Air conditioner thermistor insertion tool

Abstract

To provide an insertion instrument for a thermister capable of enhancing efficiency of exchange work for the thermister of an air conditioner.SOLUTION: An insertion instrument 9 comprises a first holding part 13, a second holding part 14, a handle part 10, an operation part 11, and a transfer part 12. In an air conditioner, a fixed part 7 is attached to a refrigerant pipe. A thermistor 6 is inserted into an insertion port 8 of the fixed part 7 and fixed. The first holding part 13 holds the fixed part 7. The second holding part 14 holds the thermistor 6 at a position away from the first holding part 13 toward the insertion port 8 side. The handle part 10 has a first end 15 at one end in a longitudinal direction. The handle part 10 has a second end 16 at the other end in the longitudinal direction. The operation part 11 is provided at the first end 15 of the handle part 10. The operation unit 11 accepts a manual operation by an operator. The transfer part 12 is provided at the second end 16 of the handle part 10. The transfer unit 12 moves the second holding part 14 in a transfer direction toward the first holding part 13 by the manual operation received by the operation part 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an insertion tool for an air conditioner thermistor. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an air conditioner. A thermistor in an indoor unit of the air conditioner is replaced through a service window provided in a housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-141967 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the air conditioner of Patent Document 1, depending on the size of the service window, it may be difficult for an operator to reach the service window, which may reduce the efficiency of the thermistor replacement work.

[0005] The present disclosure is directed to solving such problems, and provides a thermistor insertion tool that can improve the efficiency of the work of replacing a thermistor in an air conditioner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The insertion tool for an air conditioner thermistor according to the present disclosure includes a first holding part that holds a fixing part attached to a refrigerant pipe of the air conditioner, a second holding part that holds a thermistor to be inserted into and fixed in an insertion opening of the fixing part at a position away from the first holding part toward the insertion opening, a handle part having a first end at one end in a longitudinal direction and a second end at the other end in the longitudinal direction, an operation part provided at the first end of the handle part for receiving a manual operation by an operator, and a transfer part provided at the second end of the handle part for moving the second holding part in a transfer direction toward the first holding part by the manual operation received by the operation part. The second holding section holds the thermistor such that an end of the thermistor protrudes toward the first holding section in the transfer direction, and the transfer section moves the second holding section in the transfer direction at least until the thermistor held by the second holding section is inserted into the insertion opening. . Effect of the Invention

[0007] The insertion tool according to the present disclosure can improve the efficiency of the replacement work of thermistors in air conditioners. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the inside of an indoor unit as seen through a service window of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an insertion device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is an enlarged view of a main portion of an insertion device according to a first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The embodiments for carrying out the subject of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions are appropriately simplified or omitted. Note that the subject of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and any component of the embodiment may be modified or omitted within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

[0010] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an indoor unit 1 of an air conditioner according to the first embodiment.

[0011] The air conditioner is applied to a building. The air conditioner includes an outdoor unit (not shown) and an indoor unit 1. The outdoor unit is disposed outside the building. The outdoor unit is a device that exchanges heat with outdoor air. The outdoor unit and the indoor unit 1 exchange heat with each other through a refrigerant or the like. The indoor unit 1 is disposed inside the building. The indoor unit 1 is disposed on the ceiling inside the building. The indoor unit 1 is a device that exchanges heat with indoor air. The indoor unit 1 includes a housing 2. The housing 2 is a part that forms the outer shell of the indoor unit 1. An air outlet 3 is provided in the housing 2. The air outlet 3 is an opening that blows air that has been temperature-adjusted by heat exchange with the refrigerant into the room by a fan (not shown) or the like. A service window 4 is provided in the housing 2. The service window 4 is an opening that leads to the inside of the indoor unit 1. The service window 4 is closed by a lid during normal operation. The lid of the service window 4 is opened by a worker during maintenance and inspection. The size of the service window 4 is, for example, about a 100 mm square.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the inside of the indoor unit 1 as seen from a service window 4 of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment.

[0013] The air conditioner includes a refrigerant pipe 5, a thermistor 6, and a fixing portion 7. The refrigerant pipe 5 is a pipe through which a refrigerant flows. The thermistor 6 is an element that measures temperature and is provided adjacent to the refrigerant pipe 5. In this example, the thermistor 6 is cylindrical in shape. Wiring that transmits an electrical signal of the measured temperature is connected to the thermistor 6. The fixing portion 7 is a portion that fixes the thermistor 6 to the refrigerant pipe 5. The fixing portion 7 is attached to the refrigerant pipe 5. In this example, the fixing portion 7 is cylindrical in shape. An insertion port 8 is provided at one end of the fixing portion 7 in the axial direction. The insertion port 8 is an opening through which the thermistor 6 is inserted. The fixing portion 7 fixes and holds the thermistor 6 inserted from the insertion port 8 in a position adjacent to the refrigerant pipe 5.

[0014] The thermistor 6 may be replaced during maintenance and inspection of the air conditioner. At this time, a worker uses an insertion tool 9 to replace the thermistor 6.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the insertion device 9 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, the refrigerant pipes 5 to which the fixing portion 7 is attached and the like are omitted from the illustration.

[0016] The insertion instrument 9 includes a handle portion 10, an operating portion 11, a transport portion 12, a first holding portion 13, and a second holding portion 14.

[0017] The handle 10 is a rod-like portion that is long in one direction. The handle 10 has a first end 15 at one end in the longitudinal direction. The handle 10 has a second end 16 at the other end in the longitudinal direction. In this example, the handle 10 has a grip 17 at the first end 15. The grip 17 is a portion with which the operator holds the insertion tool 9.

[0018] The operating unit 11 is a part that accepts manual operation by an operator. Manual operation is an operation performed by the operator's hand. The operating unit 11 is provided at a first end 15 of the handle 10. The operating unit 11 is provided, for example, on the grip 17. In this example, the operating unit 11 is a dial provided on the grip 17. The manual operation by the operator is, for example, rotating the dial.

[0019] The transport part 12 is provided at the second end 16 of the handle part 10. In this example, the transport part 12 is a rod-shaped part that is long in one direction. The direction in which the transport part 12 extends is an example of the transport direction. The length of the transport part 12 in the transport direction is shorter than the length of one side of the service window 4, for example. The transport part 12 has a first part 18, a second part 19, and a mechanism part 20. Each of the first part 18 and the second part 19 is a rod-shaped part that is arranged along the transport direction. The mechanism part 20 has a mechanism that moves the second part 19 along the transport direction by a manual operation received by the operation part 11.

[0020] The first holding portion 13 is a portion that holds the fixed portion 7. The first holding portion 13 is attached to the first portion 18 of the transport portion 12. In this example, the first holding portion 13 is shaped like a cylinder with the first slit 21 provided on the side. The first holding portion 13 is arranged with its central axis facing the transport direction. The first slit 21 is provided on the side opposite the first portion 18 of the transport portion 12. The first slit 21 of the first holding portion 13 reaches the inner end in the transport direction on the side of the first holding portion 13. The first slit 21 is a slit that connects from the inner end in the transport direction to the outer end in the transport direction on the side of the first holding portion 13. The first holding portion 13 is formed of, for example, an elastic body.

[0021] Here, the inner region in the transfer direction refers to the region between first holding part 13 and second holding part 14. The outer region in the transfer direction refers to the region on the opposite side of second holding part 14 as seen from first holding part 13, or the region on the opposite side of first holding part 13 as seen from second holding part 14.

[0022] The second holding portion 14 is a portion that holds the thermistor 6. The second holding portion 14 is attached to the second portion 19 of the transport portion 12. In this example, the second holding portion 14 is shaped like a cylinder with the second slit 22 provided on the side. The second holding portion 14 is arranged with its central axis facing the transport direction. The second slit 22 is provided on the side opposite the second portion 19 of the transport portion 12. The second slit 22 of the second holding portion 14 reaches the inner end in the transport direction on the side of the second holding portion 14. The second slit 22 is a slit that connects from the inner end in the transport direction to the outer end in the transport direction on the side of the second holding portion 14. The second holding portion 14 is formed of, for example, an elastic body.

[0023] The second holding part 14 includes a pressing part 23. The pressing part 23 is a part that presses the fixed part 7 from the outside in the transport direction. The pressing part 23 is provided so as to protrude from a part adjacent to the second part 19 of the transport part 12 at the outer end part in the transport direction of the second holding part 14.

[0024] The length of second holding portion 14 in the transport direction is shorter than the axial length of thermistor 6. The length of second holding portion 14 in the transport direction may be, for example, approximately half the axial length of thermistor 6. As a result, second holding portion 14 holds the thermistor 6 such that an end of the thermistor 6 protrudes inward in the transport direction.

[0025] The transfer direction is a direction from the second holding portion 14 to the first holding portion 13. The second holding portion 14 moves in the transfer direction toward the first holding portion 13 by the transfer portion 12 moving the second portion 19 along the transfer direction.

[0026] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of the insertion device 9 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, an example of the internal structure of the mechanism unit 20 is shown.

[0027] The mechanism 20 includes a pinion gear 24. The pinion gear 24 is a part that rotates in response to a rotation operation of the operation unit 11, which is a dial. The rotation operation of the operation unit 11 is transmitted from the operation unit 11 to the pinion gear 24 by, for example, a wire, a belt, or a chain, or a worm gear and a shaft. The pinion gear 24 meshes with a rack gear 25 provided on the second portion 19 of the transfer unit 12. The mechanism 20 moves the second portion 19 through the rack gear 25 by the rotation of the pinion gear 24. As a result, the second holding unit 14 attached to the second portion 19 moves along the transfer direction.

[0028] Next, an example of replacement of thermistor 6 using insertion tool 9 according to embodiment 1 will be described.

[0029] The worker opens the cover of the service window 4 of the indoor unit 1. The worker pulls out the old thermistor 6 from the fixed part 7 through the service window 4. At this time, the worker may pull out the old thermistor 6 from the fixed part 7 by pulling the wiring connected to the old thermistor 6. The worker may pull out the old thermistor 6 using a tool such as a screwdriver inserted into the service window 4 without reaching into the service window 4 with his or her hand.

[0030] An operator uses the insertion tool 9 to insert a new thermistor 6, for example, as follows.

[0031] The worker holds a new thermistor 6 in second holding portion 14. At this time, the worker inserts the new thermistor 6 into second holding portion 14, for example, from the inside in the transfer direction. The worker pushes in the new thermistor 6 until it hits pressing portion 23.

[0032] After that, the worker grasps the grip 17 of the handle 10 and inserts the transport part 12, the first holding part 13, and the second holding part 14, which are provided on the second end 16 side of the handle 10, into the service window 4 together with the new thermistor 6. The worker holds the grip 17 and makes the first holding part 13 hold the fixed part 7. The worker, for example, presses the edge of the first slit 21 against the fixed part 7. This causes the width of the first slit 21 to open due to elastic deformation, so that the fixed part 7 is held inside the first holding part 13. At this time, the worker positions the new thermistor 6 on the insertion opening 8 side of the fixed part 7. The worker positions the transport part 12 so that the transport direction is aligned with the axial direction of the fixed part 7.

[0033] Thereafter, the worker rotates the operating unit 11, which is a dial, outside the service window 4. The rotation of the operating unit 11 is transmitted to the pinion gear 24 of the mechanism unit 20. This causes the second holding unit 14 to move closer to the first holding unit 13 along the transfer direction. Since the end of the new thermistor 6 protrudes from the second holding unit 14 toward the inside in the transfer direction, the second holding unit 14 inserts the new thermistor 6 into the insertion opening 8 of the fixed unit 7 held by the first holding unit 13. At this time, the pressing unit 23 of the second holding unit 14 is in contact with the new thermistor 6, so the pressing unit 23 pushes the new thermistor 6 into the insertion opening 8 of the fixed unit 7.

[0034] Thereafter, the worker grasps the grip 17 of the handle 10 and pulls out the transport part 12, first holding part 13, and second holding part 14 from the service window 4. At this time, the fixed part 7 comes out from inside the first holding part 13 through the first slit 21, the width of which has increased due to elastic deformation. Also, the new thermistor 6 comes out from inside the second holding part 14 through the second slit 22, the width of which has increased due to elastic deformation.

[0035] Thereafter, the worker confirms that the new thermistor 6 is fixed to the fixing portion 7. At this time, the worker may push the new thermistor 6 further into the fixing portion 7. The worker may push the new thermistor 6 in using a tool such as a screwdriver inserted into the service window 4, without inserting his or her hand into the service window 4. Since the tip of the new thermistor 6 has been inserted into the insertion port 8 by the insertion tool 9, the worker can easily push the new thermistor 6 in.

[0036] If there is another thermistor 6 to be replaced, the worker repeats the same work. After finishing the replacement of the thermistor 6, the worker closes the cover of the service window 4.

[0037] As described above, the insertion tool 9 according to the first embodiment includes the first holding part 13, the second holding part 14, the handle 10, the operation part 11, and the transport part 12. In the air conditioner, the fixed part 7 is attached to the refrigerant pipe 5. The thermistor 6 is inserted into the insertion opening 8 of the fixed part 7 and fixed thereto. The first holding part 13 holds the fixed part 7. The second holding part 14 holds the thermistor 6 at a position away from the first holding part 13 toward the insertion opening 8. The handle 10 has a first end 15 at one end in the longitudinal direction. The handle 10 has a second end 16 at the other end in the longitudinal direction. The operation part 11 is provided at the first end 15 of the handle 10. The operation part 11 accepts manual operation by an operator. The transport part 12 is provided at the second end 16 of the handle 10. The transport unit 12 moves the second holding unit 14 in a transport direction toward the first holding unit 13 in response to a manual operation received by the operation unit 11.

[0038] With this configuration, even if the service window 4 is too small for the worker's hand, the worker can insert the tip of the new thermistor 6 into the insertion opening 8 of the fixing part 7 by manual operation outside the service window 4 using the insertion tool 9. Furthermore, since the work inside the service window 4 is performed through the handle part 10, the decrease in visibility of the inside of the service window 4 due to the worker's hand, etc. is suppressed. This eliminates the need to perform work by feeling around through the narrow service window 4 to insert the new thermistor 6 into the fixing part 7. Furthermore, the decrease in workability due to the worker's hand getting caught on the edge of the service window 4, etc. is suppressed. Therefore, the efficiency of the work of replacing the thermistor 6 in the air conditioner is improved.

[0039] Further, the second holding portion 14 has a cylindrical shape with a slit provided on the side thereof, the slit reaching the end portion on the second holding portion 14 side.

[0040] With this configuration, after the tip of the new thermistor 6 is inserted into the insertion port 8, the worker can remove the new thermistor 6 from the second holding part 14 by simply pulling the insertion tool 9 outward from the service window 4. In other words, after the tip of the new thermistor 6 is inserted into the insertion port 8, it is no longer necessary to move the second holding part 14 away from the first holding part 13 along the transfer direction in order to remove the new thermistor 6 from the second holding part 14. This prevents the tip of the new thermistor 6 from coming out of the insertion port 8 due to the movement of the second holding part 14 along the transfer direction. This makes it less likely that rework will occur, and thus improves the efficiency of the replacement work of the thermistor 6 in the air conditioner.

[0041] In addition, second holding portion 14 includes a pressing portion 23. Pressing portion 23 presses the thermistor 6 from the side opposite to first holding portion 13.

[0042] With this configuration, the second holding part 14 is able to use the pressing part 23 to push the tip of the new thermistor 6 into the insertion opening 8. This allows the worker to insert the new thermistor 6 more firmly into the fixed part 7 using the insertion tool 9. This makes it less likely that the new thermistor 6 will come loose from the fixed part 7, which in turn makes it more efficient to replace the thermistor 6 in an air conditioner.

[0043] The handle 10 may have a variable angle of its longitudinal direction relative to the transport direction. That is, the handle 10 may be rotatable about the first end 15 relative to the transport section 12. Alternatively, the handle 10 may be flexible. The rotation operation of the operating section 11 is transmitted to the mechanism section 20 by a flexible device such as a flexible shaft. Alternatively, the operating section 11 may be a lever grip or the like. In this case, the hand operation of the operating section 11, such as gripping the lever grip, is transmitted to the mechanism section 20 by a wire or the like.

[0044] This configuration allows the worker to move the transfer part 12, the first holding part 13 and the second holding part 14 with a high degree of freedom even in the narrow space inside the service window 4. This further improves the efficiency of the replacement work of the thermistor 6 of the air conditioner. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 indoor unit, 2 housing, 3 outlet, 4 service window, 5 refrigerant piping, 6 thermistor, 7 fixing portion, 8 insertion port, 9 insertion tool, 10 handle portion, 11 operation portion, 12 transfer portion, 13 first holding portion, 14 second holding portion, 15 first end, 16 second end, 17 grip, 18 first portion, 19 second portion, 20 mechanism portion, 21 first slit, 22 second slit, 23 holding portion, 24 pinion gear, 25 rack gear

Claims

1. a first holding portion that holds a fixing portion attached to a refrigerant pipe of an air conditioner; a second holding portion that holds the thermistor, which is inserted into and fixed in an insertion opening of the fixing portion, at a position away from the first holding portion toward the insertion opening; a handle portion having a first end at one end in a longitudinal direction and a second end at the other end in the longitudinal direction; an operating portion provided at the first end of the handle portion and configured to receive a manual operation by an operator; a transfer unit provided at the second end of the handle portion and configured to move the second holding unit in a transfer direction toward the first holding unit by a hand operation received by the operation unit; Equipped with the second holding portion holds the thermistor such that an end of the thermistor protrudes toward the first holding portion in the transfer direction, the transport section moves the second holding section in the transport direction at least until the thermistor held by the second holding section is inserted into the insertion opening. An insertion tool for air conditioning thermistors.

2. The handle has a variable longitudinal angle relative to the transport direction.

2. An insertion tool for an air conditioner thermistor according to claim 1.

3. The second holding portion has a cylindrical shape with a slit provided on a side surface thereof that reaches an end portion on the second holding portion side.

3. An insertion tool for an air conditioner thermistor according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The second holding portion is a pressing portion that presses the thermistor from the opposite side of the first holding portion Equipped 4. An insertion tool for an air conditioner thermistor according to claim 3.

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