Indoor unit of air conditioner and air conditioner

Abstract

To prevent dissimilar metal portions of a liquid pipe and a gas pipe from contact with each other.SOLUTION: An indoor unit of an air conditioner comprises a heat transfer pipe (36) and a connection pipe (3). The connection pipe (3) includes a first connection pipe (32) that is a liquid pipe, and a second connection pipe (33) that is a gas pipe. The first connection pipe (32) or the second connection pipe (33) includes a first portion and a second portion. In a region where the second portion of the first connection pipe (32) and the first portion of the second connection pipe (33) are adjacent, or a region where the first portion of the first connection pipe (32) and the second portion of the second connection pipe (33) are adjacent, a contact prevention member (40) is provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an indoor unit of an air conditioner. The indoor unit includes a liquid pipe and a gas pipe. Each of the liquid pipe and the gas pipe includes a first piping section having one end connected to an indoor heat exchanger and made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, a second piping section having one end connected to the other end of the first piping section and made of copper or a copper alloy, and a flare union connected to the other end of the second piping section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-140998 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, if there is variation in pipe dimensions or if the auxiliary pipe is bent on-site, causing a difference in height between the connection between the first and second pipe portions in the liquid pipe and the connection between the first and second pipe portions in the gas pipe, the liquid pipe (32) and the gas pipe (33) may come into contact with each other and cause electrolytic corrosion.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to prevent contact between the dissimilar metal portions of the liquid pipe and the gas pipe. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, an indoor unit of an air conditioner includes a heat transfer tube (36) of a heat exchanger (30) and a connection pipe (3) connected to the heat transfer tube (36) and through which a refrigerant flowing out of the heat transfer tube (36) or a refrigerant flowing into the heat transfer tube (36) passes, the connection pipe (3) including a first connection pipe (32) which is a liquid pipe and a second connection pipe (33) which is a gas pipe, (i) the first connection pipe (32) includes a first portion made of a first metal having no potential difference with respect to the heat transfer tube (36), and the second connection pipe (33) includes a second portion made of a second metal having a different potential with respect to the first portion, or (ii) the second connection pipe (32) includes a first portion formed of a first metal having no potential difference with respect to the heat transfer pipe (36), and the first connection pipe (33) includes a second portion formed of a second metal having a different potential with respect to the first portion, and a contact prevention member (40) that prevents contact between the first connection pipe (32) and the second connection pipe (33) is provided in a region where the second portion of the first connection pipe (32) and the first portion of the second connection pipe (33) are adjacent to each other or in a region where the first portion of the first connection pipe (32) and the second portion of the second connection pipe (33) are adjacent to each other.

[0007] In the first aspect, it is possible to prevent contact between the dissimilar metal portions of the first connection pipe, which is a liquid pipe, and the second connection pipe, which is a gas pipe.

[0008] A second aspect of the present disclosure is the same as the first aspect, except that the contact prevention member (40) is provided at a location where the first connection pipe (32) and the second connection pipe (33) are arranged approximately in parallel.

[0009] In the second aspect, the piping area susceptible to electrolytic corrosion can be covered with the contact-prevention member (40), so that the occurrence of electrolytic corrosion can be effectively suppressed.

[0010] A third aspect of the present disclosure is the above-mentioned first or second aspect, wherein the first connection pipe (32) and the second connection pipe (33) each have a first portion and a second portion.

[0011] In the third aspect, the contact prevention member (40) can prevent a first portion of one of the first connection pipe (32) and the second connection pipe (33) from coming into contact with a second portion of the other of the first connection pipe (32) and the second connection pipe (33), thereby preventing electrolytic corrosion from occurring at the contact portion.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the third aspect, wherein the contact prevention member (40) is provided on either the first connection pipe (32) or the second connection pipe (33).

[0013] In the fourth aspect, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the case where the contact prevention members (40) are provided on both the first connection pipe (32) and the second connection pipe (33).

[0014] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the first portion and the second portion are connected at a falling portion (3b) where the connection pipe (3) extends downward.

[0015] In the fifth aspect, the connection space between the first portion and the second portion can be effectively secured.

[0016] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is any one of the first to fifth aspects described above, wherein the first portion is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, the second portion is made of copper or a copper alloy, and the contact prevention member (40) is provided on the second portion.

[0017] In the sixth aspect, the first portion and the contact prevention member (40) can be prevented from being damaged by the second portion.

[0018] A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the first connection pipe (32) is provided with the contact prevention member (40).

[0019] In the seventh aspect, when the first connection pipe (32), which is a liquid pipe, has a smaller diameter than the second connection pipe (33), which is a gas pipe, the size of the contact-preventing member (40) can be reduced.

[0020] An eighth aspect of the present disclosure is any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the contact prevention member (40) is provided across the first portion and the second portion.

[0021] In the eighth aspect, a contact prevention member (40) can be provided across the first portion and the second portion.

[0022] A ninth aspect of the present disclosure is any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein, in one of the first connection pipe (32) and the second connection pipe (33), a connection portion between the first portion and the second portion is located outside the casing (130) of the indoor unit (13), and, in the other of the first connection pipe (32) and the second connection pipe (33), a connection portion between the first portion and the second portion is located inside the casing (130).

[0023] In the ninth embodiment, the first portion and the second portion of the first connection pipe (32) and the second connection pipe (33) can be connected to each other at different locations.

[0024] A tenth aspect of the present disclosure is any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the first portion and the second portion are connected via a stainless steel pipe.

[0025] In the tenth aspect, the area in which the first connection pipe (32) and the second connection pipe (33) are adjacent to each other can be made small.

[0026] An eleventh aspect of the present disclosure is any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the contact-preventing member (40) is a tubular member or coating that covers a pipe.

[0027] In the eleventh aspect, the cylindrical member or the coating can prevent dissimilar metal portions of the first connection pipe (32) and the second connection pipe (33) from coming into contact with each other and causing electrolytic corrosion.

[0028] A twelfth aspect of the present disclosure is any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein both the first connection pipe (32) and the second connection pipe (33) are covered with a dew-proof tube.

[0029] In the twelfth aspect, the first connection pipe (32) and the second connection pipe (33) can be prevented from being corroded by moisture.

[0030] A thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure provides an air conditioner including the above indoor unit.

[0031] In the thirteenth aspect, it is possible to prevent contact between the dissimilar metal portions of the first connection pipe, which is a liquid pipe, and the second connection pipe, which is a gas pipe. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a piping diagram showing the configuration of an air conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the front side of the casing of the indoor unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rear side of the casing of the indoor unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the indoor heat exchanger. [Diagram 5] 5(a) and (b) are diagrams showing the installation location of the contact-prevention member. [Figure 6] 6(a) and (b) are diagrams showing a first modified example of the installation location of the contact-prevention member. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the location of the contact-preventing member. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a third modified example of the installation location of the contact-prevention member. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a fourth modified example of the installation location of the contact-preventing member. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a fifth modified example of the installation location of the contact-preventing member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] The embodiment will be described below. The embodiment is an air conditioner (10) that conditions the air of an indoor space.

[0034] -Overall configuration of air conditioning equipment- As shown in Fig. 1, the air conditioner (10) includes an outdoor unit (11) and an indoor unit (13). An outdoor circuit (20) and an outdoor fan (12) are housed in a casing (110) of the outdoor unit (11). An indoor heat exchanger (30) and an indoor fan (14) are housed in a casing (130) of the indoor unit (13). The outdoor unit (11) and the indoor unit (13) are connected to each other via a liquid side connecting pipe (16) and a gas side connecting pipe (17) to form a refrigerant circuit (15).

[0035] -Refrigerant circuit- The outdoor circuit (20) includes a compressor (25), a four-way switching valve (26), an outdoor heat exchanger (27), and an expansion valve (28). In the outdoor circuit (20), a discharge pipe and a suction pipe of the compressor (25) are connected to the four-way switching valve (26). A gas side end (22) of the outdoor circuit (20) is connected to the four-way switching valve (26). In the outdoor circuit (20), an expansion valve (28) and an outdoor heat exchanger (27) are disposed in this order from a liquid side end (21) of the outdoor circuit (20) toward the four-way switching valve (26).

[0036] One end of a liquid side connecting pipe (16) is connected to a liquid side end (21) of the outdoor circuit (20) via a joint. One end of a gas side connecting pipe (17) is connected to a gas side end (22) of the outdoor circuit (20) via a joint.

[0037] The compressor (25) is a hermetic compressor. The outdoor heat exchanger (27) is a so-called cross-fin heat exchanger, and exchanges heat between the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (15) and the outdoor air. The expansion valve (28) is a so-called electronic expansion valve. The four-way switching valve (26) is a switching valve for switching between a cooling operation and a heating operation.

[0038] The indoor heat exchanger (30) includes a main body (31), a liquid pipe (32), and a gas pipe (33). The main body (31) is a so-called cross-fin heat exchanger, and exchanges heat between the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (15) and the indoor air. One end of the liquid pipe (32) and one end of the gas pipe (33) are connected to the main body (31).

[0039] The other end of the liquid pipe (32) is connected to the other end of the liquid side connecting pipe (16) via a joint (34) (see FIG. 4). The other end of the gas pipe (33) is connected to the other end of the gas side connecting pipe (17) via a joint (35) (see FIG. 4). The diameter of the liquid pipe (32) is smaller than the diameter of the gas pipe (33).

[0040] -Air conditioning unit operation- The air conditioner (10) selectively performs a cooling operation or a heating operation. In each of the cooling operation and the heating operation, the air conditioner (10) performs a refrigeration cycle by circulating refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (15).

[0041] In the cooling operation, the four-way valve (26) is in the state shown by the solid line in Fig. 1, the outdoor heat exchanger (27) functions as a condenser, and the indoor heat exchanger (30) functions as an evaporator. The indoor unit (13) cools the indoor air that it has taken in in the body (31) of the indoor heat exchanger (30) and blows the cooled indoor air into the room.

[0042] In the heating operation, the four-way valve (26) is in the state shown by the dashed line in Fig. 1, the indoor heat exchanger (30) functions as a condenser, and the outdoor heat exchanger (27) functions as an evaporator. The indoor unit (13) heats the indoor air that it has taken in in the body (31) of the indoor heat exchanger (30) and blows the heated indoor air into the room.

[0043] -Indoor unit- The indoor unit (13) will now be described. An intake port (131) for drawing in indoor air is provided at the top of a casing (130) of the indoor unit (13). An air outlet (132) is provided at the bottom of the casing (130). Air that has passed through the indoor heat exchanger (30) inside the casing (130) is blown out of the casing (130) through the air outlet (132). An air direction vane (133) is attached to the air outlet (132). In addition, a crossflow fan (not shown) is disposed downstream of the indoor heat exchanger (30) and upstream of the air outlet (132).

[0044] The configuration of the indoor heat exchanger (30) and the surrounding area of ​​the indoor heat exchanger (30) will be described. The indoor heat exchanger (30) includes a plurality of heat transfer tubes (36) penetrating a main body (31), and a flow divider (37) that branches the liquid pipe (32) or the gas pipe (33). The main body (31) and each of the heat transfer tubes (36) are each made of, for example, aluminum. The liquid pipe (32) is connected to one of the plurality of heat transfer tubes (36), and the gas pipe (33) is connected to the other heat transfer tubes (36).

[0045] -Casing- As shown in FIG. 3, a first space (130a) and a second space (130b) are formed in the casing (130). The first space (130a) is the main area in the casing (130). The main body (31) and the heat transfer tube (36) of the indoor heat exchanger (30) are arranged in the first space (130a). The second space (130b) is in communication with the first space (130a). The second space (130b) is provided on the side of the first space (130a) and extends in the up-down direction. A third space (130c) is formed outside the casing (130). The third space (130c) is provided between a lower rear portion of the first space (130a) and a wall surface on which the casing (130) is installed. The third space (130c) is in communication with the second space (130b). The third space (130c) extends in the left-right direction from a lower portion of the second space (130b). The third space (130c) is a piping space used for arranging various tubular members such as the liquid pipe (32), the gas pipe (33), and a drainage path for condensed water (e.g., a hose).

[0046] - Contact prevention parts - The indoor unit (13) includes a contact prevention member (40). The contact prevention member (40) is a member for preventing contact between dissimilar metal portions of the liquid pipe (32) and the gas pipe (33). The contact prevention member (40) is made of an insulating material. The contact prevention member (40) has a substantially cylindrical shape. The contact prevention member (40) is inserted into the liquid pipe (32) or the gas pipe (33) to cover a portion of the liquid pipe (32) or a portion of the gas pipe (33). The contact prevention member (40) is applied so as to cover a portion of the liquid pipe (32) or a portion of the gas pipe (33), and may be an insulating paint.

[0047] -Connection piping- Hereinafter, the liquid pipe (32) and the gas pipe (33) may be collectively referred to as the connection pipe (3). The connection pipe (3) is disposed in the casing (130) so as to extend from the heat transfer pipe (36) in the first space (130a) along the second space (130b) and the third space (130c).

[0048] The connection pipe (3) includes a connection portion (3a), a falling portion (3b), and a horizontally inclined portion (3c). The connection portion (3a) is provided in the first space (130a). The connection portion (3a) is connected to the heat transfer tube (36). The falling portion (3b) is provided in the second space (130b). The falling portion (3b) is connected to the connection portion (3a) and extends downward from the connection point with the connection portion (3a). The horizontally inclined portion (3c) is provided in the third space (130c). The horizontally inclined portion (3c) is connected to a lower portion of the falling portion (3b) and extends in the left-right direction from the connection point with the falling portion (3b).

[0049] -Liquid pipe- The liquid pipe (32) includes a first liquid pipe portion (32a), a second liquid pipe portion (32b), and a liquid pipe connection portion (32c). The first liquid pipe portion (32a) is made of, for example, aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The second liquid pipe portion (32b) is made of, for example, copper or a copper alloy. Of the first liquid pipe portion (32a) and the second liquid pipe portion (32b), the first liquid pipe portion (32a) is provided on the heat transfer pipe (36) side. The first liquid pipe portion (32a) is made of a metal having no potential difference with respect to the heat transfer pipe (36). The second liquid pipe portion (32b) is made of a metal having a different potential with respect to the first liquid pipe portion (32a). The second liquid pipe portion (32b) is made of a metal having a more noble potential with respect to the first liquid pipe portion (32a). The liquid pipe connection portion (32c) indicates a connection point between the first liquid pipe portion (32a) and the second liquid pipe portion (32b).

[0050] -Gas pipe- The gas pipe (33) includes a first gas pipe portion (33a), a second gas pipe portion (33b), and a gas pipe connection portion (33c). The first gas pipe portion (33a) is made of, for example, aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The second gas pipe portion (33b) is made of, for example, copper or a copper alloy. Of the first gas pipe portion (33a) and the second gas pipe portion (33b), the first gas pipe portion (33a) is provided on the heat transfer tube (36) side. The first gas pipe portion (33a) is made of a metal having no potential difference with respect to the heat transfer tube (36). The second liquid pipe portion (32b) is made of a metal having a different potential with respect to the first liquid pipe portion (32a). The second gas pipe portion (33b) is made of a metal having a more noble potential with respect to the first liquid pipe portion (32a). The gas pipe connection portion (33c) indicates a connection point between the first gas pipe portion (33a) and the second gas pipe portion (33b).

[0051] -Comparison of liquid pipe and gas pipe configuration- The first liquid pipe portion (32a) is made of a metal having no potential difference with respect to the first gas pipe portion (33a), and the second liquid pipe portion (32b) is made of a metal having no potential difference with respect to the second gas pipe portion (33b).

[0052] The second liquid pipe portion (32b) is made of a metal having a different potential from that of the first gas pipe portion (33a). In this embodiment, the metal having a different potential is a metal that is potentially noble. The second gas pipe portion (33b) is made of a metal having a different potential from that of the first liquid pipe portion (32a).

[0053] - Proximity area - Hereinafter, as shown in Fig. 5(a), a region where the liquid pipe (32) and the gas pipe (33) are arranged side by side at a predetermined distance (D) may be referred to as a proximity region (C). The predetermined distance (D) is 15 mm or less, preferably 10 mm or less, and more preferably 5 mm or less. In the proximity region (C), the liquid pipe (32) and the gas pipe (33) are arranged approximately parallel to each other.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the proximity region (C) exists from the falling portion (3b) to the lateral falling portion (3c).

[0055] -Juxtaposition part- In the adjacent region (C), the portion of the first liquid pipe portion (32a) of the liquid pipe (32) that is juxtaposed to the second gas pipe portion (33b) of the gas pipe (33) may be referred to as the first liquid pipe juxtaposed portion (E11) (see Figures 5(a) and 5(b)).

[0056] In the adjacent region (C), the portion of the second liquid pipe portion (32b) of the liquid pipe (32) that is juxtaposed to the first gas pipe portion (33a) of the gas pipe (33) may be referred to as the second liquid pipe juxtaposed portion (E12) (see Figures 6(a) and 6(b)).

[0057] In the adjacent region (C), the portion of the first gas pipe portion (33a) of the gas pipe (33) that is juxtaposed to the second liquid pipe portion (32b) of the liquid pipe (32) may be referred to as a first gas pipe juxtaposed portion (E21) (see Figures 6(a) and 6(b)).

[0058] In the adjacent region (C), the portion of the second gas pipe portion (33b) of the gas pipe (33) that is juxtaposed to the first liquid pipe portion (32a) of the liquid pipe (32) may be referred to as a second gas pipe juxtaposed portion (E22) (see Figures 5(a) and 5(b)).

[0059] -Configuration of this embodiment- As shown in FIG. 5(a), in this embodiment, a first liquid pipe juxtaposed portion (E11) and a second gas pipe juxtaposed portion (E22) are juxtaposed in the proximity region (C). In this embodiment, of the first liquid pipe juxtaposed portion (E11) and the second gas pipe juxtaposed portion (E22), the first liquid pipe juxtaposed portion (E11) is covered with a contact prevention member (40). Note that, as shown in FIG. 5(b), of the first liquid pipe juxtaposed portion (E11) and the second gas pipe juxtaposed portion (E22), the second gas pipe juxtaposed portion (E22) may be covered with a contact prevention member (40). The configurations shown in FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 5(b) are examples of the configuration (i) of the present invention. In the configuration (i), a contact prevention member (40) for preventing contact between the first connection pipe (32) and the second connection pipe (33) is provided in a region where the first portion (first liquid pipe juxtaposed portion (E11)) of the first connection pipe (32) and the second portion (second gas pipe juxtaposed portion (E22)) of the second connection pipe (33) are adjacent to each other.

[0060] -First modified example- As shown in FIG. 6(a), the second liquid pipe juxtaposed portion (E12) and the first gas pipe juxtaposed portion (E21) are juxtaposed in the proximity region (C). In the first modification, of the second liquid pipe juxtaposed portion (E12) and the first gas pipe juxtaposed portion (E21), the second liquid pipe juxtaposed portion (E12) is covered with the contact prevention member (40). As shown in FIG. 6(b), of the second liquid pipe juxtaposed portion (E12) and the first gas pipe juxtaposed portion (E21), the first gas pipe juxtaposed portion (E21) may be covered with the contact prevention member (40). The configurations shown in FIG. 6(a) and FIG. 6(b) are examples of the configuration (ii) of the present invention. In the configuration (ii), a contact prevention member (40) is provided in the area where the second portion (second liquid pipe juxtaposed portion (E12)) of the first connection pipe (32) and the first portion (first gas pipe juxtaposed portion (E21)) of the second connection pipe (33) are adjacent to each other.

[0061] -Second modified version- As shown in FIG. 7, the liquid pipes (32) present in the adjacent region (C) may be composed of only the first liquid pipe portion (32a). In this case, the first liquid pipe juxtaposition portion (E11) and the second gas pipe juxtaposition portion (E22) are juxtaposed in the adjacent region (C). In the second modified example, of the first liquid pipe juxtaposition portion (E11) and the second gas pipe juxtaposition portion (E22), the second gas pipe juxtaposition portion (E22) is covered with the contact prevention member (40). Of the first liquid pipe juxtaposition portion (E11) and the second gas pipe juxtaposition portion (E22), the first liquid pipe juxtaposition portion (E11) may be covered with the contact prevention member (40). The configuration shown in FIG. 7 is an example of the configuration (i) of the present invention.

[0062] -Third modified version- As shown in FIG. 8, the liquid pipes (32) present in the adjacent region (C) may be composed of only the second liquid pipe portion (32b). In this case, the second liquid pipe juxtaposition portion (E12) and the first gas pipe juxtaposition portion (E21) are juxtaposed in the adjacent region (C). In the third modification, of the second liquid pipe juxtaposition portion (E12) and the first gas pipe juxtaposition portion (E21), the first gas pipe juxtaposition portion (E21) is covered with the contact prevention member (40). Of the second liquid pipe juxtaposition portion (E12) and the first gas pipe juxtaposition portion (E21), the second liquid pipe juxtaposition portion (E12) may be covered with the contact prevention member (40). The configuration shown in FIG. 8 is an example of the configuration (ii) of the present invention.

[0063] -Fourth Variation- As shown in FIG. 9, the gas pipe (33) existing in the proximity region (C) may be composed of only the first gas pipe portion (33a). In this case, the second liquid pipe juxtaposition portion (E12) and the first gas pipe juxtaposition portion (E21) are juxtaposed in the proximity region (C). In the fourth modification, of the second liquid pipe juxtaposition portion (E12) and the first gas pipe juxtaposition portion (E21), the second liquid pipe juxtaposition portion (E12) is covered with the contact prevention member (40). Of the second liquid pipe juxtaposition portion (E12) and the first gas pipe juxtaposition portion (E21), the first gas pipe juxtaposition portion (E21) may be covered with the contact prevention member (40). The configuration shown in FIG. 9 is an example of the configuration (ii) of the present invention.

[0064] -Fifth Variation- As shown in FIG. 10, the gas pipe (33) existing in the proximity region (C) may be composed of only the second gas pipe portion (33b). In this case, the first liquid pipe juxtaposition portion (E11) and the second gas pipe juxtaposition portion (E22) are juxtaposed in the proximity region (C). In the fifth modification, of the first liquid pipe juxtaposition portion (E11) and the second gas pipe juxtaposition portion (E22), the first liquid pipe juxtaposition portion (E11) is covered with the contact prevention member (40). Of the first liquid pipe juxtaposition portion (E11) and the second gas pipe juxtaposition portion (E22), the second gas pipe juxtaposition portion (E22) may be covered with the contact prevention member (40). The configuration shown in FIG. 10 is an example of the configuration (i) of the present invention.

[0065] -effect- As described above, the contact prevention member (40) for preventing contact between the liquid pipe (32) and the gas pipe (33) is provided in a region where the second liquid pipe portion (32b) of the liquid pipe (32) and the first gas pipe portion (33a) of the gas pipe (33) are adjacent to each other, or in a region where the first liquid pipe portion (32a) of the liquid pipe (32) and the second gas pipe portion (33b) of the gas pipe (33) are adjacent to each other. This makes it possible to prevent contact between the dissimilar metal portions (copper and aluminum) of the liquid pipe (32) and the gas pipe (33). As a result, it is possible to prevent electrolytic corrosion from occurring in the copper portions, which are electrically nobler than aluminum, in the liquid pipe (32) and the gas pipe (33).

[0066] In addition, a contact prevention member (40) is provided at a location where the liquid pipe (32) and the gas pipe (33) are arranged substantially parallel to each other. When the liquid pipe (32) and the gas pipe (33) are arranged side by side, the contact area between the liquid pipe (32) and the gas pipe (33) is larger than when the two pipes are arranged in a crossing relationship, and therefore the piping area where electrolytic corrosion may occur is wider. However, by providing the contact prevention member (40), the piping area can be covered with the contact prevention member (40), and thus electrolytic corrosion can be effectively suppressed in the piping area.

[0067] Furthermore, the first liquid pipe portion (32a) and the second liquid pipe portion (32b) are connected, and the first gas pipe portion (33a) and the second gas pipe portion (33b) are connected at the falling portion (3b) of the connection pipe (3). Since the space inside the casing (130) of the indoor unit (13) is limited in size, it is difficult to secure a space for connecting dissimilar metals (the first liquid pipe portion (32a) and the second liquid pipe portion (32b), and the first gas pipe portion (33a) and the second gas pipe portion (33b)). However, by configuring the dissimilar metals to be connected at the falling portion (3b), it is possible to effectively secure a connection space between the dissimilar metals.

[0068] In addition, the liquid pipe (32) and the gas pipe (33) have a vertical section (a section provided in the second space (130b)) and a horizontal section (a section provided in the third space (130c)) formed by two bent sections (see FIG. 3). The horizontal section may change its inclination position when installed in the casing (130). As the inclination position of the horizontal section changes, the vertical sections of the liquid pipe (32) and the gas pipe (33) may come into contact with each other. However, by providing a contact prevention member (40), the vertical sections can be prevented from coming into contact with each other.

[0069] 5(b), 6(a), 7, 9, etc., a contact prevention member (40) is provided on the portion of the connection pipe (3) made of copper, which effectively prevents the relatively soft aluminum pipe in the adjacent region (C) from being damaged by the relatively hard copper pipe.

[0070] 5(a), 6(a), 9, 10, etc., a contact prevention member (40) is provided on the liquid pipe (32). Usually, the liquid pipe (32) has a smaller diameter than the gas pipe (33). Thus, by providing the contact prevention member (40) on the liquid pipe (32), the dimensions of the contact prevention member (40) can be made smaller than when the contact prevention member (40) is provided on the gas pipe (33). As a result, the installation space for the connection pipe (3) can be reduced. Furthermore, the manufacturing cost of the connection pipe (3) can be reduced.

[0071] Although the embodiments and modifications have been described above, it will be understood that various modifications in form and details are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims (for example, (1) to (5) below). Furthermore, the above embodiments and modifications may be combined or substituted as appropriate as long as the functionality of the subject matter of this disclosure is not impaired. Furthermore, the descriptions "first," "second," "third," etc. in the specification and claims are used to distinguish the words to which these descriptions are attached, and do not limit the number or order of those words.

[0072] (1) In the present embodiment and the first to fifth modified examples, the liquid pipe (32) and the gas pipe (33) may be covered with a dew-proof tube that prevents condensation. In this case, the liquid pipe (32) and the gas pipe (33) are close to each other inside the dew-proof tube, and thus are likely to come into contact with each other. However, by providing the contact prevention member (40) as in the present embodiment and the first to fifth modified examples, it is possible to effectively prevent the liquid pipe (32) and the gas pipe (33) from coming into contact with each other inside the dew-proof tube.

[0073] (2) In the present embodiment and the first to fifth modified examples, for example, the contact-prevention member (40) may be configured to be inserted through both the liquid pipe (32) and the gas pipe (33), so that the contact-prevention member (40) is provided across both the liquid pipe (32) and the gas pipe (33).

[0074] (3) In the present embodiment and the first to fifth modified examples, the liquid pipe connection part (32c) may be located inside the casing (130) (the first space (130a) or the second space (130b)), and the gas pipe connection part (33c) may be located outside the casing (130) (the third space (130c)). Alternatively, the liquid pipe connection part (32c) may be located outside the casing (130), and the gas pipe connection part (33c) may be located inside the casing (130).

[0075] (4) In the liquid pipe (32), the first liquid pipe portion (32a) and the second liquid pipe portion (32b) may be connected via a stainless steel pipe. Also, in the gas pipe (33), the first gas pipe portion (33a) and the second gas pipe portion (33b) may be connected via a stainless steel pipe. This provides a contact prevention member (40) that prevents contact between the liquid pipe (32) and the gas pipe (33). This makes it possible to reduce the area where the liquid pipe (32) and the gas pipe (33) make contact with each other, the parts made of different metals (copper and aluminum).

[0076] (5) In this embodiment and the first to fifth modified examples, the first liquid pipe juxtaposition portion (E11) to the second gas pipe juxtaposition portion (E22) are present in the falling portion (3b). However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The first liquid pipe juxtaposition portion (E11) to the second gas pipe juxtaposition portion (E22) may be present in the horizontally inclined portion (3c). In this case, the contact prevention member (40) is provided in the horizontally inclined portion (3c). Also, the first liquid pipe juxtaposition portion (E11) to the second gas pipe juxtaposition portion (E22) may be present in the connection portion (3A). In this case, the contact prevention member (40) is provided in the connection portion (3A). [Industrial Applicability]

[0077] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, the present disclosure is useful for an indoor unit of an air conditioner and an air conditioner. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 3 Connection piping 3b Falling part 10. Air conditioning equipment 13 Indoor unit 30 heat exchanger 32 Liquid pipe (first connecting pipe) 33 Gas pipe (second connection pipe) 36 Heat transfer tube 40 Contact prevention member

Claims

1. a heat transfer tube (36) of the heat exchanger (30); a connection pipe (3) connected to the heat transfer tube (36) and through which a refrigerant flowing out of the heat transfer tube (36) or a refrigerant flowing into the heat transfer tube (36) passes; Equipped with The connection pipe (3) includes a first connection pipe (32) which is a liquid pipe and a second connection pipe (33) which is a gas pipe, (i) the first connection pipe (32) includes a first portion formed of a first metal having no potential difference with respect to the heat transfer pipe (36), and the second connection pipe (33) includes a second portion formed of a second metal having a different potential with respect to the first portion, or (ii) the second connection pipe (32) includes a first portion formed of a first metal having no potential difference with respect to the heat transfer pipe (36), and the first connection pipe (33) includes a second portion formed of a second metal having a different potential with respect to the first portion, An indoor unit of an air conditioning apparatus, comprising: a contact prevention member (40) for preventing contact between the first connection pipe (32) and the second connection pipe (33) provided in a region where the second portion of the first connection pipe (32) and the first portion of the second connection pipe (33) are adjacent to each other; or in a region where the first portion of the first connection pipe (32) and the second portion of the second connection pipe (33) are adjacent to each other.

2. In claim 1, An indoor unit of an air conditioner, wherein the contact prevention member (40) is provided at a location where the first connection pipe (32) and the second connection pipe (33) are disposed substantially in parallel.

3. In claim 1 or 2, The indoor unit of an air conditioner, wherein the first connecting pipe (32) and the second connecting pipe (33) each have a first portion and a second portion.

4. In claim 3, The contact prevention member (40) is provided on either the first connection pipe (32) or the second connection pipe (33), in an indoor unit of an air conditioner.

5. In any one of claims 1 to 4, The first portion and the second portion are connected to each other at a downwardly extending falling portion (3b) of the connecting pipe (3).

6. In any one of claims 1 to 5, the first portion is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy; the second portion is made of copper or a copper alloy; An indoor unit for an air conditioner, wherein the contact prevention member (40) is provided on the second portion.

7. In any one of claims 1 to 5, An indoor unit for an air conditioner, wherein the first connection pipe (32) is provided with the contact prevention member (40).

8. In any one of claims 1 to 5, The indoor unit of an air conditioner, wherein the contact prevention member (40) is provided across the first portion and the second portion.

9. In any one of claims 1 to 8, An indoor unit of an air conditioning system, wherein one of the first connection pipe (32) and the second connection pipe (33) has a connection portion between the first portion and the second portion outside a casing (130) of an indoor unit (13), and the other of the first connection pipe (32) and the second connection pipe (33) has a connection portion between the first portion and the second portion inside the casing (130).

10. In any one of claims 1 to 9, The first portion and the second portion are connected via a stainless steel pipe.

11. In any one of claims 1 to 10, The indoor unit of an air conditioner, wherein the contact-prevention member (40) is a cylindrical member that covers a pipe or a coating.

12. In any one of claims 1 to 11, The indoor unit of an air conditioner, wherein the first connecting pipe (32) and the second connecting pipe (33) are both covered with a dew protection tube.

13. An air-conditioning apparatus comprising the indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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