Outdoor unit

Abstract

This disclosure provides an outdoor unit that can be easily maintained and improves work efficiency. [Solution] The outdoor unit in this disclosure comprises a housing and a partition plate that divides the inside of the housing into a machine room and a heat exchange room, wherein the housing comprises a machine room side panel that covers the machine room and a heat exchange room side panel that covers the heat exchange room, and at least one of the machine room side panel and the heat exchange room side panel is formed to be separable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an outdoor unit.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology of an outdoor unit including a housing and a partition plate that divides the housing into a heat exchange chamber and a machine chamber, and the housing has an exterior panel.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides an outdoor unit that can facilitate maintenance and improve workability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The outdoor unit in the present disclosure includes a housing and a partition plate that divides the interior of the housing into a machine chamber and a heat exchange chamber. In the outdoor unit, the housing includes a machine chamber side panel that covers the machine chamber and a heat exchange chamber side panel that covers the heat exchange chamber, and at least one of the machine chamber side panel and the heat exchange chamber side panel is formed to be dividable.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] The outdoor unit in the present disclosure can divide the exterior panel, so that a part of the exterior panel can be removed for maintenance, and the workability is improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] [Figure 1] Perspective view of the outdoor unit 1 in Embodiment 1 [Figure 2] Perspective view of the outdoor unit 1 with the top plate 20, first front panel 11, second front panel 12, and cover member 23 removed in Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] Perspective view showing the reinforcing member 33 in Embodiment 1 [Figure 4] Perspective view of the partition plate in Embodiment 1 [Figure 5] Enlarged view of the upper part of the partition plate flange in Embodiment 1 [Figure 6] Perspective view of the first front panel in Embodiment 1 [Figure 7] Perspective view of the second front panel in Embodiment 1 [Figure 8] Front view of the machine room with the third front panel and fourth front panel attached to the housing in Embodiment 1. [Figure 9] This diagram shows how the first front panel and the first rear panel are fixed together in Embodiment 1. [Figure 10] This figure shows the fixing structure of the folded portion, the third front panel and the fourth front panel in Embodiment 1. [Figure 11] Cross-sectional view showing the fixing structure of the second front panel and the first front panel in Embodiment 1. [Figure 12] Cross-sectional view showing the fixing structure of the top plate and the first upper end support in Embodiment 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] (Knowledge and other information that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors conceived of this disclosure, there was a technology in which an outdoor unit consisted of a housing and a partition plate that divided the housing into a heat exchange chamber and a machine room, and the housing had an exterior panel. However, the inventors discovered that with the conventional technology, as the size of the outdoor unit increased, the weight of the exterior panel attached to the housing increased, making it difficult to perform internal maintenance by removing the exterior panel. To solve this problem, they came to form the subject of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure provides an outdoor unit that allows for easy internal maintenance.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, detailed descriptions may be omitted more than necessary. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters or redundant descriptions of substantially the same configurations may be omitted. Note that the attached drawings and the following description are provided for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0010] In the description, the descriptions of directions such as front, back, left, right, up, and down are the same as the directions of front, back, left, right, up, and down when the outdoor unit in FIG. 1 is viewed from the front, unless otherwise specified. Also, in each figure, UP indicates the upward direction of the outdoor unit, FR indicates the forward direction, and R indicates the right direction.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) [1-1. Configuration] [1-1-1. Configuration of Outdoor Unit] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the outdoor unit 1 in Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the outdoor unit 1 with the top plate 20, the first front panel 11, the second front panel 12, and the cover member 23 removed. The outdoor unit 1 includes a housing 5. The housing 5 in the present embodiment has an exterior panel that covers the side surface of the housing 5, a top plate 20 that covers the top surface of the housing, and a bottom plate 21 that covers the bottom surface of the housing. The exterior panel is composed of a front panel 10 that covers the front and one of the left and right sides of the housing 5, and a rear panel 15 that covers the rear and the right side.

[0012] The top plate 20 is composed of a single main body 20a that covers the upper end of the housing 5 and a bent portion 20b that bends downward from the end of the main body 20a. A fastening hole 20b1 is provided in the bent portion 20b.

[0013] Further, the housing 5 includes a partition plate 25 that divides the interior of the housing 5 into left and right parts. By the partition plate 25, the interior of the housing 5 is partitioned into a heat exchange chamber 30 in which the outdoor heat exchanger 31 is accommodated and an electrical machinery chamber 40 in which the electrical machinery 41 of the outdoor unit 1 is accommodated. At the upper part of the partition plate 25, a ventilation hole (see FIG. 4) 26 that penetrates the heat exchange chamber 30 and the electrical machinery chamber 40 is provided. The ventilation hole 26 is provided on the rear side of the partition plate 25.

[0014] The front panel 10 is formed in a substantially L shape, covers the front surface with the side having a large area, and covers the side surface adjacent to the front surface with the other side corresponding to the bent surface. The rear panel 15 is formed in a substantially L shape, covers the rear surface with the side having a large area, and covers the side surface adjacent to the rear surface with the other side corresponding to the bent surface.

[0015] More specifically, the front panel 10 covers the front and side portions of the electrical machinery chamber 40 and the heat exchange chamber 30, and includes a first front panel 11 that covers the upper part of the electrical machinery chamber 40, a second front panel 12 that covers the lower part of the electrical machinery chamber 40, a third front panel 13 that covers the upper part of the heat exchange chamber 30, and a fourth front panel 14 that covers the lower part of the heat exchange chamber 30.

[0016] Further, the rear panel 15 covers the rear and side portions of the electrical machinery chamber 40 and the heat exchange chamber 30, and includes a first rear panel 16 that covers the upper part of the electrical machinery chamber 40 and a second rear panel 17 that covers the lower part of the electrical machinery chamber 40. A part of the rear portion of the electrical machinery chamber 40 and a part of the rear portion and the left side surface of the heat exchange chamber 30 are covered by the outdoor heat exchanger 31 described later.

[0017] The right side surface of the electrical machinery chamber 40 is covered by the first front panel (first electrical machinery chamber side panel) 11, the second front panel (second electrical machinery chamber side panel) 12, the first rear panel 16, and the second rear panel 17. The left side surface of the heat exchange chamber 30 is covered by the third front panel (first heat exchange chamber side panel) 13 and the fourth front panel 14 (second heat exchange chamber side panel).

[0018] In other words, in this embodiment, the first front panel 11, the second front panel 12, the first rear panel 16, and the second rear panel 17 are the panels facing the machine room. The third front panel 13 and the fourth front panel 14 are the panels facing the heat exchange chamber.

[0019] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the heat exchange chamber 30 is equipped with an outdoor heat exchanger 31 for exchanging heat with the refrigerant, a blower 32 for blowing air from inside the outdoor unit 1 to the outside of the outdoor unit 1, and a reinforcing member 33 for reinforcing the housing 5. The outdoor heat exchanger 31 is located at the rear end of the housing 5. More specifically, it is located from the rear of the heat exchange chamber 30 to the left rear of the machine room 40. In other words, the rear and left side of the outdoor heat exchanger 31 are also the rear of the machine room 40 and the rear and side of the heat exchange chamber 30 of the housing 5. Intake ports (not shown) are provided on the rear and left side of the outdoor heat exchanger 31.

[0020] Ventilation holes 22 are provided on the other side 16a of the first rear panel 16. The third front panel 13 and the fourth front panel 14 are provided with circular air outlets 13a and 14a on one front surface, and nozzles 13C and 14C that curve and extend from the circular holes towards the inside of the housing. Furthermore, the third front panel 13 and the fourth front panel 14 are provided with a grid-like cover member (see Figure 1) 23 that covers the air outlets 13a and 14a.

[0021] The blower 32 draws in air from the rear side of the blower 32 and discharges it from the front side of the blower 32. The blower 32 is supported by a fan fixing member provided on the reinforcing member at positions corresponding to the air outlets 13a and 14a provided on the third front panel 13 and the fourth front panel 14 when viewed from the front. More specifically, the blower 32 is positioned such that its axis of rotation is substantially the same as the centers of the air outlets 13a and 14a. In the front-rear direction, the blower 32 is positioned on the front side of the ventilation holes 26 provided in the partition plate 25. In other words, it is positioned so that air entering the heat exchange chamber 30 from the machine room 40 side through the ventilation holes 26 can be discharged outside the outdoor unit 1.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the machine room 40 contains electrical equipment 41 such as a compressor, an air guide member 49 connecting the ventilation holes 22 of the first rear panel 16 and the ventilation holes 26 of the partition plate 25, and an electrical box 45 supported by the air guide member 49. The electrical equipment 41 is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 31 and an indoor unit (not shown) by refrigerant piping 42, forming a refrigerant flow path.

[0023] The electrical box 45 contains multiple electrical components, such as circuit boards, inside. A heat sink (not shown) with cooling fins is provided on the rear of the electrical box 45, creating a sealed structure inside the electrical box 45. The heat sink cools the electrical components inside the electrical box 45.

[0024] [1-1-2. Configuration of reinforcing members] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the reinforcing member 33. The reinforcing member 33 includes a reinforcing member base 34 fixed to the bottom plate 21, a support column 35 extending from the reinforcing member base 34 to the top plate 20, a front plate reinforcing portion 36 provided midway along the support column 35, and a top plate fixing member 37 provided at the upper end of the support column 35. The support column 35 is provided with a fan fixing portion (not shown), and the blower 32 is supported via the fan fixing portion.

[0025] The front panel reinforcement portion 36 has a front panel bending portion 36a at its front end that bends downward. The front panel bending portion 36a is provided with front panel fastening holes 36b for fixing the third front panel 13 and the fourth front panel 14. The top panel fixing member 37 has a top panel bending portion 37a at its front end that bends downward. The top panel bending portion 37a is provided with top panel fastening holes 37b for fixing the third front panel 13 and the fourth front panel 14.

[0026] [1-1-3. Configuration of partition plates] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the partition plate 25 from the front right. Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the upper part of the partition plate flange portion 25B. The partition plate 25 includes a partition plate base portion 25A that extends in the front-rear direction and divides the heat exchange chamber 30 and the machine room 40, a partition plate flange portion 25B that bends toward the machine room 40 side along the front panel at the front end of the partition plate base portion 25A, and a partition plate rear portion 25C that bends toward the machine room 40 side along the outdoor heat exchanger 31 at the rear end of the partition plate base portion 25A.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, the partition plate flange portion 25B is provided with a plurality of fitting holes 25b1 and fastening holes 25b2 for fixing the front panel. The fitting holes 25b1 are roughly rectangular (see Figure 5), and four of them are formed at roughly equal intervals in the vertical direction.

[0028] As shown in Figure 5, a fastening hole 25b2 is provided above the fitting hole 25b1. The fastening hole 25b2 is a hole through which a fastening member passes to fix the front panel 10.

[0029] [1-1-4. Front Panel Configuration] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the first front panel 11, seen from the left rear. The first front panel 11 has claws 11c at both the left and right ends that extend inward into the housing 5. The claws 11c are composed of a front claw 11c1 provided on the third front panel 13 side and a lateral claw 11c2 provided on the first rear panel 16 side. The front claw 11c1 and the side claw 11c2 are roughly T-shaped claws that extend inward towards the housing 5 and then extend vertically.

[0030] Two front claws 11c1 are arranged with a predetermined distance between them in the vertical direction. The front claws 11c1 are positioned at the same height as the fitting hole 25b1 in the vertical direction. Two lateral claws 11c2 are arranged with a predetermined interval between them in the vertical direction. The lateral claws 11c2 are formed at the same height as the front claw 11c1 in the left-right direction.

[0031] The first front panel 11 is bent (step bend, Z-bend) at its upper end to form a stepped first upper end folded portion 11A. The step created by the bending process is designed so that when the first front panel 11 is installed, the first upper end folded portion 11A is positioned inward from the outer surface 11F of the first front panel 11.

[0032] The first upper folded portion 11A is provided with fastening holes 11b1. Two fastening holes 11b1 are arranged at a predetermined distance apart in the left-right direction. Additionally, fastening holes 11b2 are provided at the lower end of one side of the first front panel 11. Two fastening holes 11b2 are arranged at a predetermined distance apart in the left-right direction. The first front panel 11 is fixed to the housing 5 by fastening members passing through the fastening holes 11b1 and 11b2.

[0033] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the second front panel 12. The second front panel 12 has claws (claws) 12c at both the left and right ends that bend inward towards the housing 5. The claws 12c are composed of a front claw 12c1 provided on the third front panel 13 side and a side claw 12c2 provided on the second rear panel 17 side.

[0034] The second front panel 12 is bent (step bend, Z-bend) at its upper end to form a stepped second upper end folded portion 12A. The step created by the bending process is designed so that when the second front panel 12 is installed, the second upper end folded portion 12A is positioned inward from the outer surface 12F of the second front panel 12.

[0035] The second upper folded portion 12A is provided with fastening holes 12b1. Two fastening holes 12b1 are arranged with a predetermined distance between them in the left-right direction. Additionally, a fastening hole 12b2 is provided at the lower end of the second front panel 12. The second front panel 12 is fixed to the housing 5 by fastening members passing through the fastening holes 12b1 and 12b2.

[0036] Figure 8 is a front view of the machine room 40 with the third front panel 13 and the fourth front panel 14 attached to the housing 5. As shown in Figure 2, the third front panel 13 is bent (step bend, Z-bend) at its upper and right ends to form a stepped third upper folded portion 13A and a third right folded portion 13B. The steps created by the bending process are designed so that when the third front panel 13 is installed, the third upper folded portion 13A and the third right folded portion 13B are positioned inward from the outer surface 13F of the third front panel 13.

[0037] The third upper folded portion 13A is provided with fastening holes 13b1. Two fastening holes 13b1 are arranged with a predetermined distance between them in the left-right direction. The fastening holes 13b1 are fastening holes for fixing the top plate 20.

[0038] A fastening hole 13b2 is provided in the third right-end folded portion 13B. Two fastening holes 13b2 are arranged vertically at a predetermined distance apart. A fastening member is inserted into the fastening holes 13b2 to fix the third front panel 13 together with the first front panel 11 to the partition plate 25.

[0039] Fastening holes 13b3 are provided at the lower end of the third front panel 13. Four fastening holes 13b3 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction. Fastening members are inserted into the fastening holes 13b3, and together with the fourth front panel 14, which will be described later, the third front panel 13 is fixed to the reinforcing member 33.

[0040] Multiple fitting holes 13c are provided in the third right-end folding portion 13B. The fitting holes are provided between fastening holes 13b2 and are arranged in pairs with a predetermined interval in the vertical direction. The front claws 11c1 of the first front panel pass through the fitting holes 13c, fixing the first front panel 11 and the third front panel 13 to the partition plate 25.

[0041] The fourth front panel 14 is bent (step bend, Z-bend) at its upper and right ends to form a stepped fourth upper folded portion 14A and a fourth right folded portion 14B. The steps created by the bending process are such that when the fourth front panel 14 is installed, the fourth upper folded portion 14A and the fourth right folded portion 14B are positioned inward from the outer surface 14F of the fourth front panel 14.

[0042] The fourth upper folded portion 14A is provided with fastening holes 14b1. Four fastening holes 14b1 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction and are positioned to overlap with the fastening holes 13b3 at the lower end of the third front panel 13 when viewed from the front. In other words, the third front panel 13 and the fourth front panel 14 are fixed to the reinforcing member by fastening members passing through the fastening holes 13b3 and 14b1, or by fastening holes 13b3, 14b1, and the front panel fastening hole 36b.

[0043] A fastening hole 14b2 is provided in the fourth right-end folded portion 14B. Two fastening holes 14b2 are arranged vertically at a predetermined distance apart. A fastening member passes through the fastening holes 14b2, and the fourth front panel 14 is fixed to the partition plate 25.

[0044] A fastening hole 14b3 is provided at the lower end of the fourth front panel 14. A fastening member passes through the fastening hole 14b3, and the fourth front panel 14 is fixed to the bottom plate 21.

[0045] Multiple fitting holes 14c are provided in the fourth right-end folding portion 14B. Two fitting holes 14c are arranged vertically at a predetermined distance apart, and each is located above the fastening hole 14b2. The front claws 12c1 of the second front panel 12 pass through the fitting holes 14c, fixing the second front panel 12 and the fourth front panel 14 to the partition plate 25.

[0046] [1-1-5. Rear Panel Configuration] As described above, the rear panel is divided into a first rear panel 16 and a second rear panel 17 (see Figure 2).

[0047] Figure 9 shows the fixing of the first front panel 11 and the first rear panel 16. The first rear panel 16 is bent (step bend, Z-bend) at its upper end and front end (end on the other side 16a) to form a stepped first rear upper end folded portion 16A and a first rear front end folded portion 16B. The steps created by the bending process are arranged so that when the first rear panel 16 is installed, the first rear upper end folded portion 16A and the first rear front end folded portion 16B are located inside the outer surface 16F of the first rear panel 16.

[0048] The first rear upper end folding portion 16A is provided with fastening holes 16b1. Two fastening holes 16b1 are arranged with a predetermined distance between them in the left-right direction. Fastening members pass through the fastening holes 16b1, and the top plate 20 is fixed to the first rear panel 16.

[0049] A fastening hole 16b2 is provided at the lower end of the first rear panel 16. Two fastening holes 16b1 are arranged at a predetermined distance apart in the front-rear direction. A fastening member passes through the fastening hole 16b2, and the second rear panel 17, which will be described later, is fixed in place.

[0050] Multiple fitting holes 16c are provided in the first rear front end folding portion 16B. The fitting holes 16c are positioned to engage with the lateral claws 11c2 of the first front panel 11. Therefore, the lateral claws 11c2 of the first front panel 11 engage with the fitting holes 16c, and the first front panel 11 is fixed to the first rear panel 16.

[0051] As shown in Figure 2, the second rear panel 17 is bent (step bend, Z bend) at its upper and front ends to form a stepped second rear upper end folded portion 17A and a second rear front end folded portion 17B. As shown in Figure 2, the steps created by the bending process are arranged so that when the first rear panel 16 is attached, the first rear upper end folded portion 16A and the first rear front end folded portion 16B are located inside the outer surface 17F of the first rear panel 16.

[0052] A fastening hole 17b1 is provided in the second rear upper end folding portion 17A. A fastening member passes through the fastening hole 17b1, and the top plate 20 is fixed to the first rear panel 16. The lower end of the second rear panel 17 is provided with a plurality of fastening holes 17b2 for fixing its position with fastening members. The second rear front end folding portion 17B is provided with a plurality of fitting holes 17c.

[0053] [1-1-6. Front Panel Mounting Configuration] In this embodiment, the front and a portion of the sides of the housing 5 are formed by stacking and fixing the fourth front panel 14, the third front panel 13, the second front panel 12, and the first front panel 11 in that order.

[0054] Figure 10 shows the fixing structure of the front panel folding portion 36a, the third front panel 13, and the fourth front panel 14. The fourth front panel is positioned to cover the reinforcing member 33 and the partition plate 25, and the lower end of the fourth front panel 14 is fixed to the bottom plate 21 by fastening members. The fourth front panel 14 is also fixed to the partition plate 25 by fastening members passing through the fastening holes 14b2 of the fourth right end folded portion 14B and the fastening holes 25b2 of the partition plate flange portion 25B. The third front panel 13 is positioned such that its lower end overlaps the fourth upper folded portion 14A when viewed from the front.

[0055] The third front panel is fixed to the housing 5 together with the fourth front panel 14 and the reinforcing member 33 by fastening members passing through the fastening holes in the front panel bend portion 36a, the fastening holes 14b1 in the fourth upper end fold portion 14A, and the fastening holes 13b3 in the third front panel 13. Furthermore, the partition plate 25 and the third front panel 13 are fixed together by fastening members passing through the fastening holes 13b2 of the third right end folding portion 13B and the fastening holes 25b2 of the partition plate flange portion 25B.

[0056] The left end of the second front panel 12 is positioned to overlap with the fourth right end folding portion 14B of the fourth front panel 14 when viewed from the front. The front claw 12c1 of the second front panel 12 passes through the fitting hole 14c of the fourth right end folding portion 14B and engages with the fitting hole 25b1 of the partition plate flange portion 25B of the partition plate 25. This fixes the partition plate 25, the fourth front panel 14, and the second front panel 12 in place. The lateral claws 12c2 of the second front panel 12 are fixed by fitting into the fitting holes 17c of the second rear panel 17.

[0057] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the fixing structure of the second front panel 12 and the first front panel 11. The first front panel 11 is positioned so as to overlap, in a front view, the second upper folded portion 12A of the second front panel 12 and the third right folded portion 13B of the third front panel 13. The front claw 11c1 at the left end of the first front panel 11 passes through the fitting hole 13c of the third right end folding portion 13B and engages with the fitting hole 25b1 of the partition plate flange portion 25B of the partition plate 25. This fixes the partition plate 25, the third front panel 13, and the first front panel 11 in place. The lateral claws 11c2 of the first front panel 11 are fixed by fitting into the fitting holes 16c of the first rear panel 16. Furthermore, the first front panel 11 and the second front panel 12 are fixed together by passing a fastening member through the fastening hole 11b2 at the lower end of the first front panel 11 and the fastening hole 17b1 at the upper rear folded portion 17A.

[0058] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the fixing structure of the top plate 20 and the first upper folded portion 11A. The top plate 20 is positioned to cover the first upper folded portion 11A, the third upper folded portion 13A, the first rear upper folded portion 16A, and the outdoor heat exchanger 31. The folded portion 20b of the top plate 20 is positioned to be on the outside of the housing 5, relative to the first upper folded portion 11A, the third upper folded portion 13A, the first rear upper folded portion 16A, and the outdoor heat exchanger 31. The top plate 20 is fixed by fastening members passing through the fastening holes 20b1 in the folded portion 20b and the fastening holes in the first upper folded portion 11A, the third upper folded portion 13A, and the first rear upper folded portion 16A, which are located at positions corresponding to each of the folded portions 20b.

[0059] [1-2. Effects, etc.] In this embodiment, first, the fourth front panel 14 is placed on the housing 5, and the third front panel 13 is placed on top of the fourth upper end folding portion 14A of the fourth front panel 14 such that the third front panel 13 is on the outside. Next, the second front panel 12 is placed on top of the fourth right end folding portion 14B such that the second front panel 12 is on the outside. Next, the first front panel 11 is placed on top of the third right end folding portion 13B and the second upper end folding portion 12A such that the first front panel 11 is on the outside. Finally, the top panel 20 is placed so that the folded portion 20b of the top panel 20 is on the outside of the first upper end folding portion 11A, the third upper end folding portion 13A, and the first rear upper end folding portion 16A.

[0060] Therefore, unlike conventional technology, there is no need to remove heavy, large exterior panels. By removing the front panels sequentially starting from the first front panel, the front panels can be separated and removed, making maintenance easier.

[0061] Furthermore, by arranging the electrical equipment 41 according to the frequency of maintenance, maintenance can be performed without removing all the exterior panels. Specifically, by placing components that require infrequent maintenance on the third front panel 13 and fourth front panel 14 side, and components that require frequent maintenance on the first front panel 11 and second front panel 12 side, maintenance can be easily performed by removing only the first front panel 11 and second front panel 12 when only the frequently maintained components need to be serviced.

[0062] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, according to this embodiment, in an outdoor unit 1 comprising a housing 5 and a partition plate 25 that divides the inside of the housing 5 into a machine room 40 and a heat exchange room 30, the housing 5 comprises a machine room side panel that covers the machine room 40 and a heat exchange room side panel that covers the heat exchange room 30, and at least one of the machine room side panel and the heat exchange room side panel is formed to be separable. According to this, by making the exterior panels separable, it becomes possible to remove a portion of the exterior panels for maintenance, improving work efficiency.

[0063] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the machine room side panel is divided into a first front panel 11 and a second front panel 12, and the lower end of the first front panel 11 and the second upper end folding portion 12A of the second front panel 12 are fixed in the front-rear direction such that either the lower end of the first front panel 11 or the second upper end folding portion 12A of the second front panel 12 is located at the rear. According to this design, the divided machine room side panels can be easily fixed while maintaining strength, and the panel located on the front side of the first front panel 11 and second front panel 12 can be easily removed, making maintenance of the machine room elements 40 located on the back side easier.

[0064] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the machine room side panel is divided vertically into a first front panel 11 located at the top of the housing 5 and a second front panel 12 located at the bottom of the housing 5, and the lower end of the first front panel 11 and the second upper end folding portion 12A of the second front panel 12 are fixed in the front-rear direction with the second upper end folding portion 12A positioned towards the rear. According to this design, the divided machine room side panels can be easily fixed while maintaining strength, and the first front panel 11 can be easily removed, making it easy to maintain the machine room elements located on the back side of the first front panel 11. In addition, the intrusion of rainwater and other elements into the interior of the second front panel 12 is suppressed with a simple configuration.

[0065] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the housing 5 includes a top plate 20 having a bent portion 20b at its end that is bent downward, and the bent portion 20b and the first upper end folding portion 11A of the first front panel 11 are fixed in the front-rear direction with the first upper end folding portion 11A positioned towards the rear. According to this, the divided first front panel can be fixed with greater strength while also preventing rainwater and other substances from entering the interior of the first front panel.

[0066] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the first front panel 11 and the second front panel 12 are provided with claw portions 11c and 12c on their sides, and engage with fitting holes 25b1 provided in the partition plate 25 of the housing 5. This makes it easier to position the first front panel 11 and the second front panel 12 when installing them.

[0067] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the heat exchange chamber 30 includes a blower 32 and a fan fixing member for attaching the blower 32, and the heat exchange chamber side panel is divided vertically into a third front panel 13 located at the top of the housing 5 and a fourth front panel 14 located at the bottom of the housing 5, and at least one of the third front panel 13 and the fourth front panel 14 includes outlets 13a and 14a that overlap with the blower 32 in a front view, and nozzles 13C and 14C that extend rearward from the opening, and a reinforcing member 33 that fixes at least one of the third front panel 13 and the fourth front panel and the fan fixing member. According to this, even if the heavy heat exchange chamber side panel is divided in order to provide nozzles 13C and 14C corresponding to the blower 32, the strength of the heat exchange chamber side panel can be maintained and fixed by the reinforcing member 33.

[0068] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the lower end of the third front panel 13 and the upper end of the fourth front panel 14 are fixed in the front-rear direction such that either the lower end of the third front panel 13 or the upper end of the fourth front panel 14 is located at the rear. According to this design, the divided heat exchange chamber side panels can be easily fixed while maintaining their strength, and the lower end of the third front panel and the upper end of the fourth front panel, which are located on the front side, can be easily removed, making maintenance of the heat exchange chamber 30 elements located on the back side easier.

[0069] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the housing 5 includes a top plate 20 having a bent portion 20b at its end that is bent downward, and the bent portion 20b and the third upper end folding portion 13A of the third front panel 13 are fixed in the front-rear direction with the third upper end folding portion positioned towards the rear. According to this method, the divided heat exchange chamber side panels can be fixed with greater strength while also preventing rainwater and other elements from entering the interior of the first heat exchange chamber side panel.

[0070] In this embodiment, the claws 11c and 12c provided on the machine room side panel engage with the fitting holes 25b1 provided on the heat exchange chamber side panel and partition plate 25. This configuration makes it easy to position and temporarily fix the front panel 10, and simplifies maintenance work.

[0071] Furthermore, as described above, since the front panel 10 is constructed by overlapping a portion of another front panel 10 with the folded portion of the front panel 10, the reduction in strength due to the division of the exterior panel is suppressed. In addition, the machine room side panel, which requires more strength due to the weight increase caused by the installation of the blower 32 and the nozzles 13C and 14C, is provided with a reinforcing member 33 to further suppress the reduction in strength.

[0072] In this embodiment, the third front panel 13 is superimposed on the fourth upper folded portion 14A. The first front panel 11 is superimposed on the second upper folded portion 12A. The first rear panel 16 is superimposed on the second rear upper folded portion 17A. Furthermore, the folded portion 20b of the top plate 20 is positioned to be on the outside of the exterior panel. In other words, since the upper folded portions 11A, 12A, 13A, and 14A that rise upward are positioned to be on the inside of the housing 5, it is possible to prevent rainwater and the like from entering the inside of the housing 5 through the gaps in the joint surfaces of the panels 11, 12, 13, 14, and 20.

[0073] (Other embodiments) As described above, Embodiment 1 has been presented as an example 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. Therefore, other embodiments are illustrated below.

[0074] In the embodiment described above, a configuration was described in which the fourth front panel, third front panel, second front panel, and first front panel are stacked in that order, and then the top panel is placed on top of them. However, the order in which these are stacked can be changed as appropriate.

[0075] 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.

[0076] (Note) Based on the above description of embodiments, the following technologies are disclosed.

[0077] (Technical 1) An outdoor unit comprising a housing and a partition plate that divides the inside of the housing into a machine room and a heat exchange room, wherein the housing comprises a machine room side panel that covers the machine room and a heat exchange room side panel that covers the heat exchange room, and at least one of the machine room side panel and the heat exchange room side panel is formed to be separable. According to this, by making the exterior panels separable, it becomes possible to remove a portion of the exterior panels for maintenance, improving work efficiency.

[0078] (Technical 2) The outdoor unit according to Technical 1, wherein the machine room side panel is divided into a first machine room side panel and a second machine room side panel, and one end of the first machine room side panel and one end of the second machine room side panel are fixed in the front-rear direction such that either the end of the first machine room side panel or the end of the second machine room side panel is located at the rear. According to this design, the divided machine room side panels can be easily fixed while maintaining strength, and one end of the first machine room side panel and the front-facing end of the second machine room side panel can be easily removed, making maintenance of the machine room elements located on the back side easier.

[0079] (Technical 3) The outdoor unit according to Technical 1, wherein the machine room side panel is divided vertically into a first machine room side panel positioned on the upper part of the housing and a second machine room side panel positioned on the lower part of the housing, and the lower end of the first machine room side panel and the upper end of the second machine room side panel are fixed in the front-rear direction with the upper end of the second machine room side panel positioned towards the rear. According to this design, the divided machine room side panels can be easily fixed while maintaining strength, the first machine room side panel can be easily removed, and maintenance of the machine room elements located on the back side of the first machine room side panel can be easily performed. In addition, the intrusion of rainwater and other elements into the interior of the second machine room side panel is suppressed with a simple configuration.

[0080] (Technical 4) The outdoor unit according to Technical 3, wherein the housing comprises a top plate having a bent portion whose end is bent downward, and the bent portion and the upper end of the first machine room side panel are fixed in the front-rear direction with the upper end of the first machine room side panel positioned towards the rear. According to this method, the divided machine room side panels can be fixed with greater strength while also preventing rainwater and other elements from entering the interior of the first machine room side panel.

[0081] (Technical 5) The outdoor unit according to Technical 4, wherein the machine room side panel is provided with claws on its side and fits into an insertion hole provided in the partition plate of the housing. This makes it easier to position the machine room side panel during installation.

[0082] (Technical 6) The outdoor unit according to Technical 1, wherein the heat exchange chamber comprises a blower and a fan fixing member for attaching the blower, and the heat exchange chamber side panel is divided vertically into a first heat exchange chamber side panel located at the top of the housing and a second heat exchange chamber side panel located at the bottom of the housing, and at least one of the first heat exchange chamber side panel and the second heat exchange chamber side panel comprises an opening that overlaps with the blower in a front view and a nozzle extending rearward from the opening, and a reinforcing member for fixing at least one of the first heat exchange chamber side panel and the second heat exchange chamber side panel and the fan fixing member. According to this, even if the heavy heat exchange chamber side panel is divided to accommodate a nozzle for the blower, the strength of the heat exchange chamber side panel can be maintained and fixed in place by reinforcing members.

[0083] (Technical 7) The outdoor unit according to Technical 6, wherein the lower end of the first heat exchange chamber side panel and the upper end of the second heat exchange chamber side panel are fixed in the front-rear direction such that either the lower end of the first heat exchange chamber side panel or the upper end of the second heat exchange chamber side panel is located at the rear. According to this design, the divided heat exchange chamber side panels can be easily fixed while maintaining strength, and the lower end of the first heat exchange chamber side panel and the upper end of the second heat exchange chamber side panel, which are located on the front side, can be easily removed, making maintenance of the heat exchange chamber elements located on the back side easier.

[0084] (Technical 8) The outdoor unit according to Technical 6, wherein the housing comprises a top plate having a bent portion at its end which is bent downward, and the bent portion and the upper end of the first heat exchange chamber side panel are fixed in the front-rear direction with the upper end of the first heat exchange chamber side panel positioned towards the rear. According to this method, the divided heat exchange chamber side panels can be fixed with greater strength while also preventing rainwater and other elements from entering the interior of the first heat exchange chamber side panel. [Industrial applicability]

[0085] As described above, the outdoor unit according to the present invention can be used to improve the workability related to maintenance. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1 Outdoor unit 5 cabinets 10 Front Panel 11. First front panel (first machine room side panel) 11A First upper folded section 11F External surface 11b1, 11b2 Fastening hole 11c1 Front claw 11c2 horizontal claw 12. Second front panel (second machine room side panel) 12A Second upper folded section 12b1, 12b2 Fastening hole 12c1 Front claw 12c2 horizontal claw 13. Third front panel (panel on the first heat exchange chamber side) 13A Third upper folded section 13B Third rightmost fold section 13b1, 13b2, 13b3 Fastening holes 13c Fitting hole 14. Fourth front panel (second heat exchange chamber side panel) 14A Fourth upper fold section 14B Fourth rightmost fold section 14F External surface 14b1, 14b2, 14b3 Fastening holes 14c Fitting hole 15 Rear panel 16. First rear panel 16A First rear upper end folding section 16B First rear front end folding section 16b1, 16b2 Fastening hole 16c fitting hole 17. Second rear panel 17A Second rear upper end folding section 17B Second rear front end folding section 17b1 Fastening hole 17c Fitting hole 20 top plate 20a Main Unit 20b Folded section 20b1 Fastening hole 25 partition plates 25A Partition plate base 25B Partition plate flange section 25b1 Fitting hole 25b2 Fastening hole 30 Heat exchange room 31 Outdoor heat exchanger 32 Blower 33 Reinforcement members 34 Reinforcement member base 35 Pillar section 36 Front panel reinforcement section 36a Front panel folding section 36b Front plate fastening hole 37 Top panel fixing member 37a Top panel folding section 37b Top plate fastening holes 40 Machine room

Claims

1. An outdoor unit comprising a housing and a partition plate that divides the inside of the housing into a machine room and a heat exchange room, The housing comprises a machine room side panel covering the machine room and a heat exchange chamber side panel covering the heat exchange chamber. At least one of the machine room side panel and the heat exchange chamber side panel is formed to be separable. outdoor unit.

2. The machine room side panel is divided into a first machine room side panel and a second machine room side panel. The first machine room side panel and the second machine room side panel are fixed in the front-rear direction such that either the first machine room side panel or the second machine room side panel is positioned towards the rear. The outdoor unit according to claim 1.

3. The machine room side panel is divided vertically into a first machine room side panel located at the top of the housing and a second machine room side panel located at the bottom of the housing. The lower end of the first machine room side panel and the upper end of the second machine room side panel are fixed in the front-rear direction with the upper end of the second machine room side panel positioned towards the rear. The outdoor unit according to claim 1.

4. The housing is equipped with a top plate having a folded portion at its end that is bent downwards, The bent portion and the upper end of the first machine room side panel are fixed in the front-rear direction with the upper end of the first machine room side panel positioned towards the rear. The outdoor unit according to claim 3.

5. The machine room side panel is provided with claws on its sides that fit into insertion holes provided in the partition plate of the housing. The outdoor unit according to claim 4.

6. The heat exchange chamber comprises a blower and a fan fixing member for attaching the blower. The heat exchange chamber side panel is divided vertically into a first heat exchange chamber side panel located at the top of the housing and a second heat exchange chamber side panel located at the bottom of the housing. At least one of the first heat exchange chamber side panel and the second heat exchange chamber side panel is provided with an opening that overlaps with the blower in a front view, and a nozzle extending rearward from the opening. The device comprises at least one of the first heat exchange chamber side panel and the second heat exchange chamber side panel, and a reinforcing member for fixing the fan fixing member, The outdoor unit according to claim 1.

7. The lower end of the first heat exchange chamber side panel and the upper end of the second heat exchange chamber side panel are fixed in the front-rear direction such that either the lower end of the first heat exchange chamber side panel or the upper end of the second heat exchange chamber side panel is located at the rear. The outdoor unit according to claim 6.

8. The housing is equipped with a top plate having a folded portion at its end that is bent downwards, The bent portion and the upper end of the first heat exchange chamber side panel are fixed in the front-rear direction with the upper end of the first heat exchange chamber side panel positioned towards the rear. The outdoor unit according to claim 6.

Images