Air conditioner outdoor unit

Abstract

To easily fix (connect) end portions even when the end portion of each row has a step, in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner in which heat exchangers are arranged in the plurality of rows.SOLUTION: Heat exchangers disposed from a back face along a side face in a housing having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, are arranged in multiple rows including an outer row and an inner row, and includes a buffer block 60 disposed between a rear face of a front panel and each end portion of the heat exchanger, in a state that a width along the side face of the housing, of the inner row 183 is shorter than a width of the outer row 181, and an end portion 183a of the inner row 183 is separated in terms of distance from the front face of the housing, with respect to an end portion 181a of the outer row 181. The buffer block 60 has a contact face 610 to the rear face of the front panel at one face, and integrally includes a first engagement face 621 to the end portion 181a of the outer row 181 and a second engagement face 622 to the end portion 183a of the inner row at the other face side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, and more particularly to a heat exchanger disposed within the outdoor unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Most outdoor units of air conditioners (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "outdoor units") have a rectangular parallelepiped housing. The inside of the housing is divided by a partition into a blower chamber (also called a heat exchanger chamber) that houses the heat exchanger and the blower, and a machine chamber that houses the compressor.

[0003] Usually, the heat exchanger is arranged in an L-shape from the rear to the side of the blower room. For models with large air conditioning capacity, the heat exchangers are arranged in three rows, for example, an outer row, a middle row, and an inner row, to obtain the desired air conditioning capacity.

[0004] Incidentally, when assembling the outdoor unit, after the above three rows of heat exchangers are mounted, for example when transporting to another process, the tip portions of each row (the portions of the U-shaped tubes connected to the tube ends) are not fixed to each other and are therefore unstable. Therefore, the heat exchangers in each row may vibrate and collide with each other due to shocks, vibrations, etc. during transport, which may damage the surface portions of the heat exchangers (the tips of the fins through which the refrigerant piping is inserted), or the heat exchangers in the inner and outer rows may fall over and their tips may come into contact with the floor surface or the like and be damaged.

[0005] To prevent this, the ends of each row are fixed with binders or fasteners such as cable ties to prevent the heat exchangers in each row from vibrating individually, thereby increasing the strength of the entire heat exchanger.

[0006] However, in the heat exchanger having three rows as exemplified above, the length of the heat exchanger in the direction from the back to the side of the blower chamber (hereinafter also referred to as the width of the heat exchanger) is different for each row, so that the tip of the inner row may be positioned further back than the tip of the outer row when viewed from the front of the housing, and if the tip of each row is not aligned and there is a step, it will be difficult to fix (connect) each of those tip parts with cable ties or fasteners.

[0007] Patent Document 1 discloses a spacer that is attached to the header portion of a heat exchanger, but this spacer is for a single-row heat exchanger and cannot be applied to multi-row heat exchangers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-137157 A (Figs. 3 and 4) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily fix (connect) each end of an air conditioner outdoor unit that has multiple rows of heat exchangers, even if the ends of the rows are not aligned and there is a step. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an outdoor unit for an air conditioner having a rectangular parallelepiped housing, in which heat exchangers formed from a rear surface inside the housing to run along a side surface are arranged in multiple rows including an outer row and an inner row, the outdoor unit comprising a buffer block arranged between a rear surface of a front panel arranged on a front surface of the housing and each end of the heat exchangers, the buffer block integrally comprising at least a first engagement surface formed with a first fitting groove into which a U-shaped tube provided at an end of the outer row is fitted, and a second engagement surface formed with a second fitting groove into which a U-shaped tube provided at an end of the inner row is fitted. The groove width of the second fitting groove is larger than the groove width of the first fitting groove. It is characterized by the following. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner having multiple rows of heat exchangers, even if there are steps at the ends of each row, those ends can be easily fixed (connected) to each other. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view showing an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the outdoor unit with the front, side and top panels removed. [Diagram 3] 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the electrical equipment storage section of FIG. 2; FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view showing a power terminal board and a pipe connection unit arranged on a side surface of the outdoor unit. [Diagram 5] 5 is a side view similar to FIG. 4, showing the state in which a power cord is connected to the power terminal board. [Figure 6] 6 is an enlarged view of a power cord connection portion for the power terminal board in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the power terminal board with a terminal board cover attached thereto. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the terminal board cover, the metal cover for preventing the spread of fire, and the side panel, separated from each other. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a cord clamp provided in the outdoor unit. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a state in which the buffer block of the outdoor unit is attached to a heat exchanger. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the buffer block removed from the heat exchanger. [Figure 16] FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a control board provided in the outdoor unit as viewed from below. [Figure 18] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the control board flipped 180 degrees. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Next, some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0014] First, referring to Fig. 1, an outdoor unit 1 according to this embodiment includes a rectangular parallelepiped housing 10. That is, the housing 10 has six sides, namely a bottom, front, rear, left side, right side, and top, and Fig. 1 shows a front panel 11 disposed on the front and left side, a right side panel 12 (see Fig. 2) disposed on the right side and part of the rear, and a top panel 13 disposed on the top.

[0015] 2 shows the base substrate 14 disposed on the bottom surface of the housing 10. The interior of the outdoor unit 1 is divided by a partition plate 16 provided upright on the base substrate 14 into a machine chamber 17 housing a compressor 171, an accumulator 172, etc., and a blower chamber 18 having a heat exchanger 180 and a blower fan 190.

[0016] 1 to 4, the pipe connection unit 20 is disposed on the side panel 12 side of the housing 10. The side panel 12 is also provided with an opening (hereinafter also referred to as an opening surface 301) of a board storage section 30, which will be described later. The pipe connection unit 20 and the opening surface 301 of the board storage section 30 are covered with a pipe cover 15. The pipe cover 15 is removable.

[0017] In addition, the pipe connection unit 20 and the board storage section 30 may be arranged on the left side of the housing 10. In any case, the arrangement in which the pipe connection unit 20 and the board storage section 30 are arranged close to each other on the same side of the housing 10 contributes to the miniaturization of the outdoor unit 1 and makes maintenance, etc. easier to perform.

[0018] This outdoor unit 1 is a multi-type outdoor unit to which five indoor units (not shown) can be connected. Therefore, the pipe connection unit 20 is provided with connection valves and the like for the five indoor units. Furthermore, a power terminal board 31 and a display board 33 are stored in the board storage section 30. The power terminal board 31 and the display board 33 are arranged so as to be visible from an opening surface 301 of the board storage section 30 (hereinafter, also referred to as being arranged so as to face the opening surface 301). Therefore, an operator can access the power terminal board 31 from the opening surface 301 of the board storage section 30, and can also operate the display board 33.

[0019] The power supply terminal board 31 is provided with six terminal blocks 32 (32a to 32f). With reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 7, of these, the terminal block 32a is a terminal block for the main power supply to which the main power supply cord MC of the outdoor unit 1 is connected, and the remaining terminal blocks 32b to 32f are terminal blocks for the indoor units to which the power supply cords SC (SC1 to SC5) of the indoor units are connected. The main power supply cord MC supplies power to the outdoor unit 1 from the outside (not shown).

[0020] In this embodiment, the power terminal board 31 is arranged in two stages, an upper stage and a lower stage, with a terminal block row in which four terminal blocks 32a to 32d are arranged side by side, and a terminal block row in which two terminal blocks 32e and 32f are arranged side by side, on the upper stage.

[0021] In addition, a display board 33 is disposed beside the terminal block 32f on the upper stage of the power supply terminal board 31. The display board 33 is essentially a function setting board, and is provided with a group of switches 331 for setting operation modes such as quiet operation, energy saving operation, test operation, etc., to the outdoor unit 1. In addition, this display board 33 is provided with an indicator 332 such as an LED for indicating the operation mode, etc.

[0022] [Terminal board cover] The display board 33 is operated by an operator. As the outdoor unit 1 becomes smaller, if the display board 33 and the terminal block 32 are placed close to each other, the distance between them becomes narrow, and there is a risk that an operator may accidentally touch the terminal block 32 to which a main power cord or the like carrying a high voltage is connected when operating the display board 33.

[0023] Therefore, the outdoor unit 1 is provided with a terminal board cover 40 shown in Figures 8 and 9. This terminal board cover 40 is provided on the side panel 12 so as to cover the terminal blocks 32 (32a to 32f), and a notch 41 is formed in a part of the terminal board cover 40. Even if the terminal board cover 40 is provided, because this notch 41 is formed, an operator can operate the display board 33 without removing the terminal board cover 40.

[0024] In this embodiment, engagement claws 421 that engage with engagement grooves 122 formed on the side panel 12 are provided at two locations on the left and right sides of the lower part of the terminal board cover 40, and a screw insertion hole 422 is drilled in one side edge of the terminal board cover 40.

[0025] As a result, the terminal board cover 40 covers the power terminal board 31 and is attached to the side panel 12 by engaging the engagement claws 421 with the engagement grooves 122 and screwing the screw insertion holes 422 with male screws 423, but the display board 33 can be accessed via the cutout portion 41.

[0026] Therefore, it is possible to prevent accidental contact with terminal block 32 when operating display board 33. When operating terminal block 32, terminal board cover 40 can be easily removed by simply removing male screw 423.

[0027] The terminal board cover 40 is made of sheet metal, and preferably has louvers 424 for ventilation formed in the area corresponding to the terminal block 32 .

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the opening surface 301 of the piping connection unit 20 and the board storage section 30 is covered by a piping cover 15, and as shown in FIG. 9, a metal cover 430 for preventing fire spread is provided on the portion of the inner surface of the piping cover 15 corresponding to the terminal board cover 40.

[0029] More specifically, metal cover 430 is provided with a portion (notch covering portion 432) corresponding to notch 41 of terminal board cover 40, and is provided so as to cover notch 41. Terminal board cover 40 covers terminal blocks 32 (32a to 32f) and also covers opening surface 301 of board storage section 30. However, since terminal board cover 40 has notch 41, it is unable to cover opening surface 301 in its entirety. Meanwhile, metal cover 430 covers notch 41, and therefore also functions as a notch cover. Therefore, terminal board cover 40 and metal cover 430, which is a notch cover, can cover opening surface 301 in its entirety of board storage section 30.

[0030] Thus, if terminal board cover 40 is made of a flame-retardant material (for example, metal), a cover for preventing the spread of fire can be configured in combination with metal cover 430. Terminal board cover 40 is formed to rise from the locations where engagement claws 421 and the like are provided so as to be a predetermined distance away from side panel 12, thereby covering terminal blocks 32 (32a to 32f) while maintaining an insulating distance from the power cord.

[0031] Note that ventilation openings 151 are formed in piping cover 15, and ventilation openings 431 are also provided in metal cover 430. With this, when blower fan 190 is operated, outside air flows through ventilation openings 151, 431 and louvers 424 of terminal board cover 40 toward power supply terminal board 31, thereby cooling power supply terminal board 31.

[0032] [Cord clamp] As described above, in addition to the main power cord MC, power cords SC (SC1 to SC5) for the five indoor units are connected to power terminal board 31. Therefore, the five power cords SC of these indoor units need to be bundled together with a cord clamp and fixed at a specified location (power terminal board 31 or nearby); however, in order to contribute to the miniaturization of the outdoor unit 1, it is preferable that the cord clamp be as short in length as possible.

[0033] 10 to 13, as a cord clamp for this purpose, this outdoor unit 1 uses a cord clamp 50. Note that this cord clamp 50 is for the indoor unit's power cord SC, and for the main power cord MC, for example, a cord clamp 501 for one cord as shown in FIG.

[0034] Cord clamp 50 according to this embodiment includes lower clamp 510 attached to power terminal board 31 or in the vicinity thereof, and upper clamp 530 pressed against lower clamp 510 so as to clamp power cord SC between lower clamp 510. Lower clamp 510 and upper clamp 530 are both elongated and have approximately the same length.

[0035] The space between lower clamp 510 and upper clamp 530 is divided into multiple cord clamping sections by partition legs 550, but in this embodiment, the number of legs 550 is reduced to shorten the length of cord clamp 50 in the longitudinal direction (hereinafter also referred to as the left and right sides of cord clamp 50).

[0036] To explain this using an example of a five-cord clamp, conventionally, four partition legs 550 are required to form five cord clamping sections, but in this embodiment, the number of partition legs 550 is reduced by half, using two partition legs 550, thereby shortening the length of the cord clamp by that amount.

[0037] That is, in the cord clamp 50 according to this embodiment, one clamping portion 51a for clamping one power cord SC and two clamping portions 51b for simultaneously bundling two power cords SC arranged side by side are provided between the lower clamp 510 and the upper clamp 530. With this, two separating legs 550 are sufficient, and therefore the left-right length of the cord clamp 50 is shortened by the width of two legs 550.

[0038] Screw insertion holes 511, 511 are drilled at both ends of the lower clamp 510. Furthermore, locking claws 513, 513 are provided at both ends of the lower clamp 510. Openings 512, 512 for inserting legs are formed in the portion between the screw insertion holes 511, 511 provided at both ends of the lower clamp 510 (hereinafter also referred to as the middle portion of the lower clamp 510) corresponding to the legs 550, 550.

[0039] Screw insertion holes 531, 531 that are aligned coaxially with the screw insertion holes 511, 511 are drilled at both ends of the upper clamp 530. In addition, locking claws 532, 532 that are locked to the side panel 12 are provided at both ends of the upper clamp 530.

[0040] Each of the legs 550, 550 has a fixing portion 551 including a small-diameter head portion 551a that fits into the opening 512, and a contact portion 551b that is larger in diameter than the head portion 551a and contacts the periphery of the opening 512. A screw insertion hole 552 is formed in the fixing portion 551.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the side panel 12 to which the cord clamp 50 is attached has female screw holes 121 formed at locations corresponding to the screw insertion holes 511, 511 and the screw insertion holes 552, 552, respectively.

[0042] Further, the side panel 12 is formed with a locking hole 123 which is a mating part of the locking claw 513 of the lower clamp 510. The side panel 12 is also formed with a locking hole which is a mating part of the locking claw 532 of the upper clamp 530, but this is not shown in the drawings.

[0043] When attaching the cord clamp 50, first, the locking claws 513 of the lower clamp 510 are engaged with the locking holes 123 of the side panel 12 to temporarily fix the lower clamp 510 to the side panel 12, and the power cord SC is wired to a predetermined clamping portion.

[0044] Next, the upper clamp 530 is placed against the lower clamp 510, the screw insertion holes 511 and 531 are aligned, and the heads 551a of the legs 550 are aligned with the openings 512, and the clamp 530 is temporarily fixed to the side panel 12 by the locking claws 532, after which the four male screws 502 are inserted through the screw insertion holes 511, 531 at both ends and the screw insertion holes 552 of the fixing part 551, and the male screws 502 are screwed into the female screw holes 121. As a result, the lower clamp 510 and the upper clamp 530 are fixed to the side panel 12.

[0045] Next, a preferred wiring method for the power cord SC will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. As described above, the cord clamp 50 according to this embodiment has one clamping portion 51a for one cord and two clamping portions 51b for two cords. In Figures 5 and 6, the clamping portion for two cords on the left side is designated as 51bL, and the clamping portion for two cords on the right side is designated as 51bR.

[0046] The power cord SC3 connected to the nearest terminal block 32d is inserted through the single-wire clamping portion 51a, while the power cord connected to the upper terminal block and the power cord connected to the lower terminal block are inserted as a pair through the dual-wire clamping portion 51b.

[0047] In this embodiment, the left two-piece clamping portion 51bL receives the power cord SC2 connected to the nearest terminal block 32c on the lower side, and the power cord SC5 connected to the terminal block 82f located on the left side of the terminal blocks 32e, 32f on the upper side.

[0048] The upper terminal block 32f is disposed to the left of the lower terminal block 32b and to the right of the terminal block 32c. Therefore, the power cord SC5 can be wired without crossing the power cords SC2 and SC1 after being inserted into the two-cord clamping portion 51bL. Also, by disposing the terminal block 32f on the upper side to the right of the terminal block 32c, the power cord SC5 can be wired without being excessively bent.

[0049] The right two-wire clamping section 51bR is used to insert the power cord SC1 connected to the nearest terminal block 32b on the lower level, and the power cord SC4 connected to the terminal block 32e located on the right side on the upper level. The upper terminal block 32e is located to the left of the lower terminal block 32a and to the right of the terminal block 32b. Therefore, the power cord SC4 can be wired without crossing the power cord SC1 and the power cord MC after being inserted into the two-wire clamping section 51bR. Also, the terminal block 32e is located on the upper level to the right of the terminal block 32b, so that the power cord SC4 can be wired without being excessively bent.

[0050] By wiring in this manner, five power cords SC can be connected to the terminal block without crossing. Also, the power cords inserted into the two-cord clamping portion 51b can be wired neatly without excessive bending. Note that electrical cords other than power cords, such as communication lines, may also be used. Also, as long as the power cords can be firmly clamped, three or more cords may be clamped.

[0051] [Buffer block] 2 again, this outdoor unit 1 is required to have a large air conditioning capacity since a maximum of five indoor units are connected to it. For this reason, a multi-row configuration, in this embodiment a three-row configuration of an outer row, a middle row, and an inner row, is used for the heat exchanger 180. The heat exchangers in each row are fin-tube type heat exchangers configured by inserting refrigerant piping through plate-shaped fins.

[0052] The outer row heat exchanger is designated 181, the middle row heat exchanger 182, and the inner row heat exchanger 183. Each row is formed in an L shape extending from the rear side to the side inside the housing 10. The width W along the side is approximately the same for the outer row heat exchanger 181 and the middle row heat exchanger 182, but as shown in Figures 2 and 15, the width W of the inner row heat exchanger 183 is shorter than those of the outer row heat exchanger 181 and the middle row heat exchanger 182.

[0053] Therefore, the end 183a of the inner row is farther away from the front surface of the housing 10 than the end portions 181a, 182a of the outer and middle rows. That is, the end portion 183a of the inner row is located further back than the end portions 181a, 182a of the outer and middle rows when viewed from the front surface of the housing 10. U-shaped tubes 181b, 182b, 183b are provided at the end portions 181a, 182a, 183a of each row, respectively.

[0054] When the heat exchanger 180 is configured in multiple rows, it is necessary to integrate them to increase the strength. For this reason, the tip portion (end portion) of each row is usually fixed with a binder or fastener such as a cable tie, but if there is a step at the end portion of each row as described above, this fixing work becomes difficult.

[0055] 14 to 16, a buffer block 60 is provided that can integrate the heat exchangers 181, 182, 183 of each row by simply fitting it onto the ends 181a, 182a, 183a of the heat exchangers 181, 182, 183 of each row.

[0056] In this embodiment, the buffer block 60 is made of polystyrene foam and is disposed between the rear surface of the front panel 11 and the end of the heat exchanger 180. The buffer block 60 has an abutment surface 610 against the rear surface of the front panel 11 on one side, and is provided with a first opposing surface (first engagement surface) 621 opposing the respective ends 181a, 182a of the heat exchanger 181 in the outer row and the heat exchanger 182 in the middle row, and a second opposing surface (second engagement surface) 622 opposing the end 183a of the heat exchanger 183 in the inner row on the other side. The buffer block 60 is provided with a first engagement groove that engages with a heat exchanger having a long width W among the multiple rows of heat exchangers, and a second engagement groove that engages with a heat exchanger having a short width W.

[0057] 16, the first opposing surface 621 is formed with a first fitting groove, that is, a fitting groove 631 into which the U-shaped tube 181b provided at the end 181a of the heat exchanger 181 in the outer row is fitted, and a fitting groove 632 into which the U-shaped tube 182b provided at the end 182a of the heat exchanger 182 in the middle row is fitted. Also, the second opposing surface 622 is formed with a fitting groove 633 into which the U-shaped tube 183b provided at the end 183a of the heat exchanger 183 in the inner row is fitted.

[0058] When each row of the heat exchanger 180 is bent into an L-shape, as shown in FIG. 2, the heat exchanger 183 in the inner row is bent more sharply than the heat exchanger 181 in the outer row (in other words, the curvature of the heat exchanger in the inner row is greater than the curvature of the heat exchanger 181 in the outer row). Therefore, the stress (compressive stress and tensile stress) generated in the bent portion of the heat exchanger 183 in the inner row during bending is also large, and the bent portion opens in an attempt to return to its original shape after bending, so-called springback, is likely to occur. Therefore, the heat exchanger 183 in the inner row is bent until the angle of the bent portion becomes smaller than 90 degrees, taking the springback into consideration. As a result, the position of the U-shaped tube 183b of the heat exchanger 183 in the inner row is likely to vary after bending depending on the degree of springback of the bent portion. To address this, the groove width Wa of the fitting groove 633 is made larger than the groove width Wb of the other fitting grooves 631 and 632.

[0059] Further, the distance L2 from the second opposing surface 622 to the abutment surface 610 is longer than the distance L1 from the first opposing surface 621 to the abutment surface 610. As a result, even if the end 183a of the heat exchanger 183 in the inner row is located further back toward the rear side than the ends 181a, 182a of the heat exchanger 181 in the outer row and the heat exchanger 182 in the middle row, the heat exchangers 181, 182, 183 in each row can be integrated by the buffer block 60.

[0060] In addition, since the distance L2 is long, the heat exchanger 183 (particularly the U-shaped tube) can be protected even if the outdoor unit 1 accidentally falls with the front panel 11 side facing down during transportation of the outdoor unit 1. When the outdoor unit 1 falls with the front panel 11 side facing down, the heat exchangers 181 to 183 fall with the inner row heat exchanger 183 facing down and the back side portions of the outer row heat exchanger 181 and the middle row heat exchanger 182 overlapping on top of it. At this time, the weights of the outer row and middle row heat exchangers 181 and 182 are applied to the inner row heat exchanger 183, and a large impact is applied to the second opposing surface 622 side of the buffer member 60. Here, since the distance L2 from the second opposing surface 622 to the abutting surface 610 is formed long, the volume of the buffer member 60 increases, the impact can be absorbed, and the heat exchanger 183 (particularly the U-shaped tube) is protected.

[0061] This buffer block 60 can integrate the heat exchangers 181, 182, 183 in the outer, middle, and inner rows simply by fitting it to the end of the heat exchanger 180. In addition, the U-shaped tubes at the tube ends can be protected even if the heat exchanger 180 falls forward due to an impact during transportation in the manufacturing process.

[0062] [Control board] The outdoor unit 1 according to this embodiment is a multi-type outdoor unit that can connect up to five indoor units to a single-type outdoor unit as a base. In the case of a single-type outdoor unit, the inverter control unit and the main control unit that controls the expansion valve, communication system, etc. can be housed on a single control board.

[0063] However, as the number of connected indoor units increases, the number of inputs and outputs, especially of the main control unit, increases, and the size of the board also increases. To recreate the control board, design changes, including its placement location, are required, which increases costs. For this reason, in this embodiment, the control board is shared with the control board of a single-type outdoor unit, minimizing the increase in costs.

[0064] 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the control board 70 is disposed in the upper part of the machine room 17. The control board 70 includes two boards, an inverter board 710 and a main board 730. The inverter board 710 is a board of the same size as the inverter board used in a single type outdoor unit, but the components mounted thereon are not necessarily the same as those in the single type outdoor unit. The main board 730 is a board newly prepared for use in a multi-type outdoor unit.

[0065] 17 and 18, heat-generating components that require cooling, such as an IPM (intelligent power module) and a large electrolytic capacitor for rectification, are mounted on inverter board 710. For this reason, inverter board 710 is provided with a heat sink 711. In Fig. 3, heat sink 711 is disposed on the left end (rear end) side of inverter board 710, and power terminal board 31 is disposed on the right end (front end) side of inverter board 710.

[0066] The inverter board 710 is supported by the upper end of the partition plate 16, as in the single-type outdoor unit, and is screwed to the partition plate 16 and the motor bracket 191 of the blower fan 190. At this time, the heat sink 711 is placed in the blower chamber 18, climbing over the partition plate 16, in order to enhance its heat dissipation effect. The power supply terminal board 31 is placed in the board storage section 30.

[0067] The main board 730 is provided with control circuits such as an expansion valve and a four-way valve, a temperature measurement circuit using a thermistor in the refrigerant piping, a communication circuit with the indoor unit, etc. The main board 730 is a board that does not require any particular cooling because it is not equipped with any heat-generating components.

[0068] The main board 730 is attached substantially perpendicularly to the inverter board 710 via a support bracket 740. The attachment position of the main board 730 to the inverter board 710 is on the front panel 11 side in consideration of ease of maintenance. This allows easy access to the main board 730 by removing the front panel 11.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 17, the support bracket 740 is screwed to the inverter board 710 at two points, left and right, on the upper part thereof, and is treated as one unit with the inverter board 710.

[0070] Support bracket 740 has on its left side a locking claw 732 for partition plate 16 and a screw-fastening portion 733. As shown in FIG. 3, locking claw 732 is locked into a locking groove (not shown) formed in partition plate 16, and screw-fastening portion 733 to partition plate 16, so that the entire main board 730 is firmly fixed so that it does not bend when main board 730 is operated.

[0071] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the description of the above embodiments. Modifications or improvements made to the above embodiments by those skilled in the art are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1 Outdoor unit 10. Chassis 11 Front Panel 12 Right Side Panel 13 Top Panel 14 Base board 15 Component mounting board 16 Partition 17 Machine room 18 Blower room 180(181,182,183) Heat exchanger 20 Piping connection unit 30 Circuit Board Storage Section 31 Power terminal board 32(32a~32f) Terminal block 33 Display board 40 Terminal board cover 41 Notch 430 Metal cover to prevent fire spread 50 Cord Clamp 51a Holding part for 1 piece 51b (51bL, 51bR) Clamping part for 2 pieces 510 Lower Clamp 530 Upper Clamp 550 Legs 60 Buffer Block 631,632,633 Fitting groove 70 Control Board 710 Inverter Board 730 Main Board 740 Support bracket

Claims

1. An outdoor unit for an air conditioner having a rectangular parallelepiped housing, in which heat exchangers formed from a rear surface to a side surface within the housing are arranged in multiple rows including an outer row and an inner row, an outdoor unit for an air conditioner comprising: a back surface of a front panel disposed on the front surface of the housing and each end of the heat exchanger, the buffer block integrally comprising a first engagement surface having a first fitting groove formed therein into which a U-shaped tube provided at an end of at least the outer row fits, and a second engagement surface having a second fitting groove formed therein into which a U-shaped tube provided at an end of the inner row fits, a groove width of the second fitting groove being larger than the groove width of the first fitting groove by an amount that allows for springback of the inner row, and the ends of the outer row and the ends of the inner row are fixed together by the buffer block.

2. The outdoor unit of an air conditioner as described in claim 1, characterized in that the buffer block has an abutment surface against the back surface of the front panel, and the distance from the second engagement surface to the abutment surface is longer than the distance from the first engagement surface to the abutment surface.

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