Outdoor unit of air conditioner

Abstract

An outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present disclosure comprises a housing, and a heat exchanger accommodated in the housing. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat transfer fins arranged at intervals, and a heat transfer pipe through which a refrigerant flows. The heat transfer pipe includes a plurality of heat transfer parts penetrating the plurality of heat transfer fins, and a connection part connecting two of the heat transfer parts. The outdoor unit includes a protective component disposed between the heat transfer fins and the housing. The protective component has, formed on a first surface thereof, an insertion part into which the connection part is inserted, and also has, formed on a second surface thereof, which is a surface facing the first surface, a recess that is disposed at a position facing the connection part and that is recessed toward the connection part. The protective component is provided with protrusions on both sides of the recess.

Description

Air conditioner outdoor unit

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an outdoor unit of an air conditioner.

[0002] An outdoor unit of an air conditioner includes, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped housing and a heat exchanger housed in the housing. The heat exchanger also includes a plurality of heat transfer fins arranged at intervals and a heat transfer tube through which a refrigerant flows. The heat transfer tube also includes a plurality of heat transfer sections that penetrate the plurality of heat transfer fins and a connecting section that connects the two heat transfer sections. In addition to non-flammable refrigerants, flammable refrigerants such as propane refrigerant R290 may also be used as the refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer tube.

[0003] When an outdoor unit is transported to an installation location, the outdoor unit may be transported with the heat transfer tubes filled with refrigerant. Therefore, there is a concern that the connectors of the heat transfer tubes may come into contact with the housing due to vibrations or shocks such as tipping over during transportation of the outdoor unit, which may damage the connectors and cause refrigerant leakage.

[0004] For this reason, it has been proposed that conventional outdoor units be provided with a side plate, which is a sheet metal part, at the end of the heat exchanger and that this side plate be screwed to the housing, thereby preventing the connecting part of the heat transfer tube from coming into contact with the housing when the outdoor unit is transported (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] Patent No. 6618624

[0006] The above-mentioned side plate is fixed to the heat exchanger as follows: First, the same number of through holes as the heat transfer sections of the heat transfer tubes are formed in the side plate. Then, the heat transfer sections of the heat transfer tubes are inserted into each of the through holes in the side plate. After that, the portions of the heat transfer sections inserted into the respective through holes are expanded, thereby fixing the side plate to the heat exchanger. For this reason, conventional outdoor units have had the problem of complicated installation of a protective structure to protect the connecting sections of the heat transfer tubes on the outdoor unit.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an outdoor unit for an air conditioner equipped with a protective structure that protects the connection portion of a heat transfer tube, and which has a protective structure that is easier to install on an outdoor unit than conventional outdoor units.

[0008] The outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present disclosure is an outdoor unit of an air conditioner comprising a housing and a heat exchanger housed in the housing, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of heat transfer fins arranged at intervals and a heat transfer tube through which a refrigerant flows, and the heat transfer tube comprises a plurality of heat transfer sections which pass through the heat transfer fins and a connecting section which connects two of the heat transfer sections, and the outdoor unit comprises a protective component arranged between the heat transfer fins and the housing, wherein the protective component has an insertion section formed on a first surface into which the connecting section is inserted, and a recess formed on a second surface opposite the first surface, which is positioned opposite the connecting section and is recessed towards the connecting section, and the protective component has protrusions on both sides of the recess.

[0009] The protective component according to the present disclosure can be mounted on an outdoor unit of an air conditioner by inserting the connecting portion of the heat transfer tube into the insertion portion. Furthermore, when the housing and the connecting portion of the heat transfer tube of the protective component according to the present disclosure are about to come into contact with each other, the convex portion comes into contact with the housing, absorbing the impact from the housing. Therefore, the protective component according to the present disclosure can also protect the connecting portion of the heat transfer tube. Therefore, the outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present disclosure makes it easier than ever to mount a protective structure that protects the connecting portion of the heat transfer tube on the outdoor unit.

[0010] 1 is a perspective view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1, as seen from the front right side. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1, as seen from the front right side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the structure around an end of a heat exchanger included in the outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1, as seen from the front right side. FIG. 4 is a view of the structure around the end of the heat exchanger and a protective component included in the outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1, as seen from the right side. FIG. 5 is a view of the protective component included in the outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1, as seen from the front. FIG. 6 is a view of the protective component included in the outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1, as seen from above. FIG. 7 is a view of the protective component included in the outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1, as seen from the right side. FIG. 8 is a view of the heat exchanger and protective component included in the outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1, as seen from above, and a view showing the protective component in cross section. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the protective component included in the outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 2, as seen from the rear left side. FIG. 9 is a view of the protective component included in the outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 2, as seen from the rear. 10 is a view of a heat exchanger and a protective component provided in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment, seen from the right side, and showing the protective component in cross section. FIG.

[0011] In the following embodiments, an example of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present disclosure will be described. Note that in the following embodiments, the example of the outdoor unit according to the present disclosure will be described while observing the example of the outdoor unit according to the present disclosure in an installed state. Furthermore, in the following embodiments, for convenience of explanation, the surface of the housing on which the air outlets are formed will be described as the front surface of the housing.

[0012] Embodiment 1. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1, as seen from the front right side. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1, as seen from the front right side. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the structure around the end of a heat exchanger provided in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1, as seen from the front right side.

[0013] The outdoor unit 100 includes a housing 1 and a heat exchanger 20. The housing 1 includes an outer shell 10 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example, and a partition plate 17.

[0014] The configuration of the outer casing 10 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment 1, the outer casing 10 is made up of a front panel 11, side panels 12, a top plate 13, and a bottom plate 15. The front panel 11 forms the front surface of the outer casing 10 and the left side surface of the outer casing 10. An air outlet 3 is formed in the portion of the front panel 11 that forms the front surface of the outer casing 10. An air inlet 2 is formed in the portion of the front panel 11 that forms the left side surface of the outer casing 10. The side panel 12 forms the right side surface of the outer casing 10 and the right side of the back surface of the outer casing 10. An opening is formed in the side panel 12 through which wiring, piping, etc. pass. The opening is covered by a cover 14. The top plate 13 forms the top surface of the outer casing 10. The bottom plate 15 forms the bottom surface of the outer casing 10. Legs 16 are attached to the bottom plate 15 and are used to secure the outdoor unit 100 to an installation location. When the front panel 11, the side panels 12, the top plate 13, and the bottom plate 15 are assembled, an air inlet 2 is also formed in the back part of the outer shell 10.

[0015] The interior of the outer casing 10 is divided by a partition plate 17 into a machine chamber 4 and a blower chamber 5. The machine chamber 4 houses a compressor and other components. The blower chamber 5 houses a heat exchanger 20 and a fan 6. Specifically, the heat exchanger 20 is formed in a generally L-shape in a plan view. The heat exchanger 20 is housed in the blower chamber 5 so as to face the air inlet 2 on the left side surface of the outer casing 10 and the air inlet 2 on the back surface of the outer casing 10. The fan 6 is, for example, a propeller fan. The fan 6 is located downstream of the heat exchanger 20 in the flow direction of air flowing from the air inlet 2 to the air outlet 3.

[0016] As the fan 6 rotates, air outside the housing 1 flows into the blower chamber 5 through the air inlet 2. As the air that has flowed into the blower chamber 5 passes through the heat exchanger 20, it exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger 20. For example, during cooling operation, the air that has flowed into the blower chamber 5 is heated by the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger 20. In other words, during cooling operation, the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger 20 is cooled by the air that has flowed into the blower chamber 5.

[0017] The heat exchanger 20 according to the first embodiment includes a plurality of heat transfer fins 21 arranged at intervals and a heat transfer tube 22 through which a refrigerant flows. The heat transfer tube 22 includes a plurality of heat transfer sections 23 that pass through the plurality of heat transfer fins 21 and a connecting section 24 that connects two of the heat transfer sections 23 together.

[0018] Here, conventionally, when an outdoor unit is transported to an installation location, the outdoor unit may be transported with the heat transfer tubes filled with refrigerant. Therefore, there is a concern that, during transportation of the outdoor unit, the connectors of the heat transfer tubes may come into contact with the housing due to vibrations, a fall, or other impacts, which may damage the connectors and cause refrigerant leakage. For example, in the case of the outdoor unit 100 according to the first embodiment, the connectors 24 of the heat transfer tubes 22 are located near the front panel 11 of the housing 1. Therefore, in the case of the outdoor unit 100 according to the first embodiment, there is a concern that the connectors 24 of the heat transfer tubes 22 may come into contact with the front panel 11 during transportation of the outdoor unit 100.

[0019] For this reason, a conventional outdoor unit has been proposed in which a side plate, which is a sheet metal part, is provided at the end of the heat exchanger. The side plate is fixed to the housing with screws to prevent contact between the heat transfer tube connectors and the housing during transportation of the outdoor unit. This side plate is fixed to the heat exchanger as follows: First, the same number of through holes as the heat transfer tube connectors are formed in the side plate. Then, the heat transfer tube connectors are inserted into each of the through holes in the side plate. The portions of the heat transfer tube connectors inserted into the respective through holes are then expanded to fix the side plate to the heat exchanger. For this reason, in conventional outdoor units, installing a protective structure to protect the heat transfer tube connectors is complicated. Therefore, the outdoor unit 100 according to the first embodiment includes a protective component 30 as a protective structure for the heat transfer tube connectors 24, making it easier to install the protective structure for the heat transfer tube connectors 24 in the outdoor unit 100 than in the past.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a right-side view of the structure around the end of the heat exchanger and the protective component provided in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a front view of the protective component provided in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a top view of the protective component provided in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a right-side view of the protective component provided in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to embodiment 1. FIG. 8 is a top view of the heat exchanger and protective component provided in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to embodiment 1, showing the protective component in cross section. The detailed configuration of the protective component 30 according to embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 8.

[0021] The protective component 30 is made of a foam material such as polystyrene foam. The protective component 30 has, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Note that each surface of the protective component 30 may be curved or have a step. The protective component 30 is disposed between the heat transfer fins 21 and the housing 1. Specifically, as described above, in the outdoor unit 100 according to the first embodiment, the connecting portions 24 of the heat transfer tubes 22 are disposed near the front panel 11 of the housing 1. Therefore, the protective component 30, which is a protective structure for the connecting portions 24 of the heat transfer tubes 22, is disposed between the heat transfer fins 21 and the front panel 11.

[0022] The protective component 30 has insertion portions 33 formed on a first surface 31, which is the back surface of the protective component 30, into which the connecting portions 24 of the heat transfer tubes 22 are inserted. In the first embodiment, the uppermost connecting portion 24 and the second-highest connecting portion 24 are inserted into the insertion portions 33. Note that the connecting portions 24 inserted into the insertion portions 33 are not limited to these connecting portions 24. Furthermore, the number of connecting portions 24 inserted into the insertion portions 33 is not limited to two.

[0023] The protective component 30 has a recess 34 formed on a second surface 32, which is the surface opposite to the first surface 31. In other words, the protective component 30 has the recess 34 formed on the second surface 32, which is the front surface of the protective component 30. Specifically, the recess 34 is recessed toward the connecting portion 24 of the heat transfer tube 22 and is positioned opposite the connecting portion 24. In other words, the connecting portion 24 of the heat transfer tube 22 is positioned behind the recess 34. The protective component 30 also has protrusions 35 on both sides of the recess 34.

[0024] The recess 34 does not need to be formed so as to face all of the connecting portions 24 inserted into the insertion portion 33. The recess 34 only needs to be formed so as to face at least one of the connecting portions 24 inserted into the insertion portion 33. For example, the recess 34 may be formed so as to face the connecting portion 24 that is most likely to come into contact with the housing 1, among the connecting portions 24 inserted into the insertion portion 33.

[0025] In the case of the outdoor unit 100 according to the first embodiment, the uppermost connecting portion 24 is most likely to come into contact with the front panel 11 of the housing 1. This is because, in the case of the outdoor unit 100 according to the first embodiment, the lower end of the heat exchanger 20 is fixed to the bottom plate 15 of the housing 1. Therefore, if the heat exchanger 20 vibrates during transportation of the outdoor unit 100, the uppermost connecting portion 24 will vibrate the most. Also, as shown in FIG. 4 , a step recessed toward the rear is formed at the top of the front panel 11 in order to assemble the top plate 13 to the front panel 11. Therefore, the distance A between the uppermost connecting portion 24 and the front panel 11 is shorter than the distance B between the other connecting portions 24 and the front panel 11. Therefore, in the case of the outdoor unit 100 according to the first embodiment, the uppermost connecting portion 24 is most likely to come into contact with the front panel 11 of the housing 1. Therefore, in the outdoor unit 100 according to the first embodiment, the recess 34 is formed at a position opposite the connecting portion 24 located at the top.

[0026] In the outdoor unit 100 configured in this manner, when the front panel 11 and the connecting portion 24 are about to come into contact, the protrusion 35 of the protective component 30 comes into contact with the front panel 11. At this time, an impact from the front panel 11 is applied to the protrusion 35 in the direction indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 8 . The impact from the front panel 11 is then absorbed by the protrusion 35. Therefore, in the outdoor unit 100 configured in this manner, the protective component 30 can prevent an impact from being applied to the connecting portion 24 during transportation of the outdoor unit 100, thereby preventing damage to the connecting portion 24 and refrigerant leakage. Note that the protective component 30 may be made of a material other than a foam material as long as the protrusion 35 can absorb the impact from the front panel 11. For example, the protective component 30 may be made of non-foam rubber, resin, or the like.

[0027] Here, the left-right direction of the protective component 30 is defined as the width direction. In other words, the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the two heat transfer units 23 connected by the connecting unit 24 inserted into the insertion unit 33 is defined as the width direction. In the case of FIG. 8 , the left-right direction on the paper surface is the width direction. When the width direction is defined in this manner, it is preferable that the width dimension C of the recess 34 is equal to or greater than the width dimension D of the insertion unit 33. In the first embodiment, the width dimension C of the recess 34 is 6 mm, the same as the width dimension D of the insertion unit 33. By configuring the protective component 30 in this manner, it is possible to further suppress the transmission of impact acting on the protrusion 35 from the front panel 11 to the inside of the recess 34, thereby further suppressing the application of impact to the connecting unit 24. Note that the protrusion length E of the protrusion 35 from the bottom of the recess 34 and the width dimension F of the protrusion 35 are not particularly limited. The protrusion length E of the protrusion 35 and the width dimension F of the protrusion 35 may be determined appropriately depending on the expected magnitude of the impact on the protrusion 35. In the first embodiment, the protruding length E of the protruding portion 35 is 3 mm, and the dimension F of the protruding portion 35 in the width direction is 6.4 mm.

[0028] As described above, the outdoor unit 100 of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment includes a housing 1 and a heat exchanger 20 housed in the housing 1. The heat exchanger 20 includes a plurality of heat transfer fins 21 arranged at intervals and a heat transfer tube 22 through which a refrigerant flows. The heat transfer tube 22 includes a plurality of heat transfer sections 23 that penetrate the heat transfer fins 21 and a connecting section 24 that connects two heat transfer sections 23 together. The outdoor unit 100 also includes a protective component 30 disposed between the heat transfer fins 21 and the housing 1. The protective component 30 has an insertion section 33 formed on a first surface 31 into which the connecting section 24 is inserted. The protective component 30 also has a recess 34 formed on a second surface 32, which is the surface opposite the first surface 31, that is positioned opposite the connecting section 24 and recessed toward the connecting section 24. The protective component 30 also includes protrusions 35 on both sides of the recess 34.

[0029] The protective component 30 of the outdoor unit 100 configured in this manner can be mounted on the outdoor unit 100 by inserting the connecting portion 24 of the heat transfer tube 22 into the insertion portion 33. Furthermore, when the housing 1 and the connecting portion 24 of the heat transfer tube 22 are about to come into contact with each other, the protrusion 35 of the protective component 30 comes into contact with the housing 1, and the protrusion 35 absorbs the impact from the housing 1. Therefore, the protective component 30 can also protect the connecting portion 24 of the heat transfer tube 22. Therefore, with the outdoor unit 100 configured in this manner, it is easier than ever to mount a protective structure that protects the connecting portion 24 of the heat transfer tube 22 on the outdoor unit 100.

[0030] Embodiment 2. In Embodiment 1, no detailed configuration of the insertion portion 33 of the protective component 30 was mentioned. In Embodiment 2, an example of a suitable configuration of the insertion portion 33 is introduced. Note that matters not specifically mentioned in Embodiment 2 are the same as in Embodiment 1. Furthermore, in Embodiment 2, components that perform the same functions as the components shown in Embodiment 1 are assigned the same reference numerals as in Embodiment 1.

[0031] As described above, conventional outdoor units have included a side plate as a protective structure for protecting the connecting portions of the heat transfer tubes. As described above, this side plate is fixed to the heat exchanger as follows: First, the same number of through holes as the heat transfer portions of the heat transfer tubes are formed in the side plate. Then, the heat transfer portions of the heat transfer tubes are inserted into each of the through holes in the side plate. The portions of the heat transfer portions inserted into the respective through holes are then expanded to fix the side plate to the heat exchanger. For this reason, it was not possible to use the same side plate for multiple heat exchangers with different arrangement pitches of the heat transfer portions of the heat transfer tubes. Furthermore, it was not possible to use the same side plate for multiple heat exchangers with different diameters of the heat transfer tubes. Therefore, in the past, manufacturers of outdoor units equipped with multiple types of heat exchangers had to manufacture many different types of side plates, which required time and effort and cost to manage. On the other hand, by configuring the protective component 30 as in the second embodiment, manufacturers of outdoor units 100 equipped with multiple types of heat exchangers 20 can reduce the number of types of protective components 30 and the time and cost required to manage the protective components 30.

[0032] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a protective component provided in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to embodiment 2, as seen from the rear left side. Fig. 10 is a view of the protective component provided in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to embodiment 2, as seen from the rear. Fig. 11 is a view of a heat exchanger and protective component provided in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to embodiment 2, as seen from the right side, showing the protective component in cross section.

[0033] The protective component 30 includes a pair of ribs 36 provided on the inner wall of the insertion portion 33. The pair of ribs 36 face each other in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction of the two heat transfer portions 23 connected by the connecting portion 24 inserted into the insertion portion 33. In FIG. 10 , for example, the direction intersecting the arrangement direction of the two heat transfer portions 23 connected by the connecting portion 24 inserted into the insertion portion 33 is the horizontal direction on the page. The pair of ribs 36 sandwich the connecting portion 24 inserted into the insertion portion 33. Note that only one pair of ribs 36 may be provided on the inner wall of one insertion portion 33, or multiple pairs of ribs 36 may be provided.

[0034] Among the multiple types of heat exchangers 20 to which the protective component 30 is attached, the connecting portion 24 of the heat exchanger 20 having the smallest diameter of the connecting portion 24 deforms the pair of ribs 36 when inserted into the insertion portion 33, and is sandwiched and fixed between the pair of ribs 36. Furthermore, among the multiple types of heat exchangers 20 to which the protective component 30 is attached, the connecting portion 24 of the heat exchanger 20 having the largest diameter of the connecting portion 24 deforms the pair of ribs 36 and the inner wall of the insertion portion 33 when inserted into the insertion portion 33, and is sandwiched and fixed between the pair of ribs 36. In this way, the protective component 30 having the pair of ribs 36 can be attached to multiple types of heat exchangers 20 having connecting portions 24 with different diameters. Therefore, by using the protective component 30 having the pair of ribs 36, a manufacturer who produces outdoor units 100 equipped with multiple types of heat exchangers 20 having connecting portions 24 with different diameters can reduce the number of types of protective components 30, and can reduce the effort and cost of managing the protective components 30.

[0035] Specifically, in the second embodiment, among the multiple types of heat exchangers 20 to which the protective component 30 is attached, the connecting portion 24 of the heat exchanger 20 having the smallest diameter of the connecting portion 24 has a diameter of 5 mm. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, among the multiple types of heat exchangers 20 to which the protective component 30 is attached, the connecting portion 24 of the heat exchanger 20 having the largest diameter of the connecting portion 24 has a diameter of 7 mm. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the widthwise spacing G between the pair of ribs 36 is 4.9 mm. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the spacing H between the inner walls of the insertion portions 33 that face each other in the widthwise direction is 6.6 mm. Therefore, the protective component 30 can be attached to multiple types of heat exchangers 20 having connecting portions 24 with different diameters. Therefore, by using the protective component 30 having the pair of ribs 36, a manufacturer that produces outdoor units 100 equipped with multiple types of heat exchangers 20 having connecting portions 24 with different diameters can reduce the number of types of protective components 30, thereby reducing the effort and cost required for managing the protective components 30. The value of 4.9 mm for the widthwise spacing G between the pair of ribs 36 is merely an example. The value of the widthwise spacing G between the pair of ribs 36 may be set appropriately depending on the material of the protective component 30, etc., to a value smaller than the diameter of the connecting portion 24 of the heat exchanger 20 having the smallest diameter of the connecting portion 24. Furthermore, the value of 6.6 mm for the spacing H between the inner walls of the insertion portion 33 is also merely an example. The value of the spacing H between the inner walls of the insertion portion 33 may be set appropriately depending on the material of the protective component 30, etc., to a value equal to or larger than the diameter of the connecting portion 24 of the heat exchanger 20 having the smallest diameter of the connecting portion 24, but smaller than the diameter of the connecting portion 24 of the heat exchanger 20 having the largest diameter of the connecting portion 24.

[0036] The protective component 30 according to the second embodiment also includes a plurality of insertion portions 33 arranged at intervals. At least one of the insertion portions 33 located at the ends in the arrangement direction of the insertion portions 33 is configured so that a portion of the connecting portion 24 is inserted therein when viewed from the second surface 32 to the first surface 31. The observation direction from the second surface 32 to the first surface 31 in FIG. 11 is the observation direction from the left side to the right side of the page. The number of insertion portions 33 included in the protective component 30 is not limited to two. For example, the protective component 30 may include three insertion portions 33. Furthermore, when viewed from the second surface 32 to the first surface 31, both of the insertion portions 33 located at the ends in the arrangement direction of the insertion portions 33 may be configured so that a portion of the connecting portion 24 is inserted therein.

[0037] Such a protective component 30 having a plurality of insertion portions 33 can be attached to a plurality of types of heat exchangers 20 having different arrangement pitches of the connecting portions 24. Therefore, by using such a protective component 30 having a plurality of insertion portions 33, a manufacturer that produces outdoor units 100 having a plurality of types of heat exchangers 20 having different arrangement pitches of the connecting portions 24 can reduce the number of types of protective components 30, and can reduce the effort and cost of managing the protective components 30.

[0038] Specifically, when the arrangement pitch of the connecting portions 24 is taken as arrangement pitch J, in the second embodiment, among the multiple types of heat exchangers 20 to which the protective component 30 is attached, the heat exchanger 20 with the shortest arrangement pitch J has an arrangement pitch J of 40.8 mm. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, among the multiple types of heat exchangers 20 to which the protective component 30 is attached, the heat exchanger 20 with the longest arrangement pitch J has an arrangement pitch J of 42 mm. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the arrangement pitch K of the insertion portions 33 is 40.8 mm. Therefore, the protective component 30 can be attached to multiple types of heat exchangers 20 having different arrangement pitches J of the connecting portions 24. Therefore, by using the protective component 30 having such multiple insertion portions 33, a manufacturer who produces outdoor units 100 equipped with multiple types of heat exchangers 20 having different arrangement pitches J of the connecting portions 24 can reduce the number of types of protective components 30, thereby reducing the effort and cost required for managing the protective components 30.

[0039] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing, 2 Intake port, 3 Outlet port, 4 Machine room, 5 Blower room, 6 Fan, 10 Outer shell, 11 Front panel, 12 Side panel, 13 Top plate, 14 Cover, 15 Bottom plate, 16 Legs, 17 Partition plate, 20 Heat exchanger, 21 Heat transfer fins, 22 Heat transfer tube, 23 Heat transfer section, 24 Connection section, 30 Protective part, 31 First surface, 32 Second surface, 33 Insertion section, 34 Recess, 35 Protrusion, 36 Rib, 100 Outdoor unit.

Claims

1. An outdoor unit of an air conditioner comprising a housing and a heat exchanger housed in the housing, The heat exchanger comprises a plurality of heat transfer fins arranged at intervals and heat transfer tubes through which the refrigerant flows. The heat transfer tube comprises a plurality of heat transfer sections that penetrate the plurality of heat transfer fins, and a connecting section that connects two of the heat transfer sections. The outdoor unit is equipped with protective components positioned between the heat transfer fins and the housing. The aforementioned protective component includes: On the first surface, an insertion portion into which the connecting portion is inserted is formed. On the second surface, which is the surface opposite to the first surface, a recess is formed that is positioned opposite the connecting portion and recesses toward the connecting portion. The protective component has protrusions on both sides of the recess. Outdoor unit of an air conditioner.

2. The protective component is provided on the inner wall of the insertion portion and has a pair of ribs that are positioned opposite to the direction in which the connecting portion inserted into the insertion portion is aligned with the two heat transfer portions that are connected, and that clamp the connecting portion inserted into the insertion portion. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1.

3. The protective component comprises a plurality of insertion portions arranged at intervals, At least one of the insertion portions located at the end in the direction in which the insertion portions are arranged is configured such that a part of the connecting portion is inserted into it in the observation direction from the second surface toward the first surface. An outdoor unit for an air conditioner according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. When the width direction is defined as the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the connecting portion inserted into the insertion portion is connected to the two heat transfer portions, The widthwise dimension of the recess is greater than or equal to the widthwise dimension of the insertion portion. An outdoor unit for an air conditioner according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. The aforementioned protective component is formed of foam material. An outdoor unit for an air conditioner according to claim 1 or claim 2.