Indoor machine of air conditioner

Abstract

To allow stable wireless communication.SOLUTION: An indoor machine 1 of an air conditioner comprises a case 2 comprising a front surface 7 and a back surface 5. The case 2 internally comprises a fan 25, an indoor heat exchanger 11 surrounding the fan 25, a motor for rotating the fan 25, a wireless communication part 15 for performing wireless communication with a wireless LAN master machine by using radio waves, and a control part for controlling the air conditioner on the basis of information acquired by the wireless communication part 15. The wireless communication part 15 comprises an outer shell internally comprising an antenna 47 for receiving the radio waves. The outer shell is arranged inside the case 2 in such a manner that the antenna 47 is located on the side of the front surface 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology of the present disclosure relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner.

Background Art

[0002] There is known an indoor unit of an air conditioner incorporating a communication adapter connected to the Internet using wireless communication (Patent Document 1). Such an indoor unit can be remotely operated by a user located at a location away from the indoor unit by communicating with a terminal connected to the Internet.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The indoor unit is provided with metal parts such as a heat exchanger. In the indoor unit, radio waves may be reflected by such metal parts and weakened, resulting in unstable wireless communication and the possibility of inappropriate remote operation.

[0005] The disclosed technology has been made in view of such points, and an object thereof is to provide an indoor unit of an air conditioner that enables stable wireless communication.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an aspect of the present disclosure is an indoor unit of an air conditioner including a housing having a front surface and a back surface. Inside the housing, there are provided a fan, a heat exchanger surrounding the fan, a motor for rotating the fan, a wireless communication unit for performing wireless communication with an external device using radio waves, and a control unit for controlling the air conditioner based on information acquired by the wireless communication unit. The wireless communication unit has an outer shell having an antenna for receiving the radio waves inside, and the outer shell is disposed inside the housing such that the antenna is located on the front surface side.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] The indoor unit of the disclosed air conditioner can enable stable wireless communication.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment disclosed in the present application will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the technology of the present disclosure is not limited by the following description. Also, in the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

Example

[0010] The indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner in the example is provided in the air conditioner. As shown in FIG. 1, it includes a housing 2 and a decorative panel 3. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner in the example. The housing 2 is generally formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A back surface 5 is formed on the housing 2. The indoor unit 1 is installed in the room such that the back surface 5 of the housing 2 faces the wall of the room to be heated and cooled by the air conditioner, and the longitudinal direction 6 of the housing 2 is horizontal. The decorative panel 3 is generally formed in a plate shape. The decorative panel 3 is attached to and fixed to the housing 2.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the indoor unit 1 with the decorative panel 3 removed from the housing 2. A front surface 7 is further formed on the housing 2. The front surface 7 is formed on the side opposite to the side where the back surface 5 of the housing 2 is formed. The front surface 7 of the housing 2 is covered by the decorative panel 3 as shown in FIG. 1 when the decorative panel 3 is properly attached to the housing 2.

[0012] The air conditioner further includes an outdoor unit (not shown) and a refrigerant circuit. The outdoor unit is installed outdoors. The outdoor unit circulates the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit and exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the outside air.

[0013] Figure 3 is a front view showing the inside of the housing 2. The indoor unit 1 further includes an indoor heat exchanger 11, a terminal block 12, a control unit 14, a wireless communication unit 15, and a motor 16. The indoor heat exchanger 11 is formed of metal. The indoor heat exchanger 11 is disposed inside the housing 2. The indoor heat exchanger 11 exchanges heat between the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit and the air passing through the indoor heat exchanger 11. The terminal block 12, the control unit 14, and the wireless communication unit 15 are disposed on the right side in the longitudinal direction 6 of the indoor heat exchanger 11 inside the housing 2. That is, the position of the wireless communication unit 15 in the longitudinal direction 6 is different from the position of the indoor heat exchanger 11 in the longitudinal direction 6, and the wireless communication unit 15 and the indoor heat exchanger 11 do not overlap in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 6. The motor 16 is disposed between the indoor heat exchanger 11 and the control unit 14 inside the housing 2.

[0014] Figure 4 is a side view showing the inside of the housing 2. The terminal block 12 is disposed near the front surface 7 inside the housing 2. The control unit 14 is disposed on the side of the back surface 5 of the terminal block 12 inside the housing 2. The wireless communication unit 15 is disposed on the side of the front surface 7 of the control unit 14 inside the housing 2 and is disposed above the terminal block 12.

[0015] The indoor unit 1 further includes a power cable 17, a control unit cable 18, and a wireless communication unit cable 19. The terminal block 12 is connected to the outdoor unit via the power cable 17. That is, a part 21 of the power cable 17 is disposed inside the housing 2, and the remaining part 22 different from the part 21 of the power cable 17 is disposed outside the housing 2. A part 21 of the power cable 17 is disposed under the terminal block 12, under the control unit 14, and is supported by the housing 2. Electric power is supplied to the terminal block 12 from the outdoor unit via the power cable 17.

[0016] The control unit cable 18 is disposed inside the housing 2 and is disposed above a part 21 of the power cable 17. The control unit 14 is connected to the terminal block 12 via the control unit cable 18. Power is supplied to the control unit 14 from the terminal block 12 via the control unit cable 18. The control unit 14 controls the outdoor unit via the power cable 17 and the control unit cable 18. The wireless communication unit cable 19 is disposed on the side of the back surface 5 of the wireless communication unit 15 inside the housing 2 and is disposed above the terminal block 12 and a part 21 of the power cable 17.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing the inside of the housing 2. The indoor unit 1 further includes a fan 25. The fan 25 is disposed inside the housing 2 and is supported by the housing 2 so as to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 26. The axial direction parallel to the rotation shaft 26 is parallel to the longitudinal direction 6 of the housing 2.

[0018] The indoor heat exchanger 11 includes a front-side lower heat exchange part 31, a back-side upper heat exchange part 32, and a front-side upper heat exchange part 33. The front-side lower heat exchange part 31 is generally formed in a plate shape. The front-side lower heat exchange part 31 is disposed between the fan 25 and the lower part of the front surface 7 inside the housing 2 and is fixed to the housing 2 such that the plane along which the front-side lower heat exchange part 31 extends is parallel to the rotation shaft 26. The back-side upper heat exchange part 32 is generally formed in a plate shape. The back-side upper heat exchange part 32 is disposed between the upper part of the back surface 5 and the fan 25 inside the housing 2 and is fixed to the housing 2 such that the plane along which the back-side upper heat exchange part 32 extends is parallel to the rotation shaft 26.

[0019] The front upper heat exchanger 33 is generally formed in a plate shape. The front upper heat exchanger 33 is disposed between the upper part of the front surface 7 inside the housing 2 and the fan 25 such that the plane along which the front upper heat exchanger 33 extends is parallel to the rotation axis 26, and is fixed to the housing 2. The front upper heat exchanger 33 is further formed such that one edge of the front upper heat exchanger 33 is connected to the edge of the front lower heat exchanger 31 and the other edge of the front upper heat exchanger 33 is connected to the edge of the rear upper heat exchanger 32. That is, the indoor heat exchanger 11 surrounds the fan 25. The motor 16 is controlled by the control unit 14 to rotate the fan 25 around the rotation axis 26.

[0020] The housing 2 is formed such that the farthest part 35, which is the farthest from the rotation axis 26 in the housing 2, is formed near the upper end of the front surface 7 of the housing 2. A wireless communication unit arrangement area 36 is formed inside the housing 2. The wireless communication unit arrangement area 36 is formed between the farthest part 35 inside the housing 2 and the front upper heat exchanger 33 of the indoor heat exchanger 11 and extends in the axial direction. At this time, a plane 37 that includes the rotation axis 26 and intersects the farthest part 35 of the housing 2 intersects the wireless communication unit arrangement area 36 and extends in the axial direction.

[0021] Furthermore, the front upper heat exchanger 33 intersects the plane 37. The front upper heat exchanger 33 includes a heat exchanger farthest part 38. The heat exchanger farthest part 38 is included in the portion 39 of the front upper heat exchanger 33 of the indoor heat exchanger 11 that intersects the plane 37, and is the part farthest from the rotation axis 26 in the portion 39. That is, the straight line 40 passing through the farthest part 35 and the heat exchanger farthest part 38 is the straight line passing through the farthest part 35 and the rotation axis 26. The wireless communication unit 15 is arranged such that the wireless communication unit 15 intersects the straight line 40.

[0022] The housing 2 is further formed to satisfy the following formula (1) using the distance A and the distance B. B / A < 0.9…(1) Here, the distance A indicates the distance between the farthest part 35 of the housing 2 and the rotation axis 26. The distance B indicates the distance between the farthest part 38 of the heat exchanger and the rotation axis 26. By forming the housing 2 in this way, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner can secure the wireless communication unit arrangement area 36 inside the housing 2.

[0023] The wireless communication unit 15 is arranged inside the housing 2 such that a part of the wireless communication unit 15 is arranged in the wireless communication unit arrangement area 36. That is, the wireless communication unit 15 is arranged inside the housing 2 such that a part of the figure obtained by orthographically projecting the wireless communication unit 15 onto a projection plane perpendicular to the axial direction does not overlap with the figure obtained by orthographically projecting the indoor heat exchanger 11 onto the projection plane.

[0024] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the front surface 7 of the housing 2. The housing 2 is provided with a cover 41. The cover 41 is generally formed in a plate shape. The cover 41 is arranged near the right end of the longitudinal direction 6 of the front surface 7, attached to the housing 2, and fixed to the housing 2. FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing the front surface 7 of the housing 2 with the cover 41 removed. An opening 42 is further formed in the housing 2 near the right end of the longitudinal direction 6 of the front surface 7. The wireless communication unit 15 and the terminal block 12 are exposed to the outside of the housing 2 through the opening 42. When the cover 41 is properly attached to the housing 2, the opening 42 is covered by the cover 41 as shown in FIG. 6.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 7, the housing 2 is further provided with a storage portion 43. The storage portion 43 is arranged in the area where the wireless communication unit 15 is arranged and fixed to the housing 2. That is, the storage portion 43 is exposed to the outside of the housing 2 through the opening 42 when the cover 41 is removed from the housing 2.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a side view showing the wireless communication unit 15. The wireless communication unit 15 includes an outer shell 45, a wireless communication unit side connector 46, and an antenna 47. The outer shell 45 is generally formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. An opening 48 is formed at one end of the outer shell 45. The wireless communication unit side connector 46 is disposed near the opening 48 inside the outer shell 45 and fixed to the outer shell 45 such that a part of the wireless communication unit side connector 46 is exposed outside the outer shell 45 through the opening 48. The antenna 47 is disposed near the other end on the opposite side of the end where the opening 48 is formed inside the outer shell 45 and fixed to the outer shell 45. The antenna 47 is formed from a pattern antenna formed in a pattern on a substrate.

[0027] FIG. 9 is a side view showing the housing portion 43. The housing portion 43 is formed with a wireless communication unit insertion hole 51 and an opening 52. The opening 52 is formed at the end on the front surface 7 side of the housing portion 43, that is, at the end exposed to the outside of the housing 2 through the opening 42 in the housing portion 43. The inside of the wireless communication unit insertion hole 51 is connected to the outside of the housing portion 43 through the opening 52. The housing portion 43 is formed such that the wireless communication unit 15 inserted into the wireless communication unit insertion hole 51 through the opening 52 fits into the wireless communication unit insertion hole 51. The wireless communication unit 15 is supported by the housing portion 43 such that when the wireless communication unit 15 is fitted into the wireless communication unit insertion hole 51, the wireless communication unit 15 does not rotate or translate in a direction different from the insertion direction 53, and can translate parallel to the insertion direction 53. The insertion direction 53 is substantially perpendicular to the plane along which the front surface 7 lies.

[0028] The indoor unit 1 further includes an indoor unit side connector 54. The indoor unit side connector 54 is disposed at the back of the wireless communication unit insertion hole 51 and protrudes toward the front surface 7. The indoor unit side connector 54 is connected to the wireless communication unit cable 19.

[0029] The wireless communication unit 15 is appropriately attached to the indoor unit 1 as shown in FIG. 10 by being inserted into the wireless communication unit insertion hole 51 through the opening 52. FIG. 10 is a side view showing the housing portion 43 and the wireless communication unit 15 when the wireless communication unit 15 is appropriately attached to the indoor unit 1. The indoor unit side connector 54 fits into the wireless communication unit side connector 46 of the wireless communication unit 15 when the wireless communication unit 15 is appropriately attached to the housing portion 43. The wireless communication unit 15 is connected to the control unit 14 via the wireless communication unit cable 19 when the indoor unit side connector 54 is fitted to the wireless communication unit side connector 46. The wireless communication unit 15 is controlled by the control unit 14 when the wireless communication unit 15 is appropriately attached to the indoor unit 1, and wirelessly communicates with an external device, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) master unit, using radio waves radiated or received by the antenna 47.

[0030] The outer shell 45 is disposed inside the housing 2 such that the antenna 47 is located on the side of the front surface 7. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, when the wireless communication unit 15 is appropriately attached to the indoor unit 1, the antenna 47 is disposed in the wireless communication unit arrangement region 36 and does not overlap the indoor heat exchanger 11 in the axial direction. That is, the antenna 47 is disposed inside the housing 2 such that a part of the figure obtained by orthographically projecting the antenna 47 onto a projection plane perpendicular to the axial direction does not overlap the figure obtained by orthographically projecting the indoor heat exchanger 11 onto the projection plane. Further, the antenna 47 is formed such that the intensity of radio waves radiated in a direction parallel to the axial direction is greater than the intensity of radio waves radiated in a direction not parallel to the axial direction when the wireless communication unit 15 is appropriately attached to the indoor unit 1.

[0031] [Operation of the air conditioner] The control unit 14 of the air conditioner controls the wireless communication unit 15 using the power supplied via the power cable 17, wirelessly communicates with the wireless LAN master unit via radio waves using the antenna 47, and communicates with the user terminal connected to the Internet to which the wireless LAN master unit is connected. For example, the wireless communication unit 15 acquires the information input from the user terminal, and the acquired information is transmitted to the control unit 14 via the cable 19 for the wireless communication unit. Then, the control unit 14 starts or stops the air conditioner based on the information acquired by the wireless communication unit 15 via the cable 19 for the wireless communication unit. When the air conditioner is started, the control unit 14 controls the outdoor unit, circulates the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit, controls the motor 16, and rotates the fan 25 around the rotating shaft 26. The air in the room where the indoor unit 1 is installed is sucked into the indoor unit 1 as the fan 25 rotates, passes through the indoor heat exchanger 11, and is heat-exchanged with the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit by the indoor heat exchanger 11. The air heat-exchanged by the indoor heat exchanger 11 is blown out into the room where the indoor unit 1 is installed as the fan 25 rotates, heating or cooling the room. The control unit 14 further controls the outdoor unit and the motor 16 based on the information input from the user terminal and executes the operation.

[0032] The radio waves radiated from the antenna 47 are partially reflected by the indoor heat exchanger 11, resulting in a decrease in the intensity in the radiation direction. The antenna 47 and the indoor heat exchanger 11 do not overlap in the axial direction where strong radio waves are radiated because the antenna 47 is arranged in the wireless communication unit arrangement area 36. Therefore, the indoor unit 1 can suppress the reflection of the radio waves with strong intensity among the radio waves radiated from the antenna 47 by the indoor heat exchanger 11, and can suppress the weakening of the radio waves radiated from the antenna 47 due to reflection by the indoor heat exchanger 11. That is, the indoor unit 1 can suppress the weakening of the radio waves radiated from the antenna 47 due to reflection compared with other indoor units in which the antenna 47 and the indoor heat exchanger 11 overlap in the axial direction. Since there are no obstacles that reflect radio waves in directions other than the direction of the back surface 5 of the housing 2 of the indoor unit 1, it is possible to suppress the weakening of the radio waves radiated in directions other than the direction of the back surface 5 of the housing 2 due to reflection. Since the weakening of the radio waves radiated from the antenna 47 due to reflection is suppressed, the indoor unit 1 can stably perform wireless communication with the wireless LAN master unit and the wireless communication unit 15. Therefore, the user can appropriately operate the air conditioner using the user terminal and can appropriately operate the air conditioner using the user terminal.

[0033] The power cable 17 may be attached to or removed from the terminal block 12 after the housing 2 of the indoor unit 1 is installed on the wall. At this time, the operator removes the cover 41 from the housing 2 with the decorative panel 3 removed from the housing 2 so that the front surface 7 of the housing 2 is exposed. The operator can attach the power cable 17 to the terminal block 12 or remove the power cable 17 from the terminal block 12 through the opening 42 with the cover 41 removed from the housing 2.

[0034] The wireless communication unit 15 may be attached to or detached from the indoor unit 1 with the housing 2 of the indoor unit 1 installed on the wall. At this time, the operator removes the cover 41 from the housing 2 with the decorative panel 3 removed from the housing 2 so that the front surface 7 of the housing 2 is exposed. With the cover 41 removed from the housing 2, the operator inserts the wireless communication unit 15 into the wireless communication unit insertion hole 51 of the housing portion 43 through the opening 42, thereby attaching the wireless communication unit 15 to the indoor unit 1. Alternatively, with the cover 41 removed from the housing 2, the operator removes the wireless communication unit 15 from the wireless communication unit insertion hole 51 of the housing portion 43 through the opening 42, thereby detaching the wireless communication unit 15 from the indoor unit 1. After the wireless communication unit 15 is attached to or detached from the indoor unit 1, the operator attaches the cover 41 to the housing 2, and after the cover 41 is attached to the housing 2, the operator attaches the decorative panel 3 to the housing 2.

[0035] When the cover 41 is removed from the housing 2 of the indoor unit 1, both the terminal block 12 and the wireless communication unit 15 can be exposed. Therefore, compared with other indoor units in which the cover for exposing the terminal block 12 and the cover for exposing the wireless communication unit 15 are separate, the indoor unit 1 can reduce the number of parts and reduce the manufacturing cost. Further, compared with other indoor units in which the cover for exposing the terminal block 12 and the cover for exposing the wireless communication unit 15 are separate, the indoor unit 1 can facilitate the work of the operator for attaching and detaching both the wireless communication unit 15 and the power cable 17.

[0036] [Effect of the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment] The indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment includes a housing 2 having a front surface 7 and a back surface 5. The indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment includes a fan 25, an indoor heat exchanger 11, a motor 16, a wireless communication unit 15, and a control unit 14 that are arranged inside the housing 2. The indoor heat exchanger 11 surrounds the fan 25. The motor 16 rotates the fan 25. The wireless communication unit 15 performs wireless communication with a wireless LAN master unit using radio waves. The control unit 14 controls the air conditioner based on the information acquired by the wireless communication unit 15. The wireless communication unit 15 includes an outer shell 45 having an antenna 47 for receiving radio waves inside. The outer shell 45 is arranged inside the housing 2 such that the antenna 47 is located on the side of the front surface 7. At this time, since the antenna 47 is arranged to be biased toward the front surface 7 side of the indoor unit 1, the radio waves radiated or received by the antenna 47 are less likely to collide with the components arranged inside the housing 2. Therefore, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment can prevent the radio waves radiated or received by the antenna 47 from being reflected by the components arranged inside the housing 2 and weakened, and can enable stable wireless communication. Since the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment can perform stable wireless communication, it can be appropriately remotely operated by a user located at a place away from the indoor unit 1.

[0037] Also, the wireless communication unit 15 of the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment includes a wireless communication unit cable 19 for transmitting information to the control unit 14. The wireless communication unit cable 19 is arranged on the side of the back surface 5 inside the housing 2. At this time, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment can separate the wireless communication unit cable 19 from the components arranged inside the housing 2, and can prevent the noise derived from the components arranged inside the housing 2 from being superimposed on the wireless communication unit cable 19.

[0038] In addition, the wireless communication unit 15 of the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment is disposed inside the housing 2 such that the antenna 47 of the wireless communication unit 15 does not overlap with the indoor heat exchanger 11 in the longitudinal direction 6. That is, a part of the figure obtained by orthographically projecting the wireless communication unit 15 onto a projection plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 6 does not overlap with the figure obtained by orthographically projecting the indoor heat exchanger 11 onto the projection plane. Further, the position of the wireless communication unit 15 in the longitudinal direction 6 does not overlap with the position of the indoor heat exchanger 11 in the longitudinal direction 6. At this time, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment can prevent the radio waves radiated or received by the antenna 47 from being reflected by the indoor heat exchanger 11 and weakened, and can enable stable wireless communication.

[0039] In addition, the antenna 47 of the wireless communication unit 15 of the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment is disposed on one end side of the outer shell 45. At this time, since the antenna 47 is further biased toward the front surface 7 side of the indoor unit 1, the radio waves radiated or received by the antenna 47 are less likely to collide with the components disposed inside the housing 2. Therefore, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment can prevent the radio waves radiated or received by the antenna 47 from being reflected and weakened, and can enable stable wireless communication.

[0040] In addition, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment further includes a terminal block 12 to which power is supplied from outside the housing 2 via a power cable 17 disposed below the control unit 14. The control unit 14 is disposed on the back surface 5 side of the terminal block 12, and power is supplied to the control unit 14 from the terminal block 12 via a control unit cable 18. The wireless communication unit 15 is disposed above the terminal block 12 and is connected to the control unit 14 via a wireless communication unit cable 19. At this time, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment can separate the wireless communication unit cable 19 from the power cable 17 and can prevent the noise derived from the power cable 17 from overlapping the wireless communication unit cable 19.

[0041] In addition, the housing 2 of the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment includes an opening 42 that exposes the wireless communication unit 15 and the terminal block 12, and a cover 41 that covers the opening 42. At this time, compared with other indoor units in which the cover that covers the wireless communication unit 15 and the cover that covers the terminal block 12 are separate, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment can reduce the number of parts and can reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0042] In addition, the wireless communication unit 15 of the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment is arranged so that radio waves are strongly radiated in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction 6. At this time, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment can prevent the radio waves radiated or received by the antenna 47 from being reflected by the indoor heat exchanger 11 and weakened, and can enable stable wireless communication.

[0043] In addition, the housing 2 of the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment satisfies the following formula: B / A < 0.9 is formed. Here, the distance A indicates the distance between the farthest part 35 from the rotation axis 26 in the housing 2 and the rotation axis 26. The distance B indicates the distance between the farthest heat exchanger part 38 from the rotation axis 26 in the indoor heat exchanger 11 and the rotation axis 26 on the straight line 40 connecting the farthest part 35 from the rotation axis 26 in the housing 2 and the rotation axis 26. The wireless communication unit 15 is arranged so that the wireless communication unit 15 intersects the straight line 40. At this time, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the embodiment can secure a wireless communication unit arrangement area 36 in which the wireless communication unit 15 is arranged inside the housing 2. For example, even when the distance B becomes longer by enlarging the indoor heat exchanger 11 to improve the capacity of the indoor unit 1, the housing 2 is formed so as to satisfy the above formula, so that the wireless communication unit arrangement area 36 can be secured inside the housing 2.

[0044] Incidentally, in the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the above-described embodiment, although a part of the wireless communication unit 15 is disposed outside the wireless communication unit arrangement region 36, all of the wireless communication unit 15 may be disposed in the wireless communication unit arrangement region 36. Even in this case, the indoor unit 1 can enable stable wireless communication.

[0045] Incidentally, in the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the above-described embodiment, although the wireless communication unit 15 is detachable from the housing 2, the wireless communication unit 15 may be fixed to the housing 2. Even in this case, the indoor unit 1 can enable stable wireless communication. When the wireless communication unit 15 is fixed to the housing 2, the wireless communication unit side connector 46 and the indoor unit side connector 54 are unnecessary, and by omitting the wireless communication unit side connector 46 and the indoor unit side connector 54, the number of parts can be reduced and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0046] As described above, the embodiments have been described, but the embodiments are not limited by the above-described content. Further, the above-described components include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the above-described components can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, at least one of various omissions, substitutions, and changes of the components can be made without departing from the gist of the embodiments.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0047] 1: Indoor unit 2: Housing 5: Rear surface 6: Longitudinal direction 7: Front surface 11: Indoor heat exchanger 12: Terminal block 14: Control unit 15: Wireless communication unit 16: Motor 17: Power cable 18: Control unit cable 19: Wireless communication unit cable 25: Fan 26: Rotating shaft 35: Farthest part 36: Wireless communication unit arrangement area 38: Farthest part of heat exchanger 40: Straight line 41: Cover 42: Opening 45: Outer shell 47: Antenna 48: Opening

Claims

1. An indoor unit of an air conditioner including a housing having a front and a back, inside the housing, a fan, a heat exchanger surrounding the fan, a motor for rotating the fan, a wireless communication unit for wirelessly communicating with an external device using radio waves, and a control unit for controlling the air conditioner based on information acquired by the wireless communication unit, the wireless communication unit has an outer shell with an antenna for receiving the radio waves inside, the outer shell is disposed inside the housing such that the antenna is located on the front side, an indoor unit of an air conditioner.

2. further having a cable for the wireless communication unit for transmitting the information to the control unit, the cable for the wireless communication unit is disposed inside the housing such that it is located on the back side of the wireless communication unit, the indoor unit of an air conditioner according to Claim 1.

3. the wireless communication unit is disposed inside the housing such that a part of the figure obtained by orthographically projecting the wireless communication unit onto a projection plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the fan does not overlap with the figure obtained by orthographically projecting the heat exchanger onto the projection plane, and the position of the wireless communication unit in the axial direction parallel to the rotation axis does not overlap with the position of the heat exchanger in the axial direction, the indoor unit of an air conditioner according to Claim 1.

4. the wireless communication unit is disposed such that a part of the figure obtained by orthographically projecting the antenna onto the projection plane does not overlap with the figure obtained by orthographically projecting the heat exchanger onto the projection plane, the indoor unit of an air conditioner according to Claim 3.

5. the antenna is disposed on one end side of the outer shell of the wireless communication unit, the indoor unit of an air conditioner according to Claim 1.

6. further including a terminal block through which power is supplied from outside the housing via a power cable disposed below the control unit, the control unit is disposed on the back side of the terminal block and power is supplied to the control unit via a cable for the control unit from the terminal block, the wireless communication unit is disposed above the terminal block and is connected to the control unit via a cable for the wireless communication unit, the indoor unit of an air conditioner according to Claim 1.

7. the cable for the wireless communication unit is disposed on the back side of the wireless communication unit, the indoor unit of an air conditioner according to Claim 6.

8. the housing, has an opening for exposing the wireless communication unit and the terminal block, and a cover for covering the opening, the indoor unit of an air conditioner according to Claim 6.

9. The wireless communication unit is arranged such that radio waves are strongly radiated in a direction parallel to the axial direction. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 3.

10. Using the distance A between the rotation axis and the farthest part from the rotation axis in the housing, and the distance B between the rotation axis and the farthest part from the rotation axis in the heat exchanger on the straight line connecting the farthest part from the rotation axis in the housing and the rotation axis, the following formula: B / A < 0.9 is formed so as to satisfy. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 3.

11. The wireless communication unit is arranged such that the wireless communication unit intersects the straight line. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 10.

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