Indoor unit of an air conditioner

Abstract

This disclosure provides an indoor unit for an air conditioner that can suppress air stagnation inside. [Solution] The indoor unit of the air conditioner in this disclosure is equipped with a heat exchanger and has an elongated outlet extending along a first direction and an outlet space that connects the heat exchanger and the outlet, wherein the outlet space is provided with an inlet that connects the inside of the outlet space to the heat exchanger and a bulge along the edge of the inlet inside the outlet space, and the bulge is provided at a position in the first direction that does not overlap with the position occupied by the inlet in the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a so-called one-way cassette-type indoor unit. In this indoor unit, an air outlet that is wider than the heat exchanger and opens downward is provided. Patent Document 2 discloses a so-called two-way cassette-type indoor unit. A flap for changing the wind direction is provided at the air outlet of this indoor unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

[0004]

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] This disclosure provides an indoor unit of an air conditioner that can suppress the stagnation of air inside.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The indoor unit of the air conditioner in this disclosure includes a heat exchanger, an elongated air outlet extending along a first direction, and an air outlet space that communicates the heat exchanger and the air outlet. In the indoor unit of the air conditioner, an inlet that communicates the inside of the air outlet space and the heat exchanger, and a bulging portion along the edge of the inlet inside the air outlet space are provided in the air outlet space. The bulging portion is provided at a position that does not overlap with the position occupied by the inlet in the first direction among the positions occupied by the air outlet in the first direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In the indoor unit of the air conditioner described herein, the air flowing from the inlet into the outlet space is prevented from flowing to areas where air tends to stagnate due to the bulging section. Therefore, air stagnation within the outlet space can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Bottom view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view of line II-II in Figure 1 [Figure 3] View of the indoor unit with the decorative panel removed, seen from below. [Figure 4] Perspective view of the air outlet space [Figure 5] Bottom view of the indoor unit [Figure 6] VI-VI cross-sectional view in Figure 1 [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] (Knowledge and other information that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors conceived this disclosure, the technology for indoor units of air conditioners required various types of indoor units to suit the space being conditioned. Therefore, in the industry, in addition to wall-mounted indoor units mainly for homes, so-called duct-type and ceiling-cassette-type indoor units, mainly installed in office buildings and commercial facilities, were being developed. Under these circumstances, the inventors noticed that in these types of indoor units, for example, when the refrigerant piping extending from one side of the heat exchanger is housed within the casing, the width of the outlet may be greater than the width of the heat exchanger. The inventors then discovered that in such cases, the width of the inlet of the space connecting the heat exchanger and the outlet becomes smaller than the width of the space connecting the heat exchanger and the outlet, leading to a problem where air tends to stagnate within that space. To solve this problem, the subject matter of this disclosure was formed. This disclosure provides an indoor unit for an air conditioner that can suppress the stagnation of air inside.

[0010] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding for those skilled in the art. The attached drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to the drawings. [1-1. Structure] Figure 1 is a bottom view of the indoor unit 1 of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1, showing the indoor unit 1 as seen from below. The indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner is a device that provides air conditioning to the indoor space of an office building or commercial facility. In this embodiment, the indoor unit 1 is a so-called ceiling cassette type indoor unit that is installed embedded in the ceiling of the space to be air-conditioned.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the indoor unit 1 has a decorative panel 10. The decorative panel 10 is the part of the indoor unit 1 that is exposed downward from the ceiling of the conditioned space. The decorative panel 10 is a roughly rectangular plate and is arranged roughly horizontally. In this embodiment, the decorative panel 10 is made of resin.

[0013] The decorative panel 10 is formed with an air outlet 11. The air outlet 11 is a part in the indoor unit 1 where the heated or cooled air is blown out toward the conditioned space. The air outlet 11 is an opening formed in the decorative panel 10 and allows air to pass through vertically. Also, the air outlet 11 is formed in an elongated shape along the side of the substantially rectangular decorative panel 10. In the present embodiment, the indoor unit 1 is a so-called one-way cassette type, and one air outlet 11 is formed along one of the four sides of the substantially rectangular decorative panel 10.

[0014] Hereinafter, the side where the side along which the air outlet 11 is located in the decorative panel 10 is positioned will be described as the front side of the indoor unit 1. Also, in the drawings, signs Y indicating the forward direction for the indoor unit 1, sign X indicating the right direction, and sign Z indicating the upward direction are appropriately shown.

[0015] That is, in the decorative panel 10, the air outlet 11 is formed at a position biased toward the front side. Also, the air outlet 11 has an elongated shape with the longitudinal direction being the left-right direction and extending along the left-right direction. The left-right direction corresponds to an example of the "first direction" in the present disclosure.

[0016] The decorative panel 10 is formed with a suction port 13. The suction port 13 is a part in the indoor unit 1 that sucks the air in the conditioned space inside. The suction port 13 is formed at the rear part of the decorative panel 10. The suction port 13 has a lattice-like structure and allows air to pass through vertically.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the decorative panel 10 is provided with a flap 15. The flap 15 is a plate-like member provided at the air outlet 11 and has the same shape as the shape of the air outlet 11. The flap 15 closes the air outlet 11 when the indoor unit 1 is stopped. Also, the flap 15 adjusts the direction of the air flow blown out from the air outlet 11 by changing the angle during the operation of the indoor unit 1.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the decorative panel 10 has a support portion 17 that rotatably supports the flap 15. The support portion 17 is provided on the inside of the air outlet 11 in the decorative panel 10. In this embodiment, the support portion 17 is located in the center of the air outlet 11 in the left-right direction and protrudes diagonally downward and backward from the inner surface on the front side of the air outlet 11. In this embodiment, a metal fitting 17A is attached to the support portion 17 to reinforce it.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2, the indoor unit 1 has a housing 20. The housing 20 is a hollow, roughly rectangular parallelepiped component made of sheet metal, with an open bottom. The decorative panel 10 described above is attached to the housing 20 from below so as to cover the opening on the bottom of the housing 20.

[0020] Figure 3 is a view of the indoor unit 1 with the decorative panel 10 removed, seen from below. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a first partition plate 21 is provided inside the housing 20. The first partition plate 21 is a plate-shaped member oriented perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. The first partition plate 21 is provided over substantially the entire interior of the housing 20 in the left-to-right and up-to-down directions. As a result, the space inside the housing 20 is divided by the first partition plate 21 into a blower room 20A and a heat exchanger room 20B.

[0021] The blower chamber 20A is a space partitioned off inside the housing 20, behind the first partition plate 21. As shown in Figure 2, the blower chamber 20A is formed in a position that overlaps vertically with the intake port 13. Therefore, the air in the air-conditioned space can flow into the blower chamber 20A through the intake port 13.

[0022] A blower 23 is installed in the blower room 20A. As shown in Figure 2, the blower 23 is a so-called sirocco fan and has an impeller 23A and a casing 23B. The casing 23B has a discharge port 23C that opens forward. In the casing 23B, the discharge port 23C that discharges air opens to the heat exchanger room 20B through an opening 21A formed in the first partition plate 21. The blower 23 draws air from the blower room 20A into the casing 23B by the rotation of the impeller 23A, and blows the drawn-in air forward from the discharge port 23C, thereby supplying the air from the blower room 20A to the heat exchanger room 20B.

[0023] The heat exchanger chamber 20B is a space partitioned off inside the housing 20 on the front side of the first partition plate 21. As shown in Figure 2, the heat exchanger chamber 20B is formed in a position that overlaps the outlet 11 vertically. Therefore, the air in the heat exchanger chamber 20B is configured to flow into the conditioned space through the outlet 11.

[0024] A heat exchanger 25 is provided in the heat exchanger chamber 20B. The heat exchanger 25 exchanges heat between the refrigerant inside and the air. The heat exchanger 25 has a plate-like outer shape that is substantially perpendicular to the front-to-back direction, and is configured to allow air to pass through in the front-to-back direction. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the heat exchanger 25 is provided in the heat exchanger chamber 20B at a position that overlaps with the opening 21A of the first partition plate 21 in the front-to-back direction. In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 25 is a fin-tube type heat exchanger.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the heat exchanger 25 is positioned off-center to one side in the left-right direction within the heat exchanger chamber 20B. In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 25 is positioned off-center to the right within the heat exchanger chamber 20B. As a result, a first space S1 is formed to the left of the heat exchanger 25 inside the heat exchanger chamber 20B.

[0026] In the first space S1, a refrigerant pipe 25A connected to the heat exchanger 25 is located. The refrigerant pipe 25A is a copper pipe through which the refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger 25 and the refrigerant that has passed through the heat exchanger 25 flows.

[0027] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, a drain pan 26 is provided in the heat exchanger chamber 20B. The drain pan 26 is located below the heat exchanger chamber 20B and collects condensation water generated on the heat exchanger 25. Note that in Figure 3, the drain pan 26 is shown in a removed state.

[0028] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, an additional unit 50 is provided in the heat exchanger chamber 20B. The additional unit 50 is located in the heat exchanger chamber 20B, behind the heat exchanger 25, that is, upstream of the heat exchanger 25 in the airflow. The additional unit 50 is a device that changes or imparts predetermined properties to the air blown out by the indoor unit 1. For example, the additional unit 50 is configured to humidify, disinfect or impart a disinfecting effect in the humidified space, or impart a fragrance to the air blown out by the indoor unit 1. In this embodiment, the additional unit 50 is an electrostatic atomizing device that generates a mist containing charged fine water particles for disinfection, and imparts a disinfecting effect by including the mist in the air blown out by the indoor unit 1.

[0029] A connecting pipe 27 is connected to the add-on unit 50. The connecting pipe 27 is a pipe through which a substance generated in the add-on unit 50 and mixed with the air blown out from the indoor unit 1 passes. In this embodiment, the connecting pipe 27 allows the mist generated in the add-on unit 50 to pass through its interior. The connecting pipe 27 is positioned in the heat exchanger chamber 20B so as to pass through the first space S1.

[0030] A second partition plate 28 is provided in the heat exchanger chamber 20B. The second partition plate 28 is a plate-shaped member perpendicular to the front-to-back direction and partitions the left side of the heat exchanger chamber 20B front to back. The second partition plate 28 is positioned in front of the first space S1. That is, the second partition plate 28 is located in front of the heat exchanger 25, refrigerant piping 25A, drain pan 26, and additional unit 50, i.e., on the downstream side in the airflow. The second partition plate 28 partitions the heat exchanger chamber 20B into an equipment layout space 29 where the heat exchanger 25, refrigerant piping 25A, drain pan 26, and additional unit 50 are provided, and an outlet space 30. The equipment layout space 29 is the space in the heat exchanger chamber 20B behind the second partition plate 28, i.e., on the upstream side in the airflow.

[0031] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the air outlet space 30, showing the front end of the housing 20 with the decorative panel 10 removed, viewed from below. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, in the heat exchanger chamber 20B, an outlet space 30 is formed on the front side of the second partition plate 28. The outlet space 30 extends throughout the entire interior of the housing 20 in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the outlet space 30 is located at the front end of the interior space of the housing 20. Furthermore, the outlet space 30 is an open space that faces downwards.

[0032] In the heat exchanger chamber 20B, insulation material 31 is placed from the equipment placement space 29 to the air outlet space 30. The insulation material 31 is provided along the inner surface of the housing 20. The insulation material 31 is provided so as to cover the entire inner surface of the top, front, left side, and right side of the housing 20 that faces into the air outlet space 30.

[0033] The interior of the air outlet space 30 is in communication with the equipment placement space 29, that is, the space in which the heat exchanger 25 is installed, via the inlet 28A. The inlet 28A is a rectangular opening formed between the right end of the second partition plate 28 and the insulation material 31, allowing air to pass through in the front-to-back direction. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the position occupied by the inlet 28A in the left-to-right and up-to-down directions is approximately the same as the position occupied by the heat exchanger 25 in the left-to-right and up-to-down directions. That is, the inlet 28A and the heat exchanger 25 are configured to overlap front to back.

[0034] A bulge portion 33 is formed in the insulation material 31. The bulge portion 33 is structured to bulge inward toward the inside of the outlet space 30. Within the inside of the outlet space 30, the bulge portion 33 bulges outward toward the right from the portion of the insulation material 31 that is along the inner surface of the left side of the housing 20. The bulge portion 33 also extends vertically along the edge of the inlet 28A, that is, along the right end of the second partition plate 28. As shown in Figure 3, the position P1 occupied by the bulge portion 33 in the left-right direction does not overlap with the position P2 occupied by the inlet 28A in the left-right direction.

[0035] A curved portion 33A is formed at the lower end of the bulging portion 33. The curved portion 33A is a curved surface formed at the lower end of the bulging portion 33, and its lower side is curved outward in the left-right direction. In other words, the curved portion 33A is curved downward to the left.

[0036] Figure 5 is a bottom view of the indoor unit 1, showing the front end of the indoor unit 1 viewed from below with the flap 15 removed. As shown in Figure 5, the air outlet space 30 is configured to overlap the air outlet 11 formed in the decorative panel 10 in the vertical direction. More specifically, the air outlet 11 is located below the air outlet space 30. The air outlet space 30 is located between the heat exchanger 25 and the air outlet 11, and connects the heat exchanger 25 and the air outlet 11. The vertical direction corresponds to an example of the "second direction" in this disclosure.

[0037] Furthermore, the position P1 occupied by the bulge 33 in the left-right direction is included in the position P3 occupied by the outlet 11 in the left-right direction. Moreover, as described above, the position P1 occupied by the bulge 33 in the left-right direction is configured not to overlap with the position P2 occupied by the inlet 28A in the left-right direction (see Figure 3). In other words, the bulge 33 is provided at a position within the position P3 occupied by the outlet 11 in the left-right direction that does not overlap with the position P2 occupied by the inlet 28A in the left-right direction.

[0038] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, a protrusion 35 is formed on the thermal insulation material 31. The protrusion 35 is structured to protrude from the thermal insulation material 31 toward the inside of the air outlet space 30. In detail, the protrusion 35 protrudes from the center in the left-right direction of the portion of the thermal insulation material 31 that is along the inside of the front surface of the housing 20, and extends along the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 35 in a horizontal cross-section is triangular.

[0039] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the protrusion 35 is formed in a position that overlaps with the support portion 17 when viewed from below, that is, when viewed along the vertical direction. Furthermore, the protrusion 35 is located above the support portion 17.

[0040] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the section VI-VI in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 6, the position P5 occupied by the bulge 33 in the vertical direction is part of the position P4 occupied by the outlet space 30 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the lower end 33B of the bulge 33 is located above the lower end 30A of the outlet space 30. That is, the end of the bulge 33 on the outlet 11 side is located further from the outlet 11 than the end of the outlet space 30 on the outlet 11 side.

[0041] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, an outlet 27A of the connecting pipe 27 is provided below the bulging portion 33. The outlet 27A is an opening formed at the end of the connecting pipe 27 opposite to the add-on unit 50. The outlet 27A is exposed to the front outlet space 30 through an opening formed in the second partition plate 28 and opens forward. Therefore, the substance generated in the add-on unit 50 can flow into the outlet space 30 via the outlet 27A after passing through the connecting pipe 27.

[0042] In detail, the outlet 27A is located in the vertical direction between the lower end 33B of the bulging portion 33 and the lower end 30A of the outlet space 30. Furthermore, the outlet 27A is located at a position spaced downward from the lower end 33B of the bulging portion 33.

[0043] [1-2. Operation] The operation of the indoor unit 1, configured as described above, will be explained below.

[0044] When the air conditioner is in operation and the indoor unit 1 is operating, the refrigerant flows into the heat exchanger 25 due to the operation of the outdoor unit (not shown). At this time, the refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger 25 is at a high temperature during heating operation and at a low temperature during cooling operation.

[0045] Furthermore, when the indoor unit 1 is operating, it drives the blower 23 and starts blowing air. As a result, air from the air-conditioned space flows into the blower room 20A via the intake port 13, and the air in the blower room 20A flows into the heat exchanger room 20B at the front via the blower 23. The air that flows into the heat exchanger room 20B passes through the heat exchanger 25, exchanges heat with the refrigerant inside the heat exchanger 25, and is heated by the refrigerant during heating operation and cooled by the refrigerant during cooling operation.

[0046] The air that has passed through the heat exchanger 25 in a forward direction then passes through the inlet 28A in a forward direction and flows into the outlet space 30. The air that has flowed into the outlet space 30 then flows downward through the outlet space 30. After that, the air flows back into the heated space by passing through the outlet 11 in a downward direction, cooling or heating the heated space.

[0047] Here, when air passes through the inlet 28A, some of the air attempts to flow around to the front side of the second partition plate 28 within the outlet space 30. In this region, that is, in the left-right direction, the area of ​​position P3 occupied by the outlet 11 that does not overlap with position P2 occupied by the inlet 28A is a region in the outlet space 30 where air tends to stagnate. Therefore, if air flows into and stagnates in this region, the smooth airflow in the outlet space 30 may be hindered.

[0048] In contrast, in this embodiment, the bulge 33 is provided at a position P3 occupied by the outlet 11 in the left-right direction that does not overlap with the position P2 occupied by the inlet 28A in the left-right direction. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the inflow of air into areas where it is prone to stagnation.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bulging portion 33 has a curved portion 33A formed thereon, which is curved downwards in a direction that is outward in the left-right direction. As a result, air that is prevented from flowing into areas where it tends to stagnate by the bulging portion 33 flows downward along the bulging portion 33 and tends to spread along the curved portion 33A to the left end of the outlet 11.

[0050] Furthermore, the outlet 27A of the connecting pipe 27 is located at a position spaced downward from the lower end 33B of the bulging portion 33. In other words, the airflow reaches the outlet 27A without being obstructed by the bulging portion 33. Therefore, the flow of material blown out from the outlet 27A is less likely to be attenuated.

[0051] Furthermore, below the air outlet space 30, where air flows downwards, a support portion 17 and a fitting 17A are provided to support the flap 15. For this reason, for example, during cooling operation, the support portion 17 and the fitting 17A are cooled, and when the support portion 17 and the fitting 17A come into contact with the air in the air-conditioned space near the air outlet 11, condensation is likely to occur on the support portion 17 and the fitting 17A. In addition, when air directly hits the support portion 17 and the fitting 17A, a vortex is generated, making it easier for the air in the air-conditioned space near the air outlet 11 to come into contact with the support portion 17 and the fitting 17A, thus making condensation more likely to occur.

[0052] In contrast, in this embodiment, a protruding portion 35 is formed in the air outlet space 30 that protrudes above the support portion 17 and the fitting 17A and extends in the vertical direction. Therefore, the airflow in the air outlet space 30 is less likely to directly hit the support portion 17 and the fitting 17A. Consequently, in this embodiment, the support portion 17 and the fitting 17A are less likely to be cooled, and vortices are less likely to be generated, making it less likely for condensation to occur on the support portion 17 and the fitting 17A.

[0053] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner is equipped with a heat exchanger 25, and has an elongated outlet 11 extending in the left-right direction, and an outlet space 30 that connects the heat exchanger 25 and the outlet 11. The outlet space 30 is provided with an inlet 28A that connects the inside of the outlet space 30 to the heat exchanger 25, and a bulge 33 that runs along the edge of the inlet 28A inside the outlet space 30. The bulge 33 is provided at a position P3 occupied by the outlet 11 in the left-right direction that does not overlap with the position P2 occupied by the inlet 28A in the left-right direction. As a result, the air flowing from the inlet 28A into the outlet space 30 is less likely to flow to areas where air tends to stagnate due to the bulge 33. Therefore, air stagnation within the outlet space 30 can be suppressed.

[0054] As in this embodiment, in the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner, a curved portion 33A may be formed at the lower end of the bulging portion 33, which curves outward from the air outlet space 30 in the left-right direction. As a result, the air in the outlet space 30 flows more easily along the curved portion 33A toward the outside of the outlet space 30 in the left-right direction, and the air is more easily blown out toward the ends of the outlet 11 in the left-right direction. Therefore, condensation on the ends of the outlet 11 is less likely to occur.

[0055] As in this embodiment, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner may be configured to include an additional unit 50 and a connecting pipe 27 connected to the additional unit 50, wherein the outlet 27A of the connecting pipe 27 is provided between the lower end 33B of the air outlet space 30 and a bulge portion 33, and the bulge portion 33 is provided spaced apart from the outlet 27A of the connecting pipe 27. This makes it less likely for the flow of mist, etc., blown from the add-on unit 50 through the connecting pipe 27 into the outlet space 30 to be attenuated. Therefore, it is easier to achieve the full performance of the add-on unit 50.

[0056] As in this embodiment, in the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner, the air outlet space 30 and the air outlet 11 may overlap in the vertical direction, the air outlet 11 may be provided with a flap 15 for adjusting the airflow direction and a support portion 17 for supporting the flap 15, and the air outlet space 30 may be provided with a projection 35 that extends in the vertical direction at a position that overlaps with the support portion 17 when viewed along the vertical direction. As a result, the protruding portion 35 makes it less likely for the air passing through the outlet space 30 to hit the support portion 17, thus reducing the generation of vortices near the support portion 17. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the air in the conditioned space from reaching the support portion 17 due to vortices, and thus suppress condensation at the support portion 17.

[0057] As in this embodiment, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner may be configured such that a metal fitting 17A is provided on the support portion 17. As a result, the protrusion 35 suppresses the generation of vortices near the support portion 17, allowing the easily cooled metal fitting 17A to be used for the support portion 17. This makes it easier to ensure the strength of the support portion 17.

[0058] (Other embodiments) As described above, Embodiment 1 has been explained as an example of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to this and can be applied to embodiments that have been modified, replaced, added, or omitted. Furthermore, it is possible to create new embodiments by combining the components described in Embodiment 1 above. Therefore, other embodiments are illustrated below.

[0059] In Embodiment 1, a one-way cassette type indoor unit 1 was described as an example of an indoor unit for an air conditioner, but this is merely an example. The indoor unit 1 may be, for example, a two-way cassette type or a four-way cassette type. Furthermore, the indoor unit 1 may be a so-called duct type. In addition, this disclosure may be applied to any other type of indoor unit.

[0060] Since the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes of the technology described herein, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc., can be made within the claims or their equivalents.

[0061] (Note) Based on the above description of embodiments, the following technologies are disclosed. (Technology 1) An indoor unit of an air conditioner equipped with a heat exchanger, having an elongated outlet shape extending along a first direction and an outlet space connecting the heat exchanger and the outlet, wherein the outlet space is provided with an inlet connecting the inside of the outlet space and the heat exchanger, and a bulge portion along the edge of the inlet inside the outlet space, the bulge portion being provided at a position in the first direction that does not overlap with the position occupied by the inlet in the first direction. As a result, the air flowing from the inlet into the outlet space is less likely to flow to areas where air tends to stagnate due to the bulging section. Therefore, air stagnation within the outlet space can be suppressed.

[0062] (Technical 2) The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to Technical 1, wherein a curved portion is formed at the end of the bulging portion on the outlet side, which is curved toward the outside of the outlet space in the first direction. As a result, the air within the outlet space flows more easily along the curved section toward the outside of the outlet space in the first direction, and is more easily blown toward the end of the outlet in the first direction. Therefore, condensation on the end of the outlet is less likely to occur.

[0063] (Technology 3) An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to Technology 1 or 2, comprising an additional unit and a connecting pipe connected to the additional unit, wherein the outlet of the connecting pipe is provided between the end of the outlet space on the outlet side and the bulging portion, and the bulging portion is provided spaced apart from the outlet of the connecting pipe. This reduces the attenuation of the mist and other airflow blown from the add-on unit into the outlet space via the connecting piping. As a result, the add-on unit can perform more effectively.

[0064] (Technical 4) The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to any one of Technical 1 to 3, wherein the air outlet space and the air outlet overlap in a second direction, the air outlet is provided with a flap for adjusting the direction of the airflow and a support portion for supporting the flap, and the air outlet space is provided with a projection portion extending in the second direction at a position that overlaps with the support portion when viewed along the second direction. As a result, the protruding portion makes it less likely for the air passing through the outlet space to hit the support portion, thus reducing the formation of vortices near the support portion. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the air in the conditioned space from reaching the support portion due to vortices, and thus suppress condensation at the support portion.

[0065] (Technical 5) The indoor unit of the air conditioner described in Technical 4, wherein a metal fitting is provided on the support part. This allows the protruding portion to suppress the generation of vortices near the support portion, enabling the use of fast-cooling metal fittings in the support portion. Therefore, it becomes easier to ensure the strength of the support portion. [Industrial applicability]

[0066] This disclosure is applicable to indoor units of air conditioners. Specifically, this disclosure is applicable to any indoor unit, including one-way cassette type, two-way cassette type, four-way cassette type, or duct type indoor units. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1 Indoor unit 10 Decorative panels 11 Air outlet 13 Inlet 15 Flap 17 Support part 17A Metal fittings 20 cabinets 20A blower room 20B Heat exchanger room 21. First partition plate 21A opening 23 Blower 23A Impeller 23B Casing 23C outlet 25 Heat exchanger 25A refrigerant piping 26 Drain pan 27 Connecting pipes 27A Exit 28. Second partition plate 28A inlet 29 Equipment placement space 30 Air outlet space 30A bottom end 31 Insulation 33 Bulge 33A Curved section 33B bottom end 35 Protrusion 50 Additional Units S1 1st space

Claims

1. Equipped with a heat exchanger, An elongated outlet extending along the first direction, In an indoor unit of an air conditioner, an outlet space is formed that connects the heat exchanger and the outlet, The aforementioned outlet space includes, An inlet that connects the inside of the outlet space and the heat exchanger, Within the outlet space, a bulge is provided along the edge of the inlet, The bulging portion is provided at a position within the first direction that does not overlap with the position occupied by the outlet in the first direction. Indoor unit of an air conditioner.

2. At the end of the bulging portion on the outlet side, a curved portion is formed that curves outward toward the outside of the outlet space in the first direction. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1.

3. Additional unit and The unit comprises connecting piping connected to the aforementioned additional unit, The outlet of the connecting pipe is provided between the outlet side end of the outlet space and the bulging portion. The bulging portion is provided spaced apart from the outlet of the connecting pipe. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned outlet space and the aforementioned outlet overlap in the second direction. The aforementioned air outlet is provided with a flap for adjusting the airflow direction and a support for the flap. The outlet space is provided with a projection extending in the second direction, at a position that overlaps with the support portion when viewed along the second direction. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1.

5. A metal fitting is provided on the support portion. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 4.

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