates 52, and the front second plate portion 50B has two plates 52. The front second plate portion 50B is arranged on the side opposite to the side of the front first plate portion 50A that is opposite to the side of the indoor heat exchanger 40. A step portion X is formed on the periphery of the side opposite to the left side 501 that is opposite to the heat exchange section B in the front plate stack 50. The step portion X is formed by the front first plate portion 50A and the front second plate portion 50B.

[0141] In this way, by providing a step portion X on the front panel laminate 50, a space can be formed at a position opposite to the step portion X. By utilizing this space by arranging specified components within it, the indoor unit of the air conditioner 30 can be miniaturized.

[0142] (6-2) Feature 2

[0143] The indoor unit 30 of this embodiment of the air conditioner also includes an electronic component box 200 (second component) and a partition 100. The electronic component box 200 is adjacent to the indoor heat exchanger 40 and is opposite to the step portion X on the right side (first direction). The partition 100 is arranged between the indoor heat exchanger 40 and the electronic component box 200. The partition 100 has a recess 101, which is formed along the shape of the step portion X.

[0144] Since the partition 100 has a recess 101 formed in a recessed manner toward the step portion X, the space in which the recess 101 is formed can be effectively utilized. By arranging the electronic component box 200 in the space formed by the recess 101, the length of the casing 31 in the left-right direction can be shortened, thereby enabling the miniaturization of the air conditioner indoor unit 30.

[0145] (6-3) Feature 3

[0146] In this embodiment, the second plate 522 to the fourth plate 524 of the front plate laminate 50 are thicker than the first plate 521 and the fifth plate 525, and the seventh plate 622 to the ninth plate 624 of the rear plate laminate 60 are thicker than the sixth plate 621 and the tenth plate 625.

[0147] In this way, by increasing the thickness of each intermediate plate 522-524, 622-624, the cross-sectional area or inner diameter of the refrigerant flow paths 51 and 61 formed within the plate stacks 50 and 60 can be increased. This suppresses the increase in pressure loss when the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant flow paths 51 and 61.

[0148] (6-4) Feature 4

[0149] In this embodiment, anti-corrosion processing is performed on the second region S2 of the left side surface 501 and right side surface 502 of the front side plate laminate 50, and the left side surface 601 and right side surface 602 of the rear side plate laminate 60. This suppresses electro-corrosion of the sides of the plate laminates 50 and 60 due to condensation, thereby improving the durability of the indoor heat exchanger 40.

[0150] (6-5) Feature 5

[0151] In the front panel laminate 50 of this embodiment, when the front panel laminate 50 is viewed from the right, the area of ​​the portion of the front first panel portion 50A that does not overlap with the front second panel portion 50B is smaller than the area of ​​the portion of the front first panel portion 50A that overlaps with the front second panel portion 50B.

[0152] In the front panel laminate 50, since the portion of the front first panel portion 50A and the front second panel portion 50B that are laminated is thicker than the front first panel portion 50A alone, the number of front refrigerant flow paths 51 can be correspondingly ensured. In other words, since the area of ​​the first region S1 is smaller than the area of ​​the second region S2, the number of front refrigerant flow paths 51 within the front panel laminate 50 can be ensured, thereby promoting heat exchange between air and refrigerant by the indoor heat exchanger 40.

[0153] (6-6) Feature 6

[0154] In this embodiment, the front refrigerant flow path 51 formed in the front plate laminate 50 has a first flow path 51A provided only in the front first plate portion 50A, and a second flow path 51B provided across the front first plate portion 50A and the front second plate portion 50B. The first flow path 51A and the second flow path 51B are formed to intersect each other.

[0155] By designing the front refrigerant flow path 51 such that the first flow path 51A and the second flow path 51B intersect, the diversity of flow path patterns of the front refrigerant flow path 51 within the front panel laminate 50 can be increased. On the other hand, in the front panel laminate 50, the portion where only the first flow path 51A is provided and the first flow path 51A and the second flow path 51B do not intersect is designated as a step portion X, thereby creating an effectively usable space and reducing unnecessary portions in the panel where the front refrigerant flow path 51 is not provided.

[0156] (7) Variations

[0157] The modified air conditioner indoor unit 30 will be described below. Hereinafter, the structure that differs from that of the air conditioner indoor unit 30 in the above embodiment will be described.

[0158] The modified rear panel laminate 60 has the same structure as the front panel laminate 50 of the above embodiment. That is, the rear panel laminate 60 has a rear first panel portion 60A and a rear second panel portion 60B. The rear first panel portion 60A and the rear second panel portion 60B are included in the first panel portions 50A, 60A and the second panel portions 50B, 60B of this disclosure. The rear panel laminate 60 constitutes the laminates 50 and 60 of this disclosure. The structures of the rear first panel portion 60A and the rear second panel portion 60B are the same as the structures of the front first panel portion 50A and the front second panel portion 50B of the front panel laminate 50 of the above embodiment, so the description is omitted.

[0159] like Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, the gas-side end 65 formed on the rear plate laminate 60 is connected to the rear refrigerant flow path 61, which is formed in the overlapping portion of the rear first plate portion 60A and the rear second plate portion 60B in the rear plate laminate 60. Specifically, the gas-side end 65 is arranged in the second region S2. More specifically, the gas-side end 65 is provided at one end of the rear refrigerant flow path 61 formed across the rear first plate portion 60A and the rear second plate portion 60B.

[0160] Therefore, the gaseous refrigerant flowing in from the gas relay pipe 12a via the gas-side end 65 flows from the rear second plate portion 60B to the rear first plate portion 60A of the rear plate laminate 60. Here, in the rear refrigerant flow path 61 extending along the lamination direction in the rear plate laminate 60, the flow path length of the rear refrigerant flow path 61 that spans the rear first plate portion 60A and the rear second plate portion 60B is longer than the flow path length of the rear refrigerant flow path 61 that is only formed in the rear first plate portion 60A. Thus, in this modified example, since the gas-side end 65 is arranged in the second region S2, the pressure loss of the refrigerant gas passing through the rear refrigerant flow path 61 in the rear plate laminate 60 can be suppressed compared to the case where the gas-side end 65 is arranged in the first region S1.

[0161] (8) Other implementation methods

[0162] The air conditioner indoor unit 30 of the above-described embodiments and modifications can also adopt the following structure.

[0163] like Figure 15As shown, at least a portion of the functional components 300 arranged within the housing 31 can be positioned to the right opposite the step portion X. In this case, the partition 100 may not be required. Furthermore, the functional components 300 can be any components required for the indoor air conditioning unit 30, or they can be electronic component boxes. The functional component 300 is an example of the first component 300. Thus, a predetermined interval is formed between adjacent functional components 300 and the front panel laminate 50. By effectively utilizing the space formed by the step portion X, the functional components 300 can be arranged closer to the front panel laminate 50. In other words, since the functional components 300 can be arranged further to the left, the housing 31 can be made more compact in the left-right direction.

[0164] like Figure 16 As shown, when viewing the laminates 50 and 60 from the right, the functional component 300 arranged within the housing 31 is positioned closer to the step X than the end of the front second plate portion 50B constituting the step X. Specifically, since the step X is formed in the lower part of the front laminate 50, the height of the end of the front second plate portion 50B constituting the step X is located at the lower end of the front second plate portion 50B. Therefore, the functional component 300 adjacent to the right side of the front laminate 50 is positioned below the lower end of the front second plate portion 50B. More precisely, the functional component 300 is located on the right side opposite the step X and is positioned below the lower end of the front second plate portion 50B. The functional component 300 is an example of the first component 300.

[0165] In this way, the upper end of the functional component 300 is lower than the lower end of the front second plate portion 50B, thus allowing a portion of the functional component 300 to be arranged within the space formed by the step portion X. That is, at least a portion of the functional component 300 can be arranged inside the step portion X. In other words, the functional component 300 is arranged at a predetermined interval from the front plate laminate 50, and compared to arranging the functional component 300 above the lower end of the front second plate portion 50B, arranging it below the lower end of the front second plate portion 50B allows it to be closer to the front plate laminate 50. This shortens the casing 31 in the left-right direction, making the air conditioner indoor unit 30 more compact. It should be noted that in this case, the partition 100 may not be necessary. Furthermore, the functional component 300 can be any component required for the air conditioner indoor unit 30, or it can be an electronic component box.

[0166] like Figure 17As shown, at least a portion of the functional components 300 arranged within the housing 31 is disposed within the step portion X. Specifically, at least a portion of the functional components 300 is disposed within the space formed by the step portion X. That is, when the indoor unit 30 is viewed from above, since at least a portion of the functional components 300 is positioned towards the laminated panels 50 and 60, the housing 31 can be shortened in the lateral direction compared to the case where the functional components 300 are disposed outside the step portion X. It should be noted that in this case, the partition 100 may not be provided. Furthermore, the functional components 300 can be any components required for the indoor unit 30, or they may be an electronic component box.

[0167] like Figure 18 As shown, a U-shaped connecting pipe 400 can also be provided at the step portion X of the front panel laminate 50. The U-shaped connecting pipe 400 communicates with the front refrigerant flow path 51 within the front panel laminate 50. Specifically, the U-shaped connecting pipe 400 is arranged in the first region S1, with both ends of the U-shaped connecting pipe connected to the first region S1. The U-shaped connecting pipe 400 is, for example, equipped with a temperature sensor (not shown) for measuring the temperature of the refrigerant flowing in the front refrigerant flow path 51. In this way, by arranging the U-shaped connecting pipe 400 at the step portion X, the length of the indoor heat exchanger 40 in the left-right direction can be reduced compared to arranging the U-shaped connecting pipe 400 in the second region S2.

[0168] In the above embodiment, the indoor heat exchanger 40 may also be configured such that, when the indoor heat exchanger 40 functions as a heat exchanger, the refrigerant in the subcooled region flows in the third flow path 51C formed on the front plate laminate 50. In this case, the liquid-side end 55 may also be arranged in the first region S1 in a manner communicating with the third flow path 51C. Unlike the first flow path 51A and the second flow path 51B, the third flow path 51C is not configured to intersect with other front refrigerant flow paths 51, and therefore can be arranged away from other front refrigerant flow paths 51. That is, since the third flow path 51C is not arranged near other front refrigerant flow paths 51, heat exchange between the refrigerant in the subcooled region flowing in the third flow path 51C and the refrigerant flowing in other front refrigerant flow paths 51 can be suppressed.

[0169] Alternatively, the indoor heat exchanger 40 is arranged in an air passage P that communicates with the inlet 33 and outlet 34 provided on the housing 31. When viewed from the right, the step portion X is formed in the plate stack 50, 60 at a position downstream of the airflow.

[0170] For example, in summer, when the indoor heat exchanger 40 functions as an evaporator, a temperature gradient is formed in the air passage P such that the temperature decreases from the suction port 33 towards the discharge port 34. In such an air passage P, because the upstream air temperature is higher, the heat exchange load in the upstream portion of the indoor heat exchanger 40 is greater than that in the downstream portion. Therefore, by providing the step portion X in the downstream portion of the plate stacks 50 and 60 and thickening the upstream portion of the plate stacks 50 and 60, the number of refrigerant flow paths 51 and 61 can be adequately ensured in the upstream portion of the plate stacks 50 and 60. This increases the flow rate of refrigerant flowing in the upper part of the heat exchanger body B, thereby promoting heat exchange between the refrigerant and air in the upper part of the indoor heat exchanger 40. As a result, the heat exchange load on the upper part of the indoor heat exchanger 40 can be suppressed, and the efficiency of heat exchange with the air flowing in the air passage P can be improved, thus enabling the air temperature in the indoor space to quickly reach the target temperature.

[0171] In the above embodiment, a liquid-side end 55 may also be formed in the stepped portion X of the front side plate laminate 50. Specifically, the liquid-side end 55 may also be arranged in the first region S1 of the front side plate laminate 50. This reduces the rightward protrusion of the liquid relay pipe 13a extending to the right from the liquid-side end 55, thereby reducing the length of the indoor heat exchanger 40 in the left-right direction. As a result, the indoor air conditioning unit 30 can be made more compact.

[0172] In the above embodiment, a front relay portion 54 may also be formed at the stepped portion X of the front side plate laminate 50. Specifically, the front relay portion 54 may also be arranged in the first region S1 of the front side plate laminate 50. This reduces the rightward protrusion of the first internal pipe 38 extending to the right from the front relay portion 54, thereby reducing the length of the indoor heat exchanger 40 in the left-right direction. As a result, the indoor air conditioning unit 30 can be made more compact.

[0173] In the above-described modification, a rear relay portion 64 may also be formed at the stepped portion X of the rear panel laminate 60. Specifically, the rear relay portion 64 may also be arranged in the first region S1 of the rear panel laminate 60. This reduces the rightward protrusion of the second internal pipe 39 extending to the right from the rear relay portion 64, thereby reducing the length of the indoor heat exchanger 40 in the left-right direction. As a result, the indoor air conditioning unit 30 can be made more compact.

[0174] In the above-described modification, a rear refrigerant flow path 61, corresponding to the first flow path 51A and the second flow path 51B of the front panel laminate 50 in the above embodiment, may also be formed in the rear panel laminate 60. That is, the rear panel laminates 50 and 60 may also be configured such that multiple rear refrigerant flow paths 61 intersect each other.

[0175] In the above-described modification, a rear refrigerant flow path 61, equivalent to the third flow path 51C in the above-described embodiment, may also be formed in the rear plate laminate 60. That is, the rear refrigerant flow path 61 may be formed in the portion of the rear first plate portion 60A that does not overlap with the rear second plate portion 60B. This rear refrigerant flow path 61 is referred to as the rear third flow path. The indoor heat exchanger 40 may also be configured such that, when the indoor heat exchanger 40 functions as an evaporator, the refrigerant in the overheated region flows in the rear third flow path. In this case, a gas-side end 65 may be provided in the first region S1, which communicates with the rear third flow path. The rear third flow path can be arranged away from other rear refrigerant flow paths 61, thus suppressing heat exchange between the refrigerant in the overheated region and the refrigerant in other rear refrigerant flow paths 61.

[0176] In the above embodiments and modifications, the first plate portion 50A, 60A or the second plate portion 50B, 60B can be one or more plates. That is, the first plate portion 50A, 60A can also have three or more plates, and the second plate portion 50B, 60B can also have two or more plates.

[0177] As with the third flow path 51C described above, the front refrigerant flow path 51 formed only on the front first plate portion 50A can also be formed at the right end of the front first plate portion 50A. Specifically, the third groove portion 83 can be formed on a plate arranged adjacent to the plate arranged at the right end (first direction end) of the front first plate portion 50A.

[0178] In addition to the first plate portions 50A and 60A and the second plate portions 50B and 60B, the laminated plates 50 and 60 may also have a third plate portion that is different from the first plate portions 50A and 60A and the second plate portions 50B and 60B. The third plate portion may also be stacked on the right end of the second plate portions 50B and 60B, and when viewed from the right, the second plate portions 50B and 60B and the third plate portion form a new stepped portion.

[0179] In the above embodiments and variations, instead of an alloy plate with sacrificial corrosion protection, an anti-corrosion or anti-rust coating can be applied to the plate laminates 50 and 60. In this case, the coating is an epoxy resin-based coating. The coating can be applied in such a way that it forms a film on the entire surface of the plate laminates 50 and 60, including the right side 502 and the left side 501.

[0180] The heat transfer tube 42, the plate stack 50, 60, or the refrigerant pipes (connecting pipe 53, U-shaped connecting pipe 400, etc.) mentioned above can also be made of copper alloy or stainless steel. In addition, when the heat transfer tube 42 is made of copper alloy, it is preferable that the plate stack 50, 60 and the refrigerant pipes are also made of copper alloy.

[0181] The embodiments and modifications have been described above; however, it should be understood that various changes can be made to the manner and specific details without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. Furthermore, the above embodiments and modifications can be appropriately combined and substituted as long as the function of the object of this disclosure is not impaired. The terms "first," "second," etc., used above are only used to distinguish statements containing the above terms and do not limit the number or order of the statements.

[0182] -Industry Applicability-

[0183] In summary, this disclosure is useful for indoor heat exchangers and indoor air conditioning units.

[0184] - Symbol Explanation -

[0185] 12a Gas relay tube (gas pipe)

[0186] 30 Air Conditioner Indoor Unit

[0187] 31. Chassis

[0188] 33 suction port

[0189] 40 Indoor heat exchanger

[0190] 41 Fins

[0191] 42 heat transfer tubes

[0192] 50 and 60 plate laminates

[0193] 50A First Plate Section

[0194] 50B Second Plate Section

[0195] 51, 61 Flow paths (refrigerant flow paths)

[0196] 51A First flow path

[0197] 51B Second Flow Path

[0198] 51C Third Flow Path

[0199] 52, 62 plates

[0200] 100 partitions

[0201] 101 concavity

[0202] 200 Second Component (Electronic Component Box)

[0203] 300 Functional Components (First Component)

[0204] 521 First end plate

[0205] 522 Second Board

[0206] 522~524 Intermediate Plate

[0207] 525 Fifth board (second end board)

[0208] B. Heat exchanger body (heat exchange section)

[0209] P air passage

[0210] X Step Section

Claims

1. An indoor heat exchanger, characterized in that: The indoor heat exchanger includes a heat exchange section (B) and a plate stack (50, 60). The heat exchange section (B) includes a plurality of fins (41) and a plurality of heat transfer tubes (42) passing through the plurality of fins (41). The plate stack (50, 60) has flow paths (51, 61) communicating with the heat transfer tube (42) inside. The plate stack (50, 60) is formed by stacking multiple plates (52, 62) in a first direction in which the heat transfer tube (42) extends. The plate stacks (50, 60) are arranged adjacent to the heat exchange section (B) on the first direction side. The laminate (50, 60) has a first plate portion (50A, 60A) and a second plate portion (50B, 60B), wherein the first plate portion (50A, 60A) has one or more of the plates (52, 62). The second plate portion (50B, 60B) has one or more plates (52, 62) whose shapes are different from those of the plates (52, 62) of the first plate portion (50A, 60A), and the second plate portion (50B, 60B) is arranged on the opposite side of the surface of the first plate portion (50A, 60A) that is opposite to the surface of the heat exchange section (B). A stepped portion (X) is formed on the periphery of the second surface (502, 602) of the laminate (50, 60), and the second surface (502, 602) is located on the opposite side of the first surface (501, 601) opposite to the heat exchange section (B). The stepped portion (X) is formed by the first plate portion (50A, 60A) and the second plate portion (50B, 60B).

2. An indoor unit for an air conditioner, characterized in that: The indoor unit of the air conditioner includes the indoor heat exchanger, the casing (31), and the first component (300) as described in claim 1. The housing (31) houses the indoor heat exchanger. The first component (300) is arranged inside the housing (31). At least a portion of the first component (300) is arranged opposite the step portion (X) on the first direction side.

3. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 2, characterized in that: When viewing the laminated body (50, 60) from the first direction, The first component (300) is positioned on the side of the step portion (X) closer to the end of the second plate portion (50B, 60B) constituting the step portion (X).

4. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 2, characterized in that: At least a portion of the first component (300) is arranged inside the stepped portion (X).

5. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 2, characterized in that: The indoor unit of the air conditioner also includes a second component (200) and a partition (100). The second component (200) is adjacent to the indoor heat exchanger (40), and the second component (200) is opposite to the stepped portion (X) on the first direction side. The partition (100) is arranged between the indoor heat exchanger (40) and the second component (200). The partition (100) has a recess (101) formed in a manner that follows the shape of the stepped portion (X).

6. The air conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: An air passage (P) is formed in the housing (31), through which air flows from an intake port (33) formed on the housing (31) toward an outlet (34). The indoor heat exchanger (40) is arranged in the air passage (P). When viewed from the first direction, the stepped portion (X) is formed downstream of the plate stack (50, 60) near the airflow.

7. The air conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that: The plate stack (50, 60) is composed of three or more of the plates (52, 62). The plates (52, 62) of the first plate portion (50A, 60A) closest to the heat exchange section (B) in the plate stack (50, 60) are designated as the first end plates (521, 621). The plates (52, 62) of the second plate portion (50B, 60B) that are furthest from the heat exchange section (B) in the plate stack (50, 60) are designated as the second end plates (525, 625). When the plates (52, 62) arranged between the first end plates (521, 621) and the second end plates (525, 625) are designated as intermediate plates (522-524, 622-624), The flow paths (51, 61) are formed to pass through the intermediate plates (522-524, 622-624). The thickness of the intermediate plate (522-524, 622-624) is greater than that of the first end plate (521, 621) and the second end plate (525, 625).

8. The air conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that: At least a portion of the first surface (501, 601) and the second surface (502, 602) of the plate laminate (50, 60) have been subjected to anti-corrosion processing.

9. The air conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that: When the laminate (50, 60) is viewed from the first direction, the area of ​​the portion of the first plate portion (50A, 60A) that does not overlap with the second plate portion (50B, 60B) is smaller than the area of ​​the portion of the first plate portion (50A, 60A) that overlaps with the second plate portion (50B, 60B).

10. The air conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that: The flow paths (51, 61) have a first flow path (51A) and a second flow path (51B). The first flow path (51A) is disposed within the first plate portion (50A, 60A). The second flow path (51B) is provided across the first plate portion (50A, 60A) and the second plate portion (50B, 60B). The second flow path (51B) is formed to intersect with the first flow path (51A).

11. The air conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that: The flow paths (51, 61) have a third flow path (51C), which is formed in the portion of the first plate portion (50, 60) that does not overlap with the second plate portion (50B, 60B) when the plate stack (50, 60) is viewed from the first direction. When the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, the refrigerant in the superheated area flows in the third flow path (51C). When the indoor heat exchanger functions as a heat exchanger, the refrigerant in the subcooled area flows in the third flow path (51C).

12. The air conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that: The indoor unit of the air conditioner also includes a gas pipe (12a), which delivers compressed refrigerant gas to the indoor heat exchanger (40). The gas pipe (12a) is connected to the flow path (51, 61) of the plate stack (50, 60) formed in the overlapping portion of the first plate portion (50A, 60A) and the second plate portion (50B, 60B).

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