Holding structure and outdoor unit
The holding structure addresses the issue of unstable electrical box rotation by using a fixed notch and locking claw mechanism, ensuring secure positioning and improved maintenance efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024130024
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-19
AI Technical Summary
The existing holding structure for electrical boxes in outdoor units of air conditioners lacks a mechanism to securely fix the first electrical box after it is rotated forward, leading to potential rotation due to wiring tension, which complicates maintenance.
A holding structure featuring a fixed member with a fixed notch and a rotating member with a locking claw that allows the first electrical box to be rotated around a vertical axis, secured by a locking piece that engages with a slit in the fixed notch, ensuring stable positioning during maintenance.
The structure improves workability by securely holding the first electrical box in place, preventing unwanted rotation and enhancing maintenance efficiency.
Smart Images

Figure 2026027824000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a holding structure and an outdoor unit. [Background technology]
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a retaining structure for an electrical box mounted on an outdoor unit of an air conditioner. The retaining structure includes a front panel of the outdoor unit having a mounting sheet metal portion extending in the vertical direction, a first electrical box having a first sheet metal portion disposed on the rear side of the mounting sheet metal portion in the depth direction, and a second electrical box disposed on the rear side of the first electrical box in the depth direction and having a second sheet metal portion disposed between the mounting sheet metal portion and the first sheet metal portion in the depth direction. The first sheet metal portion has a locking claw extending toward the front side in the depth direction. The mounting sheet metal portion has a mounting notch into which the locking claw fits from the width direction. The second sheet metal portion has a second notch into which the locking claw fits from the width direction. The first electrical box can be positioned in a fixed position where the locking claw fits into the mounting notch and the second notch and is fixed adjacent to the side edge of the mounting notch, and in a rotated position where the locking claw abuts against the bottom edge of the mounting notch. When the first electrical box is in the rotated position, the worker can rotate the first electrical box around an axis extending in the vertical direction, using the contact point between the locking claw and the lower edge of the mounting notch as a fulcrum. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7314332 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] However, the holding structure of Patent Document 1 does not include a mechanism for fixing the first electrical box after it has been rotated forward relative to the front panel. As a result, unless the worker holds the first electrical box with their hands or body, the tension on the wiring can cause the first electrical box to rotate and close.
[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a holding structure and an outdoor unit that can improve workability. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a holding structure according to the present disclosure includes a fixed member having a fixed sheet metal portion, and a rotating member having a rotary sheet metal portion arranged on one side in a horizontal first direction relative to the fixed sheet metal portion, wherein the fixed sheet metal portion has a fixed notch that penetrates the fixed sheet metal portion in the horizontal first direction and opens to one side in a horizontal second direction that intersects with the horizontal first direction, and a locking piece that is provided below the fixed notch on a side edge of the fixed sheet metal portion on one side in the horizontal second direction and extends to the other side in the horizontal first direction, and the rotary sheet metal portion extends in a direction intersecting with the rotary sheet metal portion and is inserted into the fixed notch from one side to the other side in the horizontal first direction. The rotating member has a locking claw that can be inserted into the fixed notch and fixed adjacent to the other side edge of the fixed notch in the second horizontal direction, and a rotated position in which the locking claw abuts the locking piece.When the rotating member is in the rotated position, the rotating member is rotatable around an axis that passes through the locking piece and extends in the vertical direction, and the locking claw can be changed from a first orientation that follows the locking piece to a second orientation that intersects with the locking piece when viewed in the vertical direction by the rotation of the rotating member.The locking piece extends downward from the upper edge of the locking piece and has a slit into which the locking claw in the second orientation enters from above.
[0007] The outdoor unit according to the present disclosure includes the above-described holding structure. [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] The holding structure and outdoor unit of the present disclosure can improve workability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an outdoor unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the outdoor unit according to the embodiment of the present disclosure with a service panel removed. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a first electrical box and a second electrical box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a first electrical box in a closed state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an open state of a first electrical box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a first electrical box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has been removed. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view showing a holding structure when a first electrical box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is in a closed state. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion VIII in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a front view of a fixed sheet metal part according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as viewed from the depth direction. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view of the fixed sheet metal part according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, as viewed from the other side in the width direction. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a front view of the rotary sheet metal part according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, as viewed from the depth direction of the rotary sheet metal part. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a rotation notch and a locking pawl according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a holding structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a second stopper notch and a second stopper piece according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a front view of a holding structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from the depth direction. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a side view of a holding structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from one side in the width direction. [Figure 17] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the holding structure during maintenance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the holding structure during maintenance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the holding structure during maintenance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 20] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the holding structure during maintenance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 21] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the holding structure during maintenance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 22] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the holding structure during maintenance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 23] 10 is a front view illustrating a locking claw abutting a surface of a locking piece according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and the surrounding area of the locking claw. FIG. [Figure 24] 10 is a perspective view illustrating a locking claw abutting a surface of a locking piece according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and the surrounding area of the locking claw. FIG. [Figure 25] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating how to remove the first electrical box when the front panel according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is attached. [Figure 26] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another method of removing the first electrical box when the front panel according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is attached. [Figure 27] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another method of removing the first electrical box when the front panel according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has been removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] First Embodiment Hereinafter, a holding structure 15 and an outdoor unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. The holding structure 15 of this embodiment (see FIG. 2) is a structure for holding an electrical box. The holding structure 15 is applied to the outdoor unit 1 of an air conditioner. The electrical box referred to here is a structure that houses electronic circuit boards and electrical devices and on which the electronic circuit boards and electronic devices are mounted.
[0011] (Outdoor unit) As shown in Fig. 1, the outdoor unit 1 includes a housing 11. The exterior shape of the housing 11 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A heat exchanger, a fan, a compressor, an expansion valve, and other auxiliary equipment (not shown) are housed inside the housing 11. The housing 11 includes a heat exchange chamber (fan chamber) that mainly includes the heat exchanger and the fan, and a machine chamber that includes an electrical equipment box, a compressor, and other auxiliary equipment.
[0012] A front panel 20 that closes the heat exchange chamber and a service panel 13 that closes the machine chamber are attached to the front (front face) of the housing 11.
[0013] 2, when the service panel 13 is removed, a plurality of electrical equipment boxes are housed above the machinery room, and a compressor and the like are housed below the machinery room.
[0014] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the electrical equipment boxes are arranged in a multi-tier structure in the depth direction D1 of the outdoor unit 1, for example. In this embodiment, the outdoor unit 1 includes, for example, a first electrical component box 30 installed on the front side in the depth direction Dl and a second electrical component box 40 installed on the back side.
[0015] The first electrical box 30 is housed in a space inside the second electrical box 40, which is generally L-shaped in plan view (see FIG. 4). This allows the outdoor unit 1 to efficiently accommodate electronic circuit boards and electrical devices required for controlling the air conditioner.
[0016] However, during maintenance, it is necessary to easily access the second electrical box 40 that is located at the back of the first electrical box 30. Therefore, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, in this embodiment, the holding structure 15 allows the first electrical box 30 to be rotated like a door around an axis O (see Figure 19 shown later) extending in the vertical direction Dv relative to the second electrical box 40. 6, the first electrical box 30 in the open state can be removed from the second electrical box 40.
[0017] Here, the vertical up-down direction will be simply referred to as the "up-down direction Dv" in the following description. Furthermore, the depth direction Dl and width direction Dw of the outdoor unit 1 in this embodiment are horizontal directions that are perpendicular to each other. The depth direction Dl of the outdoor unit 1 is an example of a horizontal first direction, and the width direction Dw of the outdoor unit 1 is an example of a horizontal second direction. Furthermore, the rear side of the depth direction Dl is an example of one side of the horizontal first direction, and the front side of the depth direction Dl is an example of the other side of the horizontal first direction. Furthermore, one side of the width direction Dw (the side away from the front panel 20 (see FIG. 2) in the width direction Dw, for example, the right side in FIG. 4) is an example of one side of the horizontal second direction, and the other side of the width direction Dw (the side closer to the front panel 20 (see FIG. 2) in the width direction Dw, for example, the left side in FIG. 4) is an example of the other side of the horizontal second direction.
[0018] (holding structure) The holding structure 15 includes a front panel 20, a first electrical box 30, and a second electrical box 40. The front panel 20 is an example of an attachment member, the first electrical box 30 is an example of a rotating member, and the second electrical box 40 is an example of a fixed member. The front panel 20, the first electrical box 30, and the second electrical box 40 are each formed from sheet metal. Note that the first electrical box 30 and the second electrical box 40 do not necessarily have to be "box-shaped." The second electrical box 40, the first electrical box 30, and the front panel 20 are arranged side by side in this order from the back side in the depth direction Dl.
[0019] Unless otherwise specified, the structure of the holding structure 15 will be described using the example in which the first electrical box 30 is in a closed state (when the first electrical box 30 is in a fixed position P1, which will be described later), as shown in Figures 7 and 8. Note that the front panel 20 is omitted from Figures 7 and 8.
[0020] (Second electrical box) The second electrical box 40 is fixed to the inside of the housing 11 via the front panel 20 etc. The second electrical box 40 has a fixing sheet metal part 41.
[0021] (Fixed sheet metal part) The fixing sheet metal part 41 is formed by bending the edge of the other side in the width direction Dw of the second electrical box 40 (the side closer to the front panel 20 (see FIG. 2) in the width direction Dw, for example, the left side in FIG. 4 ). The fixing sheet metal part 41 is located at the frontmost part of the second electrical box 40 in the depth direction Dl. The fixing sheet metal part 41 is formed in a plate shape that extends in the up-down direction Dv and along the width direction Dw. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the fixing sheet metal part 41 has a fixing notch 42, a locking piece 43, a first stopper notch 44, and a first stopper piece 45. The fixing notch 42, the locking piece 43, the first stopper notch 44, the first stopper piece 45, etc. are formed, for example, by cutting or bending the fixing sheet metal part 41 (more precisely, the sheet metal that is the material of the fixing sheet metal part 41). In this embodiment, two sets of fixed cutouts 42 and locking pieces 43 are provided spaced apart in the up-down direction Dv. The upper fixed cutouts 42 and locking pieces 43 have the same structure as the lower fixed cutouts 42 and locking pieces 43. Furthermore, one set of first stopper cutouts 44 and first stopper pieces 45 is provided corresponding to the upper fixed cutouts 42 and locking pieces 43. Hereinafter, the flat portion of the fixed sheet metal portion 41 on which the fixed cutouts 42, locking pieces 43, first stopper cutouts 44, first stopper pieces 45, etc. are not formed may be referred to as the fixed base portion 41a. Furthermore, the thickness direction of the fixed sheet metal part 41 may refer to the thickness direction of the fixed base part 41a, and the side edge 41b on one side of the width direction Dw of the fixed sheet metal part 41 (the side in the width direction Dw that is away from the front panel 20 (see Figure 2), for example, to the right on the paper in Figure 9) may refer to the side edge on one side of the width direction Dw of the fixed base 41a.
[0022] (Fixed notch) The fixing notch 42 penetrates the fixing sheet metal part 41 in the depth direction Dl. When viewed from the depth direction Dl, the fixing notch 42 is formed in a U-shape that opens to one side in the width direction Dw. The upper edge 42a and the lower edge 42c of the fixing notch 42 extend in the width direction Dw. A curved edge 42d is formed at one end of the upper edge 42a in the width direction Dw. The curved edge 42d is formed in an arc shape that curves upward as it extends toward one side in the width direction Dw. The upper edge 42a is smoothly connected to the side edge 41b of the fixing sheet metal part 41 by the curved edge 42d. The side edge 42b of the fixing notch 42 extends in the up-down direction Dv and connects the upper edge 42a and the lower edge 42c. The side edge 42b is perpendicular to the upper edge 42a and the lower edge 42c. As shown in FIG. 8, a dimension H5 in the vertical direction Dv from the upper edge 42a to the lower edge 42c of the fixing notch 42 is designed to be longer than a total length H2 in the vertical direction Dv of the locking claw 33 described later.
[0023] (Latching piece) The locking piece 43 is provided on one side edge 41b of the fixed sheet metal part 41 in the width direction Dw. The locking piece 43 is provided below the fixed cutout 42. The locking piece 43 extends from the side edge 41b of the fixed sheet metal part 41 to the front side in the depth direction Dl. The locking piece 43 is formed in a plate shape that extends in the up-down direction Dv and along the depth direction Dl. The locking piece 43 has a slit 46 and a protrusion 47. Hereinafter, the flat portion of the locking piece 43 that does not have the slit 46, protrusion 47, etc. may be referred to as the locking piece base 43a. Furthermore, the upper edge 43b of the locking piece 43 may refer to the upper edge of the locking piece base 43a. The upper edge 43b of the locking piece 43 is continuous with the lower edge 42c of the fixed cutout 42 and extends in the depth direction Dl.
[0024] (slit) The slit 46 extends downward from the upper edge 43b of the locking piece 43. The slit 46 is formed at the rear end of the locking piece 43 in the depth direction Dl and penetrates the fixed sheet metal portion 41 in the width direction Dw. In this embodiment, the slit 46 is V-shaped when viewed from the width direction Dw. The rear side edge 46a of the slit 46 in the depth direction Dl extends downward from a position close to the lower edge 42c of the fixed cutout 42 and is inclined so that the lower the edge, the closer it is to the front side in the depth direction Dl. The front side edge 46b of the slit 46 in the depth direction Dl extends in the up-down direction Dv. The lower end 46c of the slit 46 connects the rear side edge 46a and the front side edge 46b of the slit 46 in the depth direction Dl. The lower end 46c of the slit 46 is a flat surface extending in the depth direction Dl.
[0025] (protrusion) The protrusion 47 is a member formed on the upper portion of the locking piece 43 and protruding upward. The protrusion 47 is formed in a plate shape extending in the up-down direction Dv and along the depth direction Dl. The protrusion 47 is provided on the near side of the slit 46 in the depth direction Dl. An upper edge 47a of the protrusion 47 extends in the depth direction Dl. Curved edges 47c are formed on both ends of the upper edge 47a of the protrusion 47 in the depth direction Dl. The curved edges 47c are formed in an arc shape that protrudes outward when viewed from the plate thickness direction of the locking piece 43. A side edge 47b on the far side of the protrusion 47 in the depth direction Dl extends upward from a side edge 46b on the near side of the slit 46 in the depth direction Dl. This side edge 47b is smoothly connected to the upper edge 47a by the curved edge 47c.
[0026] (First stopper notch) The first stopper notch 44 is formed in the fixed sheet metal portion 41 above the fixed notch 42. The first stopper notch 44 penetrates the fixed sheet metal portion 41 in the depth direction Dl. When viewed in the thickness direction of the fixed sheet metal portion 41, the first stopper notch 44 is formed in a U-shape that opens to one side in the width direction Dw. An upper edge 44a and a lower edge 44c of the first stopper notch 44 extend in the width direction Dw. A curved edge 44d is formed at one end of the upper edge 44a in the width direction Dw. The curved edge 44d is formed in an arc shape that curves upward as it extends toward one side in the width direction Dw. The upper edge 44a is smoothly connected to the side edge 41b of the fixed sheet metal portion 41 by the curved edge 44d. The side edge 44b of the first stopper notch 44 extends in the up-down direction Dv and connects the upper edge 44a and the lower edge 44c. The side edge 44b is perpendicular to the upper edge 44a and the lower edge 44c.
[0027] (First stopper piece) The first stopper piece 45 is provided on a side edge 41b of the fixed sheet metal portion 41 on one side in the width direction Dw. The first stopper piece 45 is provided below the first stopper cutout 44 and above the fixed cutout 42. The first stopper piece 45 extends from the side edge 41b of the fixed sheet metal portion 41 toward the front side in the depth direction Dl. The first stopper piece 45 is formed in a plate shape that extends in the up-down direction Dv and along the depth direction Dl. The first stopper piece 45 has a bent portion 48. The bent portion 48 is formed by bending the upper end of the first stopper piece 45 toward the other side in the width direction Dw (the side closer to the front panel 20 (see FIG. 2) in the width direction Dw, for example, the left side of the paper in FIG. 9). The bent portion 48 extends in the width direction Dw and along the depth direction Dl. The bent portion 48 is provided at a position overlapping with the first stopper cutout 44 in the depth direction Dl.
[0028] (First electrical box) 4 to 6, the first electrical box 30 is detachably attached to the second electrical box 40. The first electrical box 30 has a rotary sheet metal portion 31.
[0029] (Rotating sheet metal part)The rotating sheet metal part 31 is formed by bending an end part of the first electrical box 30 on the other side in the width direction Dw (the side closer to the front panel 20 in the width direction Dw, e.g., the left side in FIG. 4 ) (see FIG. 3 ). When the first electrical box 30 is in the closed state (when the first electrical box 30 is in a fixed position P1 (see FIG. 8 ) described later), the rotating sheet metal part 31 is located at the frontmost part of the first electrical box 30 in the depth direction Dl. As shown in FIGS. 7 , 8 , and 11 , the rotating sheet metal part 31 is formed in a plate shape extending in the up-down direction Dv. When the first electrical box 30 is in the closed state, the rotating sheet metal part 31 is located on the far side in the depth direction Dl relative to the fixed sheet metal part 41. In this embodiment, the rotating sheet metal part 31 overlaps the fixed sheet metal part 41 from the far side in the depth direction Dl and is fastened to the fixed sheet metal part 41 with, for example, screws 17 (see FIG. 7 ) while abutting against the fixed sheet metal part 41 with their faces. As shown in Fig. 11, the rotary sheet metal part 31 has a rotation notch 32, a locking claw 33, a second stopper notch 34, a second stopper piece 35, and a third stopper piece 36. The rotation notch 32, the locking claw 33, the second stopper notch 34, the second stopper piece 35, the third stopper piece 36, etc. are formed, for example, by cutting or bending the rotary sheet metal part 31 (more precisely, the sheet metal from which the rotary sheet metal part 31 is made). In this embodiment, two sets of the rotation notch 32 and the locking claw 33 are provided spaced apart in the vertical direction Dv (see Fig. 7). The upper rotation notch 32 and the locking claw 33 have the same structure as the lower rotation notch 32 and the locking claw 33. Furthermore, a set of the second stopper notch 34, the second stopper piece 35, and the third stopper piece 36 is provided corresponding to the upper rotation notch 32 and the locking claw 33. Hereinafter, the flat portion of the rotating sheet metal part 31 on which the rotation notch 32, the locking claw 33, the second stopper notch 34, the second stopper piece 35, the third stopper piece 36, etc. are not formed may be referred to as the rotation base 31a. Furthermore, the plate thickness direction of the rotating sheet metal part 31 means the plate thickness direction of the rotation base 31a. When the first electrical box 30 is in the open state as shown in FIG. 11 , the plate thickness direction of the rotating sheet metal part 31 coincides with the depth direction Dl.The side edge 31b on one side in the width direction Dw of the rotating sheet metal part 31 in the closed state (the side in the width direction Dw that is away from the front panel 20 (see Figure 2), for example, the right side of the paper in Figure 11) may refer to the side edge on one side in the width direction Dw of the rotating base 31a.
[0030] (Rotational notch) As shown in FIGS. 8, 11, and 12, the rotational notch 32 penetrates the rotary sheet metal portion 31 in the plate thickness direction. When viewed in the plate thickness direction of the rotary sheet metal portion 31, the rotational notch 32 is formed in a U-shape that opens to one side in the horizontal direction. When the first electrical box 30 is in the closed state, the rotational notch 32 opens to one side in the width direction Dw. An upper edge 32a and a lower edge 32c of the rotational notch 32 extend in the width direction Dw. A curved edge 32d is formed at one end of the upper edge 32a in the width direction Dw. The curved edge 32d is formed in an arc shape. The upper edge 32a is smoothly connected by the curved edge 32d to a side edge 36b (see FIG. 11) extending in the up-down direction of a third stopper piece 36 described later. Furthermore, a curved edge 32e is formed at one end of the lower edge 32c in the width direction Dw. The curved edge 32e is formed in an arc shape. The lower edge 32c is smoothly connected to the side edge 31b (see FIG. 11) of the rotating sheet metal part 31 by a curved edge 32e. The side edge 32b of the rotation cutout 32 extends in the up-down direction Dv and connects the upper edge 32a and the lower edge 32c. The rotation cutout 32 is formed by cutting out the rotating sheet metal part 31. When the first electrical box 30 is in the closed state, the rotation cutout 32 is positioned so as to overlap the fixed cutout 42 in the depth direction Dl (see FIG. 8).
[0031] (Latching claw) As shown in FIG. 12 , the locking claw 33 extends in a direction intersecting the rotary sheet metal part 31. In this embodiment, the locking claw 33 extends in the depth direction Dl so as to be perpendicular to the rotation base 31a of the rotary sheet metal part 31, and also extends in the up-down direction Dv. As shown in FIG. 13 , when the first electrical box 30 is in the closed state, the locking claw 33 extends from the side edge 32b of the rotation cutout 32 to the front side in the depth direction Dl and is inserted through the fixed cutout 42 and a mounting cutout 22 (described later) from the rear side in the depth direction Dl to the front side. When the first electrical box 30 is in the closed state, the locking claw 33 is disposed along the side edge 42b of the fixed cutout 42. The locking claw 33 is formed in a plate shape that extends in the up-down direction Dv and along the depth direction Dl. The locking claw 33 has a hook 37. Hereinafter, the flat portion of the locking claw 33 on which the hook 37 and the like are not formed may be referred to as the locking claw base 33a. Also, the lower edge 33b of the locking claw 33 may refer to the lower edge of the locking claw base 33a.
[0032] (hook) The hook 37 shown in FIG. 12 is formed on the end of the locking claw 33 on the opposite side from the fixed sheet metal portion 41 (see FIG. 13) in the extension direction. The hook 37 extends downward from the lower edge 33b of the locking claw 33. The lower edge 37a of the hook 37 is formed in a downwardly convex arc shape. When the first electrical box 30 is in the closed state, the lower edge 33b of the locking claw 33 rests on the lower edge 42c of the fixed cutout 42 of the fixed sheet metal portion 41 (see FIG. 13), and the hook 37 is located on the front side of the locking claw 33 in the depth direction Dl.
[0033] (Second stopper notch) As shown in FIGS. 11 and 14, the second stopper notch 34 is formed in the rotating sheet metal portion 31 above the rotation notch 32. The second stopper notch 34 penetrates the rotating sheet metal portion 31 in the thickness direction of the rotating sheet metal portion 31. When viewed in the thickness direction of the rotating sheet metal portion 31, the second stopper notch 34 is formed in an L-shape that opens upward and on one side in the horizontal direction (see FIGS. 11 and 14). When the first electrical box 30 is in the closed state, the second stopper notch 34 opens on one side in the width direction Dw. A lower edge 34b of the second stopper notch 34 extends horizontally. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, a side edge 34a of the second stopper notch 34 extends in the up-down direction Dv. When the first electrical box 30 is in the closed state, the second stopper cutout 34 is disposed at a position overlapping with the first stopper cutout 44 in the depth direction Dl.
[0034] (Second stopper piece) As shown in FIG. 14 , the second stopper piece 35 is provided on a side edge 34a of the second stopper cutout 34. The second stopper piece 35 extends in a direction intersecting the rotary sheet metal portion 31 (in this embodiment, the same direction as the locking claw 33). When the first electrical box 30 is in the closed state, as shown in FIG. 8 , the second stopper piece 35 extends from the side edge 34a of the second stopper cutout 34 to the front side in the depth direction Dl and is inserted into the first stopper cutout 44 from the rear side to the front side in the depth direction Dl. When the first electrical box 30 is in the closed state, the second stopper piece 35 is disposed along the side edge 44b of the first stopper cutout 44 and is located above the bent portion 48 of the first stopper cutout 44.
[0035] (Third stopper piece) As shown in FIG. 11 , the third stopper piece 36 extends in a direction intersecting the second stopper piece 35 (in this embodiment, a horizontal direction along the rotary sheet metal portion 31). In this embodiment, the third stopper piece 36 extends perpendicular to the second stopper piece 35. In this embodiment, the third stopper piece 36 is a portion of the rotary sheet metal portion 31 located between the rotation cutout 32 and the second stopper cutout 34 in the up-down direction Dv. That is, the lower edge of the third stopper piece 36 is the upper edge 32a of the rotation cutout 32, and the upper edge of the third stopper piece 36 is the lower edge 34b of the second stopper cutout 34. When the first electrical box 30 is in the closed state, the third stopper piece 36 abuts against a region of the fixed sheet metal portion 41 between the fixed cutout 42 and the first stopper cutout 44 from the far side in the depth direction Dl (see FIG. 8 ).
[0036] (front panel) 2, the front panel 20 is attached to the front surface (front face) of the housing 11. The front panel 20 has an attachment sheet metal portion 21 on one side in the width direction Dw (the side closer to the first electrical box 30 and the second electrical box 40 in the width direction Dw, for example, the right side on the paper in FIG. 2).
[0037] (Mounting sheet metal part) As shown in Figures 13, 15, and 16, the mounting sheet metal part 21 is formed in a plate shape that extends in the up-down direction Dv and along the width direction Dw. The mounting sheet metal part 21 is disposed on the front side of the fixing sheet metal part 41 in the depth direction Dl. The fixing sheet metal part 41 is attached to the mounting sheet metal part 21 in a state where they are overlapped in the depth direction Dl. The fixing sheet metal part 41 is fastened to the mounting sheet metal part 21 with, for example, screws (not shown). The mounting sheet metal part 21 has a mounting notch 22, a through groove 23, and a retaining piece 24. The mounting notch 22, through groove 23, retaining piece 24, etc. are formed, for example, by cutting or bending the mounting sheet metal part 21 (more precisely, the sheet metal that is the material for the mounting sheet metal part 21). The mounting notches 22, through grooves 23, and retaining pieces 24 are provided corresponding to the lower fixing notches 42 and locking pieces 43 of two sets of upper and lower fixing notches 42 and locking pieces 43, for example. The mounting notches 22, through grooves 23, and retaining pieces 24 may be provided corresponding to the upper fixing notches 42 and locking pieces 43. Hereinafter, the flat portion of the mounting sheet metal part 21 on which the mounting notches 22, through grooves 23, and retaining pieces 24 are not formed may be referred to as the mounting base 21a. The thickness direction of the mounting sheet metal part 21 refers to the thickness direction of the mounting base 21a. The thickness direction of the mounting sheet metal part 21 coincides with the depth direction Dl. The side edge 21b on one side of the mounting sheet metal part 21 in the width direction Dw (for example, the right side of the paper in FIG. 13 ) may refer to one side edge of the mounting base 21a in the width direction Dw.
[0038] (Mounting notch) As shown in FIG. 15 , the mounting cutout 22 penetrates the mounting sheet metal portion 21 in the depth direction Dl. When viewed in the thickness direction of the mounting sheet metal portion 21, the mounting cutout 22 is formed in a U-shape that opens to one side in the width direction Dw. The upper edge 22a and the lower edge 22c of the mounting cutout 22 extend in the width direction Dw. A curved edge 22d is formed at one end of the upper edge 22a in the width direction Dw. The curved edge 22d is formed in an arc shape that curves upward toward one side in the width direction Dw. The upper edge 22a is smoothly connected by the curved edge 22d to a side edge 23b of the clearance groove 23, which extends in the up-down direction Dv, described later. The side edge 22b of the mounting cutout 22 extends in the up-down direction Dv and connects the upper edge 22a and the lower edge 22c. The side edge 22b is perpendicular to the upper edge 22a and the lower edge 22c.
[0039] The mounting cutout 22 overlaps with the fixing cutout 42 in the depth direction Dl. A dimension H1 in the vertical direction Dv from the lower edge 42c of the fixing cutout 42 to the upper edge 22a of the mounting cutout 22 is shorter than the overall length H2 in the vertical direction Dv of the locking claw 33. The locking claw 33 of the first electrical box 30 in the closed state is inserted into the mounting cutout 22.
[0040] (vent groove) As shown in FIG. 15 , the clearance groove 23 is formed at one end of the upper edge 22a of the mounting cutout 22 in the width direction Dw. The clearance groove 23 is formed in an L-shape when viewed from the depth direction Dl. The clearance groove 23 extends upward from the upper edge 22a of the mounting cutout 22 and opens downward. Like the mounting cutout 22, the clearance groove 23 also opens on one side in the width direction Dw. The clearance groove 23 is formed at a position that does not overlap with the locking piece 43 in the up-down direction Dv. More specifically, the clearance groove 23 is positioned to be offset to the other side in the width direction Dw (e.g., leftward in the plane of FIG. 13 ) with respect to the locking piece 43 by the thickness of the locking piece 43, and is positioned further to the other side in the width direction Dw than the surface of the locking piece 43 on the other side in the width direction Dw. A side edge 23b on the other side in the width direction Dw of the clearance groove 23 extends in the up-down direction Dv. The side edge 23b of the clearance groove 23 is located on the other side in the width direction Dw than the locking piece 43. The dimension W1 of the clearance groove 23 in the width direction Dw is longer than the dimension W2 of the locking claw 33 in the width direction Dw. The dimension H3 in the up-down direction Dv from the lower edge 42c of the fixing notch 42 to the upper edge 23a of the clearance groove 23 is longer than the overall length H2 of the locking claw 33 in the up-down direction Dv. The dimension H4 in the up-down direction Dv from the upper edge 47a of the protrusion 47 of the locking piece 43 to the upper edge 23a of the clearance groove 23 is shorter than the overall length H2 of the locking claw 33 in the up-down direction Dv. The dimension H6 in the up-down direction Dv from the lower edge 42c of the fixing notch 42 to the upper edge 33c of the locking claw 33 is designed to be shorter than the dimension H4 in the up-down direction Dv from the upper edge 47a of the protrusion 47 of the locking piece 43 to the upper edge 23a of the clearance groove 23.
[0041] (Prevention piece) The retaining piece 24 is formed above the clearance groove 23. The retaining piece 24 extends from the mounting sheet metal portion 21 toward the front in the depth direction Dl. The retaining piece 24 extends upward from the upper edge 23a of the clearance groove 23. The retaining piece 24 is formed by bending the mounting sheet metal portion 21 toward the front in the depth direction Dl. The upper edge 23a of the clearance groove 23 forms the lower edge of the retaining piece 24. The end of the upper edge 23a toward the front in the depth direction Dl is an arc-shaped curved edge 23c.
[0042] (Operation of the retention structure during maintenance) The operation of the holding structure 15 during maintenance will be described with reference to Figures 17 to 22. In Figures 17 to 22, the front panel 20 is omitted.
[0043] Initially, the first electrical box 30 is in a closed state. At this time, as shown in FIG. 17 , the locking claw 33 is inserted into the fixing notch 42 and is fixed adjacent to the side edge 42b on the other side (left side in the drawing) of the fixing notch 42 in the width direction Dw. The position of the first electrical box 30 at this time is referred to as the "fixed position P1." At this fixed position P1, the hook 37 of the locking claw 33 is hooked on the surface of the fixed sheet metal part 41 on the front side in the depth direction Dl. In addition, the locking claw 33 is positioned so as to overlap the locking piece 43 when viewed in the width direction Dw. The worker removes the screw 17 to release the fixed rotatable sheet metal part 31.
[0044] Thereafter, the worker slides the first electrical box 30 to one side in the width direction Dw. As a result, the locking claw 33 slides to one side in the width direction Dw (to the right in the drawing) along the lower edge 42c of the fixing notch 42. As shown in FIG. 18 , the worker slides the first electrical box 30 in the width direction Dw until the locking claw 33 abuts against the locking piece 43 from the other side in the width direction Dw. The position of the first electrical box 30 when the locking claw 33 abuts against the locking piece 43 from the other side in the width direction Dw in this manner is referred to as the "rotation position P2." When the first electrical box 30 is in the rotation position P2, the first electrical box 30 is rotatable around an axis O that passes through the locking piece 43 and extends in the up-down direction Dv.
[0045] The worker rotates the first electrical box 30 around the axis O, centering on the locking piece 43, while bringing the locking claw 33 into contact with the locking piece 43. As a result, as shown in FIG. 19, the first electrical box 30 is opened toward the front in the depth direction Dl and placed in an open state. In this embodiment, the first electrical box 30 is rotated toward the front by approximately 90 degrees relative to the second electrical box 40. As a result, the locking claw 33 is changed from a first orientation A1 (see FIG. 18) along the locking piece 43 to a second orientation A2 (see FIG. 19) intersecting the locking piece 43 as viewed in the up-down direction Dv. Then, as shown in FIG. 20, the locking claw 33 enters the slit 46 of the locking piece 43 from above due to its own weight. At this time, the hook 37 of the locking claw 33 engages with the surface of the locking piece 43 on the other side in the width direction Dw, and the protrusion 47 of the locking piece 43 abuts against the surface of the locking claw 33 on the front side in the depth direction Dl.
[0046] When the locking claw 33 enters the slit 46, the first electrical box 30 is shifted slightly downward relative to the second electrical box 40, and the second stopper piece 35 moves to a position where it overlaps with the first stopper piece 45 in the depth direction Dl. As a result, the first stopper piece 45 is abutted against the second stopper piece 35 and the third stopper piece 36 from both sides in the rotation direction Dr of the first electrical box 30. The rotation direction Dr is the direction in which the first electrical box 30 rotates around an axis O that passes through the locking claw 33 and extends in the up-down direction Dv. In this embodiment, the second stopper piece 35 abuts against the bent portion 48 of the first stopper piece 45 from the far side in the depth direction Dl. At this time, the bent portion 48 extends along the second stopper piece 35 in the width direction Dw. Furthermore, the third stopper piece 36 abuts against the first stopper piece 45 at a surface from one side in the width direction Dw. At this time, the third stopper piece 36 overlaps the portion of the first stopper piece 45 below the bent portion 48 in the width direction Dw. The locking claw 33 enters the slit 46, and the first stopper piece 45 is sandwiched between the second stopper piece 35 and the third stopper piece 36, thereby preventing unintentional rotation of the first electrical box 30. In this state, the worker performs maintenance on an area further back than the first electrical box 30 in the depth direction Dl.
[0047] After completing the maintenance, the worker lifts the first electrical box 30 upward along the slit 46. Then, the worker closes the first electrical box 30 in the reverse order of the order in which the first electrical box 30 was opened. This completes the maintenance.
[0048] The worker can also remove the first electrical box 30 from the second electrical box 40. When removing the first electrical box 30, the worker lifts the first electrical box 30 upward from the state shown in FIG. 20 , for example, as shown in FIG. 21 , to remove the locking claws 33 from the slits 46, and moves the second stopper pieces 35 above the first stopper pieces 45. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 22 , the worker slides the first electrical box 30 to one side in the width direction Dw (to the right on the paper surface) to remove the first electrical box 30.
[0049] (Action and effect) The holding structure 15 of this embodiment has the following advantages.
[0050] In this embodiment, the holding structure 15 includes a second electrical box 40 having a fixed sheet metal part 41, and a first electrical box 30 having a rotatable sheet metal part 31 arranged on the rear side of the fixed sheet metal part 41 in the depth direction Dl. The fixed sheet metal part 41 has a fixed notch 42 that penetrates the fixed sheet metal part 41 in the depth direction Dl and opens to one side in a width direction Dw that intersects (is perpendicular to) the depth direction Dl, and a locking piece 43 that is provided on a side edge 41b on one side of the fixed sheet metal part 41 in the width direction Dw below the fixed notch 42 and extends to the front side in the depth direction Dl. The rotatable sheet metal part 31 extends in a direction intersecting the rotatable sheet metal part 31, and has a locking claw 33 in the fixed notch 42 that can be inserted from the rear side to the front side in the depth direction Dl. The first electrical box 30 is positioned at a fixed position P1 where the locking claw 33 is inserted into the fixing notch 42 and is fixed adjacent to the side edge 42b on the other side of the fixing notch 42 in the width direction Dw, and at a rotated position P2 where the locking claw 33 abuts against the locking piece 43. When the first electrical box 30 is in the rotated position P2, the first electrical box 30 is rotatable around an axis O that passes through the locking piece 43 and extends in the up-down direction Dv. As the first electrical box 30 rotates, the locking claw 33 can be changed from a first orientation A1 along the locking piece 43 to a second orientation A2 that intersects with the locking piece 43 as viewed in the up-down direction Dv. The locking piece 43 extends downward from an upper edge 43b of the locking piece 43 and has a slit 46 into which the locking claw 33 in the second orientation A2 enters from above.
[0051] According to the above configuration, a mechanism for rotatably holding the first electrical box 30 can be configured without using special parts such as hinges by combining the shape of the fixed sheet metal portion 41 of the second electrical box 40 with the shape of the rotating sheet metal portion 31 of the first electrical box 30. This allows the electrical box to be made smaller while ensuring ease of assembly. Furthermore, after the first electrical box 30 is rotated, the locking claws 33 enter the slits 46, locking the first electrical box 30 in the open position and preventing unintended rotation of the first electrical box 30. This eliminates the need for the worker to hold down the first electrical box 30 with their hands or body. This allows the worker to easily perform maintenance on the second electrical box 40 and the devices mounted in the second electrical box 40 with the first electrical box 30 in the open position. In other words, workability is improved. Furthermore, a mechanism for rotatably holding the first electrical box 30 can be configured using two parts, the first electrical box 30 and the second electrical box 40. That is, the function of opening, closing, and locking the first electrical box 30 can be achieved regardless of whether or not the front panel 20 having the mounting sheet metal portion 21 is present. Therefore, compared to conventional systems, the number of parts required to rotate the first electrical box 30 and achieve the function of locking the first electrical box 30 in the open position can be reduced. In addition, the worker can easily remove the first electrical box 30 by moving the first electrical box 30 upward and pulling the locking claw 33 out of the slit 46, and then moving the first electrical box 30 to one side in the width direction Dw (away from the fixed sheet metal portion 41), for example. The locking pieces 43 and the slits 46 can be formed simply by cutting or bending the fixed sheet metal portion 41, and the locking claws 33 can be formed simply by cutting or bending the rotating sheet metal portion 31. Therefore, the retaining structure 15 can have the function of suppressing rotation of the first electrical box 30 without complicating the manufacturing process.
[0052] In this embodiment, when the first electrical box 30 is in the fixed position P1, the rotating sheet metal part 31 is fixed to the fixed sheet metal part 41 in a state where the rotating sheet metal part 31 abuts against the fixed sheet metal part 41 with its surface in contact therewith.
[0053] As a result, the first electrical box 30 is firmly fixed to the second electrical box 40 while the above-mentioned effects are exerted.
[0054] In this embodiment, the side edge 46a of the slit 46 on the far side in the depth direction Dl is inclined so that the further downward it is positioned, the closer it is to the near side in the depth direction Dl.
[0055] This allows the locking claws 33 to smoothly enter the slits 46 due to their own weight. This more reliably prevents the first electrical box 30 from rotating, making it easier for workers to perform maintenance with the first electrical box 30 in an open state. In other words, workability is further improved.
[0056] In this embodiment, a side edge 46a on the far side of the slit 46 in the depth direction Dl extends downward from a position close to the lower edge 42c of the fixing cutout 42.
[0057] As a result, the locking claw 33 is oriented in the second direction A2 intersecting with the locking piece 43, and at the same time, the locking piece 43 is more likely to naturally fall into the slit 46 due to its own weight. This reliably prevents the first electrical box 30 from rotating, further improving workability. In this case, it is preferable that the side edge 46a of the slit 46 extend downward from the lower edge 42c of the fixing notch 42.
[0058] In this embodiment, the locking piece 43 has a protrusion 47 that protrudes upward on the near side of the slit 46 in the depth direction Dl.
[0059] This makes it possible to prevent the locking claw 33 from falling off to the front side of the locking piece 43 in the depth direction Dl when the locking claw 33 enters the slit 46.
[0060] In this embodiment, the fixed sheet metal part 41 has a first stopper piece 45 extending from a side edge 41b of the fixed sheet metal part 41 on one side in the width direction Dw to the other side in the depth direction Dl. The rotating sheet metal part 31 has a second stopper piece 35 extending in a direction intersecting the rotating sheet metal part 31 and a third stopper piece 36 extending in a direction intersecting the second stopper piece 35. When the locking claw 33 enters the slit 46, the first stopper piece 45 is abutted by the second stopper piece 35 and the third stopper piece 36 from both sides in the rotational direction Dr of the first electrical box 30.
[0061] After the first electrical box 30 rotates, the first stopper piece 45 is sandwiched between the second stopper piece 35 and the third stopper piece 36 from both sides in the rotational direction Dr. The first stopper piece 45 is then abutted against the second stopper piece 35 and the third stopper piece 36 from both sides in the rotational direction Dr, thereby fixing the first electrical box 30. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 20 , when the locking claw 33 is inserted into the slit 46, the first stopper piece 45 abuts against the third stopper piece 36 when the first electrical box 30 rotates clockwise around the axis O as viewed from above, and the first stopper piece 45 abuts against the second stopper piece 35 when the first electrical box 30 rotates counterclockwise around the axis O as viewed from above. This further prevents unintended rotation of the first electrical box 30. Therefore, the first electrical box 30 is locked more securely in the open state, making it easier for the worker to perform maintenance with the first electrical box 30 in the open state. In other words, workability is further improved. The first stopper piece 45 can be formed simply by cutting or bending the fixed sheet metal portion 41, and the second stopper piece 35 and the third stopper piece 36 can be formed simply by cutting or bending the rotating sheet metal portion 31. Therefore, without complicating the manufacturing process, the retaining structure 15 can have a stopper function that suppresses rotation of the first electrical box 30, in addition to the function of suppressing rotation by the engagement between the slit 46 and the locking claw 33.
[0062] In this embodiment, the first stopper piece 45 has a bent portion 48 bent in the horizontal direction. When the locking claw 33 enters the slit 46, the second stopper piece 35 abuts on a surface of the bent portion 48 of the first stopper piece 45 from the rear side in the depth direction Dl. At this time, the bent portion 48 extends along the second stopper piece 35 in the width direction Dw. Furthermore, the third stopper piece 36 abuts on a surface of the first stopper piece 45 from one side in the width direction Dw. At this time, the third stopper piece 36 overlaps in the width direction Dw with a portion of the first stopper piece 45 below the bent portion 48.
[0063] As a result, the second stopper piece 35 and the third stopper piece 36 come into face-to-face contact with the first stopper piece 45. This more reliably suppresses rotation of the first electrical box 30, and also suppresses deformation of the first stopper piece 45, the second stopper piece 35, and the third stopper piece 36.
[0064] In this embodiment, the holding structure 15 further includes a front panel 20 having a mounting sheet metal portion 21 arranged on the other side of the fixing sheet metal portion 41 in the depth direction Dl. The fixing sheet metal portion 41 is attached to the mounting sheet metal portion 21 in a state where the fixing sheet metal portion 41 is overlapped in the depth direction Dl. The mounting sheet metal portion 21 penetrates the mounting sheet metal portion 21 in the depth direction Dl and opens to one side in the width direction Dw. The mounting sheet metal portion 21 has a mounting notch 22 that penetrates the mounting sheet metal portion 21 in the depth direction Dl and opens to one side in the width direction Dw. The mounting notch 22 overlaps the fixing notch 42 in the depth direction Dl. A clearance groove 23 is formed at an end of an upper edge 22a of the mounting notch 22 on one side in the width direction Dw and extends upward. A dimension H1 in the up-down direction Dv from a lower edge 42c of the fixing notch 42 to the upper edge 22a of the mounting notch 22 is shorter than an overall length H2 in the up-down direction Dv of the locking claw 33.
[0065] In the above configuration, simply lifting the first electrical box 30 upward from the fixed position P1 will cause the first electrical box 30 to come into contact with the front panel 20, preventing the first electrical box 30 from being removed. To remove the first electrical box 30, an operator must slide the first electrical box 30 to one side in the width direction Dw to the rotation position P2. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 , the locking claws 33 are positioned below the removal grooves 23, allowing the operator to remove the locking claws 33 from the removal grooves 23. In FIG. 23 , the direction of movement of the first electrical box 30 is indicated by a dashed arrow. In other words, unless the operator moves the locking claws 33 to the rotation position P2, the locking claws 33 come into contact with the fixing notches 42 or the mounting notches 22, preventing the locking claws 33 from being unintentionally removed from the fixing notches 42 and the mounting notches 22. Furthermore, even if the locking claw 33 is moved to below the escape groove 23, simply moving the locking claw 33 upward or to one side in the width direction Dw will cause the upper end of the locking claw 33 to interfere with the escape groove 23, and the hook 37 of the locking claw 33 will interfere with the protrusion 47 of the locking piece 43. Therefore, in order to remove the first electrical box 30, the worker needs to push the first electrical box 30 toward the back in the depth direction Dl so as to remove the hook 37, which reliably prevents the first electrical box 30 from being unintentionally removed.
[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a dimension H3 in the up-down direction Dv from the lower edge 42c of the fixing notch 42 to the upper edge 23a of the escape groove 23 is designed to be longer than the overall length H2 in the up-down direction Dv of the locking claw 33. Furthermore, when the locking claw 33 is arranged in the first orientation A1 at the rotation position P2, it is positioned so as to overlap with the protrusion 47 of the locking piece 43 as viewed in the width direction Dw. Moreover, a dimension H4 in the up-down direction Dv from the upper edge 47a of the protrusion 47 of the locking piece 43 to the upper edge 23a of the escape groove 23 is designed to be shorter than the overall length H2 in the up-down direction Dv of the locking claw 33.
[0067] As a result, even if the locking claws 33 are moved below the clearance grooves 23, the worker cannot remove the first electrical box 30 unless he or she tilts the locking claws 33 in the depth direction Dl or width direction Dw with respect to the up-down direction Dv and moves the first electrical box 30 so as to remove the locking claws 33 from the fixing notches 42 and the mounting notches 22. Furthermore, the dimension H3 is designed to be longer than the overall length H2 of the locking claws 33. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 25 , the worker can also remove the first electrical box 30 by rotating the first electrical box 30 90 degrees, lifting the first electrical box 30 upward to disengage the locking claws 33 from the slits 46, and then shifting the first electrical box 30 to the right (one side in the width direction Dw). In FIG. 25 , the direction of movement of the first electrical box 30 is indicated by a dashed arrow. As shown in FIG. 15 , the dimension H6 in the vertical direction Dv from the lower edge 42c of the fixing notch 42 to the upper edge 33c of the locking claw 33 is designed to be shorter than the dimension H4 in the vertical direction Dv from the upper edge 47a of the protrusion 47 of the locking piece 43 to the upper edge 23a of the clearance groove 23. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 26 , the worker can also remove the first electrical box 30 by lifting the first electrical box 30 upward to disengage the locking claw 33 from the slit 46 and then moving the first electrical box 30 toward the front in the depth direction Dl so that the locking claw 33 clears the protrusion 47. In FIG. 26 , the movement direction of the first electrical box 30 is indicated by a dashed arrow. In either case, the first electrical box 30 will not be unintentionally removed unless the worker pulls out the locking claw 33. This makes it even easier for the worker to perform maintenance with the first electrical box 30 open. That is, the workability is further improved. Furthermore, the dimension H5 in the up-down direction Dv from the upper edge 42a to the lower edge 42c of the fixing cutout 42 is designed to be longer than the overall length H2 in the up-down direction Dv of the locking claw 33. This makes it easier for the locking claw 33 to disengage, and when the front panel 20 is removed from the outdoor unit 1, the first electrical box 30 can be removed simply by lifting the first electrical box 30 upward and pushing it inward in the depth direction Dl, as shown in FIG. 27. In FIG. 27, the direction of movement of the first electrical box 30 is indicated by a dashed arrow. This ability to remove the first electrical box 30 and the second electrical box 40 facilitates assembly, for example, during manufacturing.
[0068] In this embodiment, a curved edge 22d is formed at one end of the upper edge 22a of the mounting cutout 22 in the width direction Dw. The curved edge 22d is formed in an arc shape that curves upward toward one side in the width direction Dw. The upper edge 22a is smoothly connected by the curved edge 22d to a side edge 23b extending in the up-down direction of the escape groove 23, which will be described later.
[0069] This makes it easier for the locking claws 33 to enter the removal grooves 23 when the worker lifts the first electrical box 30 upward to remove it. Therefore, the combination of the shape of the mounting cutouts 22 of the front panel 20 and the shape of the removal grooves 23 makes it possible to prevent the first electrical box 30 from being removed at an unintended timing, while also making it easier for the worker to remove the first electrical box 30 when the worker intends to remove it. This further improves workability.
[0070] (Other embodiments) The above describes in detail the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like are also included within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure.
[0071] In the above embodiment, the holding structure 15 is applied to the outdoor unit 1, but this is not limiting. The holding structure 15 may be applied to equipment other than the outdoor unit 1. Furthermore, the fixed and rotating members of the holding structure 15 are not limited to an electrical box. Furthermore, the mounting member is not limited to the front panel 20.
[0072] In the above embodiment, the holding structure 15 includes an attachment member. However, this is not limiting. The holding structure 15 can rotatably hold the rotating member by the shape of the fixed member and the shape of the rotating member. Therefore, the configuration of the holding structure 15 does not need to include an attachment member. For example, in the embodiment, the first electrical box 30 (rotating member) may be opened and closed relative to the second electrical box 40 (fixed member) with the front panel 20 (attachment member) removed by an operator. However, if the front panel 20 is not included in the holding structure 15, the operator can easily fit the first electrical box 30 into the second electrical box 40, which is advantageous in that assembly is easier. Furthermore, the operator can assemble the first electrical box 30 and the second electrical box 40 as an electrical box assembly in advance, which is advantageous in that assembly of the first electrical box 30 and the second electrical box 40 to the outdoor unit 1 is easier. On the other hand, when the mounting member is included in the holding structure 15, as described above, the front panel 20 prevents the first electrical box 30 from unintentionally coming off, which has the advantage of making maintenance and other services easier.
[0073] In the above embodiment, the first horizontal direction is the depth direction Dl of the outdoor unit 1, and the second horizontal direction is the width direction Dw of the outdoor unit 1, but this is not limited to this. The first horizontal direction may be the width direction Dw of the outdoor unit 1, and the second horizontal direction may be the depth direction Dl of the outdoor unit 1. Furthermore, the first horizontal direction and the second horizontal direction do not have to be perpendicular to each other as long as they intersect.
[0074] In the above embodiment, the case where two sets of fixed notches 42 and locking pieces 43 are provided spaced apart in the up-down direction Dv has been described, but this is not limited to this. Only one set of fixed notches 42 and locking pieces 43 may be provided. Furthermore, the case where the first stopper notch 44 and the first stopper piece 45 are provided corresponding to the upper fixed notch 42 and locking piece 43 of the two sets of fixed notches 42 and locking pieces 43 has been described, but this is not limited to this. The first stopper notch 44 and the first stopper piece 45 may be provided corresponding to the lower fixed notch 42 and locking piece 43.
[0075] In the above embodiment, the case where two sets of rotational notches 32 and locking claws 33 are provided spaced apart in the up-down direction Dv has been described, but this is not limited thereto. Only one set of rotational notches 32 and locking claws 33 may be provided. Furthermore, the case where the second stopper notch 34, the second stopper piece 35, and the third stopper piece 36 are provided corresponding to the upper rotational notch 32 and locking claw 33 of the two sets of rotational notches 32 and locking claws 33 has been described, but this is not limited thereto. The second stopper notch 34, the second stopper piece 35, and the third stopper piece 36 may be provided corresponding to the lower rotational notch 32 and locking claw 33.
[0076] <Additional Notes> The holding structure 15 and the outdoor unit 1 described in each embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.
[0077] (1) A holding structure 15 according to a first aspect includes a fixed member having a fixed sheet metal portion 41, and a rotating member having a rotary sheet metal portion 31 disposed on one side of the fixed sheet metal portion 41 in a horizontal first direction, the fixed sheet metal portion 41 having a fixed notch 42 penetrating the fixed sheet metal portion 41 in the horizontal first direction and opening to one side in a horizontal second direction intersecting the horizontal first direction, and a locking piece 43 provided below the fixed notch 42 on a side edge 41 b on one side of the fixed sheet metal portion 41 in the horizontal second direction and extending to the other side in the horizontal first direction, the rotary sheet metal portion 31 having a locking claw 33 extending in a direction intersecting the rotary sheet metal portion 31 and insertable into the fixed notch 42 from one side to the other side in the horizontal first direction, The rotating member has a fixed position P1 in which the locking claw 33 is inserted into the fixed notch 42 and fixed adjacent to the side edge 42b on the other side of the fixed notch 42 in the second horizontal direction, and a rotational position P2 in which the locking claw 33 abuts the locking piece 43.When the rotating member is in the rotational position P2, the rotating member is rotatable around an axis O that passes through the locking piece 43 and extends in the vertical direction Dv.As the rotating member rotates, the locking claw 33 can be changed from a first direction A1 along the locking piece 43 to a second direction A2 that intersects the locking piece 43 when viewed in the vertical direction Dv.The locking piece 43 extends downward from the upper edge 43b of the locking piece 43 and has a slit 46 into which the locking claw 33 in the second direction A2 enters from above. An example of the fixed member is the second electrical box 40 of the embodiment, and an example of the rotating member is the first electrical box 30 of the embodiment.
[0078] After the rotating member rotates, the locking claws 33 enter the slits 46, preventing the rotating member from rotating unintentionally. This eliminates the need for the operator to hold the rotating member down with their hands or body, improving workability.
[0079] (2) The second aspect of the holding structure 15 is the holding structure 15 of (1), and when the rotating member is at the fixed position P1, the rotating sheet metal part 31 may be fixed to the fixed sheet metal part 41 in a state of abutting the surface of the fixed sheet metal part 41.
[0080] As a result, the first electrical box 30 is firmly fixed to the second electrical box 40.
[0081] (3) The holding structure 15 of the third aspect is the holding structure 15 of (1) or (2), and the side edge 46a of the slit 46 on one side in the horizontal first direction may be inclined so that the lower it is positioned, the more it is positioned from one side to the other side in the horizontal first direction.
[0082] This allows the locking claw 33 to smoothly enter the slit 46 due to its own weight.
[0083] (4) A fourth aspect of the retaining structure 15 is a retaining structure 15 of any one of (1) to (3), wherein the fixed sheet metal portion 41 has a first stopper piece 45 extending from a side edge 41b of the fixed sheet metal portion 41 on one side in the horizontal second direction to the other side in the horizontal first direction, and the rotating sheet metal portion 31 has a second stopper piece 35 extending in a direction intersecting the rotating sheet metal portion 31 and a third stopper piece 36 extending in a direction intersecting the second stopper piece 35, and when the locking claw 33 enters the slit 46, the first stopper piece 45 may be abutted by the second stopper piece 35 and the third stopper piece 36 from both sides in the rotational direction Dr of the rotating member.
[0084] After the rotating member rotates, the first stopper piece 45 is sandwiched between the second stopper piece 35 and the third stopper piece 36 from both sides in the rotation direction Dr. This further suppresses unintended rotation of the rotating member, thereby further improving operability.
[0085] (5) A fifth aspect of the retaining structure 15 is the retaining structure 15 of any one of (1) to (4), further comprising a mounting member having a mounting sheet metal portion 21 arranged on the other side of the fixed sheet metal portion 41 in the horizontal first direction, the fixed sheet metal portion 41 being attached to the mounting sheet metal portion 21 in a state where the fixed sheet metal portion 41 is overlapped in the horizontal first direction, the mounting sheet metal portion 21 having a mounting notch 22 penetrating the mounting sheet metal portion 21 in the horizontal first direction and opening to one side in the horizontal second direction, overlapping with the fixed notch 42 in the horizontal first direction, and a clearance groove 23 formed at an end of an upper edge 22a of the mounting notch 22 on one side in the horizontal second direction and extending upward, and a dimension H1 in the vertical direction Dv from the lower edge 42c of the fixing notch 42 to the upper edge 22a of the mounting notch 22 may be shorter than the overall length H2 in the vertical direction Dv of the locking claw 33. An example of the mounting member is the front panel 20 of the embodiment.
[0086] As a result, unless the worker moves the locking claw 33 to the position of the removal groove 23, the locking claw 33 comes into contact with the fixed notch 42 or the mounting notch 22, and the locking claw 33 will not be pulled out unintentionally from the fixed notch 42 and the mounting notch 22.
[0087] (6) The holding structure 15 of a sixth aspect is the holding structure 15 of any one of (1) to (5), and both the fixed member and the rotating member may be electrical boxes. In the above embodiment, for example, the fixed member is the second electrical box 40 and the rotating member is the first electrical box 30.
[0088] (7) The outdoor unit 1 of the seventh aspect includes the holding structure 15 of any one of (1) to (6). [Explanation of symbols]
[0089] 1 Outdoor unit 11. Housing 13 Service Panel 15 Retention structure 17 screws 20 Front Panel 21 Mounting sheet metal part 21a Mounting base 21b Side edge 22 Mounting notch 22a Upper edge 22b Side edge 22c lower edge 23 Groove 23a Upper edge 23b Side edge 23c curved edge 24 Stopper piece 30 First electrical box 31 Rotating Sheet Metal Section 31a Rotating base 31b Side edge 32 Rotational notch 32a Upper edge 32b Side edge 32c lower edge 32d curved edge 32e curved edge 33 Locking claw 33a Locking claw base 33b lower edge 34 Second stopper notch 34a side edge 34b lower edge 35 Second stopper piece 36 Third stopper piece 36b Side edge 37 Hook 37a lower edge 40 Second electrical box 41 Fixed sheet metal part 41a Fixed base 41b Side edge 42 Fixed notch 42a Upper edge 42b Side edge 42c lower edge 42d curved edge 43 Locking piece 43a Locking piece base 43b Upper edge 44 First stopper notch 44a upper edge 44b Side edge 44c lower edge 45 First stopper piece 46 Slit 46a Side edge 46b Side edge 46c bottom end 47 Protrusion 47a Upper edge 47b Side edge 47c curved edge 48 Bending section A1 1st direction A2 2nd direction Dv vertical direction Dl Depth direction Dw width direction Dr Rotation direction O axis P1 fixed position P2 rotation position W1 dimension W2 dimension H1 dimension H2 full length H3 dimension H4 dimensions H5 dimensions H6 dimensions
Claims
1. a fixing member having a fixing sheet metal portion; a rotating member having a rotating sheet metal part disposed on one side of the fixed sheet metal part in a horizontal first direction; Equipped with The fixed sheet metal portion is a fixed notch that penetrates the fixed sheet metal portion in the horizontal first direction and opens to one side in a horizontal second direction that intersects with the horizontal first direction; a locking piece provided below the fixing notch on one side edge of the fixing sheet metal part in the horizontal second direction and extending to the other side in the horizontal first direction; and the rotary sheet metal portion has a locking claw that extends in a direction intersecting the rotary sheet metal portion and can be inserted into the fixing notch from one side to the other side in the horizontal first direction, The rotating member has a fixed position where the locking claw is inserted into the fixing notch and is fixed adjacent to the side edge of the fixing notch on the other side in the second horizontal direction, and a rotated position where the locking claw abuts against the locking piece, When the rotation member is in the rotation position, the rotation member is rotatable about an axis that passes through the locking piece and extends in the vertical direction, the locking claw is changeable from a first orientation along the locking piece to a second orientation intersecting the locking piece as viewed in the up-down direction by rotating the rotating member, The locking piece extends downward from an upper edge of the locking piece and has a slit into which the locking claw in the second orientation enters from above. holding structure.
2. When the rotating member is in the fixed position, the rotating sheet metal part is fixed to the fixed sheet metal part in a state where the rotating sheet metal part is in surface contact with the fixed sheet metal part. The holding structure according to claim 1 .
3. a side edge of the slit on one side in the horizontal first direction is inclined so as to be positioned further downward from one side to the other side in the horizontal first direction; The holding structure according to claim 1 or 2.
4. The fixed sheet metal portion is a first stopper piece extending from a side edge of the fixed sheet metal portion on one side in the horizontal second direction to the other side in the horizontal first direction; The rotating sheet metal part is a second stopper piece extending in a direction intersecting the rotary sheet metal portion; a third stopper piece extending in a direction intersecting the second stopper piece; and When the locking claw enters the slit, the first stopper piece is abutted by the second stopper piece and the third stopper piece from both sides in the rotation direction of the rotating member. The holding structure according to claim 1 or 2.
5. a mounting member having a mounting sheet metal portion disposed on the other side of the fixed sheet metal portion in the first horizontal direction, the fixing sheet metal portion is attached to the mounting sheet metal portion in a state where the fixing sheet metal portion is overlapped in the horizontal first direction, The mounting sheet metal portion is an attachment notch that penetrates the attachment sheet metal portion in the horizontal first direction, opens to one side in the horizontal second direction, and overlaps with the fixing notch in the horizontal first direction; a recess formed at an end of an upper edge of the mounting cutout on one side in the second horizontal direction and extending upward; and The vertical dimension from the lower edge of the fixing notch to the upper edge of the mounting notch is shorter than the overall vertical length of the locking claw. The holding structure according to claim 1 or 2.
6. The fixed member and the rotating member are both electrical boxes. The holding structure according to claim 1 or 2.
7. An outdoor unit comprising the holding structure according to claim 1 or 2.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Electrical box holding structure, outdoor unit, and maintenance method
JP7314332B1