Heat exchange unit and air conditioner

Abstract

Provided is a heat exchange unit wherein: a housing has a facing wall part disposed so as to face a heat exchanger; the heat exchanger has a plurality of heat transfer tubes that extend in a first direction, which is inclined with respect to the facing wall part, and that are arranged so as to be spaced in a second direction, which is orthogonal to the first direction, and corrugated fins that are positioned between the heat transfer tubes adjacent to each other in the second direction; the end of each of the heat transfer tubes on a first side in the first direction is disposed closer to a blower than the end of that heat transfer tube on a second side, which is opposite to the first side in the first direction; between the heat transfer tubes adjacent to each other in the second direction, air flows from one side to another in a third direction, which is orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction; the corrugated fins each have a plurality of plate-shaped parts which are spaced in the first direction; in at least one of the plurality of plate-shaped parts, a first guide plate part inclined with respect to the third direction is formed; and the first guide plate part is formed at the end of the at least one plate-shaped part on the one side in the third direction, and is positioned increasingly further to the first side in a direction toward the one side in the third direction.

Description

Heat exchange unit and air conditioner

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heat exchange unit and an air conditioner.

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Heat exchangers provided with corrugated fins are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a heat exchanger provided in an air conditioner as such a heat exchanger.

[0003] JP 2012-154501 A

[0004] The heat exchanger described above may be installed inside the housing of a heat exchange unit, such as an indoor unit of an air conditioner, at an angle relative to the housing. In such cases, air sent from a fan installed inside the housing may flow in at an angle relative to the heat exchanger, causing turbulence in the air flow. This turbulence may then generate noise.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, one object of the present disclosure is to provide a heat exchange unit that can suppress the generation of noise, and an air conditioner that includes such a heat exchange unit.

[0006] One aspect of a heat exchange unit according to the present disclosure includes a housing, a heat exchanger housed inside the housing, and a blower housed inside the housing and generating a flow of air passing through the heat exchanger, wherein the housing has an opposing wall portion disposed opposite the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger having a plurality of heat transfer tubes extending in a first direction inclined with respect to the opposing wall portion and arranged side by side at intervals in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and corrugated fins located between the heat transfer tubes adjacent to each other in the second direction, and wherein ends of the heat transfer tubes on a first side in the first direction are corrugated fins of the heat transfer tubes. The corrugated fin is positioned closer to the blower than the end of a second side opposite to the first side in the first direction, and the air flows from one side to the other in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction between the heat transfer tubes adjacent to each other in the second direction, the corrugated fin has a plurality of plate-shaped portions spaced apart in the first direction, and at least one of the plurality of plate-shaped portions has a first guide plate portion that is inclined with respect to the third direction, and the first guide plate portion is formed at the end of the plate-shaped portion on one side and is positioned on the first side as it moves toward the one side.

[0007] One aspect of an air conditioner according to the present disclosure includes the heat exchange unit described above.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, noise generation in a heat exchange unit can be suppressed.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a general configuration of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an indoor unit according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a part of the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a part of the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the heat exchanger according to Embodiment 4. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an indoor unit according to Embodiment 5. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of a heat exchanger in a conventional indoor unit.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments and can be modified as desired within the scope of the technical concept of the present disclosure. In addition, in the following drawings, the scale and number of each structure may differ from the scale and number of the actual structure to make each configuration easier to understand. In each of the following embodiments, a case will be described in which the heat exchange unit of the present disclosure is used as an indoor unit of an air conditioner.

[0011] The drawings also show the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis as appropriate. The X-axis indicates one of the horizontal directions. The Y-axis indicates the other of the horizontal directions. The Z-axis indicates the vertical direction. In the following description, the horizontal direction along the X-axis is referred to as the "front-rear direction X," the horizontal direction along the Y-axis is referred to as the "left-right direction Y," and the vertical direction along the Z-axis is referred to as the "vertical direction Z." The front-rear direction X, left-right direction Y, and vertical direction Z are perpendicular to one another. The side of the vertical direction Z toward which the Z-axis arrow points (+Z side) is the upper side, and the side of the vertical direction Z opposite to the side toward which the Z-axis arrow points (-Z side) is the lower side. In the following description, the side of the front-rear direction X toward which the X-axis arrow points (+X side) is referred to as the "front side," and the side of the front-rear direction X opposite to the side toward which the X-axis arrow points (-X side) is referred to as the "rear side."

[0012] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of an air conditioner 100 in Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 1, the air conditioner 100 includes an outdoor unit 10, an indoor unit 20, and a refrigerant circuit section 18 that connects the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20. The outdoor unit 10 is located outdoors. The indoor unit 20 is located indoors. The outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 are connected to each other by the refrigerant circuit section 18, through which refrigerant 19 circulates. The outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 are heat exchange units that exchange heat with air 91.

[0013] The air conditioner 100 can adjust the temperature of the indoor air 91 by exchanging heat between the refrigerant 19 flowing through the refrigerant circuit 18 and the air 91 in the room where the indoor unit 20 is located. Examples of the refrigerant 19 include fluorine-based refrigerants or hydrocarbon-based refrigerants with low global warming potential (GWP). Examples of the refrigerant 19 include a single refrigerant selected from R1234yf, R1234ze, R32, and R290, a mixture of two or more of these refrigerants, or a mixture of any of these refrigerants with another refrigerant. Examples of the refrigerant 19 include a mixture of R1132(E) and R1123. Examples of refrigerant 19 include a mixed refrigerant of R516A, R445A, R444A, R454C, R444B, R454A, R455A, R457A, R459B, R452B, R454B, R447B, R447A, R446A, and R459A. The density of refrigerant 19 in gaseous form is greater than the density of air 91.

[0014] The outdoor unit 10 has a housing 11, a compressor 12, a heat exchanger 13, a flow rate adjustment valve 14, a blower 15, a four-way valve 16, and a control unit 17. The housing 11 houses the compressor 12, the heat exchanger 13, the flow rate adjustment valve 14, the blower 15, the four-way valve 16, and the control unit 17.

[0015] The compressor 12, the heat exchanger 13, the flow rate control valve 14, and the four-way valve 16 are provided in a portion of the refrigerant circuit unit 18 that is located inside the housing 11. The compressor 12, the heat exchanger 13, the flow rate control valve 14, and the four-way valve 16 are connected by a portion of the refrigerant circuit unit 18 that is located inside the housing 11.

[0016] The four-way valve 16 is provided in a portion of the refrigerant circuit unit 18 that is connected to the discharge side of the compressor 12. The four-way valve 16 switches some of the paths in the refrigerant circuit unit 18, thereby reversing the direction of the refrigerant 19 flowing through the refrigerant circuit unit 18. When the paths connected by the four-way valve 16 are the paths shown by solid lines on the four-way valve 16 in Fig. 1, the refrigerant 19 flows through the refrigerant circuit unit 18 in the direction shown by the solid arrows in Fig. 1. On the other hand, when the paths connected by the four-way valve 16 are the paths shown by dashed lines on the four-way valve 16 in Fig. 1, the refrigerant 19 flows through the refrigerant circuit unit 18 in the direction shown by the dashed arrows in Fig. 1.

[0017] The indoor unit 20 includes a housing 21, a heat exchanger 30, and a blower 23. The housing 21 houses the heat exchanger 30 and the blower 23. The indoor unit 20 is capable of cooling operation to cool the air 91 in the room where the indoor unit 20 is located, and heating operation to warm the air 91 in the room where the indoor unit 20 is located.

[0018] When the indoor unit 20 is in cooling operation, the refrigerant 19 flowing through the refrigerant circuit 18 flows in the direction shown by the solid arrow in Fig. 1. In other words, when the indoor unit 20 is in cooling operation, the refrigerant 19 flowing through the refrigerant circuit 18 circulates through the compressor 12, the heat exchanger 13 of the outdoor unit 10, the flow control valve 14, and the heat exchanger 30 of the indoor unit 20 in that order, before returning to the compressor 12. During cooling operation, the heat exchanger 13 in the outdoor unit 10 functions as a condenser, and the heat exchanger 30 in the indoor unit 20 functions as an evaporator.

[0019] On the other hand, when the indoor unit 20 is in heating operation, the refrigerant 19 flowing through the refrigerant circuit 18 flows in the direction shown by the dashed line in Fig. 1. In other words, when the indoor unit 20 is in heating operation, the refrigerant 19 flowing through the refrigerant circuit 18 circulates through the compressor 12, the heat exchanger 30 of the indoor unit 20, the flow control valve 14, and the heat exchanger 13 of the outdoor unit 10 in that order, before returning to the compressor 12. During heating operation, the heat exchanger 13 in the outdoor unit 10 functions as an evaporator, and the heat exchanger 30 in the indoor unit 20 functions as a condenser.

[0020] Next, the indoor unit 20 will be described in more detail. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the indoor unit 20. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the heat exchanger 30. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a part of the heat exchanger 30. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the heat exchanger 30.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 2, in the first embodiment, the indoor unit 20 is a floor-standing indoor unit. The indoor unit 20 is installed on a floor surface FS. The housing 21 of the indoor unit 20 is a substantially rectangular box shape that is long in the vertical direction Z. The housing 21 has a front wall portion 21a located on the front side (+X side) and a rear wall portion 21b located on the rear side (-X side). An intake port 20a is formed in a lower portion of the front wall portion 21a. An exhaust port 20b is formed in an upper portion of the front wall portion 21a.

[0022] The rear wall portion 21b is plate-shaped with its plate surface facing the front-rear direction X. The plate surface of the rear wall portion 21b is perpendicular to the front-rear direction X. The rear wall portion 21b extends in the vertical direction Z. The rear wall portion 21b is located rearward (negative X side) of the heat exchanger 30 and the blower 23. In the first embodiment, the rear wall portion 21b corresponds to an "opposing wall portion" that is disposed opposite the heat exchanger 30. The rear wall portion 21b is disposed opposite the heat exchanger 30 in the front-rear direction X.

[0023] The blower 23 is housed inside the housing 21. In the first embodiment, the blower 23 is located in the rear (-X side) portion of the lower portion of the interior of the housing 21. The blower 23 is, for example, a centrifugal fan. The blower 23 has a case 23c and an impeller 23d housed inside the case 23c. The impeller 23d is rotatable about a rotation axis R extending in the front-rear direction X. The impeller 23d is rotated about the rotation axis R by a motor (not shown). An intake port 23a opening to the front is formed in the wall on the front side (+X side) of the case 23c. The intake port 23a is positioned opposite the rear side (-X side) of the intake port 20a formed in the housing 21. The case 23c is formed with an outlet port 23b opening to the upper side. The blower 23 rotates the impeller 23d about the rotation axis R by a motor (not shown), thereby generating a flow of air 91 that passes through the heat exchanger 30. The air 91 in the room flows into the housing 21 through the air inlet 20a, passes through the blower 23 and the heat exchanger 30 in this order, and is blown out into the room through the air outlet 20b.

[0024] The heat exchanger 30 is housed inside the housing 21. In the first embodiment, the heat exchanger 30 is located in an upper portion inside the housing 21. The heat exchanger 30 is located above the blower 23. A drain pan 24 is disposed below the heat exchanger 30. The drain pan 24 is located forward (on the +X side) of the blower 23.

[0025] 3 , the heat exchanger 30 includes a heat exchanger body 30a, a first collecting pipe 32, and a second collecting pipe 33. The heat exchanger body 30a is a portion where heat exchange occurs between the refrigerant 19 and air 91. The heat exchanger 30 is capable of exchanging heat between the refrigerant 19 flowing inside the heat exchanger body 30a and the air 91 passing through the heat exchanger body 30a. The heat exchanger body 30a includes a plurality of heat transfer tubes 31 and corrugated fins 40.

[0026] The heat transfer tubes 31 are tubular members through which the refrigerant 19 flows. As shown in FIG. 2 , the heat transfer tubes 31 extend in a direction inclined relative to the rear wall portion 21b. In the following description, the direction in which the heat transfer tubes 31 extend is referred to as the "extension direction Dz." The extension direction Dz is indicated by an arrow in the drawings as appropriate. The arrow indicating the extension direction Dz points upward and rearward (toward the -X side). The side of the extension direction Dz toward which the arrow points (the +Dz side) is referred to as the "upper extension direction," and the side of the extension direction Dz opposite to the side toward which the arrow points (the -Dz side) is referred to as the "lower extension direction." In the first embodiment, the extension direction Dz corresponds to the "first direction," the lower extension direction side (the -Dz side) corresponds to the "first side," and the upper extension direction side (the +Dz side) corresponds to the "second side." The extension direction Dz is inclined at an angle α1 with respect to the vertical direction Z. The angle α1 is the angle formed between the rear wall portion 21b and the heat transfer tube 31. The angle α1 is an acute angle. In the first embodiment, the angle α1 is greater than 0° and equal to or less than 45°.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3 , the heat transfer tubes 31 are arranged side by side at intervals in the left-right direction Y. The heat transfer tubes 31 are arranged at equal intervals in the left-right direction Y. In the first embodiment, the left-right direction Y corresponds to a "second direction" perpendicular to the first direction in which the heat transfer tubes 31 extend. In the following description, a direction perpendicular to both the first direction in which the heat transfer tubes 31 extend and the second direction in which the heat transfer tubes 31 are arranged is referred to as the "width direction Dx." The width direction Dx is indicated by an arrow as appropriate in the drawings. As shown in FIG. 2 , the arrow indicating the width direction Dx points to the front (+X side) and upward. The side of the width direction Dx toward which the arrow points (+Dx side) is referred to as the "front width direction side," and the side of the width direction Dx opposite to the side toward which the arrow points (-Dx side) is referred to as the "rear width direction side." In the first embodiment, the width direction Dx corresponds to the “third direction,” the rear side in the width direction (−Dx side) corresponds to “one side in the third direction,” and the front side in the width direction (+Dx side) corresponds to “the other side in the third direction.” The rear side in the width direction is the upstream side in the flow direction when the air 91 passes through the heat exchanger 30, and the front side in the width direction is the downstream side in the flow direction when the air 91 passes through the heat exchanger 30.

[0028] The heat transfer tubes 31 are open on both sides in the extension direction Dz. As shown in FIG. 3 , in the first embodiment, the dimension of the heat transfer tube 31 in the left-right direction Y is smaller than the dimension of the heat transfer tube 31 in the width direction Dx. In the first embodiment, the heat transfer tubes 31 are flat tubes. As shown in FIG. 4 , each heat transfer tube 31 has a plurality of flow paths 31c formed therein, arranged in the width direction Dx, through which the refrigerant 19 flows. The number of flow paths 31c formed within one heat transfer tube 31 is not particularly limited. Each flow path 31c extends in the direction in which the heat transfer tube 31 extends, i.e., in the extension direction Dz. The plurality of flow paths 31c are formed by partitioning the interior of the heat transfer tube 31 in the width direction Dx. The heat transfer tubes 31 are made of a material such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, for example.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2 , the first end 31a, which is the end of the heat transfer tube 31 on the lower side (−Dz side) in the extension direction, is positioned closer to the blower 23 than the second end 31b, which is the end of the heat transfer tube 31 on the upper side (+Dz side) in the extension direction. In other words, the shortest distance between the first end 31a of the heat transfer tube 31 and the blower 23 is shorter than the shortest distance between the second end 31b of the heat transfer tube 31 and the blower 23. The first end 31a is positioned further forward in the front-to-rear direction X (+X side) and lower in the vertical direction Z than the second end 31b. As shown in FIG. 3 , the first end 31a of each of the heat transfer tubes 31 is connected to a first collecting pipe 32. The second end 31b of each of the heat transfer tubes 31 is connected to a second collecting pipe 33.

[0030] The first collecting pipe 32 and the second collecting pipe 33 are tubular members extending in the left-right direction Y. The interior of the first collecting pipe 32 and the interior of the second collecting pipe 33 are connected by a plurality of flow paths 31c formed in each heat transfer pipe 31. The refrigerant 19 that flows into one of the first collecting pipe 32 and the second collecting pipe 33 flows into the other of the first collecting pipe 32 and the second collecting pipe 33 via the plurality of flow paths 31c. As shown in FIG. 2 , the first collecting pipe 32 is located forward (+X side) in the front-rear direction X and lower in the vertical direction Z than the second collecting pipe 33. A drain pan 24 is located below the first collecting pipe 32. The first collecting pipe 32 is the end of the heat exchanger 30 on the lower side (-Dz side) in the extension direction and the lower end in the vertical direction Z.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 3, the corrugated fins 40 are located between the heat transfer tubes 31 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction Y. The corrugated fins 40 are respectively arranged between the heat transfer tubes 31 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction Y. Each of the multiple corrugated fins 40 extends in the extension direction Dz as a whole. The corrugated fins 40 are formed by bending a metal plate member so as to form a substantially rectangular wave shape progressing in the extension direction Dz when viewed in the width direction Dx.

[0032] The corrugated fin 40 has a plurality of plate-like portions 41 spaced apart in the extension direction Dz. The plate-like portions 41 are generally shaped like plates with their plate surfaces facing the extension direction Dz. One end of each of the plate-like portions 41 in the left-right direction Y adjacent to each other in the extension direction Dz is connected by a connecting portion 47a or a connecting portion 47b. The connecting portions 47a and 47b are plate-like with their plate surfaces facing the left-right direction Y. The connecting portion 47a connects the ends of the plate-like portions 41 adjacent to each other in the extension direction Dz on one side (+Y side) in the left-right direction Y. The connecting portion 47b connects the ends of the plate-like portions 41 adjacent to each other in the extension direction Dz on the other side (-Y side) in the left-right direction Y. The connecting portions 47a and 47b are alternately arranged in the extension direction Dz. The connecting portion 47a is fixed to the heat transfer tube 31 located on one side of the corrugated fin 40 in the left-right direction Y. The connecting portion 47b is fixed to the heat transfer tube 31 located on the other side of the corrugated fin 40 in the left-right direction Y. The connecting portions 47a and 47b are fixed to the heat transfer tube 31 by brazing, for example.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4 , each of the plurality of plate-like portions 41 includes a base 42, a plurality of first blade portions 43, a plurality of second blade portions 44, and a first guide plate portion 45. The base 42 is a portion of the plate-like portion 41 other than the portions where the plurality of first blade portions 43, the plurality of second blade portions 44, and the first guide plate portion 45 are formed. The base 42 is a plate-like portion whose plate surface faces the extension direction Dz. The plate surface of the base 42 is, for example, a flat surface perpendicular to the extension direction Dz. Note that at least a portion of the plate surface of the base 42 does not have to be a flat surface perpendicular to the extension direction Dz. The base 42 includes a central flat plate portion 42a and a downstream flat plate portion 42c. The central flat plate portion 42a is a portion located between the plurality of first blade portions 43 and the plurality of second blade portions 44 in the width direction Dx. The downstream flat plate portion 42c is a portion located on the widthwise front side (+Dx side) of the plurality of second blade portions 44. The widthwise front end portion of the downstream flat plate portion 42c is the widthwise front end portion (+Dx side) of the plate-like portion 41.

[0034] The plurality of first blades 43 are formed on the rear widthwise side (-Dx side) of the plate-shaped portion 41. The plurality of first blades 43 are arranged side by side in the widthwise direction Dx. The plurality of second blades 44 are formed on the front widthwise side (+Dx side) of the plate-shaped portion 41, i.e., on a portion of the plate-shaped portion 41 that is located further forward in the widthwise direction than the plurality of first blades 43. The plurality of second blades 44 are arranged side by side in the widthwise direction Dx. In the first embodiment, four first blades 43 and four second blades 44 are formed. The plurality of first blades 43 and the plurality of second blades 44 extend in the left-right direction Y. In the first embodiment, the plurality of first blades 43 and the plurality of second blades 44 are generally rectangular plate-shaped.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 5 , the first blades 43 and the second blades 44 are inclined with respect to the width direction Dx. That is, the surfaces of the first blades 43 and the second blades 44 are inclined with respect to the width direction Dx. The upper (+Dz) surfaces of the first blades 43 face upward in the extension direction and toward the front (+Dx) side in the width direction. The first blades 43 are positioned upward in the extension direction as they move toward the rear (-Dx) side in the width direction. The rear (-Dx) and upper ends of the first blades 43 are positioned above the base 42 in the extension direction. The front (-Dz) and lower ends of the first blades 43 are positioned below the base 42 in the extension direction.

[0036] Among the plate surfaces of the second blade portions 44, the upper surface (+Dz side) in the extension direction faces the upper side in the extension direction and the rear side in the width direction (-Dx side). In the first embodiment, the plate surfaces of the second blade portions 44 are parallel to the vertical direction Z and perpendicular to the front-rear direction X. The second blade portions 44 are positioned higher in the extension direction (+Dz side) as they move toward the front side in the width direction (+Dx side). The front end portions (+Dx side) and upper end portions in the extension direction of the second blade portions 44 are positioned higher in the extension direction than the base portion 42. The rear end portions (lower end portions) in the width direction and lower end portions in the extension direction of the second blade portions 44 are positioned lower in the extension direction than the base portion 42.

[0037] In the first embodiment, the first blades 43 and the second blades 44 are formed by cutting and raising a portion of the plate-like portion 41. The first blades 43 are formed by forming slits 42d in the plate-like portion 41 and cutting and raising a portion of the plate-like portion 41. The second blades 44 are formed by forming slits 42e in the plate-like portion 41 and cutting and raising a portion of the plate-like portion 41.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the plate-like portion 41. As shown in FIG. 6, the slits 42d and 42e extend in the left-right direction Y. Both ends of the slits 42d and 42e in the left-right direction Y are spaced apart from both ends of the base 42 in the left-right direction Y. The slit 42d is formed on the rear side (-Dx side) of the width direction of the base 42. A plurality of the slits 42d are formed at intervals in the width direction Dx. In the first embodiment, four slits 42d are formed. The slit 42e is formed on the front side (+Dx side) of the width direction of the base 42. A plurality of the slits 42e are formed at intervals in the width direction Dx. In the first embodiment, five slits 42e are formed.

[0039] The first blades 43 other than the first blade 43 located furthest rearward in the width direction (-Dx side) among the plurality of first blades 43 are formed by deforming a portion of the plate-shaped portion 41 located between adjacent slits 42d in the width direction Dx in the extension direction Dz, thereby tilting it with respect to the width direction Dx. The first blade 43 located furthest rearward among the plurality of first blades 43 is formed by deforming a portion of the plate-shaped portion 41 on the front side in the width direction (+Dx side) from the furthest rearward slit 42d in the width direction to the rear end of the plate-shaped portion 41 in the extension direction Dz, thereby tilting it with respect to the width direction Dx. Note that forming the slits 42d and deforming and tilting the portion of the plate-shaped portion 41 adjacent to the slit 42d may be performed in the same process or in separate processes.

[0040] The second blade portions 44 are formed by deforming portions of the plate-like portion 41 located between adjacent slits 42e in the width direction Dx in the extension direction Dz, and tilting the portions with respect to the width direction Dx in the opposite direction to the first blade portions 43. Note that forming the slits 42e and deforming and tilting the portions of the plate-like portion 41 adjacent to the slits 42e may be performed in the same process or in different processes.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4 , the first guide plate 45 is formed at the end of the plate-like portion 41 on the rear widthwise side (−Dx side). In this disclosure, the “rear widthwise end of the plate-like portion 41” includes the rear widthwise tip of the plate-like portion 41 and a portion located near the tip. In the first embodiment, the rear widthwise end of the plate-like portion 41 includes, for example, a portion of the plate-like portion 41 between the rear widthwise tip of the plate-like portion 41 and the first blade portion 43, which is located furthest rear in the widthwise direction. If the first guide plate 45 is formed at the “rear widthwise end of the plate-like portion 41” as described above, a small flat portion parallel to the width direction Dx may be provided at the rear widthwise tip of the first guide plate 45. The case where a small flat plate portion parallel to the width direction Dx is provided at the rear end of the first guide plate portion 45 in the width direction includes a case where the dimension of the provided flat plate portion in the width direction Dx is equal to or less than one-fourth of the dimension of the first guide plate portion 45 in a direction inclined with respect to the width direction Dx. The dimension of the first guide plate portion 45 in a direction inclined with respect to the width direction Dx is the dimension of the first guide plate portion 45 in the direction in which the first guide plate portion 45 extends as viewed in the left-right direction Y.

[0042] The first guide plate 45 is located rearward in the width direction (toward the -Dx direction) than the plurality of first blades 43. In other words, the plurality of first blades 43 are located forward in the width direction (toward the +Dx direction) than the first guide plate 45. In the first embodiment, the rear end of the first guide plate 45 includes at least a portion of the rear end of the plate-shaped portion 41. The rear end of the first guide plate 45 is formed, for example, by a portion of the rear end of the plate-shaped portion 41 excluding both ends in the left-right direction Y that are fixed to the heat transfer tube 31. The first guide plate 45 extends in the left-right direction Y. In the first embodiment, the first guide plate 45 has a substantially rectangular plate shape.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5 , the first guide plate 45 is inclined with respect to the width direction Dx. That is, the plate surface of the first guide plate 45 is inclined with respect to the width direction Dx. The upper (+Dz) surface of the first guide plate 45 in the extension direction faces the upper side in the extension direction and the rear side in the width direction (-Dx side). In the first embodiment, the upper surface of the first guide plate 45 in the extension direction faces the rear side (-X side) in the front-to-rear direction X. The first guide plate 45 is positioned lower in the extension direction (-Dz side) as it moves toward the rear side in the width direction. The end of the first guide plate 45 on the front side (+Dx side) and the upper side in the extension direction is positioned higher in the extension direction than the base 42. The end of the first guide plate 45 on the rear side in the width direction and the lower side in the extension direction is positioned lower in the extension direction than the base 42.

[0044] The inclination angle β1 of the first guide plate portion 45 with respect to the extension direction Dz is an acute angle. In embodiment 1, the angle β1 is greater than 0° and equal to or less than 45°. More specifically, the magnitude of the angle β1 is the same as the magnitude of the angle α1. Note that the angle β1 may be different from the angle α1. In embodiment 1, the first guide plate portion 45 is disposed parallel to the vertical direction Z. That is, the plate surface of the first guide plate portion 45 is parallel to the vertical direction Z. The plate surface of the first guide plate portion 45 is perpendicular to the front-rear direction X. The first guide plate portion 45 is disposed parallel to the rear wall portion 21b. That is, the plate surface of the first guide plate portion 45 is disposed parallel to the plate surface of the rear wall portion 21b.

[0045] In the present disclosure, "parallel" includes not only strictly parallel but also approximately parallel. For example, "approximately parallel" includes two objects arranged with an inclination of 15 degrees or less relative to each other.

[0046] In the first embodiment, the end of the first guide plate 45 on the front side in the width direction (+Dx side) and on the upper side in the extension direction (+Dz side) is connected to the end of the first blade 43 located furthest rearward in the width direction (−Dx side) among the plurality of first blades 43. In the first embodiment, the first guide plate 45 is formed by bending the portion of the plate-shaped portion 41 from the slit 42d located furthest rearward in the width direction to the tip of the rear side in the width direction of the plate-shaped portion 41 downward in the extension direction (−Dz side) along a bending line 46 shown in FIG. 6 . The bending line 46 is an imaginary line located in the center in the width direction Dx of the portion from the slit 42d located furthest rearward in the width direction of the plate-shaped portion 41 to the tip of the rear side in the width direction of the plate-shaped portion 41. In addition, the formation of the first blade portion 43 located at the rearmost side in the width direction (-Dx side) and the formation of the first guide plate portion 45 may be performed in the same process or in different processes.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 2 , in the indoor unit 20, when the impeller 23d of the blower 23 rotates around the rotation axis R, indoor air 91 is drawn into the housing 21 through the inlet 20a. The air 91 drawn into the housing 21 flows into the interior of the case 23c of the blower 23 through the inlet 23a and is discharged to the exterior of the case 23c through the outlet 23b. The air 91 discharged from the outlet 23b flows upward in the vertical direction Z from the outlet 23b and passes through the heat exchanger 30. The air 91 passing through the heat exchanger 30 flows between the heat transfer tubes 31 adjacent in the left-right direction Y from the rear side in the width direction (−Dx side) to the front side in the width direction (+Dx side). As shown in FIG. 5 , the air 91 flowing between the heat transfer tubes 31 adjacent in the left-right direction Y passes between the plate-like portions 41 adjacent in the extension direction Dz. As shown in FIG. 2, the air 91 that has passed through the heat exchanger 30 is blown out into the room from the air outlet 20b.

[0048] According to the first embodiment, the indoor unit 20 includes a housing 21, a heat exchanger 30 housed inside the housing 21, and a blower 23 housed inside the housing 21 and generating a flow of air 91 passing through the heat exchanger 30. The housing 21 has a rear wall 21b disposed opposite the heat exchanger 30. The heat exchanger 30 extends in an extension direction Dz inclined with respect to the rear wall 21b and includes a plurality of heat transfer tubes 31 arranged side by side at intervals in a left-right direction Y perpendicular to the extension direction Dz, and corrugated fins 40 located between adjacent heat transfer tubes 31 in the left-right direction Y. A first end 31a, which is an end of the heat transfer tube 31 on the lower side (-Dz side) in the extension direction, is located closer to the blower 23 than a second end 31b, which is an end of the heat transfer tube 31 on the upper side (+Dz side) in the extension direction opposite the lower side in the extension direction. Between the heat transfer tubes 31 adjacent in the left-right direction Y, air 91 flows from the rear widthwise side (-Dx side) to the front widthwise side (+Dx side) in the width direction Dx, which is perpendicular to both the extension direction Dz and the left-right direction Y. The corrugated fin 40 has a plurality of plate-shaped portions 41 arranged at intervals in the extension direction Dz. Each plate-shaped portion 41 is formed with a first guide plate portion 45 that is inclined with respect to the width direction Dx. The first guide plate portion 45 is formed at the end of the plate-shaped portion 41 on the rear widthwise side and is positioned lower in the extension direction as it moves toward the rear widthwise side. This suppresses noise generation in the indoor unit 20. This is described in detail below.

[0049] Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a portion of a heat exchanger 630 in a conventional indoor unit 620. As shown in Fig. 15, in the corrugated fins 640 of the heat exchanger 630, the portion of the plate-shaped portion 641 located on the rear side (-Dx side) of the plurality of first slats 43 in the width direction is a flat plate portion 649 whose plate surface is parallel to the width direction Dx. In other words, unlike the heat exchanger 30 of the first embodiment, the conventional heat exchanger 630 does not have a first guide plate portion 45. The other configuration of the conventional indoor unit 620 is the same as the other configuration of the indoor unit 20 of the first embodiment.

[0050] In the conventional indoor unit 620, when the heat exchanger 630 is disposed at an angle with respect to the rear wall portion 21b, the flat plate portion 649 is disposed at an angle with respect to the flow of the air 91 flowing into the heat exchanger 630. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 15 , the flow direction of the air 91 flowing from below in the vertical direction Z between the plate-like portions 641 is significantly changed in the width direction Dx by the flat plate portion 649, and some of the air 91 separates and accumulates on the surface of the flat plate portion 649, generating vortices 92 of the air 91. This turbulence in the flow of the air 91 and the generation of vortices 92 of the air 91 causes wind noise and generates noise.

[0051] To address the above problem, in the first embodiment, a first guide plate portion 45 inclined with respect to the width direction Dx is formed at the end of the plate-shaped portion 41 on the rear width direction (-Dx side), i.e., the end on the upstream side in the flow direction of the air 91 passing through the heat exchanger 30. The first guide plate portion 45 is positioned downward in the extension direction (-Dz side) as it moves toward the rear width direction. The lower extension direction side is the side where the first end 31a of the heat transfer tube 31, which is closest to the blower 23, is located. Therefore, by inclining the first guide plate portion 45 toward the rear width direction, which is the upstream side, it is possible to easily incline the first guide plate portion 45 toward the blower 23 as it moves toward the rear width direction. This makes it easier to incline the first guide plate portion 45 in the direction following the flow of the air 91 discharged from the blower 23 toward the heat exchanger 30, as shown in FIG. 5 . Therefore, when air 91 flows between the plate-like portions 41, the air 91 flowing between the first guide plate portions 45 is less likely to separate, and the air 91 is less likely to stagnate on the surfaces of the plate-like portions 41. This makes it possible to suppress the generation of vortices 92 in the air 91, and therefore to suppress the generation of noise when the air 91 passes through the heat exchanger 30 in the indoor unit 20.

[0052] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the leading end of the first guide plate 45 on the rear widthwise side (-Dx side) includes at least a portion of the leading end of the plate-shaped portion 41 on the rear widthwise side. Therefore, the first guide plate 45 can be formed up to the leading end of the plate-shaped portion 41 on the rear widthwise side. This can better prevent the air 91 from separating and stagnating in the plate-shaped portion 41, and can better prevent the generation of vortices 92 in the air 91, compared to, for example, a case in which a small flat plate portion parallel to the width direction Dx is provided rearward of the first guide plate 45 in the widthwise direction. Therefore, noise generation in the indoor unit 20 can be more effectively suppressed. Note that even if a small flat plate portion parallel to the width direction Dx is provided rearward of the first guide plate 45 in the widthwise direction, the effect of suppressing noise generation can be achieved as long as the first guide plate 45 is formed at the rear widthwise end of the plate-shaped portion 41.

[0053] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the first guide plate portion 45 is disposed parallel to the rear wall portion 21b. This makes it easier to more suitably orient the first guide plate portion 45 along the flow of the air 91 discharged from the blower 23 toward the heat exchanger 30. This more suitably prevents the air 91 from separating and stagnating at the plate-shaped portion 41, and more suitably prevents the generation of vortices 92 in the air 91. This therefore more suitably prevents noise from being generated in the indoor unit 20.

[0054] According to the first embodiment, the rear widthwise (−Dx) side of each plate-like portion 41 is provided with a plurality of first vane portions 43 inclined with respect to the widthwise direction Dx and arranged side by side in the widthwise direction Dx. The first vane portions 43 are located forward of the first guide plate portion 45 in the widthwise direction (+Dx side) and are positioned upward in the extension direction (+Dz side) toward the rear widthwise direction. Therefore, the first vane portions 43 can easily increase the area of ​​contact between the corrugated fin 40 and the air 91. This improves the heat exchange efficiency between the refrigerant 19 and the air 91 in the heat exchanger 30. Furthermore, when the first end 31a of the heat transfer tube 31, which is closer to the blower 23, is positioned lower in the vertical direction Z than the second end 31b, as in the first embodiment, the first vane portions 43 are easily tilted toward the center of the heat exchanger 30 in the widthwise direction Dx as they move downward in the vertical direction Z. Therefore, when condensation water forms on the surface of the heat transfer tube 31 during cooling operation or the like, the condensation water can flow along the plurality of first slat portions 43 toward the center in the width direction Dx, and can also flow downward in the vertical direction Z. This prevents the condensation water from spilling from the rear side of the heat exchanger 30 in the width direction, and makes it easier to suitably guide the condensation water into the drain pan 24 disposed below the heat exchanger 30.

[0055] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the end of the first guide plate 45 on the front widthwise side (+Dx side) and upper extension direction side (+Dz side) is connected to the end of the first blade 43 on the rear widthwise side and upper extension direction side that is located furthest rear in the widthwise direction (-Dx side) among the plurality of first blades 43. Therefore, the rearmost first blade 43 in the widthwise direction and the first guide plate 45 can be easily formed by cutting and raising a portion of the plate-like portion 41 and bending the cut-and-raised piece along, for example, the above-described bending line 46. Furthermore, the first guide plate 45 can be formed integrally with the other portions of the plate-like portion 41.

[0056] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, a portion of each plate-like portion 41 located closer to the front (+Dx side) of the first blade portions 43 in the width direction includes a plurality of second blade portions 44 that are inclined with respect to the width direction Dx and arranged side by side in the width direction Dx. The second blade portions 44 are positioned closer to the upper extension direction (+Dz side) as they extend toward the front side in the width direction. Therefore, the second blade portions 44 can easily increase the area of ​​contact between the corrugated fin 40 and the air 91. This can further improve the heat exchange efficiency between the refrigerant 19 and the air 91 in the heat exchanger 30. Furthermore, when the first end 31a of the heat transfer tube 31, which is closer to the blower 23, is positioned lower in the vertical direction Z than the second end 31b, as in the first embodiment, the second blade portions 44 can easily be inclined toward the center of the heat exchanger 30 in the width direction Dx as they extend downward in the vertical direction Z. Therefore, when condensation water forms on the surface of the heat transfer tube 31 during cooling operation or the like, the condensation water can flow along the plurality of second blade portions 44 toward the center in the width direction Dx and downward in the vertical direction Z. As a result, the plurality of first blade portions 43 and the plurality of second blade portions 44 can collect the condensation water in the center of the heat exchanger 30 in the width direction Dx and make it easy to flow downward in the vertical direction Z. Therefore, the condensation water can be more easily guided into the drain pan 24 arranged below the heat exchanger 30.

[0057] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the heat transfer tubes 31 are flat tubes whose dimension in the left-right direction Y is smaller than their dimension in the width direction Dx. Therefore, it is easy to arrange the corrugated fins 40 between adjacent heat transfer tubes 31 in the left-right direction Y. This makes it easy to adopt a configuration in which the corrugated fins 40 are provided when the heat transfer tubes 31 are flat tubes. Therefore, the above-described effect of providing the first guide plate portion 45 is more effectively obtained when flat tubes are used as the heat transfer tubes 31.

[0058] Embodiment 2. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a part of heat exchanger 230 in embodiment 2. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of heat exchanger 230 in embodiment 2. Fig. 9 is a view schematically showing plate-shaped portion 241 in embodiment 2. In the following description, the same components as those in the above-described embodiments may be denoted by the same reference numerals as appropriate, and description thereof may be omitted.

[0059] 7 and 8 , in a corrugated fin 240 of a heat exchanger 230 according to the second embodiment, the first guide plate 245 of the plate-like portion 241 is disposed at a distance from the rearmost first vane 43 in the width direction (i.e., the −Dx side) of the plurality of first vane portions 43. As shown in FIG. 9 , five slits 42d are formed in the second embodiment. The plurality of first vane portions 43 are formed by deforming portions of the plate-like portion 41 between adjacent slits 42d in the width direction Dx in the extension direction Dz, thereby tilting the portions with respect to the width direction Dx.

[0060] The first guide plate 245 is formed by cutting and raising a portion of the plate-shaped portion 241. More specifically, the first guide plate 245 is formed by deforming the portion from the slit 42d located furthest rearward in the width direction to the tip of the plate-shaped portion 241 on the rear side in the width direction in the extension direction Dz so as to be inclined in the opposite direction to the plurality of first blade portions 43. The other configurations of the first guide plate 245 are the same as the other configurations of the first guide plate 45 in the first embodiment. The other configurations of the heat exchanger 230 are the same as the other configurations of the heat exchanger 30 in the first embodiment.

[0061] In the second embodiment, the first guide plate portion 245 is formed on the plate portion 241, and thus, similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the generation of vortices 92 in the air 91. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of noise when the air 91 passes through the heat exchanger 230 in the indoor unit.

[0062] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, the first guide plate 245 is formed by cutting and raising a part of the plate-shaped portion 241. Therefore, the first guide plate 245 can be formed integrally with the other part of the plate-shaped portion 241.

[0063] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, the first guide plate 245 is disposed at a distance from the rear of the first blade 43 that is located furthest rear in the width direction (toward the −Dx side) among the plurality of first blades 43. This allows the air 91 to pass between the rearmost first blade 43 in the width direction and the first guide plate 245. This makes it easier for the air 91 to pass through the heat exchanger 230.

[0064] Embodiment 3. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a part of a heat exchanger 330 in embodiment 3. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of a heat exchanger 330 in embodiment 3. Fig. 12 is a diagram schematically showing a plate-shaped portion 341 in embodiment 3. In the following description, the same components as those in the above-described embodiments may be denoted by the same reference numerals as appropriate, and description thereof may be omitted.

[0065] 10 and 11 , in a corrugated fin 340 of a heat exchanger 330 according to the third embodiment, a first guide plate 345 of a plate-like portion 341 is disposed at a position rearward in the width direction from the rearmost first vane 43 (−Dx side) of the plurality of first vanes 43. As shown in FIG. 11 , the end of the first guide plate 345 on the front side in the width direction (+Dx side) and the upper side in the extension direction (+Dz side) is located at the same position as the base 42 in the extension direction Dz. The rest of the first guide plate 345, excluding the end on the front side in the width direction and the upper side in the extension direction, is located lower in the extension direction (−Dz side) than the base 42.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 12 , in the third embodiment, five slits 42d are formed, as in the second embodiment. The first blade portions 43 are formed by deforming portions of the plate-shaped portion 41 between adjacent slits 42d in the width direction Dx in the extension direction Dz and tilting them with respect to the width direction Dx. A pair of slits 342f is formed in the plate-shaped portion 341. The pair of slits 342f is formed at both ends in the left-right direction Y of the end of the rear width direction (−Dx side) of the plate-shaped portion 341. The pair of slits 342f extends to the rear width direction tip of the plate-shaped portion 341. In the third embodiment, the first guide plate portion 345 is formed by bending the portion between the pair of slits 342f from the rearmost slit 42d in the width direction to the rear width direction tip of the plate-shaped portion 341 downward in the extension direction (−Dz side) around the portion where the rearmost slit 42d in the width direction is formed as a fulcrum. Other configurations of the first guide plate portion 345 are similar to other configurations of the first guide plate portion 45 in embodiment 1. Other configurations of the heat exchanger 330 are similar to other configurations of the heat exchanger 30 in embodiment 1.

[0067] In the third embodiment, the first guide plate portion 345 is formed on the plate portion 341, and thus, similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the generation of vortices 92 in the air 91. Therefore, it is possible to suppress noise generated when the air 91 passes through the heat exchanger 330 in the indoor unit.

[0068] Embodiment 4. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of a heat exchanger 430 according to embodiment 4. In the following description, the same components as those in the above-described embodiments may be denoted by the same reference numerals as appropriate, and the description thereof may be omitted.

[0069] 13 , among the plate-like portions 441 of the corrugated fins 440 of the heat exchanger 430 of the fourth embodiment, the plate-like portion 441 on which the first guide plate portion 45 is formed is provided with a second guide plate portion 448. In the fourth embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the first guide plate portion 45 is formed on each of the plurality of plate-like portions 441. Therefore, the second guide plate portion 448 is also formed on each of the plurality of plate-like portions 441.

[0070] The second guide plate 448 is formed at the end of the plate-shaped portion 441 on the front width direction (+Dx side). In the present disclosure, the "front width direction end of the plate-shaped portion 441" includes the front width direction tip of the plate-shaped portion 441 and a portion located near the front width direction tip. In the fourth embodiment, the front width direction end of the plate-shaped portion 441 includes, for example, the portion between the front width direction tip of the plate-shaped portion 441 and the second slat portion 44 located furthest forward in the width direction. If the second guide plate 448 is formed at the "front width direction end of the plate-shaped portion 441" as described above, a small flat plate portion parallel to the width direction Dx may be provided at the front width direction tip of the second guide plate 448. Note that the case where a small flat plate portion parallel to the width direction Dx is provided at the front end of the second guide plate portion 448 in the width direction includes a case where the dimension of the provided flat plate portion in the width direction Dx is equal to or less than one-fourth of the dimension of the second guide plate portion 448 in a direction inclined with respect to the width direction Dx. The dimension of the second guide plate portion 448 in a direction inclined with respect to the width direction Dx is the dimension of the second guide plate portion 448 in the direction in which the second guide plate portion 448 extends as seen in the left-right direction Y.

[0071] The second guide plate 448 is located closer to the front (+Dx side) in the width direction than the plurality of second slats 44. In the fourth embodiment, the front end of the second guide plate 448 includes at least a portion of the front end of the plate-shaped portion 441 in the width direction. The front end of the second guide plate 448 in the width direction is formed by the front end of the plate-shaped portion 441 in the width direction excluding both ends in the left-right direction Y. The second guide plate 448 extends in the left-right direction Y. In the fourth embodiment, the second guide plate 448 is in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate.

[0072] The second guide plate 448 is inclined with respect to the width direction Dx. In other words, the plate surface of the second guide plate 448 is inclined with respect to the width direction Dx. The upper (+Dz) surface of the second guide plate 448 in the extension direction faces upward in the extension direction and toward the front (+Dx) side in the width direction. In the fourth embodiment, the upper surface of the second guide plate 448 in the extension direction faces upward in the vertical direction Z. The second guide plate 448 is positioned downward in the extension direction (-Dz side) as it moves toward the front side in the width direction. The rear (-Dx) end of the second guide plate 448 in the width direction and the upper end in the extension direction is positioned above the base 42 in the extension direction. The front (+Dx) end of the second guide plate 448 in the width direction and the lower end in the extension direction is positioned below the base 42 in the extension direction.

[0073] The inclination angle β2 of the second guide plate portion 448 with respect to the extension direction Dz is an acute angle. In the fourth embodiment, the angle β2 is greater than 0° and equal to or less than 45°. More specifically, the magnitude of the angle β2 is the same as the magnitude of the angle α1. The magnitude of the angle β2 may be different from the magnitude of the angle α1. The magnitude of the angle β2 may be the same as or different from the magnitude of the angle β1. In the fourth embodiment, the second guide plate portion 448 is disposed parallel to the front-rear direction X. That is, the plate surface of the second guide plate portion 448 is parallel to the front-rear direction X. The plate surface of the second guide plate portion 448 is perpendicular to the vertical direction Z. The second guide plate portion 448 is disposed perpendicular to the rear wall portion 21b. That is, the plate surface of the second guide plate portion 448 is disposed perpendicular to the plate surface of the rear wall portion 21b.

[0074] In the present disclosure, "perpendicular" does not only mean strictly perpendicular, but also means approximately perpendicular. For example, "approximately perpendicular" includes a case where the angle between two objects is within a range of 90°±15°.

[0075] In the fourth embodiment, the rear end of the second guide plate 448 in the width direction (-Dx side) and the upper end in the extension direction (+Dz side) is connected to the front end in the width direction and the upper end in the extension direction of the second blade plate 44 that is located most forward in the width direction (+Dx side) among the plurality of second blade plates 44. The second guide plate 448 is formed by bending the portion of the portion of the plate-shaped portion 41 from the most forward slit 42e in the width direction to the front end in the width direction of the plate-shaped portion 41, which is more forward in the width direction than the portion that forms the second blade plate 44, downward in the extension direction (-Dz side).

[0076] Other configurations of the plate-shaped portion 441 are similar to other configurations of the plate-shaped portion 41 in embodiment 1. Other configurations of the heat exchanger 430 are similar to other configurations of the heat exchanger 30 in embodiment 1.

[0077] In the fourth embodiment, the first guide plate portion 45 is formed on the plate-shaped portion 441, and thus, similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the generation of vortices 92 in the air 91. Therefore, it is possible to suppress noise generated when the air 91 passes through the heat exchanger 430 in the indoor unit.

[0078] Furthermore, according to the fourth embodiment, the plate-shaped portion 441 on which the first guide plate 45 is formed is provided with a second guide plate 448 that is inclined with respect to the width direction Dx. The second guide plate 448 is formed at the end of the plate-shaped portion 441 on the front side in the width direction (+Dx side), and is positioned downward in the extension direction (-Dz side) as it moves toward the front side in the width direction. In this way, by forming the first guide plate 45 and the second guide plate 448 at both ends of the plate-shaped portion 441 in the width direction Dx, the shape of the plate-shaped portion 441 can be made symmetrical with respect to the width direction Dx. This makes it easier to form the plate-shaped portion 441 than when the shape of the plate-shaped portion 441 is asymmetric with respect to the width direction Dx. Furthermore, by forming the second guide plate portion 448, the air 91 that passes through the heat exchanger 430 and flows from the heat exchanger 430 to the front in the width direction can be made to flow more easily in a direction perpendicular to the wall surface of the rear wall portion 21b, which is the opposing wall portion, along the second guide plate portion 448. Therefore, when the air outlet 20b is formed in the front wall portion 21a that is parallel to the rear wall portion 21b as shown in Figure 2, the air 91 that flows from the heat exchanger 430 to the front in the width direction can be more easily guided to the air outlet 20b located on the front side (+X side) of the heat exchanger 430.

[0079] Embodiment 5. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view that shows a schematic diagram of an indoor unit 520 in embodiment 5. In the following description, the same components as those in the above-described embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals as appropriate, and the description may be omitted.

[0080] The indoor unit 520 of the fifth embodiment is a ceiling-suspended indoor unit. The indoor unit 520 is fixed to the ceiling CA. The housing 521 of the indoor unit 520 has a bottom wall portion 521a located on the lower side, a top wall portion 521b located on the upper side, and a front wall portion 521c located on the front side (+X side). An air inlet 520a is formed in the bottom wall portion 521a. The top wall portion 521b is fixed to the ceiling CA. The wall surface of the top wall portion 521b is perpendicular to the vertical direction Z. In the fifth embodiment, the top wall portion 521b corresponds to the "opposing wall portion" disposed opposite the upper side of the heat exchanger 530. An air outlet 520b is formed in the front wall portion 521c.

[0081] The blower 523 is provided in the rear (-X side) portion of the housing 521. The blower 523 discharges air 91 drawn into the housing 521 through the air inlet 520a to the front (+X side). The heat exchanger 530 is located in front (+X side) of the blower 523 inside the housing 521. The heat exchanger 530 has a different orientation from the heat exchanger 30 of the first embodiment, but has a similar shape to the heat exchanger 30. The heat transfer tubes 531 of the heat exchanger 530 are inclined at an angle α2 with respect to the top wall portion 521b. The magnitude of the angle α2 may be the same as or different from the magnitude of the angle α1 in the first embodiment. The heat transfer tubes 531 are positioned higher toward the front. The first guide plate portion 545 of the heat exchanger 530 is arranged parallel to the front-rear direction X. The first guide plate portion 545 is disposed along the flow of air 91 discharged forward from the blower 523. A drain pan 524 is disposed below the heat exchanger 530.

[0082] In the fifth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the formation of the first guide plate portion 545 can suppress the generation of vortices 92 in the air 91. Therefore, in the indoor unit 520, it is possible to suppress the generation of noise when the air 91 passes through the heat exchanger 530.

[0083] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, and the following configurations and methods may also be adopted.

[0084] The first direction in which the heat transfer tubes extend may be any direction as long as it is inclined with respect to the opposing wall of the housing. The second direction may be any direction as long as it is perpendicular to the first direction. The heat transfer tubes may be tube members other than flat tubes, such as tube members with a circular cross section.

[0085] The first guide plate portion inclined with respect to the third direction, which is orthogonal to both the first and second directions, may be formed on at least one of the multiple plate-shaped portions of the corrugated fin. In other words, the corrugated fin may have a plate-shaped portion with a first guide plate portion and a plate-shaped portion without a first guide plate portion. Even in this case, noise generation can be reduced compared to a case where no first guide plate portion is formed. The first guide plate portion may be formed at an end of one of the plate-shaped portions on the upstream side in the third direction, and may be inclined at any angle with respect to the third direction, as long as it is positioned toward the first side closer to the blower as it approaches the third direction. The first guide plate portion may have any shape as long as it is arranged at an inclination as described above. The first guide plate portion may be formed in any manner. For example, the first guide plate portion may be formed by fixing a separate member to the plate-shaped portion of the corrugated fin. The tip of the first guide plate portion on one side in the third direction may include the entire tip of the plate-shaped portion on that side.

[0086] The plurality of first blade portions and the plurality of second blade portions may be inclined in any manner with respect to the third direction. The number of first blade portions formed on one plate-shaped portion is not particularly limited. The number of second blade portions formed on one plate-shaped portion is not particularly limited. Each plate-shaped portion may not have multiple first blade portions. Each plate-shaped portion may not have multiple second blade portions.

[0087] When the heat exchange unit of the present disclosure having a first guide plate portion formed therein is an indoor unit of an air conditioner, the indoor unit that is the heat exchange unit of the present disclosure may be any type of indoor unit, and may be a wall-mounted indoor unit or a ceiling-mounted indoor unit. The heat exchange unit of the present disclosure having a first guide plate portion formed therein may be an outdoor unit of an air conditioner. Both the outdoor unit and the indoor unit of an air conditioner may correspond to the heat exchange unit of the present disclosure having a first guide plate portion formed therein. The heat exchange unit of the present disclosure may be installed in equipment other than an air conditioner. For example, the heat exchange unit of the present disclosure may be provided in a refrigeration cycle device other than an air conditioner. The refrigeration cycle device other than an air conditioner is, for example, a heat pump water heater.

[0088] The configurations and methods described in this specification can be combined as appropriate within the scope of not contradicting each other.

[0089] 21, 521...Housing, 20...Indoor unit (heat exchange unit), 21b...Rear wall portion (opposing wall portion), 23, 523...Blower, 30, 230, 330, 430, 530...Heat exchanger, 31, 531...Heat transfer tube, 40, 240, 340, 440...Corrugated fin, 41, 241, 341, 441...Plate-shaped portion, 43...First blade portion, 44...Second blade portion, 45, 245, 345, 545...First guide plate portion, 91...Air, 100...Air conditioner, 448...Second guide plate portion, 521b...Ceiling wall portion (opposing wall portion), Dx...Width direction (third direction), Dz...Extension direction (first direction), Y...Left-right direction (second direction)

Claims

1. The casing and A heat exchanger housed inside the aforementioned enclosure, A blower housed inside the aforementioned enclosure generates an airflow that passes through the heat exchanger, Equipped with, The housing has a facing wall portion that is positioned opposite the heat exchanger, The heat exchanger is, A plurality of heat transfer tubes are arranged in a first direction inclined with respect to the opposing wall and spaced apart in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, Corrugated fins located between adjacent heat transfer tubes in the second direction, It has, The first end of the heat transfer tube in the first direction is positioned closer to the blower than the second end of the heat transfer tube on the opposite side of the first direction. Between adjacent heat transfer tubes in the second direction, air flows from one side to the other in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions. The corrugated fin has a plurality of plate-like portions arranged at intervals in the first direction, A first guide plate portion is formed on at least one of the plurality of plate-like portions, which is inclined with respect to the third direction. The first guide plate portion is formed at one end of the plate-like portion and is located towards the first side as it approaches the one side. A heat exchange unit in which the tip of one side of the first guide plate portion includes at least a portion of the tip of the one side of the plate-shaped portion.

2. The heat exchange unit according to claim 1, wherein the first guide plate portion is arranged parallel to the opposing wall portion.

3. The heat exchange unit according to claim 1, wherein the first guide plate portion is formed by cutting and bending a part of the plate-like portion.

4. On one side of each plate-like portion, a plurality of first wing-shaped portions are formed, which are inclined with respect to the third direction and arranged in line with respect to the third direction. The heat exchange unit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first vane portions are located on the other side of the first guide plate portion and are located on the second side as they move toward the one side.

5. The heat exchange unit according to claim 4, wherein the other and second end of the first guide plate portion is connected to the one and second end of the first vane portion that is located furthest to the one side among the plurality of first vane portions.

6. The heat exchange unit according to claim 4, wherein the first guide plate portion is positioned away from the first vane portion located furthest to the one side among the plurality of first vane portions.

7. In each of the plate-like portions, a plurality of second wing portions are formed on the portion located on the other side of the plurality of first wing portions, inclined with respect to the third direction and arranged in line with respect to the third direction. The heat exchange unit according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of second vane portions are located on the second side as they move toward the other side.

8. The heat exchange unit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of heat transfer tubes are flattened tubes whose dimensions in the second direction are smaller than their dimensions in the third direction.

9. A second guide plate portion is formed on the plate-like portion on which the first guide plate portion is formed, and the second guide plate portion is inclined with respect to the third direction. The heat exchange unit according to claim 1, wherein the second guide plate portion is formed at the other end of the plate-shaped portion and is located toward the first side as it moves toward the other side.

10. An air conditioner comprising a heat exchange unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9.