Ceiling embedded type air conditioning device

Abstract

This ceiling embedded type air conditioning device comprises: a main body case which includes a first surface that is provided with a blowout port and that faces a ceiling opening portion of a ceiling, and a second surface that is a different surface from the first surface and that is provided with a suction port; a blower unit which is provided within the main body case and which includes a fan and a fan motor; a closing lid portion, which constitutes a part that is in front of the blower unit and that is a portion of the first surface of the main body case when the main body case is viewed from the first surface side, and which creates an opening portion in said portion of the first surface when removed; and a detachable controller which is either attached to the closing lid portion, formed integrally with the closing lid portion, or disposed within the main body case between the blower unit and the closing lid portion.

Description

Ceiling-mounted air conditioning unit

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a ceiling-mounted air conditioner equipped with a blower unit.

[0002] Some ceiling-mounted air conditioners have a blower unit housed within a main body case, and an opening is formed by removing a portion of one side of the main body case (a cover member), allowing the blower unit to be pulled out of the main body case through this opening (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, a controller is attached to the cover member that closes the opening, and during maintenance, the cover member to which the controller is attached is removed and the fan is attached and detached through the opening. The air conditioner in Patent Document 1 is installed above the ceiling so that the bottom of the main body case faces an inspection hatch in the ceiling, and has intake and exhaust ports on two opposing sides of the four sides (front, back, left, and right), which are connected to intake and exhaust openings in the ceiling, respectively, via ducts.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-233646

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1, the opening in the main body case is provided on a side that is perpendicular to the side on which the air outlet is provided, i.e., on a side different from the side on which the air outlet is provided. Therefore, if there is no inspection hatch in the ceiling or if there is not enough space in the ceiling, it is difficult to work on the air blower and controller.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made against the backdrop of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a ceiling-mounted air conditioning device that makes it easy to perform maintenance on the controller and blower unit even if there is no inspection hatch in the ceiling or sufficient space within the ceiling.

[0006] The ceiling-mounted air conditioning apparatus of the present disclosure comprises a main body case having a first surface facing a ceiling opening in a ceiling and having an air outlet and a second surface different from the first surface and having an air inlet; a blower unit provided within the main body case and having a fan and a fan motor; a blocking lid unit that is part of the first surface of the main body case when the main body case is viewed from the side of the first surface and forms the front part of the blower unit, and that, when removed, creates an opening in the part of the first surface; and a removable controller that is attached to the blocking lid unit, is formed integrally with the blocking lid unit, or is positioned within the main body case between the blower unit and the blocking lid unit.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a ceiling-mounted air conditioner that allows easy maintenance of the controller and blower unit even if there is no inspection hatch in the ceiling or sufficient space within the ceiling.

[0008] 1 is a schematic side view showing a state in which a ceiling-embedded air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 is installed on a ceiling. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the ceiling-embedded air conditioner shown in FIG. 1 as seen from above. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the ceiling-embedded air conditioner shown in FIG. 1 as seen from below. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the ceiling-embedded air conditioner shown in FIG. 2 with the top plate removed. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the ceiling-embedded air conditioner shown in FIG. 2 with the controller disassembled and removed. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view illustrating the mounting structure of the blower section shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view illustrating the function of the guide mechanism shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating the division position of the fan case of the blower unit shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the disassembled fan case shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the disassembled fan case shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of the disassembled fan case shown in FIG. 9 as seen from the right rear and above. FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of the disassembled fan case shown in FIG. 9 as seen from the left front and above.

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a ceiling-mounted air conditioning device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described below. Furthermore, in the following drawings, including FIG. 1, the size relationships between the components may differ from the actual size relationships. Furthermore, in the following description, terms indicating directions are used as appropriate to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure. However, these terms are for the purpose of explaining the present disclosure and do not limit the present disclosure. Examples of terms indicating directions include "up," "down," "right," "left," "front," and "rear." Note that the same or corresponding parts in each drawing will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0010] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a schematic side view showing a ceiling-mounted air conditioning apparatus according to embodiment 1 installed on a ceiling 200. Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the ceiling-mounted air conditioning apparatus shown in Figure 1 as seen from above. Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the ceiling-mounted air conditioning apparatus shown in Figure 1 as seen from below. In the figures, solid white arrows conceptually indicate the flow of air. Hereinafter, the ceiling-mounted air conditioning apparatus may be referred to as an indoor unit 100.

[0011] The indoor unit 100 is installed by being embedded in a ceiling 200 of the space to be air-conditioned. In the following description, the indoor unit 100 is defined as being installed within a dropped ceiling 210 as shown in FIG. 1. The dropped ceiling 210 refers to an area where a portion of the ceiling 200 is lowered. When the dropped ceiling 210 is used as the installation space for the indoor unit 100, a larger installation space can generally be secured compared to when the indoor unit is installed indoors.

[0012] 1 , a ceiling opening 211o is provided in a side portion 211 of the dropped ceiling 210, and a grill 6 is attached to the indoor side of the side portion 211 so as to cover the ceiling opening 211o. In this disclosure, for the sake of the design of the ceiling 200, it is assumed that an inspection hatch is not provided in the dropped ceiling 210 (for example, the bottom portion 212).

[0013] The indoor unit 100 has a main body case 1 made of sheet metal that forms the outer shell. The main body case 1 is a rectangular parallelepiped box (see FIG. 2) with a hollow space formed inside. The main body case 1 is configured such that an air outlet 10a (see FIG. 2) is provided on a first surface S1, and an air inlet 10b (see FIG. 3) is provided on a second surface S2 different from the first surface S1. The first surface S1 and the second surface S2 of the main body case 1 are side surfaces that intersect at right angles.

[0014] The indoor unit 100 is configured so that the main body case 1 is suspended within a dropped ceiling 210 via multiple suspension bolts (not shown) installed vertically on beams or the like of the building. The indoor unit 100 is positioned so that the first surface S1, on which the air outlet 10a (see FIG. 2) of the main body case 1 is provided, faces the ceiling opening 211o. The indoor unit 100 introduces indoor air A1 into the dropped ceiling 210 through the ceiling opening 211o and the grill 6 provided in the side portion 211 of the dropped ceiling 210, and takes in the indoor air A2 that has flowed into the dropped ceiling 210 through the air inlet 10b into the main body case 1. The indoor unit 100 exchanges heat between the indoor air A2 taken into the main body case 1 and a refrigerant to generate conditioned air A3 whose temperature has been adjusted by cooling or heating, and then blows out the conditioned air A3 from the air outlet 10a of the main body case 1. The conditioned air A3 blown out from the air outlet 10a is blown into the room through the ceiling opening 211o provided in the side portion 211 of the dropped ceiling 210 and the grill 6. The conditioned air A4 blown out into the room cools or heats the room.

[0015] In the following, terms indicating directions ("up," "down," "right," "left," "front," or "rear") are defined as indicating directions when viewed from the front, with the second surface S2 of the indoor unit 100 as the bottom surface and the first surface S1 as the front surface. In the drawings, the arrow X direction indicates the width direction of the indoor unit 100, the arrow Y direction indicates the depth direction of the indoor unit 100, and the arrow Z direction indicates the height direction of the indoor unit 100.

[0016] 2, the main body case 1 is composed of a top plate 11 that forms the top surface, a right side plate 12 that forms the right side surface, a left side plate 13 that forms the left side surface, and a rear side plate 14 that forms the back surface (see FIG. 3). In addition, on the outside of the main body case 1, four hanging hardware 19 for hanging bolts are provided on both the left and right sides.

[0017] As shown in Figure 3, the indoor unit 100 includes, within a main body case 1, a blower unit 2 that circulates indoor air, an indoor heat exchanger 9 that exchanges heat between the indoor air and a refrigerant, and the like. The refrigerant may be water, antifreeze, or any other refrigerant. The indoor unit 100 also includes a drain pan 15 that collects drain water generated in the indoor heat exchanger 9, and a drain pump 16 (see Figure 4, described below) that discharges drain water accumulated inside the drain pan 15 to the outside. The indoor unit 100 also includes a controller 17 that controls functional components such as the blower unit 2 and the drain pump 18.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 3, the blower unit 2 is disposed on the left side within the main body case 1, and the indoor heat exchanger 9 is disposed on the right side within the main body case 1. The drain pan 15 is disposed below the indoor heat exchanger 9 and constitutes the right portion of the bottom surface of the main body case 1 (i.e., the above-mentioned second surface S2). The left portion of the bottom surface of the main body case 1 is opened by the intake port 10b. The controller 17 is disposed in front of the blower unit 2 and constitutes the left portion of the front surface of the main body case 1 (i.e., the above-mentioned first surface S1). The right portion of the front surface of the main body case 1 is opened by the air outlet 10a.

[0019] In the main body case 1, the suction port 10b may be provided on the top plate 11 constituting the upper surface, instead of on the bottom surface. In this case, the bottom plate is provided below the blower unit 2.

[0020] The indoor heat exchanger 9 is disposed on the right side and front side of the main body case 1, along the air outlet 10a. The indoor heat exchanger 9 has multiple gaps, and air flows through these gaps in the front-to-rear direction (direction of arrow Y). Therefore, the conditioned air A3 is blown out forward at the air outlet 10a. Hereinafter, the direction in which the conditioned air A3 is blown out at the air outlet 10a, i.e., the front-to-rear direction (direction of arrow Y), may be referred to as the blowing direction of the conditioned air A3.

[0021] The blower unit 2 has a fan 23, a fan motor 24 that rotates the fan 23, and a fan case 20 that houses the fan 23 and the fan motor 24. Hereinafter, the fan 23 and the fan motor 24, which are the main operating parts of the blower unit 2, may be referred to as the blower section 2x. The blower unit 2 is, for example, a centrifugal blower, the fan 23 is, for example, a sirocco fan, and the fan case 20 has a spiral shape. The blower unit 2 is disposed horizontally within the main body case 1 so that the central axis Ax of the fan 23 is aligned in the height direction (direction of arrow Z).

[0022] The fan case 20 can be divided into two parts in the blowing direction (arrow Y direction) of the conditioned air A3 described above. The fan case 20 has a first casing part 21 at the rear side that includes the blower outlet 20o (see FIG. 4 described below) and a second casing part 22 at the front side. For example, the first casing part 21 and the second casing part 22 of the fan case 20 are divided into front and rear parts by an imaginary plane that extends horizontally (arrow X direction) and includes the central axis Ax of the fan 23. In other words, the blower unit 2 is configured so that the second casing part 22 can be removed from the first casing part 21 to expose the blower part 2x inside the fan case 20. The connection structure between the first casing part 21 and the second casing part 22 will be described later.

[0023] The indoor unit 100 is connected to an outdoor unit (not shown) via connecting piping such as liquid piping and gas piping, and together with the outdoor unit, constitutes an air conditioner. A compressor, flow switching device, outdoor heat exchanger, and pressure reducing device of the outdoor unit (not shown) are sequentially connected via piping to an indoor heat exchanger 9 of the indoor unit 100 to constitute a refrigerant circuit. Refrigerant circulates through the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner, thereby heating or cooling the space to be air-conditioned (room) in the indoor unit 100. The indoor heat exchanger 9 acts as an evaporator during cooling operation and as a condenser during heating operation.

[0024] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the ceiling-mounted air conditioner shown in Figure 2 with the top plate 11 removed. As shown in Figure 4, the indoor unit 100 has a partition plate 7 and a guide wall 8 inside the main body case 1. The partition plate 7 is a rectangular plate-like member extending in the depth direction (direction of arrow Y) and divides the internal space of the main body case 1 into a side for the blower unit 2 and a side for the indoor heat exchanger 9. Hereinafter, within the internal space of the main body case 1, the space to the left of the partition plate 7 where the blower unit 2 is housed may be referred to as the blower housing space Sf, and the space to the right of the partition plate 7 where the indoor heat exchanger 9 is housed may be referred to as the heat exchanger housing space Sh.

[0025] A through-hole air opening 7o is provided on the rear side of the partition plate 7. A blower outlet 20o of the fan case 20 is connected to the air opening 7o of the partition plate 7. Specifically, the peripheral edge of the blower outlet 20o in the first casing portion 21 of the fan case 20 is fixed with screws to the peripheral edge of the air opening 7o on the left face of the partition plate 7. Air is sent from the blower unit 2 into the heat exchanger housing space Sh through the air opening 7o provided on the rear side of the partition plate 7.

[0026] The guide wall 8 is provided inside the main body case 1 at the rear side of the heat exchanger housing space Sh. The guide wall 8 guides air toward the indoor heat exchanger 9, which is disposed perpendicular to the partition plate 7. The guide wall 8 curves forward and extends from the rear end of the right side of the partition plate 7 to the right end of the rear surface of the indoor heat exchanger 9. The guide wall 8 slopes forward more as it approaches the indoor heat exchanger 9, i.e., toward the right. The guide wall 8 extends rightward along the rear side panel 14 near the partition plate 7 and forward along the right side panel 12 near the indoor heat exchanger 9. Air sent from the blower unit 2 into the heat exchanger housing space Sh through the air blowing opening 7o, i.e., the airflow toward the right, is transformed by the guide wall 8 into a forward airflow and flows into the indoor heat exchanger 9.

[0027] The indoor unit 100 also includes a mounting structure 3 for mounting the air blower 2x to the main body case 1. The mounting structure 3 includes a motor base 5 that supports the air blower 2x, and a guide mechanism 4 that is fixed to the main body case 1 and holds the motor base 5. The guide mechanism 4 is formed of, for example, a rail, and supports the motor base 5 so that it can move freely in the depth direction (direction of arrow Y).

[0028] In the first embodiment, the guide mechanism 4 is fixed to the inner surface of the top plate 11 (see FIG. 2) on the side opposite to the side (lower side) where the air inlet 10b (see FIG. 3) is provided in the main body case 1. The motor base 5 is disposed above the fan case 20, and the blower 2x is fixed in a manner that it is suspended from the motor base 5. The configuration of the mounting structure 3 will be described in more detail later.

[0029] In addition, in the case of the main body 1, when the suction port 10b is provided on the top plate 11 and a bottom plate is provided below the blower unit 2, the motor base 5 is fixed to this bottom plate of the main body 1.

[0030] Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the disassembled and removed state of the controller 17 in the ceiling-mounted air conditioning apparatus shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 5, the controller 17 has a control board 17b that controls each functional component, a control box 17c that houses this control board 17b and each wiring, and a lid 17a that prevents moisture or dust from inside the ceiling 200 from entering the inside of the controller 17. The controller 17 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0031] The controller 17 is detachably fixed to the main body case 1. Specifically, the control box 17c is attached to the main body case 1 from the front with fasteners 17e such as screws. The lid 17a is attached to the control box 17c, or to the main body case 1 via the control box 17c, from the front with fasteners 17d and 17f such as screws.

[0032] When viewed from the front surface (i.e., first surface S1) where the air outlet 10a is provided, the main body case 1 has a closing lid S1a that forms part of the front surface (first surface S1). That is, when the closing lid S1a is removed, the main body case 1 is configured such that an opening 10c is formed in part of the front surface.

[0033] The controller 17 may be attached to the closing lid S1a of the main body case 1, may be provided integrally with the closing lid S1a, or may be disposed between the blower section 2x and the closing lid S1a inside the main body case 1. In either case, the controller 17 is disposed in front of the blower unit 2. The controller 17 is preferably disposed so that the lid 17a is located on the front side. Hereinafter, the controller 17 is defined as being provided integrally with the closing lid S1a, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0034] 5 , an opening 10c is provided on the left side of the front surface (first surface S1) of the main body case 1, and the opening 10c is closed when the controller 17 is attached. With the controller 17 attached, the lid 17a of the controller 17 forms the left side of the front surface (first surface S1) of the main body case 1. In other words, the lid 17a of the controller 17 functions as the closing lid portion S1a of the main body case 1.

[0035] In addition, in the example of Figure 5, the upper, left, and lower sides of the control box 17c form part of the upper, left, and lower sides of the main body case 1, so when the controller 17 is removed from the main body case 1, the space around the opening 10c becomes slightly wider on the upper, left, and lower sides.

[0036] 1 and 3 to 5, a method of accessing the controller 17 and the blower unit 2 during maintenance (e.g., inspection, cleaning, or part replacement) of the indoor unit 100 of the present disclosure will be described. As described above, the present disclosure assumes a case in which an inspection hatch is not provided in the dropped ceiling 210 (e.g., the bottom surface 212) due to the design of the ceiling 200. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, maintenance of the controller 17 and the blower unit 2 is performed by a worker inserting their hands through a ceiling opening 211o that is opened by removing the grill 6 provided in the dropped ceiling 210.

[0037] As described above, in the indoor unit 100 of the present disclosure, the opening 10c (see FIG. 5 ) is provided on the front surface (first surface S1) of the main body case 1 where the air outlet 10a is provided, i.e., on the side surface facing the ceiling opening 211o and located in front of the air blower unit 2. This configuration makes it easy to perform maintenance on the controller 17 and the air blower unit 2 even after installation of the indoor unit 100 is complete, as described below.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 and 5, a worker can reach through the ceiling opening 211o to access the controller 17 on the front of the main body case 1. For example, the worker can use the ceiling opening 211o to attach and detach the cover 17a of the controller 17, attach and detach wiring, or attach and detach the control box 17c. The direction in which the cover 17a is attached to the control box 17c, the direction in which the control box 17c is attached to the main body case 1, and the direction in which the cover 17a and the control box 17c are fastened (i.e., the direction in which the fasteners 17d, 17e, and 17f are pushed in) are all forward and backward (in the direction of arrow Y). The configuration allows a worker to fasten and detach components from the front. This facilitates fastening and detaching of components. A worker can perform maintenance on the controller 17 removed from the indoor unit 100 in a space larger than the ceiling 200 (e.g., indoors).

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1 , 4 , and 5 , an operator can reach into the main body case 1 through the front opening 10c created by removing the controller 17 to access the blower unit 2. For example, the operator can use the front opening 10c to attach or detach the front second casing portion 22 of the fan case 20 or the motor base 5 integrated with the blower unit 2x. As described above, the guide mechanism 4 supports the motor base 5 so that it can move freely in the depth direction (arrow Y direction), allowing the operator to easily pull out the motor base 5 from or insert it through the opening 10c. In this way, the front opening 10c of the main body case 1 also functions as a path for attaching or detaching the motor base 5 integrated with the blower unit 2x and the second casing portion 22. For this reason, the opening 10c is sized to allow these items to pass through. Specifically, the width Wo of the opening 10c is greater than the width of the motor base 5 integrated with the blower 2x (e.g., the outer diameter Lf of the fan 23 shown in FIG. 8 , which will be described later) and the width Wc of the second casing 22 (see FIG. 6 , which will be described later). Furthermore, the height Ho of the opening 10c is greater than the height Hf of the motor base 5 integrated with the blower 2x (see FIG. 6 , which will be described later) and the height Hc of the second casing 22 (see FIG. 6 , which will be described later). After removing the second casing 22, a worker can reach into the main body case 1 through the front opening 10c and perform maintenance on the exposed blower 2x. Furthermore, a worker can pull out the blower 2x together with the motor base 5 through the front opening 10c and then perform maintenance on the blower 2x in a space larger than the interior of the ceiling 200 (e.g., indoors).

[0040] Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the mounting structure 3 for the blower unit 2x shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the function of the guide mechanism 4 shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 7 illustrates a state in which the controller 17 and the second casing unit 22 have been removed, and in order to facilitate explanation of the mounting structure 3, the left side plate 13, the first casing unit 21, and the blower unit 2x are not shown. Below, an example of the mounting structure 3 for the blower unit 2x will be specifically described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7.

[0041] The guide mechanism 4 is composed of a pair of rails (first rail 4a and second rail 4b) that extend in the front-rear direction (direction of arrow Y), and these pair of rails hold the motor base 5 so that it can move in the front-rear direction. The first rail 4a and the second rail 4b are parallel to each other and are disposed on the left and right sides above the blower unit 2. The first rail 4a and the second rail 4b are each fixed, for example by welding, to the inner surface of the top plate 11 on the blower housing space Sf side of the main body case 1.

[0042] The parallel first rail 4a and second rail 4b each have case mounting portions 42a, 42b fixed to the top plate 11 of the main body case 1, and support portions 40a, 40b provided inside the case mounting portions 42a, 42b and bent to form a gap between the top plate 11 and the rail. The motor base 5 is disposed in the gap between the support portions 40a, 40b and the top plate 11. The first rail 4a and second rail 4b each have fixing surface portions 41a, 41b extending downward from the support portions 40a, 40b and parallel to the rear plate 14. The motor base 5 is fixed to the fixing surface portions 41a, 41b of the pair of rails by fasteners 31a, 31b such as screws.

[0043] The motor base 5 that suspends the blower unit 2x has a base main portion 50 to which the fan motor 24 is fixed by fasteners 32, and an L-shaped base extension portion 53 that extends forward from the base main portion 50 and has a bent tip. The base main portion 50 is hat-shaped so that its left edge portion 51a and right edge portion 51b can be hooked onto the support portions 40a, 40b of the first rail 4a and the second rail 4b. The left edge portion 51a and right edge portion 51b of the base main portion 50 are provided with fixing surfaces 52a, 52b that extend downward and are parallel to the rear side panel 14.

[0044] Because the base extension 53 is L-shaped, the front end surface 53f of the base extension 53 functions as a handle during maintenance, and also functions to attenuate vibrations of the fan motor 24 by fixing the controller 17 at the front with fixing devices 17g (see FIG. 5) such as screws. As described above, the controller 17 is also fixed to the main body case 1 with fixing devices 17e and 17f.

[0045] The left fixing surface 52a of the motor base 5 is fixed to the fixing surface 41a of the left first rail 4a by the fixing device 31a, and the right fixing surface 52b of the motor base 5 is fixed to the fixing surface 41b of the right second rail 4b by the fixing device 31b. When the motor base 5 is fixed to the guide mechanism 4 in this manner, the motor base 5 and the blower 2x integrated therewith are disposed in a predetermined position within the main body case 1.

[0046] Here, the direction in which the guide mechanism 4 guides the motor base 5 and the blower unit 2x integrated therewith, and the direction in which the motor base 5 is fixed to the guide mechanism 4, are both the front-to-rear direction (the direction of arrow Y). Specifically, the direction in which the motor base 5 is fixed to the guide mechanism 4 is the direction in which the fasteners 31a and 31b are pushed in. Therefore, during maintenance, an operator can easily fix and detach the motor base 5 through the ceiling opening 211o (see FIG. 1) and the opening 10 on the front surface of the main body case 1.

[0047] In the depth direction (arrow Y direction), the fixed position between the first rail 4a and the motor base 5 is set at a different position from the fixed position between the second rail 4b and the motor base 5, thereby making the structure resistant to twisting.

[0048] Specifically, with respect to an imaginary line Lv extending in the width direction (the direction of the arrow X) and including the central axis Ax of the fan 23 as a reference, one fixing position is located toward the rear, and the other fixing position is located toward the front. In this case, it is more preferable from the standpoint of stability that the fixing positions of the motor base 5 and the pair of rails by screws be located at positions point-symmetrical with respect to the central axis Ax of the fan 23 in a plan view. Furthermore, in a configuration in which one fixing position is located toward the rear and the other fixing position is located toward the front, it is preferable that both fixing positions be located forward of the rear end of the fan 23. This allows the motor base 5 to be fixed to the first rail 4a and the second rail 4b more easily, compared to when one fixing position is located far toward the rear.

[0049] It should be noted that even if two fixing positions are at the same position in the depth direction (arrow Y direction), it is sufficient that both fixing positions are on the virtual line Lv. However, if both fixing positions are provided in front of the virtual line Lv or if both fixing positions are provided further back than the virtual line Lv, it becomes difficult to ensure strength against torsion.

[0050] FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating the division position of the fan case 20 of the blower unit 2 shown in FIG. 3 . The dashed circle in FIG. 8 represents the outline of the fan 23 housed in the fan case 20. FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of the disassembled fan case 20 shown in FIG. 6 . FIG. 10 is a plan view of the disassembled fan case 20 shown in FIG. 9 . The dashed white arrow in FIG. 10 indicates the direction in which the second casing portion 22 is separated from the first casing portion 21. FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the disassembled fan case 20 shown in FIG. 9 , viewed from the right rear and above. FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of the disassembled fan case 20 shown in FIG. 9 , viewed from the left front and above. The division position of the fan case 20 in the blower unit 2, the general configuration of the fan case 20, and the connection structure between the first casing portion 21 and the second casing portion 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 , 4 , 6 , and 8 to 12 .

[0051] 8, the fan case 20 is divided in the front-to-rear direction (direction of arrow Y) at a position where the opening width Lc of the first casing portion 21 and the second casing portion 22 at the dividing boundary is greater than the outer diameter Lf, which is the maximum width of the fan 23. This allows the front second casing portion 22 to be removed without interfering with the outer periphery of the fan 23, and after removing the second casing portion 22, the blower portion 2x can be removed without interfering with the peripheral wall of the rear first casing portion 21.

[0052] 4 and 9, the first casing portion 21 at the rear of the fan case 20, which includes the blower outlet 20o, is screwed to the partition plate 7 and incorporated into the main body case 1. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 9, the first casing portion 21 has a plate-shaped frame portion 21d around the blower outlet 20o, and this frame portion 21d faces the left side of the partition plate 7 shown in Fig. 4 and is screwed to the peripheral edge of the air opening 7o in the partition plate 7. The second casing portion 22 is coupled to the first casing portion 21 and incorporated into the main body case 1.

[0053] As shown in Figures 8, 11, and 12, fan case 20 has opposing top and bottom wall portions 20a and 20b, and a peripheral wall portion 20c connecting the outer peripheries of top and bottom wall portions 20a and 20b. Fan openings 20ao and 20bo are provided in top and bottom wall portions 20a and 20b, respectively. As described above, fan outlet 20o is provided in a portion of the outer periphery of fan case 20 (frame portion 21d of first casing portion 21). In a configuration in which air inlet 10b is provided on the bottom surface of main body case 1, as shown in Figure 3, when blower unit 2 is housed in main body case 1, fan opening 20bo provided in bottom wall portion 20b of fan case 20 functions as fan inlet 20i. The blower unit 2 is disposed in the main body case 1 so that the blower outlet 20 o faces the blower opening 7 o of the partition plate 7 .

[0054] Hereinafter, the portions of top wall 20a, bottom wall 20b, and peripheral wall 20c of fan case 20 that constitute first casing portion 21 may be referred to as top wall 21a, bottom wall 21b, and peripheral wall 21c. Furthermore, the portions of top wall 20a, bottom wall 20b, and peripheral wall 20c of fan case 20 that constitute second casing portion 22 may be referred to as top wall 22a, bottom wall 22b, and peripheral wall 22c.

[0055] 8 to 12, and with reference to Fig. 4, specific examples of the connection structure between the first casing portion 21 and the second casing portion 22 will be described below. Note that the connection structure described below is an example, and is not particularly limited to this.

[0056] 9 to 11, the first casing portion 21 and the second casing portion 22 are provided with structures for positioning and fixing them in the left-right direction (the direction of arrow X) when they are joined together. Specifically, protrusions 21e and snap fits 22e are provided on the right ends of the frame portion 21d and the peripheral wall portion 22c, i.e., on the indoor heat exchanger 9 (see FIG. 4) side, and protrusions 21f and protrusion receivers 22f are provided on the left ends of the peripheral walls 21c and 22c.

[0057] 8 and 12, the protrusion 21e provided on the frame portion 21d of the first casing portion 21 is provided forward of the joining surface of the first casing portion 21 with the second casing portion 22. This protrusion 21e is inclined inward (i.e., leftward) as it extends forward, and a claw portion 21e1 provided at the tip portion is configured to engage with the front surface of the snap fit 22e of the second casing portion 22.

[0058] The first casing part 21 and the second casing part 22 are provided with a structure for positioning and fixing them in the up-down direction (direction of arrow Z) when they are joined together. Specifically, the top wall parts 21 a, 22 a and the bottom wall parts 21 b, 22 b are provided with protrusions 21 g and protrusions 22 g at two locations each, for a total of four locations.

[0059] Also, as shown in Figures 9 and 12, the first casing part 21 has guides 21h at the four corners of the joining surface with the second casing part 22 to facilitate separation and fixation of the second casing part 22 to the first casing part 21.

[0060] The above-mentioned protrusions 21e, 21f, 21g, and guide 21h provided on the first casing part 21 at the rear side protrude forward, and the above-mentioned protrusion 22g provided on the second casing part 22 at the front side protrudes backward.

[0061] 8 and 9, and with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 6, a method for separating and fixing the second casing portion 22 during maintenance will be described below. To perform maintenance, a worker inserts his or her hands into the fan housing space Sf through the ceiling opening 211o (see Fig. 1) and the opening 10c (see Fig. 6) on the front surface of the main body case 1.

[0062] First, when separating the second casing part 22 from the state in which the first casing part 21 and the second casing part 22 are joined as shown in Fig. 8 as shown in Fig. 9, the worker pushes the snap fit 22e inward (toward the central axis Ax) and pulls the second casing part 22 toward himself. This disengages the snap fit 22e from the protrusion 21e. The worker then removes the second casing part 22 separated from the first casing part 21 into the room through the front opening 10c and the ceiling opening 211o. This exposes the blower part 2x (fan motor 24 and fan 23).

[0063] Next, when fixing the second casing portion 22 to the first casing portion 21, the worker inserts the second casing portion 22 into the fan housing space Sf (see FIG. 6 ) through the ceiling opening 211o and the opening 10c. The worker then aligns the protrusion 21f on the left side of the peripheral wall portions 21c, 22c of the first casing portion 21 and the second casing portion 22 with the protrusion receiver 22f, and pushes the second casing portion 22 inward. At this time, the protrusions 21g and 22g engage with each other so as to sandwich the top wall portions 21a, 22a and the bottom wall portions 21b, 22b of the first casing portion 21 and the second casing portion 22, and the second casing portion 22 is guided rearward by the guide 21h, and the protrusion 21e engages with the snap fit 22e.

[0064] As described above, the ceiling-mounted air conditioner (indoor unit 100) according to Embodiment 1 includes a main body case 1 having a first surface S1 on which air outlet 10a is provided and a second surface S2, which is different from first surface S1 and on which air inlet 10b is provided. First surface S1 is a surface facing ceiling opening 211o in ceiling 200. The ceiling-mounted air conditioner also includes an air blower unit 2x provided within main body case 1 and including fan 23 and fan motor 24. The ceiling-mounted air conditioner also includes a closing cover S1a that, when main body case 1 is viewed from the first surface S1 side, is part of first surface S1 of main body case 1 and forms the front portion of air blower unit 2x, and that, when removed, creates opening 10c in part of first surface S1. The ceiling-mounted air conditioning unit also includes a removable controller 17 that is attached to the blocking lid portion S1a, is integral with the blocking lid portion S1a, or is positioned between the blower portion 2x and the blocking lid portion S1a within the main body case 1.

[0065] Thus, in the indoor unit 100 of the present disclosure, when the main body case 1 is viewed from the first surface S1 on which the air outlet 10a is provided, a closing lid S1a is provided, which is part of the first surface S1 and forms the front portion of the air blower unit 2x. The controller 17 is attached to the closing lid S1a and is integral with the closing lid S1a, or is disposed within the main body case 1 between the air blower unit 2x and the closing lid S1a, and is detachable from the main body case 1. Therefore, workers can access the controller 17 and the air blower unit 2x through the ceiling opening 211o, which serves as an air outlet in the ceiling 200, and the opening 10c in the first surface S1. As a result, a ceiling-mounted air conditioner can be provided that facilitates maintenance of the controller 17 and the air blower unit 2x even if there is no inspection hatch in the ceiling 200 or sufficient space within the ceiling 200.

[0066] The controller 17 also has a control board 17b, a control box 17c that houses the control board 17b, and a lid 17a that is attached to the control box 17c so as to cover the control board 17b. When the main body case 1 is viewed from the first surface S1 side, the control box 17c has an open front surface, and the lid 17a covers the front surface of the control box 17c.

[0067] This allows the cover 17a of the controller 17, wiring, and the control box 17c to be easily attached and detached through the ceiling opening 211o.

[0068] The ceiling-mounted air conditioner (indoor unit 100) also includes a fan case 20 that houses the air blower 2x and constitutes the air blower unit 2 together with the air blower 2x. When the main body case 1 is viewed from the first surface S1 side, the second surface S2 extends from the end of the first surface S1 toward the rear so as to be perpendicular to the first surface S1. The main body case 1 also has a third surface (e.g., top panel 11) that faces the second surface S2. The air blower 2x is attached to the inner surface of the third surface so that the central axis Ax of the fan 23 extends from the third surface (top panel 11) toward the second surface S2 (bottom surface) within the main body case 1. When the main body case 1 is viewed from the side of the first surface S1, the fan case 20 is composed of a first casing portion 21 at the rear side including the blower outlet 20o, and a second casing portion 22 provided in front of the first casing portion 21 and detachable from the first casing portion 21. The opening 10c is larger than the second casing portion 22.

[0069] As a result, during maintenance, a worker can remove second casing part 22 from inside main body case 1 to the room through ceiling opening 211o and opening 10c, and expose blower part 2x inside fan case 20. Therefore, a worker can reach inside main body case 1 through ceiling opening 211o and opening 10c to perform maintenance on blower part 2x.

[0070] The ceiling-mounted air conditioner (indoor unit 100) also includes a motor base 5 to which the blower unit 2x is attached and which supports the blower unit 2x. The ceiling-mounted air conditioner also includes a guide mechanism 4 that is fixed to the inner surface of the third surface (top panel 11) and that holds the motor base 5 so that it can move in the depth direction when the main body case 1 is viewed from the first surface S1 side. The first casing portion 21 is fixed to the main body case 1. When the main body case 1 is viewed from the third surface side, the first casing portion 21 and the second casing portion 22 are separated by an imaginary line Lv that passes through the central axis Ax of the fan 23 and is parallel to the first surface S1. The opening 10c is larger than the motor base 5 to which the blower unit 2x is attached.

[0071] As a result, during maintenance, the worker can slide the blower unit 2x from inside the main body case 1 through the ceiling opening 211o and the opening 10c and remove it into the room. This allows the worker to perform maintenance on the blower unit 2x in a room that is larger than the interior of the ceiling 200.

[0072] Furthermore, when the main body case 1 is viewed from the first surface S1 side, the guide mechanism 4 is arranged on both sides of the central axis Ax of the fan 23 and is composed of a first rail 4a and a second rail 4b that support both ends of the motor base 5. The motor base 5 is detachably fixed to each of the first rail 4a and the second rail 4b. The fixed position of the motor base 5 relative to the first rail 4a and the fixed position of the motor base 5 relative to the second rail 4b are both located on the imaginary line Lv, or one is located in front of the imaginary line Lv and the other is located behind the imaginary line Lv. This provides a structure that is resistant to torsion.

[0073] The motor base 5 is fastened to each of the first rail 4a and the second rail 4b with screws from the side of the opening 10c, so that during maintenance, an operator can easily fix and release the motor base 5 to and from the guide mechanism 4 through the ceiling opening 211o and the opening 10c.

[0074] The motor base 5 also has a base main portion 50 to which the fan motor 24 is fixed, and a base extension portion 53 that extends from the base main portion 50 toward the first surface S1 and is bent so that a front end surface 53 f is parallel to the first surface S1. The controller 17 is fixed to the main body case 1 and is detachably fixed to the front end surface 53 f of the base extension portion 53.

[0075] The front end surface 53f of the base extension 53 functions as a handle during maintenance, and also damps vibrations of the fan motor 24 by fixing the controller 17 to the front.

[0076] The ceiling-mounted air conditioner also includes a heat exchanger (indoor heat exchanger 9) housed within the main body case 1 along the air outlet 10a on the first surface S1, and a partition plate 7 that divides the interior of the main body case 1 into a heat exchanger side and an air blower unit 2 side and is provided with an air blowing opening 7o. The first casing portion 21 has a peripheral portion of the air blower air outlet 20o fixed to a peripheral portion of the air blowing opening 7o in the partition plate 7.

[0077] Here, since the fan case 20 can be separated, the second casing portion 22 can be configured to be detachable from the first casing portion 21 with a simple coupling configuration.

[0078] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications may be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, while the example using a sirocco fan as the fan 23 has been described, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and other types of fans, such as turbo fans, may also be used. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the fan motor 24 and the fan 23 are supported by the motor base 5 and are detached from the main body case 1 as a unit. However, the fan motor 24 and the fan 23 may be disassembled and removed individually.

[0079] 1 Main body case, 2 Blower unit, 2x Blower section, 3 Mounting structure, 4 Guide mechanism, 4a First rail, 4b Second rail, 5 Motor base, 6 Grill, 7 Partition plate, 7o Blower opening, 8 Guide wall, 9 Indoor heat exchanger, 10 Opening, 10a Outlet, 10b Intake, 10c Opening, 11 Top plate, 12 Right side plate, 13 Left side plate, 14 Rear side plate, 15 Drain pan, 16 Drain pump, 17 Controller, 17a Lid, 17b Control board, 17c Control box, 17d Fixture, 17e Fixture, 17f Fixture, 17g Fixture, 18 Drain pump, 19 Hanging hardware, 20 Fan case, 20a Upper wall portion, 20ao Blower opening, 20b Bottom wall portion, 20bo Fan opening, 20c peripheral wall portion, 20i fan inlet, 20o fan outlet, 21 first casing portion, 21a upper wall portion, 21b bottom wall portion, 21c peripheral wall portion, 21d frame portion, 21e protrusion, 21e1 claw portion, 21f protrusion, 21g protrusion, 21h guide, 22 second casing portion, 22a upper wall portion, 22b bottom wall portion, 22c peripheral wall portion, 22e snap fit, 22f protrusion receiver, 22g protrusion, 23 fan, 24 fan motor, 31a fixing device, 31b fixing device, 32 fixing device, 40a support portion, 40b support portion, 41a fixing surface portion, 41b fixing surface portion, 42a case mounting portion, 42b case mounting portion, 50 base main portion, 51a Left edge portion, 51b right edge portion, 52a fixing surface portion, 52b fixing surface portion, 53 base extension portion, 53f front end surface, 100 indoor unit, 200 ceiling, 210 ceiling, 211 side portion, 211o ceiling opening, 212 bottom surface portion, A1 indoor air, A2 indoor air, A3 conditioned air, A4 conditioned air, Ax central axis, Hc height, Hf height, Ho height, Lc opening width, Lf outer diameter, Lv virtual line, S1 first surface, S1a blocking lid portion, S2 second surface, Sf blower accommodating space, Sh heat exchanger accommodating space.

Claims

1. A ceiling-embedded air conditioner comprising: a main body case having a first surface provided with an air outlet and facing a ceiling opening in the ceiling, and a second surface different from the first surface and provided with a suction port; a blower unit provided in the main body case and having a fan and a fan motor; a closing lid portion that forms a part of the first surface of the main body case on the front side of the blower unit when the main body case is viewed from the side of the first surface, and an opening is formed in the part of the first surface when removed; and a detachable controller attached to the closing lid portion, integrally formed with the closing lid portion, or disposed between the blower unit and the closing lid portion in the main body case.

2. The ceiling-embedded air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the controller includes a control board, a control box for housing the control board, and a lid attached to the control box so as to cover the control board. When the main body case is viewed from the side of the first surface, the control box has an open front surface, and the lid covers the front surface of the control box.

3. The ceiling-embedded air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a fan case that houses the blower unit and forms a blower unit together with the blower unit. When the main body case is viewed from the side of the first surface, the second surface is a surface extending rearward from an end of the first surface so as to be orthogonal to the first surface. The main body case has a third surface facing the second surface. The blower unit is attached to the inner surface of the third surface in the main body case such that the central axis of the fan extends from the third surface toward the second surface. When the main body case is viewed from the side of the first surface, the fan case is composed of a first casing portion on the rear side including a blower outlet and a second casing portion provided in front of the first casing portion and detachable from the first casing portion. The opening is larger than the second casing portion.

4. A motor base to which the air blowing unit is attached and which supports the air blowing unit, and a guide mechanism fixed to the inner surface of the third surface and holding the motor base movably in the depth direction when the main body case is viewed from the first surface side. The first casing part is fixed to the main body case. When the main body case is viewed from the third surface side, the first casing part and the second casing part are divided with a virtual line parallel to the first surface passing through the central axis of the fan as a boundary. The opening is larger than the motor base to which the air blowing unit is attached. The ceiling-embedded air conditioner according to claim 3.

5. When the main body case is viewed from the first surface side, the guide mechanism is composed of a first rail and a second rail arranged on both sides of the central axis of the fan and supporting both end portions of the motor base. The motor base is detachably fixed to each of the first rail and the second rail. The fixing position of the motor base with respect to the first rail and the fixing position with respect to the second rail are both provided on the virtual line, or one is provided in front of the virtual line and the other is provided behind the virtual line. The ceiling-embedded air conditioner according to claim 4.

6. The motor base is screwed and fastened to each of the first rail and the second rail from the side of the opening. The ceiling-embedded air conditioner according to claim 5.

7. The motor base has a base main part to which the fan motor is fixed, and a base extension part extending from the base main part to the first surface side and bent so that the front end surface is parallel to the first surface. The controller is fixed to the main body case and is detachably fixed to the front end surface of the base extension part. The ceiling-embedded air conditioner according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

8. A heat exchanger housed in the main body case along the air outlet of the first surface, and a partition plate that divides the inside of the main body case into the side of the heat exchanger and the side of the blower unit and is provided with an air blowing opening. The first casing portion is the ceiling-embedded air conditioner according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the peripheral edge of the blower outlet is fixed to the peripheral edge of the air blowing opening in the partition plate.

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