Indoor unit of an air conditioner

Abstract

This disclosure provides an indoor unit for an air conditioner that allows for compact placement of an additional unit while suppressing the thermal impact on the additional unit. [Solution] The indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner in this disclosure comprises a heat exchanger 25 and a blower 23 that blows air toward the heat exchanger 25, and an additional unit 50 is provided between the heat exchanger 25 and the blower 23.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a duct-shaped indoor unit having a sterilization unit. In this indoor unit, the sterilization unit is arranged in a space on the side of the heat exchanger. Patent Document 2 discloses a four-way cassette-shaped indoor unit having an electrostatic atomization device. In this indoor unit, the electrostatic atomization device is arranged in a space between the drain pan and the decorative panel.

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] The present disclosure provides an indoor unit of an air conditioner that can compactly arrange an additional unit while suppressing the thermal influence on the additional unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The indoor unit of the air conditioner in the present disclosure includes a heat exchanger and a blower that blows air toward the heat exchanger, and an additional unit is provided between the heat exchanger and the blower.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] In the indoor unit of the air conditioner described herein, the air blown by the fan can suppress the reach of the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the heat exchanger to the additional unit. Therefore, the additional unit can be arranged compactly while suppressing the thermal impact on the additional unit. [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 [Figure 7] Perspective view of the add-on unit as seen from the front. [Figure 8] Exploded perspective view of the add-on unit [Figure 9] Plan view of the cover [Figure 10] Bottom view of the cover [Figure 11] Front view of the cover [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 of indoor units for air conditioners was in a situation where, in addition to the basic function of regulating the temperature of the air-conditioned space, there was a demand for further added value. Therefore, in the industry, in order to add value to indoor units, product designs were sometimes made that included additional units that provided antibacterial effects, deodorizing effects, harmful substance suppression effects, fragrance, or humidification to the air blown out from the indoor unit. Under these circumstances, the inventors discovered that there were problems such as the possibility that the additional unit would be affected by the heat of the heat exchanger or refrigerant piping if it was placed near the heat exchanger, and that there was sometimes no space to install the additional unit on the intake side of the blower. To solve these problems, the subject matter of this disclosure was formed. This disclosure provides an indoor unit for an air conditioner that allows for compact placement of an additional unit while suppressing the thermal impact on the additional unit.

[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 FIG. 1, the indoor unit 1 has a decorative panel 10. The decorative panel 10 is a portion exposed downward from the ceiling of the harmonized space in the indoor unit 1. The decorative panel 10 is a substantially rectangular plate and is arranged substantially horizontally. In the present embodiment, the decorative panel 10 is made of resin.

[0013] An air outlet 11 is formed in the decorative panel 10. The air outlet 11 is a portion in the indoor unit 1 where the heated or cooled air is blown out toward the harmonized space. The air outlet 11 is an opening formed in the decorative panel 10 and air can pass through it 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 on which the side along which the air outlet 11 is located in the decorative panel 10 is located will be described as the front side of the indoor unit 1. Also, in the figure, the symbol Y indicating the forward direction for the indoor unit 1, the symbol X indicating the right direction, and the symbol Z indicating the upward direction are appropriately described.

[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 a longitudinal direction as the left-right direction and is formed in an elongated shape extending along the left-right direction.

[0016] An air inlet 13 is formed in the decorative panel 10. The air inlet 13 is a portion in the indoor unit 1 that sucks the air in the harmonized space inside. The air inlet 13 is formed at the rear of the decorative panel 10. The air inlet 13 has a lattice-like structure and air can pass through it vertically.

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

[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-rear direction. The first partition plate 21 is provided over substantially the entire interior of the housing 20 in the left-right and up-down directions. As a result, the space inside the housing 20 is divided into a blower room 20A and a heat exchanger room 20B by the first partition plate 21. The first partition plate 21 corresponds to an example of a "partition plate" in this disclosure.

[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. The blower 23 is a device that blows air from the blower room 20A toward the heat exchanger 25, which will be described later. 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 toward the front. In the casing 23B, the discharge port 23C that discharges air opens toward 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 toward the front from the discharge port 23C, thereby sending the air from the blower room 20A toward the heat exchanger room 20B. In other words, in the blower 23, the direction of air discharge is forward, and the air discharged from the outlet 23C flows toward the heat exchanger 25. The casing 23B corresponds to an example of a "fan casing" in this disclosure.

[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. The heat exchanger 25 is installed with its longitudinal direction as the left-to-right direction. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the heat exchanger 25 is installed 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 impart a sterilizing effect, a deodorizing effect, a harmful substance suppression effect, a fragrance, or humidification 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 sterilization, and imparts a sterilizing effect by including the mist in the air blown out by the indoor unit 1.

[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the additional unit 50 is installed between the heat exchanger 25 and the blower 23 in the front-rear direction, that is, in the direction along the discharge direction of the blower 23. As shown in Figure 2, in the vertical direction, which is perpendicular to the discharge direction of the blower 23, the position P6 occupied by the add-on unit 50 is included in both the position P7 occupied by the heat exchanger 25 and the position P8 occupied by the casing 23B of the blower 23. As shown in Figure 3, in the horizontal direction, which is perpendicular to the discharge direction of the blower 23, the position P9 occupied by the add-on unit 50 is included in both the position P2 occupied by the heat exchanger 25 and the position P10 occupied by the casing 23B of the blower 23.

[0030] More specifically, as shown in Figure 2, in the vertical direction, the position P6 occupied by the add-on unit 50 is included in the position P8 occupied by the casing 23B of the blower 23, and is outside the position P8A occupied by the discharge port 23C of the casing 23B. Therefore, when viewed along the front-to-back direction along the air discharge direction at the discharge port 23C, the add-on unit 50 overlaps with the casing 23B but does not overlap with the discharge port 23C. Also, as shown in Figure 3, in the left-to-right direction, the position P9 occupied by the add-on unit 50 overlaps with the center C of the casing 23B.

[0031] 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 arranged in the heat exchanger chamber 20B so as to pass through the first space S1. In the first space S1, the connecting pipe 27 is routed at a position spaced apart from the refrigerant pipe 25A. In detail, the connecting pipe 27 has a bypass section 27B located to the left and right of the connection portion with the add-on unit 50 and the outlet 27A, with reference to the center of the heat exchanger 25. The bypass section 27B extends outward in the left and right direction from the refrigerant pipe 25A connected to the heat exchanger 25, and the connecting pipe 27 is configured to be less susceptible to the thermal influence of the refrigerant pipe 25A. Therefore, the thermal influence of the refrigerant pipe on the add-on unit 50 via the connecting pipe 27 can be suppressed.

[0032] 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. Therefore, the second partition plate 28 is located in front of the heat exchanger 25, refrigerant piping 25A, drain pan 26, and additional unit 50, that is, 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, that is, on the upstream side in the airflow.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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 vertically with the air outlet 11 formed in the decorative panel 10. 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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, substances 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. In other words, the connecting pipe 27 connects the add-on unit 50 to the outlet space 30, which is the space on the outlet side of the heat exchanger 25 for air.

[0044] 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.

[0045] [1-1-1. Configuration of the Additional Unit] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the add-on unit 50 as seen from the front. As shown in Figure 7, the add-on unit 50 is attached to the first partition plate 21. More specifically, the add-on unit 50 is attached to the first partition plate 21 below the opening 21A where the discharge port 23C of the blower 23 is located.

[0046] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the add-on unit 50. As shown in Figure 8, the add-on unit 50 includes a cover 51 and a mounting bracket 60. The cover 51 is a component that constitutes the outer surface of the add-on unit 50. The cover 51 is formed in a hollow, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with its longitudinal direction being left to right, and its rear surface is open. The mounting bracket 60 is a component that is fixed to the first partition plate 21 and the cover 51. That is, the cover 51 is attached to the first partition plate 21 via the mounting bracket 60. In this embodiment, the cover 51 is made of resin. Also in this embodiment, the mounting bracket 60 is made of metal.

[0047] The mounting fixture 60 has a first fastening portion 61. The first fastening portion 61 is a plate-shaped structure that is substantially perpendicular to the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, two first fastening portions 61 are formed at each of the left-right ends of the mounting fixture 60. Fastening holes are formed in the first fastening portion 61. The first fastening portion 61 is fastened to the first partition plate 21 from the front side by screws passed through the holes from the front side. In this way, the mounting fixture 60 is fixed to the heat exchanger chamber 20B side of the first partition plate 21.

[0048] The mounting fixture 60 has a frame portion 63. The frame portion 63 has a substantially inverted U-shape structure that follows the upper edge and the edges on both sides in the left-right direction of the cover 51. Both ends of the frame portion 63 in the left-right direction are connected to the first fastening portion 61.

[0049] The mounting fixture 60 has a second fastening portion 65. The second fastening portion 65 has a plate-like structure that is substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the mounting fixture 60 has a pair of left and right second fastening portions 65 that are connected to the first fastening portion 61 and the lower end of the frame portion 63. Fastening holes are formed in the second fastening portions 65.

[0050] The cover 51 has a third fastening portion 52 that is fastened to the second fastening portion 65. The third fastening portion 52 has a plate-like structure that is substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the third fastening portion 52 is formed in pairs on the left and right sides at the lower ends of both ends in the left and right direction of the cover 51. The third fastening portion 52 has a notch for fastening.

[0051] The third fastening portion 52 overlaps with the second fastening portion 65 when the rear surface of the cover 51 is aligned with the front surface of the first partition plate 21, and the upper edge and both left and right edges of the cover 51 are aligned with the inside of the frame portion 63. When the third fastening portion 52 and the second fastening portion 65 are fastened together in this state, the cover 51 is fixed to the mounting fixture 60 and the first partition plate 21.

[0052] As shown in Figure 8, the cover 51 is a member that covers the generator 58 and power supply unit 59 of the add-on unit 50 from the outside. The generator 58 is located on the left side inside the cover 51, that is, on the side closer to the first space S1. The power supply unit 59 is located on the right side inside the cover 51, that is, on the side further away from the first space S1.

[0053] The generation unit 58 is the part of the add-on unit 50 that generates a substance to be mixed with the air blown out by the indoor unit 1. In this embodiment, the generation unit 58 generates a mist containing charged fine water particles for disinfection. The generation unit 58 is connected to the connecting pipe 27 via a connection port 55, which is an opening formed at the left end of the cover 51. The power supply unit 59 is the part of the add-on unit 50 that supplies power to the generation unit 58 and includes a power supply circuit, etc.

[0054] Each of the generator unit 58 and the power supply unit 59 has a defined operating temperature range, which is the temperature range in which normal operation is guaranteed. In this embodiment, the operating temperature range set for the generator unit 58 is lower than the operating temperature range set for the power supply unit 59. The operating temperature ranges of the generator unit 58 and the power supply unit 59 may or may not overlap.

[0055] Figure 9 is a plan view of the cover 51, showing the cover 51 as seen from above. As shown in Figure 9, a roughly horizontal planar upper surface portion 53 is formed on the upper part of the cover 51. The upper surface portion 53 constitutes the upper surface of the cover 51.

[0056] In the upper surface portion 53, the left-hand region, that is, the region surrounding the generation portion 58, is formed with upper surface communication holes 53a. The upper surface communication holes 53a are holes that allow air to pass between the outside and inside of the cover 51. In this embodiment, four upper surface communication holes 53a are formed in the upper surface portion 53, arranged in a left-right direction. The upper surface communication holes 53a correspond to examples of "communication holes" and "second communication holes" in this disclosure.

[0057] Figure 10 is a bottom view of the cover 51, showing the cover 51 as seen from below. As shown in Figure 10, a substantially horizontal, planar bottom surface portion 54 is formed at the bottom of the cover 51. The bottom surface portion 54 constitutes the bottom surface of the cover 51.

[0058] The upper surface 53 and the lower surface 54 are formed at positions that are substantially perpendicular to each other in the vertical direction and overlap each other in a plan view. That is, the upper surface 53 and the lower surface 54 face each other vertically. The upper surface 53 and the lower surface 54 are examples of "a pair of opposing surfaces in a cover" in this disclosure.

[0059] In the lower portion 54, a lower communication hole 54a is formed in the left-hand region, that is, the region surrounding the generation portion 58. The lower communication hole 54a is a hole that allows air to pass between the outside and inside of the cover 51. In this embodiment, three lower communication holes 54a are formed in the lower portion 54, arranged in a left-right direction. The lower communication holes 54a correspond to an example of a "communication hole" and a "second communication hole" in this disclosure.

[0060] A power supply side communication hole 54b is formed in the right-hand region of the lower surface portion 54, that is, the region around the power supply unit 59. The power supply side communication hole 54b is a hole that allows air to pass between the outside of the cover 51 and the inside of the cover 51. In this embodiment, two power supply side communication holes 54b are provided in the lower surface portion. The power supply side communication holes 54b correspond to an example of a "communication hole" and a "first communication hole" in this disclosure.

[0061] The opening areas of the upper communication holes 53a and lower communication holes 54a formed around the generation unit 58 and the opening area of ​​the power supply side communication hole 54b formed around the power supply unit 59 are different from each other. Specifically, the sum of the opening areas of the upper communication holes 53a and lower communication holes 54a is larger than the sum of the opening areas of the power supply side communication holes 54b. In this embodiment, the sum of the opening areas of the upper communication holes 53a and the sum of the opening areas of the lower communication holes 54a are each larger than the sum of the opening areas of the power supply side communication holes 54b.

[0062] Figure 11 is a front view of the cover 51, showing the cover 51 as seen from the front. As shown in Figure 11, in the left-right direction, the positions P11, P12, and P13 occupied by three of the four upper communication holes 53a overlap with the positions P14, P15, and P16 occupied by the three lower communication holes 54a. In detail, three of the upper communication holes 53a and the three lower communication holes 54a are formed in positions that overlap vertically. Therefore, air from outside the cover 51 can easily pass through the inside of the cover 51 vertically through the vertically overlapping upper communication holes 53a and lower communication holes 54a.

[0063] [1-2. Operation] The operation of the indoor unit 1, configured as described above, will be explained below.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] Here, an additional unit 50 is provided between the heat exchanger 25 and the blower 23, and in the left-right direction, the position P9 occupied by the additional unit 50 coincides with the left-right center C of the casing 23B of the blower 23. Therefore, the airflow from the blower 23 to the heat exchanger 25 makes it difficult for the heated or cooled air from the heat exchanger 25 to reach the additional unit 50, thereby suppressing the thermal influence on the additional unit 50. Furthermore, since the additional unit 50 is attached to the first partition plate 21 in the heat exchanger chamber 20B, it is located away from the heat exchanger 25, i.e., upstream of the airflow, thus suppressing the thermal influence from the heat exchanger 25 on the additional unit 50.

[0067] Furthermore, when viewed along the front-to-back direction parallel to the direction of air discharge from the outlet 23C, the add-on unit 50 is positioned so as to overlap with the casing 23B of the blower 23 but not with the outlet 23C. Therefore, the air discharged from the outlet 23C is less likely to be obstructed by the add-on unit 50.

[0068] 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.

[0069] Here, the air flowing through the outlet space 30 is mixed with a mist containing charged water particles via the connecting pipe 27 and outlet 27A by the operation of the additional unit 50. As a result, the air blown out from the outlet 11 is given a sterilizing effect.

[0070] Furthermore, the add-on unit 50 has a cover 51 that covers the heat generation unit 58 and the power supply unit 59, and has an upper communication hole 53a, a lower communication hole 54a, and a power supply side communication hole 54b formed therein.Therefore, the flow rate of air that is blown to the blower 23 and reaches the heat generation unit 58 and the power supply unit 59 inside the cover 51 can be adjusted.In addition, since the upper communication hole 53a, the lower communication hole 54a, and the power supply side communication hole 54b are formed in a pair of upper and lower surfaces 53 and 54 of the cover 51 that are facing each other vertically, air can easily pass through the inside of the cover 51.This makes it easier to suppress the thermal influence of the heat exchanger 25 on the add-on unit 50.

[0071] Furthermore, the opening areas of the upper communication holes 53a and lower communication holes 54a, which are provided around the generation unit 58, whose operating temperature range is lower than that of the power supply unit 59, are larger than the opening area of ​​the power supply side communication holes 54b, which are provided around the power supply unit 59. Therefore, it is easier to make the airflow reaching the generation unit 58 greater than the airflow reaching the power supply unit 59, and it is easier to keep the temperatures of the generation unit 58 and the power supply unit 59 within their respective operating temperature ranges.

[0072] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner includes a heat exchanger 25 and a blower 23 that blows air toward the heat exchanger 25, and an additional unit 50 is provided between the heat exchanger 25 and the blower 23. As a result, the air blown by the blower 23 makes it difficult for the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the heat exchanger 25 to reach the add-on unit 50. Therefore, the thermal impact on the add-on unit 50 is suppressed, and the add-on unit 50 can be arranged compactly.

[0073] As in this embodiment, in the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner, the blower 23 has a casing 23B in which an outlet 23C for discharging air to the heat exchanger 25 is formed, and the add-on unit 50 may be provided in a position that overlaps with the casing 23B but does not overlap with the outlet 23C when viewed along the front-rear direction parallel to the direction of air discharge at the outlet 23C. This makes it less likely for the air blown to the blower 23 to be obstructed by the add-on unit 50. As a result, the add-on unit 50 can be positioned compactly while reducing its impact on the airflow.

[0074] As in this embodiment, the position P9 occupied by the add-on unit 50 in the left-right direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger 25, may be configured to overlap with the center C of the casing 23B. This makes it easier for the air blown by the blower 23 to reach the add-on unit 50 directly. As a result, the thermal influence of the heat exchanger 25 on the add-on unit 50 can be suppressed.

[0075] As in this embodiment, the system may be configured such that a first partition plate 21 separates a heat exchanger chamber 20B in which a heat exchanger 25 is installed from a blower chamber 20A in which a blower 23 is installed, and the additional unit 50 is attached to the first partition plate 21 and placed in the heat exchanger chamber 20B. This allows the add-on unit 50 to be positioned away from the heat exchanger 25. As a result, the thermal influence of the heat exchanger 25 on the add-on unit 50 can be suppressed.

[0076] As in this embodiment, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner may be configured to include a cover 51 that covers the power supply unit 59 and the generation unit 58, which are part of the additional unit 50. This allows the cover 51 to suppress the excessive temperature changes caused by the air blown by the blower 23 hitting the add-on unit 50. As a result, the reliability of the add-on unit 50 can be improved.

[0077] As in this embodiment, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner may be configured such that the cover 51 has an upper communication hole 53a, a lower communication hole 54a, and a power supply side communication hole 54b, which are communication holes that connect the inside and outside of the cover 51. This allows the air blown by the blower 23 to flow to the heat generation unit 58 and power supply unit 59 inside the cover 51. As a result, the thermal influence of the heat exchanger 25 on the add-on unit 50 can be suppressed.

[0078] As in this embodiment, the upper communication hole 53a, the lower communication hole 54a, and the power supply side communication hole 54b, which are communication holes, may be provided on both the upper portion 53 and the lower portion 54, which are a pair of opposing surfaces of the cover 51. This makes it easier to direct the air blown by the blower 23 to the add-on unit 50. As a result, the thermal influence of the heat exchanger 25 on the add-on unit 50 can be suppressed. In particular, in this embodiment, the upper communication hole 53a formed in the upper surface portion 53 and the lower communication hole 54a formed in the lower surface portion 54 are configured to overlap at least a portion of each other in the vertical direction where the upper surface portion 53 and the lower surface portion 54 overlap. This makes it easier for the air blown by the blower 23 to flow through the inside of the cover 51, and makes it easier to suppress the thermal influence of the heat exchanger 25 on the generating portion 58 and the power supply portion 59 of the additional unit 50, which are provided inside the cover 51.

[0079] As in this embodiment, the add-on unit 50 includes a power supply unit 59 and a power generation unit 58 that is supplied with power to the power supply unit 59. The communication holes include a power supply side communication hole 54b formed around the power supply unit 59 and an upper communication hole 53a and a lower communication hole 54a formed around the power generation unit 58. The opening areas of the power supply side communication hole 54b and the upper and lower communication holes 53a and 54a may be different from each other. This allows for adjustment of the airflow reaching the power supply unit 59 and the generation unit 58. Therefore, the reliability of the add-on unit 50 can be improved. In particular, in this embodiment, the operating temperature range of the generation unit 58 is lower than that of the power supply unit 59. Also, the opening areas of the upper communication holes 53a and lower communication holes 54a formed around the generation unit 58 are larger than the opening area of ​​the power supply side communication holes 54b formed around the power supply unit 59. Therefore, it is easier to adjust the airflow reaching the generation unit 58 and the power supply unit 59 and maintain the temperatures of the generation unit 58 and the power supply unit 59 within their respective operating temperature ranges.

[0080] As in this embodiment, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner may be configured to include a connecting pipe 27 that connects the additional unit 50 and the space on the outlet side of the heat exchanger 25, and the connecting pipe 27 may be routed to a position spaced apart from the refrigerant pipe 25A connected to the heat exchanger 25. This suppresses the thermal influence of the refrigerant pipe 25A on the connecting pipe 27. Therefore, it suppresses the thermal influence of the add-on unit 50 via the connecting pipe 27.

[0081] (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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] (Note) Based on the above description of embodiments, the following technologies are disclosed. (Technical 1) An indoor unit of an air conditioner comprising a heat exchanger and a blower that blows air toward the heat exchanger, wherein an additional unit is provided between the heat exchanger and the blower. This makes it difficult for the air that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the heat exchanger to reach the add-on unit due to the air blown by the fan. As a result, the thermal impact on the add-on unit is suppressed, and the add-on unit can be arranged compactly.

[0085] (Technology 2) The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to Technology 1, wherein the blower has a fan casing formed with an outlet for discharging air into the heat exchanger, and the additional unit is provided in a position that overlaps with the fan casing but does not overlap with the outlet, when viewed along the direction of air discharge at the outlet. This makes it less likely for the air blown by the fan to be obstructed by the add-on unit. As a result, the add-on unit can be positioned compactly while reducing its impact on the airflow.

[0086] (Technical 3) The indoor unit of the air conditioner described in Technical 2, wherein the position occupied by the additional unit in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger coincides with the center of the fan casing. This allows the air blown by the fan to reach the add-on unit more directly. As a result, the thermal impact of the heat exchanger on the add-on unit can be suppressed.

[0087] (Technical 4) An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to any one of Technical 1 to 3, comprising a partition plate separating a heat exchanger chamber in which the heat exchanger is provided and a blower chamber in which the blower is provided, wherein the additional unit is attached to the partition plate and arranged in the heat exchanger chamber. This allows the add-on unit to be positioned away from the heat exchanger. As a result, the thermal influence of the heat exchanger on the add-on unit can be suppressed.

[0088] (Technical 5) An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to any one of Technical 1 to 4, comprising a cover that covers at least a portion of the additional unit. This design allows the cover to suppress excessive temperature changes caused by air blown by the fan hitting the add-on unit. Therefore, the reliability of the add-on unit can be improved.

[0089] (Technical 6) The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to Technical 5, wherein the cover has a communication hole that connects the inside and outside of the cover. This allows the air blown by the fan to flow to the add-on unit. As a result, the thermal impact of the heat exchanger on the add-on unit can be suppressed.

[0090] (Technical 7) The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to Technical 6, wherein the communication holes are provided on both of a pair of opposing surfaces of the cover. This makes it easier to direct the air blown by the fan to the add-on unit. As a result, the thermal impact of the heat exchanger on the add-on unit can be suppressed.

[0091] (Technical 8) The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to Technical 6 or 7, wherein the additional unit includes a power supply unit and a power generation unit supplied with power to the power supply unit, and the communication hole includes a first communication hole formed around the power supply unit and a second communication hole formed around the power generation unit, and the opening areas of the first communication hole and the second communication hole are different from each other. This allows for adjustment of the airflow reaching the power supply unit and the generation unit. Therefore, the reliability of the add-on unit can be improved.

[0092] (Technical 9) An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to any one of Technical 1 to 8, comprising connecting piping that connects the additional unit and the space on the outlet side of the heat exchanger, wherein the connecting piping is routed to a position spaced apart from the refrigerant piping connected to the heat exchanger. This suppresses the thermal influence of the refrigerant piping on the connecting piping. Therefore, it suppresses the thermal influence on the add-on unit via the connecting piping. [Industrial applicability]

[0093] 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]

[0094] 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 (partition plate) 21A opening 23 Blower 23A Impeller 23B Casing (Fan Casing) 23C outlet 25 Heat exchanger 25A refrigerant piping 26 Drain pan 27 Connecting pipes 27A Exit 27B Detour section 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 51 Cover 52 Third fastening part 53 Top part 53a Top communication hole (communication hole, 2nd communication hole) 54 Bottom part 54a Bottom communication hole (communication hole, 2nd communication hole) 54b Power supply side communication hole (communication hole, 1st communication hole) 55 connection ports 58. Occurrence site 59 Power supply section 60 Mounting hardware 61 1st fastening part 63 Frame section 65 2nd fastening part C Central S1 First Space

Claims

1. Heat exchanger, The system includes a blower that blows air toward the heat exchanger, An additional unit is provided between the heat exchanger and the blower. Indoor unit of an air conditioner.

2. The blower has a fan casing with an outlet formed therein for discharging air to the heat exchanger. The additional unit is positioned such that, when viewed along the direction of air discharge at the discharge port, it overlaps with the fan casing but does not overlap with the discharge port. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1.

3. In the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger, the position occupied by the additional unit coincides with the center of the fan casing. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 2.

4. A partition plate is provided to separate the heat exchanger chamber in which the heat exchanger is installed from the blower chamber in which the blower is installed. The additional unit is attached to the partition plate and placed in the heat exchanger chamber. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1.

5. The additional unit comprises a cover that covers at least a portion of the unit, The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1.

6. The cover has a communication hole formed in it that connects the inside and outside of the cover. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 5.

7. The aforementioned communication holes are provided on both of the opposing pair of surfaces of the cover. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 6.

8. The aforementioned additional unit includes a power supply unit and a power generation unit that supplies power to the power supply unit, The aforementioned communication hole includes a first communication hole formed around the power supply unit and a second communication hole formed around the generation unit. The opening areas of the first communication hole and the second communication hole are different from each other. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 6.

9. The additional unit is provided with connecting piping that connects to the space on the outlet side of the heat exchanger, The connecting pipe is routed at a position spaced apart from the refrigerant pipe connected to the heat exchanger. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1.

Images