Air conditioner

Abstract

This air conditioner (1) comprises: a housing (20) accommodating a heat exchanger (11) and a blower (12) therein; a control box (13) which is accommodated inside the housing (20) and to which first wiring (351) inside the housing (20) is connected; a terminal block attachment part (36) to which is attached a terminal block (35) to which the first wiring (351) and second wiring (352) outside of the housing (20) are connected, the terminal block attachment part being removably fixed to the control box (13); and a support component (40) that is removably fixed to the terminal block attachment part (36) and that is for supporting the removed terminal block attachment part (36), wherein the support component (40) has a first portion (42) fixed to the terminal block attachment part (36) removed from the control box (13), and a second portion (43) that is positioned opposite to the first portion (42) and is fixed to the housing (20).

Description

air conditioner

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly to a structure of an air conditioner having a control box.

[0002] In air conditioners, a structure that allows for easy maintenance of electrical components housed in a control box is desirable. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a terminal block mounting portion for mounting a terminal block to the control box is detachably fixed to the control box. With the configuration of Patent Document 1, the control box can be pulled out forward after the terminal block mounting portion is detached from the control box.

[0003] International Publication No. 2022 / 029891

[0004] Although the configuration of Patent Document 1 makes it easy to access the electrical components housed in the control box, the terminal block mounting portion that is removed from the control box must be supported by the worker, which does not make it easy to work with during maintenance.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an air conditioner that improves workability during maintenance.

[0006] The air conditioner of the present disclosure comprises a housing that houses a heat exchanger and a blower inside, a control box that is housed inside the housing and to which a first wiring inside the housing is connected, a terminal block mounting portion that is removably fixed to the control box and that has a terminal block connected to the first wiring and a second wiring outside the housing attached thereto, and a support part that is removably fixed to the terminal block mounting portion and for supporting the terminal block mounting portion when removed, and the support part has a first part that is fixed to the terminal block mounting portion when removed from the control box, and a second part that is located opposite the first part and is fixed to the housing.

[0007] According to the air conditioner of the present disclosure, the removed terminal block mounting portion is supported by a support component having a first portion fixed to the removed terminal block mounting portion and a second portion fixed to the housing, thereby eliminating the need for a worker to support the terminal block mounting portion and improving workability during maintenance.

[0008] 1 is a circuit diagram showing an air conditioner according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an indoor unit according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an indoor unit according to the present embodiment with a front panel removed. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a secondary side region of a heat exchanger according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a control box according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a control box according to the present embodiment with a cover removed. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a control box according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an indoor unit according to the present embodiment with the control box pulled out. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an indoor unit according to the present embodiment with the left side panel opened. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a support component according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the support component according to the present embodiment is fixed to a terminal block mounting component. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which the terminal block mounting component is supported by the support component according to the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a side view showing a state in which the terminal block mounting component according to the present embodiment is inverted. FIG. 13 is a see-through perspective view showing a state in which the terminal block mounting component according to the present embodiment is supported by the support component. FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the terminal block mounting component according to the present embodiment supported by the support component, viewed horizontally. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the terminal block mounting component according to the present embodiment supported by the support component, viewed obliquely from above. 1 is a perspective view showing a left side panel in an open state of a control box according to the present embodiment; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a front panel of the left side panel according to the present embodiment; FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a rear panel of the left side panel according to the present embodiment; and FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the left side panel according to the present embodiment.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of an air conditioner according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below. Furthermore, in the following drawings, including FIG. 1, the size relationships between the components may differ from the actual size relationships. Furthermore, in the following description, terms indicating directions are used as appropriate to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, but these terms are used only to explain the present disclosure and do not limit the present disclosure. Examples of terms indicating directions include "up," "down," "right," "left," "front," and "rear."

[0010] Embodiment. Figure 1 is a circuit diagram showing an air conditioner 1 according to this embodiment. The air conditioner 1 is a device that conditions the air in a space to be air-conditioned, and as shown in Figure 1, is equipped with an outdoor unit 2 and an indoor unit 3. The outdoor unit 2 is equipped with, for example, a compressor 6, a flow path switching device 7, an outdoor heat exchanger 8, an outdoor blower 9, and an expansion section 10. The indoor unit 3 is equipped with, for example, a heat exchanger 11, a blower 12, and a control box 13.

[0011] The refrigerant circuit 4 is configured by connecting a compressor 6, a flow switching device 7, an outdoor heat exchanger 8, an expansion section 10, and a heat exchanger 11 via refrigerant piping 5. The compressor 6 draws in low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant, compresses it, and discharges it as high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant. The compressor 6 is, for example, a capacity-controllable inverter compressor. The flow switching device 7 switches the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 4 and is, for example, a four-way valve. The outdoor heat exchanger 8 exchanges heat between, for example, outdoor air and the refrigerant. The outdoor heat exchanger 8 functions as a condenser during cooling operation and as an evaporator during heating operation. The expansion section 10 is a pressure-reducing valve or expansion valve that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant and expands it. The expansion section 10 is, for example, an electronic expansion valve whose opening is adjustable.

[0012] The heat exchanger 11 exchanges heat between, for example, indoor air and a refrigerant. The heat exchanger 11 acts as an evaporator during cooling operation and as a condenser during heating operation. The blower 12 is a device that sends indoor air to the heat exchanger 11.

[0013] (Operation Modes, Cooling Operation) Next, the operation modes of the air conditioner 1 will be described. First, cooling operation will be described. In cooling operation, the refrigerant drawn into the compressor 6 is compressed by the compressor 6 and discharged in a high-temperature, high-pressure gas state. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 6 passes through the flow switching device 7 and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 8, which functions as a condenser. In the outdoor heat exchanger 8, the refrigerant exchanges heat with outdoor air sent by the outdoor blower 9, condensing and liquefying. The condensed liquid refrigerant flows into the expansion section 10, where it expands and is decompressed to become a low-temperature, low-pressure, two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant. The two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant then flows into the heat exchanger 11, which functions as an evaporator. In the heat exchanger 11, the refrigerant exchanges heat with indoor air sent by the blower 12, evaporating and gasifying. At this time, the indoor air is cooled, and cooling is performed in the room. The evaporated refrigerant in a low-temperature, low-pressure gas state passes through the flow switching device 7 and is sucked into the compressor 6 .

[0014] (Operation Mode, Heating Operation) Next, the heating operation will be described. In the heating operation, the refrigerant drawn into the compressor 6 is compressed by the compressor 6 and discharged in a high-temperature, high-pressure gas state. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 6 passes through the flow path switching device 7 and flows into the heat exchanger 11, which functions as a condenser. In the heat exchanger 11, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the indoor air sent by the blower 12 and condenses to a liquid. At this time, the indoor air is heated, and heating is performed in the room. The condensed liquid refrigerant flows into the expansion section 10, where it expands and decompresses to become a low-temperature, low-pressure, two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant. The two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant then flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 8, which functions as an evaporator. In the outdoor heat exchanger 8, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the outdoor air sent by the outdoor blower 9 and evaporates to a gas. The evaporated low-temperature, low-pressure gas refrigerant passes through the flow path switching device 7 and is drawn into the compressor 6.

[0015] The air conditioner 1 does not necessarily have to have the flow path switching device 7. In this case, the air conditioner 1 becomes a dedicated cooling machine or a dedicated heating machine.

[0016] (Indoor unit 3) Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the indoor unit 3 according to this embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the indoor unit 3 according to this embodiment with the front panel 21 removed. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the indoor unit 3 includes a housing 20 that forms an outer shell, a heat exchanger 11, a blower 12, a drain pan 24 that collects condensed water from the heat exchanger 11, and a control box 13. The indoor unit 3 takes in air from an intake port 21a formed in the front panel 21 of the housing 20 in the direction shown by the white arrows in Figs. 2 and 3. The heat exchanger 11 is disposed inside the intake port 21a.

[0017] An air passage is formed inside the housing 20, extending from an intake port 21a formed in the front panel 21 to an outlet port 23a formed in the top panel 23. Air drawn into the housing 20 passes through the heat exchanger 11, where it is conditioned, and is then blown out from the outlet port 23a formed in the top panel 23 of the housing 20 in the direction indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 3 . Each side of the housing 20 is a side panel 22, and the rear of the housing 20 is a rear panel 25. In the following description, the side of the housing 20 on which the front panel 21 is located is referred to as the front side, and the side facing the front panel 21 is referred to as the rear side. The left and right sides of the housing 20 correspond to the left and right sides of the housing 20 when viewed from the front panel 21. That is, the x direction, which is the positive direction of the x axis, is the right, and the opposite direction along the x axis is the left. The direction parallel to the plane defined by the x and z axes is the horizontal direction, and the y direction is the up direction. The z direction is referred to as the first direction.

[0018] The heat exchanger 11 is located behind the intake port 21a when viewed from the side where the front panel 21 of the housing 20 is located. The blower 12 includes two blowers 12 and is located above the heat exchanger 11, between the outlet 23a and the heat exchanger 11. The blower 12 has a fan 12b (see FIG. 4) and a motor 12c (see FIG. 4) in a fan casing 12a, and the motor 12c is inverter-controlled to drive the fan 12b. Air flowing in through the intake port 21a passes through the heat exchanger 11, which is arranged at an incline inside the housing 20, and flows upward inside the housing 20. The air passing through the heat exchanger 11 flows into the fan casing 12a of the blower 12 and is blown out from the outlet 23a by the fan 12b. The drain pan 24 is located below the heat exchanger 11, which is arranged at an incline inside the housing 20, so as to collect drain water flowing down. In this embodiment, the fan 12b is a sirocco fan.

[0019] 4 is a perspective view showing the secondary side region of the heat exchanger 11 according to this embodiment. Here, the secondary side region of the heat exchanger 11 refers to the region inside the housing 20 where air that has passed through the heat exchanger 11 is present. The primary side region of the heat exchanger 11 refers to the region where air is present before passing through the heat exchanger 11. In other words, the primary side region is the region upstream of the heat exchanger 11 in the air passage inside the housing 20. The secondary side region is the region downstream of the heat exchanger 11 in the air passage inside the housing 20.

[0020] The secondary side region of the heat exchanger 11 is equipped with the motor 12c of the blower 12, the fan 12b directly connected to the motor 12c, and a fan casing 12a fixed to the top plate 23 and surrounding the fan 12b. In this embodiment, two blowers 12 are arranged in the x direction. The control box 13 is arranged alongside the blowers 12 in the horizontal direction, i.e., along the x axis. Because the control box 13 is located to the side of the blowers 12, removing the front plate 21 to perform maintenance around the blowers 12 does not require removing the control box 13 from the air conditioner 1, improving maintenance workability. Furthermore, by protecting the wiring outlet (not shown) of the control box 13 and the motor 12c, the area around the blower 12 can be easily cleaned. In this embodiment, the fan casing 12a is configured to be detachable and separable in the front-to-rear direction of the air conditioner 1, allowing for maintenance such as cleaning of the internal fan 12b. Here, the front-rear direction of the air conditioner 1 is the direction along the z axis shown in FIG.

[0021] A drain pan 24 is disposed in the primary side area of ​​the heat exchanger 11. The heat exchanger 11 and the drain pan 24 are prone to collecting dust and debris due to condensed water. Therefore, the primary side area of ​​the heat exchanger 11 requires frequent cleaning. If the control box 13 is disposed above the drain pan 24 in the primary side area of ​​the heat exchanger 11 in the indoor unit 3, the control box 13 will obstruct cleaning of the heat exchanger 11 and the drain pan 24, making the cleaning process more complicated. Furthermore, if a large amount of cleaning water is splashed on the control box 13 during cleaning, water will seep into the control box 13. This can cause malfunctions of the air conditioner 1, so the control box 13 must be protected before cleaning. The control box 13 according to this embodiment is disposed in the secondary side area rather than the primary side area, which requires frequent cleaning, thereby facilitating maintenance of the air conditioner 1. Furthermore, by disposing the control box 13 in the secondary side area, cooling efficiency can be improved. In addition, the area around the control box 13 is designed to be free of protrusions, which helps prevent professional cleaners from getting injured during maintenance work on the secondary side of the heat exchanger 11, which is the cleaning area.

[0022] (Control Box 13) FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the control box 13 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the control box 13 according to this embodiment with the cover 31 removed. As shown in FIG. 5 , the control box 13 is L-shaped when viewed from the top side of the indoor unit 3. The control box 13 is L-shaped, with the front region in the z direction wider in the x direction than the rear region in the z direction. Therefore, in the control box 13, boards operated on-site where the air conditioner 1 is installed are located on the front side of the control box 13, and boards not operated on-site are located on the rear side. By arranging the boards in this manner inside the control box 13, the control box 13 can be made smaller while ensuring work space on-site. In other words, the air conditioner 1 can achieve space-saving placement of the control box 13 within the housing 20. As shown in FIG. 6 , in this embodiment, the terminal block 35 is located in the front region of the control box 13 in the z direction. The terminal block 35 is connected to first wiring 351 that connects to each board and second wiring 352 (see FIG. 13) that connects to the outside of the control box 13 .

[0023] A heat sink 33 is installed on the side 32 of the control box 13 facing the blower 12. Because the heat sink 33 is installed on the side 32 closest to the blower 12, a portion of the air flowing toward the blower 12 can be directed to the heat sink 33. This allows the inverter board (not shown) installed inside the control box 13 to be cooled. Furthermore, the heat sink 33 can also be cleaned when cleaning the area around the blower 12. This prevents a decrease in cooling effectiveness due to dirt accumulating on the heat sink 33. The box body 30 is formed, for example, by combining sheet metal members. The gaps around the heat sink 33 in the box body 30 are filled with silicone caulking to prevent water from entering. This allows the heat sink 33, which is installed on the outside of the box body 30 made of the combined sheet metal members, to be cleaned. The box body 30 has an opening on the first direction side.

[0024] A slide rail 34 constituting a slide structure is provided at the bottom of the control box 13. The slide structure allows the control box 13 to slide in the front-to-rear direction of the housing 20, that is, along the z-axis.

[0025] The terminal block mounting portion 36 is housed inside the control box 13. The terminal block mounting portion 36 is fixed to the box body 30 with screws and is configured to be detachable from the box body 30. The terminal block mounting portion 36 is a plate-shaped member to which the terminal block 35 is attached. The terminal block 35 connects first wiring 351 extending from circuit boards inside the control box 13 with second wiring 352 outside the housing 20, which is on-site wiring. The terminal block mounting portion 36 is provided with a plurality of wiring inlets 38 that protrude downward. The second wiring 352 is inserted into the wiring inlets 38 and introduced into the inside of the control box 13.

[0026] Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the control box 13 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 7, a support component 40 is fixed to the control box 13. The support component 40 is a component for fixing and supporting the terminal block mounting portion 36 to the housing 20 when the terminal block mounting portion 36 is detached from the box body 30 of the control box 13. The support component 40 is detachably fixed to the control box 13.

[0027] The support component 40 is fastened together with the terminal block mounting portion 36 by a first screw 41 and fixed to the control box 13. The support component 40 is fixed, for example, so as to straddle the left side panel 37 and the terminal block mounting portion 36. There are no limitations on the position at which the support component 40 is fixed, but it is preferable that the support component 40 is fixed to the front side of the control box 13, as this makes it easier for a maintenance worker to remove the support component 40.

[0028] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the indoor unit 3 according to the present embodiment with the control box 13 pulled out. As shown in Fig. 8, the control box 13 can be pulled out in the forward direction of the housing 20 with the front panel 21 removed.

[0029] By configuring the control box 13 to slide in the front-to-rear direction of the housing 20, workers can perform maintenance on the circuit board without removing the control box 13 from the indoor unit 3. In addition, when the front panel 21 of the housing 20 is removed to view the inside of the housing 20, it is possible to clean the area hidden by the control box 13. Furthermore, when the control box 13 is pulled out toward the front in the z direction, the control box 13 can be fixed in place by tightening the screws (not shown) of the slide rails 34 that were loosened earlier. Therefore, there is no need to prepare a separate stand or the like to fix the control box 13 during maintenance.

[0030] When the control box 13 is pulled out, the terminal block mounting portion 36 is detached from the box body 30 of the control box 13. Therefore, the path for pulling out the control box 13 is not obstructed by the terminal block mounting portion 36, and the control box 13 can be pulled out smoothly.

[0031] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the indoor unit 3 according to this embodiment, showing the left side panel 37 in an open state. As shown in FIG. 9 , the left side panel 37 is screwed to the box body 30, and removing the left side panel 37 opens the control box 13. Opening the left side of the control box 13 while the control box 13 is pulled out facilitates access to the circuit boards inside the control box 13, improving maintenance workability. Sealing materials (not shown) are affixed to the mating surfaces between the terminal block mounting portion 36 of the control box 13 and the box body 30, the mating surfaces between the left side panel 37 and the box body 30, and the mating surfaces between the cover 31 and the box body 30. The sealing materials prevent water from entering the control box 13 even if water splashes on the control box 13 when cleaning the blower 12. A rubber bushing shaped to encase the wiring is provided in the wiring inlet 38 of the control box 13. The rubber bushing through which the wiring is passed is bound from its outer periphery with a binding member, thereby preventing water, dust, etc. from entering the control box 13 through the wiring intake 38.

[0032] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a support component 40 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10 , the support component 40 is a plate-shaped member including a first portion 42, a second portion 43, and a connecting portion 44 connecting the first portion 42 and the second portion 43. The connecting portion 44 extends in a direction intersecting the first portion 42 and the second portion 43, e.g., the y direction. The first portion 42 and the second portion 43 extend parallel to each other and in opposite directions, e.g., the x direction, from both edges of the connecting portion 44. The support component 40 has a Z-shaped cross section formed by the first portion 42, the second portion 43, and the connecting portion 44. The support component 40 is formed, for example, by bending a rectangular metal sheet. A first pothole 45 is formed in the first portion 42. A second pothole 46 is formed in the second portion 43. The first potentiometer 45 is a hole where a small diameter hole and a large diameter hole are connected in the x direction when the first part 42 extends in the z direction from the connecting part 44. The second potentiometer 46 is a hole where a small diameter hole and a large diameter hole are connected in the x direction when the second part 43 extends in the z direction from the connecting part 44.

[0033] Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which the support component 40 according to this embodiment is fixed to the terminal block mounting portion 36. Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the terminal block mounting portion 36 is supported by the support component 40 according to this embodiment. The procedure for supporting the terminal block mounting portion 36 by the support component 40 will be described using Figs. 11 and 12. The terminal block mounting portion 36 is removed from the control box 13 before the control box 13 is pulled out during maintenance work.

[0034] 11 and 12 , when the terminal block mounting portion 36 is removed from the control box 13, the support part 40 is first removed from the control box 13. Specifically, the first screw 41 that secures the support part 40 to the box body 30 of the control box 13 is unscrewed. The first screw 41 is part of the fixing screws that secure the terminal block mounting portion 36 to the box body 30. Next, the first screw 41 is temporarily fastened to the front end of the terminal block mounting portion 36.

[0035] Next, the first pothole 45 of the first portion 42 is hooked onto the first screw 41, and the support component 40 is temporarily fixed to the terminal block mounting portion 36. Then, the first screw 41 is tightened, and the support component 40 is fixed to the terminal block mounting portion 36.

[0036] Next, the fixing screws that fix the terminal block mounting portion 36 to the box body 30 are released, and the terminal block mounting portion 36 is removed from the box body 30 together with the support part 40. For example, two fixing screws are provided on the rear side of the terminal block mounting portion 36 on the box body 30.

[0037] Next, the second slot 46 of the second portion 43 of the support component 40 is hooked onto the second screw 47. The second screw 47 is temporarily fastened to the frame that constitutes the housing 20. The second screw 47 is located below the slide rail 34 of the control box 13.

[0038] Next, the support component 40 is temporarily fixed to the housing 20. Specifically, the terminal block mounting portion 36 is turned upside down, and the support component 40 is positioned on the housing 20 side with respect to the terminal block mounting portion 36 and temporarily fixed thereto. Next, the second screw 47 is tightened, and the terminal block mounting portion 36 is fixed to the housing 20 in the turned-over state by the support component 40.

[0039] As a result, the terminal block mounting portion 36 removed from the box body 30 is supported on the housing 20 by the support component 40. The terminal block mounting portion 36 removed from the box body 30 will not fall and does not need to be held by an operator, improving the workability of maintenance. Furthermore, the support component 40 for holding the terminal block mounting portion 36 does not have a structure that protrudes into the cleaning area outside the control box 13, preventing injury to operators during cleaning work.

[0040] Fig. 13 is a side view showing the terminal block mounting portion 36 according to this embodiment in an inverted state. As shown in Fig. 13, the terminal block mounting portion 36 is rotated and inverted in the direction of arrow A, that is, in the direction in which the upper portion is tilted forward. The control box 13 is then pulled out in the direction of the outline arrow B. By removing the terminal block mounting portion 36 and hooking it onto the support component 40, the terminal block mounting portion 36 is retracted from the pull-out path of the control box 13 and is fixed in a position where it does not interfere with the pull-out operation of the control box 13.

[0041] Because the second wiring 352, which is the on-site wiring, is connected to the terminal block mounting portion 36, if the terminal block mounting portion 36 is not flipped over, the on-site wiring cannot be moved freely after removal unless there is excess length, and this would interfere with the pull-out work. By flipping the terminal block mounting portion 36 downward, the excess length of the on-site wiring is shortened, and the pull-out work of the control box 13 can be easily performed.

[0042] When the terminal block mounting portion 36 is removed from the control box 13 and turned over, the second wiring 352 extends below the control box 13. The second wiring 352, which is the on-site wiring, passes below the path along which the control box 13 is pulled out, so that the second wiring 352 does not interfere with the operation of pulling out the control box 13.

[0043] Fig. 14 is a see-through perspective view showing the state in which the terminal block mounting portion 36 according to this embodiment is supported by the support component 40. Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the terminal block mounting portion 36 according to this embodiment is supported by the support component 40, as viewed in the horizontal direction of the terminal block mounting portion 36. Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing the state in which the terminal block mounting portion 36 according to this embodiment is supported by the support component 40, as viewed obliquely from above.

[0044] 14, 15, and 16, the support component 40 has a Z-shape. In the first portion 42, the first screw 41 is inserted into the first pot hole 45 from the connecting portion 44 side and fastened. Therefore, when the first screw 41 is hooked into the first pot hole 45, the worker can visually check the temporarily fastened first screw 41 from above, and after the first screw 41 is hooked, the worker can tighten the screw from above with a screwdriver, making the work easy.

[0045] In the second portion 43, the second screw 47 is inserted into the second pot hole 46 from the connecting portion 44 side and fastened. After the terminal block mounting portion 36 is inverted, when the second screw 47 is hooked into the second pot hole 46, the worker can hook the second screw 47 while visually checking the temporarily fastened second screw 47 from above. After the second screw 47 is hooked, it can be tightened from above with a screwdriver.

[0046] Since the support part 40 has a Z-shape, the advancing direction of the first screw 41 and the advancing direction of the second screw 47 are opposite to each other, ensuring visibility during maintenance and improving workability.

[0047] FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the left side panel 37 in the open state of the control box 13 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17 , the left side panel 37 is composed of a front panel 71 and a rear panel 72. Of the left side panel 37, the front panel 71 is removable. The front panel 71 is fixed to the rear panel 72 with screws and also to the top and bottom panels (not shown) of the box body 30. The front panel 71 can be removed from the box body 30 by releasing the screws from outside the box body 30. When the front panel 71 is removed from the box body 30, the front end is rotated 90 degrees around the rear end to open the front panel.

[0048] Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing a front panel 71 of the left side panel 37 according to this embodiment. Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing a rear panel 72 of the left side panel 37 according to this embodiment. Fig. 20 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the left side panel 37 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figs. 18, 19, and 20, a protrusion 711 is formed on the front panel 71, and a bent portion 722 is formed on the rear panel 72.

[0049] The protrusions 711 of the front panel 71 and the bent portions 722 of the rear panel 72 are structured to engage with each other. When the front panel 71 is in the open state, the protrusions 711 are hooked onto the bent portions 722 of the rear panel 72, maintaining the open state. Maintaining the open state of the front panel 71 eliminates the need for an operator to hold onto the removed front panel 71 or to disconnect a relay connector (not shown) connected to the front panel 71, and also makes it easier to access the circuit boards inside the control box 13.

[0050] The protrusion 711 is provided on one of the longitudinally extending end faces of the front panel 71 that is located on the rear panel 72 side. The protrusion 711 is a portion that extends in a planar direction from the end face of the front panel 71, for example, in a rectangular shape. The protrusion 711 has an inverted U-shaped notch 71a with an opening facing downward. The number of protrusions 711 is not particularly limited, and for example, two protrusions 711 may be formed in the vertical direction.

[0051] The folding portion 722 is provided on one of the longitudinally extending end faces of the rear panel 72 that is located on the front panel 71 side. A shoulder screw 72a is attached to the folding portion 722 so as to penetrate the folding portion 722. The notch 71a of the protrusion 711 of the shoulder screw 72a engages with the folding portion 722, thereby engaging the front panel 71 with the rear panel 72 and maintaining the front panel 71 in an open state. Being able to maintain the front panel 71 in an open state eliminates the need to detach the relay connector when removing the front panel 71, facilitating maintenance such as maintenance and inspection of the interior of the board or replacement of the board. Like the protrusions 711, the number of folding portions 722 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that it be the same as the number of protrusions 711.

[0052] The bent portion 722 and the protrusion 711 are formed at different positions in the height direction. That is, the protrusion 711 is formed at a distance D1 from the top end of the front panel 71, and the bent portion 722 is formed at a distance D2 from the top end of the rear panel 72, where the distance D1 is smaller than the distance D2. When the front panel 71 is in the closed state, the bent portion 722 is located below the protrusion 711. Therefore, when the front panel 71 is removed from the box body 30, it hooks onto the rear panel 72 at a height lower than its position in the closed state, maintaining the front panel 71 in the open state. Because the top of the control box 13 has a roof, even if the front panel 71 is rotated to the same height as the rear panel 72, it interferes with the roof and cannot be rotated. Because the protrusion 711 is formed at a position lower than the bent portion 722, the front panel 71 can rotate without interference from the roof of the control box 13, maintaining the front panel 71 in the open state.

[0053] The bent portion 722 has a shape in which the portion extending from the end face is bent toward the inside of the control box 13 and in a direction intersecting the surface direction of the rear panel 72. Furthermore, the protrusion 711 extends along the surface direction of the end face of the front panel 71. Therefore, neither the protrusion 711 nor the bent portion 722 has a protruding structure that protrudes into the cleaning area outside the control box 13, which prevents the worker from getting injured during work.

[0054] According to the air conditioner 1 of the present embodiment described above, when the terminal block mounting portion 36 is removed from the control box 13, the terminal block mounting portion 36 removed from the control box 13 is supported by the support component 40 having the first portion 42 and the second portion 43 and fixed to the housing 20. Therefore, when the terminal block is removed during maintenance, the worker does not need to support the removed terminal block mounting portion 36 while performing the work, which improves workability during maintenance.

[0055] Furthermore, the support component 40 is fastened to the control box 13 by the first screw 41 that fastens the terminal block mounting portion 36 to the control box 13. The support component 40 can be removed from the control box 13 by releasing the fastening of the first screw 41, so there is no need to perform an additional operation to remove the support component 40.

[0056] Furthermore, since the terminal block mounting portion 36 is fixed to the housing 20 upside down, the wires extending from the terminal block 35 are not pulled excessively, and there is no need to leave excess wire length.

[0057] Furthermore, when the terminal block mounting portion 36 is removed from the control box 13, the second wiring 352 extends below the control box 13, so that the on-site wiring passes below the path along which the control box 13 is pulled out and does not interfere with the operation of pulling out the control box 13.

[0058] The direction of advancement of the second screw 47 is parallel to and opposite to the direction of advancement of the first screw 41. Therefore, when fixing the first part 42 to the terminal block mounting portion 36, the first screw 41 can be fastened with a screwdriver while being visually checked from above. Furthermore, when fixing the second part 43 to the housing 20 after the terminal block mounting portion 36 has been inverted, the second screw 47 can also be fastened with a screwdriver while being visually checked from above.

[0059] Furthermore, by hooking the second screw 47 into the second bellows hole 46 of the second part 43, the terminal block mounting part 36 can be temporarily fixed to the housing 20, so that the terminal block mounting part 36 can be prevented from falling even if the hand is removed from the terminal block mounting part 36 during work.

[0060] Furthermore, since the support part 40 has a Z-shape, when fixing the first part 42 to the terminal block mounting portion 36 and when fixing the second part 43 to the housing 20, the first screw 41 and the second screw 47 can each be screwed in with a screwdriver while being visually inspected from above.

[0061] Furthermore, the control box 13 can be moved horizontally due to its sliding structure, so that the control box 13 can be pulled out from the housing 20 and maintenance can be easily performed.

[0062] Furthermore, when the terminal block mounting portion 36 is removed from the control box 13, it is fixed at a position below the control box 13, so the path for pulling out the control box 13 is not obstructed, making maintenance easier.

[0063] Furthermore, the left side panel 37 has an openable front panel 71 and a rear panel 72. When the front panel 71 is in the open position, a protrusion 711 of the front panel 71 engages with a bent portion 722 of the rear panel 72, thereby holding the front panel 71 in the open position. By holding the front panel 71 in the open position, it is not necessary to remove the relay connector from the front panel 71, and the worker does not need to keep the front panel 71 in the open position, which facilitates maintenance and inspection of the inside of the board, or maintenance such as replacing the board, and improves workability.

[0064] Furthermore, since the protrusion 711 is positioned above the bent portion 722, the front panel 71 is held in an open state below the rear panel 72, so that even if there is a roof on top of the control box 13, interference between the front panel 71 and the roof of the control box 13 can be prevented.

[0065] Furthermore, since the bent portion 722 is bent inside the control box 13 and in a direction that intersects with the surface of the rear panel 72, no protruding structure is provided in the cleaning area of ​​the air conditioner 1, ensuring the safety of workers.

[0066] Furthermore, by inserting the shoulder screw 72a of the bent portion 722 into the notch 71a of the protrusion portion 711, the front panel 71 can be held in the open state, making it easy to perform maintenance such as maintenance and inspection of the inside of the board or replacement of the board.

[0067] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Air conditioner, 2 Outdoor unit, 3 Indoor unit, 4 Refrigerant circuit, 5 Refrigerant piping, 6 Compressor, 7 Flow path switching device, 8 Outdoor heat exchanger, 9 Outdoor blower, 10 Expansion section, 11 Heat exchanger, 12 Blower, 12a Fan casing, 12b Fan, 12c Motor, 13 Control box, 20 Housing, 21 Front plate, 21a Intake port, 22 Side panel, 23 Top plate, 23a Outlet, 24 Drain pan, 25 Rear panel, 30 Box body, 31 Cover, 32 Side, 33 Heat sink, 34 Slide rail, 35 Terminal block, 36 Terminal block mounting portion, 37 Left side panel, 38 Wiring inlet, 40 Support part, 41 First screw, 42 First part, 43 Second part, 44 Connection part, 45 First keyhole, 46 Second keyhole, 47 Second screw, 71 Front panel, 71a Notch, 72 Rear panel, 72a Shoulder screw, 351 First wiring, 352 Second wiring, 711 Protrusion, 722 Bent portion.

Claims

1. A housing that houses a heat exchanger and a blower therein; a control box accommodated inside the housing and connected to a first wiring inside the housing; a terminal block mounting portion to which a terminal block is attached, the terminal block being connected to the first wiring and a second wiring outside the housing, the terminal block mounting portion being removably fixed to the control box; a support part that is removably fixed to the terminal block mounting part and that supports the terminal block mounting part when removed; Equipped with The support part is a first portion fixed to the terminal block mounting portion detached from the control box; a second portion located opposite the first portion and fixed to the housing; having The terminal block mounting portion is fastened together with the control box by a first screw that fixes the terminal block mounting portion to the control box. Air conditioner.

2. When the terminal block mounting portion is removed from the control box, it is fixed to the housing upside down. The air conditioner according to claim 1.

3. The second wiring extends below the control box when the terminal block mounting portion is removed from the control box.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a second screw for fixing the second portion to the housing; When the terminal block mounting portion is removed from the control box, The second screw is fixed to the support part so that the direction of advance of the second screw is parallel to and opposite to the direction of advance of the first screw.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The second portion has a hole formed therein, the hole being a small diameter hole and a large diameter hole connected to each other. The second screw attached to the housing is hooked into the pot hole, and the terminal block attachment portion is temporarily fixed to the housing. The air conditioner according to claim 4.

6. The support part has a Z-shape.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The control box includes: Equipped with a sliding structure that can move horizontally 3. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The terminal block is fixed so as to be located below the control box when removed from the control box.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2.

9. Further, a side panel for covering a side surface of the control box is provided. The side panel includes: The seat cover has a front panel that is openable and closable and covers a front side of the side surface, and a rear panel that covers a rear side of the side surface, the front panel has a protrusion formed on a rear end surface of the front panel, The rear panel has a bent portion formed on a front end surface of the rear panel, with which the protrusion of the front panel in an open state is engaged.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The protrusion is In the vertical direction of the side panel, It is formed to be located above the bent portion. The air conditioner according to claim 9.

11. The bent portion is bent inside the control box in a direction intersecting the plane of the rear panel. The air conditioner according to claim 9.

12. The protrusion has a U-shaped notch formed therein, The folding portion has a shoulder screw that is inserted into the notch when the front panel is in an open state. The air conditioner according to claim 9.

13. A housing containing a heat exchanger and a blower therein; a control box accommodated inside the housing and connected to a first wiring inside the housing; a terminal block mounting portion to which a terminal block is attached, the terminal block being connected to the first wiring and a second wiring outside the housing, the terminal block mounting portion being removably fixed to the control box; a support part that is removably fixed to the terminal block mounting part and that supports the terminal block mounting part when removed; A side panel covering a side of the control box; Equipped with The support part is a first portion fixed to the terminal block mounting portion detached from the control box; a second portion located opposite the first portion and fixed to the housing; having The side panel includes: The seat cover has a front panel that is openable and closable and covers a front side of the side surface, and a rear panel that covers a rear side of the side surface, the front panel has a protrusion formed on a rear end surface of the front panel, the rear panel has a bent portion formed on a front end surface of the rear panel and into which the protrusion of the front panel in an open state is engaged; The protrusion has a U-shaped notch formed therein, The folding portion has a shoulder screw that is inserted into the notch when the front panel is in an open state. Air conditioner.