Movable air conditioner and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

To provide a movable air conditioner capable of suitably damping vibration of an outdoor unit.SOLUTION: A movable air conditioner 10 includes a frame 18 having a caster 20, an outdoor unit 12 disposed in the frame 18, an intermediate frame 40 arranged at the upper end height of the outdoor unit 12, and a plurality of first vibration damping components 50 and a plurality of second vibration damping components 60 for damping vibration of the outdoor unit 12. The intermediate frame 40 includes a pair of main frame elements 42 holding the outdoor unit therebetween in a front and rear direction, and a pair of cross frame elements 44 holding the outdoor unit therebetween in a width direction. The first vibration damping component is fixed to the main frame element 42 and fills up a gap between the main frame element 42 and the front surface or the back surface of the outdoor unit 12. The second vibration damping component 60 is fixed to the cross frame element 44 and fills up a gap between the cross frame element 44 and the upper surface and the side surface of the outdoor unit 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Disclosed herein is a mobile air conditioner and a method for manufacturing the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Movable air conditioners have been proposed in the past. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioner in which the outdoor unit and the indoor unit of the air conditioner are fixed to a single stand with casters. With this configuration, any area can be locally air-conditioned. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3224535 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the outdoor unit generates vibrations during its operation. If such vibrations are left unchecked, not only will noise problems occur, but the piping installed inside the outdoor unit may also be damaged. Patent Document 1 does not consider such vibrations of the outdoor unit.

[0005] Therefore, this specification discloses a movable air conditioner that can adequately isolate the outdoor unit from vibration, and a manufacturing method thereof. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The movable air conditioner disclosed in this specification comprises a stand having casters, an outdoor unit arranged on the floor surface of the stand, an intermediate frame arranged at the upper end height of the outdoor unit, and a plurality of first vibration-damping parts and a plurality of second vibration-damping parts that damp vibration of the outdoor unit, wherein the intermediate frame is a pair of first frames extending in the width direction at the front and rear of the outdoor unit, respectively, and includes a pair of main frame elements that sandwich the outdoor unit in the front-to-rear direction, and a pair of cross frame elements extending in the front-to-rear direction at each side of the width of the outdoor unit and spanned between the pair of main frame elements, the pair of cross frame elements having an approximately L-shaped cross section that follows the top and side surfaces of the outdoor unit, wherein the first vibration-damping parts are fixed to the main frame elements and fill the gap between the main frame elements and the front or back surface of the outdoor unit, and the second vibration-damping parts are fixed to the cross frame elements and fill the gap between the cross frame elements and the top and side surfaces of the outdoor unit.

[0007] In this case, the cross frame element has a first surface facing the top surface of the outdoor unit and a second surface facing the side surface of the outdoor unit, the second vibration-damping part is approximately L-shaped and composed of two pieces of vibration-damping pads adhesively fixed to the first surface and the second surface, and the first vibration-damping part has a vibration-damping pad fixed to the end of a threaded foot and may be screwed and fastened to the main frame element.

[0008] In addition, the second vibration-damping part may include a first vibration-damping pad affixed to the first surface and a second vibration-damping pad affixed to the second surface, and a lower end of the second vibration-damping pad may protrude lower than the lower end of the second surface.

[0009] The rack may further include an indoor unit suspended from the top surface of the rack, a support frame element attached to the intermediate frame and supporting the indoor unit from below, an upper vibration-damping pad affixed to the top surface of the rack and filling the gap between the top surface and the indoor unit, a lower vibration-damping pad affixed to the support frame element and filling the gap between the support frame element and the indoor unit, and a vibration-damping spacer overlapping the underside of a fastening bracket fixed to the indoor unit and fastened together with the fastening bracket to the top surface of the rack.

[0010] A manufacturing method for a movable air conditioner is characterized in that an intermediate frame having a pair of main frame elements extending in the width direction and a pair of cross frame elements extending in the front-rear direction and spanned between the pair of main frame elements, a first vibration-damping part is fixed to each of the pair of main frame elements, a second vibration-damping part is fixed to each of the pair of cross frame elements, an outdoor unit is placed on the bottom surface of a stand having casters, the intermediate frame is fitted into the top surface of the outdoor unit from above so that the top surface of the outdoor unit is surrounded by the pair of main frame elements and the pair of cross frame elements, and the intermediate frame is fixed to the stand. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, the outdoor unit is vibration-damped from three directions, so vibration of the outdoor unit can be effectively prevented. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a first vibration damping component. [Diagram 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the indoor unit and its surroundings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The configuration of the mobile air conditioner 10 will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the air conditioner 10. This air conditioner 10 can move freely and conditions a local area at the destination. For example, in a large facility such as a factory, the air conditioner 10 locally conditions only the area where people are active.

[0014] The air conditioner 10 comprises a stand 18 having casters 20, an outdoor unit 12, and an indoor unit 14. The stand 18 is configured by combining multiple frame elements 22, 24, 30 (frame element 30 is not visible in Fig. 1; see Fig. 6) into a rectangular shape. In the following, the frame elements that configure the bottom, side, and top of the stand 18 are referred to as the "bottom frame element 22," the "side frame element 24," and the "top frame element 30," respectively. Four casters 20 are attached to the bottom of the stand 18, allowing the stand 18 to be easily moved.

[0015] The outdoor unit 12 compresses and expands the air-conditioning refrigerant and exchanges heat between the air-conditioning refrigerant and the outside air. The outdoor unit 12 has a compressor, a heat exchanger, and a pressure reducer. The outdoor unit 12 is larger and heavier than the indoor unit 14. The indoor unit 14 exchanges heat between the air-conditioning refrigerant and the air in the area to be air-conditioned, and has, for example, a heat exchanger. As shown in FIG. 1, the indoor unit 14 is disposed above the outdoor unit 12 and blows out conditioned air from an air outlet 15. In the following, the side of the air conditioner 10 where the air outlet 15 is provided is referred to as the "front" and the opposite side is referred to as the "rear". The left-right direction toward the air outlet is referred to as the "width direction".

[0016] Both the outdoor unit 12 and the indoor unit 14 are fixed to a stand 18 and move together with the stand 18. When the air conditioner 10 is in use, the outdoor unit 12 and the indoor unit 14 operate with the stand 18 fixed in a predetermined position.

[0017] Here, when the outdoor unit 12 and the indoor unit 14 are operating, vibrations are generated. If such vibrations are left unchecked, not only will they generate noise, but they will also cause deterioration and breakdown of the outdoor unit 12 and the indoor unit 14. Therefore, in this example, the outdoor unit 12 and the indoor unit 14 are mounted on the frame 18 in a state in which the vibrations of these units are suppressed. The structure for mounting the outdoor unit 12 and the indoor unit 14 to the frame 18 will be described in detail below.

[0018] A fastening bracket 13 is fixed to the bottom of the outdoor unit 12. This fastening bracket 13 is screwed and fastened to a bottom frame element 22 that constitutes the bottom surface of the stand 18. Furthermore, the upper part of the outdoor unit 12 is fixed and vibration-proofed by an intermediate frame 40.

[0019] The intermediate frame 40 is a ladder-shaped frame that is attached to the intermediate position of the frame 18. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the intermediate frame 40, and Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the intermediate frame 40.

[0020] 2 and 3, the intermediate frame 40 has a main frame element 42 and a pair of cross frame elements 44. The main frame element 42 is a frame element extending in the width direction. The main frame element 42 is, for example, an angle member having a generally L-shaped cross section. Both ends of the main frame element 42 are screwed and fastened to the side surfaces of the frame 18.

[0021] The spacing between the two main frame elements 42 in the front-to-rear direction is approximately the same as the front-to-rear dimension of the outdoor unit 12. The two main frame elements 42 are disposed at approximately the same height as the upper end of the outdoor unit 12, and sandwich the upper end of the outdoor unit 12 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0022] A first vibration-damping part 50 is attached to the main frame element 42 to fill the gap between the main frame element 42 and the front or rear of the outdoor unit 12. Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the first vibration-damping part 50. The first vibration-damping part 50 has a threaded foot 53 and a vibration-damping pad 56. The threaded foot 53 has a dome-shaped resin part 54 and a male screw 55 protruding from the top of the dome. The vibration-damping pad 56 is fixed to the bottom surface of the dome. The vibration-damping pad 56 is a vibration-damping material having excellent vibration damping and energy absorbing capabilities, and is made of, for example, polyurethane foam.

[0023] The first vibration-damping component 50 is screwed and fastened to the main frame element 42 with the vibration-damping pad 56 facing the outdoor unit 12. The vibration-damping pad 56 is interposed between the outdoor unit 12 and the main frame element 42, so that vibrations in the front-rear direction of the outdoor unit 12 are effectively absorbed by the vibration-damping pad 56. In this example, as shown in Fig. 3, a total of four first vibration-damping components 50 are arranged on each of the two main frame elements 42, two on each side spaced apart in the width direction.

[0024] The cross frame element 44 is a frame element that spans between the two main frame elements 42. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 5, the cross frame element 44 is an angle bar having a substantially L-shaped cross section. That is, the cross frame element 44 has a first surface 44a that faces the top surface 12u of the outdoor unit 12, and a second surface 44b that faces the side surface 12s of the outdoor unit 12.

[0025] The widthwise distance between the two cross frame elements 44 is approximately the same as the widthwise dimension of the outdoor unit 12. Furthermore, the height of the first surface 44a of the cross frame element 44 is approximately the same as the height of the upper end of the outdoor unit 12. Therefore, the outdoor unit 12 is sandwiched in the widthwise direction between the two cross frame elements 44, and sandwiched in the vertical direction between the cross frame element 44 and the bottom frame element 22. The cross frame element 44 is appropriately positioned with respect to the main frame element 42 in advance, and then fixed (for example, welded) to the main frame element 42.

[0026] A second vibration-damping part 60 is attached to this cross frame element 44 to fill the gap between the cross frame element 44 and the outdoor unit 12. As shown in Fig. 3, a total of four second vibration-damping parts 60 are provided on each of the two cross frame elements 44, two of which are spaced apart in the front-rear direction.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, the second vibration-damping component 60 has a first vibration-damping pad 62 attached to the first surface 44a and a second vibration-damping pad 66 attached to the second surface 44b. Both the first vibration-damping pad 62 and the second vibration-damping pad 66 are vibration-damping materials having excellent vibration damping and energy absorbing capabilities, similar to the vibration-damping pad 56 of the first vibration-damping component 50, and are made of, for example, polyurethane foam. The first vibration-damping pad 62 fills the gap between the first surface 44a and the upper surface of the outdoor unit 12. The second vibration-damping pad 66 fills the gap between the second surface 44b and the side surface of the outdoor unit 12. As a result, the first vibration-damping pad 62 absorbs vertical vibrations of the outdoor unit 12, and the second vibration-damping pad 66 absorbs widthwise vibrations of the outdoor unit 12.

[0028] 5, the lower part of the second vibration-damping pad 66 protrudes downward from the lower end of the second surface 44b of the cross frame element 44. With this configuration, when the intermediate frame 40 is dropped down from above the outdoor unit 12, interference between the upper surface of the outdoor unit 12 and the lower end of the cross frame element 44 is effectively prevented.

[0029] As described above, the indoor unit 14 is disposed above the outdoor unit 12. This indoor unit 14 is also attached to the stand 18 in a manner that allows it to absorb vibrations. Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the indoor unit 14 and its surroundings.

[0030] The indoor unit 14 is suspended and fixed to the top surface of the frame 18. Three upper vibration damping pads 78 that fill the gap between the top surface frame element 30 and the top surface of the indoor unit 14 are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction in the center of the width of the top surface of the frame 18.

[0031] In addition, a support frame element 70 is disposed below the indoor unit 14. The support frame element 70 is a frame element extending in the front-rear direction below the indoor unit 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the support frame element 70 is connected to the main frame element 42 of the intermediate frame 40 via a connecting plate 72. As shown in FIG. 6, three lower vibration-damping pads 76 that fill the gap between the support frame element 70 and the bottom surface of the indoor unit 14 are disposed at intervals in the front-rear direction on the support frame element 70. Therefore, the indoor unit 14 is sandwiched vertically between the top frame element 30 and the support frame element 70. In addition, the gap between the indoor unit 14 and the frame elements 30, 70 is filled with vibration-damping pads 76, 78.

[0032] A fastening bracket 16 that protrudes outward in the width direction is fixed near the upper end of the side surface of the indoor unit 14. This fastening bracket 16 is screwed and fastened to the top frame element 30 by a fastening bolt 80. At this time, a vibration-damping spacer 86 is also fastened together with the fastening bracket 16. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the vibration-damping spacer 86 is stacked immediately below the fastening bracket 16 and fastened together with a washer 84 and the like to the fastening bolt 80. As a result, the vibration of the indoor unit 14 is also absorbed by the vibration-damping spacer 86. In addition to the top frame element 30 and the vibration-damping spacer 86, a plurality of nuts 82 and a plurality of washers 84 are also fastened together in FIG. 6. However, as long as the vibration-damping spacer 86 is stacked immediately below the fastening bracket 16, the number and arrangement of the washers 84 and nuts 82 may be changed as appropriate.

[0033] Next, a procedure for assembling the air conditioner 10 will be briefly described. When assembling the air conditioner 10, first, a worker attaches the first vibration-damping part 50 and the second vibration-damping part 60 to the intermediate frame 40. That is, the worker screws and fastens the first vibration-damping part 50 to the main frame element 42 of the intermediate frame 40, and attaches the first vibration-damping pad 62 and the second vibration-damping pad 66 to the first surface 44a and the second surface 44b of the cross frame element 44 with an adhesive or the like. The worker also attaches the upper vibration-damping pad 78 to the top frame element 30 with an adhesive or the like, and attaches the lower vibration-damping pad 76 to the support frame element 70 with an adhesive or the like. The attachment of the vibration-damping parts 50, 60 and the vibration-damping pads 76, 78 is performed in a state in which the frame 18, the intermediate frame 40, and the support frame element 70 are separated from each other.

[0034] Once the vibration-damping parts 50, 60 and vibration-damping pads 76, 78 have been attached to the necessary locations, the worker then places the outdoor unit 12 on the bottom surface of the frame 18. Then, the worker loosely fastens the fastening brackets 13 fixed to the bottom surface of the outdoor unit 12 to the bottom frame elements 22, temporarily fixing the outdoor unit 12 to the frame 18.

[0035] Next, the worker fastens the indoor unit 14 while hanging it from the top frame element 30 of the stand 18. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the worker inserts the fastening bolt 80 into the top frame element 30 from above, and also inserts a washer 84, fastening bracket 16, and vibration-damping spacer 86 from below the fastening bolt 80, and then fastens them together with a nut 82.

[0036] Next, the worker sprays a chemical agent for enhancing slipperiness, such as a silicon-based lubricant, on the upper surface of the outdoor unit 12. This is to enhance the slipperiness of the outdoor unit 12 against the second vibration-damping pad 66 and to smoothly fit the intermediate frame 40 onto the upper surface of the outdoor unit 12. After that, the worker places the intermediate frame 40 between the outdoor unit 12 and the indoor unit 14, and pushes the intermediate frame 40 down toward the outdoor unit 12. At this time, the worker fine-tunes the relative positional relationship between the intermediate frame 40 and the outdoor unit 12 so that the upper end portion of the outdoor unit 12 fits into the rectangle surrounded by the main frame element 42 and the cross frame element 44. When the upper end of the outdoor unit 12 is completely fitted into the rectangle of the intermediate frame 40, the movement of the upper end of the outdoor unit 12 is restricted. When this state is reached, the worker screws and fastens the intermediate frame 40 to the frame 18. Furthermore, the worker fine-tunes the position of the lower part of the outdoor unit 12, and then firmly fastens the fastening bracket 13 of the outdoor unit 12 to the bottom surface of the stand 18 for final fixation.

[0037] Next, the worker attaches the support frame element 70 to the intermediate frame 40, and sandwiches the indoor unit 14 between the upper vibration-damping pad 78 and the lower vibration-damping pad 76. After that, the worker fully tightens various fastening bolts as necessary to fix the positions of the outdoor unit 12 and the indoor unit 14 relative to the frame 18. Furthermore, after that, the worker installs the refrigerant piping, electrical components, etc.

[0038] As is clear from the above explanation, in this example, the intermediate frame 40 that can be fitted onto the upper end portion of the outdoor unit 12 is prepared in advance, and the vibration-damping parts 50, 60 are attached in advance to the intermediate frame 40. With this configuration, up-down, left-right, front-rear vibrations of the outdoor unit 12 can be effectively suppressed with simple work.

[0039] The configurations described so far are all examples, and other configurations may be changed as appropriate as long as they have the configuration described in claim 1. For example, the configurations of the vibration-damping components 50 and 60 may be changed as appropriate. In addition, the mounting form and vibration-damping form of the indoor unit 14 may also be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 10 air conditioner, 12 outdoor unit, 13 fastening bracket, 14 indoor unit, 15 air outlet, 16 fastening bracket, 18 stand, 20 caster, 22 bottom frame element, 24 side frame element, 30 top frame element, 40 intermediate frame, 42 main frame element, 44 cross frame element, 50 first vibration damping part, 53 threaded foot, 54 resin part, 55 male screw, 56 vibration damping pad, 60 second vibration damping part, 62 first vibration damping pad, 66 second vibration damping pad, 70 support frame element, 72 connecting plate, 76 lower vibration damping pad, 78 upper vibration damping pad, 80 fastening bolt, 82 nut, 84 washer, 86 vibration damping spacer.

Claims

1. 1. A mobile air conditioner comprising: A stand having casters; An outdoor unit disposed on the floor surface of the frame; An intermediate frame disposed at the upper end height of the outdoor unit; A plurality of first vibration damping components and a plurality of second vibration damping components that damp vibration of the outdoor unit; The intermediate frame comprises: a pair of main frame elements extending in a width direction at the front and rear of the outdoor unit, the pair of main frame elements sandwiching the outdoor unit in the front-rear direction; a pair of cross frame elements extending in a front-rear direction and spanning between the pair of main frame elements on both sides of the width direction of the outdoor unit, the pair of cross frame elements having a substantially L-shaped cross section along a top surface and a side surface of the outdoor unit; Including, The first vibration-damping component is fixed to the main frame element and fills a gap between the main frame element and a front or rear surface of the outdoor unit, The second vibration damping component is fixed to the cross frame element and fills a gap between the cross frame element and a top surface and a side surface of the outdoor unit. A mobile air conditioner characterized by:

2. 2. The mobile air conditioner of claim 1, The cross frame element has a first surface facing a top surface of the outdoor unit and a second surface facing a side surface of the outdoor unit, the second vibration-damping component is substantially L-shaped and is composed of two pieces of vibration-damping pads adhesively fixed to the first surface and the second surface, The first vibration-damping part has a vibration-damping pad fixed to an end of a threaded foot, and is screwed and fastened to the main frame element. A mobile air conditioner characterized by:

3. 2. The mobile air conditioner of claim 1, the second vibration-damping component includes a first vibration-damping pad attached to the first surface and a second vibration-damping pad attached to the second surface, A lower end of the second vibration-damping pad protrudes downward from a lower end of the second surface. A mobile air conditioner characterized by:

4. 4. The mobile air conditioner of claim 1, further comprising: An indoor unit suspended from a top surface of the frame; A support frame element attached to the intermediate frame and supporting the indoor unit from below; An upper vibration damping pad that is attached to a top surface of the frame and fills a gap between the top surface and the indoor unit; A lower vibration-damping pad is attached to the support frame element and fills the gap between the support frame element and the indoor unit; A vibration-damping spacer that is overlapped under a fastening bracket fixed to the indoor unit and is fastened together with the fastening bracket to the top surface of the frame; A mobile air conditioner comprising:

5. 1. A method for manufacturing a mobile air conditioner, comprising: An intermediate frame is provided that has a pair of main frame elements extending in a width direction and a pair of cross frame elements extending in a front-rear direction and spanning between the pair of main frame elements; a first vibration damping component fixed to each of the pair of main frame elements; A second vibration damping component is fixed to each of the pair of cross frame elements; The outdoor unit is placed on the bottom surface of a stand having casters, the intermediate frame is fitted onto the top surface of the outdoor unit from above the outdoor unit so that the top surface of the outdoor unit is surrounded by the pair of main frame elements and the pair of cross frame elements, and then the intermediate frame is fixed to the frame. A method for manufacturing a mobile air conditioner comprising the steps of:

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