air conditioning equipment

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning device whose maintenance can be easily performed.SOLUTION: An air conditioning device according to an embodiment comprises a first unit, a second unit, a frame, a refrigerant pipe, a cover, and a fastening member. The first unit comprises a first heat exchanger that functions as one of a heat absorber and a heat dissipator. The second unit comprises a second heat exchanger that functions as the other of the heat absorber and the heat dissipator. The first unit and the second unit are fixed to an upper part of the frame. The refrigerant pipe is arranged under the first unit and the second unit, and connects the first unit and the second unit. The cover covers the refrigerant pipe. The fastening member fastens the cover to at least one of the first unit, the second unit, and the frame. The fastening member can be detached by being moved in a first direction from a fastening position. The first unit and the second unit do not exist in the first direction from the fastening position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an air conditioning apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] The air conditioner has a first unit and a second unit. The first unit has a first heat exchanger that functions as either a heat absorber or a heat radiator. The second unit has a second heat exchanger that functions as the other of a heat absorber and a heat radiator. In an integrated air conditioner, the first unit and the second unit are fixed side by side above a frame. The air conditioner has refrigerant piping that connects the first unit and the second unit. The refrigerant piping is arranged below the first unit and the second unit. The air conditioner has a cover that covers the refrigerant piping. There is a demand for an air conditioner that allows easy maintenance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-32520 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-67371 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-117103 [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2017 / 138132 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that allows for easy maintenance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An air conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment has a first unit, a second unit, a base, refrigerant piping, a cover, and a fastening member. The first unit includes a first heat exchanger that functions as either a heat absorber or a heat radiator. The second unit includes a second heat exchanger that functions as the other of a heat absorber and a heat radiator. The base secures the first unit and the second unit above. The refrigerant piping is disposed below the first unit and the second unit and connects the first unit and the second unit. The cover covers the refrigerant piping. The fastening member fastens the cover to at least one of the first unit, the second unit, and the base. The fastening member is movable in a first direction from a fastening position and can be removed. The first unit and the second unit are not present in the first direction of the fastening position. The base has a pair of main frames to which the first unit and the second unit are fixed. The pair of main frames extend in a second direction in which the first unit and the second unit are aligned. The base does not have a frame extending in the second direction below the pair of main frames. At least a portion of the refrigerant piping and at least a portion of the cover are disposed between the pair of main frames. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a conceptual diagram of a refrigeration cycle circuit of an air conditioner. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the periphery of the first cover as viewed from the rear side. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the periphery of the first cover as viewed from the front side. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the periphery of the second cover as viewed from the front side. [Figure 10] An explanatory diagram of how to remove the cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, an air conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioner. The air conditioner 1 has a first unit 10, a second unit 20, a base 30, and refrigerant piping 8. The first unit 10 and the second unit 20 are arranged side by side above the base 30.

[0008] In this application, the Z direction, X direction, and Y direction of the Cartesian coordinate system are defined as follows: The Z direction is the vertical direction, and the +Z direction is the upward direction. The X direction and Y direction are horizontal directions. The Y direction is the longitudinal direction of the frame 30, and the width direction of the air conditioning apparatus 1. The +Y direction is the direction from the second unit 20 to the first unit 10. The X direction is the lateral direction of the frame 30, and the depth direction of the air conditioning apparatus 1. The +X direction is the direction from the back of the air conditioning apparatus 1 to the front.

[0009] The first unit 10 is an indoor unit, and the second unit 20 is an outdoor unit. The first unit 10 has a first heat exchanger 11 that functions as either a heat absorber or a heat radiator. The second unit 20 has a second heat exchanger 21 that functions as the other of a heat absorber and a heat radiator. The air conditioner 1 is an integrated air conditioner. In an integrated air conditioner 1, the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 are placed outdoors as an integrated unit. The first unit 10, which is an indoor unit, is connected to the room by a duct (not shown). For example, the air conditioner 1 has two second units 20. The number of second units 20 may be one, or three or more.

[0010] In the all-in-one air conditioner 1, the first unit 10, which is the indoor unit, is placed outdoors, so it occupies a small amount of space indoors. Because the first unit 10 is placed outdoors, there is less maintenance work required indoors. Because the first unit 10 is placed outdoors, operating noise is less likely to be detected indoors. Because the first unit 10 is placed outdoors, the refrigerant piping 8 can be connected in advance between the first unit 10 and the second unit 20. There is no need to perform connection work for the refrigerant piping 8 at the installation location of the air conditioner 1.

[0011] 2 is a conceptual diagram of a refrigeration cycle circuit of an air conditioner. The air conditioner 1 has a refrigeration cycle circuit. The refrigeration cycle circuit has a compressor 2, a four-way valve 3, a second heat exchanger 21, an expansion device 5, a first heat exchanger 11, and refrigerant piping 8 that circulates refrigerant through these components. The compressor 2, the four-way valve 3, the second heat exchanger 21, and the expansion device 5 are housed in a second unit 20. The first heat exchanger 11 is housed in a first unit 10. The expansion device 5 may be housed in the first unit 10.

[0012] The compressor 2 compresses the low-pressure gas refrigerant taken in to produce high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant. The accumulator 2b is located upstream of the compressor 2. The accumulator 2b separates the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant and supplies the gas refrigerant to the compressor 2.

[0013] The four-way valve 3 reverses the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe 8 of the second heat exchanger 21 , the expansion device 5 and the first heat exchanger 11 . When the four-way valve 3 is in the state shown in Fig. 2, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 flows through the second heat exchanger 21, the expansion device 5, and the first heat exchanger 11 in that order. At this time, the second heat exchanger 21 functions as a condenser (heat radiator), and the first heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator (heat absorber). When the four-way valve 3 switches from the state shown in Figure 2, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 flows sequentially through the first heat exchanger 11, the expansion device 5, and the second heat exchanger 21. At this time, the first heat exchanger 11 functions as a condenser (heat radiator), and the second heat exchanger 21 functions as an evaporator (heat absorber).

[0014] The condenser dissipates heat from the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2, and converts the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant into a high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The expansion device 5 reduces the pressure of the high-pressure liquid refrigerant sent from the condenser, and converts the high-pressure liquid refrigerant into a low-temperature, low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant. For example, the expansion device 5 is an expansion valve. The evaporator converts the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant sent from the expansion device 5 into low-pressure gas refrigerant. The low-pressure gas refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator is taken into the compressor 2 described above via the accumulator 2b.

[0015] Thus, in the refrigeration cycle circuit, the refrigerant, which is a working fluid, circulates while changing phase between gas and liquid. The refrigerant releases heat as it changes phase from gas to liquid, and absorbs heat as it changes phase from liquid to gas. In the first heat exchanger 11 of the first unit 10, heat is exchanged between the refrigerant circulating inside the refrigerant pipe 8 and the air circulating outside the refrigerant pipe 8. The air that has passed outside the first heat exchanger 11 is introduced into the room via a duct (not shown). The air conditioner 1 heats and cools the room.

[0016] The air conditioner 1 has refrigerant piping 8 that connects the first unit 10 and the second unit 20. In an all-in-one air conditioner 1, the refrigerant piping 8 is connected in advance between the first unit 10 and the second unit 20. The air conditioner 1 is transported to the installation site and installed with the refrigerant piping 8 already connected.

[0017] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the air conditioner. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the air conditioner. In Fig. 4, the illustration of the covers 40, 50 is omitted, and the outlines of the covers 40, 50 are shown by two-dot chain lines.

[0018] The mount 30 fixes the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 in the +Z direction (upward). The mount 30 has a pair of main frames (longitudinal channels) 31m, 31n and a plurality of subframes (shortitudinal channels) 32a-32e. The pair of main frames 31m, 31n and the plurality of subframes 32a-32e are formed from steel material with a U-shaped cross section.

[0019] The pair of main frames 31m, 31n extend in the Y direction. The pair of main frames 31m, 31n are arranged at both ends of the frame 30 in the X direction. The pair of main frames 31m, 31n are arranged parallel to each other. The first unit 10 and the second unit 20 are fixed to the pair of main frames 31m, 31n.

[0020] The multiple sub-frames 32a-32e extend in the X direction. The multiple sub-frames 32a-32e are disposed between the pair of main frames 31m, 31n. Both ends of the multiple sub-frames 32a-32e in the X direction are connected to the pair of main frames 31m, 31n. The multiple sub-frames 32a-32e are arranged side by side in the Y direction and parallel to each other. The multiple sub-frames 32a-32e include, from the -Y direction to the +Y direction, a first sub-frame 32a, a second sub-frame 32b, a third sub-frame 32c, a fourth sub-frame 32d, and a fifth sub-frame 32e.

[0021] A wooden stand 39 for transporting the air conditioning unit 1 is attached to the mount 30 in the -Z direction. The wooden stand 39 forms a gap between the mount 30 and the ground. When transporting the air conditioning unit 1, the claws of a forklift are inserted into the gap between the mount 30 and the ground. At the installation location of the air conditioning unit 1, the wooden stand 39 is removed from the mount 30, and the air conditioning unit 1 is installed.

[0022] The refrigerant piping 8 is arranged across the first unit 10 and the second unit 20. The refrigerant piping 8 is arranged near the +X direction ends of the first unit 10 and the second unit 20. The refrigerant piping 8 is arranged in the -Z direction (below) of the first unit 10 and the second unit 20. A third sub-frame 32c exists in the -Z direction between the first unit 10 and the second unit 20. A notch is formed in the +Z direction of the third sub-frame 32c, and the refrigerant piping 8 is arranged inside the notch. A first sub-frame 32a and a second sub-frame 32b exist in the -Z direction of the second unit 20. The +Z direction ends of the first sub-frame 32a and the second sub-frame 32b are located in the -Z direction further away from the +Z direction ends of the pair of main frames 31m, 31n. The refrigerant piping 8 is arranged in the +Z direction of the second sub-frame 32b.

[0023] The air conditioning device 1 has covers 40, 50 and fastening members for the covers 40, 50. The covers 40, 50 are formed from a steel plate material or the like. The covers 40, 50 cover the refrigerant pipes 8. The covers 40, 50 are fastened to at least one of the first unit 10, the second unit 20, and the frame 30 by fastening members. The fastening members are screws, bolts, nuts, or the like. The covers 40, 50 include a first cover 40 and a second cover 50. The first cover 40 is disposed in the -Z direction of the first unit 10, and the second cover 50 is disposed in the -Z direction of the second unit 20.

[0024] In Fig. 1, the front panel of the first unit 10 in the +X direction is omitted. As shown in Fig. 1, the refrigerant piping 8 extends in the -Z direction from the first heat exchanger 11. The control box 13 is disposed on the -Z side of the first heat exchanger 11. The control box 13 is disposed at a corner of the first unit 10 in the -Z, +X, and +Y directions. The refrigerant piping 8 passes on the -Y side of the control box 13 and extends in the -Z direction.

[0025] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in Fig. 4. The refrigerant piping 8 extends in the -Z direction of the bottom surface 12 of the first unit 10. The -Z direction end of the refrigerant piping 8 is in the -Z direction of the control box 13 and is disposed between the pair of main frames 31m, 31n. The -X direction end of the refrigerant piping 8 is disposed in the -X direction of the control box 13.

[0026] The first cover 40 is formed in a box shape and houses the refrigerant pipes 8 inside. The first cover 40 is arranged in the -Y direction of the control box 13 (see FIG. 6). The -Z direction end of the first cover 40 is arranged in the -Z direction of the control box 13, between the pair of main frames 31m, 31n. The -X direction end of the first cover 40 is arranged in the -X direction of the control box 13.

[0027] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the periphery of the first cover from the rear side. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the periphery of the first cover from the front side. Most of the first unit 10, all of the second unit 20, and the refrigerant piping 8 are omitted from Figs. 6 and 7.

[0028] As shown in Figure 6, the first cover 40 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped box with a portion open. The first cover 40 is completely open in the -Y and +X directions. In the +Z direction, about half of the first cover 40 is open. In the +Y direction, the corners of the first cover 40 in the +X and +Z directions are open in a rectangular shape. The refrigerant piping 8 is housed inside the box-shaped first cover 40.

[0029] 6, the first unit 10 has a partition plate 14. The partition plate 14 covers the −X direction and ±Z directions of the control box 13. A part of the partition plate 14 in the +Z direction extends in the −Y direction.

[0030] The first cover 40 is disposed in the -Y direction of the control box 13. The first cover 40 has a mounting plate 44 extending in the +Z direction from the +X-direction edge of the top plate in the +Z direction. The first cover 40 has a mounting plate 44 extending in the +Y direction from the +X-direction edge of the side plate in the +Y direction. The mounting plate 44 is disposed in the -X direction of the partition plate 14. Through holes are formed in the partition plate 14 and the mounting plate 44. A fastening member 45 moves from the +X direction to the -X direction of the partition plate 14 and enters the through holes in the partition plate 14 and the mounting plate 44. The fastening member 45 screws into a female thread formed in the through hole in the mounting plate 44. The first cover 40 is fastened to the partition plate 14 of the first unit 10 by the fastening member 45.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 7 , the first cover 40 is disposed in the +Y direction of the third subframe 32c. The first cover 40 has a mounting plate 48 that extends in the -X direction from the -Y side edge of the back plate in the -X direction. Through holes are formed in the mounting plate 48 and the third subframe 32c. A fastening member 49 moves from the +Y direction to the -Y direction of the mounting plate 48 and enters the through holes in the mounting plate 48 and the third subframe 32c. The fastening member 49 screws into a female thread formed in the through hole in the third subframe 32c. The fastening member 49 fastens the first cover 40 to the third subframe 32c of the pedestal 30. In this way, the first cover 40 is fixed to the air conditioning apparatus 1.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5, when transporting the air conditioning apparatus 1, the claws F of a forklift are inserted into the stand 30 in the -Z direction. There is a possibility that the claws F will be inserted from the rear side of the air conditioning apparatus 1 in the -X direction toward the +X direction. There is a possibility that the claws F will be inserted toward the refrigerant pipes 8 located at the end of the air conditioning apparatus 1 in the +X direction. The -X and -Z directions of the refrigerant pipes 8 are covered by the first cover 40. The first cover 40 protects the refrigerant pipes 8 from contact with the claws F and prevents damage to the refrigerant pipes 8. The first cover 40 also protects the refrigerant pipes 8 from external factors other than contact with the claws F.

[0033] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in Fig. 4. In the -Z direction of second unit 20, refrigerant pipe 8 extends in the Y direction.

[0034] The second cover 50 has an L-shape in a cross section perpendicular to the Y direction. The second cover 50 has a bottom plate 51 and a back plate 52. The bottom plate 51 is disposed in the -Z direction of the refrigerant piping 8. The back plate 52 is disposed in the -X direction of the refrigerant piping 8. The second cover 50 houses the refrigerant piping 8 inside the bottom plate 51 and the back plate 52.

[0035] The bottom plate 51 of the second cover 50 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane (XY plane). The bottom plate 51 is inclined in the +X direction and the -Z direction. Water droplets that fall on the bottom plate 51 move in the +X direction and the -Z direction due to gravity. A gap exists between a part of the end edge of the bottom plate 51 in the +X direction and the main frame 31m of the stand 30. In other words, the bottom plate 51 has an opening at the end (lower end) in the -Z direction. Water droplets fall through the gap and are less likely to remain on the bottom plate 51. Corrosion of the second cover 50 is suppressed.

[0036] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the periphery of the second cover from the front side. Most of the first unit 10, the entire second unit 20, and the refrigerant piping 8 are omitted from FIG. 9 . The +Z direction ends of the first sub-frame 32a and the second sub-frame 32b are disposed in the -Z direction relative to the +Z direction ends of the pair of main frames 31m, 31n. The -X direction end of the bottom plate 51 of the second cover 50 is disposed in the +Z direction relative to the +Z direction ends of the first sub-frame 32a and the second sub-frame 32b. The +X direction end of the bottom plate 51 is disposed in the -Z direction relative to the +Z direction ends of the first sub-frame 32a and the second sub-frame 32b. A notch 53 is formed in the +X direction end of the bottom plate 51. The first sub-frame 32a and the second sub-frame 32b are disposed inside the notch 53.

[0037] The second cover 50 has a mounting plate 56 that extends in the -Z direction from the -Y direction end of the bottom plate 51. The mounting plate 56 is disposed in the -Y direction of the first subframe 32a. Through holes are formed in the mounting plate 56 and the first subframe 32a. A fastening member 57 moves from the -Y direction of the mounting plate 56 to the +Y direction and enters the through holes in the mounting plate 56 and the first subframe 32a. The fastening member 57 screws into a female thread formed in the through hole in the first subframe 32a. The second cover 50 is fastened to the first subframe 32a of the pedestal 30 by the fastening member 57.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 7 , the second cover 50 has a mounting plate 58 that extends in the −X direction from the end of the back plate 52 in the +Y direction. The mounting plate 58 is disposed in the −Y direction of the third sub-frame 32c. Through holes are formed in the third sub-frame 32c and the mounting plate 58. A fastening member 59 moves from the +Y direction to the −Y direction of the third sub-frame 32c and enters the through holes in the third sub-frame 32c and the mounting plate 58. The fastening member 59 screws into a female thread formed in the through hole of the mounting plate 58. The second cover 50 is fastened to the third sub-frame 32c of the pedestal 30 by the fastening member 59.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 8, when transporting the air conditioning apparatus 1, the claws F of a forklift are inserted into the stand 30 in the -Z direction. There is a possibility that the claws F will be inserted from the rear side of the air conditioning apparatus 1 in the -X direction in the +X direction. There is a possibility that the claws F will be inserted toward the refrigerant pipes 8 located at the end of the air conditioning apparatus 1 in the +X direction. The -X and -Z directions of the refrigerant pipes 8 are covered by the second cover 50. The second cover 50 protects the refrigerant pipes 8 from contact with the claws F and prevents damage to the refrigerant pipes 8. The second cover 50 also protects the refrigerant pipes 8 from external factors other than contact with the claws F.

[0040] A maintenance method for the air conditioner 1 will now be described. During maintenance of the air conditioner 1, it is checked whether there is a refrigerant leak in the refrigerant pipes 8. The first cover 40 and the second cover 50 are removed, and the state of the refrigerant pipes 8 is checked.

[0041] A method for removing the first cover 40 will now be described. As shown in FIG. 6 , the fastening member 45 of the first cover 40 can be removed by moving it in the +X direction (first direction) from the fastening position. The worker removes the +X direction front panel (not shown) of the first unit 10 to expose the +X direction side of the fastening member 45 to the outside. The worker moves the fastening member 45 in the +X direction to remove it from the first unit 10. The first unit 10 and the second unit 20 are not present in the +X direction from the fastening position of the fastening member 45. The fastening member 45 can be removed without removing the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 from the rack 30. Because the +X direction side of the fastening member 45 is connected to the outside, the fastening member 45 can be removed easily. By removing the fastening member 45, the first cover 40 is removed from the first unit 10.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 7 , the fastening member 49 of the first cover 40 can be removed by moving in the +Y direction (first direction) from the fastening position. As shown in FIG. 5 , an opening 18 is present at the end of the -Z direction on the rear surface of the first unit 10 in the -X direction. An operator inserts a tool through the opening 18 to move the fastening member 49 in the +Y direction and remove it from the pedestal 30. The first unit 10 and the second unit 20 are not present in the +Y direction from the fastening position of the fastening member 49. The fastening member 49 can be removed without removing the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 from the pedestal 30. By removing the fastening member 49, the first cover 40 is removed from the pedestal 30. In this manner, the first cover 40 is removed from the air conditioning apparatus 1.

[0043] 10 is an explanatory diagram of how to remove the cover. The fourth sub-frame 32d is located in the +Y direction from the first cover 40. The worker moves the first cover 40, which has been removed from the air conditioning apparatus 1, in the +Y direction until it is close to the fourth sub-frame 32d. The refrigerant piping 8 that was covered by the first cover 40 is exposed.

[0044] A method for removing the second cover 50 will now be described. As shown in Fig. 7, the fastening member 59 of the second cover 50 can be removed by moving it in the +Y direction (first direction) from the fastening position. An operator inserts a tool through the opening 18 shown in Fig. 5 to move the fastening member 59 in the +Y direction and remove it from the pedestal 30. The first unit 10 and the second unit 20 are not present in the +Y direction from the fastening position of the fastening member 59. The removal operation of the fastening member 59 can be performed without removing the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 from the pedestal 30.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 9 , fastening member 57 of second cover 50 can be removed by moving it in the −Y direction (first direction) from the fastening position. An operator moves fastening member 57 in the −Y direction to remove it from pedestal 30. First unit 10 and second unit 20 are not present in the −Y direction from the fastening position of fastening member 57. The work of removing fastening member 57 can be performed without removing first unit 10 and second unit 20 from pedestal 30. Because the −Y direction of fastening member 57 is connected to the outside, the work of removing fastening member 57 is easy. By removing fastening member 59 and fastening member 57, second cover 50 is removed from pedestal 30 and air conditioning apparatus 1.

[0046] As shown in Figure 10, the -Y direction of the second cover 50 is exposed to the outside. The worker moves the second cover 50 that has been removed from the air conditioning apparatus 1 in the -Y direction and takes it out to the outside of the air conditioning apparatus 1. The refrigerant piping 8 that was covered by the second cover 50 is exposed. With the entire refrigerant piping 8 exposed, the presence or absence of refrigerant leaks in the refrigerant piping 8 can be checked.

[0047] After maintenance of the air conditioning apparatus 1 is completed, the first cover 40 and the second cover 50 may be reattached to the air conditioning apparatus 1. As described above, the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 are not present in the removal direction of the fastening members 45, 49, 57, and 59. The direction opposite to the removal direction is the installation direction of the fastening members 45, 49, 57, and 59. The installation work of the fastening members 59 can be performed without removing the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 from the frame 30.

[0048] As described above in detail, the air conditioning apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes the first unit 10, the second unit 20, the base 30, the refrigerant piping 8, the covers 40, 50, and the fastening members 45, 49, 57, and 59. The first unit 10 includes the first heat exchanger 11 that functions as either a heat absorber or a heat radiator. The second unit 20 includes the second heat exchanger 21 that functions as the other of a heat absorber and a heat radiator. The base 30 secures the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 in the +Z direction. The refrigerant piping 8 is disposed in the -Z direction of the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 and connects the first unit 10 and the second unit 20. The covers 40, 50 cover the refrigerant piping 8. The fastening members 45, 49, 57, and 59 fasten the covers 40, 50 to at least one of the first unit 10, the second unit 20, and the base 30. The fastening members 45, 49, 57, and 59 can be disengaged by moving in a first direction from the fastening positions 45, 49, 57, and 59. In the first direction of the fastening positions 45, 49, 57, and 59, the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 are not present.

[0049] The fastening members 45, 49, 57, and 59 can be moved in the first direction from the fastening positions to detach the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 without removing them from the frame 30. By detaching the fastening members 45, 49, 57, and 59, the covers 40 and 50 are removed, exposing the refrigerant piping 8. This allows for easy maintenance.

[0050] The first direction of the fastening position communicates with the outside. In the first direction of the fastening position, there is a space where the fastening members 45, 49, 57, and 59 can be removed. An operator can access this space from outside the air conditioning apparatus 1. In this space, the operator can handle the tools necessary for removing the fastening members 45, 49, 57, and 59. The fastening members 45, 49, 57, and 59 can be easily removed.

[0051] The bottom plate 51 of the second cover 50 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane and has an opening at the lower end. Water droplets that fall onto the bottom plate 51 move toward the lower end due to gravity and fall through the opening. Corrosion of the second cover 50 is suppressed.

[0052] According to at least one embodiment described above, the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 have fastening members 45, 49, 57, and 59 that are not present in the first direction of the fastening position. This allows for easy maintenance.

[0053] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1...air conditioning unit, 8...refrigerant piping, 10...first unit, 11...first heat exchanger, 20...second unit, 21...second heat exchanger, 30...frame, 40...first cover (cover), 45...fastening member, 49...fastening member, 50...second cover (cover), 51...bottom plate, 57...fastening member, 59...fastening member.

Claims

1. a first unit including a first heat exchanger that functions as one of a heat sink and a heat radiator; a second unit including a second heat exchanger that functions as the other of the heat absorber and the heat radiator; a base for fixing the first unit and the second unit thereon; a refrigerant pipe disposed below the first unit and the second unit and connecting the first unit and the second unit; a cover for covering the refrigerant pipe; a fastening member that fastens the cover to at least one of the first unit, the second unit, and the base, and that is movable in a first direction from a fastening position to be detached, the first unit and the second unit are not present in the first direction of the fastening position, the mount has a pair of main frames to which the first unit and the second unit are fixed, the pair of main frames extend in a second direction in which the first unit and the second unit are aligned, the frame does not have a frame extending in the second direction below the pair of main frames, At least a portion of the refrigerant piping and at least a portion of the cover are disposed between the pair of main frames. Air conditioning equipment.

2. The first direction of the fastening position communicates with the outside. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The bottom plate of the cover is inclined relative to a horizontal plane. The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

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