JP5800740B2 - Air conditioner indoor unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner.

  Conventionally, an indoor unit of an air conditioner having a cross-flow fan on the downstream side of a heat exchanger has been proposed. An indoor unit of an air conditioner including a cross-flow fan on the downstream side of such a heat exchanger has a configuration as shown in FIG. 10, for example.

  FIG. 10 is a side sectional view showing an indoor unit of a conventional air conditioner having a cross-flow fan on the downstream side of the heat exchanger. As shown in FIG. 10, the indoor unit 101 includes a casing 10 in which a suction port 5 is formed at an upper portion and an air outlet 6 is formed at a lower side of a front surface portion. Inside the casing 10, a cross-flow fan 110 having a plurality of blades and a heat exchanger 20 arranged so as to surround the upstream side of the cross-flow fan 110 are accommodated. This heat exchanger 20 is, for example, a fin tube type heat exchanger, and a plurality of heat transfer tubes, a plurality of heat transfer fins arranged in a stacked manner with a predetermined interval, and the heat transfer tubes inserted in the stacking direction, It has. Moreover, between the suction inlet 5 and the heat exchanger 20, the air purifier 31 and the filter 40 which perform dust collection etc. are arrange | positioned as needed. An opening 3 a for attaching and removing the air cleaning device 31 and the filter 40 is formed on the front surface of the casing 10. The opening 3a is covered with the design panel 3 so as to be openable.

  When the cross-flow fan 110 is driven, the indoor unit 101 configured as described above sucks indoor air from the suction port 5 formed in the upper part of the casing 10. The air that has flowed into the casing 10 from the suction port 5 passes through the filter 40 and the like and flows into the heat exchanger 20. The air that has flowed into the heat exchanger 20 exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing in the heat exchanger 20, and is then discharged into the room from the outlet 6 by the cross-flow fan 110.

  As an indoor unit of a conventional air conditioner including a cross-flow fan on the downstream side of such a heat exchanger, for example, there is an indoor unit described in Patent Document 1.

  Moreover, the indoor unit provided with the propeller fan (axial fan) in the upstream of the heat exchanger is also proposed by the conventional indoor unit of an air conditioner. An indoor unit of a conventional air conditioner equipped with a propeller fan on the upstream side of such a heat exchanger has a configuration as shown in FIG. 11, for example.

  FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view showing an indoor unit of a conventional air conditioner equipped with a propeller fan on the upstream side of the heat exchanger. As shown in FIG. 11, the indoor unit 102 includes a casing 10 in which a suction port 5 is formed at an upper portion and an air outlet 6 is formed at a lower side of a front portion. In the casing 10, a propeller fan 11 provided on the downstream side of the suction port 5 and a heat exchanger 20 provided on the downstream side of the propeller fan 11 are accommodated. The heat exchanger 20 is also a fin tube type heat exchanger, for example, and a plurality of heat transfer tubes, a plurality of heat transfer fins arranged in a stacked manner with a predetermined interval, and the heat transfer tubes inserted in the stacking direction, It has. Further, a filter 40 or the like is disposed between the suction port 5 and the propeller fan 11 as necessary.

  When the propeller fan 11 is driven, the indoor unit 102 configured as described above sucks indoor air from the suction port 5 formed in the upper part of the casing 10. This air flowing in from the suction port 5 passes through the filter 40 and flows into the propeller fan 11. This air is sent to the heat exchanger 20 side by the propeller fan 11 and flows into the heat exchanger 20. The air that has flowed into the heat exchanger 20 exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing in the heat exchanger 20, and then is discharged into the room from the blowout port 6.

  As an indoor unit of a conventional air conditioner including a propeller fan on the upstream side of such a heat exchanger, for example, there is an indoor unit described in Patent Document 2.

JP 2002-79140 A WO2010 / 089920

  Usually, the front side wall of the air passage formed in the casing 10 is constituted by a design panel 3 that covers the front surface of the casing 10 and the opening 3a of the front surface. And the clearance gap which can distribute | circulate air is formed in the periphery of the design panel 3. As shown in FIG. At this time, in the conventional indoor unit 101 provided with the cross-flow fan 110 on the downstream side of the heat exchanger 20, the air passing through the heat exchanger 20 becomes air sucked by the cross-flow fan 110. For this reason, the air (indicated by an arrow in FIG. 10) flowing through the gap between the front surface portion of the casing 10 and the design panel 3 becomes a flow that flows into the heat exchanger 20. And this air will flow out of the blower outlet 6 after passing through the heat exchanger 20. Therefore, in the conventional indoor unit 101 provided with the cross-flow fan 110 on the downstream side of the heat exchanger 20, there is no need to pay particular attention to the air flowing through the gap between the front surface portion of the casing 10 and the design panel 3. .

  On the other hand, in the indoor unit 102 of the conventional air conditioner provided with the propeller fan 11 on the upstream side of the heat exchanger 20, the air passing through the heat exchanger 20 is air blown out of the propeller fan 11. That is, the configuration is such that air is pushed into the heat exchanger 20 by the propeller fan 11 (a configuration in which air is not sucked from the downstream side of the heat exchanger 20). For this reason, when the front side wall of the air passage formed in the casing 10 is configured by the front surface portion of the casing 10 and the design panel 3, a part of the air blown out from the propeller fan 11 flows into the heat exchanger 20. Instead, it leaks out of the casing 10 from the gap between the front surface portion of the casing 10 and the design panel 3 (indicated by an arrow in FIG. 11). For this reason, in the indoor unit 102 of the conventional air conditioner equipped with the propeller fan 11 on the upstream side of the heat exchanger 20, the air before heat exchange is generated from the gap between the front surface of the casing 10 and the design panel 3. There was a problem that the air conditioning performance of the indoor unit would be reduced by leaking out of the air path. Further, when the indoor unit 102 performs the cooling operation, cold air cooled on the surface of the heat exchanger 20 may leak out of the air path from the gap between the front surface portion of the casing 10 and the design panel 3. is there. For this reason, in the indoor unit 102 of the conventional air conditioner provided with the propeller fan 11 on the upstream side of the heat exchanger 20, this cold air cools the vicinity of the gap between the front portion of the casing 10 and the design panel 3. By doing so, there also existed a subject that the outer surface part of the casing 10 would condense.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is caused by air leakage from the peripheral edge of the design panel in an indoor unit of an air conditioner including a propeller fan on the upstream side of the heat exchanger. It aims at obtaining the indoor unit of the air conditioner which can prevent the fall of the air-conditioning capability and the dew condensation to a casing outer surface part.

  An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention includes a suction port formed in an upper portion, a blower port formed on a lower side of a front surface, and a casing having an air passage communicating the suction port and the blower port, At least one propeller fan provided on the downstream side of the suction port in the air passage; and air sucked into the air passage by the propeller fan provided on the downstream side of the propeller fan in the air passage; An air conditioner indoor unit comprising: a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with a refrigerant; a design panel that covers a casing opening formed in a front surface portion of the casing so as to be openable and closable; and a back surface side of the design panel A front cover that is provided and seals a front-side opening between the propeller fan and the heat exchanger and constitutes a front side wall of an air passage between the propeller fan and the heat exchanger , It is those with a.

  The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present invention is provided on the back side of the design panel, seals the opening on the front side between the propeller fan and the heat exchanger, and between the propeller fan and the heat exchanger. The front cover which comprises the front side wall of an air path is provided. For this reason, air can be prevented from leaking out of the air path from the peripheral edge of the design panel (the gap between the front surface portion of the casing and the design panel covering the opening formed in the front surface portion). Therefore, the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present invention can prevent a decrease in air conditioning capability and condensation on the outer surface of the casing due to air leakage from the peripheral edge of the design panel.

  Patent Document 1 describes a cover (a dust collecting electrode cover 5 in Patent Document 1) provided on the back side of a design panel (a suction grill 2 in Patent Document 1). However, the indoor unit described in Patent Document 1 is an indoor unit including a cross-flow fan on the downstream side of the heat exchanger. For this reason, the indoor unit described in Patent Document 1 does not consider the problem of the present invention (preventing a decrease in air-conditioning capability due to air leakage from the peripheral edge of the design panel and condensation on the outer surface of the housing). No consideration is given to the airtightness of the peripheral edge of the design panel. That is, it is added that the cover provided on the back side of the design panel described in Patent Document 1 is completely different from the front cover according to the present invention.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows an example of the indoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows an example of the indoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the design panel in an example of the indoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the design panel and front panel in an example of the indoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the air-cleaning-device vicinity provided in an example of the indoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the air-cleaning-device vicinity provided in an example of the indoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which looked at the opening-and-closing lid | cover provided in an example of the indoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the front side. It is a perspective view which shows the state which looked at the opening-and-closing lid | cover provided in an example of the indoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the back side. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows another example of the attachment structure of the opening / closing cover provided in an example of the indoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the indoor unit of the conventional air conditioner provided with the cross-flow fan in the downstream of the heat exchanger. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the indoor unit of the conventional air conditioner provided with the propeller fan in the upstream of the heat exchanger.

Embodiment.
Hereinafter, the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same functions as those of the conventional indoor unit will be described using the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the indoor unit of the air conditioner. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the design panel is removed from the indoor unit of the air conditioner. Moreover, FIG. 4 is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the design panel and front panel in the indoor unit of this air conditioner.

  The indoor unit 100 supplies conditioned air to an air-conditioning target area such as a room by using a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant is circulated. The indoor unit 100 is mainly housed in a casing 10 in which a suction port 5 for sucking indoor air into the interior and a blower outlet 6 for supplying conditioned air to an air-conditioning target area are formed. And a propeller fan 11 that sucks room air from the suction port 5 and blows conditioned air from the blower outlet 6, and an air passage from the propeller fan 11 to the blower outlet 6 to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the room air. And a heat exchanger 20 that creates conditioned air.

  The casing 10 forms a skeleton of the indoor unit 100, and may be constituted by a combination of a plurality of parts or may be an integral structure. In the present embodiment, a casing 10 is constituted by the casing 1, the front panel 2, and the design panel 3.

  The housing 1 constitutes the rear surface portion and the rear surface of the lower surface portion of the casing 10. The front panel 2 constitutes a part of the front surface portion of the casing 10, an upper surface portion, and a side surface portion, and is attached to the housing 1. The front panel 2 has a suction port 5 formed on the upper surface. As will be described later, since three propeller fans 11 are juxtaposed in the casing 10, three suction ports 5 are formed side by side on the upper surface of the front panel 2 at positions corresponding to the propeller fans 11. ing. Each suction port 5 has, for example, a substantially square shape, and a top grid is formed inside. Further, the front panel 2 has an opening 3a corresponding to the casing opening of the present invention formed on the front surface. In the opening 3a, a design panel 3 that covers the opening 3a so as to be freely opened and closed is provided. When the front panel 2 is attached to the housing 1, for example, a space between the lower end of the front portion of the front panel 2 and the housing 1 is the air outlet 6. In other words, the air outlet 6 is formed in the lower part of the casing 10 (more specifically, on the lower side of the front part of the casing 10). In the present embodiment, in order to prevent the strength of the front panel 2 from being insufficient due to the formation of the opening 3a, the opening 3a is provided with a support member 3b extending in the vertical direction.

  Thus, the inlet 10 is formed in the upper part, and the casing 10 in which the outlet 6 is formed in the lower part of the casing 10 (more specifically, on the lower side of the front surface of the casing 10) is provided with a propeller fan 11 and a heat exchanger. 20 and a filter 40 are accommodated. That is, the propeller fan 11, the heat exchanger 20, the filter 40, and the like are accommodated in the air passage in the casing 10 that communicates the suction port 5 and the air outlet 6.

  The propeller fan 11 is provided at a position on the downstream (leeward) side of the suction port 5. In the present embodiment, three propeller fans 11 are juxtaposed in the left-right direction. These propeller fans 11 are provided on a fan mounting member 12. Specifically, a number of bell mouths corresponding to the number of propeller fans 11 are formed on the fan mounting member 12, and the propeller fans 11 are arranged in the bell mouths. In the present embodiment, three propeller fans 11 are juxtaposed in the left-right direction. For this reason, the fan mounting member 12 is also provided with three bell mouths in the left-right direction. In addition, a filter 40 is provided between the suction port of each propeller fan 11, that is, between the suction port 5 and the propeller fan 11, to remove dust from room air flowing into the air passage of the casing 10. The number of propeller fans 11 is merely an example, and the number of propeller fans 11 may be appropriately determined based on the air volume required for the indoor unit 100. For this reason, the number of the propeller fans 11 should just be at least one.

  The heat exchanger 20 is, for example, a fin tube type heat exchanger, and is formed in, for example, a substantially Λ shape in side view. The heat exchanger 20 is provided below the propeller fan 11, that is, on the downstream (leeward) side of the propeller fan 11. The heat exchanger 20 is provided with side plates 21 at both left and right ends, and is attached to the housing 1 via the side plates 21. These side plates 21 also function as side walls together with the housing 1 in the air path on the downstream side of the propeller fan 11.

  The casing 10 of the indoor unit 100 is also provided with a drain pan unit 50 and a wind direction unit 60 at a position below (that is, downstream) the heat exchanger 20. The drain pan unit 50 collects dew adhering to the heat exchanger 20 during the cooling operation. The drain pan unit 50 includes a front drain pan 51 disposed below the front lower end of the heat exchanger 20 and a rear drain pan 52 disposed below the rear lower end of the heat exchanger 20. In addition, the drain pan unit 50 according to the present embodiment also functions as a nozzle portion that communicates between the front drain pan 51 and the rear drain pan 52 to the air outlet 6. In the present embodiment, when the air blown out from the propeller fan 11 flows forward of the heat exchanger 20, the air is prevented from flowing to the outlet 6 without passing through the heat exchanger 20, The space between the front lower end of the heat exchanger 20 and the front drain pan 51 is sealed with a seal member 53. Similarly, when the air blown out from the propeller fan 11 flows to the rear of the heat exchanger 20, in order to prevent the air from flowing to the outlet 6 without passing through the heat exchanger 20, A gap between the rear lower end and the rear drain pan 52 is sealed with a seal member 54. That is, in the present embodiment, the drain pan unit corresponds to an air path separation member that separates the upstream air path and the downstream air path of the heat exchanger 20 via the seal members 53 and 54.

The air direction unit 60 is a mechanism for adjusting the direction of the conditioned air blown from the air outlet 6, and includes, for example, a vane that can swing in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The wind direction unit 60 is provided at the air outlet 6.
The indoor unit 100 is also provided with an electrical component box 70 in which an electrical board and the like for controlling the rotational speed of the propeller fan 11 and the vane angle of the wind direction unit 60 are stored. The electrical component box 70 is attached to the housing 1 so as to face the side plate 21 of the heat exchanger 20.

  Here, in the indoor unit 100 according to the present embodiment, the propeller fan 11 is provided on the upstream side of the heat exchanger 20 in the air passage of the casing 10. For this reason, in the indoor unit 100 according to the present embodiment, the front cover 4 is disposed in front of the heat exchanger 20 for the following reason.

  Usually, the front side wall of the air passage formed in the casing is constituted by a front surface portion of the design panel and the front panel. At this time, when the cross-flow fan is provided on the downstream side of the heat exchanger in the air passage of the casing, the air passing through the heat exchanger becomes air sucked by the cross-flow fan. For this reason, the air which passes through the clearance gap between a design panel and a front panel turns into a flow which flows in into a heat exchanger. Therefore, when the cross-flow fan is provided on the downstream side of the heat exchanger in the air passage of the casing, there is no particular problem even if the front wall of the air passage is configured by the front portions of the design panel and the front panel.

  On the other hand, when the propeller fan 11 is provided on the upstream side of the heat exchanger 20 in the air passage of the casing 10, the air passing through the heat exchanger 20 is air blown out of the propeller fan 11. That is, in the case where the propeller fan 11 is provided on the upstream side of the heat exchanger 20 in the air passage of the casing 10, a configuration in which air is pushed into the heat exchanger 20 by the propeller fan 11 (air from the downstream side of the heat exchanger 20. Is configured to prevent suction. For this reason, a part of the air blown out from the propeller fan 11 does not flow into the heat exchanger 20 and may leak out of the casing 10 from the gap between the design panel 3 and the front panel 2. And if there is much air leaking out of the casing 10, the quantity of the air which passes the heat exchanger 20 will fall, and the air-conditioning performance of the indoor unit 100 will fall. In addition, when the indoor unit 100 performs the cooling operation, cold air cooled on the surface of the heat exchanger 20 may leak out of the air path from the gap between the front surface portion of the casing 10 and the design panel 3. is there. For this reason, the cold air cools the vicinity of the gap between the front surface portion of the casing 10 and the design panel 3, so that the outer surface portion of the casing 10 may be condensed.

  For this reason, in the indoor unit 100 according to the present embodiment in which the propeller fan 11 is provided on the upstream side of the heat exchanger 20, the front part of the fan mounting member 12 and the front part of the left and right side plates 21 of the heat exchanger 20. The opening formed by the front drain pan 51 is sealed with the front cover 4. That is, in the indoor unit 100 according to the present embodiment, the front side wall of the air path between the propeller fan 11 and the heat exchanger 20 is configured by the front cover 4. Thereby, it can prevent that air leaks out of the casing 10 from the clearance gap between the design panel 3 and the front panel 2, and can prevent that the air-conditioning performance of the indoor unit 100 falls. Moreover, when the indoor unit 100 performs the cooling operation, it is possible to prevent the outer surface portion of the casing 10 from condensing.

  In the present embodiment, the front cover 4, the front part of the fan mounting member 12, and the front part of the front drain pan 51 are screwed, so that the front part of the fan mounting member 12 and the left and right side plates of the heat exchanger 20 are fixed. The front part of 21 and the opening part formed by the front side drain pan 51 are sealed with the front cover 4 (see the screw fixing position 4c in FIG. 4). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a seal member is provided between the front part of the front cover 4, the front part of the left and right side plates 21 of the heat exchanger 20, the front part of the front drain pan 51, and the front cover 4. 12 may be sealed with the front cover 4, the front part of the left and right side plates 21 of the heat exchanger 20, and the opening formed by the front drain pan 51. At this time, the front cover 4 does not necessarily have to be screwed, and the front cover may be fixed with various known configurations (for example, engagement by engagement concave portions and engagement convex portions). Of course, the front cover 4 and the fan mounting member 12 may be configured integrally. In the configuration in which the front cover 4 is fixed with screws, the sealing degree of the opening formed by the front part of the fan mounting member 12, the front part of the left and right side plates 21 of the heat exchanger 20, and the front drain pan 51 without providing a seal member. Can be secured to some extent, so that the workability of attaching the front cover 4 is improved. Moreover, in the structure which forms the front cover 4 and the fan attachment member 12 integrally, the attachment workability | operativity of the front cover 4 improves more. Further, in the configuration in which the seal member is provided between the front part of the fan mounting member 12, the front part of the left and right side plates 21 of the heat exchanger 20, and the front part of the front drain pan 51 and the front cover 4, The opening formed by the front cover 4 and the front side of the left and right side plates 21 of the heat exchanger 20 and the front drain pan 51 can be more reliably sealed by the front cover 4, and the casing 10 can be removed from the gap between the design panel 3 and the front panel 2. It can prevent more reliably that air leaks outside.

  In addition to the filter 40, the indoor unit 100 according to the present embodiment is provided with an air cleaning device 31 that performs air cleaning.

FIG.5 and FIG.6 is explanatory drawing which shows the air-cleaning apparatus vicinity provided in an example of the indoor unit of the air conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. Specifically, FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the insertion port 4a formed in the front cover 4 for inserting / removing the air cleaning device 31, and an opening / closing lid provided in the insertion port 4a. 32 shows the state which covers the insertion port 4a. FIG. 5B is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of the air cleaning device 31 in a state where the opening / closing lid 32 covers the insertion port 4a. FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the insertion port 4a formed in the front cover 4 in order to insert / remove the air cleaning device 31, and the opening / closing lid 32 provided in the insertion port 4a is opened. It shows the state that is. FIG. 6B is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of the air cleaning device 31 in a state where the opening / closing lid 32 is open. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state of the opening / closing lid as viewed from the front side, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state of the opening / closing lid as viewed from the back side.
Hereinafter, the installation configuration of the air cleaning device 31 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8 and FIGS. 1 to 4 described above.

  The air cleaning device 31 is provided in the air path between the propeller fan 11 and the heat exchanger 20. For example, the air cleaning device 31 charges dust between electrodes and collects the charged dust with a dust collecting electrode. Moreover, this air purifying apparatus 31 generates ozone, for example, and deodorizes and disinfects air. The air cleaning device 31 is supported slidably in the front-rear direction by a slide mechanism or the like extending from the front cover 4 to the back side, and can be taken out from the insertion port 4 a of the front cover 4.

  The insertion opening 4a is provided with an opening / closing lid 32 that covers the insertion opening 4a. Specifically, an opening / closing shaft 4b is provided in the vicinity of the insertion port 4a of the front cover 4 (more specifically, above the insertion port 4a). On the other hand, a locking piece 32a is provided on the upper edge of the opening / closing lid 32 at a position corresponding to the opening / closing shaft 4b. Then, by locking the locking piece 32a to the opening / closing shaft 4b, the opening / closing lid 32 is rotatable about the opening / closing shaft 4b (in other words, to be rotatable at the upper edge of the opening / closing lid 32). ) Is provided. Further, seal members 33 are provided on four sides on the back side of the opening / closing lid 32. When the opening / closing lid 32 is closed, the sealing member 31 is sandwiched between the opening / closing lid 32 and the front cover 4, and the opening / closing lid is provided. 32 becomes a structure which can seal the insertion port 4a. The opening / closing lid 32 is urged in a direction to close the insertion port 4a by, for example, a spring member (not shown).

  A configuration in which the opening / closing lid 32 is screwed to the front cover 4 and the opening / closing lid 32 seals the insertion port 4a may be added. The insertion port 4a can be sealed more reliably. In addition, since the sealing degree of the insertion port 4a is secured to some extent by screwing the opening / closing lid 32 to the front cover 4, a configuration in which the seal member 33 is not provided on the back side of the opening / closing lid 32 is also possible. . In this embodiment, considering that the air purifier 31 is periodically inserted and removed for cleaning or the like, a sealing member 33 is provided on the back side of the opening / closing lid 32 and the opening / closing lid 32 is screwed. Even if it does not, it is set as the structure which can ensure the sealing degree of the insertion port 4a.

(Insertion / removal operation of the air purifier 31)
Subsequently, an insertion / removal operation of the air cleaning device 31 in the indoor unit 100 configured as described above will be described.
As with the filter 40, it is preferable that the air cleaning device 31 periodically removes and adheres dust (that is, cleans) adhering thereto. In this case, the air purifier 31 is removed from the indoor unit 100 as follows. First, the design panel 3 is opened, and the front cover 4 and the opening / closing lid 32 are exposed from the opening 3 a of the front panel 2. And the air purifier 31 can be taken out from the indoor unit 100 by opening the opening / closing lid 32 and pulling out the air purifier 31 forward (in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 6B).

  Moreover, after cleaning the air purifying apparatus 31, the air purifying apparatus 31 is attached to the indoor unit 100 as follows. That is, the opening / closing lid 32 is opened, and the air cleaning device 31 is inserted into the casing 10 (more specifically, the air path between the propeller fan 11 and the heat exchanger 20) from the insertion port 4a. Thereafter, the opening / closing lid 32 and the design panel 3 are closed.

  In addition, when removing the filter 40 from the indoor unit 100, the design panel 3 may be opened and the filter 40 may be pulled out forward. Moreover, when attaching the filter 40 to the indoor unit 100, the filter 40 may be inserted into the casing 10 (more specifically, between the suction port 5 and the propeller fan 11), and the design panel 3 may be closed.

(Driving operation of indoor unit 100)
Next, the operation of the indoor unit 100 configured as described above will be described.
When the propeller fan 11 is driven, indoor air is sucked from the suction port 5 formed in the upper part of the casing 10 (more specifically, the front panel 2). The air that has flowed into the casing 10 from the suction port 5 passes through the filter 40 and flows into the propeller fan 11. This air is blown out by the propeller fan 11 into an air passage (a space surrounded by the casing 1, the side plate 21, and the front cover 4). The air blown into the air passage is air-cleaned by the air purifier 31 and then flows into the heat exchanger 20.

  At this time, since the heat exchanger 20 has a narrow gap between the fins and a large ventilation resistance, a part of the air that is desired to flow into the heat exchanger 20 tends to flow into the flow path having a small ventilation resistance. For this reason, when the air path between the propeller fan 11 and the heat exchanger 20 communicates with the gap between the design panel 3 and the front panel 2, part of the air that is desired to flow into the heat exchanger 20. However, it leaks out of the casing 10 from the gap between the design panel 3 and the front panel 2. And if air leaks out of the casing 10 from the gap between the design panel 3 and the front panel 2, the amount of air flowing into the heat exchanger 20 decreases, and the air conditioning performance of the indoor unit 100 decreases. End up. In addition, when the indoor unit 100 performs a cooling operation, cold air cooled on the surface of the heat exchanger 20 may leak from the gap between the design panel 3 and the front panel 2, and the design panel 3 and the front panel There is also concern about the condensation on the outer surface of the casing 10 in the vicinity of the gap between the panel 2 and the panel 2.

  However, in the indoor unit 100 according to the present embodiment, the front side wall of the air passage between the propeller fan 11 and the heat exchanger 20 is configured by the front cover 4, that is, the front portion of the fan mounting member 12. Since the front portion of the left and right side plates 21 of the heat exchanger 20 and the opening formed by the front drain pan 51 are sealed by the front cover 4, the casing 10 is removed from the gap between the design panel 3 and the front panel 2. Air can be prevented from leaking out. For this reason, it can prevent that the air-conditioning performance of the indoor unit 100 falls. Moreover, when the indoor unit 100 performs the cooling operation, it is possible to prevent the outer surface portion of the casing 10 from condensing.

  The air that has flowed into the heat exchanger 20 exchanges heat with the refrigerant that flows through the heat exchanger 20, and then is discharged into the room as air-conditioned air from the air outlet 6.

  As described above, in the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner configured as in the present embodiment, the front side wall of the air path between the propeller fan 11 and the heat exchanger 20 is configured by the front cover 4. That is, since the front part of the fan mounting member 12, the front part of the left and right side plates 21 of the heat exchanger 20, and the opening formed by the front drain pan 51 are sealed by the front cover 4, the design panel 3 and the front panel 2. It is possible to prevent air from leaking out of the casing 10 through the gap between them. For this reason, it can prevent that the air-conditioning performance of the indoor unit 100 falls. Moreover, when the indoor unit 100 performs the cooling operation, it is possible to prevent the outer surface portion of the casing 10 from condensing.

  By providing the front cover 4, the front side of the casing 10 has a double plate structure by the front cover 4, the front portion of the front panel 2, and the design panel 3. For this reason, it can suppress that the drive sound of the propeller fan 11, etc. leaks out of the casing 10, and the effect that the sound insulation effect of the indoor unit 100 can be improved is also acquired.

  Further, in the air conditioner indoor unit 100 configured as in the present embodiment, when the air cleaning device 31 is provided, an insertion port 4a for insertion / removal of the air cleaning device 31 is formed in the front cover 4. The insertion port 4a is sealed with an opening / closing lid 32. For this reason, even when providing the air purifying apparatus 31, it can prevent that air leaks out of the casing 10 from the clearance gap between the design panel 3 and the front panel 2. FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the opening / closing lid 32 is attached to the front cover 4, but the above-described attachment configuration of the opening / closing lid 32 is merely an example. For example, the opening / closing lid 32 may be attached as shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, the opening / closing lid 32 is attached to the front surface portion of the air cleaning device 31. The opening / closing lid 32 can be inserted / removed from the indoor unit 100 together with the air cleaning device 31, and when the air cleaning device 31 is inserted into the casing 10, the opening / closing lid 32 can seal the insertion port 4 a. Even if comprised in this way, the effect similar to the above can be acquired. The air purifying device 31 may be housed in the housing member and disposed in the casing 10, and the opening / closing lid 32 may be attached to the housing member. It becomes easy to remove the opening / closing lid 32 from the air cleaning device 31, and the air cleaning device 31 can be easily cleaned.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case, 2 Front panel, 3 Design panel, 3a Opening part, 3b Support member, 4 Front cover, 4a Insertion port, 4b Opening / closing axis, 4c Screw fixing position, 5 Suction port, 6 Outlet, 10 Casing, 11 Propeller Fan, 12 Fan mounting member, 20 Heat exchanger, 21 Side plate, 31 Air purifier, 32 Open / close lid, 32a Locking piece, 33 Seal member, 40 Filter, 50 Drain pan unit, 51 Front drain pan, 52 Rear drain pan, 53 Seal member, 54 Seal member, 60 Air direction unit, 70 Electrical component box, 100 Indoor unit, 101 Indoor unit (conventional), 102 Indoor unit (conventional), 110 Cross-flow fan.

Claims (9)

A suction port formed in the upper part, a blower outlet formed on the lower side of the front surface, and a casing having an air passage communicating the suction port and the blower port;
At least one propeller fan provided on the downstream side of the suction port in the air passage;
A heat exchanger that is provided on the downstream side of the propeller fan in the air passage and exchanges heat between the air sucked into the air passage by the propeller fan and the refrigerant;
In the indoor unit of an air conditioner equipped with
A design panel that covers the casing opening formed on the front surface of the casing so as to be freely opened and closed;
Provided on the back side of the design panel, seals the opening on the front side between the propeller fan and the heat exchanger, and configures the front side wall of the air path between the propeller fan and the heat exchanger A front cover to
An air conditioner indoor unit characterized by comprising: A fan mounting member to which the propeller fan is mounted;
The air exchanger is disposed opposite to the front end of the heat exchanger, and the space between the front end of the heat exchanger is closed with a seal member, and the air path is connected to the upstream air path and the downstream air path of the heat exchanger. An air path separating member that is separated into
With
The front cover is an opening formed by a front part of the fan mounting member, a front part of the air path separating member, and front parts of left and right side walls of the air path between the propeller fan and the heat exchanger. The air conditioner indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner is sealed.   The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the front cover seals the opening by screwing at least a front part of the fan mounting member and a front part of the air passage separation member. Indoor unit. A seal member is provided between the front part of the fan mounting member, the front part of the air path separation member and the front part of the left and right side walls, and the front cover,
The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the front cover seals the opening by the seal member. An insertion opening is formed in the front cover,
An air purifier that is provided between the propeller fan and the heat exchanger and can be inserted and removed from the insertion port;
An open / close lid for opening and closing the insertion port;
The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:   The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein the opening / closing lid is attached to the air cleaning device or a storage member of the air cleaning device.   The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein one side of the opening / closing lid is rotatably attached to the front cover.   The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the opening / closing lid seals the insertion port by being screwed to the front cover. A seal member is provided between the opening / closing lid and the front cover,
The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the opening / closing lid seals the insertion port by the seal member.

Images