Earth connection structure and outdoor unit of an air conditioner equipped therewith

Abstract

To connect a top cover to the ground in an enclosure constituted from a box-like casing made of an insulation material and a top cover made of a metal material and arranged on the casing.SOLUTION: A ground connection structure includes: a casing 102 made of an insulation material and including a standing wall part 102a; a top cover 104 made of a metal material and including a vertical wall part 104b; a ground connection terminal 110 made of a metal material and provided at the standing wall part 102a; and a screw 112 for fixing the top cover 104 to the casing 102. The vertical wall part 104b of the top cover 104 includes a through-hole 104d where the screw 112 passes. The standing wall part 102a of the casing 102 includes a through-hole 102m where the screw 112 which has passed the through-hole 104d of the top cover 104 passes. The ground connection terminal 110 includes a threaded hole 110g engaged with the screw 112 which has passed the through-hole 102m of the casing 102.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an earthing connection structure and an outdoor unit of an air conditioner having the same.

Background Art

[0002] For example, the enclosure of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner described in Patent Document 1 is connected to the ground as a noise countermeasure. Further, the enclosure of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner described in Patent Document 2 is composed of a box-shaped casing (bottomed cylindrical body) with an open top and a top cover (lid body) disposed on the casing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when connecting an enclosure composed of a casing and a top cover to the ground as in the outdoor unit described in Patent Document 2, it is conceivable to electrically connect the two and connect the casing to the ground. However, when the top cover is made of a metal material and the casing is made of an insulating material such as a resin material, a structure for connecting the top cover to the ground is required. However, that structure may force a change in the layout of the stored items stored in the casing.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide an enclosure comprising a box-shaped casing made of an insulating material and a top cover made of a metal material and placed on the casing, in which the top cover is connected to earth without requiring any changes to the layout of the contents stored inside the casing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, A box-shaped casing made of insulating material and having vertical walls extending in a first direction, A top cover made of a metal material, comprising a top plate portion positioned on the vertical wall portion of the casing and a vertical wall portion extending from the outer edge of the top plate portion and located outside the vertical wall portion, Made from a metal material, provided on the vertical wall portion of the casing, and having an earth connection terminal connected to the ground, It is made of a metal material and has screws for fixing the top cover to the casing, The vertical wall portion of the top cover is provided with a through hole through which the screw passes, The vertical wall portion of the casing is provided with a through hole through which the screw that has passed through the through hole of the top cover passes, An earth connection structure is provided in which the earth connection terminal has a female screw hole that engages with the screw that passes through the through hole in the vertical wall portion of the casing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, in an enclosure comprising a box-shaped casing made of an insulating material and a top cover made of a metal material and placed on the casing, the top cover can be connected to earth without requiring any changes to the layout of the contents stored inside the casing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1]Schematic diagram of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Schematic diagram of the ventilation system [Figure 3] Schematic diagram of the ventilation system during ventilation operation. [Figure 4] Schematic diagram of the ventilation system during humidification operation. [Figure 5] Schematic diagram of the ventilation system during dehumidification operation. [Figure 6] Perspective view of the outdoor unit of an air conditioner. [Figure 7] Perspective view of the ventilation system [Figure 8] Perspective view of the ventilation system with the top cover removed. [Figure 9] Disassembled perspective view of the ventilation unit with the top cover removed. [Figure 10A] Perspective view of the grounding terminal [Figure 10B] Perspective view of the grounding terminal from a different angle. [Figure 11A] Partial perspective view of the ventilation device casing with the grounding terminal attached. [Figure 11B] A partial perspective view of the ventilation device casing with the grounding terminal attached, seen from a different viewpoint. [Figure 12A] Partial perspective view of the ventilation device casing with the grounding terminal removed. [Figure 12B] A partial perspective view of the ventilation device casing with the grounding terminal removed, seen from a different viewpoint. [Figure 13] Cross-sectional view showing the grounding terminal with the top cover attached to the casing of the ventilation device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The ground connection structure according to one aspect of the present invention includes a box-shaped casing made of an insulating material and having a vertical wall portion extending in a first direction, a top cover made of a metal material and disposed on the vertical wall portion of the casing, and a vertical wall portion extending from an outer peripheral edge of the top cover and located outside the vertical wall portion, an earth connection terminal made of a metal material and provided on the vertical wall portion of the casing and connected to the ground, and a screw made of a metal material for fixing the top cover to the casing. The vertical wall portion of the top cover has a through hole through which the screw passes, the vertical wall portion of the casing has a through hole through which the screw passing through the through hole of the top cover passes, and the earth connection terminal has a threaded hole that engages with the screw passing through the through hole of the vertical wall portion of the casing.

[0010] According to such an aspect, in an enclosure composed of a box-shaped casing made of an insulating material and a top cover made of a metal material and disposed on the casing, the top cover can be connected to the ground without forcing a change in the layout of the stored items stored in the casing.

[0011] For example, the vertical wall portion of the casing may include first, second, and third notch portions extending in the first direction in parallel with each other, and the earth connection terminal may be S-shaped passing through the first, second, and third notch portions when viewed in the first direction. In this case, the earth connection terminal may include an inner portion facing the inner surface of the vertical wall portion, an outer portion facing the outer surface of the vertical wall portion, a connecting portion connecting the inner portion and the outer portion and passing through the second notch portion, a first end portion extending from the outer portion and passing through the first notch portion, and a second end portion extending from the inner portion and passing through the third notch portion. In this case, the threaded hole is formed in the inner portion of the earth connection terminal.

[0012] For example, the earth connection terminal may include an earth connection portion connected to the ground at the first end portion.

[0013] For example, the earth connection terminal may have a clip portion on its outer side that clamps onto the vertical wall portion.

[0014] For example, the earth connection terminal includes an extension that extends from the second end along the outer surface of the vertical wall portion.

[0015] For example, the enclosure of the outdoor unit of an air conditioner may be equipped with the aforementioned grounding connection structure.

[0016] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the air conditioner 10 according to this embodiment has an indoor unit 20 located in the indoor area Rin to be air-conditioned, and an outdoor unit 30 located in the outdoor area Rout.

[0019] The indoor unit 20 is equipped with an indoor heat exchanger 22 that exchanges heat with indoor air A1, and a fan 24 that draws indoor air A1 into the indoor unit 20 and blows the indoor air A1, which has exchanged heat with the indoor heat exchanger 22, out into the indoor Rin.

[0020] The outdoor unit 30 is equipped with an outdoor heat exchanger 32 that exchanges heat with the outdoor air A2, and a fan 34 that draws the outdoor air A2 into the outdoor unit 30 and blows the outdoor air A2, which has exchanged heat with the outdoor heat exchanger 32, out to the outdoor Rout. The outdoor unit 30 is also equipped with an indoor heat exchanger 22 and an outdoor heat exchanger 32, a compressor 36, an expansion valve 38, and a four-way valve 40 that execute the refrigeration cycle.

[0021] The indoor heat exchanger 22, outdoor heat exchanger 32, compressor 36, expansion valve 38, and four-way valve 40 are each connected by refrigerant piping through which the refrigerant flows. In cooling and dehumidifying (weak cooling) operation, the air conditioner 10 performs a refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant flows sequentially from the compressor 36 through the four-way valve 40, outdoor heat exchanger 32, expansion valve 38, indoor heat exchanger 22, and back to the compressor 36. In heating operation, the air conditioner 10 performs a refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant flows sequentially from the compressor 36 through the four-way valve 40, indoor heat exchanger 22, expansion valve 38, outdoor heat exchanger 32, and back to the compressor 36.

[0022] In addition to air conditioning operation using a refrigeration cycle, the air conditioner 10 also performs air conditioning operation by introducing outdoor air A3 into indoor Rin. For this purpose, the air conditioner 10 has a ventilation device 50. The ventilation device 50 is installed on the outdoor unit 30.

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the ventilation system.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the ventilation device 50 is equipped with an absorbent material 52 through which the outdoor air A3 and A4 pass.

[0025] The absorbent material 52 is a member through which air can pass and which collects moisture from the passing air or adds moisture to the passing air. In this embodiment, the absorbent material 52 is disc-shaped and rotates around a rotation centerline C1 that passes through its center. The absorbent material 52 is rotationally driven by a motor 54.

[0026] The absorbent material 52 is preferably a polymer sorbent that adsorbs moisture from the air. The polymer sorbent is, for example, composed of a crosslinked sodium polyacrylate. Compared to adsorbents such as silica gel and zeolite, the polymer sorbent absorbs a larger amount of moisture per unit volume, can desorb the supported moisture at a low heating temperature, and can support moisture for a long period of time.

[0027] Inside the ventilation device 50, there are a first flow path P1 and a second flow path P2 through which outdoor air A3 and A4 flow, respectively, passing through the absorbent material 52. The first flow path P1 and the second flow path P2 pass through the absorbent material 52 at different positions.

[0028] The first flow path P1 is a flow path through which outdoor air A3 flows toward the indoor unit 20. The outdoor air A3 flowing through the first flow path P1 is supplied to the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation conduit 56.

[0029] In this embodiment, the first flow path P1 includes a plurality of branch flow paths P1a and P1b upstream of the absorbent material 52. In this specification, "upstream" and "downstream" are used in relation to airflow.

[0030] Multiple branch channels P1a and P2a merge upstream of the absorbent material 52. Each of the branch channels P1a and P1b is equipped with first and second heaters 58 and 60 for heating the outdoor air A3.

[0031] The first and second heaters 58 and 60 may have the same heating capacity or they may have different heating capacities. Furthermore, it is preferable that the first and second heating heaters 58 and 60 be PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heaters, which increase electrical resistance as current flows and the temperature rises, that is, which can suppress an excessive rise in heating temperature. In the case of heaters using nichrome wire or carbon fiber, the heating temperature (surface temperature) continues to rise as current flows, so it is necessary to monitor the temperature. In the case of PTC heaters, the heater itself adjusts the heating temperature within a certain temperature range, so it is not necessary to monitor the heating temperature.

[0032] The first flow path P1 is provided with a first fan 62 that generates a flow of outdoor air A3 toward the indoor unit 20. In this embodiment, the first fan 62 is positioned downstream of the absorbent material 52. When the first fan 62 operates, the outdoor air A3 flows from the outdoor Rout into the first flow path P1 and passes through the absorbent material 52.

[0033] Furthermore, the first flow path P1 is provided with a damper device 64 that distributes the outdoor air A3 flowing through the first flow path P1 to either the indoor Rin (i.e., the indoor unit 20) or the outdoor Rout. In this embodiment, the damper device 64 is located downstream of the first fan 62. The outdoor air A3 distributed to the indoor unit 20 by the damper device 64 enters the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation conduit 56 and is blown out to the indoor Rin by the fan 24.

[0034] The second flow path P2 is the flow path for outdoor air A4. Unlike the outdoor air A3 that flows through the first flow path P1, the outdoor air A4 that flows through the second flow path P2 does not go towards the indoor unit 20. After passing through the absorbent material 52, the outdoor air A4 that flows through the second flow path P2 flows out to the outdoor Rout.

[0035] The first flow path P1 is provided with a second fan 66 that generates a flow of outdoor air A4. In this embodiment, the second fan 66 is positioned downstream of the absorbent material 52. When the second fan 66 operates, the outdoor air A4 flows from the outdoor Rout into the second flow path P2, passes through the absorbent material 52, and then flows out to the outdoor Rout.

[0036] The ventilation device 50 selectively uses the absorbent material 52 (motor 54), the first heater 58, the second heater 60, the first fan 62, the damper device 64, and the second fan 66 to selectively perform ventilation, humidification, and dehumidification operations.

[0037] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the ventilation system during ventilation operation.

[0038] Ventilation operation is an air conditioning operation in which outdoor air A3 is supplied directly to indoor Rin (i.e., indoor unit 20) via the ventilation conduit 56. As shown in Figure 3, during ventilation operation, the motor 54 continues to rotate the absorbent material 52. The first heater 58 and the second heater 60 are in the OFF state and are not heating the outdoor air A3. The first fan 62 is in the ON state, causing the outdoor air A3 to flow through the first flow path P1. The damper device 64 distributes the outdoor air A3 in the first flow path P1 to the indoor unit 20. The second fan 66 is in the OFF state, so no flow of outdoor air A4 is generated in the second flow path P2.

[0039] In this type of ventilation operation, the outdoor air A3 flows into the first flow path P1 and passes through the absorbent material 52 without being heated by the first and second heaters 58 and 60. The outdoor air A3 that has passed through the absorbent material 52 is distributed to the indoor unit 20 by the damper device 64. The outdoor air A3 that has passed through the damper device 64 and reached the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation conduit 56 is blown out into the indoor Rin by the fan 24. In this type of ventilation operation, the outdoor air A3 is supplied directly to the indoor Rin, and the indoor Rin is ventilated.

[0040] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the ventilation system during humidification operation.

[0041] The humidification operation is an air conditioning operation in which the outdoor air A3 is humidified and the humidified outdoor air A3 is supplied to the indoor Rin (i.e., the indoor unit 20). As shown in Figure 4, during the humidification operation, the motor 54 continues to rotate the absorbent material 52. The first heater 58 and the second heater 60 are ON and heating the outdoor air A3. The first fan 62 is ON, causing the outdoor air A3 to flow through the first flow path P1. The damper device 64 distributes the outdoor air A3 in the first flow path P1 to the indoor unit 20. The second fan 66 is ON, causing the outdoor air A4 to flow through the second flow path P2.

[0042] In this humidification operation, outdoor air A3 flows into the first flow path P1, is heated by the first and second heaters 58 and 60, and passes through the absorbent material 52. At this time, the heated outdoor air A3 can remove more moisture from the absorbent material 52 than if it were unheated. As a result, the outdoor air A3 carries a large amount of moisture. The outdoor air A3 that has passed through the absorbent material 52 and carries a large amount of moisture is distributed to the indoor unit 20 by the damper device 64. The outdoor air A3 that has passed through the damper device 64 and reached the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation conduit 56 is blown into the indoor Rin by the fan 24. Through this humidification operation, outdoor air A3 that carries a large amount of moisture is supplied to the indoor Rin, and the indoor Rin is humidified.

[0043] Furthermore, by turning off either the first heater 58 or the second heater 60, the amount of moisture absorbed by the outdoor air A3 from the absorbent material 52 can be reduced, meaning that a weak humidification operation with less humidification of the indoor Rin can be performed.

[0044] As moisture is drawn away by the heated outdoor air A3, the water retention capacity of the absorbent material 52 decreases, meaning the absorbent material 52 dries out. When the absorbent material 52 dries out, the outdoor air A3 flowing through the first channel P1 can no longer draw moisture from the absorbent material 52. To compensate for this, the absorbent material 52 draws moisture from the outdoor air A4 flowing through the second channel P2. As a result, the water retention capacity of the absorbent material 52 is maintained at a nearly constant level, allowing the humidification operation to continue.

[0045] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the ventilation system during dehumidification operation.

[0046] Dehumidification operation is an air conditioning operation that dehumidifies the outdoor air A3 and supplies the dehumidified outdoor air A3 to the indoor Rin (i.e., the indoor unit 20). As shown in Figure 5, in dehumidification operation, adsorption operation and regeneration operation are performed alternately.

[0047] The adsorption operation is an operation that dehumidifies the outdoor air A3 by adsorbing moisture carried in the outdoor air A3 onto the absorbent material 52. As shown in Figure 5, during the adsorption operation, the motor 54 continues to rotate the absorbent material 52. The first heater 58 and the second heater 60 are in the OFF state and are not heating the outdoor air A3. The first fan 62 is in the ON state, causing the outdoor air A3 to flow through the first flow path P1. The damper device 64 distributes the outdoor air A3 in the first flow path P1 to the indoor unit 20. The second fan 66 is in the OFF state, so no flow of outdoor air A4 is generated in the second flow path P2.

[0048] In this adsorption operation, the outdoor air A3 flows into the first flow path P1 and passes through the absorbent material 52 without being heated by the first and second heaters 58 and 60. At this time, the moisture carried in the outdoor air A3 is adsorbed by the absorbent material 52. As a result, the amount of moisture carried in the outdoor air A3 decreases, i.e., the outdoor air A3 is dried. The dried outdoor air A3 that has passed through the absorbent material 52 is distributed to the indoor unit 20 by the damper device 64. The outdoor air A3 that has passed through the damper device 64 and reached the indoor unit 20 via the ventilation conduit 56 is blown out into the indoor Rin by the fan 24. Through this adsorption operation, dried outdoor air A3 is supplied to the indoor Rin, and the indoor Rin is dehumidified.

[0049] As the adsorption operation continues, the amount of water absorbed by the absorbent material 52 continues to increase, and as a result, the adsorption capacity of the absorbent material 52 for moisture carried in the outdoor air A3 decreases. In order to restore this adsorption capacity, a regeneration operation is performed to regenerate the absorbent material 52.

[0050] During regeneration, the motor 54 continues to rotate the absorbent material 52. The first heater 58 and the second heater 60 are ON, heating the outdoor air A3. The first fan 62 is ON, causing the outdoor air A3 to flow through the first flow path P1. The damper device 64 redirects the outdoor air A3 in the first flow path P1 to the outdoor Rout instead of the indoor unit 20. The second fan 66 is OFF, preventing the flow of outdoor air A4 through the second flow path P2.

[0051] In this regeneration operation, outdoor air A3 flows into the first flow path P1, is heated by the first and second heaters 58 and 60, and passes through the absorbent material 52. At this time, the heated outdoor air A3 removes a large amount of moisture from the absorbent material 52. As a result, a large amount of moisture is carried on the outdoor air A3. At the same time, the amount of moisture that the absorbent material 52 can hold decreases, that is, the absorbent material 52 dries out and its adsorption capacity is regenerated. The outdoor air A3 that has passed through the absorbent material 52 and is carried on a large amount of moisture is distributed to the outdoor Rout by the damper device 64 and discharged to the outdoor Rout. As a result, during the regeneration operation in dehumidification, outdoor air A3 that is carried on a large amount of moisture due to the regeneration of the absorbent material 52 is not supplied to the indoor Rin.

[0052] By alternating between this adsorption operation and regeneration operation, the adsorption capacity of the absorbent material 52 is maintained, and dehumidification operation can be performed continuously.

[0053] The air conditioning operations using the refrigeration cycle described above (cooling operation, dehumidification operation (weak cooling operation), heating operation) and the air conditioning operations using the ventilation device 50 (ventilation operation, humidification operation, dehumidification operation) can be performed separately or simultaneously. For example, by performing dehumidification operation using the refrigeration cycle and dehumidification operation using the ventilation device 50 simultaneously, it is possible to dehumidify the indoor air while maintaining a constant room temperature.

[0054] The air conditioning operation performed by the air conditioner 10 is selected by the user. For example, based on the user's selection operation on the remote controller 70 shown in Figure 1, the air conditioner 10 performs the corresponding air conditioning operation.

[0055] Up to this point, we have provided a general overview of the configuration and operation of the air conditioner 10 according to this embodiment. From here on, we will describe further features of this embodiment.

[0056] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the ventilation system. Furthermore, Figure 8 is a perspective view of the ventilation system with the top cover removed. And Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the ventilation system with the top cover removed. Note that the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system shown in the drawings is for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the embodiment and does not limit the embodiment. The X-axis direction indicates the front-to-back direction of the outdoor unit 30, the Y-axis direction indicates the left-to-right direction, and the Z-axis direction indicates the height direction.

[0057] As shown in Figure 6, in this embodiment, the ventilation device 50 is installed on top of the outdoor unit 30. Specifically, the ventilation device 50 is installed on the main casing 100 of the outdoor unit 30, which houses the outdoor heat exchanger 32, fan 34, compressor 36, expansion valve 38, and four-way valve 40.

[0058] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the ventilation device 50 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) of the outdoor unit 30 and comprises a box-shaped casing 102 that is open at the top and a top cover 104 that is placed on the casing 102. As shown in Figure 9, an absorbent material 52, a motor 54, a first heater 58, a second heater 60, a first fan 62, a damper device 64, and a second fan 66 are housed inside the casing 102.

[0059] The casing 102 of the ventilation device 50 is made of a resin material, i.e., an insulating material. Specifically, the casing 102 has a cylindrical vertical wall portion 102a that extends in the height direction (Z-axis direction). As shown in Figure 9, the vertical wall portion 102a has multiple intake ports 102b, 102c for outdoor air A3 to flow into the casing 102, multiple intake ports 102d, 102e for outdoor air A4 to flow into the casing 102, and an exhaust port 102f for the outdoor air A4 inside the casing 102 to flow out to the outside. The vertical wall portion 102a also has a connection port 102g for connecting to the ventilation conduit 56. Furthermore, the casing 102 has an uneven shape for positioning and fixing components of the ventilation device 50, such as the absorbent material 52. In other words, the casing 102 has a complex shape, and therefore it is made of a resin material that is easy to manufacture with such a complex shape.

[0060] The outdoor air A3 that enters the casing 102 of the ventilation device 50 through the intake ports 102b and 102c flows into the multiple branch channels P1a and P1b of the first flow path P1. Subsequently, the outdoor air A3 passes through the damper device 64 as described above and flows into the ventilation conduit 56 via the connection port 102g. The outdoor air A4 that enters the casing 102 through the intake ports 102d and 102e flows into the second flow path P2. Subsequently, the outdoor air A4 flows through the second flow path P2 as described above and flows out to the outside of the casing 102 via the exhaust port 102f.

[0061] While the casing 102 of the ventilation device 50 is made of resin material, the top cover 104 is made of metal material. The top cover 104 is made of, for example, steel plate. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the top cover 104 includes a top plate portion 104a that is positioned on the vertical wall portion 102a of the casing 102, and a vertical wall portion 104b that extends from the outer peripheral edge of the top plate portion 104a and is located outside the vertical wall portion 102a of the casing 102.

[0062] As shown in Figure 8, the top cover 104 is fixed to the casing 102 via a plurality of screws 106. Specifically, through holes 104c are formed in the vertical wall portion 104b of the top cover 104, through which the male threaded portions 106a of the plurality of screws 106 pass. On the other hand, female threaded holes 102h are formed in the portion of the vertical wall portion 102a of the casing 102 that faces the vertical wall portion 104b, and these holes engage with the male threaded portions 106a of the screws 106 that have passed through the through holes 104c of the top cover 104.

[0063] As shown in Figure 8, the ventilation device 50 is equipped with an earth connection structure that connects the top cover 104 to the earth. Specifically, the casing 102 of the ventilation device 50 is provided with an earth connection terminal 110 made of metal material that is electrically connected to the top cover 104 and thereby connects the top cover 104 to the earth.

[0064] Figures 10A and 10B are perspective views of the grounding terminal from different viewpoints. Figures 11A and 11B are partial perspective views of the ventilation device casing with the grounding terminal installed, from different viewpoints. Furthermore, Figures 12A and 12B are partial perspective views of the ventilation device casing with the grounding terminal removed, from different viewpoints. Finally, Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the grounding terminal with the top cover installed on the ventilation device casing.

[0065] As shown in Figures 10A and 10B, in this embodiment, the ground connection terminal 110 is manufactured by bending a metal plate. As shown in Figure 13, the ground connection terminal 110 is approximately S-shaped when viewed in the height direction (Z-axis direction).

[0066] As shown in Figures 11A and 11B, the grounding terminal 110 is provided at the top of the vertical wall portion 102a of the casing 102 of the ventilation device 50, specifically on the portion of the vertical wall portion 102a facing the vertical wall portion 104b of the top cover 104.

[0067] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 12A and 12B, the vertical wall portion 102a of the casing 102, where the earth connection terminal 110 is provided, has first, second, and third notches 102i, 102j, and 102k that extend in the height direction (Z-axis direction) from the top of the vertical wall portion 102a. As shown in Figure 13, the roughly S-shaped earth connection terminal 110 is provided in the vertical wall portion 102a so as to pass through the first, second, and third notches 102i, 102j, and 102k.

[0068] Specifically, in this embodiment, the earth connection terminal 110 includes an inner portion 110a facing the inner surface of the vertical wall portion 102a of the casing 102 and an outer portion 110b facing the outer surface of the vertical wall portion 102a. The earth connection terminal 110 also includes a connecting portion 110c that connects the inner portion 110a and the outer portion 110b and passes through the second notch portion 102j of the vertical wall portion 102a, a first end portion 110d that extends from the outer portion 110b and passes through the first notch portion 102i of the vertical wall portion 102a, and a second end portion 110e that extends from the inner portion 110a and passes through the third notch portion 110k of the vertical wall portion 102a. With this shape, the earth connection terminal 110 is provided in a position relative to the vertical wall portion 102a.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the earth connection terminal 110 is provided with an earth connection portion 110f at its first end 110d for connecting to a lead wire (not shown) connected to earth. In this embodiment, the earth connection portion 110f is a through hole that engages with the socket of the lead wire. The lead wire extends from inside the casing 102 of the ventilation device 50 toward inside the main casing 100 of the outdoor unit 30. The lead wire is connected to an earth electrode provided on a control board (not shown) inside the main casing 100 and connected to earth.

[0070] The electrical connection between the grounding terminal 110 and the top cover 104 is made by a screw 112 made of metal. Specifically, the grounding terminal 110 has a female screw hole 110g that engages with the screw 112. In this embodiment, the female screw hole 110g is formed in the inner portion 110a of the grounding terminal 110.

[0071] As shown in Figures 11A, 12A, and 12B, a through hole 102m is formed in the portion of the vertical wall 102a of the casing 102 that faces the female threaded hole 110g of the earth connection terminal 110, that is, in the portion sandwiched between the second notch 102j and the third notch 102k.

[0072] As shown in Figure 13, a through hole 104d is formed in the portion of the vertical wall 104b of the top cover 104 that faces the through hole 102m in the vertical wall portion 102a of the casing 102.

[0073] As shown in Figure 13, the male thread portion 112a of the screw 112 passes sequentially through the through hole 104d in the top cover 104 and the through hole 102m in the casing 102, and engages with the female thread hole 110g of the earth connection terminal 110. As a result, a portion of the vertical wall portion 102a of the casing 102 and a portion of the vertical wall portion 104b of the top cover 104 are clamped between the head 112b of the screw 112 and the inner portion 110a of the earth connection terminal 110. Therefore, the screw 112 also functions as a screw that fixes the top cover 104 to the casing 102. Due to this clamping, the head 112b of the screw 112 and the top cover 104 are electrically connected, and the male thread portion 112a of the screw 112 and the earth connection terminal 110 are electrically connected. In other words, the top cover 104 is electrically connected to the earth connection terminal 110 via the screw 112 made of metal material. As a result, the top cover 104 is connected to the ground via the ground connection terminal 110.

[0074] Furthermore, if the earth connection terminal 110 is provided on the vertical wall portion 102a of the casing 102 in this manner, it will not affect the layout of the contents stored inside the casing 102, i.e., the components of the ventilation device 50, such as the absorbent material 52.

[0075] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 11A and 11B, the ground connection terminal 110 is provided with a clip portion 110h on its outer portion 110b that clamps onto the vertical wall portion 102a of the casing 102. This clip portion 110h prevents the ground connection terminal 110 from falling off the vertical wall portion 102a. Note that if the connecting portion 110c, the first end portion 110d, and the second end portion 110e of the ground connection terminal 110 engage substantially with the first notch portion 102i, the second notch portion 102j, and the third notch portion 102k of the casing 102, for example by engaging without any gaps, the clip portion 110h can be omitted.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 11A and 13, the earth connection terminal 110 includes an extension 110i that extends from the second end 110e along the outer surface of the vertical wall portion 102a of the casing 102. For example, as shown in Figure 13, the male thread portion 112a of the screw 112 may not be able to smoothly enter the female thread hole 110g after passing through the through hole 102m of the casing 102, potentially pushing the inner portion 110a away from the vertical wall portion 102a. As a result, the inner portion 110a may escape away from the vertical wall portion 102a. The extension 110i functions to suppress such escape of the inner portion 110a. Specifically, the extension 110i abuts against the outer surface of the vertical wall portion 102a, restricting the movement of the inner portion 110a away from the vertical wall portion 102a via the second end 110e. Furthermore, if the earth connection terminal 110 has sufficient bending rigidity so that the inner portion 110a does not move even when pressed by the male thread portion 112a of the screw 112, the extension portion 110i can be omitted.

[0077] According to this embodiment, in the enclosure of the ventilation device 50 in the outdoor unit 30 of an air conditioner 10, which is composed of a box-shaped casing 102 made of insulating material and a top cover 104 made of metal material and placed on the casing 102, the top cover 104 can be connected to earth without requiring any changes to the layout of the components of the ventilation device 50 housed inside the casing 102.

[0078] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments described above, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0079] For example, in the embodiment described above, as shown in Figure 10B, the earth connection portion 110f connected to the earth is provided at the first end portion 110d of the earth connection terminal 110. However, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to this. The earth connection portion may be located in the part of the earth connection terminal that is arranged inside the casing. For example, the earth connection portion may be provided in the inner portion 110a of the earth connection terminal 110.

[0080] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the earth connection structure is provided in the enclosure of the ventilation device 50 installed on the outdoor unit 30 of the air conditioner 10. However, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to this.

[0081] In other words, the earth connection structure according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, in a broad sense, comprises: a box-shaped casing made of an insulating material and having a vertical wall portion extending in a first direction; a top cover made of a metal material and having a top plate portion disposed on the vertical wall portion of the casing and a vertical wall portion extending from the outer peripheral edge of the top plate portion and located outside the vertical wall portion; an earth connection terminal made of a metal material and provided on the vertical wall portion of the casing and connected to earth; and a screw made of a metal material for fixing the top cover to the casing, wherein the vertical wall portion of the top cover has a through hole through which the screw passes; the vertical wall portion of the casing has a through hole through which the screw that has passed through the through hole of the top cover passes; and the earth connection terminal has a female screw hole that engages with the screw that has passed through the through hole of the vertical wall portion of the casing. [Industrial applicability]

[0082] This disclosure is applicable to any air conditioner that includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 102 Casing 102a Standing wall section 102m through hole 104 Top Cover 104b Hanging wall section 104d through hole 110 Ground connection terminal 110g Female thread hole 112 screws

Claims

1. A box-shaped casing made of insulating material and having vertical walls extending in a first direction, A top cover made of a metal material, comprising a top plate portion positioned on the vertical wall portion of the casing and a vertical wall portion extending from the outer edge of the top plate portion and located outside the vertical wall portion, Made from a metal material, provided on the vertical wall portion of the casing, and having an earth connection terminal connected to the ground, It is made of a metal material and has screws for fixing the top cover to the casing, The vertical wall portion of the top cover is provided with a through hole through which the screw passes, The vertical wall portion of the casing is provided with a through hole through which the screw that has passed through the through hole of the top cover passes, The earth connection terminal is provided with a female threaded hole that engages with the screw that passes through the through hole in the vertical wall portion of the casing, The vertical wall portion of the casing is provided with first, second, and third notches that extend parallel to each other in the first direction, The grounding terminal is S-shaped, passing through the first, second, and third notches when viewed from the first direction. The earth connection terminal includes an inner portion facing the inner surface of the vertical wall, an outer portion facing the outer surface of the vertical wall, a connecting portion that connects the inner portion and the outer portion and passes through the second notch, a first end extending from the outer portion and passing through the first notch, and a second end extending from the inner portion and passing through the third notch. An earth connection structure in which the female screw hole is formed in the inner portion of the earth connection terminal.

2. The earth connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the earth connection terminal is provided with an earth connection portion at the first end that is connected to earth.

3. The earth connection structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the earth connection terminal is provided with a clip portion on its outer portion for clamping the vertical wall portion.

4. The earth connection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the earth connection terminal has an extension that extends from the second end along the outer surface of the vertical wall portion.

5. An outdoor unit of an air conditioner, comprising the earth connection structure described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

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