Drain hose for air conditioning

Abstract

To provide a drain hose for air conditioning which enables improvement of workability related to connection between a drain pipe of an indoor unit and the drain hose for air conditioning.SOLUTION: A drain hose for air conditioning includes: a hose part 11 in which drain water discharged from a drain pipe provided in an indoor unit of an air conditioner flows; and a connection part 20 which is provided at an end 12 of the hose part 11 so as to connect the drain pipe with the hose part. The connection part 20 has: a connection pipe 30 to be connected to the drain pipe; and a guide part 40 which guides a tip of the connection pipe 30 to the drain pipe when the connection pipe 30 is connected to the drain pipe. The guide part 40 has a first recessed part 50 disposed in a position spaced apart from a tip of the connection pipe 30 in a direction from a root of the connection pipe 30 toward the tip of the connection pipe 30. When viewed from a direction along an axis of the connection pipe 30, a side surface of the first recessed part 50 is located at the outer side of the connection pipe 30 with respect to the axis of the connection pipe 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning drain hose. [Background technology]

[0002] An air conditioning drain hose that is connected to an indoor unit of an air conditioner is known. The air conditioning drain hose is connected to a drain pipe of the indoor unit. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of this type of air conditioning drain hose (called a connection hose in Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3142119 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when connecting the connector of the air conditioning drain hose to the drain pipe of the indoor unit, it can be difficult to connect the connector to the drain pipe. For example, if the indoor unit is installed above the ceiling, it is difficult to connect the connector to the drain pipe because the connector and the drain pipe cannot be directly seen.

[0005] When installing an air conditioner, it is desirable to improve the workability of connecting the drain pipe of the indoor unit and the connecting portion of the air conditioning drain hose. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An air conditioning drain hose of a first aspect that solves this problem is an air conditioning drain hose comprising: a hose section through which drain water discharged from a drain pipe provided in an air conditioner indoor unit flows; and a connecting section provided at the end of the hose section to connect the drain pipe and the hose section, wherein the connecting section has a connecting pipe connected to the drain pipe and a guide section that guides the tip of the connecting pipe to the drain pipe when the connecting pipe is connected to the drain pipe, and the guide section has a first recess that is positioned away from the tip of the connecting pipe in a direction from the base of the connecting pipe toward the tip of the connecting pipe, and when viewed in a direction along the axis of the connecting pipe, a first side of the first recess is positioned outside the connecting pipe from the axis of the connecting pipe.

[0007] According to this configuration, the first recess is positioned away from the tip of the connecting pipe in the direction from the base of the connecting pipe toward the tip of the connecting pipe, so the first side surface of the first recess comes into contact with the tip of the drain pipe before the connecting pipe is connected to the drain pipe. Because the first side surface of the first recess is positioned outward from the connecting pipe when viewed along the axis of the connecting pipe, the worker can grasp the positional relationship between the drain pipe and the connection part by seeing the tip of the drain pipe come into contact with the first side surface of the first recess. In this way, the guide part guides the tip of the connecting pipe to the drain pipe, making it easy to connect the connecting pipe to the drain pipe. This improves the ease of connecting the indoor unit's drain pipe to the air conditioning drain hose connection part.

[0008] An air conditioning drain hose according to a second aspect is the air conditioning drain hose according to the first aspect, wherein the first side surface is configured to widen as it becomes farther away from the connecting pipe in a direction along the axis of the connecting pipe.

[0009] According to this configuration, the first side surface of the first recess widens as it becomes farther away from the connecting pipe, and therefore the opening formed by the first side surface can guide the tip of the connecting pipe into the drain pipe.

[0010] An air conditioning drain hose according to a third aspect is the air conditioning drain hose according to the first or second aspect, wherein a first bottom surface of the first recess is inclined with respect to the axis of the connecting pipe.

[0011] With this configuration, the first bottom surface of the first recess is inclined relative to the axis of the connecting pipe, so that the tip of the drain pipe can be guided into the drain pipe by moving the connection portion so that the tip of the drain pipe follows the inclination of the first bottom surface.

[0012] An air conditioning drain hose of a fourth aspect is the air conditioning drain hose of any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the guide portion is provided between the first recess and the connecting pipe in a direction along the axis of the connecting pipe, and further has a second recess that guides the tip of the connecting pipe to the drain pipe, and the second recess is configured in a cylindrical shape with the axis of the second recess coinciding with the axis of the connecting pipe.

[0013] With this configuration, the axis of the cylindrical second recess coincides with the axis of the connecting pipe, so the worker can guide the tip of the connecting pipe into the drain pipe by moving the connecting part so that the drain pipe is aligned with the second recess.

[0014] An air conditioning drain hose according to a fifth aspect is the air conditioning drain hose according to the fourth aspect, wherein the second recess is configured so that the drain pipe is inserted through a second opening of the second recess.

[0015] According to this configuration, by inserting the drain pipe into the second opening of the second recess, the tip of the connecting pipe can be guided into the drain pipe.

[0016] An air conditioning drain hose according to a sixth aspect is the air conditioning drain hose according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the connecting pipe is inserted inside the drain pipe.

[0017] According to this configuration, the connecting portion can be connected to the drain pipe by inserting the connecting pipe into the drain pipe.

[0018] An air conditioning drain hose according to a seventh aspect is the air conditioning drain hose according to the sixth aspect, wherein the connection portion has a seal portion disposed on an outer periphery of the connection pipe.

[0019] According to this configuration, in the connected state, the seal portion is located between the outer surface of the connecting pipe and the inner surface of the drain pipe, so that leakage can be suppressed by the seal portion.

[0020] An air conditioning drain hose of an eighth aspect is the air conditioning drain hose of any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the connection portion further has an attachment portion that is attached to a housing of the indoor unit, and the attachment portion is provided on the guide portion.

[0021] With this configuration, the connection portion can be attached to the housing of the indoor unit.

[0022] An air conditioning drain hose according to a ninth aspect is the air conditioning drain hose according to the eighth aspect, wherein the attachment portion is attached to the housing by a fastener that is detachable from the housing.

[0023] According to this configuration, the mounting portion is removably attached to the indoor unit by the fastener, thereby improving the maintainability of the drain pipe.

[0024] An air conditioning drain hose of a tenth aspect is the air conditioning drain hose of the eighth or ninth aspect, wherein the housing has a mounting surface to which the mounting portion is attached, the mounting surface being inclined with respect to the axis of the drain pipe, and the mounting portion includes a mounting surface inclined with respect to the axis of the connecting pipe so as to be in contact with the mounting surface.

[0025] With this configuration, even if the mounting surface of the indoor unit is inclined with respect to the axis of the drain pipe, the connecting portion can be suitably mounted to the housing of the indoor unit.

[0026] An eleventh aspect of the air conditioning drain hose is the air conditioning drain hose of any one of the eighth to tenth aspects, wherein the mounting portion has a first side that contacts the housing in a connected state in which the connecting pipe is connected to the drain pipe, and a second side that contacts the housing in the connected state, wherein the first side is located outside the tip face of the connecting pipe in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the connecting pipe when the indoor unit is viewed from above in the connected state, and the second side is located outside the tip face, opposite to the first side, in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the connecting pipe when the indoor unit is viewed from above in the connected state, the first side and the second side are located closer to the housing than the tip face in the connected state, and the distance from the second side to the tip face in the direction along the axis of the connecting pipe is longer than the distance from the first side to the tip face.

[0027] With this configuration, if the connecting portion rotates relative to the drain pipe in the circumferential direction about the axis of the drain pipe when transitioning from a disconnected state to a connected state, the second side portion will hit the housing of the indoor unit and connection will be impossible. In this way, the worker can grasp the orientation of the connecting pipe relative to the drain pipe in the circumferential direction.

[0028] An air conditioning drain hose according to a twelfth aspect is the air conditioning drain hose according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the guide portion is molded integrally with the connecting pipe from resin.

[0029] According to this configuration, the connection portion can be resin-molded using a single mold, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the air-conditioning drain hose.

[0030] The air conditioning drain hose of a thirteenth aspect is the air conditioning drain hose of any one of the first to twelfth aspects, further comprising a heat insulating cover that covers the connection portion, and the heat insulating cover is attached to the connection portion.

[0031] According to this configuration, since the insulating cover is attached to the connection part, the work of attaching the insulating cover after connecting the connection part to the drain pipe can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a drain pipe including an air conditioning drain hose according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a connection between the drain pipe of the indoor unit and the air conditioning drain hose. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an end portion of an air conditioning drain hose. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioning drain hose in a state where an attachment portion of a connection portion is attached to an attachment surface of an indoor unit. FIG. [Figure 10] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing a method of connecting the connection parts. [Figure 11] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing a method of connecting the connection parts. [Figure 12] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing a method of connecting the connection parts. [Figure 13] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing a method of connecting the connection parts. [Figure 14] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing a method of connecting the connection parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] <Embodiment> An air conditioning drain hose 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14. FIG.

[0034] <Air conditioner indoor unit> Referring to Figure 1, an air conditioning drain hose 10 connects an indoor unit 1 of an air conditioner to an air conditioning drain pipe 2 arranged in a building B. In one example, the indoor unit 1 is a ceiling-mounted type that is embedded in a ceiling F. The indoor unit 1 discharges drain water that has accumulated in the drain of the indoor unit 1 by pumping it up with a pump 3. The discharged drain water passes through the air conditioning drain hose 10 and flows into the air conditioning drain pipe 2.

[0035] Please refer to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a plan view of the indoor unit 1. In one example, the housing 4 of the indoor unit 1 has a first surface 4A, a second surface 4B, and a third surface 4C. In the plan view of the indoor unit 1, the direction in which the first surface 4A extends is perpendicular to the direction in which the second surface 4B extends. In plan view, the third surface 4C is inclined with respect to both the first surface 4A and the second surface 4B. In one example, the third surface 4C intersects with both the first surface 4A and the second surface 4B at an angle of 45°. The third surface 4C connects an end of the first surface 4A to an end of the second surface 4B.

[0036] Referring to Figure 3, a drain pipe 5 is provided in the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner. Drain water from the indoor unit 1 is discharged from the drain pipe 5. An air conditioning drain hose 10 is connected to the drain pipe 5. The drain water discharged from the drain pipe 5 flows into the air conditioning drain hose 10. An axis 5A of the drain pipe 5 extends parallel to the bottom surface of the indoor unit 1. When the indoor unit 1 is installed on the ceiling F, the axis 5A of the drain pipe 5 extends horizontally.

[0037] The housing 4 has a mounting surface 6. In one example, the mounting surface 6 is provided on the third surface 4C. The drain pipe 5 is provided on the mounting surface 6. In one example, in a plan view, the mounting surface 6 is inclined with respect to an axis 5A of the drain pipe 5. In a plan view, the axis 5A of the drain pipe 5 extends in a direction parallel to the extension direction of the first surface 4A of the housing 4. In a plan view, the axis 5A of the drain pipe 5 extends in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the second surface 4B.

[0038] <Air conditioning drain hose> See Figures 1 and 3. An air conditioning drain hose 10 carries drain water discharged from a drain pipe 5 of an indoor unit 1 to an air conditioning drain pipe 2. The air conditioning drain hose 10 includes a hose portion 11 and a connection portion 20. The drain water discharged from the drain pipe 5 flows through the hose portion 11. One end 12 of the hose portion 11 is connected to the indoor unit 1, and the other end 13 of the hose portion 11 is connected to the air conditioning drain pipe 2.

[0039] <Connection> 3 and 4, the connecting portion 20 is provided at the end 12 of the hose portion 11 so as to connect the drain pipe 5 and the hose portion 11. The connecting portion 20 has a connecting pipe 30 and a guide portion 40.

[0040] See Figure 5. The connection portion 20 is configured as a single component. In one example, the guide portion 40 is molded from resin integrally with the connection pipe 30. When viewed from the radial direction of the connection pipe 30, the guide portion 40 and the connection pipe 30 do not overlap. Therefore, the connection portion 20 can be molded from resin as a single component.

[0041] <Connecting pipe> Please refer to Figure 5. Note that Figures 5 to 8 only illustrate the connection portion 20 of the air conditioning drain hose 10. The connection pipe 30 is connected to the drain pipe 5. In one example, the connection pipe 30 is inserted inside the drain pipe 5. Hereinafter, the state in which the connection pipe 30 is connected to the drain pipe 5 will be referred to as the "connected state." In the connected state of the connection pipe 30, the portion of the connection pipe 30 that is connected to the drain pipe 5 extends horizontally. Hereinafter, in the description of the connection pipe 30, "upper" means upper in the connected state of the connection pipe 30, and "lower" means lower in the connected state of the connection pipe 30.

[0042] In one example, the connection part 20 has a seal part 31. The seal part 31 is arranged on the outer periphery of the connecting pipe 30. By arranging the seal part 31 between the inner periphery of the drain pipe 5 and the outer periphery of the connecting pipe 30, leakage of drain water from a gap between the drain pipe 5 and the connecting pipe 30 in a connected state is suppressed.

[0043] In one example, the seal portion 31 is an O-ring. The seal portion 31 may also be a packing having a square cross section. A groove for receiving the seal portion 31 is provided on the outer periphery of the connecting pipe 30. The groove for receiving the seal portion 31 is formed when the connecting portion 20 is molded from resin.

[0044] Please refer to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting pipe 30 as viewed from the side. The inner periphery of the connecting pipe 30 is tapered from the base 32 to the tip 33 at the portion where the connecting pipe 30 connects to the drain pipe 5. The upper inner periphery 34 of the connecting pipe 30 slopes downward toward the tip 33 at a first angle A1 relative to the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30. The lower inner periphery 35 of the connecting pipe 30 slopes upward toward the tip 33 at a second angle A2 relative to the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30. The second angle A2 is larger than the first angle A1. In one example, the first angle A1 is 0.5°. In one example, the second angle A2 is 1.5°. By providing a tapered inner periphery of the connecting pipe 30 in this manner, if drain water does not flow through the connecting pipe 30 and remains, the drain water is returned to the drain pan of the indoor unit 1. This prevents the inner periphery of the connecting pipe 30 from becoming dirty.

[0045] <Guide section> 5, when the connecting pipe 30 is connected to the drain pipe 5, the guide portion 40 guides the tip 33 of the connecting pipe 30 to the drain pipe 5. The guide portion 40 is supported by a support portion 41.

[0046] The support portion 41 is fixed to the base 32 of the connecting pipe 30. The support portion 41 supports the guide portion 40 so that, in the connected state, the guide portion 40 is positioned closer to the housing 4 of the indoor unit 1 than the tip 33 of the connecting pipe 30. In the connected state, the drain pipe 5 is positioned between the connecting pipe 30 and the support portion 41. In one example, the support portion 41 includes two arm support portions. One arm support portion is positioned above the connecting pipe 30 in the connected state, and the other arm support portion is positioned below the connecting pipe 30 in the connected state. The two arm support portions are positioned radially outward of the drain pipe 5 in the connected state.

[0047] <First recess> 7 and 8. The guide portion 40 has a first recess 50. The first recess 50 guides the tip 33 of the connecting pipe 30 into the drain pipe 5. The first recess 50 has a first bottom surface 51 and a first side surface 52. The first side surface 52 is provided to surround the first bottom surface 51. The first recess 50 has a first opening 53. The first opening 53 surrounds the first bottom surface 51. In the direction along the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30, the first bottom surface 51 is connected to one end edge of the first side surface 52. The other end edge of the first side surface 52 forms the first opening 53. In the connected state, the first opening 53 opens toward the housing 4 of the indoor unit 1.

[0048] The first recess 50 is disposed at a position away from the tip 33 of the connecting pipe 30 in the direction from the base 32 of the connecting pipe 30 toward the tip 33 of the connecting pipe 30. In one example, the first bottom surface 51 is located between the tip 33 of the connecting pipe 30 and the indoor unit 1 in the connected state.

[0049] The first opening 53 opens to face the indoor unit 1 in the connected state. In one example, the first side surface 52 is configured to widen as it moves away from the connecting pipe 30 in a direction along the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30. In one example, in a plan view, the width W1 of the portion of the first side surface 52 that contacts the housing 4 is larger than the width W2 of the portion of the first side surface 52 that connects to the first bottom surface 51. The portion of the first side surface 52 that contacts the housing 4 corresponds to the first opening 53.

[0050] In one example, the first bottom surface 51 of the first recess 50 is inclined with respect to the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30. As shown in Fig. 7 , in a plan view, the first bottom surface 51 is inclined with respect to the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30 so as to be disposed parallel to the mounting surface 6 of the housing 4 in the connected state. For example, in a plan view, the first bottom surface 51 is inclined at 45 degrees with respect to the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30.

[0051] When viewed in a direction along the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30, the first side surface 52 of the first recess 50 is located outside the connecting pipe 30 from the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30. In one example, when viewed in a direction along the axis 30A, the first side surface 52 of the first recess 50 is configured in a rectangular shape that surrounds the connecting pipe 30. When viewed in a direction along the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30, the connecting pipe 30 is located inside the rectangle formed by the first side surface 52 of the first recess 50. In one example, the rectangle formed by the first side surface 52 of the first recess 50 is a rectangle whose dimension in the vertical direction VD in the connected state is greater than its dimension in the horizontal direction HD.

[0052] <Second recess> 7 and 8 . The guide portion 40 further has a second recess 60. The second recess 60 is provided between the first recess 50 and the connecting pipe 30 in the direction along the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30. The second recess 60 guides the tip 33 of the connecting pipe 30 to the drain pipe 5. The second recess 60 has a second side surface 61. A second opening 62 is formed at one end edge of the second side surface 61 in the direction along the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30. The second side surface 61 is connected to the first bottom surface 51 of the first recess 50. The second opening 62 is connected to the first bottom surface 51 of the first recess 50.

[0053] The second recess 60 is configured so that the drain pipe 5 is inserted through the second opening 62 of the second recess 60. When the air conditioning drain hose 10 is attached to the housing 4 of the indoor unit 1, the drain pipe 5 is inserted through the second opening 62 of the second recess 60. The second recess 60 is configured in a cylindrical shape such that an axis 60A of the second recess 60 coincides with the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30.

[0054] <Mounting part> See Figures 3, 8, and 9. The connection part 20 further has an attachment part 70. The attachment part 70 is attached to the housing 4 of the indoor unit 1. The attachment part 70 is provided on the guide part 40. In one example, the attachment part 70 is provided outside the first opening part 53.

[0055] The mounting portion 70 is attached to the mounting surface 6 of the housing 4. The mounting portion 70 includes a mounting surface 71. In the connected state, the mounting surface 71 contacts the mounting surface 6 of the housing 4. As shown in FIG. 3 , the mounting surface 71 is inclined with respect to the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30 so as to contact the mounting surface 6. In one example, the mounting surfaces 71 are provided both above and below the guide portion 40 in the vertical direction VD in the connected state. The mounting surfaces 71 are continuous with the first side surface 52 of the first recess 50.

[0056] In one example, the mounting portion 70 is attached to the housing 4 by a fastener 72. The fastener 72 is configured to be detachable from the housing 4. In one example, the fastener 72 is a screw. The screw is fixed to a fastening hole 73 provided in the mounting surface 6 of the housing 4. As the fastener 72, a claw-shaped member that hooks into the fastening hole 73 may be provided in the mounting portion 70. Both a screw and a claw-shaped member may be used as the fastener 72. The fastener 72 may be a magnet that attaches to the housing 4. The mounting surface 71 is provided with a mounting hole through which the fastener 72 is inserted.

[0057] The mounting portion 70 has a first side portion 74 and a second side portion 75. The second side portion 75 is located on the opposite side of the first side portion 74 in the horizontal direction HD. The first side portion 74 and the second side portion 75 are provided on the mounting surface 71. The first side portion 74 contacts the housing 4 in the connected state. The second side portion 75 contacts the housing 4 in the connected state. In the connected state, the first side portion 74 and the second side portion 75 contact the mounting surface 6 of the housing 4. The drain pipe 5 is located between the first side portion 74 and the second side portion 75 in the connected state.

[0058] When the indoor unit 1 is viewed from above in the connected state, the first side portion 74 is located outside the tip surface 36 of the connecting pipe 30 in a direction perpendicular to the axial center 30A of the connecting pipe 30. When the indoor unit 1 is viewed from above in the connected state, the second side portion 75 is located outside the tip surface 36, opposite the first side portion 74, in a direction perpendicular to the axial center 30A of the connecting pipe 30. Specifically, the second side portion 75 is located outside the tip surface 36, opposite the first side portion 74, so that the tip surface 36 is located between the first side portion 74 and the second side portion 75 in the horizontal direction HD in the connected state. The first side portion 74 and the second side portion 75 are located closer to the housing 4 than the tip surface 36 in the connected state.

[0059] 3 and 7. In one example, in the direction along the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30, a distance D1 from the second side portion 75 to the tip surface 36 is longer than a distance D2 from the first side portion 74 to the tip surface 36.

[0060] <Insulating cover> Referring to Figure 4, the air conditioning drain hose 10 further includes an insulating cover 80. The insulating cover 80 covers the connection portion 20. The insulating cover 80 insulates the drain pipe 5 and the connection pipe 30 from the outside air. In one example, the insulating cover 80 is made of an opaque material. Examples of the insulating cover 80 include polystyrene foam or insulating tape.

[0061] In one example, the insulating cover 80 is attached to the connection portion 20. The insulating cover 80 may be permanently fixed to the connection portion 20. For example, two insulating covers 80 are attached so as to sandwich the connection portion 20. A space is provided between the two insulating covers 80 to accommodate the connection portion 20. The two insulating covers 80 are attached to the connection portion 20 by being adhered together.

[0062] <Hose connection pipe> 4 and 5 , the connection portion 20 has a hose connection pipe 90. The end portion 12 of the hose portion 11 is connected to the hose connection pipe 90. The hose connection pipe 90 is connected to the base 32 of the connection pipe 30. The hose connection pipe 90 communicates with the connection pipe 30. In one example, an axis 90A of the hose connection pipe 90 perpendicularly intersects with an axis 30A of the connection pipe 30.

[0063] <How to connect the connector> Please refer to Figures 10 to 14. The method by which an operator connects the connection part 20 to the drain pipe 5 will be described. Figs. 10 to 14 are schematic diagrams of the drain pipe 5 and the connection part 20 as viewed from above the indoor unit 1. In Figs. 10 to 14, the drain pipe 5 is shown in cross section, and the guide part 40 of the connection part 20 is shown in cross section. In one example, the work of connecting the connection part 20 and the drain pipe 5 is carried out with the heat insulating cover 80 attached to the connection part 20.

[0064] In the first step, as shown in FIG. 10, the first side surface 52 of the first recess 50 is brought into contact with the outer periphery of the drain pipe 5.

[0065] In the second stage, the connecting portion 20 is moved toward the drain pipe 5 while the first side surface 52 of the first recess 50 is kept in contact with the outer periphery of the drain pipe 5. As shown in FIG. 11 , the tip 7 of the drain pipe 5 comes into contact with the first bottom surface 51 of the first recess 50.

[0066] In the third stage, the connecting part 20 is moved obliquely while the tip 7 of the drain pipe 5 is kept in contact with the first bottom surface 51 of the first recess 50. The direction in which the connecting part 20 is moved obliquely is along the first bottom surface 51 so that the axis 5A of the drain pipe 5 approaches the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30. As shown in FIG. 12 , the tip 7 of the drain pipe 5 is positioned at the second opening 62 of the second recess 60.

[0067] In the fourth step, the connecting portion 20 is further moved toward the drain pipe 5. As shown in FIG. 13 , the tip 7 of the drain pipe 5 is inserted through the second opening 62 of the second recess 60. As a result, the drain pipe 5 is positioned inside the second side surface 61 of the second recess 60.

[0068] In a fifth step, the connecting portion 20 is further moved toward the drain pipe 5 so that the connecting pipe 30 is inserted into the drain pipe 5. As shown in FIG. 14, when the connecting pipe 30 is inserted into the drain pipe 5, the mounting surface 71 of the mounting portion 70 comes into contact with the mounting surface 6 of the housing 4 (see FIG. 3).

[0069] 10 to 14 show an example in which, in the first stage, the outer periphery of the drain pipe 5 is placed against the lower side of the first side surface 52 of the first recess 50 in the plane of the paper. In the first stage, the outer periphery of the drain pipe 5 may be placed against the upper side, the front side, or the back side of the first side surface 52 of the first recess 50 in the plane of the paper.

[0070] <effect> The first function of this embodiment will be described. If the indoor unit 1 is placed on the ceiling F, it may be difficult for the worker to directly see the drain hose connection part and the drain pipe 5 when connecting the drain hose to the indoor unit 1. With the air conditioning drain hose 10, the tip 7 of the drain pipe 5 abuts against the guide part 40, which guides the tip 33 of the connecting pipe 30 into the drain pipe 5, allowing the worker to work without looking at the connection part 20 and the drain pipe 5. For this reason, the air conditioning drain hose 10 can be connected to the indoor unit 1 even if the connection part 20 and the drain pipe 5 cannot be directly seen when connecting the air conditioning drain hose 10.

[0071] A second function of this embodiment will be described. When the insulating cover 80 is attached to the connection portion 20, it is difficult to directly visually observe the connection portion 20 of the air conditioning drain hose 10 during the connection work of the air conditioning drain hose 10. In this regard, it is possible to attach the insulating cover 80 to the connection portion 20 of the air conditioning drain hose 10 after connecting the connection portion 20 to the air conditioning drain hose 10. However, attaching the insulating cover 80 requires work such as securing with tape, which is time-consuming to do at a high altitude. With the air conditioning drain hose 10, the guide portion 40 allows the air conditioning drain hose 10 to be connected to the indoor unit 1 even if the connection portion 20 and the drain pipe 5 cannot be directly visually observed. Therefore, the connection work of the air conditioning drain hose 10 can be performed with the insulating cover 80 attached to the connection portion 20 in advance.

[0072] A third function of this embodiment will be described. In the case of conventional drain hose connections, they are sometimes fixed to the drain pipe 5 with adhesive. When fixed with adhesive, replacing the drain hose requires replacing the entire drain pipe 5 of the indoor unit 1. The mounting part 70 is attached to the housing 4 of the indoor unit 1 with a removable fastener 72. Therefore, when the air conditioning drain hose 10 needs to be replaced, the mounting part 20 can be removed from the drain pipe 5.

[0073] <Effects> The effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The air conditioning drain hose 10 includes a hose portion 11 and a connecting portion 20. The connecting portion 20 includes a connecting pipe 30 and a guide portion 40. The guide portion 40 guides the tip 33 of the connecting pipe 30 into the drain pipe 5 when the connecting pipe 30 is connected to the drain pipe 5. The guide portion 40 includes a first recess 50. The first recess 50 is disposed at a position away from the tip 33 of the connecting pipe 30 in a direction from the base 32 of the connecting pipe 30 toward the tip 33 of the connecting pipe 30. When viewed in a direction along the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30, a first side surface 52 of the first recess 50 is disposed outward from the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30.

[0074] According to this configuration, the first recess 50 is positioned away from the tip 33 of the connecting pipe 30 in the direction from the base 32 of the connecting pipe 30 toward the tip 33 of the connecting pipe 30. Therefore, before the connecting pipe 30 is connected to the drain pipe 5, the first side surface 52 of the first recess 50 abuts the tip 7 of the drain pipe 5. Because the first side surface 52 of the first recess 50 is positioned outward of the connecting pipe 30 when viewed from the direction along the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30, the worker can grasp the positional relationship between the drain pipe 5 and the connection portion 20 by seeing the tip 7 of the drain pipe 5 abutting the first side surface 52 of the first recess 50. In this way, the guide portion 40 guides the tip 33 of the connecting pipe 30 to the drain pipe 5, making it easy to connect the connecting pipe 30 to the drain pipe 5. This improves the ease of connecting the drain pipe 5 of the indoor unit 1 to the connection portion 20 of the air conditioning drain hose 10.

[0075] (2) The first side surface 52 of the first recess 50 is configured to widen as it gets farther away from the connecting pipe 30 in the direction along the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30.

[0076] According to this configuration, the first side surface 52 of the first recess 50 widens as it moves away from the connecting pipe 30, and the first opening 53 formed by the first side surface 52 allows the tip 33 of the connecting pipe 30 to be guided into the drain pipe 5.

[0077] (3) The first bottom surface 51 of the first recess 50 is inclined with respect to the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30.

[0078] According to this configuration, the first bottom surface 51 of the first recess 50 is inclined relative to the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30, so that the connecting portion 20 moves so that the tip 7 of the drain pipe 5 follows the inclination of the first bottom surface 51, thereby guiding the tip 33 of the connecting pipe 30 into the drain pipe 5.

[0079] (4) The guide portion 40 further has a second recess 60. The second recess 60 is provided between the first recess 50 and the connecting pipe 30 in a direction along the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30. The second recess 60 guides the tip 33 of the connecting pipe 30 into the drain pipe 5. The second recess 60 is configured in a cylindrical shape such that the axis 60A of the second recess 60 coincides with the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30.

[0080] According to this configuration, the axis 60A of the cylindrically configured second recess 60 coincides with the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30, so the operator can guide the tip 33 of the connecting pipe 30 into the drain pipe 5 by moving the connecting part 20 so that the drain pipe 5 is aligned with the second recess 60.

[0081] (5) The second recess 60 is configured so that the drain pipe 5 is inserted through the second opening 62 of the second recess 60 .

[0082] According to this configuration, by inserting the drain pipe 5 into the second opening 62 of the second recess 60, the tip 33 of the connecting pipe 30 can be guided to the drain pipe 5.

[0083] (6) The connecting pipe 30 is inserted into the inside of the drain pipe 5.

[0084] According to this configuration, the connecting part 20 can be connected to the drain pipe 5 by inserting the connecting pipe 30 into the drain pipe 5 .

[0085] (7) The connection part 20 has a seal part 31. The seal part 31 is disposed on the outer periphery of the connection pipe 30.

[0086] According to this configuration, since the seal portion 31 is located between the outer surface of the connection pipe 30 and the inner surface of the drain pipe 5 in the connected state, the seal portion 31 can suppress leakage.

[0087] (8) The connection portion 20 further includes an attachment portion 70. The attachment portion 70 is attached to the housing 4 of the indoor unit 1. The attachment portion 70 is provided on the guide portion 40.

[0088] According to this configuration, the connection part 20 can be attached to the housing 4 of the indoor unit 1.

[0089] (9) The mounting portion 70 is attached to the housing 4 by a removable fastener 72 .

[0090] According to this configuration, the mounting portion 70 is removably attached to the indoor unit 1 by the fasteners 72, which improves the maintainability of the drain piping.

[0091] (10) The mounting portion 70 includes a mounting surface 71 that is inclined with respect to the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30 so as to contact the mounting surface 6.

[0092] According to this configuration, even if the mounting surface 6 of the indoor unit 1 is inclined with respect to the axis 5A of the drain pipe 5, the connecting part 20 can be mounted to the housing 4 of the indoor unit 1 in a suitable manner.

[0093] (11) The mounting portion 70 has a first side portion 74 and a second side portion 75. In the direction along the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30, a distance D1 from the second side portion 75 to the tip surface 36 is longer than a distance D2 from the first side portion 74 to the tip surface 36.

[0094] According to this configuration, if the connection part 20 rotates relative to the drain pipe 5 in the circumferential direction about the axis 5A of the drain pipe 5 when transitioning from the non-connected state to the connected state, the second side part 75 will come into contact with the housing 4 of the indoor unit 1 and will not be able to be connected. In this way, the worker can grasp the orientation of the connection pipe 30 relative to the drain pipe 5 in the circumferential direction.

[0095] (12) The guide portion 40 is molded integrally with the connecting pipe 30 using resin.

[0096] According to this configuration, the connection portion 20 can be resin-molded using a single mold, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the air-conditioning drain hose 10.

[0097] (13) The air conditioning drain hose 10 further includes a heat insulating cover 80. The heat insulating cover 80 is attached to the connecting portion 20.

[0098] According to this configuration, since the heat insulating cover 80 is attached to the connection part 20, the work of attaching the heat insulating cover 80 after connecting the connection part 20 to the drain pipe 5 can be eliminated.

[0099] <Modification> In addition to the above-described embodiment, the air-conditioning drain hose 10 of the present disclosure may have the following modified examples, or may be a combination of at least two mutually consistent modified examples.

[0100] The second recess 60 may be omitted from the guide portion 40. In this modification, the guide portion 40 includes only the first recess 50.

[0101] The first bottom surface 51 may be omitted from the first recess 50. In this modification, the edge of the first side surface 52 may be continuous with the second recess 60.

[0102] The first side surface 52 of the first recess 50 may be configured to have the same shape in the direction along the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30. In this modification, the first opening 53 of the first recess 50 is configured not to widen even when it is farther away from the connecting pipe 30 in the direction along the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30.

[0103] The mounting surface 6 of the housing 4 does not have to be inclined with respect to the axis 5A of the drain pipe 5. In this modification, the first bottom surface 51 of the first recess 50 may be perpendicular to the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30. In this modification, the mounting surface 71 of the mounting portion 70 does not have to be inclined with respect to the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30. In this modification, the distance D1 from the second side portion 75 to the tip surface 36 in the direction along the axis 30A of the connecting pipe 30 may be the same as the distance D2 from the first side portion 74 to the tip surface 36.

[0104] The connecting pipe 30 may be inserted outside the drain pipe 5. In this modification, the seal portion 31 may be disposed on the inner periphery of the connecting pipe 30.

[0105] The attachment portion 70 may be omitted from the connection portion 20. Instead of the attachment portion 70, the connection pipe 30 of the connection portion 20 may be connected to the drain pipe 5 by a tightening band made of metal, resin, or the like.

[0106] While the embodiments of the air conditioning drain hose 10 have been described above, it will be understood that various modifications in form and details are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the air conditioning drain hose 10 as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 1...indoor unit, 4...housing, 5...drain pipe, 6...mounting surface, 10...air conditioning drain hose, 11...hose portion, 20...connecting portion, 30...connecting pipe, 31...sealing portion, 36...tip surface, 40...guide portion, 50...first recess, 51...first bottom surface, 52...first side surface, 60...second recess, 62...second opening, 70...mounting portion, 71...mounting surface, 72...fixing device, 74...first side portion, 75...second side portion, 80...insulating cover.

Claims

1. An air conditioning drain hose (10) comprising: a hose portion (11) through which drain water discharged from a drain pipe (5) provided in an indoor unit (1) of an air conditioner flows; and a connecting portion (20) provided at an end (12) of the hose portion (11) so as to connect the drain pipe (5) and the hose portion (11), The connection portion (20) is a connecting pipe (30) connected to the drain pipe (5); a guide portion (40) for guiding a tip (33) of the connecting pipe (30) to the drain pipe (5) when the connecting pipe (30) is connected to the drain pipe (5); The guide portion (40) has a first recess (50) disposed at a position away from the tip (33) of the connecting pipe (30) in a direction from the base (32) of the connecting pipe (30) toward the tip (33) of the connecting pipe (30), When viewed from a direction along the axis (30A) of the connecting pipe (30), a first side surface (52) of the first recess (50) is located outside the axis (30A) of the connecting pipe (30). Air conditioning drain hose.

2. The first side surface (52) is configured to widen as it moves away from the connecting pipe (30) in a direction along the axis (30A) of the connecting pipe (30). The air conditioning drain hose according to claim 1.

3. A first bottom surface (51) of the first recess (50) is inclined with respect to the axis (30A) of the connecting pipe (30). The air conditioning drain hose according to claim 1.

4. the guide portion (40) is provided between the first recess (50) and the connecting pipe (30) in a direction along the axis (30A) of the connecting pipe (30), and further has a second recess (60) that guides the tip (33) of the connecting pipe (30) to the drain pipe (5); The second recess (60) is configured in a cylindrical shape such that the axis (60A) of the second recess (60) coincides with the axis (30A) of the connecting pipe (30). The air conditioning drain hose according to claim 1.

5. The second recess (60) is configured so that the drain pipe (5) passes through a second opening (62) of the second recess (60). The air conditioning drain hose according to claim 4.

6. The connecting pipe (30) is inserted inside the drain pipe (5). The air conditioning drain hose according to claim 1.

7. The connection portion (20) has a seal portion (31) arranged on the outer periphery of the connection pipe (30). The air conditioning drain hose according to claim 6.

8. The connection portion (20) further has an attachment portion (70) that is attached to a housing (4) of the indoor unit (1), The mounting portion (70) is provided on the guide portion (40). The air conditioning drain hose according to claim 1.

9. The mounting portion (70) is attached to the housing (4) by a fastener (72) that is removable from the housing (4). The air conditioning drain hose according to claim 8.

10. The housing (4) has a mounting surface (6) to which the mounting portion (70) is attached, The mounting surface (6) is inclined with respect to the axis (5A) of the drain pipe (5), The mounting portion (70) includes a mounting surface (71) inclined with respect to the axis (30A) of the connecting pipe (30) so as to be in contact with the mounting surface (6). The air conditioning drain hose according to claim 8.

11. The mounting portion (70) a first side portion (74) that contacts the housing (4) when the connecting pipe (30) is connected to the drain pipe (5); a second side portion (75) that contacts the housing (4) in the connected state; When the indoor unit (1) is viewed from above in the connected state, the first side portion (74) is located outside the tip surface (36) of the connecting pipe (30) in a direction perpendicular to the axis (30A) of the connecting pipe (30), When the indoor unit (1) is viewed from above in the connected state, the second side portion (75) is located on the outer side opposite to the first side portion (74) with respect to the tip surface (36) in a direction perpendicular to the axis (30A) of the connecting pipe (30); The first side portion (74) and the second side portion (75) are located closer to the housing (4) than the tip surface (36) in the connected state, In a direction along the axis (30A) of the connecting pipe (30), a distance (D1) from the second side portion (75) to the tip surface (36) is longer than a distance (D2) from the first side portion (74) to the tip surface (36). The air conditioning drain hose according to claim 8.

12. The guide portion (40) is molded integrally with the connecting pipe (30) using resin. The air conditioning drain hose according to claim 1.

13. Further provided is a heat insulating cover (80) that covers the connection portion (20), The insulating cover (80) is attached to the connection part (20). The air conditioning drain hose according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

Images