Indoor heat exchanger and air conditioning indoor machine

Abstract

To provide laminated plates that allow a space in an air conditioning indoor machine to be effectively used.SOLUTION: An indoor heat exchanger comprises plate laminated bodies (50 and 60) comprising first plate parts (50A and 60A) arranged adjacently to a heat exchange part (B) in a first direction, and comprising one or more plates (52 and 62), and second plate parts (50B and 60B) comprising one or more of the plates (52 and 62) having different shapes from those of the plates (52 and 62) of the first plate parts (50A and 60A), and arranged on surfaces on the side opposite to surfaces of the first plate parts (50A and 60A) opposed to the heat exchange part (B), and in which step parts (X) are formed in peripheral edge parts of surfaces on the side opposite to surfaces opposed to the heat exchange part (B) out of the plate laminated bodies (50 and 60), and the step parts (X) are formed by the first plate parts (50A and 60A) and the second plate parts (50B and 60B).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an indoor heat exchanger and an air conditioning indoor unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a stacked header connected to a heat exchanger. A groove is formed in each plate constituting the stacked header. By stacking a plurality of plates having such grooves, the grooves form a refrigerant flow path inside the stacked header. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2014 / 184917 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] All plates constituting the plate stack are formed to have the same shape. The shape and position of the grooves formed in 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 the region is relatively large, the space inside the air conditioner cannot be used effectively.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a laminate plate that can effectively utilize the space inside an air conditioning indoor unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first aspect is a heat exchange section (B) including a plurality of fins (41) and a plurality of heat transfer tubes (42) penetrating the plurality of fins (41); a plate stack (50, 60) having a flow path (51, 61) therein communicating with the heat transfer tube (42), and having a plurality of plates (52, 62) stacked in a first direction in which the heat transfer tube (42) extends, The plate stack (50, 60) is The heat exchange section (B) is disposed adjacent to the heat exchange section (B) in the first direction, a first plate portion (50A, 60A) having one or more of the plates (52, 62); a second plate portion (50B, 60B) disposed on a surface of the first plate portion (50A, 60A) opposite to a surface facing the heat exchange portion (B), A step portion (X) is formed in a peripheral portion of a second surface (502, 602) of the plate stack (50, 60) opposite to a first surface (501, 601) facing the heat exchange section (B), The step portion (X) is an indoor heat exchanger formed by the first plate portion (50A, 60A) and the second plate portion (50B, 60B).

[0007] In the first aspect, by providing a step portion (X) in the plate stack (50, 60), a space can be formed at a position opposite the step portion (X). This space can be effectively utilized by, for example, arranging a predetermined component in the space.

[0008] The second aspect is The indoor heat exchanger of the first aspect; a casing (31) that houses the indoor heat exchanger; a first part (300) disposed within the casing (31); At least a part of the first component (300) is an air conditioning indoor unit disposed facing the stepped portion (X) in the first direction.

[0009] In the second aspect, by disposing the first component (300) in the space facing the step portion (X) on the first direction side, the combined length of the indoor heat exchanger and the first component (300) can be shortened, thereby realizing a compact air conditioning indoor unit.

[0010] The third aspect is the second aspect, When the plate stack (50, 60) is viewed from the first direction, The first component (300) is disposed closer to the step portion (X) than the end portion of the second plate portion (50B, 60B) that constitutes the step portion (X).

[0011] In the third aspect, by arranging the first component (300) in the space below (on the step side of) the end face of the second plate portion of the step portion (X), it is possible to realize a compact air conditioning indoor unit, as in the second aspect.

[0012] The fourth aspect is the second aspect, At least a portion of the first component (300) is disposed inside the step portion (X).

[0013] In the fourth aspect, by disposing at least a part of the first component (300) on the step portion (X), it is possible to realize a compact air conditioning indoor unit, as in the second aspect.

[0014] The fifth aspect is the second aspect, a second component (200) adjacent to the indoor heat exchanger (40) and facing the step portion (X) in the first direction; the indoor heat exchanger (40) and the second component (200), The partition plate (100) has a recess (101) formed to fit the shape of the step portion (X).

[0015] In the fifth aspect, the second component (200) can be disposed in the recess (101). This allows the combined length of the indoor heat exchanger (40) and the second component (200) to be shortened, thereby making it possible to realize a more compact air conditioner indoor unit.

[0016] A sixth aspect is any one of the second to fifth aspects, An air passage (P) is formed in the casing (31) through which air flows from an inlet (33) formed in the casing (31) toward an outlet (34), The indoor heat exchanger (40) is disposed in the air passage (P), The step portion (X) is formed on the downstream side of the air flow in the plate stack (50, 60) when viewed from the first direction.

[0017] Here, in the indoor heat exchanger, the load is higher on the upstream side of the air flow passing through the indoor heat exchanger than on the downstream side. In contrast, in the sixth aspect, the step portion (X) is formed on the downstream side of the air flow in the plate stack (50, 60), so that the number of plates (52, 62) stacked on the upstream side of the air flow can be increased. When the number of plates (52, 62) stacked is increased, the thickness of the plate stack (50, 60) increases accordingly, so that the number of flow paths (51, 61) formed therein can be sufficiently secured. If the number of flow paths can be secured, the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer tube (42) can be increased, and as a result, the heat exchange can be improved. In this way, heat exchange can be activated in the upstream part of the air flow of the indoor heat exchanger, where the air conditioning load is relatively high, so that the heat exchange efficiency of the indoor heat exchanger can be improved.

[0018] The seventh aspect is any one of the second to sixth aspects, The plate stack (50, 60) is composed of three or more of the plates (52, 62), Of the plate stack (50, 60), the plate (52, 62) of the first plate portion (50A, 60A) closest to the heat exchange section (B) is a first end plate (521, 621); the plate (52, 62) of the second plate portion (50B, 60B) farthest from the heat exchange portion (B) is a second end plate (525, 625); When the plate (52, 62) disposed between the first end plate (521, 621) and the second end plate (525, 625) is an intermediate plate (522-524, 622-624), The flow path (51, 61) is formed to pass through the intermediate plate (522-524, 622-624), The thickness of the intermediate plates (522-524, 622-624) is greater than the thickness of the first end plates (521, 621) and the second end plates (525, 625).

[0019] In the seventh aspect, the plate (52, 62) arranged in the center of the plate stack (50, 60) is made thicker than the plates (52, 62) arranged at both ends of the plate stack (50, 60), thereby making it possible to increase the cross-sectional area or inner diameter of the refrigerant flow paths (51, 61) formed in the plate stack (50, 60), thereby making it possible to suppress an increase in pressure loss of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths (51, 61).

[0020] The eighth aspect is any one of the second to seventh aspects, At least a part of the first surface (501, 601) and the second surface (502, 602) of the plate stack (50, 60) is subjected to anticorrosion treatment.

[0021] In the eighth aspect, although there is a risk of electrolytic corrosion on both side surfaces of the plate stack (50, 60) due to condensation or the like, such electrolytic corrosion can be suppressed by the anticorrosion treatment.

[0022] A ninth aspect is any one of the second to eighth aspects, When viewing the plate stack (50, 60) 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 where the second plate portions (50B, 60B) overlap.

[0023] In the ninth aspect, the portion of the plate stack (50, 60) where the first plate portion (50A, 60A) and the second plate portion (50B, 60B) overlap is thicker than the portion consisting of only the first plate portion (50A, 60A), so that the number of flow paths can be secured. The greater the number of flow paths (51, 61), the greater the heat exchange in the heat exchange section (B). Therefore, by making the portion where the first plate portion (50A, 60A) and the second plate portion (50B, 60B) overlap wider than the portion consisting of only the first plate portion (50A, 60A), it is possible to secure a sufficient number of flow paths that can be formed in the plate stack (50, 60), and to suppress deterioration in the performance of the indoor heat exchanger.

[0024] A tenth aspect is any one of the second to ninth aspects, The flow paths (51, 61) are a first flow path (51A) provided in the first plate portion (50A, 60A); a second flow path (51B) provided across the first plate portion (50A, 60A) and the second plate portion (50B, 60B), The second flow path (51B) is formed so as to intersect with the first flow path (51A).

[0025] In the tenth aspect, in the plate stack (50, 60) in the portion where the flow paths (51, 61) do not intersect with each other, the flow paths (51, 61) need only be provided in the first plate portion (50A, 60A). In such a portion, the second plate portion (50B, 60B) is not necessary, so that the step portion (X) can be provided. In this way, the space formed by the step portion (X) can be effectively utilized.

[0026] An eleventh aspect is any one of the second to tenth aspects, the flow passages (51, 61) include a third flow passage (51C) formed in a portion of the first plate portion (50A, 60A) that does not overlap with the second plate portion (50B, 60B) when the plate stack (50, 60) is viewed from the first direction, The third flow path (51C) includes When the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, the refrigerant in the superheated region flows, When the indoor heat exchanger functions as a radiator, the refrigerant in the subcooled region flows through it.

[0027] In the eleventh aspect, the temperature of the refrigerant in the superheated region or the supercooled region is relatively different from the temperature of the refrigerant flowing in the heat transfer tube (42) or the plate stack (50, 60). Therefore, if the flow path (51, 61) through which the refrigerant in the superheated region or the supercooled region flows and the flow path (51, 61) through which the other refrigerant flows are located close to each other, heat exchange will occur between them. However, in the eleventh aspect, the third flow path (51C) is positioned away from the other flow paths (51, 61), so that temperature exchange between the refrigerant in the superheated region or the supercooled region and the other refrigerants can be suppressed.

[0028] A twelfth aspect is any one of the second to eleventh aspects, a gas pipe (12a) for conveying compressed refrigerant gas to the indoor heat exchanger (40), The gas pipe (12a) is connected to the flow passage (51, 61) formed in a portion where the first plate portion (50A, 60A) and the second plate portion (50B, 60B) of the plate stack (50, 60) overlap each other.

[0029] In the twelfth aspect, the gas refrigerant has a relatively high pressure. Therefore, the thickness of the portion where the first plate portion (50A, 60A) and the second plate portion (50B, 60B) overlap is greater than the thickness of the portion of only the first plate portion (50A), and the length of the flow path extending in the stacking direction can be increased. By connecting the gas pipe (12a) to such a portion, it is possible to suppress pressure loss of the refrigerant flowing through the flow path (51, 61) when the gas pipe (12a) flows into the plate stack (50, 60). [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a piping diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the air conditioning indoor unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioning indoor unit taken along line II-II. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view showing the internal structure of the air conditioning indoor unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a main part of the indoor heat exchanger. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a view of the plate stack as seen from the right. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a coolant flow path of a plate stack. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the front plate assembly as viewed from the front. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the front plate assembly for explaining the configuration of the first flow path. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the front plate assembly for explaining the configuration of the second flow path. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the first flow passages and the second flow passages intersecting each other when the plate stack is viewed from the first direction (right direction). [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the front plate assembly for explaining the configuration of the third flow path. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a view of a rear plate assembly according to a modified example, viewed from a first direction (right direction). [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the rear plate assembly for explaining the configuration of the third flow path. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing part of the internal structure of an air conditioning indoor unit pertaining to another embodiment, viewed from the front. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing part of the internal structure of an air conditioning indoor unit pertaining to another embodiment, viewed from the front. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing part of the internal structure of an air conditioning indoor unit pertaining to another embodiment, viewed from the front. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing part of the internal structure of an air conditioning indoor unit pertaining to another embodiment, viewed from the front. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments shown below, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure. Since each drawing is intended to conceptually explain the present disclosure, dimensions, ratios, or numbers may be exaggerated or simplified as necessary for easy understanding.

[0032] (1) Overall configuration of air conditioning system This embodiment is an air conditioner including a heat exchanger unit (10). The air conditioner (10) adjusts the temperature of air in an indoor space (I), which is a target space.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioner (10) is an example of a refrigeration cycle device including a refrigerant circuit (11). The refrigerant circuit (11) is filled with a refrigerant. The refrigerant circuit (11) performs a refrigeration cycle by circulating the refrigerant.

[0034] The air conditioner (10) includes an air conditioning outdoor unit (20), an air conditioning indoor unit (30), a first connecting pipe (12), and a second connecting pipe (13). The air conditioner (10) is a pair type having one air conditioning outdoor unit (20) and one air conditioning indoor unit (30). The first connecting pipe (12) is a gas connecting pipe, and the second connecting pipe (13) is a liquid connecting pipe.

[0035] The air conditioner outdoor unit (20) is installed outdoors and includes an outdoor casing (20a), and a compressor (21), an outdoor heat exchanger (22), an outdoor expansion valve (23), a four-way switching valve (24), and an outdoor fan (25) housed in the outdoor casing (20a).

[0036] The compressor (21) is a rotary compressor such as a swing piston type, rotary type, or scroll type. The outdoor heat exchanger (22) exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air. The outdoor heat exchanger (22) is a fin-and-tube type. The outdoor expansion valve (23) reduces the pressure of the refrigerant. The outdoor expansion valve (23) is an electronic expansion valve. The four-way switching valve (24) switches between a first state (a state shown by a solid line in FIG. 1) and a second state (a state shown by a dashed line in FIG. 1). In the first state, the four-way switching valve (24) communicates between the discharge portion of the compressor (21) and the gas end of the outdoor heat exchanger (22) and also communicates between the suction portion of the compressor (21) and the first connection pipe (12). The four-way switching valve (24) in the second state communicates the discharge portion of the compressor (21) with the first connection pipe (12) and also communicates the suction portion of the compressor (21) with the gas end of the outdoor heat exchanger (22). The outdoor fan (25) transports the air flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger (22). The outdoor fan (25) is a propeller fan.

[0037] The air conditioner indoor unit (30) includes a casing (31), and an indoor heat exchanger (40), an indoor fan (32), and an indoor expansion valve (37) housed in the casing (31).

[0038] (2) Air conditioning indoor unit The air conditioning indoor unit (30), which is an indoor air conditioner, will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 2 to 4. The air conditioning indoor unit (30) of this embodiment is a wall-mounted type provided on a wall of the indoor space (I). Note that the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "front," and "rear" described below correspond to the directions of the arrows shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and the left-right directions are based on the case where the casing (31) is viewed from the front.

[0039] (2-1) Casing 2 and 3, the casing (31) is formed in a horizontally long box shape and 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).

[0040] The front plate (31a) is formed on the front side of the casing (31) and constitutes the front surface of the casing (31). The rear plate (31b) is formed on the rear side of the casing (31) and constitutes the rear surface of the casing (31). The upper plate (31c) is formed on the upper side of the casing (31) and constitutes the upper surface of the casing (31). The lower plate (31d) is formed on the lower side of the casing (31) and constitutes the lower surface of the casing (31). The first side plate (31e) is formed on the right side of the casing (31) and constitutes the right surface of the casing (31). The second side plate (31f) is formed on the left side of the casing (31) and constitutes the left surface of the casing (31).

[0041] An intake port (33) is formed in the upper plate (31c), and an exhaust port (34) is formed in the lower plate (31d). An air passage (P) is formed inside the casing (31) from the intake port (33) to the exhaust port (34). The intake port (33) extends in the longitudinal direction of the casing (31). The intake port (33) is an opening for taking air from the indoor space (I) into the air passage (P). An exhaust port (34) is formed in the lower plate (31d). The exhaust port (34) extends in the longitudinal direction of the casing (31). The exhaust port (34) is an opening for blowing air from the air passage (P) into the indoor space (I).

[0042] (2-2) Filter The air conditioning indoor unit (30) includes a filter (35). The filter (35) is disposed on the rear side of the suction port (33) and upstream of the indoor heat exchanger (40). The filter (35) collects dust in the air sent from the suction port (33) to the indoor heat exchanger (40). The air conditioning indoor unit (30) may include a dust removal mechanism that removes the dust collected by the filter (35).

[0043] (2-3) Heat exchanger unit The heat exchanger unit (U) includes one indoor heat exchanger (40) and one indoor expansion valve (37). The indoor heat exchanger (40) includes one heat exchanger body (B) and two plate stacks (50, 60). The heat exchanger body (B) of the indoor heat exchanger (40) is disposed so as to cross the air passage (P). The air passage (P) is divided into an upstream side and a downstream side of the heat exchanger body (B).

[0044] (2-4) Indoor fan The indoor fan (32) is disposed in the air passage (P). The indoor fan (32) is disposed in the air passage (P) downstream of the indoor heat exchanger (40). The indoor fan (32) is a crossflow fan. The indoor fan (32) has a fan rotor that extends in the longitudinal direction of the casing (31).

[0045] (2-5) Flap The air conditioning indoor unit (30) has a flap (36) that adjusts the direction of air blown out of the air outlet (34). The flap (36) adjusts the air direction in the vertical direction. The air conditioning indoor unit (30) may have a plurality of flaps (36). The flap (36) may adjust the air direction in the horizontal direction.

[0046] (3) Heat exchanger unit As described above, the heat exchanger unit (U) includes the indoor heat exchanger (40), the indoor expansion valve (37), the gas relay pipe (12a), and the liquid relay pipe (13a).

[0047] (3-1) Indoor heat exchanger The indoor heat exchanger (40) shown in Figures 3 to 5 includes a heat exchanger body (B) and a plate stack (50, 60) connected to the heat exchanger body (B). The indoor heat exchanger (40) is a fin-and-tube heat exchanger having fins (41) and heat transfer tubes (42). The indoor heat exchanger (40) exchanges heat between air and a refrigerant.

[0048] The heat exchanger body (B) is an example of a heat exchange section (B). The heat exchanger body (B) includes a plurality of fins (41) and a plurality of heat transfer tubes (42) penetrating the plurality of fins (41). The plurality of fins (41) are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the casing (31). The plurality of heat transfer tubes (42) extend in the arrangement direction of the fins (41). The plate stack (50, 60) is provided therein with a refrigerant flow path (51, 61) that communicates with the heat transfer tubes (42). The refrigerant flow path (51, 61) is an example of a flow path (51, 61).

[0049] The fins (41) are rectangular plates having long sides and short sides. The thickness direction of the fins (41) corresponds to the arrangement direction of the fins (41). The multiple fins (41) are arranged at predetermined intervals in the thickness direction. This interval defines an air flow path. The material of the fins (41) is an aluminum alloy.

[0050] The heat transfer tube (42) is a straight tube. The material of the heat transfer tubes (42) is an aluminum alloy. A refrigerant flow path is formed inside the heat transfer tube (42). The heat transfer tubes (42) extend parallel to one another and penetrate the fins (41). A right end portion, which is one end portion of the heat transfer tube (42), protrudes to the right of the rightmost fin (41) among the fins (41). The end portion of the heat transfer tube protruding to the right is connected to the plate stack (50, 60).

[0051] Of the left ends of the heat transfer tubes 42, the ends of two adjacent heat transfer tubes 42 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 formed integrally without any seams.

[0052] 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 toward the front side of the casing (31), and the rear heat exchange section (40B) is located toward the rear side of the casing (31). The front heat exchange section (40A) and the rear heat exchange section (40B) are arranged in a direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the axial direction of the heat transfer tube (42), i.e., in the front-rear direction, with the indoor fan (32) between them.

[0053] The front heat exchange section (40A) includes a front main heat exchange section (43), a first auxiliary heat exchange section (44), and a second auxiliary heat exchange section (45).

[0054] The front main heat exchange section (43) is disposed in the front heat exchange section (40A) closer to the indoor fan (32). The front main heat exchange section (43) has an outer shape formed in a V-shape when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the heat transfer tube (42). The tip of the V-shape faces forward.

[0055] 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 an upper part of the front main heat exchange section (43), and the second front main heat exchange section (43b) is located at a lower part of the front main heat exchange section (43). The lower end of the first front main heat exchange section (43a), i.e., the lower short side of the fin (41), contacts the long side of the fin (41) of the second front main heat exchange section (43b) (strictly speaking, the upper end portion of the long side of the fin (41)).

[0056] The first auxiliary heat exchange section (44) is provided on the inlet side (front side) of the first front main heat exchange section (43a). The number of heat transfer tubes (42) in the first auxiliary heat exchange section (44) in a direction along the long sides (hereinafter referred to as the number of stages) is smaller than the number of stages of the heat transfer tubes (42) in the first front main heat exchange section (43a). The number of heat transfer tubes (42) in the first auxiliary heat exchange section (44) in a direction along the short sides (hereinafter referred to as the number of rows) is smaller than the number of rows of the heat transfer tubes (42) in the first front main heat exchange section (43a).

[0057] The second auxiliary heat exchange section (45) is provided on the inlet side (front side) of the second front main heat exchange section (43b). The number of stages and rows of the heat transfer tubes (42) of the second auxiliary heat exchange section (45) is smaller than the number of stages and rows of the heat transfer tubes (42) of the second front main heat exchange section (43b).

[0058] The rear heat exchange section (40B) has a rear main heat exchange section (46) and a third auxiliary heat exchange section (47). The rear main heat exchange section (46) is disposed closer to the indoor fan (32) in the rear heat exchange section (40B). The third auxiliary heat exchange section (47) is provided on the inlet 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 stages and rows of the heat transfer tubes (42) of the third auxiliary heat exchange section (47) is smaller than the number of stages and rows of the heat transfer tubes (42) of the rear main heat exchange section (46).

[0059] The plate stack (50, 60) is disposed to the right of the heat exchanger body (B) and adjacent to the heat exchanger body (B). The right side is an example of a first direction. Specifically, the plate stack (50, 60) is disposed to the right of the rightmost fin (41) of the multiple fins (41) and parallel to the fin (41). The plate stack (50, 60) is connected to an end of the heat transfer tube (42). As shown in FIG. 5, the plate stack (50, 60) includes 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 disposed to overlap the front heat exchange section (40A) in the axial direction of the heat transfer tube (42). The rear plate stack (60) is disposed so as to overlap the rear heat exchange section (40B) in the axial direction of the heat transfer tubes (42). The front plate stack (50) and the rear plate stack (60) will be described in detail later.

[0060] (3-2) Indoor expansion valve, gas relay pipe, liquid relay pipe The indoor expansion valve (37) is an electronic expansion valve with a variable opening degree. The indoor expansion valve (37) is disposed on the right side of the plate stack (50, 60). The indoor expansion valve (37) is connected to the front plate stack (50) via a first internal pipe (38) and is connected to the rear plate stack (60) via a second internal pipe (39). The first internal pipe (38) and the second internal pipe (39) are an example of refrigerant pipes connecting a front refrigerant flow path (51) of the front plate stack (50) and a rear refrigerant flow path (61) of the rear plate stack (60).

[0061] (4) Plate stack The gas relay pipe (12a) transports the refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor (21) to the indoor heat exchanger (40). The gas relay pipe (12a) is an example of a gas pipe (12a). One end of the gas relay pipe (12a) is connected to the rear plate stack (60). The other end of the gas relay pipe (12a) is connected to the first connection pipe (12) via a joint. One end of the liquid relay pipe (13a) is connected to the front plate stack (50). The other end of the liquid relay pipe (13a) is connected to the second connection pipe (13) via a joint.

[0062] The plate stack (50, 60) has therein a flow path (51, 61) which communicates with the heat transfer tube (42). The plate stack (50, 60) is configured such that a plurality of plates (52, 62) are stacked in the rightward direction. Hereinafter, the plate stack (50, 60) of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 14.

[0063] (4-1) Front plate assembly The front plate stack (50) includes a front refrigerant flow path (51) formed in the front plate stack (50), a plurality of front connecting pipes (53) connecting the plurality of heat transfer tubes (42) of the front heat exchange section (40A) and the front refrigerant flow path (51), a front relay section (54) to which the first internal piping (38) is connected, and a liquid end portion (55) communicating with the second connection piping (13) via the liquid relay pipe (13a). Hereinafter, the front plate stack (50) will be described as the plate stack (50, 60) of the present disclosure.

[0064] (4-1-1) First plate section and second plate section As shown in Figures 5, 6 and 8, the front plate assembly (50) has a front first plate portion (50A) and a front second plate portion (50B). The front first plate portion (50A) has three stacked front plates (52). The front second plate portion (50B) has two stacked front plates (52). The front first plate portion (50A) constitutes the first plate portion (50A, 60A). The front second plate portion (50B) constitutes the second plate portion (50B, 60B) of the present disclosure.

[0065] The outer edges of the front plates (52) of the front first plate portion (50A) have the same shape. The three front plates (52) of the front first plate portion (50A) are, from the left, a first plate (521), a second plate (522), and a third plate (523). A front connecting pipe (53) extending toward the right end of the heat transfer tube (42) is connected to the first plate (521). The inside of the front connecting pipe (53) defines a front refrigerant flow path (51), which will be described later.

[0066] The outer edges of the front plates 52 of the front second plate portion 50B have the same shape. The two front plates 52 of the front second plate portion 50B are referred to as a fourth plate 524 and a fifth plate 525, from the left.

[0067] The shape of each of the front plates (521, 522, 523) of the front first plate portion (50A) is different from the shape of each of the front plates (524, 525) of the front second plate portion (50B). Specifically, the shape of the outer edge of the front first plate portion (50A) is different from the shape of the outer edge of the front second plate portion (50B).

[0068] The front second plate portion (50B) is disposed on a surface of the front first plate portion (50A) opposite to the surface facing the heat exchanger body (B). Specifically, the front second plate portion (50B) is disposed on a right side surface of the front first plate portion (50A).

[0069] The front plates (521-525) of each of the front first plate portion (50A) and the front second plate portion (50B) are made of the same material as the heat transfer tube (42) and the front connecting tube (53). In this embodiment, the front plates (521-525) of each of the front first plate portion (50A) and the front second plate portion (50B) are made of an aluminum alloy.

[0070] When the front plate assembly (50) is viewed from the right, the area of ​​the right side surface of the front first plate portion (50A) is larger than the area of ​​the right side surface of the front second plate portion (50B). This forms a first region (S1) where the front first plate portion (50A) and the front second plate portion (50B) do not overlap, and a second region (S2) where the front first plate portion (50A) and the front second plate portion (50B) overlap, when viewed from the right of the front plate assembly (50).

[0071] When the front plate assembly (50) is viewed from the right, the area of ​​the portion of the front first plate portion (50A) that is not overlapped by the front second plate portion (50B) is smaller than the area of ​​the portion of the front first plate portion (50A) that is overlapped by the front second plate portion (50B). In other words, the area of ​​the first region (S1) is smaller than the area of ​​the second region (S2).

[0072] As shown in FIG. 8, the front plate stack (50) has a step (X). The step (X) is formed by a front first plate portion (50A) and a front second plate portion (50B). The step (X) is formed in the peripheral portion of a second surface (502) of the front plate stack (50) opposite to a first surface (501) facing the heat exchanger body (B). The first surface (501) is the left side surface (501) of the front plate stack (50). The second surface (502) is the right side surface (502) of the front plate stack (50). That is, the step (X) is formed in the peripheral portion of the right side surface (502) of the front plate stack (50).

[0073] The step portion (X) is a portion where the first region (S1) is formed when the front plate assembly (50) is viewed from the right. Specifically, the step portion (X) is formed by the first region (S1) and a first peripheral surface (P1) of the front second plate portion (50B). The first peripheral surface (P1) refers to a portion of the peripheral surface between the right side surface and the left side surface of the front second plate portion (50B) that contacts the first region (S1).

[0074] The step portion (X) is formed in the lower portion of the front plate stack (50) when the front plate stack (50) is viewed from the right. Specifically, the step portion (X) is formed in the front plate stack (50) below the height position of the center of the front plate stack (50). In other words, in the air conditioning indoor unit (30) of this embodiment, the air inlet (33), the front heat exchange section (40A), and the air outlet (34) are arranged in this order from the top (see FIG. 3), and therefore the step portion (X) is formed in the front plate stack (50, 60) at a position close to the air outlet (34).

[0075] In this manner, the first region (S1) is formed below the front first plate portion (50A). The overlapping portions of the front first plate portion (50A) and the front second plate portion (50B) of the peripheral surface of the front plate stack (50) are flush with each other. In other words, when the front plate stack (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.

[0076] Furthermore, the first region (S1) only needs to be formed below the front first plate portion (50A) when the front plate assembly (50) is viewed from the right, and the shape of the first region (S1) is not limited.

[0077] The front plate assembly (50) is anticorrosive. Specifically, the front plate assembly (50, 60) is anticorrosive on the entire left side surface (501) and the second region (S2) of the right side surface (502). In the present embodiment, an alloy plate having a sacrificial anticorrosion effect is provided on the entire left side surface (501) and the second region (S2) of the right side surface (502) of the front plate assembly (50, 60). The alloy plate is made of, for example, a clad material having an aluminum core material and a metal with a relatively high zinc content as a skin material. The first region (S1) and the first peripheral surface (P1) do not require anticorrosion. This is because the third plate (523) constituting the first region (S1) is a thick intermediate plate (522-524). Similarly, the fourth plate (524) constituting a part of the first circumferential surface (P1) is also a thick intermediate plate (522-524).

[0078] Next, the plate thickness of each of the front plates (521-525) of the front plate stack (50) will be described. In the front plate stack (50), a front plate of the front first plate portion (50A) closest to the heat exchanger body (B) is defined as a first end plate (521), and a front plate of the front second plate portion (50B) farthest from the heat exchanger body (B) is defined as a second end plate (525). In this embodiment, the first end plate (521) is the first plate (521) located at the left end of the front first plate portion (50A), and the second end plate (525) is the fifth plate (525) located at the right end of the front second plate portion (50B).

[0079] In the front plate stack (50), the plates disposed between the first end plate (521) and the second end plate (525) are referred to as intermediate plates (522-524). In this embodiment, the intermediate plates (522-524) are the second plate (522), the third plate (523), and the fourth plate (524).

[0080] The thickness of each of the intermediate plates (522-524) is greater than the thickness of the first end plate (521) and the second end plate (525). In this embodiment, the thickness of each of the intermediate plates (522-524) is 3.0 mm, and the thickness of the first end plate (521) and the second end plate (525) is 1.5 mm.

[0081] (4-1-2) Coolant flow path configuration The configuration of the front refrigerant flow path (51) of the plate stack (50, 60) of this embodiment will be described. The front refrigerant flow path (51) constitutes the refrigerant flow path (51, 61) of the present disclosure. An example of the front refrigerant flow path (51) will be described below.

[0082] 9 and 10, the front refrigerant flow path (51) has a first flow path (51A) provided 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 provided in a portion overlapping with the front first plate portion (50A) and the front second plate portion (50B).

[0083] The first flow path (51A) is composed of two first through holes (71) penetrating in the thickness direction of the first plate (521) located at the left end of the front first plate portion (50A), a first groove portion (81) formed in the second plate (522) located in the center, and a third plate (523) located at the right end. One end of the first through hole (71) communicates with 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).

[0084] The first groove portion (81) is an elongated hole formed along the surface of the first plate (521). One end of the first groove portion (81) is connected to one of the first through holes (71), and the other end of the first groove portion (81) is connected to the other first through hole (71). The first groove portion (81) is blocked from the left and right directions by the first plate (521) located at the left end and the first plate (521) located at the right end.

[0085] The second flow path (51B) is composed of a second through hole (72) penetrating the front first plate portion (50A) in the thickness direction, a second groove portion (82) formed in a 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) communicates with one end of the heat transfer tube (42). The other end of the second through hole (72) is connected to the second groove portion (82). The second groove portion (82) is an elongated hole formed along the surface of the second plate (522). One end of the second groove portion (82) is connected to one of the second through holes (72), and the other end of the second groove portion (82) is connected to the other of the second through holes (72). The second groove (82) is closed from the left and right directions by a third plate (523) and a fifth plate (525).

[0086] 11, the first groove (81) and the second groove (82) are disposed so as to intersect when the front plate assembly (50) is viewed from the right. As a result, the second flow path (51B) intersects with the first flow path (51A). Specifically, the second flow path (51B) is formed so as to straddle the first flow path (51A) to the right.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 12, the front refrigerant flow path (51) has a third flow path (51C) formed in a portion of the front first plate portion (50A) that does not overlap with the front second plate portion (50B). Specifically, when the front plate stack (50) is viewed from the right, the third flow path (51C) is formed in the first region (S1). The third flow path (51C) is composed of two third through holes (73) that penetrate the first plate (521) of the front first plate portion (50A) in the thickness direction, a third groove portion (83) formed in the second plate (522), and the third plate (523). One end of the third through hole (73) communicates with 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 of the third through holes (73), and the other end of the third groove portion (83) is connected to the other 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).

[0088] (4-2) Rear plate assembly 6, the rear plate stack (60) includes a rear refrigerant flow path (61) formed inside the rear plate stack (60), a plurality of rear connection pipes (not shown) connecting the plurality of heat transfer tubes (42) of the rear heat exchange section (40B) and the rear refrigerant flow path (61), a rear relay section (64) to which the second internal piping (39) is connected, and a gas end portion (65) communicating with the first connection piping (12) via the gas relay pipe (12a). The rear refrigerant flow path (61) constitutes the refrigerant flow path (51, 61) of the present disclosure.

[0089] The rear plate stack (60) differs from the front plate stack (50) in the shape of the outer edges of the plates when viewed from the right and in the rear refrigerant flow passages (61) therein. The rear plate stack (60) is a thick plate-like member formed by stacking five rear plates (62) of the same shape. The rear plates (62) are stacked to the right.

[0090] The five rear plates (62) that make up the rear plate stack (60) are, arranged from left to right, a sixth plate (621), a seventh plate (622), an eighth plate (623), a ninth plate (624), and a tenth plate (625) (see FIG. 5).

[0091] Similar to the front plate stack (50, 60), the sixth plate (621) closest to the heat exchange section (B) is the first end plate (621), the tenth plate (625) farthest from the heat exchange section (B) is the second end plate (625), and the seventh to ninth plates (622-624) disposed between the sixth plate (621) and the tenth plate (625) are the middle plates (622-624). In this case, the plate thickness of each of the middle plates (622-624) is greater than the plate thicknesses of the sixth plate (621) and the tenth plate (625).

[0092] The rear plate assembly (50, 60) is subjected to the same anticorrosive treatment as the front plate assembly (50, 60). Specifically, the alloy plate is attached to the left side surface (601) and the right side surface (602) of the rear plate assembly (60). The left side surface (601) and the right side surface (602) of the rear plate assembly (60) correspond to the first surface (601) and the second surface (602) of the present disclosure, respectively.

[0093] The rear relay part (64) is a circular pipe. As shown in Fig. 6, the rear relay part (64) is disposed on the right side surface of the rear plate stack (60). That is, in the rear plate stack (60), the second internal pipe (39) connecting the front refrigerant flow path (51) of the front plate stack (50) and the rear refrigerant flow path (61) of the rear plate stack (60) is connected to the right side surface of the rear plate stack (60). The gas end part (65) is a circular pipe. The gas end part (65) is disposed on the right side surface of the rear plate stack (60).

[0094] (5) Arrangement of partitions and electrical equipment boxes As shown in Fig. 8, the air conditioning indoor unit (30) of this embodiment has a partition plate (100) provided in a casing (31). The partition plate (100) is a plate-like member that separates the indoor heat exchanger (40) and the electrical component box (200).

[0095] The electrical component box (200) is disposed to the right of the indoor heat exchanger (40). The electrical component box (200) faces the step portion (X) to the right. The partition plate (100) is disposed between the indoor heat exchanger (40) and the electrical component box (200). The electrical component box (200) is an example of a second component (200). The electrical component box (200) accommodates electrical components including a predetermined board.

[0096] The partition plate (100) extends in the vertical direction between the indoor heat exchanger (40) and the electrical component box (200). The partition plate (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 a lower end of the first plate portion (100A), and the third plate portion (100C) is connected to a lower end of the second plate portion (100B). The partition plate (100) has a recess (101).

[0097] The first plate portion (100A) extends in a substantially vertical direction. The height position of the lower end of the first plate portion (100A) is at the height position of the upper end of the step portion (X). In other words, the height position of the lower end of the first plate portion (100A) is at the height position of the lower end of the front second plate portion (50B). The second plate portion (100B) extends leftward from the lower end of the first plate portion (100A). In other words, the second plate portion (100B) extends leftward from the lower end of the first plate portion (100A) so as to approach the space formed by the step portion (X). Here, the space formed by the step portion (X) refers to a space that is not formed in the front plate stack (50) in the case where 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, as compared with the front plate stack (50) of this embodiment. The lower end of the second plate portion (100B) extends to the lower end of the front plate assembly (50). The third plate portion (100C) extends substantially vertically downward from the lower end of the second plate portion (100B). The recessed portion (101) is a space formed by the second plate portion (100B) and the third plate portion (100C).

[0098] The electrical component box (200) is disposed near the partition plate (100). The electrical component box (200) is disposed to the right of the second plate portion (100B). The electrical component box (200) is disposed as close as possible to the second plate portion (100B). In this state, the upper end of the electrical component box (200) is located directly below the lower end of the first plate portion (100A). In this manner, the electrical component box can be disposed further to the left than if the partition plate (100) did not have the second plate portion (100B) and only had the first plate portion (100A).

[0099] (6) Features (6-1) Feature 1 The front plate stack (50) of the plate stack (50, 60) of the indoor heat exchanger (40) of this embodiment includes a front first plate portion (50A) arranged adjacent to the heat exchanger body (B) in the right direction (first direction) and having three plates (52), and a front second plate portion (50B) having two plates (52) and arranged on the side opposite to the side of the front first plate portion (50A) facing the indoor heat exchanger (40). A step portion (X) is formed in the peripheral portion of the right side surface (502) of the front plate stack (50), which is the side opposite to the left side surface (501) facing the heat exchange portion (B). The step portion (X) is formed by the front first plate portion (50A) and the front second plate portion (50B).

[0100] In this manner, by providing the step portion (X) in the front plate laminate (50), a space can be formed at a position opposite the step portion (X). By utilizing this space, for example, by disposing predetermined components in the space, the air conditioning indoor unit (30) can be made more compact.

[0101] (6-2) Feature 2 The air conditioning indoor unit (30) of this embodiment further includes an electrical component box (200) (second component) adjacent to the indoor heat exchanger (40) and facing the stepped portion (X) toward the right (first direction), and a partition plate (100) disposed between the indoor heat exchanger (40) and the electrical component box (200). The partition plate (100) has a recess (101) formed to fit the shape of the stepped portion (X).

[0102] The partition plate (100) has a recess (101) formed so as to recess toward the step (X), thereby making it possible to effectively utilize the space formed by the recess (101). By arranging the electrical 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 making it possible to reduce the size of the air conditioning indoor unit (30).

[0103] (6-3) Feature 3 In this embodiment, the second to fourth plates (522-524) of the front plate stack (50) are thicker than the first plate (521) and the fifth plate (525), and the seventh to ninth plates (622-624) of the rear plate stack (60) are thicker than the sixth plate (621) and the tenth plate (625).

[0104] In this manner, by increasing the thickness of each of the intermediate plates (522-524, 622-624), it is possible to increase the cross-sectional area or inner diameter of the refrigerant flow paths (51, 61) formed in the plate stack (50, 60), thereby suppressing an increase in pressure loss of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow paths (51, 61).

[0105] (6-4) Feature 4 In the present embodiment, the second regions (S2) of the left side surface (501) and the right side surface (502) of the front plate stack (50) and the left side surface (601) and the right side surface (602) of the rear plate stack (60) are subjected to anti-corrosion treatment. This makes it possible to prevent the side surfaces of the plate stacks (50, 60) from being electrolytically corroded due to condensation or the like, and improves the durability of the indoor heat exchanger (40).

[0106] (6-5) Feature 5 In the front plate stack (50) of this embodiment, when viewing the front plate stack (50) from the right-hand direction, the area of ​​the portion of the front first plate portion (50A) that is not overlapped by the front second plate portion (50B) is smaller than the area of ​​the portion that is overlapped by the front second plate portion (50B).

[0107] In the front plate stack (50), a portion where the front first plate portion (50A) and the front second plate portion (50B) are stacked is thicker than the front first plate portion (50A) alone, which ensures a sufficient number of front refrigerant flow paths (51). In other words, since the area of ​​the first region (S1) is smaller than the area of ​​the second region (S2), it is possible to ensure a sufficient number of front refrigerant flow paths (51) in the front plate stack (50), thereby facilitating heat exchange between the air and the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger (40).

[0108] (6-6) Feature 6 In this embodiment, the front refrigerant flow path (51) formed in the front plate stack (50) has a first flow path (51A) provided only in the front first plate portion (50A) and a second flow path (51B) provided between 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 with each other.

[0109] By designing the front refrigerant flow path (51) so that the first flow path (51A) and the second flow path (51B) intersect, it is possible to increase the variety of flow path patterns of the front refrigerant flow path (51) in the front plate stack (50). On the other hand, by providing only the first flow path (51A) in the front plate stack (50) and using a portion where the first flow path (51A) and the second flow path (51B) do not intersect as a step portion (X), it is possible to form a space that can be effectively used and to reduce unnecessary portions of the plates where the front refrigerant flow path (51) is not provided.

[0110] (7) Variations A modified air conditioner indoor unit (30) will be described below, focusing on configurations different from the air conditioner indoor unit (30) of the above embodiment.

[0111] The rear plate stack (60) of the modified example has the same configuration as the front plate stack (50) of the above embodiment. That is, the rear plate stack (60) has a rear first plate portion (60A) and a rear second plate portion (60B). The rear first plate portion (60A) and the rear second plate portion (60B) are included in the first plate portion (50A, 60A) and the second plate portion (50B, 60B) of the present disclosure. The rear plate stack (60) constitutes the plate stack (50, 60) of the present disclosure. The configurations of the rear first plate portion (60A) and the rear second plate portion (60B) are the same as the configurations of the front first plate portion (50A) and the front second plate portion (50B) of the front plate stack (50) of the above embodiment, respectively, and therefore will not be described.

[0112] 13 and 14, the gas end portion (65) formed in the rear plate stack (60) is connected to a rear refrigerant flow path (61) formed in a portion of the rear plate stack (60) where the rear first plate portion (60A) and the rear second plate portion (60B) overlap. Specifically, the gas end portion (65) is disposed in the second region (S2). More specifically, the gas end portion (65) is provided at one end of the rear refrigerant flow path (61) formed between the rear first plate portion (60A) and the rear second plate portion (60B).

[0113] As a result, the gas refrigerant flowing in from the gas relay pipe (12a) through the gas end (65) flows from the rear second plate portion (60B) to the rear first plate portion (60A) of the rear plate stack (60). Of the rear refrigerant flow paths (61) extending in the stacking direction in the rear plate stack (60), the rear refrigerant flow path (61) formed between the rear first plate portion (60A) and the rear second plate portion (60B) has a longer flow path length than the rear refrigerant flow path (61) formed only in the rear first plate portion (60A). In this manner, in this modification, the gas end (65) is disposed in the second region (S2), and therefore the pressure loss of the refrigerant gas passing through the rear refrigerant flow path (61) in the rear plate stack (60) can be suppressed more than when the gas end (65) is disposed in the first region (S1).

[0114] (8) Other embodiments The following configuration may be applied to the air conditioning indoor unit (30) of the above embodiment and the above modified example.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 15, at least a part of the functional component (300) disposed in the casing (31) may be disposed facing the step portion (X) in the right direction. In this case, the partition plate (100) may not be provided. The functional component (300) may be any component necessary for the air conditioning indoor unit (30), and may be an electrical component box. The functional component (300) is an example of the first component (300). In this manner, a predetermined gap is formed between the adjacent functional components (300) and the front plate stack (50). By effectively utilizing the space formed by the step portion (X), the functional component (300) can be disposed closer to the front plate stack (50). That is, the functional component (300) can be disposed further leftward, and the casing (31) can be made more compact in the left-right direction.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 16, when the plate stack (50, 60) is viewed from the right, the functional component (300) disposed in the casing (31) is disposed closer to the step (X) than the end of the front second plate portion (50B) that constitutes the step (X). Specifically, since the step (X) is formed in the lower part of the front plate stack (50), the height position of the end of the front second plate portion (50B) that constitutes 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 plate stack (50) is disposed lower than the lower end of the front second plate portion (50B). More precisely, the functional component (300) is disposed in a position facing the step (X) in the right direction and lower than the lower end of the front second plate portion (50B). The functional part (300) is an example of the first part (300).

[0117] In this way, the height position of the upper end of the functional component (300) is lower than the lower end of the front second plate portion (50B), so that a part of the functional component (300) can be disposed in the space formed by the step portion (X). In other words, the functional component (300) is disposed at a predetermined distance from the front plate stack (50), and the functional component (300) can be disposed closer to the front plate stack (50) by disposing the functional component (300) below the lower end of the front second plate portion (50B) than by disposing the functional component (300) above the lower end of the front plate stack (50). This allows the casing (31) to be shortened in the left-right direction, and the air conditioning indoor unit (30) can be made compact. Note that even in this case, the partition plate (100) does not have to be provided. The functional component (300) may be any component necessary for the air conditioning indoor unit (30), and may be an electrical component box.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 17, at least a part of the functional component (300) disposed in the casing (31) is disposed in the step portion (X). Specifically, at least a part of the functional component (300) is disposed in the space formed by the step portion (X). That is, when the air conditioning indoor unit (30) is viewed from above, at least a part of the functional component (300) is recessed toward the plate stack (50, 60), and therefore the casing (31) can be made shorter in the left-right direction than when the functional component (300) is disposed outside the step portion (X). Note that even in this case, the partition plate (100) does not necessarily have to be provided. The functional component (300) may be an electrical component box as long as it is a component necessary for the air conditioning indoor unit (30).

[0119] As shown in FIG. 18, a U-shaped connecting pipe (400) may be provided in the step portion (X) of the front plate laminate (50). The U-shaped connecting pipe (400) communicates with the front refrigerant flow path (51) in the front plate laminate (50). Specifically, the U-shaped connecting pipe (400) is disposed in the first region (S1), and both ends of the U-shaped connecting pipe are connected to the first region (S1). For example, a temperature sensor (not shown) for measuring the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the front refrigerant flow path (51) is attached to the U-shaped connecting pipe (400). By disposing the U-shaped connecting pipe (400) in the step portion (X) in this way, the length of the indoor heat exchanger (40) in the left-right direction can be reduced more than if the U-shaped connecting pipe (400) is provided in the second region (S2).

[0120] In the above embodiment, the indoor heat exchanger (40) may be configured so that the refrigerant in the supercooled region flows through the third flow path (51C) formed in the front plate stack (50) when the indoor heat exchanger (40) functions as a radiator. In this case, the liquid end portion (55) may be disposed in the first region (S1) so as to communicate with the third flow path (51C). The third flow path (51C) is not configured to intersect with other front refrigerant flow paths (51) like the first flow path (51A) and the second flow path (51B), and therefore can be disposed away from the other front refrigerant flow paths (51). In other words, the third flow path (51C) is not disposed near the other front refrigerant flow paths (51), and therefore heat exchange between the refrigerant in the supercooled region flowing through the third flow path (51C) and the refrigerant flowing through the other front refrigerant flow paths (51) can be suppressed.

[0121] The indoor heat exchanger (40) is disposed in an air passage (P) that communicates with an air inlet (33) and an air outlet (34) provided in the casing (31), and the step portion (X) may be formed on the downstream side of the air flow in the plate stack (50, 60) when viewed from the right.

[0122] 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 inlet (33) to the outlet (34). Since the air temperature is higher upstream in such an air passage (P), the heat exchange load is greater in the upstream portion of the indoor heat exchanger (40) than in the downstream portion of the air flow. Therefore, by providing the step portion (X) in the downstream portion of the plate stack (50, 60) and thickening the upstream portion of the plate stack (50, 60), a sufficient number of refrigerant flow paths (51, 61) can be ensured in the upstream portion of the plate stack (50, 60). This increases the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing to the upper portion of the heat exchanger body (B), and promotes heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air in the upper portion of the indoor heat exchanger (40). As a result, the heat exchange load at the upper part of the indoor heat exchanger (40) can be reduced, and the efficiency of heat exchange with the air flowing through the air passage (P) can be increased, so that the air temperature in the indoor space can be quickly brought to the target temperature.

[0123] In the above embodiment, the liquid end portion (55) may be formed in the step portion (X) of the front plate stack (50). Specifically, the liquid end portion (55) may be disposed in the first region (S1) of the front plate stack (50). This can prevent the liquid relay pipe (13a) extending rightward from the liquid end portion (55) from protruding rightward, thereby reducing the length of the indoor heat exchanger (40) in the left-right direction. This can make the air conditioner indoor unit (30) more compact.

[0124] In the above embodiment, a front relay portion (54) may be formed in the step portion (X) of the front plate stack (50). Specifically, the front relay portion (54) may be disposed in the first region (S1) of the front plate stack (50). This can prevent the first internal pipe (38) extending rightward from the front relay portion (54) from protruding to the right, thereby reducing the length of the indoor heat exchanger (40) in the left-right direction. This can make the air conditioning indoor unit (30) more compact.

[0125] In the above modification, a rear relay portion (64) may be formed in the step portion (X) of the rear plate stack (60). Specifically, the rear relay portion (64) may be disposed in the first region (S1) of the rear plate stack (60). This can prevent the second internal pipe (39) extending rightward from the rear relay portion (64) from protruding to the right, thereby reducing the left-right length of the indoor heat exchanger (40). This can make the air conditioning indoor unit (30) more compact.

[0126] In the above modification, the rear plate stack (60) may be formed with rear refrigerant flow paths (61) corresponding to the first flow paths (51A) and the second flow paths (51B) of the front plate stack (50) of the above embodiment. In other words, the rear plate stack (50, 60) may be configured such that a plurality of rear refrigerant flow paths (61) intersect with one another.

[0127] In the above modification, the rear plate stack (60) may be formed with a rear refrigerant flow path (61) corresponding to the third flow path (51C) of the above embodiment. That is, the rear refrigerant flow path (61) may be formed in a portion of the rear first plate portion (60A) where the rear first plate portion (60A) and the rear second plate portion (60B) do not overlap. This rear refrigerant flow path (61) is called a rear third flow path. When the indoor heat exchanger (40) functions as an evaporator, the indoor heat exchanger (40) may be configured so that refrigerant in the superheated region flows in the rear third flow path. In this case, a gas end portion (65) may be provided in the first region (S1) and the gas end portion (65) may be configured to communicate with the rear third flow path. Since the rear third flow path can be arranged away from the other rear refrigerant flow paths (61), it is possible to prevent the refrigerant in the superheated region from exchanging heat with the refrigerant in the other rear refrigerant flow paths (61).

[0128] In the above embodiment and modified examples, the first plate portion (50A, 60A) or the second plate portion (50B, 60B) may have one or more plates. That is, the first plate portion (50A, 60A) may have three or more plates, and the second plate portion (50B, 60B) may have two or more plates.

[0129] The front refrigerant flow path (51) formed only in the front first plate portion (50A) like the above-described third flow path (51C) may be formed up to the right end of the front first plate portion (50A). Specifically, the third groove portion (83) may be formed in a plate disposed adjacent to the plate disposed at the right end (end in the first direction) of the front first plate portion (50A).

[0130] The plate stack (50, 60) may have, in addition to the first plate portion (50A, 60A) and the second plate portion (50B, 60B), a third plate portion different from the first plate portion (50A, 60A) and the second plate portion (50B, 60B). The third plate portion may be stacked on the right end of the second plate portion (50B, 60B), and a new step portion may be formed by the second plate portion (50B, 60B) and the third plate portion when viewed from the right direction.

[0131] In the above embodiment and modified examples, instead of using an alloy plate having a sacrificial anticorrosive effect, a corrosion-resistant or rust-resistant paint may be applied to the plate stack (50, 60). In this case, the paint is an epoxy resin-based paint. The paint may be applied so that a coating is formed on the front surface including the right side surface (502) and the left side surface (501) of the plate stack (50, 60).

[0132] The heat transfer tubes (42), the plate stacks (50, 60), or the refrigerant piping (the connecting tube (53), the U-shaped connecting tube (400), etc.) may be made of a copper alloy or stainless steel. When the heat transfer tubes (42) are made of a copper alloy, the plate stacks (50, 60) and the refrigerant piping are also preferably made of a copper alloy.

[0133] Although the embodiments and modifications have been described above, it will be understood that various modifications of form and details are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. Furthermore, the above embodiments and modifications may be appropriately combined or substituted as long as the functions of the subject of this disclosure are not impaired. The descriptions "first", "second", ... described above are used to distinguish the words to which these descriptions are attached, and do not limit the number or order of the words. [Industrial Applicability]

[0134] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, the present disclosure is useful for indoor heat exchangers and air conditioner indoor units. [Explanation of symbols]

[0135] 12a Gas relay pipe (gas pipe) 30 Air conditioning indoor unit 31 Casing 33 Intake port 40 Indoor heat exchanger 41 Finn 42 Heat transfer tube 50,60 Plate stack 50A First Plate Section 50B Second plate section 51,61 Flow path (refrigerant flow path) 51A First flow path 51B Second flow path 51C 3rd flow path 52,62 Plate 100 Partition 101 Recess 200 2nd Part (Electrical Equipment Box) 300 Functional parts (first part) 521 First End Plate 522 Second Plate 522~524 Intermediate plate 525 5th plate (2nd end plate) B Heat exchanger body (heat exchange part) P Air passage X Step

Claims

1. a heat exchange section (B) including a plurality of fins (41) and a plurality of heat transfer tubes (42) penetrating the plurality of fins (41); a plate stack (50, 60) having a flow path (51, 61) provided therein and communicating with the heat transfer tube (42), and having a plurality of plates (52, 62) stacked in a first direction in which the heat transfer tube (42) extends, The plate stack (50, 60) is The heat exchange section (B) is disposed adjacent to the heat exchange section (B) in the first direction, a first plate portion (50A, 60A) having one or more of the plates (52, 62); a second plate portion (50B, 60B) disposed on a surface of the first plate portion (50A, 60A) opposite to a surface facing the heat exchange portion (B), a step portion (X) is formed in a peripheral portion of a second surface (502, 602) of the plate stack (50, 60) opposite to a first surface (501, 601) facing the heat exchange section (B); The step portion (X) is formed by the first plate portion (50A, 60A) and the second plate portion (50B, 60B). Indoor heat exchanger.

2. The indoor heat exchanger according to claim 1 ; a casing (31) that houses the indoor heat exchanger; a first part (300) disposed within the casing (31); At least a part of the first component (300) is disposed facing the step portion (X) in the first direction. Air conditioning indoor unit.

3. When the plate stack (50, 60) is viewed from the first direction, The first component (300) is disposed closer to the step portion (X) than the end portion of the second plate portion (50B, 60B) that constitutes the step portion (X). The air conditioning indoor unit according to claim 2.

4. At least a portion of the first component (300) is disposed inside the step portion (X). The air conditioning indoor unit according to claim 2.

5. a second component (200) adjacent to the indoor heat exchanger (40) and facing the step portion (X) in the first direction; the indoor heat exchanger (40) and the second component (200), The partition plate (100) has a recess (101) formed to fit the shape of the step portion (X). The air conditioning indoor unit according to claim 2.

6. The casing (31) is formed with an air passage (P) through which air flows from a suction opening (33) formed in the casing (31) toward an air outlet (34), The indoor heat exchanger (40) is disposed in the air passage (P), The step portion (X) is formed on the downstream side of the air flow in the plate stack (50, 60) when viewed from the first direction. The air conditioning indoor unit according to claim 2.

7. The plate stack (50, 60) is composed of three or more of the plates (52, 62), Of the plate stack (50, 60), the plate (52, 62) of the first plate portion (50A, 60A) closest to the heat exchange section (B) is a first end plate (521, 621); the plate (52, 62) of the second plate portion (50B, 60B) farthest from the heat exchange portion (B) is a second end plate (525, 625); When the plate (52, 62) disposed between the first end plate (521, 621) and the second end plate (525, 625) is an intermediate plate (522-524, 622-624), the flow path (51, 61) is formed to pass through the intermediate plate (522-524, 622-624); The thickness of the intermediate plates (522 to 524, 622 to 624) is greater than the thickness of the first end plates (521, 621) and the second end plates (525, 625). The air conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

8. At least a part of the first surface (501, 601) and the second surface (502, 602) of the plate stack (50, 60) is subjected to anticorrosion treatment. The air conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

9. When the plate stack (50, 60) is viewed from the first direction, an area of ​​a portion of the first plate portion (50A, 60A) that is not overlapped with the second plate portion (50B, 60B) is smaller than an area of ​​a portion of the first plate portion (50B, 60B) that is overlapped with the second plate portion (50B, 60B). The air conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

10. The flow paths (51, 61) a first flow path (51A) provided in the first plate portion (50A, 60A); a second flow path (51B) provided across the first plate portion (50A, 60A) and the second plate portion (50B, 60B), The second flow path (51B) is formed so as to intersect with the first flow path (51A). The air conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

11. the flow path (51, 61) includes a third flow path (51C) formed in a portion of the first plate portion (50A, 60A) that does not overlap with the second plate portion (50B, 60B) when the plate stack (50, 60) is viewed from the first direction, The third flow path (51C) includes When the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, the refrigerant in the superheated region flows, When the indoor heat exchanger functions as a radiator, the refrigerant in the subcooled region flows The air conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

12. a gas pipe (12a) for conveying compressed refrigerant gas to the indoor heat exchanger (40), The gas pipe (12a) is connected to the flow path (51, 61) formed in a portion where the first plate portion (50A, 60A) and the second plate portion (50B, 60B) of the plate stack (50, 60) overlap each other. The air conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

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