AU2011226925B2 - Locking means of indoor unit of air conditioner and indoor unit of air conditioner provided with locking means - Google Patents

Abstract

{Abstract} To provide locking means of an indoor unit of an air conditioner, which locking means facilitates the adjustment and fitting of a front panel locked to the main body of the indoor unit, and to provide an indoor unit of an air conditioner, which indoor unit is provided with the locking means. Locking means (5) of an indoor unit of an air conditioner is configured to lock a main body of the indoor unit to a front panel (4) provided on the front surface of the main body, and is configured by including: an engaging section provided on the front surface of the main body; a receiving section (10) fixed to the front panel (4); and a claw section (9) held by the receiving section (10) and erected from the back surface side of the front panel (4) to engage the engaging section. CC% C',% I,-I ca

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (ORIGINAL) Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority Related Art: Name of Applicant: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd Actual Inventor(s): Hironori Mori Address for Service and Correspondence: PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 AUSTRALIA Invention Title: LOCKING MEANS OF INDOOR UNIT OF AIR CONDITIONER AND INDOOR UNIT OF AIR CONDITIONER PROVIDED WITH LOCKING MEANS Our Ref: 925791 POF Code: 506110/465554 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): -1 - 2 {DESCRIPTION} {Title of Invention} LOCKING MEANS OF INDOOR UNIT OF AIR CONDITIONER AND INDOOR UNIT OF AIR CONDITIONER PROVIDED WITH LOCKING MEANS This application claims priority from Japanese Application No. 2010-222502 filed on 30 September 2010, the contents of which are to be taken as incorporated herein by this reference. {Technical Field} {0001} The present invention relates to locking means of an indoor unit of an air conditioner, and an indoor unit of an air conditioner, which is provided with the locking means. More particularly, the present invention relates to locking means which locks a front panel to the main body of the indoor unit. {Background Art} { 0002} In an indoor unit of a conventional air conditioner, as a structure of locking a front panel to the main body of the indoor unit, an attaching section for rotating the front panel upward and downward between opened and closed positions is provided at an upper portion of the front surface of the main body, and a locking claw for locking the front panel to the 3 main body is provided at a lower portion of the front panel. {0003} An attaching section is also provided at an upper portion of the front panel, and a pin section provided at the attaching section is hooked to a hooking section provided at the upper portion of the main body of the indoor unit, so that the front panel can be attached to the front surface of the main body of the indoor unit so as to be rotatable between opened and closed positions. The locking claw provided at the lower portion of the front panel is inserted and withdrawn into and out of a locking hole provided in the main body of the indoor unit, and thereby the front panel can be engaged and disengaged from the main body of the indoor unit (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. Hei 7-63367). {Citation List} {Patent Literature} {0004} {PTL 1} Japanese Patent No. 3450287 {PTL 2} Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. Hei 7-63367 4 {Summary of Invention} {Technical Problem) 100051 However, when the front panel of the indoor unit of the air conditioner is adjusted and fitted to the main body of the indoor unit, the locking claw needs to be adjusted. As described in Japanese Patent No. 3450287, in the case of an air cleaner, a movable engaging section, formed as a single component, is generally provided at the front panel. However, in the case of the indoor unit of the conventional air conditioner, the locking claw is integrally molded with the front panel, and the locking claw and the front panel are molded by using the same metal mold. {0006} For this reason, there is a problem that, when the front panel is adjusted and fitted to the main body of the indoor unit, the metal mold used to mold the front panel including the locking claw needs to be adjusted in order to adjust the locking claw, and hence it is difficult that the front panel is adjusted and fitted to the main body of the indoor unit. 10007} Further, conventionally, there is a problem that, in the case where the front panel is repeatedly opened and closed, the locking claw is worn, so that, even when the front panel is fitted to the main body of the indoor unit, the fitting 5 state is loosened. {0008} The present invention has been made in view of the above described circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide locking means of an indoor unit of an air conditioner, which locking means facilitates the adjustment and fitting of a front panel locked to the main body of the indoor unit, and to provide an indoor unit of an air conditioner, which indoor unit is provided with the locking means. {Solution to Problem) {0009} In order to achieve the above described object, the present invention provides the following means. In locking means of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a first aspect of the present invention, the locking means of the indoor unit of the air conditioner is configured to lock the main body of the indoor unit to the front panel provided on the front surface of the main body, and is configured by including: an engaging section provided on the front surface of the main body; a receiving section fixed to the front panel; and a claw section held by the receiving section and erected from the back surface side of the front panel to engage the engaging section.

6 In an aspect the present invention provides locking means of an indoor unit of an air conditioner, for locking a main body of the indoor unit to a front panel provided on the front surface of the main body, the locking means including: an engaging section provided on the front surface of the main body; a receiving section provided on a back surface side of the front panel; and a claw section held by the receiving section and erected from the back surface side of the front panel to engage the engaging section, wherein the claw section includes a latching section main body having a flat-plate shape which is held slidably by the receiving section and which extends along a surface of the front panel, a first claw section which is erected toward a direction which is orthogonal to the surface of the latching section main body and is inserted to the engaging section, and second claw sections which are respectively provided on both sides of the latching section main body and each of which has a surface in parallel with the front panel and formed of a plane continuous with the latching section main body and which are elastically deformable toward the latching section main body, wherein the receiving section includes 6a a slide guide on which the latching section main body and the second claw section are slid, and a through hole which is provided in parallel with the slide guide to allow the first claw section to penetrate through the through hole, wherein the slide guide includes a projecting section in which a tip of the second claw section is protruding obliquely toward the sliding direction of the latching section main body and the second claw section in a case where the second claw section is free, wherein, in the case where the second claw section is free, the claw section is slid in a direction in which the first claw section engages with the engaging section by the tip of the second claw section protruding to the projecting section, and wherein, in a case where the claw section is slid, a portion excluding the first claw section, consisting of the latching section main body and the second claw section, slides along the surface of the front panel. {0 010} Conventionally, the front panel of the indoor unit of the air conditioner is fixed to the main body of the indoor unit in such a manner that the claw section provided integrally with the front panel is made to engage the engaging section 6b provided at the main body of the indoor unit. For this reason, when the front panel is adjusted and fitted to the main body, the metal mold of the front panel including the claw section needs to be adjusted, and hence it is difficult to perform the adjustment and fitting work. {0011} Thus, in the first aspect of the present invention, it is intended to use the locking means which includes: the receiving section fixed to the back surface side of the front panel; the claw section held by the receiving section and erected from the back surface side of the front panel; and the engaging section provided in the front surface of the main body so as to engage the claw section. Thereby, the claw section can be configured to be separated from the front panel, so that separate metal molds can be used for the claw section and the front panel, respectively. Therefore, when the front panel is adjusted and fitted to the main body, only the metal mold of the claw section can be adjusted, so that the adjustment and fitting is facilitated. { 0012} 7 The locking means of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the above-described configuration may also be configured such that the claw section includes a first claw section which is erected on the back surface side of the front panel, and elastically deformable second claw sections which are respectively provided on both sides of the first claw section so as to be in parallel with the front panel, such that the receiving section includes a slide guide on which the second claw section is slid, and a through hole which is provided in parallel with the slide guide to allow the first claw section to penetrate through the through hole, and such that the slide guide includes an inclined wall which is tapered toward the sliding direction of the second claw section. {00131 The slide guide of the receiving section has the inclined wall tapered toward the sliding direction of the second claw section, and the second claw section of the claw section is made elastically deformable. Thereby, when the front panel is rotated between opened and closed positions, the claw section is made to slide along the inclined wall of the slide guide, so that the friction between the first claw section and the receiving section can be reduced to reduce the wear of the first claw section. Therefore, even when the front panel is repeatedly engaged and disengaged from the main body, it is 8 possible to prevent the loosening of the fitting state between the front panel and the main body. {0014} The locking means of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the above-described configuration may also be configured such that a material having excellent in abrasion resistance is used for the first claw section. {00151 Conventionally, when the front panel is repeatedly engaged and disengaged from the main body, there is a case where the claw section is worn so that a backlash is caused to loosen the fitting state. {0016} Thus, it is intended that the first claw section is manufactured by using the material having excellent abrasion resistance. Thereby, even when the front panel is repeatedly engaged and disengaged from the main body, it is possible to reduce the wear of the first claw section. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the loosening of the fitting state between the front panel and the main body. Note that, as the material having excellent abrasion resistance, for example, polyacetal resin (POM), and the like, is preferably used. {00171 An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a 9 second aspect of the present invention includes any of the locking means described above. {0018} In the second aspect of the present invention, it is intended to use engaging means which enables the front panel of the indoor unit to be separated from the claw section. Thereby, the metal mold used to mold the claw section and the metal mold used to mold the front panel of the indoor unit can be separated. Therefore, when the front panel is adjusted and fitted to the main body, only the metal mold of the claw section can be adjusted, so that the adjustment and fitting is facilitated. Further, it is intended to use the engaging means which can reduce the ware of the claw section. Thereby, even when the front panel is repeatedly engaged and disengaged from the main body, it is possible to suppress the loosening of the fitting state between the front panel and the main body. {Advantageous Effects of Invention} {0019} In the locking means of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present invention, it is intended to use the locking means including: the receiving section fixed to the back surface side of the front panel, the claw section held by the receiving section and erected from the 10 back surface side of the front panel; and the engaging section provided in the front surface of the main body to engage the claw section. Thereby, the claw section can be provided separately from the front panel, so that the separate metal molds can be used to mold the claw section and the front panel, respectively. Therefore, when the front panel is adjusted and fitted to the main body, only the metal mold of the claw section can be adjusted, so that the adjustment and fitting is facilitated. {Brief Description of Drawings} {0020} {Fig. 1} Fig. 1 shows the state where a front panel of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention is closed, Fig. 1A being the perspective view of the indoor unit, Fig. 1B being a front view of the indoor unit, and Fig. 1C being a side view of Fig. 1B; (Fig. 2} Fig. 2 shows the state where the front panel of the indoor unit shown in Fig. 1 is opened, Fig. 2A being the perspective view of the indoor unit, Fig. 2B being a front view of the indoor unit, and Fig. 2C being a side view of Fig. 2B; {Fig. 3} Fig. 3 shows the front panel shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3A being a back view of the front panel, and Fig. 3B being a side 11 view of the front panel; {Fig. 4} Fig. 4 shows an attaching section and a locking member which are provided on the back surface side of the front panel, Fig. 4A being a partially enlarged view showing the state where a latching section is accommodated in an inlet receiving section, Fig. 4B showing the state where the inlet receiving section and the latching section are separated from each other, and Fig. 4C being a view seen Fig. 4A from the front side of the recessed section of the front panel; {Fig. 5) Fig. 5 shows a cross section of the indoor unit shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 5A being a view showing a schematic configuration of the indoor unit, and Fig. 5B being a partially enlarged view showing the locking member in the locked state; and {Fig. 6} Fig. 6 shows the latching section, Fig. 6A being a perspective view of the latching section, Fig. 6B being a front view of the latching section, and Fig. 6C being a side view of Fig. 6B. {Description of Embodiments} {0021} Fig. 1 shows the case where a front panel of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention is closed, Fig. 1A being the perspective view of the indoor unit, Fig. 1B being the front view of the 12 indoor unit, and Fig. 1C being a side view of Fig. 1B. Further, Fig. 2 shows the case where the front panel of the indoor unit shown in Fig. 1 is opened, Fig. 2A being the perspective view of the indoor unit, Fig. 2B being the front view of the indoor unit, and Fig. 2C being a side view of Fig. 2B. {0022} As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, an indoor unit 1 of an air conditioner includes: a base main body 2; a front cover (main body) 3 attached to the base main body 2 so as to cover the front portion of the base main body 2 from the upper and lower, right and left, and front sides of the base main body 2; a front panel 4 attached to the front cover 3 so as to be freely opened and closed by using, as a fulcrum, an attaching section 7 (see Fig. 2) provided at an upper portion of the front surface of the front cover 3; and locking means 5 (see Fig. 3) provided at a lower portion of the front panel 4 to lock the front panel 4 to the front cover 3. {0023} The front panel 4 is formed in a laterally long substantially rectangular shape, and has a recessed section 4a (see Fig. 3) in which the lower portion of the front surface of the front panel 4 is recessed to the back surface side. The front panel 4 is formed by using a metal mold using, for example, ABS resin or polystyrene (PS) resin as a molding 13 material. On the front surface side of the recessed section 4a of the front panel 4, an inlet mold 6 formed of a detachably designed transparent member is attached. {00241 Fig. 3 shows the back surface side of the front panel shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3A being a front view of the back surface of the front panel, and Fig. 3B being a side view of the front panel. Fig. 4 shows an attaching section and a locking member which are provided on the back surface side of the front panel, Fig. 4A being a partially enlarged view showing the state where a latching section is accommodated in an inlet receiving section, Fig. 4B showing the state where the inlet receiving section and the latching section are separated from each other, and Fig. 4C being a view seen Fig. 4A from the front side of the recessed section of the front panel. Further, Fig. 5 shows a cross section of the indoor unit shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 5A being a view showing a schematic configuration of the indoor unit, and Fig. 5B being a partially enlarged view showing the locking member in the locked state. {00251 As shown in Fig. 3A, the attaching sections 7 erected from the back surface of the front panel 4 are provided at two upper places on the back surface side of the front panel and near the longitudinal both ends of the front panel 4. The 14 attaching section 7 includes a pin section 7a (see Fig. 4A) extended in parallel with the front panel 4, and the pin section 7a is hooked on the hole section (not shown) provided in the front cover 3 of the indoor unit 1 (see Fig. 1). When the pin section 7a of the attaching section 7 is hooked on the hole section of the front cover 3, the pin section 7a can be rotatably moved in the hole section. {0026} The locking members (locking means) 5 are provided at two lower places on the back surface side of the recessed section 4a of the front panel 4 and near longitudinal both ends of the front panel 4. As shown in Fig. 4A, the locking member 5 includes a latching section (claw section) 9 which is erected from the back surface side of the front panel 4, an inlet side receiving section (receiving section) 10 which is fixed to the back surface side of the front panel 4 so as to hold the latching section 9, and a latching hole section (engaging section ) 11 (see Fig. 5B) which is provided in the front surface of the front cover 3 (see Fig. 1) and engages the latching section 9. {00271 In the recessed section 4a of the front panel 4, when the recessed section 4a of the front panel 4, on which the inlet side receiving section 10 is provided, is seen from the front side, as shown in Fig. 4C, opening windows 8 are formed at 15 positions facing second claw sections 13 as will be described below. {00281 Each of the two opening windows 8 is formed into a longitudinally long substantially rectangular shape in the direction (vertical direction in Fig. 4C) in which the second claw section 13 of the latching section 9 is slid. The two opening windows 8 are formed in parallel with each other. Thereby, the shape of the recessed section 4a of the front panel 4, which section is located between the opening windows 8, is formed into an I-shape. {0029) When the shape of the recessed section 4a of the front panel 4, which section is located between the opening windows 8, is formed into the I-shape, it is prevented that, when the latching section 9 is inserted in the inlet side receiving section 10, the latching section 9 is made to incline to the front side of the recessed section 4a of the front panel 4. Each of the opening windows 8, each formed into the longitudinally long substantially rectangular shape, has, at the upper portion thereof, a projecting section 8a projected toward the direction which is orthogonal to the long axis of the opening window 8 and which is opposite to the projecting direction of the other of the opening windows 8. {00301 16 As shown in Fig. 6, the latching section 9 includes a first claw section 12 which is erected on the back surface side of the recessed section 4a of the front panel 4 (see Fig. 4), and the elastically deformable second claw sections 13 which are respectively provided on both sides of the first claw section 12 so as to be in parallel with the back surface side of the recessed section 4a of the front panel 4. In the latching section 9, when seen from the front, as shown in Fig. 6B, the second claw sections 13 are provided on both sides of the first claw section 12 so as to form a substantially W shape. The latching section 9 is formed by using, as a molding material, a material, such as, for example, polyacetal resin (POM) having excellent abrasion resistance, and by using a metal mold for the latching section. {00311 A hook section 12a is raised at the tip of the first claw section 12. When the first claw section 12 is inserted into the latching hole section 11 (see Fig. 5B), the hook section 12a is brought into contact with a contact section 3a forming the latching hole section 11. The hook section 12a and the contact section 3a respectively form inclined surfaces associated with each other. Thereby, the hook section 12a in contact with the contact section 3a is slid in the right direction in Fig. 5B, so as to be hooked (engaged) with the contact section 3a.

17 {0032} The proximal end portion of the first claw section 12 is connected to a latching section main body 9a (see Fig. 6). When seen from the front, as shown in Fig. 6B, the latching section main body 9a is formed substantially in a T-shape, so as to be able to be attached substantially in parallel with the back surface side of the recessed section 4a of the front panel 4. {0033} The second claw sections 13 are provided on both sides of the latching section main body 9a at which the proximal end portion of the first claw section 12 is provided. When seen from the front, as shown in Fig. 6B, the second claw sections 13 are formed substantially in a W-shape. The second claw sections 13 formed substantially in a W-shape can be attached substantially in parallel with the back surface side of the recessed section 4a of the front panel 4. The second claw section 13 is formed so as to have an inclined surface 13a inclined so that the upper portion of the second claw section 13 is projected toward the outer side as compared with the lower portion of the second claw section 13. {0034} When seen from the front, as shown in Fig. 6B, a space portion is formed between the second claw section 13 forming substantially a W-shape and the long axis of the latching 18 section main body 9a. Further, the second claw section 13 is formed to be elastically deformable. Thus, when a force to urge the second claw section 13 is applied in the long axis direction of the latching section main body 9a, the upper portion of the second claw section 13 can be deflected in the long axis direction of the latching section main body 9a. {0035} The inlet side receiving section 10 is formed to be longitudinally long in the sliding direction of the second claw section 13, and is formed to have a U-shaped cross section orthogonal to the long axis of thereof. As shown in Fig. 4B, the substantially U-shaped inlet side receiving section 10 includes a slide guide 14 allowing the second claw section 13 to slide thereon, and a through hole 15 provided in parallel with the slide guide 14 so as to allow the first claw section 12 to penetrate therethrough. {0036} The inlet side receiving section 10 is provided so that the substantially U-shaped recessed side thereof faces the back surface side of the recessed section 4a of the front panel 4. Thereby, a space, in which the latching section 9 can be accommodated, is formed between the recessed section 4a of the front panel 4, and the inlet side receiving section 10. {0037} The through hole 15, through which the first claw section 19 12 is made to penetrate, is formed substantially at the center of the surface forming the inlet side receiving section 10 and facing the front of the front cover 3 (see Fig. 1). The through hole 15 is formed in an elongated shape in the long axis direction of the inlet side receiving section 10. The pair of slide guides 14, on which the second claw sections 13 are slid, are formed in the inlet side receiving section 10 and on both sides of the through hole 15. {0038} The slide guide 14 is formed by: the back surface side of the recessed section 4a of the front panel 4; the surface of the inlet side receiving section 10, in which surface the through hole 15 is provided; and the side surface (not shown) of the inlet side receiving section 10, the side surface connecting the inlet side receiving section 10 to the surface of the inlet side receiving section 10, in which surface the through hole 15 is formed. {0039} An inclined wall (not shown) is provided on the inner side of the side surface of the inlet side receiving section 10 forming the slide guide 14. The inclined wall provided at the slide guide 14 is provided so as to be tapered toward the sliding direction of the second claw section 13 (toward the lower portion from the upper portion in Fig. 4B) of the second claw section 13.

20 0040} Next, engagement and disengagement of the front panel 4 provided with the locking member 5 of the present embodiment from the front cover 3, and adjustment for fitting the front panel 4 to the front cover will be described with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. When the front panel 4 is fitted to the front surface of the front cover 3 (the front panel 4 is closed), the hook section 12a of the latching section 9 held by the inlet side receiving section 10 is locked by the contact section 3a provided at the front cover 3 as shown in Fig. 5. In this case, as shown in Fig. 4A and Fig. 4C, the second claw section 13 of the latching section 9 is accommodated in the inlet receiving section 10. In this way, in the second claw section 13 of the latching section 9 accommodated in the inlet receiving section 10, as shown in Fig. 4C, the upper tip of the second claw section 13 is made to project in the projecting section 8a which is a part of the opening window 8. {0041} When the front panel 4 is opened and closed, the second claw section 13 of the latching section 9 is made to slide on the slide guide 14 of the inlet receiving section 10 according to the rotation of the front panel 4. That is, the second claw section 13 is moved from the upper portion to the lower portion of the slide guide 14 along the inclined wall of the 21 slide guide 14. In this case, the slide guides 4 respectively support both sides of the substantially T-shaped latching section main body 9a, to prevent the first claw section 12 from being inclined in the sliding direction. 0042) When the second claw section 13 of the latching section 9 is slid from the upper portion to the lower portion of the slide guide 14, the second claw section 13 is deflected by the urging force applied thereto in the long axis direction of the latching section main body 9a by the slide guide 14 of the inlet receiving section 10. In this case, the second claw section 13 is elastically deformable. Thus, when the load is released, the second claw section 13 is slid from the lower portion to the upper portion of the slide guide 14, so as to be returned to the original position. In this way, the position of the latching section 9 (locking member 5) is adjusted by the second claw section 13 being slid and deflected, so that the front panel 4 can be engaged and disengaged from the front cover 3, and the fitting state between the front panel 4 and the front cover 3 can be finely adjusted. {0043} As described above, with the locking member 5 of the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment, and the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner, 22 provided with the locking member 5, the following effects are obtained. In the indoor unit 1, it is intended to use the locking member (locking means) 5 which includes: the inlet side receiving section (receiving section) 10 which is fixed to the back surface side of the front panel 4; the first claw section 12 of the latching section (claw section) 9, which is held by the latching section 9 and erected from the back surface side of the front panel 4; and the latching hole section (engaging section) 11 which is provided in the front surface of the front cover (main body) 3 so as to engage the first claw section 12. Thereby, the latching section 9 is provided to be separated from the front panel 4, so that separate metal molds can be used to mold the latching section 9 and the front panel 4, respectively. Therefore, when the front panel 4 is adjusted and fitted to the front cover 3, only the metal mold of the latching section 9 needs to be adjusted, so that the adjustment and fitting is facilitated. {0044} The slide guide 14 provided at the inlet side receiving section 10 has an inclined wall (not shown) which is tapered toward the sliding direction of the second claw section 13 provided at the latching section 9, and the second claw section 13 is formed to be elastically deformable. Thereby, when the front panel 4 is adjusted and fitted to the front 23 cover 3, the second claw section 13 is slid on the inclined wall of the slide guide 14 and is deflected in the axis direction of the latching section main body 9a. Thus, it is possible to reduce the number of times that the first claw section 12 and the inlet side receiving section 10 are engaged and disengaged from each other in order to adjust and fit the front panel 4 to the front cover 3. Therefore, the wear of the first claw section 12 can be reduced, so that it is possible to suppress the loosening of the fitting state between the front panel 4 and the front cover 3. {0045} In the locking means 5, it is intended that the latching section 9 including the first claw section 12 is formed by molding using, as a molding material, polyacetal resin (POM) having excellent abrasion resistance. Thereby, even when the locking member 5 of the front panel 4 is repeatedly engaged and disengaged from the front cover 3, it is possible to reduce the wear of the first claw section 12. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the loosening of the fitting state between the front panel 4 and the front cover 3. {0046} In the indoor unit 1, it is intended to use the locking member 5 which enables the front panel 4 of the indoor unit 1 to be separated from the latching section 9. Thereby, the metal mold used to mold the latching section 9 and the metal 24 mold used to mold the front panel 4 of the indoor unit 1 can be separated from each other. Therefore, when the front panel 4 is adjusted and fitted to the front cover 3, only the metal mold of the latching section 9 can be adjusted, so that the adjustment and fitting is facilitated. Further, in the indoor unit 1, it is intended to use the locking member 5 which can reduce the wear of the first claw section 12 of the latching section 9. Thereby, even when the locking member 5 of the front panel 4 is repeatedly engaged and disengaged from the front cover 3, it is possible to suppress the loosening of the fitting state between the front panel 4 and the front cover 3. {Reference Signs List} {0047} 1 Indoor unit 3 Front cover (main body) 4 Front panel 5 Locking member (locking means) 9 Latching section (claw section) 10 Inlet side receiving section (receiving section) 11 Latching hole section (engaging section) {0047a} The discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, 24a articles and the like is included in this specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application. {0047b} Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word "comprise" and variations of the word, such as "comprising" and "comprises", is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps

Claims (3)

1. Locking means of an indoor unit of an air conditioner, for locking a main body of the indoor unit to a front panel provided on the front surface of the main body, the locking means including: an engaging section provided on the front surface of the main body; a receiving section provided on a back surface side of the front panel; and a claw section held by the receiving section and erected from the back surface side of the front panel to engage the engaging section, wherein the claw section includes a latching section main body having a flat-plate shape which is held slidably by the receiving section and which extends along a surface of the front panel, a first claw section which is erected toward a direction which is orthogonal to the surface of the latching section main body and is inserted to the engaging section, and second claw sections which are respectively provided on both sides of the latching section main body and each of which has a surface in parallel with the front panel and formed of a plane continuous with the latching section main 26 body and which are elastically deformable toward the latching section main body, wherein the receiving section includes a slide guide on which the latching section main body and the second claw section are slid, and a through hole which is provided in parallel with the slide guide to allow the first claw section to penetrate through the through hole, wherein the slide guide includes a projecting section in which a tip of the second claw section is protruding obliquely toward the sliding direction of the latching section main body and the second claw section in a case where the second claw section is free, wherein, in the case where the second claw section is free, the claw section is slid in a direction in which the first claw section engages with the engaging section by the tip of the second claw section protruding to the projecting section, and wherein, in a case where the claw section is slid, a portion excluding the first claw section, consisting of the latching section main body and the second claw section, slides along the surface of the front panel.

2. The locking means of the indoor unit of the air conditioner, according to claim 1, wherein a material 27 excellent in abrasion resistance is used for the first claw section.

3. An indoor unit of an air conditioner, including the locking means according to claim 1 or claim 2.