Air conditioner indoor unit

Abstract

[Problem] In conventional air conditioner indoor units, a dedicated tool and a specialized technique have been indispensable for cleaning a heat exchanger and a drain pan due to issues related to the positional relationship and structures of the heat exchanger, which is disposed on the inside of a filter, a blower fan, a louver, and a flap, and it has not been easy to clean the blower fan and the louver. To solve the problem, the present invention provides an air conditioner indoor unit in which the positional configuration of the heat exchanger, the drain pan, the blower fan, the louver, and the flap is redesigned. [Solution] This cleaning air conditioner indoor unit is characterized by: having a configuration where air drawn in through an air intake port 4 passes through an air intake airflow passage 5, is heat-exchanged by a heat exchanger 8 disposed inside a drain pan 17, is directed by a blower fan 13 toward a horizontal airflow direction louver 14 and a vertical airflow direction flap 15, and is blown out to the outside of an indoor unit body 1; and being structured such that the heat exchanger 8 can be cleaned in the drain pan 17, and an integrated blower unit 16 and the drain pan 17 can be detached separately from the indoor unit body 1.

Description

Air conditioner indoor unit

[0001] The present invention relates to an indoor unit of a home air conditioner.

[0002] Conventional home air conditioner indoor units, which require regular maintenance, are designed in a way that makes them difficult for anyone to clean due to the placement of the heat exchanger, blower fan, flaps, louvers, drain pan, etc. At present, no system has been confirmed that allows the blower fan, flaps, and louvers to be easily removed and cleaned with one touch, either individually or as a unit, or that allows the heat exchanger to be easily cleaned by immersing it in cleaning liquid stored in the drain pan, or that places the heat exchanger inside the drain pan and exchanges heat within the drain pan.

[0003] The wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit in Patent Document 1 is characterized by a structure in which the easily detachable blower fan is arranged on the motor shaft inside the indoor unit without being fixed with screws or the like, allowing the blower fan to be removed and washed.When returning the indoor unit, it is designed to fit smoothly thanks to a fan guide located in the center of the indoor unit and the motor shaft with a pyramidal tip.However, in terms of configuration, only the blower fan is pulled out from the side of the main unit, which is structurally different from the present invention in which the entire unit is pulled out from the front, and it is also different from the present invention in which heat is exchanged inside a drain pan and the heat exchanger itself can be washed inside the drain pan.

[0004] The wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit of Patent Document 2 is characterized by a structure that allows thorough cleaning of the air duct of the air conditioner indoor unit, thanks to the structure of an air duct assembly consisting of a frame, a grid assembly, a first panel, and a second panel that are detachably connected to the base in order to improve the convenience of attaching and detaching the air conditioner indoor unit.This is different from the present invention, which has a basic structure in which heat is exchanged within the drain pan of the present invention, and the heat exchanger itself can be washed within the drain pan.

[0005] The wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit of Patent Document 3 forms an inner chamber with a downward opening using a base including a frame and air duct components, and the air duct components include a fan mounting frame, which is movably attached to the base and can be moved up and down through the opening of the inner chamber to the outside.The structure allows the blower fan to be removed and washed along with the mounting frame, making it easy for users to clean the air duct components.However, this differs from the present invention, which has a basic structure in which heat is exchanged within a drain pan and the heat exchanger itself can be cleaned within the drain pan.The similarity between this invention and the present invention, which has a structure in which a detachable air blower unit consisting of a blower fan, left and right air direction louvers, and up and down air direction flaps is arranged, and a drain pan is only in the structure in which the detachable air duct components including the fan inside the indoor unit can be cleaned.

[0006] Furthermore, the air conditioner of Patent Document 4, which has a heat exchanger and a device for sucking drain water above the drain pan, is structured to suck in drain water and prevent it from accumulating in the drain pan in order to suppress the growth of bacteria in the drain water, and is different from the present invention, which has a structure in which the sucked-in air is heat exchanged within the drain pan and the heat exchanger is cleaned within the drain pan.

[0007] Similarly, the indoor unit of the air conditioning system in Patent Document 5, which has a heat exchanger arranged on a drain pan, aims to efficiently clean the heat exchanger, but unlike the present invention, which has a structure in which the heat exchanger is cleaned by filling the drain pan with cleaning liquid so that the heat exchanger is immersed, the indoor unit has a structure in which cleaning liquid is sprayed horizontally onto the heat exchanger arranged vertically on the drain pan and is received by a water-stop panel, which can also be said to be different from the present invention, which has a structure in which the heat exchanger is cleaned inside the drain pan.

[0008] Patent 2019-79655, Patent 2020-525749, Patent 2021-513045, Patent 2016-48761, Patent 2014-92301

[0009] Conventional wall-mounted indoor air conditioners for home use are sold with automatic filter and heat exchanger cleaning functions, but thorough cleaning of the heat exchanger, blower fan, flaps, louvers, and drain pan requires the services of a professional, which can be costly, so many people leave the dirt behind. This can lead to a decrease in heat exchange efficiency, mold growth, and the buildup of dirt.

[0010] To solve these problems, the present invention provides a washable air conditioner indoor unit that allows the blower fan, flaps, and louvers to be easily removed and washed without tools, performs heat exchange within a drain pan, and has a structure and form that allows the heat exchanger to be easily washed.

[0011] This air conditioner indoor unit has an indoor unit body (1) which has a filter section (3), an air intake port (4), an air intake duct (5), a partition wall (a6), an air outlet port (7), a heat exchanger (8), a drain pan (17), and an integrated air blower unit (16), with the heat exchanger (8) disposed within the drain pan (17). The air intake port (4) of the indoor unit body (1) is drawn into the drain pan (17) by the air blower fan (13), passes through the air intake duct (5) formed by the partition wall (a6), is drawn into the inside of the drain pan (17), undergoes heat exchange in the heat exchanger (8) which is disposed within the drain pan (17), and is then blown out of the indoor unit body (1) through the air outlet port (7) of the indoor unit body (1) by the integrated air blower unit (16).

[0012] The air conditioner indoor unit has a drain pan (17), a drain (18), a drain cock (19), and a drain connection part (20), and a heat exchanger (8) is installed inside the drain pan (17) relative to the indoor unit body (1), and the drain pan (17) is configured to exchange heat inside the drain pan (17) with air drawn in from the air intake port (4) when the indoor unit body (1) is in operation, and is configured so that the heat exchanger (8) inside the drain pan (17) can be cleaned while immersed in cleaning liquid (46) while the drain pan (17) is attached to the indoor unit body (1) of the air conditioner, or can be cleaned by pouring cleaning liquid (46) over the heat exchanger (8) inside the drain pan (17).

[0013] The integrated blower unit 16 has a snap-fit ​​structure and is made up of the blower fan 13, left and right airflow direction louvers 14, up and down airflow direction flaps 15, and partition wall b24, which are configured to be detachable without tools. By removing the integrated blower unit 16 or the filter part 3 from the indoor unit body 1, the upper, front, rear, and left and right side faces of the heat exchanger 8, which is installed inside the drain pan 17, are exposed. The integrated blower unit 16 removed from the indoor unit body 1 can be washed as is, or by removing the blower fan 13, left and right airflow direction louvers 14, and up and down airflow direction flaps 15 from the integrated blower unit 16. This air conditioner indoor unit is characterized by the following configuration.

[0014] The heat exchanger located inside the drain pan can be easily cleaned at home either inside the drain pan or by immersing it in the cleaning solution stored in the drain pan. The blower fan, flap, louvers, and drain pan can be removed and cleaned more easily than conventional units. This eliminates the need for regular professional maintenance, as with conventional wall-mounted indoor air conditioner units, and is expected to lead to significant reductions in maintenance costs and encourage replacement demand for air conditioner units that have exceeded their useful life. Furthermore, the form of the present invention, in which the heat exchanger located inside the drain pan can be cleaned directly inside the drain pan, can also be used in automotive air conditioner units. By placing the heat exchanger unit outside the vehicle, such as in the engine compartment, cleaning the heat exchanger unit does not require removing and installing the dashboard or disassembling the air conditioner unit, allowing users to easily clean it frequently themselves, which also serves as a measure against mold allergies. Furthermore, the present invention is configured such that by arranging an ion generator or the like in the air intake, it is possible to constantly sterilize the inside of the indoor unit body and the blower fan, flap, louvers, drain pan, and heat exchanger arranged inside the indoor unit with negative ions or the like during operation.

[0015] (a) is a perspective view of the indoor unit body 1 of the present invention. (b) is a perspective view showing the relationship between the integrated blower unit 16, which is fitted with the indoor unit body 1 of the present invention and is equipped with a blower fan 13, left and right airflow direction louvers 1, and upper and lower airflow direction flaps 15, and the structure to be installed inside the air conditioner indoor unit, and is a view showing the case where a power unit section 25 is installed in the integrated blower unit 16. (a) is a front view of the indoor unit body 1 of the present invention with the drain connection section cover 32 opened. (b) is a front view of the indoor unit body 1 of the present invention with the drain connection section cover 32 opened and the external drain hose 28 connected. (c) is a front view of the body with the drain connection section cover 32 opened, the drain pan 17 removed, and the heat exchanger 8 exposed. (a) is a front view of the integrated blower unit 16 of the present invention with the blower fan 13, left and right airflow direction louvers 14, and upper and lower airflow direction flaps 15 installed. (b) A left side view of the integrated blower unit 16 of the present invention, in which the blower fan 13, the left and right airflow direction louvers 14, the up and down airflow direction flaps 15, and the partition wall b24 are arranged. (c) A right side view of the integrated blower unit 16 of the present invention, in which the blower fan 13, the left and right airflow direction louvers 14, the up and down airflow direction flaps 15, and the partition wall b24 are arranged. (d) A plan view of the integrated blower unit 16 of the present invention, in which the blower fan 13, the left and right airflow direction louvers 14, the up and down airflow direction flaps 15, and the partition wall b24 are arranged. (e) A front view of a structure to be installed in the air conditioner indoor unit of the present invention. (f) A left side view of a structure to be installed in the air conditioner indoor unit of the present invention. (g) A right side view of the structure to be installed in the air conditioner indoor unit of the present invention. (h) A plan view of a structure to be installed in the air conditioner indoor unit of the present invention. (a) A cross-sectional view of the inside of the indoor unit body 1 of the present invention as viewed from the right side of the front, showing the relationship between the blower unit 16, the heat exchanger 8, and the structure to be installed inside the air conditioner indoor unit.(b) A cross-sectional view from the front right side shows the flow of air entering through the air intake 4 with the filter 3 of the indoor unit body 1 of the present invention. The air intake duct 5, whose vertical cross section is curved when viewed from the side by the partition wall a6, passes through the heat exchanger 8 in the structure installed in the air conditioner indoor unit, is transported through the partition wall b24 to the integrated blower unit 16, passes through the air outlet duct 23, and is discharged from the air outlet 7. This figure shows the case where the bottom of the integrated blower unit 16 and the partition wall b24 are integrated. (c) A side view of the integrated blower unit 16 of the present invention and the structure installed in the air conditioner indoor unit, as viewed from the front right side. (d) A cross-sectional view of the interior of the indoor unit body 1 of the present invention, as seen from the front right side, with the integrated blower unit 16 and the structure installed in the air conditioner indoor unit removed. (a) A side view and a perspective view showing a structure for transmitting rotational force using gears when the power unit 25 is not installed in the integrated blower unit 16 of the present invention. (b) A side view and a perspective view showing a structure for transmitting rotational force using a cylindrical component with magnetic force when the power unit section 25 is not provided in the integrated blower unit 16 of the present invention. (c) A plan view and a perspective view showing a structure when the left-right airflow direction louver drive force transmission section 42 and the left-right airflow direction louver drive force receiving section 43 are connected. (d) A plan view and a perspective view showing a structure when the up-down airflow direction flap drive force transmission section 44 and the up-down airflow direction flap drive force receiving section 45 are connected. (a) A side view showing a structure for transmitting rotational force using an electromagnetic clutch or permanent magnet when the power unit section 25 is not provided in the integrated blower unit 16 of the present invention. (b) A perspective view showing a structure for transmitting rotational force using an electromagnetic clutch or permanent magnet when the power unit section 25 is not provided in the integrated blower unit 16 of the present invention. (a) A diagram of a structure installed in an air conditioner indoor unit when the drain 18 of the drain pan 17, the drain cock 19, and the drain connection section 20 are arranged facing the front of the right side of the heat exchanger 8 when viewed from the front. (b) A diagram of the structure to be installed inside an air conditioner indoor unit when the drain 18 of the drain pan 17, the drain cock 19, and the drain connection part 20 are arranged toward the rear of the right side of the heat exchanger 8 when viewed from the front.(c) A cross-sectional view of a structure to be installed in an air conditioner indoor unit, viewed from the front right side, showing a configuration in which the heat exchanger 8, including its upper surface, is immersed in the cleaning liquid 46 stored in the drain pan 17, and the heat exchanger 8 can be cleaned or the cleaning liquid 46 can be poured over it. (d) A cross-sectional view of a structure to be installed in an air conditioner indoor unit, viewed from the front right side, showing a configuration in which the heat exchanger 8, including its upper surface or close to the upper surface, is immersed in the cleaning liquid 46 stored in the drain pan 17, and the heat exchanger 8 can be cleaned or the cleaning liquid 46 can be poured over it. (e) A cross-sectional view of a structure to be installed in an air conditioner indoor unit, viewed from the front right side, showing a configuration in which the heat exchanger 8, including its lower portion below the upper surface, is immersed in the cleaning liquid 46 stored in the drain pan 17, and the heat exchanger 8 can be cleaned or the cleaning liquid 46 can be poured over it. (a) is a perspective view showing the state in which the upper part of the heat exchanger 8 arranged inside the drain pan 17 is exposed when the integrated blower unit 16 is removed from the indoor unit main body 1 of the present invention. (b) is a perspective view showing the relationship between the drain pan 17 of the structure to be installed in the air conditioner indoor unit of the present invention and the heat exchanger 8 arranged inside it. (a) is an elevation view showing the positional relationship, including the partition wall a6 and the partition wall b24, when the indoor unit main body 1 is viewed from the side, with the filter section 3, the air intake 4, the drain pan 17, and the heat exchanger 8 arranged flat inside it arranged at the top of the indoor unit main body 1, and the integrated blower unit 16 and the air outlet 7 arranged at the bottom of the indoor unit main body. (b) An elevational view showing the relative positions of the partition wall a6 and the partition wall b24 when the indoor unit body 1 is viewed from the side, with the filter section 3, the air intake 4, the drain pan 17, and the heat exchanger 8 arranged vertically inside it arranged at the top of the indoor unit body 1, and the integrated air blower unit 16 and the air outlet 7 arranged at the bottom of the indoor unit body. (c) An elevational view showing the relative positions of the partition wall a6 and the partition wall b24 when the indoor unit body 1 is viewed from the side, with the filter section 3 and the air intake 4 arranged at the top of the surface of the indoor unit body 1, the upper drain pan 17 of the indoor unit body 1 on the back side, and the heat exchanger 8 arranged inside it arranged at the bottom of the indoor unit body.(d) An elevational view showing the positional relationship, including the partition wall a6 with which the partition wall b24 is integrated, when the indoor unit body 1 is viewed from the side, with the filter section 3 and air intake 4 placed vertically in the middle of the indoor unit body 1, with the drain pan 17 and the heat exchanger 8 placed vertically inside it in the lower part of the indoor unit body 1, and with the integrated air blower unit 16 and air outlet 7 placed in the upper part of the indoor unit body. (e) An elevational view showing the positional relationship, including the partition wall a6 with which the partition wall b24 is integrated, when the indoor unit body 1 is viewed from the side, with the filter section 3 and air intake 4 placed flat in the middle of the indoor unit body 1, with the drain pan 17 and the heat exchanger 8 placed vertically inside it in the lower part of the indoor unit body 1, and with the integrated air blower unit 16 and air outlet 7 placed in the upper part of the indoor unit body.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1(a)(b), 4(a)(b)(c)(d), 8(a)(b), and 9(a)(b)(c)(d)(e), the indoor unit body 1 includes an indoor unit body framework 2, a filter section 3, an air intake port 4, an air intake air duct 5, a partition wall a6, an air outlet 7, a heat exchanger 8, a refrigerant duct a11, a refrigerant duct b12, a drain pan 17, a drain 18, and a drain cock. The indoor unit 1 has an integral air blowing unit 16 including a drain connection part 20, a main body drain connection part 21, a main body drain hose 22, an air blowing duct 23, a partition wall 24, a power unit part 25, a base unit part 26, a drain connection part cover 32, a base unit storage part 33, a blower fan 13, left and right air direction louvers 14, and an up and down air direction flap 15. The indoor unit 1 has a filter section 3 and an air intake 4, and an air intake duct 5 is formed by a partition wall a6 whose lower end reaches the heat exchanger 8 inside the drain pan 17. The heat exchanger 8 is disposed inside the drain pan 17 which is attached to the bottom of the indoor unit body 1, and an integrated air blower unit 16 is disposed above the heat exchanger 8. The air drawn in by the blower fan 13 from the air intake 4 which is equipped with the filter section 3 of the indoor unit body 1 passes through the air intake duct 5 and is drawn into the inside of the drain pan 17, where it is heat exchanged in the heat exchanger 8 which is disposed inside the drain pan 17. After that, the air is sent by the blower fan 13 to the left and right air direction louvers 14 and the up and down air direction flaps 15 which are disposed in the integrated air blower unit 16, and is blown out from the air outlet 7 of the indoor unit body 1. Although the air intake 4 is disposed on the top surface of the indoor unit body 1 and the air outlet 7 is disposed on the front surface of the indoor unit body 1, this is not limited to this. Furthermore, the relative positions of the air intake 4, integrated blower unit 16, heat exchanger 3, and drain pan 17 from the top of the indoor unit body 1 are not limited to this. Furthermore, the air intake duct 5 formed by the indoor unit body 1, partition wall a6, and partition wall b24, which reaches the heat exchanger 8 in the drain pan 17, is not limited to this. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 9(d) and (e), there are also cases where partition wall b24 is not provided. Partition walls a6 and b24 may be detachable for cleaning.

[0017] As shown in Figures 4(a)(b)(c)(d) and 8(a)(b), when the integrated fan unit 16 is arranged above the heat exchanger 8, when the integrated fan unit 16, or the integrated fan unit 16 and the partition wall b24, are removed from the indoor unit body 1, the top of the heat exchanger 8 arranged inside the drain pan 17 is exposed. However, this is not limited to this, and it also includes a form in which in addition to the top of the heat exchanger 8, all or any of the front, back, left side and right side are exposed.

[0018] As shown in Figures 9(a)(b)(c)(d)(e), even when the filter section 3 is arranged above or in front of the heat exchanger 8, when the filter section 3 is removed from the indoor unit body 1, the top of the heat exchanger 8 arranged inside the drain pan 17 will be exposed. However, this is not limited to this, and it also includes a form in which in addition to the top of the heat exchanger 8, all or any of the front, back, left side and right side will be exposed.

[0019] Figure 4(b) shows the flow of air entering through the air intake 4 with the filter 3 of the indoor unit body 1 of the present invention, passing through the air intake duct 5, whose cross section in the elevational view is curved by the partition wall a6, the heat exchanger 8 in the structure installed in the air conditioner indoor unit, the partition wall b24 to the integrated blower unit 16, the air outlet duct 23, and the air outlet 7. This figure also shows the configuration of the indoor unit body 1 when viewed from the right front side, in which the bottom of the integrated blower unit 16 and the partition wall b24 are integrally formed. However, the location of the partition wall b24 is not limited to this. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 9(a), 9(b), 9(c), 9(d), and 9(e), the configuration of the air outlet duct 23 is also not limited to this. In Figure 4(b), the partition wall a6 separates the air intake duct 5 from the air outlet duct 23.

[0020] In Figure 4(b), in the air conditioner indoor unit of the present invention, air is drawn in by the blower fan 13 through the air intake 4 with the filter section 3 on the top surface of the indoor unit body 1, passes through the air intake duct 5 on the back side of the indoor unit body 1, separated by partition wall a6, and is drawn into the inside of the drain pan 17, flows around from the bottom end of partition wall a6 to the underside of the heat exchanger 8 installed inside the drain pan 17, undergoes heat exchange in the heat exchanger 8, is sucked up by the blower fan 13 from the top surface of the heat exchanger 8 along partition wall b24, is sent out to the left and right air direction louvers 14 and the up and down air direction flaps 15, and is blown out to the outside of the indoor unit body 1 through the air outlet 7 of the indoor unit body 1, but the respective positions and shapes of the partition wall a6, drain pan 17, integrated air blower unit 16, and heat exchanger 8, and the shape of the air flow to the heat exchanger 8 installed inside the drain pan 17 are not limited to this.

[0021] Figures 2(a)(b)(c), 4(a)(b), and 7(c)(d)(e) As shown in Figures 8(a) and (b), in the air conditioner indoor unit of the present invention, the state in which the heat exchanger 8 is immersed in cleaning liquid 46 stored in the drain pan 17 of the structure to be installed in the air conditioner indoor unit refers to the state in which the heat exchanger 8 is wholly or partly immersed in cleaning liquid 46 poured into the drain pan 17 with the drain cock 19 closed, and the heat exchanger 8 can be scrubbed with a brush or the like, and the form in which the heat exchanger (8) can be cleaned while the cleaning liquid 46 is flowing refers to the form in which pressurized cleaning liquid 46 is sprayed into the drain pan 17 with the drain cock 19 open using a cleaning device with multiple or one small hole, and the cleaning is performed while the cleaning liquid 46 is discharged from the drain 18, and the form in which the heat exchanger 8 arranged inside the drain pan 17 of the structure to be installed in the air conditioner indoor unit is cleaned by scrubbing with a brush or the like against the heat exchanger 8 while the cleaning liquid 46 is flowing and discharged from the drain 18. When draining the cleaning liquid 46, the external drain hose connection 27 or the main body drain connection 21 is connected to the drain connection 20. Also, for structures installed inside the air conditioner indoor unit that are detachable from the indoor unit main body 1, it is possible to remove them from the indoor unit main body 1 and clean only the structure itself installed inside the air conditioner indoor unit. When the air conditioner is operating, the main body drain connection 21 is connected to the drain connection 20. In addition, the cleaning liquid used when cleaning the partition wall a6, the partition wall b24, and the air intake duct 5 of the indoor unit main body 1 also flows into the drain pan 17.

[0022] 1(b), 2(c), 4(a), 4(b), 4(d), 7(c), 7(d), 7(e), and 8(a) and 8(b) show configurations in which a heat exchanger 8 is disposed inside a drain pan 17 of a structure to be installed inside an air conditioner indoor unit that fits into the indoor unit body 1, in which one heat exchanger 8 is disposed flat inside the drain pan 17, but this is not limited to this, and it is also possible to dispose a heat exchanger 8 with multiple surfaces inside the drain pan 17, or to dispose multiple heat exchangers 8 vertically. The configuration of the heat exchanger 8 also includes cylindrical shapes and the like.

[0023] When the partition a6 and heat exchanger 8 shown in Figures 1(a)(b), 3(e)(f)(g)(h), and 4(a)(b)(c)(d) are fixed, the structure of the attachment / detachment mechanism for the structure to be installed inside the air conditioner indoor unit is a combination of sliding the structure to be installed inside the air conditioner indoor unit back and forth on the rails of the main body 1 and moving it vertically, but the structure of the attachment / detachment mechanism for the structure to be installed inside the air conditioner indoor unit is not limited to this, and other attachment / detachment structures or locking mechanisms can also be provided.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1(b), Figures 3(a)(b)(c)(d), and Figure 4(c)(d), the structure for attaching and detaching the integrated blower unit 16 that fits into the indoor unit main body 1 is to unlock the blower unit locking portion 34 and slide the integrated blower unit 16 back and forth on the rails of the main body 1, but the attachment and detachment structure of the integrated blower unit 16 is not limited to this.

[0025] 7(a) and 7(b), the drain connection part 20 and the main body drain connection part 21 are configured to be detachable, using an attachment type or a connection type with female and male threads, etc. Also, in the figures, the main body drain connection part 21, main body drain hose 22, and drain connection part cover 32 are disposed at the lower right front of the indoor unit main body 1, and the drain 18, drain cock 19, and drain connection part 20 are disposed at the front right front of the drain pan 17 of the structure installed inside the air conditioner indoor unit, but the locations of the drain 18, drain cock 19, and drain connection part 20 are not limited to this.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 2(a), (b), and (c), the main body drain hose 22 has elasticity, flexibility, and rotatability, and is structured to facilitate replacement with the external drain hose 28.

[0027] 1(b) and 3(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h), if the length, width, and height dimensions of the detachable drain pan 17 are sized to fit the integrated blower unit 16, it will be possible to clean it after removing it from the indoor unit body 1, and it will also be possible to collect water or cleaning liquid 46 in the drain pan 17 removed from the indoor unit body 1 and use it to clean the blower fan 13, left and right air direction louvers 14, up and down air direction flaps 15, and integrated blower unit 16. Note that if a power unit section 25 is provided in the integrated blower unit 16, the power unit section 25 of the integrated blower unit 16 will have a waterproof function.

[0028] The power unit 24 and the base unit 25 built into the indoor unit body 1 shown in Figures 1(a)(b), 2(c)(d), 3(e)(f)(g)(h), and 4(a)(b)(c) have a waterproof structure that allows for internal cleaning.

[0029] The integrated blower unit 16 of claims 1 and 3 shown in Figures 1(b), 3(a)(b)(c)(d), and 4(a)(b)(c) has a fitting structure such as an assembly type with respect to the indoor unit body 1, and is structured so that the blower fan 13, the left and right airflow direction louvers 14, and the up and down airflow direction flaps 15 are arranged, but the blower fan 13, the left and right airflow direction louvers 14, and the up and down airflow direction flaps 15 can be assembled and detached without using tools such as a screwdriver. In addition to a configuration in which the blower fan 13, left and right air direction louvers 14, and up and down air direction flaps 15 are integrated, there are configurations in which only the blower fan 13 is separate and the left and right air direction louvers 14 and up and down air direction flaps 15 are integrated, a configuration in which the blower fan 13 and left and right air direction louvers 14 are integrated and only the up and down air direction flaps 15 are separate, and a configuration in which the blower fan 13, left and right air direction louvers 14, and up and down air direction flaps 15 are each separate. Note that although the partition wall b24 is integrated with the bottom of the integrated blower unit 16 in claim 3 and this drawing, this is not limited to this.

[0030] The integrated air blower unit 16 removed from the indoor unit body 1 shown in Figure 1(b), Figure 3(a)(b)(c)(d), and Figure 4(a)(b)(c) is configured so that it can be disassembled and cleaned by removing the entire unit or the air blower fan 13, left and right air direction louvers 14, and up and down air direction flaps 15 separately.

[0031] The integrated blower unit 16 having an assembly type or other structure shown in Figure 1(b), Figure 3(a)(b)(c)(d), and Figure 4(a)(b)(c) is detachable from the indoor unit body 1 using a mechanism such as a snap-in type or a pull-out type, and has a partition wall b24 at the bottom, but the shape and location of the partition wall b24 are not limited to this.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1(a)(b) and 4(a)(b)(c), the integrated blower unit 16 presses the upper front part of the drain pan 17, fixing the drain pan 17 to the indoor unit body 1, and the integrated blower unit 16 can be attached or detached to or from the indoor unit body 1 by operating the blower unit locking part 36. However, the structure for fixing the integrated blower unit 16 to the structure to be installed inside the air conditioner indoor unit is not limited to this, and other structures are also possible.

[0033] 1(b), 2(b)(c), 3(c)(d), and 4(a), (b), and (c) show configurations in which a power unit section 25 is disposed in an integrated blower unit 16, with power etc. being received at a power receiving section 30 from a power supply section 31 on the indoor unit main body 1 side. The rotational force of the blower fan 13 and the driving force of the left and right air direction louvers 14 and up and down air direction flaps 15 disposed in the integrated blower unit 16 are transmitted from the power unit section 25 within the integrated blower unit 16, and power and electrical signals to the power unit section 25 are received from the main body base unit 26 using a power cord equipped with a coupler and socket, etc., but this is not limited to this and other connection structures are also possible. In addition to the blower fan 13, both or either of the left and right air direction louvers 14 and up and down air direction flaps 15 can also be operated manually.

[0034] 5(a)(b)(c)(d) and 6(a)(b) show the configuration of the rotational force or driving force transmission section and the rotational force or driving force receiving section when the power unit section 25 is not disposed in the integrated blower unit 16, and the configuration includes a blower fan rotational force transmission section 40, a left / right air direction louver driving force transmission section 42, and an up / down air direction flap driving force transmission section 44 disposed on the indoor unit main body 1 side, and a blower fan rotational force receiving section 41, a left / right air direction louver driving force receiving section 43, and This is a diagram showing the structure of the up / down air direction flap driving force passive unit 45. The structures of the blower fan torque transmission unit 40 and the blower fan torque passive unit 41 may use gear meshing, an electromagnetic clutch, a permanent magnet, a socket, etc., or a combination of these, and the relationship between transmission and reception of torque shown in the diagram of the blower fan torque transmission unit 40 and the blower fan torque passive unit 41 is not limited to this. Furthermore, the relationship between transmission and reception of drive force between the left / right air direction louver driving force transmission unit 42 and the left / right air direction louver driving force passive unit 43, and the relationship between the up / down air direction flap driving force transmission unit 44 and the up / down air direction flap driving force passive unit 45 are not limited to this.

[0035] The blower fan 13 shown in Figures 1(b), 3(b), (c), and 4(d), and 4(a), (b), and (c) is in the form of a crossflow fan (registered trademark), but is not limited to this and other forms are also possible.

[0036] 4(a), (b), and (d), by arranging the electromagnets 29 at the air intake 4, it is possible to suppress the growth of airborne bacteria such as mold in the drain pan 17, heat exchanger 8, blower fan 13, left and right airflow direction louvers 14, and up and down airflow direction flaps 15 inside the indoor unit body 1, which are arranged between the air intake 4 and the air outlet 7. The electromagnets 29 also have functions such as generating negative ions and plasma.

[0037] As shown in Figures 1(b), 4(a)(b)(c)(d), and 7(c)(d)(e), in the air conditioner indoor unit of the present invention, the heat exchanger 8 is arranged inside the drain pan 17 of the structure to be installed inside the air conditioner indoor unit, and the heat exchanger 8 can be washed inside the drain pan 17. This configuration can also be used in automobile air conditioners, and by arranging the heat exchange unit in the engine room or the like outside the cabin, it is possible to remove the dashboard inside the cabin and clean the inside of the heat exchange unit in which the heat exchanger 8 is arranged without having to disassemble the air conditioner unit body.

[0038] 1 Indoor unit body 2 Indoor unit body frame 3 Filter section 4 Air intake port 5 Air intake air duct 6 Partition wall a 7 Air outlet 8 Heat exchanger 9 Heat exchanger holding member a 10 Heat exchanger holding member b 11 Refrigerant duct a 12 Refrigerant duct b 13 Blower fan 14 Left and right air direction louvers 15 Up and down air direction flaps 16 Integrated air blower unit 17 Drain pan 18 Drain 19 Drain cock 20 Drain connection section 21 Main body drain connection section 22 Main body drain hose 23 Air outlet air duct Missing from diagram 24 Partition wall b 25 Power unit section 26 Base unit 27 External drain hose connection section 28 External drain hose 29 Electromagnetic section, etc. 30 Power receiving section 31 Power supply section 32 Drain connection cover 33 Main body power / board unit storage section 34 Blower unit lock section 35 Main body lock section 36 Blower unit attachment / detachment mechanism 37 Blower unit attachment / detachment mechanism support 38 Drain pan attachment / detachment mechanism 39 Drain pan attachment / detachment mechanism support 40 Blower fan rotation force transmission section 41 Blower fan rotation force receiving section 42 Left / right air direction louver drive force transmission section 43 Left / right air direction louver drive force receiving section 44 Up / down air direction flap operation force transmission section 45 Up / down air direction flap operation force receiving section 46 Cleaning liquid

Claims

1. An air conditioner indoor unit having an indoor unit body (1) having a filter section (3), an air intake port (4), an air intake duct (5), a partition wall a (6), an air outlet port (7), a heat exchanger (8), a drain pan (17), and an integrated blower unit (16), with the heat exchanger (8) disposed in the drain pan (17). Air drawn in by a blower fan (13) from the air intake port (4) equipped with a filter section (3) of the indoor unit body (1) is filtered by the partition wall a (6). The air passes through the air intake duct (5) and is drawn into the drain pan (17), where it is heat exchanged in a heat exchanger (8) that is disposed within the drain pan (17), and then the air is blown out of the indoor unit body (1) through an air outlet (7) of the indoor unit body (1) by an integrated air blowing unit (16). Furthermore, the integrated air blowing unit (16) has a structure that is fitted into the indoor unit body (1), and the air blower fan (13), the left and right air direction louvers (14), the up and down air direction flaps (15), and the partition wall b (24) that constitute the integrated air blowing unit (16) have a structure that allows them to be attached and detached to the indoor unit body (1). This air conditioner indoor unit is characterized in that by removing the integrated blower unit (16) or the filter part (3) from (1), at least one of the upper, front, rear, and left and right side faces of the heat exchanger (8) that is installed inside a drain pan (17) is exposed, and the integrated blower unit (16) removed from the indoor unit body (1) can be washed as is, or by removing each of the blower fan (13), the left and right air flow louvers (14), and the up and down air flow flaps (15) from the integrated blower unit (16).

2. An air conditioner indoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the drain pan (17) has a drain (18), a drain cock (19), and a drain connection (20), and has a heat exchanger (8) installed inside the drain pan (17) relative to the indoor unit body (1), and is configured to exchange heat inside the drain pan (17) with the air sucked in from the air inlet (4) of the indoor unit body (1) in operation, and is configured so that the heat exchanger (8) in the drain pan (17) can be washed while immersed in cleaning liquid (46) while the drain pan (17) is attached to the indoor unit body (1) of the air conditioner, or can be washed by pouring cleaning liquid (46) over the heat exchanger (8) in the drain pan (17).

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