Decorative panel and interior unit

Abstract

Decorative trim (2), comprising: a decorative trim body (4) which is to be mounted on an interior unit body (1), wherein the decorative trim body (4) (4) has a first recessed engagement part (22), a second recessed engagement part (23) and a first screw insertion hole (21), wherein the first screw insertion hole (21) is arranged between the first recessed engagement part (22) and the second recessed engagement part (23); a decorative trim mounting component (11) comprising a first mounting plate part (13), a second mounting plate part (14), a mounting surface part (12), a first projecting engagement part (15) and a second projecting engagement part (16), wherein the mounting surface part (12) is arranged between the first mounting plate part (13) and the second mounting plate part (14) and has a second screw insertion hole (12a), wherein the first projecting engagement part (15) is provided on the first mounting plate part (13) and the second projecting engagement part (16) is provided on the second mounting plate part (14), wherein the first projecting engagement part (15) engages in the first recessed engagement part (22) and the second projecting engagement part (16) engages in the second recessed engagement part (23) such that the first projecting engagement part (15) and the second projecting engagement part (16) are movable; and a trim mounting screw (9) which, when the trim mounting screw (9) is inserted through the second screw insertion hole (12a) and the first screw insertion hole (21) and secured in a screw fixing hole (3a) provided in the interior unit body (1), is used to cause the first mounting plate part (13) and the second mounting plate part (14) to deform so that the mounting surface part (12) is offset to the interior unit body (1), and to cause the first protruding engagement part (15) and the second protruding engagement part (16) to move so that they are closer to each other than before the trim mounting screw (9) was secured in the screw fixing hole (3a).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioning apparatus and a decorative panel mounted on the indoor unit. background

[0002] For example, in some air-conditioning devices, a four-way cassette-type indoor unit includes a decorative panel that is mounted with a decorative panel mounting screw on the interior-side surface of an indoor unit body suspended in a space above a ceiling. In some of these air-conditioning devices, a decorative panel mounting component for holding the decorative panel mounting screw is pre-mounted on the decorative panel to ensure that the decorative panel mounting screw does not need to be held by hand during installation of the decorative panel to the indoor unit body (see, for example, Patent Literature 1). Citation listPatent literature

[0003] Patent Literature 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Application, Publication No. JP 2015-34 643 A Summary of the inventionTechnical problem

[0004] In Patent Literature 1, the decorative panel mounting component includes a plate-shaped mounting portion extending in the longitudinal direction. The mounting portion has a mounting surface portion at its central portion. The mounting surface portion has a screw-locking hole used to secure and hold the decorative panel mounting screw in place. The mounting portion has a claw portion at each end that fits and is secured in a claw-locking hole provided in the decorative panel. The mounting portion has an elastically deformable curved portion between the mounting surface portion and the respective claw portion. When mounting the decorative panel, when the decorative panel mounting screw is rotated and fixed in a screw-fixing hole provided in the indoor unit body, the mounting surface portion can be displaced toward the indoor unit body, and the curved portion is elastically deformed.

[0005] In the trim panel mounting component described in Patent Literature 1, the curved part is elastically deformed to allow displacement of the mounting surface part relative to the indoor unit body. This configuration requires turning the trim panel mounting screw while pressing the trim panel mounting screw with a force large enough to allow elastic deformation of the curved part. This complicates the process.

[0006] The present disclosure is directed to solving the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present disclosure is to simplify the process of fastening the decoration panel mounting screw into the screw fastening hole provided in the indoor unit body. Solution to the problem

[0007] A trim panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a trim panel body, a trim panel mounting component, and a trim panel mounting screw. The trim panel body is to be mounted on an indoor unit body and has a first recessed engagement part, a second recessed engagement part, and a first screw insertion hole disposed between the first recessed engagement part and the second recessed engagement part. The trim panel mounting component includes a first mounting plate part, a second mounting plate part, a mounting surface part, a first protruding engagement part, and a second protruding engagement part. The mounting surface part is disposed between the first mounting plate part and the second mounting plate part and has a second screw insertion hole.The first protruding engagement part is provided on the first mounting plate part, and the second protruding engagement part is provided on the second mounting plate part. The first protruding engagement part engages with the first recessed engagement part, and the second protruding engagement part engages with the second recessed engagement part, such that the first protruding engagement part and the second protruding engagement part are movable.The trim panel mounting screw, when the trim panel mounting screw is inserted through the second screw insertion hole and the first screw insertion hole and fastened in a screw fastening hole provided in the indoor unit body, is used to cause the first mounting plate part and the second mounting plate part to be deformed so that the mounting surface part is displaced toward the indoor unit body, and to cause the first protruding engagement part and the second protruding engagement part to move so that they are closer to each other than before the trim panel mounting screw is fastened in the screw fastening hole.

[0008] A trim panel according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a trim panel body, a trim panel mounting component, and a trim panel mounting screw. The trim panel body is to be mounted on an indoor unit body and has a first protruding engagement part, a second protruding engagement part, and a first screw insertion hole disposed between the first protruding engagement part and the second protruding engagement part. The trim panel mounting component includes a first mounting plate part, a second mounting plate part, a mounting surface part, a first recessed engagement part, and a second recessed engagement part. The mounting surface part is disposed between the first mounting plate part and the second mounting plate part and has a second screw insertion hole.The first recessed engagement part is provided on the first mounting plate part, and the second recessed engagement part is provided on the second mounting plate part. The first recessed engagement part and the second recessed engagement part are movable in a state in which the first recessed engagement part engages with the first protruding engagement part and the second recessed engagement part engages with the second protruding engagement part.The decoration panel mounting screw, when the decoration panel mounting screw is inserted through the second screw insertion hole and the first screw insertion hole and fastened in a screw fastening hole provided in the indoor unit body, is used to cause the first mounting plate part and the second mounting plate part to deform so that the mounting surface part is displaced toward the indoor unit body, and to cause the first recessed engaging part and the second recessed engaging part to move so that they are closer to each other than before the decoration panel mounting screw is fastened in the screw fastening hole.

[0009] An indoor unit according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure includes the indoor unit body having the screw fixing hole and the decor panel mounted to the indoor unit body by fixing the decor panel mounting screw in the screw fixing hole. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0010] In the decorative panel and the indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, fastening the decorative panel mounting screw into the screw fastening hole causes the mounting surface part of the decorative panel mounting component to be displaced toward the indoor unit body and causes the first mounting plate part and the second mounting plate part to move toward each other. This configuration simplifies the process of fastening the decorative panel mounting screw into the screw fastening hole provided in the indoor unit body. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of an indoor unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the indoor unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a corner portion of a decorative panel according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 shows enlarged perspective views of a trim panel mounting component according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 shows a cross section along AA of a corner portion of the decorative panel of the indoor unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, wherein the decorative panel is temporarily arranged over the indoor unit body. Fig. 6 shows a cross section along AA of a corner portion of the decorative panel of the indoor unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, the decorative panel being mounted on the indoor unit body. Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a corner portion of the decorative panel of the indoor unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, the decorative panel being mounted on the indoor unit body. Fig. 8 shows a cross section along AA of a corner portion of the decorative panel of the indoor unit according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure, wherein the decorative panel is temporarily arranged over the indoor unit body. Fig. 9 shows a cross section along AA of a corner portion of the decorative panel of the indoor unit according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure, the decorative panel being mounted on the indoor unit body. Fig. 10 shows an exemplary configuration of an air conditioning device according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. Description of embodiments

[0011] An air conditioning device according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, like reference numerals denote the same or corresponding components in the following description of embodiments. The specific shapes or configurations of components described in the description are merely examples; and the shapes or configurations of components are not limited to those described in the description. Furthermore, in the following drawings, relative sizes of components may differ from their actual sizes. Embodiment 1

[0012] The configuration of an indoor unit 100 of an air conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIGS. Fig. 1 to 3. Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a corner portion of a decorative panel 2 of the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. As an exemplary air conditioning device, a four-way cassette air conditioning device that sends air into an interior space in four directions will be described below.

[0013] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the indoor unit 100 comprises an indoor unit body 1 and the decorative panel 2. The indoor unit body 1 is open at its side facing an interior space, ie at its side facing the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The decorative panel 2 is mounted on the underside of the indoor unit body 1 and has a substantially rectangular shape. The indoor unit body 1 is installed in a space above a ceiling in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The decorative panel 2 is arranged in the interior space. In the following description, terms such as "upper", "upwards" and "above" refer to areas in and around the indoor unit 100 near the ceiling, ie the areas in Fig. 1, and terms such as “lower”, “down” and “below” refer to areas in and around the indoor unit 100 near the interior, ie the areas shown in Fig. 1 shown lower areas.

[0014] The indoor unit body 1 has four corner portions, and a mounting part 3 for mounting the decorative panel 2 protrudes outward from each of the four corner portions of the indoor unit body 1. The mounting part 3 has a screw mounting hole 3a. A decorative panel mounting screw 9 of a mounting unit 8 described later is fastened into each of the screw mounting holes 3a to mount the decorative panel 2 to the indoor unit body 1.

[0015] The decorative panel 2 includes a decorative panel body 4 and the mounting units 8 mounted on the decorative panel body 4. The decorative panel body 4 has four sides and an air inlet 5 provided in its central portion for sucking air into the indoor unit body 1, and an air outlet 6 is arranged along each of the four sides of the decorative panel body 4 around the air inlet 5 to blow conditioned air to the interior. The decorative panel body 4 has four corner portions, and a corner panel 7 is attached to each of the four corner portions of the decorative panel body 4 such that the corner panel 7 is detachable. During various operations, the corner panel 7 can be disassembled to enable such operations to be performed.

[0016] Each of the four corner sections of the decorative panel body 4 has a mounting component placement part 20 as shown in Fig. 3. The mounting component placement part 20 includes a first screw insertion hole 21 and a first recessed engagement part 22 and a second recessed engagement part 23. The first screw insertion hole 21 is provided at a position corresponding to the screw fastening hole 3a. The first recessed engagement part 22 and the second recessed engagement part 23 are arranged opposite each other with the first screw insertion hole 21 therebetween. A later-described first protruding engagement part 15 of a trim panel mounting component 11 engages with the first recessed engagement part 22, and a later-described second protruding engagement part 16 of the trim panel mounting component 11 engages with the second recessed engagement part 23.

[0017] The first recessed engaging portion 22 and the second recessed engaging portion 23 are elongated holes extending in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the first screw insertion hole 21 and are arranged on a straight line. A space is defined within each of the first recessed engaging portion 22 and the second recessed engaging portion 23 so that the first protruding engaging portion 15 and the second protruding engaging portion 16 can move in the longitudinal direction.This configuration causes the first protruding engagement part 15 and the second protruding engagement part 16 to be fixed locally so that the first protruding engagement part 15 and the second protruding engagement part 16 cannot be displaced in the lateral directions of the first recessed engagement part 22 and the second recessed engagement part 23, and this configuration enables the first protruding engagement part 15 and the second protruding engagement part 16 to be displaced in the longitudinal direction.

[0018] The mounting unit 8, which is used to mount the trim panel body 4 to the indoor unit body 1, is described in detail below. Each of the mounting units 8 includes the trim panel mounting screw 9, a washer 10, and the trim panel mounting component 11.

[0019] Fig. 4 shows the enlarged perspective views of the decorative panel mounting component 11 of the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Fig. 4(a) is a bottom view of the trim panel mounting component 11 to be mounted on the trim panel body 4. Fig. 4(b) is a top view of the trim panel mounting component 11 to be mounted on the trim panel body 4.

[0020] As in Fig. 4, the trim panel mounting component 11 includes a mounting surface portion 12, a first mounting plate portion 13, and a second mounting plate portion 14. The mounting surface portion 12 has a second screw insertion hole 12a at a position corresponding to the first screw insertion hole 21. The first mounting plate portion 13 and the second mounting plate portion 14 are disposed opposite each other with the mounting surface portion 12 therebetween and extend in opposite directions away from the mounting surface portion 12. The trim panel mounting component 11 is formed of, for example, a resin material. The first mounting plate portion 13 is provided at its end with the first protruding engagement portion 15, and the second mounting plate portion 14 is provided at its end with the second protruding engagement portion 16, which are respectively fitted into the first recessed engagement portions 22 and 23.engage the second recessed engagement part 23 so that the first projecting engagement part 15 and the second projecting engagement part 16 are movable.

[0021] The first protruding engagement portion 15 and the second protruding engagement portion 16 each have a claw shape, allowing the first protruding engagement portion 15 to engage the first recessed engagement portion 22 and the second protruding engagement portion 16 to engage the second recessed engagement portion 23. Specifically, the first protruding engagement portion 15 includes a protrusion portion 15a and a pair of claw portions 15b located at the distal end of the protrusion portion 15a. The pair of claw portions 15b at the distal end of the protrusion portion 15a protrude outward in the lateral direction of the trim panel mounting component 11. The protrusion portion 15a can be elastically deformed in a manner that allows the pair of claw portions 15b to move toward each other in the lateral direction of the trim panel mounting component 11.The first protruding engagement portion 15 is therefore inserted into and engaged with the first recessed engagement portion 22 while the first protruding engagement portion 15 is elastically deformed in this manner. Like the first protruding engagement portion 15, the second protruding engagement portion 16 includes a protrusion portion 16a and a pair of claw portions 16b located at the distal end of the protrusion portion 16a, and is inserted into and engaged with the second recessed engagement portion 23.

[0022] The second screw insertion hole 12a has a star shape with six projections 17 spaced apart from each other and projecting inward from the inner surface of the second screw insertion hole 12a. Because the second screw insertion hole 12a has the projections 17, the second screw insertion hole 12a defines a space narrower than the diameter of the shank of the trim panel mounting screw 9. This configuration allows the trim panel mounting screw 9 to be secured and held in the second screw insertion hole 12a with the head of the trim panel mounting screw 9 facing downward.

[0023] The first mounting plate part 13 has two bendable hinge parts 18 provided between the mounting surface part 12 and the first protruding engagement part 15. Similarly, the second mounting plate part 14 has two bendable hinge parts 18 provided between the mounting surface part 12 and the second protruding engagement part 16. Each hinge part 18 is, for example, a groove with a thin part. Bending each mounting plate part at the hinge parts 18 enables the height position of the mounting surface part 12 to be adjusted.

[0024] The mounting surface part 12 has two gripping parts 19 provided on a side of the mounting surface part 12 opposite to the side on which the first protruding engagement part 15 and the second protruding engagement part 16 are provided. The gripping parts 19 hold the washer 10 such that the second screw insertion hole 12a is located between the gripping parts 19 in the longitudinal direction.

[0025] Next, a procedure for mounting the trim panel body 4 to the indoor unit body 1 using the trim panel mounting component 11 formed as described above will be described.

[0026] Fig. 5 shows a cross section along AA of a corner portion of the decorative panel 2 of the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, wherein the decorative panel 2 is temporarily arranged over the indoor unit body 1. Fig. 6 shows a cross section along AA of a corner portion of the decorative panel 2 of the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, the decorative panel 2 being mounted on the indoor unit body 1. Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a corner portion of the decorative panel 2 of the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, the decorative panel 2 being mounted on the indoor unit body 1.

[0027] The following describes a method for attaching the mounting unit 8 to the trim panel body 4 during delivery. First, with the corner panels 7 disassembled from the trim panel body 4, the trim panel mounting component 11 is temporarily secured to each mounting component placement part 20 of the trim panel body 4. That is, the first protruding engagement part 15 is engaged with the first recessed engagement part 22 and the second protruding engagement part 16 of the trim panel mounting component 11 is engaged with the second recessed engagement part 23, and the washer 10 is inserted into each pair of gripping parts 19 of the trim panel mounting component 11. The trim panel mounting screw 9 is then inserted and secured into every other screw insertion hole 12a with the head of the trim panel mounting screw 9 facing downward.After the mounting units 8 are temporarily secured to the mounting component placement parts 20, the decoration panel 2 is delivered together with the indoor unit body 1 with the mounting component placement parts 20 covered with the corner panels 7.

[0028] At the location where the air conditioning device is to be installed, the installer first dismantles the corner panels 7 to expose the areas where the mounting units 8 are temporarily secured. Then, the decorative panel 2 is temporarily placed over the indoor unit body 1 using a securing unit (not shown). As shown in Fig. As shown in Fig. 5, while the decorative panel 2 is temporarily disposed over the indoor unit body 1, the decorative panel mounting screw 9 is positioned coaxially with the screw fixing hole 3a and the first screw insertion hole 21, and the distal end of the decorative panel mounting screw 9 is positioned within the first screw insertion hole 21. In this state, the first mounting plate part 13 and the second mounting plate part 14 of the decorative panel mounting component 11 are in their horizontal positions without being bent at the hinge parts 18.

[0029] Thereafter, when the trim panel mounting screw 9 is rotated and fastened in the screw fastening hole 3a, the trim panel mounting component 11 bends at the hinge parts 18 and the first protruding engagement part 15 and the second protruding engagement part 16 slide toward each other along the first recessed engagement part 22 and along the second recessed engagement part 23, respectively. The mounting surface part 12 is therefore displaced upward.

[0030] Once the fastening of the trim panel mounting screws 9 in the screw fixing holes 3a is completed and, as shown in Fig. 6, each mounting surface part 12 is offset so as to be in contact with the lower surface of the mounting component placement part 20, the mounting of the decorative panel 2 is completed.

[0031] As described above, in the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 1, when the trim panel mounting screw 9 is fastened in the screw fastening hole 3a, the trim panel mounting component 11 bends at the hinge parts 18, and the first protruding engagement part 15 and the second protruding engagement part 16 slide toward each other along the first recessed engagement part 22 and the second recessed engagement part 23, respectively. Therefore, unlike some air-conditioning devices, the mounting surface part 12 can be displaced upward without applying a force large enough to deform an elastic curved part. This configuration simplifies the process of fastening the trim panel mounting screw 9 in the screw fastening hole 3a.

[0032] When fastening the trim panel mounting screw 9 into the screw mounting hole 3a, the height position of the mounting surface part 12 can be freely changed by changing the amount of sliding of the first protruding engagement part 15 and the second protruding engagement part 16. This configuration allows a single type of trim panel mounting component to be used for different models that differ, for example, in the height position of the mounting part 3 of the indoor unit body 1.

[0033] The trim panel mounting component 11 is held on the trim panel body 4 by the first protruding engagement portion 15 and the second protruding engagement portion 16, which are claw-shaped, easily engaging the first recessed engagement portion 22 and the second recessed engagement portion 23, respectively. This configuration enables easy assembly and improved maintainability.

[0034] The mounting unit 8 is held on the decorative panel body 4 in a manner that prevents the mounting unit 8 from detaching from the decorative panel body 4. This configuration eliminates the need to hold the decorative panel mounting screw 9 by hand during mounting of the decorative panel 2 to the indoor unit body 1, thus enabling improved usage efficiency.

[0035] In the trim panel mounting component 11, the second screw insertion hole 12a for temporarily securing the trim panel mounting screw 9 in place is shaped to have the projections 17 to ensure that the trim panel mounting screw 9 does not easily fall out. This configuration enables further simplified assembly. Embodiment 2

[0036] The indoor unit 100 of an air conditioning device according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIGS. Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 described. Fig. 8 shows a cross section along AA of a corner portion of the decorative panel 2 of the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure, wherein the decorative panel 2 is temporarily arranged over the indoor unit body 1. Fig. 9 shows a cross section along AA of a corner portion of the decorative panel 2 of the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure, the decorative panel 2 being mounted on the indoor unit body 1.

[0037] In the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 1, the first protruding engagement part 15 and the second protruding engagement part 16 provided on the trim panel mounting component 11 are engaged with the first recessed engagement part 22 and the second recessed engagement part 23 provided on the trim panel body 4, respectively. In the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 2, the positions of the protruding engagement parts and the positions of the recessed engagement parts are reversed from those of Embodiment 1. That is,, the trim panel body 4 is provided with a first protruding engagement part 31 and a second protruding engagement part 32 which protrude downward, and the trim panel mounting component 11 is provided with a first recessed engagement part 41 into which the first protruding engagement part 31 engages, and a second recessed engagement part 42 into which the second protruding engagement part 32 engages.

[0038] The first protruding engagement part 31 and the second protruding engagement part 32 are arranged opposite each other with the first screw insertion hole 21 therebetween and protrude downward. Like the first protruding engagement part 15 and the second protruding engagement part 16 according to Embodiment 1, the first protruding engagement part 31 and the second protruding engagement part 32 each have a claw shape including a protrusion part and claw parts, so that the first protruding engagement part 31 engages the first recessed engagement part 41 and the second protruding engagement part 32 engages the second recessed engagement part 42.

[0039] The first recessed engaging portion 41 and the second recessed engaging portion 42 provided on the trim panel mounting component 11 are elongated holes extending in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the second screw insertion hole 12a. The first recessed engaging portion 41 and the second recessed engaging portion 42 can move in the longitudinal direction in a state where the first recessed engaging portion 41 is engaged with the first protruding engaging portion 31 and the second recessed engaging portion 42 is engaged with the second protruding engaging portion 32.This configuration enables the first recessed engaging part 41 and the second recessed engaging part 42 to be fixed locally so that the first recessed engaging part 41 and the second recessed engaging part 42 cannot be displaced in the lateral directions, and this configuration enables the first recessed engaging part 41 and the second recessed engaging part 42 to be displaced in the longitudinal direction.

[0040] Except that the trim panel body 4 is provided with the first protruding engagement part 31 and the second protruding engagement part 32 instead of the first recessed engagement part 22 and the second recessed engagement part 23, and that the trim panel mounting component 11 is provided with the first protruding engagement part 15 and the second protruding engagement part 16 instead of the first recessed engagement part 41 and the second recessed engagement part 42, Embodiment 2 has the same configuration as Embodiment 1, and therefore, the configuration of Embodiment 2 will not be described in further detail.

[0041] Next, a method for mounting the decorative panel body 4 to the indoor unit body 1 of the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 2 will be described.

[0042] First, at each mounting component placement part 20 of the trim body 4, the trim mounting component 11 is temporarily secured with the corner panels 7 disassembled from the trim body 4. That is, the first protruding engagement part 31 of the trim body 4 engages with the first recessed engagement part 41, and the second protruding engagement part 32 of the trim body 4 engages with the second recessed engagement part 42 of the trim mounting component 11, and the washer 10 is inserted into each pair of gripping parts 19 of the trim mounting component 11. Thereafter, the trim mounting screw 9 is inserted into every other screw insertion hole 12a and secured with the head of the trim mounting screw 9 facing downward.After the mounting units 8 are temporarily secured to the mounting component placement parts 20, the decoration panel 2 is delivered together with the indoor unit body 1 with the mounting component placement parts 20 covered by the corner panels 7.

[0043] At the location where the air conditioning device is to be installed, the installer first dismantles the corner panels 7 to expose the areas where the mounting units 8 are temporarily secured. Then, the decorative panel 2 is temporarily placed over the indoor unit body 1 using a securing unit (not shown). As shown in Fig. As shown in Fig. 8, while the decoration panel 2 is temporarily disposed over the indoor unit body 1, the decoration panel mounting screw 9 is positioned coaxially with the screw fixing hole 3a and the first screw insertion hole 21, and the distal end of the decoration panel mounting screw 9 is positioned within the first screw insertion hole 21. In this state, the first mounting plate part 13 and the second mounting plate part 14 of the decoration panel mounting component 11 are in their horizontal positions without being bent at the hinge parts 18.

[0044] Thereafter, when the trim panel mounting screw 9 is rotated and fastened into the screw fastening hole 3a, the trim panel mounting component 11 bends at the hinge parts 18, and the first recessed engaging part 41 and the second recessed engaging part 42 slide toward each other in a state where the first recessed engaging part 41 is engaged with the first protruding engaging part 31, and the second recessed engaging part 42 is engaged with the second protruding engaging part 32. Therefore, the mounting surface part 12 is displaced upward.

[0045] Once the fastening of the trim panel mounting screws 9 in the screw fixing holes 3a is completed and, as shown in Fig. 9, each mounting surface part 12 is offset to be in contact with the lower surface of the mounting component placement part 20, the mounting of the decorative panel 2 is completed.

[0046] As described above, in the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 2, when the trim panel mounting screw 9 is fastened into the screw fastening hole 3a, the trim panel mounting component 11 bends at the hinge parts 18, and the first recessed engaging part 41 and the second recessed engaging part 42 slide toward each other in a state where the first recessed engaging part 41 is engaged with the first protruding engaging part 31, and the second recessed engaging part 42 is engaged with the second protruding engaging part 32. Therefore, unlike some air-conditioning devices, the mounting surface part 12 can be displaced upward without applying a force large enough to deform an elastic curved part. This configuration simplifies the process of fastening the trim panel mounting screw 9 into the screw fastening hole 3a.

[0047] When fastening the trim panel mounting screw 9 into the screw mounting hole 3a, the height position of the mounting surface part 12 can be freely changed by changing the amount of sliding of the first recessed engaging part 41 and the second recessed engaging part 42. This configuration allows a single type of trim panel mounting component to be used for different models that differ, for example, in the height position of the mounting part 3 of the indoor unit body 1.

[0048] The trim panel mounting component 11 is held on the trim panel body 4 by simply engaging the claw-shaped first protruding engagement portion 31 with the first recessed engagement portion 41 and the claw-shaped second protruding engagement portion 32 with the second recessed engagement portion 42. This configuration enables easy assembly and improved maintainability.

[0049] The mounting unit 8 is held on the decorative panel body 4 in a manner that prevents the mounting unit 8 from detaching from the decorative panel body 4. This configuration eliminates the need to hold the decorative panel mounting screw 9 by hand during mounting of the decorative panel 2 to the indoor unit body 1, thus enabling improved usage efficiency.

[0050] In the trim panel mounting component 11, the second screw insertion hole 12a for temporarily securing the trim panel mounting screw 9 in place is shaped to have the projections 17 to ensure that the trim panel mounting screw 9 does not easily fall out. This configuration enables further simplified assembly.

[0051] The trim panel mounting component 11 is not limited to the specific configurations described above with reference to Embodiments 1 and 2.

[0052] For example, the first mounting plate part 13 and the second mounting plate part 14 were described above as each having two bendable hinge parts 18. Alternatively, if the first mounting plate part 13 and the second mounting plate part 14 are formed of a material that allows deformation of the first mounting plate part 13 and the second mounting plate part 14 in a manner that allows the mounting surface part 12 to be displaced upward, it is not necessary to provide a hinge part 18. For example, if the first mounting plate part 13 and the second mounting plate part 14 are formed of a flexible resin material, when the trim panel mounting screw 9 is fastened in the screw fastening hole 3a, the first mounting plate part 13 and the second mounting plate part 14 can be deformed in a manner that causes the mounting surface part 12 to be displaced upward.

[0053] Although each hinge portion 18 is described above as having a groove shape with a thin portion, the hinge portion 18 may be any flexible structure. For example, the hinge portion 18 may be in the form of a cut slot or in the form of hinged plates.

[0054] Although the first protruding engagement portion 15, 31 and the second protruding engagement portion 16, 32 are described above as having an identical shape in the lateral direction, the two protruding engagement portions may have different shapes from each other in the lateral direction. The first protruding engagement portion 15, 31 and the second protruding engagement portion 16, 32 do not necessarily have to be in the shape of a claw, but may have any other shape that allows the first protruding engagement portion 15, 31 to engage the first recessed engagement portion 22, 41 and the second protruding engagement portion 16, 32 to engage the second recessed engagement portion 23, 42 in such a way that the first protruding engagement portion 15, 31 and the second protruding engagement portion 16, 32 do not disengage.

[0055] Although the trim panel mounting component 11 is described above as having the gripping parts 19 for holding the washer 10, the trim panel mounting component 11 does not necessarily have to have the gripping parts 19 as long as the trim panel mounting component 11 has a structure that allows the washer 10 to be held by the trim panel mounting component 11.

[0056] Although the trim panel mounting component 11 is described above as being shaped to extend in the longitudinal direction, the trim panel mounting component 11 may be square-shaped, for example. Although the trim panel mounting component 11 is described above as being formed of a resin material, the trim panel mounting component 11 does not necessarily have to be formed of a resin material, but may be formed of metal, for example.

[0057] The first recessed engaging portion 22, 41 and the second recessed engaging portion 23, 42 are also not limited to the specific configurations described above with reference to Embodiments 1 and 2.

[0058] For example, although the first recessed engaging part 22 and the second recessed engaging part 23 are described above as each extending in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the first screw insertion hole 21, the first recessed engaging part 22 and the second recessed engaging part 23 do not necessarily have to extend in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the first screw insertion hole 21, as long as the first recessed engaging part 22 and the second recessed engaging part 23 extend in a direction transverse to the axial direction of the first screw insertion hole 21.In particular, although the first recessed engaging portion 22 and the second recessed engaging portion 23 are described above with reference to Embodiment 1 as extending horizontally, the first recessed engaging portion 22 and the second recessed engaging portion 23 do not need to extend completely horizontally. The first recessed engaging portion 22 and the second recessed engaging portion 23 may extend in any direction, for example, a direction oblique to the horizontal direction, as long as the first protruding engaging portion 15 and the second protruding engaging portion 16 are allowed to move relative to each other.Similarly, although the first recessed engaging part 41 and the second recessed engaging part 42 are described above as each extending in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the second screw insertion hole 12a, the first recessed engaging part 41 and the second recessed engaging part 42 do not necessarily have to extend in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the second screw insertion hole 12a as long as the first recessed engaging part 41 and the second recessed engaging part 42 extend in a direction transverse to the axial direction of the second screw insertion hole 12a.

[0059] Although the first recessed engaging portion 22, 41 and the second recessed engaging portion 23, 42 are described above as each having the shape of an elongated hole, the first recessed engaging portion 22, 41 and the second recessed engaging portion 23, 42 do not necessarily have to have the shape of an elongated hole, but may have any other shape, such as a groove, as long as the first projecting engaging portion 15, 31 and the second projecting engaging portion 16, 32 can engage with the first recessed engaging portion 22, 41 and the second recessed engaging portion 23, 42, respectively, in a manner that allows the first projecting engaging portion 15 and the second projecting engaging portion 16 to move toward each other, and the first recessed engaging portion 41 and the second recessed engaging portion 42 to move toward each other.

[0060] Although the first recessed engaging part 22, 41 and the second recessed engaging part 23, 42 are described above as being arranged on a straight line, the first recessed engaging part 22, 41 and the second recessed engaging part 23, 42 do not necessarily have to be arranged on a straight line, but may be arranged in any other manner that allows the first protruding engaging part 15 and the second protruding engaging part 16 to move relative to each other, or that allows the first recessed engaging part 41 and the second recessed engaging part 42 to move relative to each other.

[0061] In addition, the structure for holding the trim panel mounting screw 9 to the trim panel mounting component 11 is not limited to the specific structure described above with reference to Embodiments 1 and 2.

[0062] Although the second screw insertion hole 12a is described above as having, for example, a star shape with six projections 17, the placement and number of projections 17 can be freely selected as long as the second screw insertion hole 12a has a shape that allows easy insertion of the trim panel mounting screw 9 and holding of the trim panel mounting screw 9.

[0063] Although the second screw insertion hole 12a is described above as being shaped to allow the trim panel mounting screw 9 to be held, the second screw insertion hole 12a may not have a structure that allows the trim panel mounting screw 9 to be held if another structure that allows the trim panel mounting screw 9 to be held is provided. For example, when the trim panel mounting screw 9 and the washer 10 are of an integrated structure, the washer 10 is held by the gripping parts 19, and the trim panel mounting screw 9 integrated with the washer 10 is similarly held by the trim panel mounting component 11. Therefore, even if the second screw insertion hole 12a does not have a structure that allows the trim panel mounting screw 9 to be held, the trim panel mounting screw 9 can be held by the trim panel mounting component 11.

[0064] In the foregoing description of Embodiments 1 and 2, in which the decorative panel 2 is temporarily disposed over the indoor unit body 1, the decorative panel mounting screw 9 is positioned coaxially with the screw fixing hole 3a and the first screw insertion hole 21, and the distal end of the decorative panel mounting screw 9 is positioned within the first screw insertion hole 21. However, the position of the decorative panel mounting screw 9 in the state in which the decorative panel 2 is temporarily disposed over the indoor unit body 1 does not necessarily have to be that described above with reference to Embodiments 1 and 2.Even if the trim panel mounting screw 9 is not positioned coaxially with the screw fixing hole 3a and the first screw insertion hole 21 and the distal end of the trim panel mounting screw 9 is not positioned within the first screw insertion hole 21, it is only necessary that the trim panel mounting screw 9 be aligned when mounting the trim panel 2 to the indoor unit body 1 so as to be positioned coaxially with the screw fixing hole 3a and the first screw insertion hole 21, and then the distal end of the trim panel mounting screw 9 is inserted through the first screw insertion hole 21 to fix the trim panel mounting screw 9 in the screw fixing hole 3a.

[0065] In the foregoing description, when the decorative panel 2 is temporarily disposed above the indoor unit body 1, the first mounting plate part 13 and the second mounting plate part 14 of the decorative panel mounting component 11 are in their horizontal positions without being bent at the hinge parts 18. However, in this state, the first mounting plate part 13 and the second mounting plate part 14 may bend and sag under the weight of the decorative panel mounting screw 9.

[0066] The washer 10 is provided to increase the contact area with the trim panel mounting component 11, thereby distributing the contact pressure exerted on the trim panel mounting component 11. Therefore, the washer 10 does not necessarily need to be provided. The mounting unit 8 may comprise only two components, ie, the trim panel mounting screw 9 and the trim panel mounting component 11, as long as the mounting unit 8 is usable for fixing the trim panel 2 to the indoor unit body 1.

[0067] Although the trim panel mounting component 11 is described above as being provided at each of the four corner portions of the trim panel body 4, the trim panel mounting component 11 does not necessarily have to be provided at each of the four corner portions, but may be provided at any position, for example, at two diagonal corner portions, as long as trim panel mounting components 11 are usable to mount the trim panel 2 to the indoor unit body 1. Embodiment 3

[0068] An air conditioning device according to a non-inventive embodiment 3 of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to Fig. 10 described. Fig. 10 shows an exemplary configuration of the air conditioning device according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. A device using a refrigerant cycle is shown in Fig. 10 as an exemplary air conditioning device.

[0069] At the Fig. In the air conditioning device shown in Fig. 10, an outdoor unit 200 and the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 1 or 2 are connected by a gas refrigerant line 300 and a liquid refrigerant line 400.

[0070] The outdoor unit 200 includes a compressor 210, a four-way valve 220, an outdoor heat exchanger 230, and an expansion valve 240.

[0071] Compressor 210 compresses and discharges a sucked-in refrigerant. As a non-limiting example, compressor 210 may have a variable capacity (the amount of refrigerant discharged per unit time) such that its capacity can be changed as desired by changing the operating frequency of compressor 210, for example, using an inverter circuit.

[0072] The four-way valve 220, for example, is a valve that switches the flow of a coolant between a cooling mode and a heating mode.

[0073] The outdoor heat exchanger 230 exchanges heat between a coolant and outdoor air. During heating operation, for example, the outdoor heat exchanger 230 is used as an evaporator, which evaporates the coolant and converts it into a gas. During cooling operation, the outdoor heat exchanger 230 is used as a vapor condenser to condense the coolant and convert it into a liquid.

[0074] The expansion valve 240 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant, causing it to expand. The expansion valve 240 may be an expansion device, a flow control unit, or other components. For example, if the expansion valve 240 is an electronic expansion valve, its opening degree is adjusted depending on an instruction from a controller (not shown).

[0075] The indoor unit 100 includes an indoor heat exchanger 110. The indoor heat exchanger 110 exchanges heat between a coolant and air to be conditioned. For example, during heating operation, the indoor heat exchanger 110 is used as a vapor condenser, condensing the coolant and converting it into a liquid. During cooling operation, the indoor heat exchanger 110 is used as an evaporator, evaporating the coolant and converting it into a gas.

[0076] With the air conditioning device described above, the flows of the refrigerant are switched by the four-way valve 220 of the outdoor unit 200 to achieve a heating operation and a cooling operation.

[0077] The indoor unit 100 includes the indoor heat exchanger 110, which is housed in the indoor unit body 1 and covered by the decorative panel 2. As in Embodiments 1 and 2, the decorative panel 2 is mounted on the underside of the indoor unit body 1.

[0078] According to Embodiment 3, when mounting the decorative panel 2 to the indoor unit body 1 of an air-conditioning device capable of both heating and cooling operations, when fastening the decorative panel mounting screw 9 into the screw fastening hole 3a, the mounting surface portion 12 of the decorative panel mounting component 11 is displaced upward, and the first mounting plate portion 13 and the second mounting plate portion 14 move toward each other. This configuration simplifies the process of fastening the decorative panel mounting screw 9 into the screw fastening hole 3a.

[0079] Although the foregoing description of Embodiments 1 to 3 is directed to the indoor unit 100 of a four-way cassette air conditioning device that blows air in four directions, the foregoing description is also applicable, for example, to an indoor unit that blows air in two, three, or any other number of directions. Although the foregoing description is directed to the indoor unit 100 that is embedded in a ceiling, the foregoing description is also applicable to an air conditioning device that includes an indoor unit that is not embedded in a ceiling but is exposed.Although the foregoing description is directed to an air conditioning device capable of heat exchange using a refrigerant circuit, the foregoing description is also applicable to devices that do not utilize a refrigerant circuit, such as a blower or a fan. As described above, the present disclosure is applicable to any decorative panel mounted on an interior unit of an air conditioning device. List of reference symbols

[0080] 1 indoor unit body, 2 decorative panel, 3 mounting part, 3a screw fixing hole, 4 decorative panel body, 5 air inlet, 6 air outlet, 7 corner panel, 8 mounting unit, 9 decorative panel mounting screw, 10 washer, 11 decorative panel mounting component, 12 mounting surface part, 12a second screw insertion hole, 13 first mounting plate part, 14 second mounting plate part, 15 first projecting engagement part, projection part 15a, pair of claw parts 15b, 16 second projecting engagement part, projection part 16a, pair of claw parts 16b, 17 projection, 18 hinge part, 19 gripping part, 20 mounting component placement part, 21 first screw insertion hole, 22 first recessed engagement part, 23 second recessed engagement part, 31 first projecting engagement part, 32 second protruding engagement part, 41 first recessed engagement part, 42 second recessed engagement part, 100 indoor unit, 110 indoor heat exchanger, 200 outdoor unit, 210 compressor,220 Four-way valve, 230 Outdoor heat exchanger, 240 Expansion valve, 300 Gas refrigerant line, 400 Liquid refrigerant line.,

Claims

[1] Decorative panel (2), comprising: a decorative panel body (4) to be mounted on an indoor unit body (1), the decorative panel body (4) (4) having a first recessed engagement part (22), a second recessed engagement part (23) and a first screw insertion hole (21), the first screw insertion hole (21) being arranged between the first recessed engagement part (22) and the second recessed engagement part (23); a trim panel mounting component (11) comprising a first mounting plate part (13), a second mounting plate part (14), a mounting surface part (12), a first protruding engagement part (15), and a second protruding engagement part (16), wherein the mounting surface part (12) is arranged between the first mounting plate part (13) and the second mounting plate part (14) and has a second screw insertion hole (12a), wherein the first protruding engagement part (15) is provided on the first mounting plate part (13) and the second protruding engagement part (16) is provided on the second mounting plate part (14), wherein the first protruding engagement part (15) engages with the first recessed engagement part (22) and the second protruding engagement part (16) engages with the second recessed engagement part (23) such that the first protruding engagement part (15) and the second protruding engagement part (16) are movable; and a trim panel mounting screw (9) which, when the trim panel mounting screw (9) is inserted through the second screw insertion hole (12a) and the first screw insertion hole (21) and fastened in a screw fastening hole (3a) provided in the indoor unit body (1), is used to cause the first mounting plate part (13) and the second mounting plate part (14) to deform so that the mounting surface part (12) is displaced toward the indoor unit body (1), and to cause the first protruding engagement part (15) and the second protruding engagement part (16) to move so that they are closer to each other than before the trim panel mounting screw (9) is fastened in the screw fastening hole (3a). [2] Decorative panel (2), comprising: a decorative panel body (4) to be mounted on an indoor unit body (1), the decorative panel body (4) having a first protruding engagement part (31), a second protruding engagement part (32) and a first screw insertion hole (21), the first screw insertion hole (21) being arranged between the first protruding engagement part (31) and the second protruding engagement part (32); a trim panel mounting component (11) comprising a first mounting plate part (13), a second mounting plate part (14), a mounting surface part (12), a first recessed engagement part (41) and a second recessed engagement part (42), wherein the mounting surface part (12) is arranged between the first mounting plate part (13) and the second mounting plate part (14) and has a second screw insertion hole (12a), wherein the first recessed engagement part (41) is provided on the first mounting plate part (13) and the second recessed engagement part (42) is provided on the second mounting plate part (14), wherein the first recessed engagement part (41) and the second recessed engagement part (42) are movable in a state in which the first recessed engagement part (41) is engaged with the first projecting engagement part (31) and the second recessed engagement part (42) is engaged with the second projecting engagement part (32) intervene; and a trim panel mounting screw (9) which, when the trim panel mounting screw (9) is inserted through the second screw insertion hole (12a) and the first screw insertion hole (21) and fastened in a screw fastening hole (3a) provided in the indoor unit body (1), is used to cause the first mounting plate part (13) and the second mounting plate part (14) to deform so that the mounting surface part (12) is displaced toward the indoor unit body (1), and to cause the first recessed engaging part (41) and the second recessed engaging part (42) to move so that they are closer to each other than before the trim panel mounting screw (9) is fastened in the screw fastening hole (3a). [3] Decorative panel (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first mounting plate part (13) and the second mounting plate part (14) each have two bendable joint parts (18). [4] Decorative panel (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first recessed engagement part (22, 41) and the second recessed engagement part (23, 42) each comprise an elongated hole, and wherein the first protruding engagement part (15, 31) and the second protruding engagement part (16, 32) each have a shape of a claw which engages in the elongated hole. [5] Decorative panel (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first protruding engagement part (15, 31) and the second protruding engagement part (16, 32) have identical shapes. [6] Indoor unit (100), comprising: the indoor unit body (1) with the screw fixing hole (3a); and the decorative panel (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the decorative panel (2) is mounted to the indoor unit body (1) by fastening the decorative panel mounting screw (9) in the screw fastening hole (3a).

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